Renegade Professional News 

First Impressions and Early Thoughts about Mike Klingler

The first time I listened to a tutorial by Mike Klingler in the back office of Renegade Professional, I was impressed by his directness, ability to explain detailed instructions and his pace.

As Eric Walker, my fiancé later stated, “Mike has that rare ability to engage both your head and heart, which is the tell-tale sign of a true teacher-leader.”

I was not only impressed; I felt a sense of security while learning from his videos. He was speaking to “me,” a person who, at the time, new very little about creating and navigating through technical things online such as building a blog.

With Mike, it doesn’t take long to learn complicated and technical things. I recall spending the weekend with Mike – not literally – but I spent about eight hours with Mike that weekend. He walked me through setting up Eric’s Squarespace blog.

With each new tutorial I watched, I found myself developing a bond with this person on the other side of the country; getting to know him little by little, his mannerisms and sense of humor. I began to think this “talking Mike Klingler” was a nice guy.

I thought if I ever got the chance to meet him in person, that I’d like him.

Meet Mike Klinger? THE Mike Klingler, founder of Marketing Merge?

Yeah right!  Or so I thought…

Later, as More Time Passed and Eric Worked Really Hard…

My fiance, Eric Walker, has been involved with Marketing Merge Renegade Professional for well over a year now. Over that time he worked his way up from being a Renegade Professional member to leader of the Super Guide Program, and is now working alongside Mike on two upcoming projects.

Whoa, wait a minute…did I just say, alongside?

That’s right! Eric now walks to Marketing Merge headquarters every day.

We made the decision to pack up our home in Michigan and move to Portland, Oregon so Eric could work directly with Mike and the rest of the Marketing Merge team – it was an offer that we could refuse, an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime.

So I got my chance to meet Mike Klingler?

-Last Saturday night-

My daughter and I arrived in Portland late that evening. The next morning, Eric informed me we’d be having brunch with Mike and Diyana (Didi) Alcheva.

Man, was I excited!

As tired as I was from the packing, flying across the country and staying up late catching up with Eric the night before (he arrived a week earlier), I woke up early and eager.

Meeting Mike, (in person!) exceeded my expectations!

First of all, I’ve got to say, listening to someone’s voice and watching videos of them does no justice to their persona compared to seeing them in the flesh.

Didi and Mike were so much more in real life, yet all at once so familiar, as if we’d already met.

Mike surprised me with his down to earth, personality! Well, not surprised, his positive attitude just seemed too good to be true.

But it was true.

I could not get over how nice a guy Mike was! You can tell when you’re meeting a genuinely nice person – you can see it in their eyes. I saw that quality in Mike’s eyes. He was direct, warm and sincere.

For example, when I stopped by the office with Ella (the mothers out there reading this may more fully understand the importance of these kind words)…

Mike said, “Kaitlin, just so you know…” and he paused. Looked straight at me, as if waiting until I looked directly back at him, and repeated, “just so you know, in case you don’t already know, you and Ella being here is not a distraction. Not at all. Make yourselves at home.”

I was a stunned by this act of genuine, sincere kindness – so disarming and welcoming. I thanked him.

Here I am with an almost eight month old baby – whose attention span is less than a minute, laughing one moment and crying the next, and Mike Klingler, who is trying to operate a new and growing company, tells me to relax, sit back and let my baby be a baby in his office.

Wow.

But wait, I think you’ll agree this story gets even better when I tell you something more…

Tonight I walked down to the office to pick up Eric.

We were going to get a bite to eat and head back home – it’s approximately 10 blocks and we walk. I walked through the unlocked doors, was greeted by everyone and sat down.

Before I knew it, Mike walked out with his guitar, and asked me if I’d mind playing a few songs.

Being the singer-songwriter that I am, it’s hard to pass up a “request.” So I enthusiastically agreed.

As I sang, the video camera came out, Eric perched Ella on top of his shoulders and the sound of computer typing fell silent.

For me, it was a beautiful moment.

One that I’ll remember for a long time.

I thought about what had just happened as we walked home and made this realization about being around Mike Klinger:

He is the kind of person who acknowledges the best qualities in others. Once he finds out what their talent or passion might be, he encourages them to share it.

That is one thing that makes him such a great teacher and such a great leader.

I look forward to more “real” moments with Mike Klinger. I have a feeling he wears “real” on his shirt sleeve every day.

So, if any of you out there thought Mike seemed like a nice guy, I’m here to make that confirmation.

I wanted to share this with all of you as a testament to Mike Klingler, that he’s the real deal, a genuine guy who keeps it real on and offline.

Thank you Mike,

Kaitlin Rose

P.S. Danielle, the sweet-hearted assistant who works for Marketing Merge, caught the guitar scene on her flip camera. Here it is for your enjoyment.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites