Oregon's Master of Business Promotion has Proven That Creativity and an Honest Concern for Others Can Work Wonders in the World of Business.

By Mike Foley

Neal Lubow loves a good challenge.

Meeting those challenges has, in fact, become his life's work, a natural extension of his seeking spirit and broad-minded approach to life. Lubow, whose Oregon-based company, Ideas-By-The-Hour, has grown into a first-class promotional firm, freely shares that positive spirit with everyone he meets. The result is a comfortable working relationship that clients have come to trust and love.

"I like to work with people that way," Lubow says. "If we can have mutual respect and appreciation, then we can actually build something of value in that business relationship."

That may sound a bit unusual coming from a marketing expert, but then Neal Lubow is anything but typical. A quiet man whose voice is laced with genuine interest and concern, Lubow understands the difficulties small business owners face in promotion and marketing. And with a keen ability to perceive workable solutions, Lubow has created successful promotion campaigns for business people, even those operating on tight budgets.

Often the work can be as simple as creating a brochure. At other times, Lubow lends his talents to larger projects like newsletters and web site design. Lubow delivers with his customary penchant for meeting challenges head on and creating solutions that are both unique and effective.

"I'm not an organization person," he says, laughing, remembering more than 40 jobs that didn't work out for him. "I see things in a very personal way and I'm very comfortable with people. So I've built the business through one-on-one relationships and as a result, I've had many word-of-mouth referrals."

Lubow's expertise in design, writing and marketing has brought him a wide variety of business clients, from small printers and bookkeeping firms to glass companies and well-established jewelers. His ability to understand the needs of disparate businesses stems directly from his life experience, a life of open-minded awe and a willigness to take risks.

"I was brought up to question everything," he explains. "That made me an independent thinker and very self-sufficient."

Raised in Miami, Florida, Lubow moved to Oregon after earning a degree at Miami Dade College. But his independent streak was rarely welcome in the strict world of business and Lubow tried his hand at several jobs, often leaving in frustration when his ideas were not appreciated.

"I held one job for a total of 35 minutes," he says, laughing. "I finally woke up and discovered that the people who sign the checks have all the power. I decided I couldn't do any worse on my own."

With an initial investment of around $50, Lubow printed business cards and began making cold calls to businesses he found in the Yellow Pages. He often found work redesigning ads for people dissatisfied with their phone book presentations. The result was a business built slowly and patiently, but one that brought him many repeat customers.

"It was very self-affirming," he says. "And it gave me the confidence that I could get the clients."

The clients have, in fact, rolled in steadily ever since, including a secretarial service that led him to his current business name. The service's owner wanted to redesign her working space and Lubow offered her several ideas in a very short time.

"I drove home and when it dawned on me what had happened there, the name just came to me. I called back and ran it by her and she liked it."

Ideas-By-The-Hour was born.

Since then, the business has become well-known in the Portland area. Lubow has been instrumental in starting a local home business association, sharing ideas and expertise with other members.

"Quite often, people view business as something more than a sale," he says. "That's when things get off track. Everything follows behind the sale. It's truly the crucial thing."

And Lubow's advice for aspiring business owners?

"Believe in yourself," he says. "That's really most important."

And such belief can meet most any challenge, as his own life clearly demonstrates. Neal Lubow is living proof that believing in yourself can work magic.

Those interested in contacting Neal Lubow may call (503) 245-8148, or check out his website at: http://www.neallubow.com

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