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WHY I’LL NEVER STOP LEARNING LESSONS FROM BOOKS, MENTORS, AND LIFE
Looking back, I can say that, without a doubt, learning to run a better business has been one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done. It’s also something I didn’t take seriously enough when I first started. Like many entrepreneurs, I jumped into my first business with grit and determination. My wife and I ran a tent rental company, and we did it all initially. We hustled, pivoted fast, and worked hard because that’s what it took to survive. And for a while, it worked. We built momentum and grew. But success on paper doesn’t always feel like success in real life. The business was running well after a couple of years, but I was worn out. I wasn’t spending enough time with my family, and didn’t have space to think or breathe. At one point, I remember telling a mentor that the business I had worked so hard to build was about to crush me. That’s when I found “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber. That book changed the way I looked at things. Until then, I thought the answer was pushing harder and working more. I hadn’t stopped to ask what I wanted from the business or how I could shape it to fit my life. The book opened my eyes. Building a business is one thing. Designing a business that serves your life is something else entirely. Once I saw the business as something I could shape, not just survive, I realized how much I still had to learn. “The E-Myth” cracked the door open, but much more was behind it. That’s when I picked up “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. It got me thinking hard about leadership. Early on, I relied on grit and hustle, but that only gets you so far. If you want to grow, you need good people, and you need to give them room to lead and succeed. That was a big shift for me. I had to stop thinking of myself as the one
doing it all and start thinking about how to build momentum through others.
Later, “Traction” by Gino Wickman gave me another piece of the puzzle. You need a great team, but if everyone is heading in a different direction, you’re just spinning your wheels. The book helped me think through how to set clear goals and build simple systems so the business could run with purpose, not just effort. That made a huge difference in how we operated. Along the way, mentorship played a big role, too. I’ve been a member of EO for 15 years now, and that group has had a major impact on how I think and lead. Being surrounded by other business owners on the same path and hearing their insights and challenges has been invaluable. Sometimes, the answer to your biggest problem is just one phone call away if you’re in the right circle. I’ve also worked with individual mentors over the years. One in particular walked me through real leadership situations so I could prepare to handle them better. On a personal level, I still meet monthly with a spiritual advisor, which helps me stay grounded no matter what’s going on in business or life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you’re never done learning. Not if you want to keep growing — as a person or a leader. The more I’ve invested in learning, whether books, mentors, or peers, the more the business has improved. And so has
AUGUST 2025 Teeco Times
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my life. Owning a business is a gift, but it’s one you have to keep unwrapping, little by little.
–Steve Arendt
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Last year, I took a backpacking trip through Spain. When you’re on the trail with just a backpack, you learn to get creative about staying clean. I had a few shirts, and every so often I’d find a sink and wash one out the best I could. It felt good enough. I’d put it back on and keep going. Then I stayed at a hotel and finally ran that shirt through a real washing machine. When I pulled it out, I couldn’t believe the difference. I had been wearing it, thinking it was clean, but it wasn’t even close. The same thing happens in the tent rental world. I hear it all the time from people who buy our washing machines. They’ll say, “We’ve been hand-washing for years, and we do a great job. That’s not why we’re buying this.” Then a few months later, I’ll get a call from them saying, “I can’t believe how clean our tents get.” A BETTER WAY T How Clean
NATURE VS. NATURE
How to Use Plants and Scents to Repel Insects
There’s nothing quite like summer. Backyard barbecues, evening hikes, and late-night stargazing. All of it is magical — until bugs crash the party. Mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks don’t need an invite, and before you know it, you’re scratching your ankles and swatting at the air. But you don’t have to douse yourself in strong sprays and chemicals to keep them away. Here are five natural ways to repel bugs this summer — no chemicals required. Choose Loose Clothing Believe it or not, your outfit can make a big difference. Light-colored, loose- fitting clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes and helps prevent them from biting through fabric. Covering up exposed skin is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. It’s specifically helpful to wear long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn, when bugs are most active. Use Natural Aromas Many bugs have super-sensitive noses, and certain scents repel them. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and lemongrass are natural bug repellents. You can make your own spray by mixing a few drops of any of these scents with water and a carrier oil (like witch hazel or coconut oil), then spritzing it on your skin or clothes. Just make sure you’re cautious with essential oils around pets and kids. Smoke Them Out Burning herbs like sage or rosemary in your campfire or fire pit not only smells amazing but also helps keep mosquitoes and gnats at bay. Bugs hate the smoke from these plants, and it’s an easy, low-effort way to keep them off your picnic table. Watch Your Scents Surprisingly, it’s not just about what repels bugs — it’s also about avoiding what attracts them. Fragranced lotions, perfumes, and even certain soaps can lure bugs to you. In summer, it’s smart to go unscented when heading outdoors. Keep Your Space Clean If you have standing water on your property, it’s a mosquito’s favorite breeding ground. Make sure you dump water from flower pots, birdbaths, or kiddie pools regularly. And if you’re entertaining outside, clean up food scraps and trash — flies and ants will sniff that out fast. 2
When you’re washing by hand, you might think you know what clean looks like. But until you see what’s possible, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Our tent washers were the perfect solution for washing this duct line. Before & After
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There’s a great example of this I’ve seen again and again. A rental company will wash its tents by hand for years. They’ll set one of those tents up next to a brand-new one, and suddenly it hits them. The old tent looks dingy and gray in comparison. It’s not because they weren’t trying. It’s just that hand-washing can only take you so far. It reminds me of how people used to do laundry with a washboard. That was the standard for years. People thought they were getting things clean. Then washing machines came along, and no one went back to the washboard. There was a better way now. TO CLEAN TENTS n Is Clean?
A few years back, I was talking with a friend in EO. Someone asked how he was doing, and without missing a beat, he said, “I’m not busy. I’m highly productive.” That stuck with me. Most of us, especially in business, say we’re busy. It comes out without thinking. But hearing him say it like that got me thinking about my habits. What was I really doing, and why? I can tell you where that mindset started for me. Growing up and in the early days of my business, staying busy was rewarded. If people saw you moving fast and getting things done, you were praised for it. I bought into that idea. But once you tie your value to being busy, it gets tough to slow down, even when your work isn’t helping much. I remember one morning, I woke up, and I had washed my car the day before. I had nothing urgent going on, so what did I do? I washed the car again. At the time, I didn’t stop to ask why. Later, I realized that sitting still made me anxious. But I’d wired myself to believe I wasn’t making progress if I wasn’t moving. It took me a while to break that pattern. Over time, I realized that being productive isn’t about filling the calendar. It’s about doing things that truly move you toward what matters. That shift meant putting more energy into my family, learning to be a better leader, and strengthening my relationships. I had to get comfortable with slowing down when that was the right choice. It wasn’t easy at first, but once I started measuring progress by what mattered most, not how busy I looked, things changed. Why Busy Isn’t Always Better BUSY OR PRODUCTIVE?
In the tent world, we’re at the same point. Machine washing sets a new bar for what customers expect.
A tent that looks bright and fresh brings in repeat business. One that looks tired and worn can send customers the other way. You’re in for a pleasant surprise if you haven’t tried it yet. Once you see what’s possible, you won’t want to go back.
I once heard someone say, “We’re human beings, not
human doings.” That simple line says it all.
If you find yourself stuck in the busy trap, I’d encourage you to stop and ask: Is this moving me toward what I really want? If not, give yourself permission
to change it. When you focus on the right things,
you move forward in ways that count — and life gets better, too.
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Inside This Issue 1 The Gift of Learning in Business 2 The Natural Way to Fight Off Summer Bugs (No Harsh Sprays Needed!)
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When Clean Isn’t Quite Clean
3 Breaking Free From the ‘Busy’ Trap 4 The Parks You’ve Never Heard Of (But Need to Visit)
Whenever you hear a friend or family member say they’re going to take a road trip to visit some of America’s most beautiful national parks, they usually plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Yosemite. These national parks consistently attract millions of visitors every year, but they’re far from the only must-see national parks in the country. There are 429 protected national sites within the U.S., and 63 of those have obtained the official “national park” designation in their names. (The other labels are battlefields, historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, etc.) If you want to experience the beauty of America without the crowds, consider visiting these destinations during your next vacation!
You can reach the mainland visitor center in Ventura by car, but the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats. Make reservations in advance. Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio If you want a unique experience, visit Cuyahoga National Park. Like many other national parks, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and photography while exploring the park’s 33,000 acres. You can admire many of the 1,000 species of plants and animals throughout your exploration, but if you want to get the full experience, hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota Exploring a cave might not be your first thought when considering national parks, but Wind Cave is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s one of the longest and most complex caves in the world and has many unique features, such as frostwork, cave popcorn, and boxwork, creating unique sights with every step. Once you head back outside, a beautiful mixed- grass prairie, home to bison, prairie dogs, and more, will greet you.
3 NATIONAL PARKS THAT ARE WORTH THE DETOUR Ditch the Tourist Traps
Channel Islands National Park, California
Often referred to as the Galapagos of North America, the Channel Islands are a unique area of the coast of Southern California. While visiting, you can expect to see seals, island foxes, and over 2,000 other plant and animal species, with 145 found nowhere else on Earth.
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Twelve different configurations to fit your needs at a budget you can afford
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NEW! Programmable stainless steel water reclaim tanks
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For even greater value, call us at 314-968-3555 and ask about our refurbished tent washing machines. We look forward to hearing from you!
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New Custom Washers Available Now — More Options, Greater Value NOW, there’s something for everyone — big or small. Say goodbye to the hassle of dirty tents! Partner with Teeco to customize the perfect tent washing machine tailored to your needs and budget. Teeco now offers unprecedented value in the rental industry, reducing the upfront cost of purchasing a tent washer. New tent washers start at $44,900 and include a five-year warranty! They can clean between 2,000 and 3,500 square feet of vinyl per load. Explore 12 exciting configurations, each designed to suit your needs, with options available for up to $99,000. Need something bigger? No worries! Wash 6,000 to 8,000 square feet per load with our Premier Series washers! Find the perfect fit today! We are confident you will find the right model to match your budget.
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Why ‘Better Lives, Better Business’ Is the Podcast Every Entrepreneur Needs! “Better Lives, Better Business” is built on a
revolutionary yet simple truth: You don’t have to choose between business success and personal fulfillment. Hosted by entrepreneur Steve Arendt, who built multiple successful companies while nearly losing everything that mattered, this podcast challenges the toxic “grind culture” that tells business owners to sacrifice their relationships, health, and sanity for growth. Steve discovered that better business creates better life, and better life creates better business — a circular relationship that transforms how you think about entrepreneurship.
Each episode combines real-world business strategies with personal development insights, showing small- to medium-size business owners how to build profitable, efficient companies that actually serve their lives instead of consuming them. Whether you’re a startup founder burning out or an established business owner feeling stuck despite success, this podcast offers practical tools and honest conversations about creating sustainable growth, becoming a leader people want to follow, and doing the “inner work” required to build both a thriving business and a life you actually want to live. Because what’s the point of financial freedom if you’re not free to live?
Scan here to catch up and listen to the latest episode!
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