More exciting news at Peak-Inc!

We are starting off 2015 with some great news! 

Jonathan Leach has been promoted to management and will be opening a new office in Portland, Oregon! 


He will be settling down in OR on January 5th, 2015. Congratulations, Jon! We know you're going to do big things!

Reindeer Games at Peak Inc.!!

We're getting in the holiday spirit, here at Peak-Incorporated! However, that's not to say we haven't lost our competitive streak! Our very own Santa Claus, ( Eric ) has gathered some enticing gifts around our tree in light of the office Reindeer Games! 

Here's the scoop! Each of us are awarded points, depending on our all around performance. The one with the most points gets first pick of the gifts, and so forth. Be careful, though! Points can be deducted just as easily as they were given, so make sure you're on top of your game this month! 

And just for fun... here's a throwback picture of our CEO, Eric in a Christmas play. Just look at those cheeks! 

Happy Holidays, everyone! And we hope you all have a wonderful New Year! 

The Benefits of Practicing Gratefulness

     It’s that time of year again. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, everyone is counting their blessings and thinking of what they are thankful for in their lives. While taking the time to be grateful for your blessings is a wonderful thing, it is a practice that should be put into place year round, and not just periodically. 

     The benefits of practicing gratefulness are exponential and they extend into all areas of our lives. Focusing on the things we have can improve our physical health, spiritual health, relationships, careers, and personalities. 

     Practicing gratitude just plain-old makes you happier! By focusing on what you have instead of what you don’t have, you will be more at peace and generally, in a better mood. This, in turn, will have a positive impact on all other aspects of your life. You will feel more relaxed, more content and more focused on positive emotions, which will lead to improved self esteem, optimism, less materialism and more selflessness. In turn, this will lead to improved relationships. 

     Now, look at you- being so fabulous! I bet you’re feeling pretty fabulous too; sleeping better, feeling more energized, walking around with a little pep in your step. Now that you’re feeling so great, you can really focus on your career. Practicing gratitude can lead to greater productivity, better management, better appreciation of your coworkers, improved teamwork, and improved confidence at the workplace. Additionally, when you show gratitude, people tend to gravitate toward you more, which is always a plus in the workplace. 

     It’s easy to forget to count your blessings when things gets hectic and life’s worries take over, instead. Try to remember to incorporate practicing gratitude for all the things that you do have and you will find that life’s worries won’t have such a hold on you anymore. Have a wonderful holiday season, everyone! 

Keys to Motivational & Inspiring Leadership

     We’ve all heard the old adage, “Great leaders are born, not made”. While there may be some innate leadership qualities that some of us are born with, I am not a firm believer that one can be birthed into this world with inherent characteristics of an all around kick-butt head honcho. Great leaders are developed over time. 

     Most CEOs and entrepreneurs with remarkable leadership qualities started out in ordinary, entry level positions and, with time, cultivated their attributes throughout their transition toward management. Leadership skill-sets are attained through experience, research, observation, seeking advice from others, and learning from one’s own successes and failures. So what are the keys to becoming an inspiring leader?

1. Earn trust. In order to be a successful leader, you MUST have the trust of your employees. You cannot run a business without the backbone of your company, your loyal employees. And you cannot gain their trust if you are not worthy of their trust. The rules of earning trust are simple; treat your employees with respect, show interest in their lives without prying, show interest in the success of their career path and help them to succeed within the company, and be respectful when you must address any mistakes that have been made. When there is mutual trust in the workplace, things will run much more efficiently. 

2. Be honest. This covers a wide range of details. Be honest with who you are and don’t try to change your personality at the workplace. People will pick up on it and find it to be disingenuous. Be honest with your team and communicate effectively, whether it be positive or negative subjects. Face up to challenges and trust in yourself and your employees to be able to handle whatever those challenges may be. 

3. Be confident. This one cannot be stressed enough. As a leader, your job is to keep up team morale. If you are not confident in yourself, why would your team be confident in your ability to lead? Even in times of doubt, it is your job to assure your employees that all companies have minor setbacks and  set forth a plan to get back on schedule. Never let ‘em see you sweat!

4. Have a positive attitude. Remember that you want your office to have a positive and upbeat atmosphere. You also want your employees to be happy in their place of work and to stay motivated toward the ongoing success of the company. Don’t forget to have a sense of humor and have a little bit of fun at the office as well. Have a game day or grab a bite to eat as a team after work. Hold friendly competitions to boost company morale, stay close as a team and stay motivated to make the company a success. 

5. Inspire. Great leaders are able to motivate and inspire others. Not only can they inspire others to help their own company to succeed, but they inspire others to follow their dreams of success, as well. Most extraordinary leaders will tell you that they were inspired by another extraordinary leader that they worked either under or close by. 

"The courage of leadership is giving others the chance to succeed even though you bear the responsibility for getting things done." - Simon Sinek

Expanding in Dallas!

Hey, Everyone! We just wanted to let you know that we have expanded our office in Dallas! We can't wait to see what the new changes will bring! Here are some pictures of our beautiful new office if you'd like to check it out! 

Tips for Staying Productive on Weekends

What sets apart highly successful people from ordinary people? Extraordinary people have extraordinary habits. In fact, they even stick to those habits on the weekends and on their time off of work! Here are some of their secrets.

1. They stick to a schedule. They get up around the same time they would during the work week. You won’t find a successful person snoozing until 2:00pm on a Sunday. Not only does this waste the day away, but it throws off the sleep schedule for the next few days. Not conducive for a productive work week! 

2. They plan it out. Successful people know the importance of setting goals and accomplishing tasks. Of course, down time and R&R are not off-limits, but slacking off is not on the menu. 

3. They prioritize. List making and setting deadlines are crucial here. Successful people know which tasks take priority and they make sure to tackle each goal accordingly.

4. They stay active and healthy. Setting aside some time to sweat is not only important for you physically, but mentally as well. There is no better stress reliever than getting that adrenaline pumping. So hit the gym, take a hike, walk your dog, play some football with friends...whatever floats your boat. 

5. They make time for friends and family. It’s important to step back from your career time to time, and spend some quality time with the ones who care about you and support you. 

6. They take some time for themselves. They spend time on hobbies they enjoy, which provides an outlet for stress relief, nurtures creativity and provides opportunities to network- which brings us to the next topic.

7. They network. Successful people seize opportunities to network with other successful people, whether it be during social events, business events, or during leisure time. 

8. They reflect. One very important habit of successful people is that they reflect on their past experiences- both good and bad. They analyze and review what has and has not worked in the past, make plans as to how to improve for the future, and move on. 

9. They prepare. Lastly, successful people take the time to prepare for the rest of the week, or an upcoming event such as a meeting, conference or other venture. 

Of course, there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything every single weekend. This is where prioritization comes into play. Successful people know when it's important to do which task and when certain tasks can take the back seat. Here's to success! 

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle 

The Benefits of Being “Sports-Minded” in the Work Place

     While conducting a job search on the internet, you will come across many different requirement listings, depending on the particular job type and description you are looking at. There are many staples that you will typically encounter on just about any ad, such as reliability, communication skills, experience, professionalism, positive attitude, flexibility, etc. 

     One specific qualification you will find listed, particularly in the fields of marketing and sales is, “sports-mindedness”. What does that mean, exactly? You may think you’ve hit the jackpot and have stumbled across a job where you’ll be hanging out, talking sports all day and going out for a couple of cold ones to catch the big game after work. Not so fast- that’s not quite what we’re going for, here. Although we do love our sports, here at Peak, and we do get together to watch sports on office nights or battle it out for game tickets during office competitions, there’s a much bigger picture behind this phrase.

   So...what does it mean to be a “sports-minded” individual? Well, let’s think about the mind set of an athlete. Professional athletes eat, sleep and breathe sports. They are determined, goal-driven, hard working and they train hard. They’re also team players. They love and support their team and they build each other up in order to help each other succeed. They continue to learn and grow through their triumphs and tribulations, and they pass on their knowledge to their teammates in order to cultivate a strong, trusting proficient unit. They may not always win, but they pick themselves back up, dust themselves off, and jump right back in the game. They learn from their mistakes and use slip-ups as motivation to train harder and kick butt the next time around. For sports-minded people, failure is not an option and giving up is not in their vocabulary.

     Being sports-minded is a great concept to get behind and once you adopt this frame of mind, nothing....and I mean NOTHING can stop you! Not only will this benefit you in your career, but you will find that all aspects of your life will improve. 

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination." - Tommy Lasorda

Big News for Ben Bacca!

We are proud to announce that Ben Bacca has been promoted to management! Ben has been an invaluable member of our team, here at Peak-Inc., and this promotion is well-deserved!  

Ben and some of our team members will be heading out to Indianapolis on Saturday, August 30th to open up a new office, working with AT&T U-verse. 

Here is a little bit about Ben;

Out of High School Ben decided that he wanted to go into Law. However, after graduating in December of 2010 with a degree in Legal Advocacy and Interpretation, he decided that he wanted to start a professional career sooner rather than later. Having worked in sales while going through college, Ben decided to pursue a different path.

"I found a perfect career opportunity here at Peak Incorporated.  A place where I was not only awarded based on my level of work but was also in a competitive environment that fostered my desire to grow and develop my professional self. I am now working though the program so I can reach all my goals and build the personal and professional life I always wanted."

Congratulations, Ben! Best of luck in Indianapolis!

Life Lessons from Billionaire Mark Cuban

A lot can be learned from entrepreneur, owner of The Dallas Mavericks and panel member of Shark Tank, Mark Cuban, as exhibited in this article from daveramsey.com. Here is a brief synopsis of the article. 

This article, "3 Practical Lessons from Billionaire Mark Cuban", illustrates how Cuban cultivated his strong work ethic from a very young age and how his unwavering fortitude led him to become the success he is today. 

The article opens with a story of a young Mark Cuban, who asked his father for a new pair of basketball shoes. When his father told him no, and that he could get the new shoes when he got a job, Cuban secured his first job with the help of a family friend. He sold garbage bags door-to-door, and he soon fell in love with business. This taught Cuban a lesson which he took to heart; If you want something, you have to work for it. 

Ramsey highlights a few key inspirational lessons from his conversation with Cuban in this article. 

1. There's no reason it can't be you. Cuban talks about adversities he faced after completing college. He wasn't always successful; he tended bar, sold software, and even resorted to eating ketchup and mustard sandwiches at times. However, no matter how hard times got he never gave up...he just worked harder. Cuban says, " The one thing in life you can control is your effort.If you are willing to put in the effort to start the business and you are willing to deal with the challenges and the fact you might starve or live like a student . . . If you are willing to fight through those via effort and brain power, anything is possible. There is no reason it can’t be you.”

2. Selling ultimately comes down to connecting and serving. Through his endeavors, Cuban learned another valuable lesson; "If you can sell, you can accomplish just about anything." He also points out that selling is about making life easier for your customers, not about trying to push or convince them of something. He also stresses how important it is to connect with your customers.

3. Don't be a slave to the bank. Cuban is passionate about staying debt free, particularly concerning businesses. Surprisingly, he says that 99% of new business can be started without capital! “If you take a loan, you are no longer the boss,” Cuban says. “And your customers are no longer the bosses. Your banker is the boss. And if you hit any adversity, like every startup does, the priority becomes taking care of your banker . . . You’re no longer in a position to do whatever it takes to survive.”

Click the link above to read the whole article and to access links to the "EntreLeadership Podcast with Mark and Dave".

Full Plate Epidemic

Have you ever left a meeting with a prospective buyer completely confident that you sealed the deal, only to find that months later, you still haven’t closed the sale? You met with all the right people, said all the right things and addressed all of the buyer’s concerns. They tell you they love the product and you’re positive you’re home free. You’ve followed up with phone calls and emails and still, no verdict. You’re sure that your competitors have not gotten their business either...So what gives??? 

Now, you have to answer questions from your sales supervisor in meeting, after meeting. “Have you landed the deal yet? Why not? Did you adequately represent the product? Did you tell them A, B and C?” And of course, you did. So now, you’re speculating as to why they haven’t come to a decision, spewing out a list of excuses which surely include “They must be busy. They’ve got a lot on their plate.”

I’m sure most people who work in sales can relate to this situation. This situation has been deemed “full plate syndrome” and has been showing its ugly face in a rapid succession in sales companies far and wide. 

Sure, maybe your prospect does, in fact have a full plate. Surely, they are very busy. However, for the right circumstance, some things can be willingly scraped off that plate  to make room. If your product is the solution to a particular area in which your prospective buyer is having difficulty, “full plate syndrome” doesn’t stand a chance. 

You need to ask yourself, “Why should our product be a priority among all other important aspects of what is filling up this plate?” If you can’t answer, well...there’s your answer! If you can’t find a reason for why your product should be prioritized as a solution to an area of difficulty for your potential buyer, why would they? Make sure you bring it to their attention that this product is absolutely necessary and NOW. 

In other words, do your research. Make sure to listen carefully to the concerns and needs of your prospects and confidently endorse your product as the solution. Happy sales! 

Meet the Team; Vann Ellerbruch- Professional Development Trainer!

Get to know Vann Ellerbruch, one of our Professional Development Trainers, here at Peak-Inc! 

 - What was your upbringing in Colorado like?

“I grew up in Northglenn, which is suburb of Denver. Sort of in between Boulder and Denver. I have two younger brothers, Shey and Trace. Growing up in my family required two things: an intense love of sports (as myself and both of my brothers played baseball our whole lives), and an intense love of learning (my parents were both teachers). It was because of my upbringing that I was able to develop such a wide variety of interests and experiences.”

- What extracurricular activities did you participate in when you were younger? 

“In high school, I played baseball all four years (all at center field) and basketball for three (point guard). But beyond that, I was very involved in the theater department at Northglenn High. The proudest moment I had in high school, was when I was given the opportunity to write and direct my own One Act play, which was performed for the entire school!”

- What was your first job?

My first job was at Boondocks Fun Center when I was sixteen. I was assigned to attractions, which meant I was in charge of all of the fun stuff outside (i.e. go karts and bumper boats).

- Where did you go to college and what did you major in?

I went to college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. For me, it was the only choice I really had because I was practically raised on that campus. For instance, I haven’t missed a football game since I was 5 years old. Even worse, my dad went to the CU football game the day I was born, which pretty much sealed my fate. 

I went into college as a Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental biology major, in the 

hopes of going to medical school. In retrospect, I think I really just liked the show Scrubs! In my junior year, I switched to a major that I was much more suited for, and that was Comparative Literature with a double major in Philosophy. I decided to go down this route, not only because it is infinitely interesting, but also because it helped me to learn about myself, both in terms of me as a person and how I fit into the bigger 

picture. 

- How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend the majority of my free time reading, going to local breweries, and playing music! As you can tell by my choice in majors, I am a sucker for literature. Right now, I’m working my way through my William Faulkner collection. At the moment, I’m reading, "The Sun Also Rises".

In terms of breweries, living in Boulder gives me a fantastic opportunity to try both well-established institutions, like Avery, but also smaller startups, like Gravity (my favorite). And playing music is just flat out fun! I’ve played in over 15 bands throughout high school and college, and I don’t plan to stop any time soon!

- Did you always want a career in this field? If so, what first sparked your interest and if not, what made you navigate toward this arena of work?

When I was in college, I switched my major to Comparative Literature and Philosophy with the plan ofattending law school. I wanted to be an environmental lawyer and work on the water rights in Colorado. 

I initially started at Peak because I thought that having sales experience would help me greatly in law school. However, that was before I fully understood the opportunity that this company gave me. By working really hard, sticking to the systems already in place, and by fully committing to the process, I would be able to achieve all of my goals, and then some. Now, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything differently. I’m incredibly thankful for the way things turned out.

- What has the process been like working your way up through this company?

This is a tough one! The process of working my way up through the company has, for me, been both incredibly enlightening and challenging at the same time. With all of the systems we have in place, the path towards success is clearly defined. It just came down to my own work ethic and willingness to learn. When I started, I was more than eager to learn. I soaked up everything and tried my very best to apply the lessons I had been taught. And I did do very well.

However, in order to take the next step in my career, I had to shift my focus away from myself, and gauge my development on my ability to help others. This was a foreign concept for me up until this point. My whole life, I had been able to accomplish 

my goals by focusing only on myself. For example, as long as I did the research and wrote the paper, I would find success in college. But this company has challenged me to extend the opportunity onto others, both in the forms of training, coaching, and by being the example. And in the end, I found this to be far more fulfilling. My success is gauged by my ability to help others, and that it what I truly love about this opportunity.

- What are you goals with Peak?

My goals with Peak are to be a managing partner. In order to achieve this goal, I need to continue learning as much as I can, following the systems in place, and incessantly work to make those dreams happen.

- What is your ultimate goal for your career?

I want to be a platinum level consultant in this company. I know this is an ambitious and aggressive goal, but I trust in myself, my work ethic, and my ceaseless student mentality enough, that I know I can make this happen.

- What advice do you have for those embarking on a career in this field?

My advice would be to take coaching seriously. The beauty of this business is that you will never encounter something that hasn’t been encountered before. Everyone goes through the same trials, challenges, and successes. If you remain open, listen, and apply what you learn, success is inevitable.

Thanks for sharing, Vann! We really enjoyed getting to know you more and we can’t wait to see where all of your hard work will take you! 

Hard Work, Not Intelligence; Key to Getting Ahead

In this interesting article, Hard Work, Not Intelligence; Key to Getting Ahead, it is suggested that praising individuals solely based on their inherent abilities can actually be causing more harm than good. 

This has actually been an ongoing debate for quite some time. It is almost instinctual for parents to praise their children for their achievements, whether it be for getting good grades, performing well in a school play, or winning a sports game. Of course, parents want to compliment their children’s intelligence, athletic abilities, and even looks. However, is it detrimental to our children’s overall growth as individuals to focus so much on talents that you either have or you don’t? And what impact does this have on us as adults?

What this article is implying, is that it is much more crucial to place emphasis on the importance of effort and hard work in these circumstances. Instead of praising individuals based on their inherent talents, emphasis should be placed on their genuine efforts. (If you give it your all, the outcome will reflect your effort; increasing one's overall determination.) It results in more satisfaction in the outcome or such events and more desire to learn from each circumstance. This behavior translates into all aspects of life and continues to mold us into more responsible, hardworking, educated adults, who don’t just sit back and rely on our talents to get us through life. Not to say that we should never praise individuals for their innate abilities, but positive reinforcement for hard work and effort will be far more beneficial in the long run. 

Source : findingDulcinea  

Meet the team; Samantha Brown- Professional Development Trainer!

Over the past few weeks, we have been introducing some of our incredible team members, here at Peak-Incorporated. Next, we would like you to meet a very inspiring young woman named Samantha Brown! Here is an interview that you won't want to miss!


-What was your upbringing with your family in Colorado like?

    I was born and raised in Arvada, CO, which is just 15 minutes west of Denver. It's a quiet little suburb at the base of the foothills. I have 2 older brothers, (Ryan and Steven), and an older sister, (Sara). I'm, of course, the baby of 4! My Mom is a full blooded Italian, also born and raised here in Arvada, and my Dad, who moved out here in his twenties to chase his career dreams, is from "The Great State of Ohio", as he likes to say. My parents are actually celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary tomorrow, which is pretty awesome considering the norm of America.

    I grew up in the music store where my Mom worked for 15 years, which was a blast. All of us in my family are musicians and LOVE to rock out at every family gathering we have! My Dad has been in sales for the majority of my life- starting off stocking shelves for Western Distributing company when we were living in a tiny one bedroom duplex, to now being the Division Manager for Neuro Beverage where he manages a good majority of the west coast and the south. Needless to say, he's pretty inspiring and definitely the most prominent leader in my life.

    We moved around a lot while I was growing up, but we mostly lived here in Arvada, which in turn lead me to go to high school at Arvada West (Go Wildcats!). I graduated from there when I was still 17, and shipped myself off to the United States Navy to start a new adventure!

   

 - What extracurricular activities did you participate in while in High School? 

     This is going to sound crazy, because normally these things DO NOT go together... but I was a HUGE band-geek in the marching band, whilst simultaneously being a cheerleader. I know it's weird, but I made it work! I was also in dance my entire life, participating in quite a few genres (ballet, hip-hop, lyrical...), gymnastics, and softball. I was also in all of the musicals and plays and adored being a part of the Shakespearean club. I know, my nerd is showing!

- What was your first job?


    My very first job was when I was 14, I did "makeup artistry" for the Field of Corpses Haunted house, and was also one of the actresses in the asylum bit. I know, not particularly normal, but it was a ton of fun! My first actual job was waiting tables at Buffalo Wild Wings until I graduated High School.



- Where did you go to college and what did you major in?

     I went to College at the same time I was active duty Navy, so I didn't get the usual college experience. I ended up getting my degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California but only spent about a year on the actual campus, which is really sad considering its been voted the most beautiful campus in the nation. And I agree, it definitely is. I ended up with a BSC in Biochemistry.

- What do you like to do in your free time?

     In my free time I love being outside in the beautiful Colorado sunshine! Hiking, biking, rock climbing, shooting, snowboarding, kayaking, or just laying out in the park with a good book working on my tan :) I love going to concerts, especially at Red Rocks. I also love building and creating costumes... especially Star Wars costumes... Stormtroopers, Mandalorians, you name it, I build it. Also, I'm a beer enthusiast, so I love going to breweries and trying out new things!

                                                          



 - Did you always want a career in this field? If so, what first sparked your interest and if not, what made you navigate toward this arena of work?


     I absolutely never considered a career in sales or marketing, even on a managerial spectrum. My original game plan was: join the military to pay for college, get a degree in hard science, then go to law school to become a patent attorney. As you can tell, my plan changed a bit since then.... I had a bit of an epiphany, class was BORING and it didn't stimulate me mentally the way I had expected it to. I couldn't stand the thought of being stuck in an office doing paperwork all day to make great money, but never actually ENJOY anything I was doing. So, I started bartending to pay the bills until I could decide what it was I wanted. I considered going back to active duty, because at least I was constantly on new adventures, seeing the world... but the military wasn't conducive for the other things I wanted in life, and after one of my very best friends died in combat I decided it wasn't the right fit for me. So, I just began searching for something that would grab my attention. I stumbled upon Peak and actually passed it up the first couple of times I came across it because "sales" didn't exactly sound sexy to me! However, it just kept popping up, everywhere I searched so I took it as a bit of a sign that I should consider the idea... I didn't realize at the time that this had little to do with sales and more so with coaching and development, which is exactly the thing I wanted most! Couldn't have worked out better.



 - What has the process been like working your way up through this company?


      The process has been unlike anything I've ever been through before! I've never been in an environment with so much positive energy, with so many incredible people. I legitimately wake up with a smile on my face excited to get to the office. I know in this day and age that's a rare thing to come across. When I started, I hit the ground running. The idea of no seniority motivated me to kick my work ethic into high gear and take control of the massive opportunity that was presented to me. The support system I've acquired and the coaching I've received while being here is really what's launched my development and pushed me to work my way up to my position.




- What are you goals with Peak?


      My goals with Peak are to be promoted to a managerial role in 2015, and help pave the way for others to do the same!


- What is your ultimate goal for your career?


      My ultimate goal for my career is to gain the financial freedom and time to fund and run the Christian M Pike foundation that will support families that have lost service members in combat, while being able to extend the same freedoms of finance and time to others so that they may see their goals achieved.



 -How do you keep a good work/ personal life balance?


      I keep a good work/personal life balance by really submerging myself into the time I have with my friends and family, making specific time to go out and have fun! Planning is really key there. When I'm a work, I'm 100% at work, when I'm at home, I'm 100% devoted to the people around me and whatever we may be doing that day!



- What advice do you have for those embarking on a career in this field?


      The biggest piece of advice I have for anyone embarking on this career path is to keep a killer student mentality, always be hungry to learn from those around you and grow with them. Push hard through the rough times, work even harder when you're faced with adversity and I guarantee you it will be worth it 10 fold! Lastly, have as MUCH fun as humanly possible!


Thanks for sharing your story with us, Samantha! We look forward to continuing this journey with you and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you! Watch out, world, this girl is on fire!!!!

Meet the Team; Team Leader, Katharine Veron!

Get to know our Team Leader Katharine Veron! ( As told by, Katharine Veron )

- I was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana into a big, Cajun, Catholic family. I have 1 younger brother, Dylan, an older brother, John, an older step-sister, Amy, and an older step-brother, Shane. I've got four nephews: Harrison, Aidan, Brennan, and Connor, and I've got one niece, Camille. There's not much to say about Lake Charles other than the fact that I miss the food, the culture, the football, and Mardi Gras terribly. Louisiana is a beautiful place, and I can't wait to own a home on St Charles Avenue in New Orleans. 

- I went to St. Louis Catholic High School, where I played soccer and was a cheerleader. Cheerleading was my favorite thing about my high school experience. We took it very seriously and competed on a national level, but cheering at football games was the most fun! 

- My first job was as a server at Buffalo Wild Wings in Lake Charles. I think I was 17.

- I went to college at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS where I majored in Anthropology. There, Dr. George Bey became my mentor and completely changed my life. He took me to Europe as his research assistant in the summer of 2009, and then I went to Yucatan in the summer of 2010 where I excavated Mayan ruins on a private, bio-cultural reserve in the jungle. I slept in a hammock for 6 weeks and my showers were from rainwater runoff. I found my bliss there and decided that my calling was Mayan archaeology. :)

- In my free time, I read, write, paint, spend time outside hiking, biking, playing frisbee, and soaking up sunshine. I love to travel and explore new places and to learn new things. 

- I had never considered a career in our field until after I started at Peak-Incorporated. I was really just taking a chance at bettering myself in any way that I could. I knew that I wanted to travel, to get my PhD and eventually teach archaeology, to expand my knowledge of the world, and to achieve the luxury of freedom to accomplish these things, but I had no idea how to make these things happen. I just never accepted that my dreams were beyond my reach. And when I found Peak, I realized that I had found a way to make it all happen for myself. That is, Peak has created the opportunity for me to achieve everything I've ever wanted out of life by teaching me invaluable skill sets that I can use and transfer anywhere. 

- My journey at Peak began at the end of October of 2013. I have been promoted twice since then, due to my work ethic, student mentality, and the incredible support system I have in the team. The relationships I have with my fellow team members have been invaluable to my growth. I can honestly say that I've never worked in an environment where my co-workers were genuinely invested in my growth, nor have I ever been lucky enough to be surrounded by such motivated and inspiring people on a daily basis. 

-My progression throughout the company has been incredible. I've achieved things I never thought possible and have grown in ways that I couldn't have imagined. I've learned that I have limitless potential as long as I'm willing to step up to be challenged. 

- My goal at peak is to be promoted into management by the end of this year. 

- My ultimate goal is to retire from this business by 45, after having passed the opportunity on to many others, so that I can get my phd and go explore the world! 

Meet the Team; Assistant Manager, Jonathan Leach!

We are proud to announce that our very own, Jonathan Leach, was recently promoted to Assistant Manager, here at Peak-Inc.! Jon has been with us for a little over a year and a half now, and his drive, ambition and passion for success helped propel him into management.

Jonathan was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on May 6th 1988.  He grew up competing in the sports of soccer, basketball, paintball and tae kwon do.  He has an older sister (38) and younger brother (20) who live in Aurora, CO and Hartford, CT respectively.

Jon partakes in hobbies ranging from fitness (running and weightlifting), concerts, watching live sporting events, cooking, video games, movies, and, of course, spoiling his Jack Russell Terrier. His dog, Chief celebrated his 8th birthday on May 10th.  He is the first dog Jon has owned, and it’s safe to say these two are pretty close!

Jonathan relocated to Colorado in August of 2009 to continue his academic career at Colorado State University.  In May of 2012 he graduated Summa Cum Laude with his B.A. in Business with a concentration on Marketing. (Way to go, Jon!!)  Shortly after graduation, He met Eric Norregaard and began working with Peak Incorporated.    

“Peak Incorporated has helped me develop into a successful young professional.  I have drastically developed personally and professionally over the past couple years.”, says Jonathan Leach, of Peak-Inc. “The skills and tools that I’ve acquired at Peak have far surpassed any of the prior training or schooling I received at other companies and institutions.  Much of the success of the office derives from Eric’s passion for helping individuals realize, then fulfill their true potential.”    

         Jonathan’s future career goals consist of continuing to grow and develop everyday, while learning the skills and tools necessary to be successful. He will be looking to move to the west coast of the United States in the next 6 months to continue managing an office. Eventually, he would like to look at international prospects later in his career and move to Europe.