If we have to fix it, you didn’t get it from the right place.

We love doing what we do. As passionate professionals in our field, we have become small business owners to provide a better opportunity to help bowlers bowl better. In this, I am a sponge when it comes to observing the decisions bowlers make, whether it be to the betterment, or to the demise, of their own game. From this perspective, I am recently so perplexed by what I am seeing.

I had an interesting day of it, all day the other day coaching on the lanes at Universal. For one, I had to re-schedule one guy because his fit so bad.

“But,” he says, “This guy I’ve been going to has been drilling for 30 years.”    

Hmmm…OK, I get that, but all is know is that his ball fit his hand so poorly that I had to reschedule him until we can fit him properly enough to have a good lesson. Sure I wish I could have given him the lesson, After all, it is how we both scheduled our time. But, it was clearly in his better interest to be re-fit and to re-schedule. It was just the right thing to do.   

But, it gets me thinking…So much for “30 years drilling experience” and a drop of 30 pins in average for this bowler. And, for every one of him, there are so many more out there!!! As an educator, I immediately feel challenged to reach the many others who also suffer from poor fitting/drilling and have no idea how much better it can be!

How can I effectively dispel the assumption that 30 years of “Pro” Shop means expert service and get to the many others we have yet to reach?

We opened our Pro Shop as experienced bowlers, but, more importantly, coaches. Fitting has changed and has come a long way. Remaining progressive about this and all information available is crucial to providing good service! 

Aleta and I were both in crappy, career threatening fits for years and with improved fitting techniques, could keep bowling! This is one of the very reasons we are so passionate about ball fit. The way it has been done before does not mean it’s the best way for it to be done!

Another faithful student’s dad started the next lesson with his concern for a new ball they just got because it isn’t right. He wanted me to know that he absolutely LOVED the new ball that Aleta had just drilled, but, apparently was talked into buying another new ball to compliment it from someone more convenient and just had it “copied.” Well, not only was it not “copied,” the layout was not even close to what they were looking for in the reaction of the ball! 

Now, what I know is that they are coming to us and trusting us to fix it. Do not get me wrong. I LOVE that they trust us! And, I LOVE that they LOVE our service and product. I TRULY appreciate every bowler who comes to us, because there is nothing better when you make it your life’s work to make bowlers better! But, at what point is it more inconvenient to go through bad bowling and having to re-do your equipment than it would have been to have it done right in the first place from us? And, what about how much more it ends up costing to do so??? 

Another dad brings his son to me again for coaching, and wants us to check out his equipment that he had gotten drilled. His son is not bowling well and after a lesson, we realize his equipment is hindering his bowling. Now, this (unemployed) dad not only has to give his son a lesson to fix him, he also has to fix his ball, and all the rest that he owns! And, one was illegally weighted!!!

One other quick interaction that very same day, was with a man who stepped into the store to let me know how he is all “hooked up” with a young man who is an awesome league bowler who drills his stuff. As I listen, I wondered how this young man’s experience could compete with Aleta’s. It actually pushed me to ask him if he knew who Aleta was. That he doesn’t was almost a relief; but, then again, I was instantly made aware of yet another huge hurdle we face:

In how many other sports could an icon not be known in their own backyard???

Here is what perplexes me: 

The assumption that a “Pro” Shop with 30 years of drilling experience (especially from inside their garage) means that they are keeping up with the latest changes in the sport, providing the bowler with what they truly need to bowl BETTER. So much has changed with better fitting and ball layout techniques and player match-up to equipment! So often, the quality of this service is the difference between who will score more, particularly for bowlers who work on their games!!!

Secondly, I really wonder what makes people who LOVE our service go somewhere else, only to come back because they trust in you to fix and make things right?

If we have to fix it, you didn’t get it from the right place! 

And though I saw all this from area bowlers in just one day, it is even more perplexing when we see an influx of bowlers who come to us from outside the region, out of state, even out of the country for our service and expertise! Just recently, we’ve had folks come in from Tecumseh, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Fort Wayne, IN, Baltimore, MD, and Windsor, London and Toronto, ONTARIO!

There surely are mixed signals, and it is interesting to say the least to watch as bowlers decide how to value the professionals who serve them. It’s a study for us, as we strive to reach more bowlers with our truly professional service…to make their lives just better.

More information, including testimonials: http://www.yourbowlingcoach.com

The joy that better bowling brings

Just a few of the high school bowlers we've coached

One of my favorite things about coaching is the joy that better bowling brings to a bowler, and, in some cases, to their families. I love when a spark is re-kindled, or ignited for the first time. And, when this happens not only for the bowler, but for the whole family, it’s awesome! I love that it somehow enhances the quality of life to those who entrust us to help them bowl better.

While this is fun for every bowler and family I have the privilege to coach, I have been finding myself involved with coaching more and more special needs people, and it truly is a privilege to watch the joy that bowling brings to them, and especially their families.

In the case of one of my autistic students, not only has he been enjoying his lessons and learning about bowling, but his family has noticed that he has a newfound relation to athletes in other sports, especially the ones he watches on TV. He talks more about sports and it has even sparked communication between him and I.  It is as though he now feels a relation to them, perhaps because he participates in and is learning about a sport himself.

Another (autistic) student, who bowls on his high school team, just loves to bowl so much and really looks forward to his lessons. He has excelled unbelievably and finds so much joy when he’s bowling. He is loved by his teammates and he just lights up when he bowls well. In both cases, it is amazing to watch the parents’ support, as they watch each shot so intently, clap for his good shots and really share in the happiness that this great sport brings to their kid.

Coaching bowlers and sharing the joy it brings to the whole family is truly special to me. And when experiencing this with families of special needs, who face so many challenges on a daily basis, it is a true passion for me to see the pleasure that bowling better brings to their lives.

WINTER 2012 FOOD DRIVE TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED:

You can now drop off food/donations/supplies at either of our pro shop locations!

The amazing VOLUNTEERS of the Michigan Animal Adoption Network (MAAN) /Animal Care Network (ACN) spend their weekends going into the streets to find and help animals who need food, water and shelter, to name the least.

On the weekend, most folks are out shopping or doing whatever; these warriors are doing the work to help animals in need. These volunteers are my heroes. They are in short supply to do their blessed work.

If you would like to help, we are now accepting food/donations at our pro shops. No donation is too big or too small, as every cent or kibble will help an animal eat.

Stop in or visit http://yourbowlingcoach.com/community.

We’re Expanding!

A little sneak peek...

We’ve opened up a new pro shop on the east side!  We are so excited to cultivate more bowlers to take their games to the next level!

Therein, lies an issue though: Value vs. Price. Like any business, we need to meet the demands and desires of those we serve.

With so many coming in to shop price, we are well aware that prices can be cheaper. Giving into price wars, we would have been out of business a long time ago. But, we are growing. Simply put, the attention and energy we provide to cultivate bowlers takes a lot of expertise, service and time; and that is time we are willing to invest so that your bowling experience is a truly a good one.

We want you to want to bowl, and we want you to bowl better!

We do not sell you the latest ball that we can get the best deal on; nor do we try to sell you only what we have in stock. We WATCH YOU BOWL to custom pick the RIGHT BALL FOR YOU, carefully considering how you bowl, what you think you are looking for, lane conditions that you bowl on, and other equipment you already own. Then, we custom order that ball with the proper specs so we are able to CUSTOM DRILL it for the way you bowl. And, we pride ourselves on providing an EXCELLENT BALL FIT that will further enhance your performance.

We do this because we truly want you to bowl better. Our professional bowling experience and 25 years of professional coaching experience allows us to provide such service, because we have been trained to know what you need to bowl better.  And our passion for bowling extends beyond ourselves, into you.

Saving money does not translate into bowling better and wanting to bowl.  Providing you with what you need does.

Our individualized  “one-on-one” attention is focused on one thing:  TO HELP YOU BOWL BETTER.  The cost….priceless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FALL 2011 FOOD DRIVE TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED:

You can now drop off food/donations at either Pro Shop Location!

The amazing volunteers of the Michigan Animal Adoption Network / Animal Care Network spend their weekends going into the streets to find and help animals who need food, water and shelter, to name the least. On the weekend, most folks are out shopping or doing whatever; these warriors are doing the work to help animals in need: they are my heroes.

If you would like to help, we are now accepting food/donations at our Pro Shops.  No donation is too big or too small, as every cent or kibble will help an animal eat.  Visit http://yourbowlingcoach.com/community.

Our New Location – Now Open!!!

Aleta Sill’s Bowling World
(Located inside Universal Lanes)
2101 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092 
(12 & Dequindre) 
586-510-4265

FALL HOURS 
Monday – Thursday 4:00pm-8:00pm
Friday 4:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Sunday CLOSED

Missed Opportunities

I just love coaching. It is a privilege for me to help bowlers bowl better, which is all about helping people have a better quality of life, enjoying what they love to do.

So often when I am in a lesson with a bowler who is so happy and transformed into another level of play, I cannot help think about those bowlers who miss this opportunity.

I just recently had the opportunity to coach a woman who only learned about us because she was standing at the check out line at a store on the east side, and the lady behind her noticed her bowling shirt. That lady (who remains unknown) suggested that she come to us for a lesson.

As fate would have it, our 130-average bowler who has been bowling for many years, took one lesson and ordered a new bowling ball. When she picked up the ball, she bowled her free game, then another and proceeded to shoot two 200+ games, when she had never shot a 200 game before!!!

It is so fun to watch her, and it makes me wonder how many more of her are out there who do not get such a nudge, or who just do not take the plunge to get some help to bowl better!

I don’t know…I guess it’s my nature that when I see students thrive, I just want so many more to experience the thrill of bowling better…

The sold out 2011 "Bowl-4-Animal Rescue"

On another note, the GREAT news! Our 6^th Annual Bowl-4-Animal Rescue raised over $22,000!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to our wonderful community of friends who participated in this most worthy cause to help animals in need!!! I feel great respect and gratitude to each and every one of you who raised the bar! Simply AWESOME!!! High 5’s!!!! I never take a single dollar for granted.

When asked if I am still on Cloud Nine over Bowl-4-Animal Rescue’s success, I have to be honest. While I am thrilled over our total, I am never on Cloud Nine when it comes to animals in need. I know there are so many more animals out there whose needs we have not met. Like I said before…all so bittersweet.

Hmmm, I guess it’s my nature to be so happy for the “haves,” but still be very aware of the “have-nots.”

It drives me.

Why do I do it?

Bowl-4-Animal Rescue is coming up! Sooooooooooo many details, but can’t wait to get the proceeds to the animals!

People are asking me about the event, and how busy I am with it (along with everything else I have going on), and see that 100% of the proceeds go to animals in need. They often take pause and I can see the curiosity in their eyes. Why would we take all the time, energy and resources (which you either get, or not get) to give 100% of the proceeds…

Certainly, it would be easier not to do this.  But, why we do it is simple.

Animals need our help. I am the last person on the planet who feels comfortable asking anyone, for anything.

Then, I realize that animals cannot ask.

I have this very bittersweet blessing: when I am enjoying my (eight) animals at home or even a great animal story, I also immediately think about those that do not have what they have. This is a daily, almost an hourly realization for me.

So, I am driven. 

When I try to grow our event out, I am constantly thinking of ways to do so, to help more animals.

Getting more auction items helps. Encouraging more pledges and donations is huge! Whatever it is. Always trying…

Then I think, we can also have an even greater impact, that will expand even further than the night of our event, like pledges and donations do…

We have to educate more…Adopt, don’t shop…Spay/neuter…Get info tags on your pets…Don’t breed until we take care of all the souls out there…There are pure bred rescues…And, it goes on and on.

Daily, I think of how to grow this event out, at it’s very essence.

The people of Friends For The Dearborn Animal Shelter (FFDAS) and the Michigan Animal Adoption Network (MAAN) are my heroes.  Here’s what they have intimately said to me:

“Sometimes this job just gets extremely wearing. I walk through the kennels, and the animals put out their little paws, and I cry because I want (to do such much) more for them”  – Kelle Sisung, FFDAS

“Some of the addresses we visit bring me to the ground with the condition of the animals, and I have been doing street rescue for over 20 years.  When others are shopping, we are volunteers on the streets, to help animals.” – Marie Skladd, MAAN

Please reach out to those in your circle…Don’t be afraid to speak up on behalf of an animal in need…Encourage adoption…Let folks know you can always find a pet to adopt on Petfinder (including FFDAS and MAAN), and not just to think of it when a story breaks…Encourage spaying and neutering- it IS GOOD HEALTH for the animal, and future animals…Tell everyone you know to get ID tags for their pets…And rescue is not for just mutts (our favorite breed)…There are pure bred rescues to adopt from!

Discourage breeding, take care of the souls of the animal population that are out there!  Think about volunteering.

I see so clearly it is impossible to fulfill this vision by myself.

THANK YOU [to so many I would like to mention].

This is again bittersweet, because Bowl-4-Animal Rescue is such a fun and worthy event, but in getting to the heart of it, I wish we would not ever have to do this event again.

 ~Michelle

Event info: http://www.yourbowlingcoach.com/community

Daily Experiences on the Lanes

I am continually encouraged to blog about daily experiences…especially those on the lanes. While I frequently see magic happen in a lesson, I do not always know how to effectively share that it did.  It’s personal, one-on-one, and it is so fun to see and make a difference!

Sometimes, as coaches we are the last person a bowler might see before they make the decision to quit bowling. We take this responsibility very seriously, as we certainly don’t want to see a bowler quit! And we take their frustration with the way they are bowling very seriously as well. It is all very emotional, as bowlers truly love to bowl.

And I realize that it is a leap of faith to trust us, because change is hard. It feels different when you change technique, and it can be a short struggle to score better. I think “my thing” is to look you in the eye, communicate the change to be made, and use the right drills and analogies until you understand it well enough to do it. It is hard to feel different and I never take for granted my students’ leap of faith to trust me in this process.

I recently coached an (established) bowler who wanted to quit, after many years of bowling. But, she opted to take a lesson. She struggled through it until we had a break through-she was amazing! As she checked out, I had continued with notes on how I wanted her to practice. Admittedly, she was so frazzled in the exchange, because she was so filled with hope and joy from her lesson! She interrupted me to ask if she could hug me!

The pleasure was truly mine. What a privilege…to see the joy in her eyes and to see her feel excitement again for bowling.

I would like to think that we are here to make a difference. If in that moment, in my small corner of the world I was able do so, I am grateful for the opportunity!

On another note…

Please show any support you can for our upcoming fundraiser on August 6, 2011!  100% of the Proceeds from Bowl-4-Animal Rescue will go to animals in need!  You can bowl, make a donation on line or download a pledge form to ask your friends, family and co-workers for pledges.  You DO NOT have to bowl to get pledges! Or, you just show up to try to win really good auction items!

Both Friends For The Dearborn Animal Shelter and The Michigan Animal Adoption Network are 501c3 non-profits, so donations are tax deductible!  1/3 of what we made last year was in donations and pledges! Please visit: http://www.YourBowlingCoach.com/community.

Thank you, thank you!

Michelle

 

 

2011 Bowl-4-Animal Rescue

I am relinquishing my coaching duties within this blog this month to focus on something that is deep on my mind. I am consumed with concern that I will not be able to top last year’s Bowl-4-Animal Rescue total. We are fully committed to continue raising money for this most worthy cause, having raised over $62,000 so far through our annual BOWL-4-ANIMAL RESCUE fundraising event.

In the first 5 years of hosting this event, we have increased the amount we raised each year, so far. Last year, we raised almost $18,000. The thing is is that it is a lot of work, and we were fortunate to have a last minute company match worth $3,000.  My good friend who made that company match no longer works for that company.

Animals here in Michigan so desperately need our help.  I am willing to do the work, and turn over 100% of the profits, but so need YOU and YOUR reach to your circle of influence to do a better job.  Maybe your company would be willing to donate something for the raffle or consider a sponsorship level.

Most folks will give a few bucks to help animals in need, just for the asking. I am asking you to download a pledge form from http://www.YourBowlingCoach.com/community to help our event reach even further, for this most worthy cause.

Keep in mind, over 1/3 of what we have raised ($62,000) has come in the form of donations/pledges!  You do not have to bowl to get pledges! They are simply a donation for the cause.

I feel so strongly about this that I offer incentives to pledge gainers who attain certain levels with t-shirts, gift cards and even a new bowling ball w/lesson. This is our dime, because I so deeply want to join forces to help animals in need. Together, we can do so much more than I could ever do myself.

Please SAVE THE DATE!

Our 6^th annual Bowl-4-Animal Rescue will be August 6, 2011. 100% of the Proceeds benefit Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter and Michigan Animal Adoption Network. We have a blast, have excellent prizes, Katrina Hancock comes out to cover it, Red Robin supplies awesome food and we enjoy music and karaoke…all for a most worthy cause!  It’s awesome!

 “If more of us do just a little, we can get there!!!” 

Pledge Forms, Flyers and Sponsorship information can now be downloaded from http://www.YourBowlingCoach.com/community.

Michelle giving her beloved Princess her insulin. Princess was recently diagnosed with diabetes.

For more information, please visit: http://www.yourbowlingcoach.com.

“We Fix $6 Haircuts.”

I recently saw a commercial on TV, and the barber put a sign up advertising “We fix $6 haircuts.”  It struck a nerve, as we can relate.

Photo courtesy of http://www.clientrevolution.com/.

Too many bowlers (one is enough) go to sporting goods stores to spend as little as possible to get their first ball, to see if they will actually like bowling enough to take it up. While that appears somewhat logical to me, the problem is that the experience they will have is often hindered by how poorly the ball fits their hand.

I can spot a ball like this at the beginning of a lesson, without even looking at it! All I have to do is watch the bowler’s swing and I can tell we have a problem. In these cases, we typically end up having to re-fit (and repair) the ball, and re-schedule the lesson for when they pick it up.

The problem has become twofold. Not only does this poor ball fit have to be fixed (like the $6 haircut, which will cost even more money), but now it has created problems in the swing due to the excessive grip pressure necessary to hold on!

My concern is for the bowlers who start with balls from these stores, who don’t seek help, and may get discouraged to continue bowling because of how poorly they may bowl, or because of injury.

Do yourself a favor (and encourage your family and friends as well): Get the right ball, with the proper weight and fit, from the start, from a reputable pro shop. It may be a deciding factor in your future involvement in our great sport.  And, it will save you money in the long run!

On another note: If you read my first blog entry (last month), you also know I am also passionate about helping animals in need, with 8 rescues (adoptees) at home. We are fully committed to continue raising money for this most worthy cause, having raised over $62,000 so far through our annual BOWL-4-ANIMAL RESCUE fundraising event.

Please SAVE THE DATE! Our 6^th annual Bowl-4-Animal Rescue will be August 6, 2011. 100% of the Proceeds benefit Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter and Michigan Animal Adoption Network.  We have a blast and have increased our event totals each year (I am knocking on wood), and to do this again, we have to raise over $18,000!!!

Keep in mind, over 1/3 of what we have raised has come in the form of donations and pledges, sought out by anyone who would like to help! You do not have to bowl to get pledges. We find that if we ask friends, family and co-workers for a few bucks to help animals, they will!  We just need more of us to do this for our event.

“If more of us do just a little, we can get there!!!”

Pledge Forms, Flyers and Sponsorship information can now be downloaded from www.YourBowlingCoach.com/community.

For more information, please visit: http://www.yourbowlingcoach.com.

Newbie To Blogging

Being a newbie to this whole blog thing is a bit daunting, yet exciting at the same time.  Frankly, I am not one to put myself out there;  but, at times I really want to share stuff that is important to me…you know, express what I am passionate about.

I love to coach bowlers. I thrive on their desire to improve.  For that reason, the skill level of those I coach never matters to me.  That they want to bowl better does.  When asked about what I love most about coaching, I’d have to respond with this…

Bowlers are passionate about bowling.  While bowling well is so rewarding, we also see bowlers so distraught over how they are bowling that they want to quit unless we fix them.  Other bowlers put off (or have) surgery, because they want to continue to bowl!  Some bowlers just want to improve their average or beat someone else. Parents look for their kids, who love to bowl, to be more successful at it.

Couples find satisfaction in taking the game up together and learning how to improve.  Some high schoolers find their niche in sports being on the bowling team.  College bound students seek scholarship money to make college more affordable. For yet others, equipment is holding them back, and in some cases causing pain or injury. When we fix it, it alleviates their pain and struggle, once again enabling them to bowl better while further avoiding injury.

All I know is that bowlers love to bowl, and feel so much better when they bowl better.

That’s why we love what we do. It is a true pleasure to enhance someone’s life when you help them enjoy what they love to do.   In fact, I have loved to coach more than I have loved to bowl myself.

Often, I will be coaching and have an insight that I wish I could share with more bowlers, especially those who do not have access to coaching or knowledge that I know would really help them!   So, I will be sharing insights into my coaching experiences, so that I can help and inspire more of you to bowl better and enjoy yourselves.

If you know me at all, you also know I am also passionate about animals in need, with 8 rescues at home.  Feeling so grateful for the many blessings in my life, I cannot pass up the opportunity to advocate for animals in need.  They have no voice; but, we do.  I will seize this opportunity to use mine.

I only hope, in any feeble attempt I make to represent these divine creatures, that I can ignite action on their behalf.  I hope to create awareness, inspire involvement and mobilize efforts for this most worthy cause.  And, as host of our annual fundraising event, “Bowl-4-Animal Rescue” (where 100% of the Proceeds benefit animals), I will provide a way for people who care to make a real difference.

I am a firm believer that together we can do so much more and pave the course to make real change.  I truly believe animals are a gift to us, and the way we treat them says so much about our civility as human beings.

“If a person has not loved an animal, their soul remains unawakened.”  -Anatole France

For more information, please visit: http://www.yourbowlingcoach.com.