The Ethan Awards

This vote has to carry extra weight as it comes from Finland. I run a business book videoblog http://www.mcreads.com and go through hundreds of books each year. When I picked up Jay’s “Keep Swinging” I felt this is a very authentic story telling.

Jay’s book & insight has been extremely helpful as we still forge through many difficulties, including vast fraudulent acts by a former employee.

Keep Swinging is more than just an entrepreneurial “how-to” guide for small businesses. It depicts real life obstacles and the mass amounts of personal strength needed to overcome those obstacles when someone dedicates their lives into their business like Jay has. That’s what set’s this book apart from other business stories. Jay puts his feelings into the written word to motivate others through the adversities they are facing. He does this by showing that there is life after the hard times, and that if you battle through them, the result is a great satisfaction and growth of both yourself and your company. Keep Swinging is a definite must read for all entrepreneurs and budding business professionals alike.

A great story and an inspiration to all small business owners to hang in there!

Keep on Swinging is a must read book and not just for businesses. In the book Jay talks about the many obstacles he faced in order to achieve the success his company enjoys today. How he persisted in overcoming those obstacles should be an inspiration to all of us. His sheer determination in spite of personal and financial pitfalls speaks volumes about him as a person.

“Jay Myers was a huge success. He was by far the best speaker we have had and we have had some good ones. In addition to putting on a great event. He was awesome to have very humble not demanding just an all around great guy. I cant say enough good things about him.”

“We recently invited to speak to our 2010 Ole Miss MBA Class. Not only was Jay extremely professional during the booking process, but he delivered a top-notch presentation. Each week we invite in a senior executive/CEO to speak to the MBA students and Jay clearly set the bar high with a presentation that shared his trials and tribulations as well as successes in his entrepreneurial ventures. The students appreciated his honesty and his willingness to share his personal challenges as an entrepreneur.”

“His story and the ordeals of life in the business world, his humor about the almost unbelievable events he had to overcome had an instant connection with all of us. His struggles both in business and in health and the real life obstacles were an inspiration and a challenge to this audience. His book KEEP SWINGING was a great seller at our club meeting and one that I personally purchased to share with a friend. I am sure that each of us took a little bit of his experience and good advice back to our own operations and businesses.”

Keep Swinging is a great story of facing adversity and being determined to overcome it. In addition to this life lesson, there are also business lessons that all of us can learn from and apply to our business’s.

I befriended Jay several years ago through our work with Boy Scouts. When Jay learned of some challenges I encountered with my business, he was one of the first people to respond with words of encouragement and a copy of his book. After reading the book, I know I’m not alone

Jay’s book “Keep Swinging” has given me the strength to persevere after reading about his trials and tribulations, mine seemed trivial. Great book

Not only is “Keep Swinging” an inspirational and engaging story, but it delivers a lot of valuable business lessons.
Jay’s obvious dedication to his business, its growth and operating with honesty and integrity comes through clearly in this great book. It’s refreshing to read about his commitment to his loyal employees!

Keep Of Swinging is a gread read for the small business owner. Jay brings the gotchas that can happen in a small business front and center. Enjoyed it thoroughly!

“I thought he did a masterful job letting participants see how people can overcome extremely devastating circumstances if they have fortitude, tenacity, and an appropriately centered set of values. What I particularly liked is that Jay was discussing traits and behavioral practices that other leadership gurus also have supported as critical for leadership success: encouraging the hearts of the subordinates in turbulent times, empowering individuals to take action and be part of the leadership team, and setting a clear vision that is soundly grounded in the principles related to positive moral and ethical values. Jay was able to do this by bringing in his personal experiences and showing how with humility and patience one can learn from one’s mistakes.”

“I had the good fortune to hear Jay speak at the Executive Women International Meeting in April. I was so impressed with his topic, delivery and enthusiasm that I immediately engaged him to speak to the Rotary Club of Memphis Central. As anticipated, the members of this club were also greatly impressed with Mr. Myer’s program.
Jay’s message about struggles to overcome adversity included embezzlement in his own company, untimely death of a brother, and serious health issues. These obstacles could have easily derailed him. Yet, Jay survived and today his company is surpassing his wildest expectations. He emphasized to the audience – that anyone can survive adversities of any magnitude if they just “Keep Swinging.”

Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Overcoming Adversity & Achieving Small Business Success is not only an interesting read, it is also inspirational and educational. Jay Myers shares the unexpected challenges and adversities he faced as an entrepreneur and the subsequent emotions. More importantly, through reading this book one realizes that setbacks can be overcome with passion, determination, and perseverance. Definitely a ‘five star’ book.

In Keep Swinging, Jay Myers tells a story that everyone aspiring to be an entrepreneur should read. With gripping detail, he describes the real life challenges that can (and often do) face those who step up to the plate in business, and the essential qualities required to overcome them. A home run!

“Author Jay Myers uses a conversational tone to detail his personal experience as an entrepreneur in his new book Keep Swinging: An Entrepreneur’s Story of Overcoming Adversity and Achieving Small Business Success

Keep Swinging is a little different than most books on this topic because Myers shies away from explaining all of his good decisions and instead focuses on some of the mistakes he has made and the pitfalls he has faced. Stories of a poor business plan, a misguided buyout, and an embezzlement crisis all blend together to create a compelling tale that reads more like a fiction book.

At the same time, Keep Swinging offers solid business lessons and advice that any entrepreneurs could put to good use. Myers also touches on subjects like home life, family support, continuing education, and community involvement.

The book is only 157 pages, but it includes a lot of valuable information and entertainment value to boot. I would highly recommend Keep Swinging to any entrepreneur who wants to read about both the highs and lows of owning a business.”

…I really enjoyed reading it…what a story

Jay’s book depicts the strong character it takes to persevere the unforseen in both personal and business life, and exhibits how interwoven the two can be.
Having made similar mistakes in my business (without the amplitude of Jay) has helped me in these difficult economic times to better understand what it means to “Keep Swinging”.

Jay’s story is inspirational and shares not only business but also life lessons for business entrepreneurs and others in an honest, meaningful and insightful manner.

Sharing his business and life experiences is a gift for those who want to learn from his honest reflections of making success emerge while overcoming personal and business adversity.

Never before have I read a book in two sittings. Your book keep swinging kept me rivoted! Thank you for sharing your story. I related to so many facets of your story; from being victim of fraud of trusted agents to the boy scouts and the impact your Dad and brother have had in your life. Thank you for following your dream and being accountable to your community. If you are ever in Virginia Beach, VA I will consider it an honor and privilge to meet you and shake your hand.

I just finished your book, thorougly enjoyed it. I like the way you run your business. Sometime when you are in Nashville I would like to arrange a lunch with you and a friend of mine who has started at least a dozen companies; he shares much of the same philosophy as you do.

Congratulations on your continued success, I have recommended your book to a number of clients and business associates. A great read and definitely an inspiring story!

Congratulations! Well done. It’s a good read!

I read it cover to cover in 2 days. And I’m not a reader! It was a seriously well written book that caused me to relive the old days since I knew so many people in the book. I never realized your deal was that intense.

Your involvement in the community is just great and employees take great pride in an organization that gives to its community. Through your leadership, you have established a wonderful company and the morale of your employees is clearly evident. I am sure your team will follow you in whatever direction you take them.

Wishing you continued success in growing another terrifc business asset in the Memphis Community. I always thought that business would get easier as I got older, but if you are constantly striving to grow your organization and take on new challenges, it never gets any easier just more rewarding in the terms of accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.

You have “big shoulders” so “Keep Swinging!”

I just finished the book. Loved it. It’s very informative, very uplifting, a very easy read and totally enjoyable.

I bet I read it again in the near future!

I thank you most sincerely for your book – it was like a spy novel, a business case study, and a life lessons type of aggregation all rolled into one well-written little package. It was very enjoyable reading and reminded me of several friends I have made through the years who have all come from the sales business. I now have an even greater admiration for you and your company as well as the folks who work for you and have stuck by you through thick and thin.

When I bought the book, my intention was to read a couple chapters each night However, I finished that night at 3am. It was an eye opener for myself, and I have used several of the tips. My favorite tip was “hire the hustle”. You can teach a man to do anything, but not to be motivated… Thank you Jay for being such an inspiration to me. KEEP SWINGING !

Your book is quite inspirational. It encourages all of us to dig a little deeper at times and think about the challenges of small and medium sized businesses. Your perseverance, family, the challenge of overcoming the trust of a dishonest employee, the importance of the role your spouse played and of course, your health being challenged mid-stream – it’s the kind of stories legends are made from.

Happy to know that all is well, and that you are still turning setbacks into comebacks. You are an inspiration to so many people – and I know you will continue to contribue in a positive way, growing and giving.

I know I have thanked you several times for “Keep Swinging”. But your book is such an inspiration to me that I just want to thank you again. I have referred people to your book several times and even 3 or 4 years ago adopted revised hiring practices after hearing you speak at the Germantown Chamber.

I am presenting today to a group of Dept. of Labor members. I am taking your book with me and will refer to it during my presentation. Again, thank you for “doing the right thing” and also for telling your story!

I finished your book and simply love it. It’s passionate and full of interesting business tips and suggestions. It’s extremely motivating and pushes you to keep going and never give up.

Allow me to say that you are a tough and smart guy, equilibrate and lungimirant. You have a lot to teach. I hope to meet you again.

I had no idea that you had been through such an ordeal! On the personal side, I too have survived cancer – many operations and chemo. It takes some endurance but the sense of achievement will always be there, as well as an appreciation of life!

Glad you survived the fraud and you absolutely did the right thing! I hope the Secret Service keeps tags on her when she gets out – “habitual” is a word that comes to my mind. Though I hope she has now learnt her lesson.

Jay Myers is a genuine person who willingly shares in-the-trenches advice for wannabes. In fact, he spoke to my college class in Chicago.

Plus, his book addresses common and not-so-common travails encountered during a venture’s expansion.

Jay’s story is uplifting to those who aspire to business ownership.

I learned so much from your book. As I stated in my blog, I think if you can achieve success with all the hardships you encountered, everyone can achieve some level of success. the secret is to just keep trying. Of course, we all know that, but sometimes we forget and just needa push (like you book) to remind us. However, your perseverence was absolutely remarkable and your dedication to do the right thing was amazing.

I went home last night and read the entire book… I finished at 1:30 AM. It is amazing about some of our similar experiences. We immediately hired an Eagle Scout last year just based on the fact he made Eagle. Honesty and Intergrity is first and foremost at our business model.

A couple of tips that you gave that I will try to implement:

1)Hire the Hustle
2)Retainment of the prized ones
3) Publicity by trying to get your company awards, that they are deserving of
4)Watching the places where opportunity to steal exists in the company

I believe that every small business owner in Collierville should read this book.

Did I tell you great book?

I have finished reading your book and I really enjoyed it. The adversity that you had to overcome both personally and professionally to get ISI where it is today reflects your mental toughness. I know your business will continue to succeed not because of your video conferencing knowledge and as you would say hustle, but because of your ability to overcomeadversity. Jay, good luck with ISI’s future endeavors and my God continue to bless you and your family.

Hey Jay,
Tim a fellow cameraman left the book you gave him back in April, at my brothers studio and I picked it up brought it home and read it tonight. Growing up in Memphis was my attraction to the book at first, but as i read through it I could not put it down! Just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed it very much. Many great life lessons in those pages!

The best one: “Keep your head down and your tail up” haha.

I am very remiss in not sending you a sooner a thank you for your book. I am honored to have a copy. I remember reading about it and you in the C.A!

You are an inspiration.

Jay,

You have had some rough times and deserve the success you are seeing now. Everything you talk about from getting fired from ATS to wanting ownership of something yourself to your moral and ethical values parallels so many things I have gone through and believe in. While I never made it through boy scouts I love serving as den leader for my son and 8 other young boys now going into Webelos and trying to reinforce the scout value system which seems so lacking in this world of ours.

After reading your book I wanted to note how much I appreciate your work. I may not be a judge of “great literary works” but I do know a great story when I read it. Yours was one! I could resonate with your personal experiences many, many times. Thanks!

I sat down and read the book in one sitting. Fascinating story, quite educational and enjoyable.
The one thing I preach to everyone I spend time with is the critical need for perseverence. I told our investors and supporters we can handle everything our companies need, they just need to come to us with Passion, a Product and Perseverence. You clearly have all three.

Jay,
I was really impressed with your candour and courage. ‘Fessing up about mistakes you mnade in an effot to come clean and help others not make the same mistakes, took guts. I knew about the embezzlement and the parting of the ways with your former partner but I had no idea what you had to go through to sever the partnership with your partner and even worse just how close your business was to financial ruin because of the embezzlement. It is unbelievable how she was able to dodge prosecution and manage to steal from her employers right under their noses. Justice should have prevailed and while it did in her case I am sure it was not easy to sentence her to prison. We are all accountable but in her case maybe you should look at it like you saved another business from a financial disaster. As you said in your book there are probably hundreds of companies who were not as fortunate as yours in bouncing back. Maybe the time she serves in prison will rehabilitate her. One can only hope.

I was also aware of your awards. Congratulations again for those. Mom, Dad, John and Charlie would all be so proud…as are we.

Your story is inspirational to me and offers some excellent guidelines for success in our industry-and in life. It’s good to know people who work hard and try to do things right can still achieve great things.

Jay

I finished your book and will actually be getting it for my team mates for Christmas this year. It is a fantastic and very inspiring book.

Hi Jay!

My husband Rick (an internal audit manager), LOVED the book! He started reading it and couldn’t put it down.

Thank you for all of your support and thoughts. I have re read your book and it has been an inspiration for me during this difficult time. Looks like “your” Yankees have reloaded and have their sights set on another fall classic. They will be fun to watch this season!

I finished your book and wanted to say congrats to you on writing it and for overcoming those struggles. It was a good story to hear – I’m glad you made the effort to tell it. I gave the book to my boss and he’s adding it to our library!

Thank you so much for sharing your story, it’s an inspirational book. Could not have been more timely, my wife is in the midst of starting her own realestate company and will share this with her as well!

I always enjoy reading about other entrepreneurs success stories. Hope to see you soon.

I truly appreciate you taking the time to send your book and words of encouragement to me as a fellow entrepreneur.I might be in touch soon with some follow-up questions/comments

It can be such an up and down cyclical experience being an entrepreneur but in the end I never regret choosing the path. Life’s rewards have been far too great and when they’re not, with God’s help, I’ve only grown stronger from those experiences.

Jay,
I appreciate the emphasis on the never giving up – so easy to do sometimes so thanks again Jay!

Jay,

Thanks for sharing your story with EO-Western NY! We enjoyed hearing how you navigated through your adversities – it inspired us to keep swinging!

Laurie Joslin
Learning Chair, EO

Jay’s book teaches a number of valuable lessons – the challenges of starting a business, how to overcome personal and professional adversity, and the importance of having financial controls in a company.

It is also an easy and enjoyable read.

I’ve been a customer of Jay’s for many years. He has written a fine and inspiring book, but the lessons in the book are more than just words on paper. To use a well worn phrase, Jay practices what he preaches. I highly recommend the book to all.

Hi Jay. I just finished your book and thoroughly enjoyed such an honest portrayal of your trials and tribulations. I would love to get together with you for coffee if you are in Nashville. Let me know.

I’ve received numerous comments about you being on the show (Bold Ventures). One of my potential sponsors was listening and immediately after the show sent me an email, telling me how interesting the topic was.

Thank you so much for being on the show.

As I finished your book I almost called. In many ways we have certainly gone down some of the same paths. I went through Leadership Sandy Spring in 2004-2005, played baseball (second base), and have certainly shared some of the same problems and rewards of being an entrepreneur.

Your reference to being an Eagle Scout and how much it meant to you set off an alarm and many times I feel I am being lead as opposed to leading and that things happen as they are meant to happen. We are the only radio station in the US, via the web heard around the world doing a one hour Boy Scout show.

As I was finishing your book I thought with your appreciation for Scouting this would be a super place to reach an incredible audience for ISI. What a testimonial to young Scouts from an Eagle Scout that is successful in the age of technology, “the young generations” thing.

So, not only do I want to discuss my idea, but would very much like to discuss working with you on the Boy Scout Hour.

Thank you for coming to the studio so we could meet, thank you for giving me a copy of your book so I could get to know you, and thank you for being open to my communcations.

I agree with Sam that Jay practices what he preaches. Keep Swinging is an inspirational book that does showcase some of the obstacles that Small Business owners must overcome. Jay is a great leader, business owner, and someone who is willing to share his knowledge to help others advance in their careers.

IT was great to see you at the MILE event. Your book is GREAT, but your talking about it is better. Thank you for the kind words you offered about my business. I really appreciated that.

Jay, what a wonderful honor for you to be nominated for the Ethan award-we are proud of you! I have tremendous respect for your ability to overcome adversity. You have contributed much to the community by sharing your story and giving people encouragement. I have always believed that adversity can make or break you. Obviously you came out the winner and I wish you the best.

Thank you so much for your informative speech, signing “Keep Swinging” for me and agreeing to speak at future Germantown Exchange Club meetings. You were well received and enjoyable in attendance. We gained much knowledge from your speaking.

Go Tigers!

Jay,
Just read the book! LOVED IT!!

THANKS AGAIN FOR ATTENDING OUR MEETING. YOU GOT EXCELLENT REVIEWS AND I HOPE YOU SOLD SOME BOOKS AS WELL!!!!!

I TOLD HERBERT MONTGOMERY THAT I GET A 10% BOOKING FEE WHEN YOU GET HIRED FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS.

JUST KIDDING!

I was certainly not depressed by your story; on the contrary I was enlightened. Since our return to the office we have already begun implemented new procedures into our accounting department. I very much appreciate hearing your story (especially because as you are aware my daughter is my Accounting Assistant).

It was a pleasure meeting you and finding out about your experiences starting a business. Good luck in the future with it and your book. Your presentation was excellent!

Got your book yesterday and read it last night. I started reading a few pages just to get a feel for it and then couldn’t put it down. What a compelling story. My business was also the victim of fraud by someone I would have thought was the most unlikely employee to commit a crime-she was an overtly religous, hard-working, “generous” member of the team. She frequently arrived before me in the morning and sometime left after I did. She brought in baked goods for the office and was always friendly and kind. She was also stealing from the other employees and diverting money to a bogus supplier. It wasn’t as extreme as your situation but gut-wrenching nonetheless.

I thoroughly enjoyed your book, and loved your speech at the MILE presentation a few weeks back. Having worked at Best Buy for the past 3 years, and worked my way up the management chain, I have grown to love upcoming technology, and being able to incorporate it into the business sphere.

Great news about your book! I read it and loved it. Very timely for me right now.

Sincerely,
Austin

I enjoyed the book very much. I think the actual pain I was feeling on Friday of Fantasy Camp came back to me just reading about it.

I will let you know the next time I am in Memphis!!

Read your book. WOW! It’s very personal honest narration. Many places, I saw myself in your place. No gain and appreciation without pain. I sympathize with your feelings. Interestingly, one of my nieces and brother-in-laws got very fascinated by the story (I told them) of a struggling entrepreneur. They kept the book and plan to ciculate it among members of family. It’s an excellent reading.

I read your book this weekend, funny the people that we have in common. I have been in the RCIA program at Incarnation for the past 15 months and I sit in the same section with Rick and his family! Just when I thought that was interesting enough, Steve Stapleton stopped over, noticed that I was reading your book and started talking about your 50th Birthday gift from Maureen – I hadn’t gotten to that part yet…..Anyway, great book, interesting life, you are very blessed.

Good luck Jay! You deserve it! All the best, Bridget

I loved the book. When I finished it, I told Vann, “this is the kind of company I wish I worked for!”
You are truly a leader in so many ways and I (we) are proud to be a small part of your story.

Thanks for the book, Jay. I’m enjoying it.

Jay,

You made the Inc. 800 CEO Read Business Best Seller list for the second month in a row!

http://800ceoread.com/attribute/show/1-The_Business_Book_Bestseller_List/

Congrats!

Thanks again for sharing your story with EO Louisville group. My husband -who also works in the business with me – and I haven’t been able to stop talking about your presentation and the book. Very much looking forward to insuring that our company does all of the right htings regarding security, hiring and generally keeping swinging!

I finished reading your book and really enjoyed it!

I just finished your book. It was very good, and I enjoyed reading about your journey. I just finsihed a Management class that was teaching us to do the right thing and that if you take care of your employees; they will take care of you in return. It was very refreshing to read about this exact thing in your book. Thank your for renewing my hope in that we can make change in our culture if we continue to do the right thing.

I finished reading your book this weekend and it left me wanting more…thank you for writing your story and for all the intimate, personal conversations you shared between yourself, your Dad and John.

It took a lot of courage to face your enemy and even more to do so publically in court… ‘all that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing’… you did something about evil.

My CPA cakked ne yesterday to let me know he heard about your book on the radio. Congrats on the book – I just ordered one through Amazon. Much luck with your continued success.

I finished reading your book this weekend and it left me wanting more…thank you for writing your stor and for all the intimate, personal conversations you shared between yourself, your Dad and John.

It took a lot of courage to face your enemy and even more courage to do so publically in court. …’all that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing’… you did something about evil.

I just wanted to tell you that a couple of us here at the BBB have read your book, and found it very interesting and definitley inspirational. I have felt for such a long time that company owners don’t care about their employees or their families but you prove me wrong!

Jay I wanted to say thanks for the book. I don’t have many where I have actually met the author so this is a real treat. BTW it sounds like you have a heck of a ride based on the first chapter. There are not too many business folks that survive a embezzlement experience. I really have a much better appreciation of just what kind of businessman you are.

Oh my goodness, I started your book today and can not put it down. I did not realize it was your story. It is so interesting!

Thanks for the copy of your book. The timing is perfect since I just started my own company recently. I’m looking forward to reading your work and gaining useful insights.

I actually read the book the same night I received it. I could not put it down until I finished. Our relationship (both business and personal) during the early years makes me feel that in some way I am a part of the ISI family. By knowing so many of the people involved, I just got caught up in the retelling of what I was already familiar with as well as finding out some things I was not aware of. I brought the book out with me and am asking everyone involved with me to read it.

Wow! I looked at the web page about the book. It looks like a fascinating read. I am looking forward to buying and reading the book. Congratulations on another great accomplishment.

Do you mind if I send it to some other folks in our organization?

I heard you on the radio the other morning (am600)… Congratulations on your book!

I just got finished listening to your segment on Rock 103 and I thought you did an unbelievable job!!! I just want to say congratulations on making Interactive Solutions such an amazing success after such corrupt behavior from several people before. You truly have stayed strong and continue pushing to make sure that ISI will never have this happen again. I find you to be a mentor to me with your extraordinary entrepreneur spirit and will to succeed. That being said, I commend you in the actions you took to survive that terrible time and also by keeping your cool to find ways to make your business stronger than ever.

Please let me know if you ever need anything and please continue to be the face of ISI and mentor to many other business leaders facing the same challenges that you previously conquered!!!

We got our books yesterday and I started reading mine last night! It was very hard to put down!

I just wanted to thank you for coming to speak. The feedback from the class was very positive. Given their enthusiasm in asking questions, I am confident that many of the lessons you mentioned will stay with them.

Thank you again and I look forward to our paths crossing in the future.

I love your book and I love your story. I am very interested in having you come speak with my Ladies Who Launch group. We are in the process of putting together some upcoming events and we definitely want you to come share your book with us. I want your book to be a must read for my ladies!

I believe we all need your book and I am thrilled that you took the time to make your story available for all of us.

People need to know that you must keep swinging!

I trust you’re doing well and that your book is flying off the shelves.

I had a nice conversation with someone this morning and secured a shipment of 60 copies of Keep Swinging to use as very valuable prizes in our Kansas City FastTrac classes and our national facilitator certification and to use as gifts for FastTrac program guest speakers. I’ll also make sure our VP of Entrepreneurship gets a copy as well as our CEO.

Thank you again for your enthusiasm about FastTrac. You’re one of our biggest champoins and we greatly appreciate you!

I just wanted to let you know that for the first time in at least 10 years (probably more) I have read and completely finished a book…”Keep Swinging.” All I can say is that it is a very good book and much better than I expected. I just thought that you would be interested to know this!

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your workshop. I have read your book and it was an inspiring story to all of us small business owners. Like you said, never give up.

Kenny and I both read your book and thought it was great. It took a lot of courage to do what you did but with Maureen behind you anything is possible.

If you get a chance to read it, you will not regret it. I know Jay pretty well and was shocked at the adversity his company endured.

It was great hearing your story; sometimes, we tend to get a little lazy with all this..it was a refreshing reminder.

Congratulations on all your achievements!

Your talk in Dr. Fabian’s class was spectacular and thanks for your taking your time to talk with us. I was so excited that I ordered your book and the “Cup of Cappuccino” last night.

Thanks for the book! It’s a great read and a fascinating story!

Just wanted to say thank you for telling your story and the good you have done as His word promises.

All the best

Thank you for the great presentation. You were the topic of discussion for the rest of the workshop!

Thanks again for the book. It’s on my desk, so when I have thoughts of ‘what have I done?’, I just remember the title- Keep Swinging!

Received your book and read it… Thank you!

I don’t know you but I have lived your story more than once. I have been self employed for almost 35 years (21 years as a General Contractor and 14 in AV..another story for another time)

I look forward to meeting you and shaking your hand!

I was just getting ready to compose my letter of thanks to you! The students were raving, they really seemed to be inspired. I’ll paste you a comment:

“I thought Jay Myers was an awesome speaker!! He gave us valuable information that would help us succeed in the world of entrepreneurship as well as life. I love the fact he ascribes to a higher power because often times successful people take all the credit for themselves. His key points about going into business with passion, watching your money, surrounding yourself with hard working/tough people, keeping your eyes on the prize, and praying everyday, were seemingly common sense practices, however, some people wouldn’t think to do them. He put everything into perspective. All I can say is JOB WELL DONE!!!”

It still amazes me that while different circumstances, our business has been and is going through similar growth pains as you have experienced. I was able to read your book last weekend and found it quite interesting.I have passed your book along to our CEO and COO and asked them to read it. Once they read it would you consider having lunch with us? I would like for them to have an opportunity to meet you and to hear first hand how you have been successful in growing ISI. By the way, the part about the Memphis Business Journal article that brought you in touch with Kemmons Wilson really hit home. The Journal has been interviewing us this week for a potential article. Hope we get published and can claim a success story such as yours.

Thank you Jay for setting an example for others to follow and the willingness to share your highs and lows so that we can learn.

I’m not a big reader, but I started reading Keep Swinging yesterday between service calls and I finished it this afternoon. It was a quick read and at times was hard to put down. You overcame so much adversity in your start up. I, being one of those 96% who had to fold a small side business in its 3rd year, have learned some valuable tools in the event that I ever decide to start it back up in the future.

I would just like to thank you for your book. It is a very touching and inspirational book and shows that through faith and perseverense, you overcame the odds and have created a great company with a wonderful staff. So far, guys like Kyle, Sam and Brad have been a professional and hard working team hear with me NSCC and it has been a pleasure doing business with you.

I see how you are very generous with your employees, and reward them in an exceptional way. A way that most companies don’t see as an investment such as training, and bonuses etc. I look forward to continuing to do business with ISI here in Nashville.

Thank you very much for the gift of your book. I just read the first chapter sitting at my desk. Perhaps I should take it home so I can get some work done

Congratulations on Keep Swinging! Will there be more? Thanks for the copy, I need it autographed!

Excellent book. I can empathize with the struggles that you and your company have gone through. My father-in-law had a very similar thing happen – around 80k taken by his partner..turns out it was a repeat for that guy as well. I appreciate your business, your team, and our growing partnership.

Congratulations on being a published author. ISI has been a long time and appreciated business partner for the State and we are glad for your successes. We look forward to a continued relationship.

Thanks again for the autographed copy of your book. I truly enjoyed reading your story and glad you overcame the many hurdles you shared.

As a student of accounting, specifically audit and internal audit, I found this book to be a particularly interesting and important read. Keep Swinging really hit home how massive the consequences of one persons poor ethics and lack of professionalism can be on multiple individuals and families. Everyone has read cases involving the accounting scandals at major corporations such as Enron and Worldcom; what Keep Swinging does is put these important lessons into a perspective that is uncomfortably “real.” This is a great read, and I would love to see it assigned as part of a case reading in one of my audit classes.

Congratulations on your first book. I hope it will be one of many. Your story is inspiring and in these difficult economic times, your timing and message are needed.

I really appreciate the book. It looks like a great opportunity for others to benefit from your knowledge. The Fogleman College of Business & Economics is grateful to have alumni who educate others on being successful entrepreneurs and give back to the community.

Thank you so much for your book – I’m really enjoying reading it!

Thanks for giving me the book for my father-in-law. He stayed up that night reading it and read it straight through. He loved it. My mother-in-law is now reading it. They were impressed that a FedEx guy brought it right up to the door. They figured I must be a big shot to get that kind of service.

I wanted to congratulate you on the publishing of your book! I knew it would happen, and I love the baseball theme.

I am so proud for you. I must say I cannot believe you didn’t TELL ME! I told you to tell me when it all happened because I knew your story would make it is a book.

Anyhow, just wanted to give you props! I knew you could do it!

It’s quite a story and an interesting read. Congratulations on all of your success with ISI. Hustle!

Inspiration is always good and your situation is especially timley.

Thanks and all the best.

Your book is a duplicate of my life with my business, and thank you Jesus, I never hired Linda. I was actually burned 4 years ago and prosecuted as well.

Thanks for the book-and the autograph! Heck, you may be the next Tom Peters or John Maxwell.

Also, what a great book – so inspiring. Good lessons on how small business MUST keep pushing, grinding, and digging, in order to achieve success.

I just received your book! I already checked out the web site link and the attachment, and I can see why many people have found your story to be very inspirational!

My Dad gave me your book this weekend and I just finished reading it: enjoyed it. I have heard some of the stories (like the embezzlement) from my Dad, but I was able to see another side of them after reading your book as well as read about how you started your business and how you give back to others. Futhermore, the part about how you started your business was particularly interesting to me because I always wondered how people got going from the ground up. That, along with how to pick good employees (and keep them), and the lessons learned from the various difficulties you had to overcome are valuable nuggets that I am going to keep with me for use one day. In short, I enjoyed your book and learned some things from it that I will use in the future.

I finished your book the other day and enjoyed it very much. It helped me to put many personal problems into perspective.

I finished your book on Sunday. It was great. It had to be cathartic. Knowing you, and all of your family members, everything was just so vivid. And it did bring back some memories from Kodak and ATS. You really made the reader feel what you were feeling. When you described seeing Linda in the wheelchair and the difference from her days in your office, for a minute you could feel sympathy for her, but then she nearly did ruin lots of lives and you made it right for everyone, but it had to be tough.

Just finished watching the video clip of Jay’s interview. Great interview. It got me all steamed up again thinking about that woman and what she did to you.
You have come a long way since then. So much has happened but there is so much to come. I hope it is only good things.

Thanks for you help today Jay: Great news about the book in general. Keep up the good work!

Jay’s story was almost unbelievable with the numerous events he had to overcome throughout his business life-talk about adversity! His struggles in his business with partners and employees, ethical issues, and his devastating health obstacles inspired us all to “keep swinging!”

Jay’s true story and his humor while telling it is sure to plwase. If you are looking to learn from adversity, I recommend Jay Myers.

Jay has taught me that just because you already have three strike… it doesn’t mean your out. Thanks Jay

I am honored to have been nominated alongside this gifted leader.

Tom

What a grand idea to provide hope and inspiration for businesses-especially with the struggle of our current economy.

Thank you once again.

I received a lot of reading enjoyment and inspiration from you sharing your genuine and heartfelt story of success.

I can safely say, without sounding patronizing, that when we entered into our business arrangement with Interactive Solutions, I was always impressed with your tenacity and professionalism. Now, I know some people believe those two attributes do not exist in the same place, but I found that you represent them quite well. You have dedicated yourself to your work with devotion that is an inspiration to anyone who aspires to success. I am extremely proud to be a professional colleague and friend.

Thanks again for your wonderful book.

Thank you so much for your book. I can’t wait to apply some of the lessons to my own practice. While attorneys practicing within a firm might not be your initial model of an entrepreneur, we actually all are individual entrepreneurs who have come together to better support our clients.

Best regards,
Beverly

Your book does well in the telling of a very important story.

Thank you as well for all of the support Interactive Solutions has shown Union during our time of huge need.

What a hit! Thank you very much for coming to the University to tell your story. The class was really intrigued! Victimization is very diffult to teach. You put it in perspective!

Thanks again
Andy

I started your book and I’m finding it VERY INTERESTING. It is always refreshing for me to hear how REAL people overcame REAL adversity to achieve REAL success.

Kevin

I read your book over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the advice and lesson you offered. Thanks for sharing your struggles and successes. I hope you hit 20 million in sales soon.

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to visit Chicago. I really was inspired by the short summary you shared with a couple of us and so far I am really enjoying the book. I look forward to future books. Again, thank you for the visit and the inspiration.

Sarah

I just want to say thank you for all the information you’ve provided me. My class and I really appreciated your help!

Congrats on the book and your success!

Great book! Hardly a work day that goes by without me asking myself what Mr. Myers do. Congratulations on all your success!

Your book came at a good time for me. Your book reminded me that people who are in business for ourselves have challenges that are difficult for the majority of the corporate world to understand.

I really enjoyed reading the article “Overcoming challenges.” Although our situations are different, I can identify with some of the challenges Mr. Myers was faced with. Very inspirational.

I read your book Saturday when I got home.

I disagree with the reviewer, while it was a quick read it provided the underbelly of going into business for yourself. Most people say they had issues but I can’t recall any actually going into the detail you did of the hurdles you overcame to get where you are at this point.

I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

Mike

This is good stuff, perfect for students (prospective entrepreneurs) looking to be inspired.

I heard you on WOR. What interested me is that you are in Memphis and sound like a decent human being. I was victimized by criminals, who utterly destroyed my life, but could never get anyone to listen to me.

I read your book in a couple of hours, probably because CILC is very much an entrepreneurial effort, so I could track with so much of what you wrote, sans the court case, thank God.

Thanks again for the book. I have enjoyed reading it! I can see where your daughter gets her perseverence and determination!

You are an apostle of encouragement!I hope your book gets in many hands!

Thank you for speaking to our Tupelo PRAM group. You had some great tips and pointed out resources that I did not know. As someone who works in a small business and dreams of ways to enhance my own development and future, it is encouraging to see your success.

What a story to tell and share! I wish you continuing success.

You are a great example to all!

I have read it and I’d say you have been on a journey through many trials and troubles. With such strong belief in God, and your determination, you came out a winner. Keep swinging!

What can I say other than-Keep Swinging!

I hope the book does well. It has a great message!

I appreciate the personally autographed copy of your book! I’ve enjoyed reading it as its very inspiring to see how your hard work and focus hae paid off!

I read your book with great interest and look forward to discussing it with you.

All my best,

Turney

As soon as I got home Friday, I started reading your book and finished it before I went to bed! It is a wonderful book-the heartbreak and challenges seemed insurmountable but you held your head up and did what you had to do. I admire that very much and believe it makes us much stronger and able to deal with whatever challenges we face. I feel honored to know you. This is a wonderful book.

Our students benefit daily from your your technology of distance learning/interactive video conferencing. Thank you for sharing your story in print. We are greatful for your model of tenacity, courage, and creative business practices.

This book relates to many individuals who have experienced similar situations. It defines what can happen “while you were sleeping”.
It is a must read for any small businessman.

A good story about an intelligent, ambitious entrepreneur who gets ripped off by a greedy employee. Whatever happened to ‘an honest day’s work?’ She deserved all she got. I wonder how many other stories like that are out there?????

It is a very good book!

It’s an excellent book, I’ve been recommending it to plenty of business-savvy friends!

I really enjoyed reading it. What a great help it can be to small businesses. I’m so proud you are a CBHS grad.

I would like to tell you that your book was the first book I read from cover to cover. I was encouraged by your diligence to overcome obstacles.

Good read and very educational. I wish you continued fences to swing for.

I very much appreciated your canodr and willingness to share your experience. My husband–whom is joing his friend as a partner in his friend’s media consulting business–found your book insightful. He felt it provides good information around the pitfalls of what newer business owners should be aware of.

It’s a great little book with lots of easily digestible lessons for budding entrepreneurs. A book generally has a shelf life of 3-6 months in bookstores. If it sells well during that period it will be ordered again and again as backlist. But if it doesn’t take off, then it just fades away…However, that doesn’t apply to every book, and you have something different going on with yours-which is you. You have an interesting and inspiring story to tell and you tell it well. You have charisma.

Your story is truly inpiring!

You guys have a great story to tell and I hope 2010 is well and that you guys build on the success of the past few years.

I’ve begun reading your book but I’m not through with it yet. It’s really interesting to read about what you’ve been through, I wasn’t completely aware of all the things you had to go through. I like the “first person” account of it. I feel like I’m sitting there talking to you.

I bought the book at Borders this weekend. I have enjoyed reading it so far. Thanks for writing a book about such a tough subject.

This is a long overdue thank you for your uplifting book. It is so true that small business face the same problems as large ones.

Congrats man, you have got to be proud. I am really happy for you. I received my copy several months ago and have enjoyed digging into it.

I liked the book and will probably pass it on to my wife to read. Thanks for writing it and sharing.

I knew you were a solid guy, but your book shows me and a lot of other people on “how to finish”. Bravo! As a sales guy who has burned a lot of shoe leather, I can relate to your sacrifice although I am only a one-man band. Great Job! Thanks for your positive spirit.

I appreciated reading your story and meeting you in person. We never know what “field or game” God’s goodness will come from.

I found your book very interesting to read!

I highly recommend Jay’s book to any aspiring entrepreneur. Jay very eloquently details the trials and tribulations that many small business owners experience and proves that unwavering commitment and resilience can lead to personal, professional and financial success. I will suggest to anyone that is in career transition that is flirting with the idea of owning their own busines to read this book. It’s an honest and inspirational portrayal of how a “regular guy” fulfilled his dreams of entrepreneurship.

The thing that I like best about “Keep Swinging” by Jay Myers, is that it is a genuine look into the character of the man and the extension of that character into his business. Jay’s success in business is directly related to his personal story, dealing with those “curve balls” life throws at you, as well as putting together the key elements of a successful team. Having been around the ISI offices in Memphis, I know that the quality of the operation is a direct reflection of the quality of leadership given by Jay and Maureen Myers to their employees. The lessons offered in the book are not only applicable to business, but also serve as sage advice for any person trying to navigate his or her way in the professional world. I value Jay as a mentor and a friend and his book has been very helpful to me.

I come from a different angle.
I’ve known Jay since 1972. We went to high school together. Jay is the real deal. He really is / was the Eagle Scout. He really does live to honor his father and his mother. He really does live a principled life. In a world of “me first” he lives and breathes integrity.
In a word,,,, he lives classy. His book really is an excellent reflection of his life…. which makes it so refreshing.
I can’t think of a more honorable nominee.

As senior vice president of a small business and an independent contractor(personal trainer)I couldn’t put down Jay’s book! Jay does “keep swinging” and has been very inspirational to myself and many others. Great read!

As always, it was great seeing you and hearing your story. I’m sure the folks in MBA were inspired by your message.

Jay’s story is an inspiring check into the ups and downs of starting one’s own business from scratch. “Keep Swinging” is not descriptive of striking out, but about getting tp the plate and maximizing opportunities and experiences.

Thank you so much for the signing my copy of the book! I heard you speak several years ago about the embezzlement and, as a result, we started looking at civil suits in addition to criminal records. great job!

On behalf of the Memphis Central Rotary Club I wish to thank you for a most interesting and outstanding program. Our members thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. “Keep Swinging” is an amazing story! I haven’t seen the members that interested in a speaker in awhile. You certainly appeal to an audience and your professionalism is most evident.

Thank you for letting me know that if you don’t make a mistake you are not doing anything!

Loved the book. It was from the heart and a true testimony of sticking to your intuition in every aspect. While reading it I was recalling those moments I was experiencing the unraveling of of her scheme, your wife calling me while driving to the bank to check accounts and signatures, the court date bing postponed and finding out about her daughter! The best part of the stoey is the victim (Jay) becoming the hero., the “Superman” in fighting the never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way. You did the right thing. You set an example for others to follow… never give up!

I truly appreciate your leadership in our community as well as your directed purpose in helping JA. Onward and upward!

I really did enjoy “Keep Swinging” and I am so proud of Jay and all that he has been able to accomplish.

I told you face to face that I enjoyed Keep Swinging and now you have it in writing! My dad passed away last month and I thought of your experience you shared in your book. It really helped.

Keep up the good work getting out there and inspiring those of us who many times ask ourselves-”what-am I crazy.”

Many thanks for the book “Keep Swinging”. I know how you felt and we have been there two times in my almost 50 year business career. They always get caught but besides the loss, financially – it hurts personally.

We read your book and enjoyed it so much. We just wanted to say what wonderful job you did in overcoming so many obstacles and hurdles. You must have a very strong family and so happy for all of your success in the end. Good guys always finish on top! Thanks for sharing your story!

I enjoyed reading your book. It is very interesting. I am giving it as a present to my brother on his birthday. Congratulations and Keep Swinging!

I enjoyed your speech at the Collierville Chamber. I would have never thought to look for a course at the U of M, but the Fast Trac class sounds like a great class we could recommend to many of our small business owners who are just getting started. Thanks for all of your helpful information!!

What a deserved honor. Congratulations on this Ethan award nomination.

We noticed the news story below about your nomination, we’re all so excited for you and proud to have you and your wife as clients!

http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=51089#51089

I’ve known Jay for years and I think his character and integrity should get him the award above all else that he has done. Honesty and helping others is what we are here for and that is exactly how Jay lives his life. You got my vote, Jay!

I finally read your book! It brought back some bad memories… maybe that’s why it took so long for me to pick it up. Eventually, though, I enjoyed it a lot & learned a lot from it. Also saw that reference to dermatologists.

It was a pleasure meeting you at the EO event in Rochester last month. It’s always nice to meet other entrepreneurs and hear their stories of challenge and success. We are not alone!

The book is very interesting; you have been through a lot.

Have read the book twice already, What a inspiration, good to see that good guys can still win these days, much contuined success in your endeavors and with ISI.

What a great and inspiring book. It takes someone with courage and a desire to continue to make things turn out right even when it looks like everything is happening for the worst. I really got a lot from your book and found our how to turn some of the things in my life around for the better. I am so proud to know you and your family and have had the opportunity to read your book.

It is human nature to want to put on our “game face” when we meet and greet the public. You totally pushed that face to the background and allowed us to see the problems one encounters in business and in private life. The lessons learned from reading “Keep Swinging” are applicable in arenas other than just the business world. I can use those courageous conversations in my own field! Thank-you for the exposure you put out at the plate. Perhaps your sequal could be “Keep Pitching!”

“Keep Swinging” was a truly compelling, inspirational account of the trials, both personal and professional, that stem from being an entrepreneur in today’s business world. It’s a great book that I would recommend to any business owner.

Thanks Jay, we had a lot of fun. The interview was great. You’re a really nice guy and made the topic interesting and fun. You’re awesome, a great person to interview.

Congratulations on your book and the book signing at Davis-Kidd!

Jay, thanks for sharing. John has gone on and on about your book and I can’t wait to read it.

I have read Jay’s book and the story is very interesting. Once he discovered the fraud, he contacted a local CFE, Andy Wilson, who came in and helped him investigate the fraud.

I want to say thank you for sharing with us your personal and professional path to success.. The title of your book reminds me of my own saying as I will say often “I am swinging for the fences”. The many stories you shared reminded me of my own as well, as the saying goes “It is the rocks in the brook that makes it sing.”

I was really proud to have learned from you and your experiences. You had a lot of great advice.

Thanks so much for arranging for Jay. He was great- in fact so inspiring that I blogged about him on the Huffington Post.

Please tell Jay how much David and I enjoyed reading his book.

What a book-talk about the comeback kid!

Jay your program was a huge hit at ATA and I know that ISI will be getting a bunch of calls in response to our presentation.
As always your contributions is valued and appreciated!

I am proud and honored to say that I was able to give you some wisdom and guidance when you were just a starry eyed budding entrepreur trying to figure out how to start and run a business. Over the years, you have been an exemplary student and grown in ways far beyond my wildest expectation. The success you enjoy today at ISI is a directly attributable to your keen insight, dogged perserverance, and sheer tenacity. You never lose focus of your goals and you are always extending your goal posts. I think what makes me most proud of you is how you endured and overcame a period in which you tragically lost your brother and closest mentor while having to manage through the financial and emotional trauma of a company embezzlement. Lesser men would have wilted under the pressure. Yet, you not only survived but became invigorated to go on to grow your company to new heights. In my opinion when one does a Google search for Entrpreneur the very first reference should be Jay Myers’ book “Keep Swinging”.

Your book is very inspirational. It appeals to all ages – my elderly parents, as well as my Generation X children have read and been inspired by “Keep Swinging”. Of the three generations I think I enjoyed your book the most!

First off I would like to say thank you and no thank you for sharing your book with me. Both are because I stayed up way too late last night reading it and finishing it. It was very encouraging and I have a better insight into ISI. As I was pulling into your parking lot yesterday morning, I was speaking with one of my co-workers. We were discussing how we think it is a much better philosophy to take care of your people and they will in turn take care of you and the organization. It was good to see that as an over arching theme in your book.

Having lived this story as the son of this great entrepreneur, I can say without a doubt that this is the honest account of how an aspiring business owner became an industry thought leader. This is not a “How-To” guide or the “Top 10 Tips for Success” because being an entrepreneur is not that simple…and it’s not for everyone. In Keep Swinging, it becomes clear that my dad not only has an unwavering sense of determination but also an immense heart which is what has enabled him to overcome adversity and to be successful in all aspects of his life.

This is a great book for both new and existing small business owners. It gives the trials and tribulations of starting your own business and the numerous roadblocks you encounter along the way. Most importantly, this is a book written from the “heart” with sincerity and personal integrity. Jay is a survivor and “Keep Swinging” is an inspiration to anyone who reads it. Keep up the good work, Jay!

I like any book that is based on one’s experience, strength, and hope, and Jay’s book portays all three. I would much rather learn from someone who has actually “been in my shoes.” Jay’s gifts and abilities certainly helped get him where he is, but it is his determination and persistance that keep him there.

Your book was given to me as a gift by one of your employees. What a great story, I sat up most of the night reading it, I couldn’t put it down. To have gone through the things you had to concor is amazing and now to see that your company has grown so much even through the adversity is wonderful. What a great book everyone in today’s hard times should read it and see that things can always turn if you continue to work and fight for what is right and what you believe in. I will pass your book on to all of my friends.

Congratulations

Mr.Myers,
What an inspirational book. It has made me see things with a whole different outlook. To see a person go thought the difficulties you went through and still stand
up to more problems shows what kind of spirit and faith you must have and to know your employees stood behind you shows how much they all care for you. This book is great and you are a person that shows your honesty and spirit
to the world. What a great story. It was hard to put down. Wonderful book. Jimmy

Keep Swinging is a great and inspirational read. What I love most about the book is that it’s not a fluff piece about how to be a successful businessman/businesswoman. It’s about the realities and obstacles of running a business, and overcoming hard times with persistence, faith and perseverance.

Jay and his family have been long time friends and i have seen him as he went through the hard times and came out on top. Great job. Jay’s honesty, caring and integrity
have brought him through the bad times and will always keep him going. His family is always behind him and they makes for the kind of person he is. Awesome. Also as a friend he will always stand behind you. Thanks for the book, it was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lois N.

I read “Keep Swinging” in 2007 when it first came out and was very impressed as I am a small business owner myself.
To see what he endured and to come back as a better person and his business better for what he and the business went through is wonderful. I know that he is a very good person with integrity and committment and i think his book tells a true and copelling story.

Thanks,
Elizabeth H.

Have been working with Jay Myers for 3 years and to read what he endured in his book and see him now it just shows the dedication and conviction he has for Interactive Solutions and his employees. I am proud to be his employee and his friend.

Thanks

Gus

My mother who works for Mr. Myers gave this book to me. I read the entire book on my trip from Mississippi back to Texas, that’s how interesting it was. Mr.Myers is truly one of the good guys in a world that is full of bad ones!

As a small businessman myself, I have experienced the day-to-day challenges that are involved in servicing customers and making a payroll. One of the most difficult aspects as a manager or owner is to entrust employees in your financial livelihood.I can’t even imagine the fear and uncertainty that Jay felt. His book shows the value of perseverence and faith that you can meet challanges and exceed them beyond your expectations. In the end, you can turn bad things into good and in the process, inspire others.

I just finished reading all the comments about Jay’s book and I agree wholeheartedly. The book is excellent and the author is an outstanding individual. He is a member of the executive board of the Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America, and truly lives by the Scout Law which states that a Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

Keep Swinging is a story told from the heart of a man who with determination and most importantly integrity was able to beat the odds and become an immensely successful small business owner. It is an inspiring story for anyone to read. Mr. Myers truly demonstrates how being a “good guy” does not equate to being weak in business, but rather it makes the joy of success that much sweeter and well deserved.

Jay is an inspiration to everyone in the business community. The way he overcame adversity is absolutely amazing. Interactive Solutions is a Christian company with its roots planted deep in the belief of giving back ten-fold to the community. When you live by faith in God the way Jay does, you can’t help but be successful!

I read Keep Swinging not long ago and was totally blown away by the strength that Mr. Myers had in his troubling times and how he and his family and company stood there with hime to help him come through it all. The book was great but even better is knowing that there are really good people out there that will stand up for what is right. Thanks for the letting the readers of your book
know that, it was really great and true to heart.

David

I first read “Keep Swinging” as a Junior at the University of Memphis while interning at ISI. It was great preparation for someone who was about to enter the business world. Jay’s book presents the challenges of running a business, but also proves with determination and perserverance you can make it through them and come out stronger on the other side.

Jay did an outstanding job of writing a great common sense story of the battles of success. The insight of not only having a solid idea with skill and expertise, but the ability to deal with extreme adversity and still fight your way through is truly inspirational.
Well done!

Jay Myers deserves to win this award! He and his company provide a great service to FedEx.

Jay is a remarkable person and has a wonderful testimony. His book is a great contribution to the business community.

Jay is very inspiring for entrepreneurs.

It is obvious to the reader that “Keep Swinging” is a story “written from experience”. The book is inspirational, motivational, emotional, and heart-warming. A good read for everyone.

I am enjoying reading your book. I have read some of the newspaper articles of previous situations. I had no idea of the obstacles you faced! Thank you for sharing your book!

I enjoyed reading your book and it’s great to see that the entrepreneurial spirit still lives in America!

Mr. Myers is a fine man, devoted to his organization and the community. His book, sharing personally learned experiences, is a must read for anyone in business for themselves.

For anyone about to enter the business world this is a MUST read! Keep Swinging is very inspiring and a great lesson about rising when you fall.

This book has important lessons about getting started… in life as well as in business. My son is now reading it and I’ve recommended it to my (fledgling) business partners at CIO Services Group as well.

I’ve decided to model my business value proposition after Jay’s.

Jay Myers is the “real deal”, it’s simple, he should win because he is “not” an Author! Jay is a Businessman and an Entrepreneur, he was able to write this book because of personal successes and failures. Not because of watching someone else. “Keep Swinging” represents all the little guys looking to get ahead by hard work and dedication. He walks the walk and talks the talk, he’s the man!

To Fans of Keep Swinging:

Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks and comments about my book over the past several months.oo you know I am deeply touched by each and every one of them and honored to be nominated for the 2010 Ethan Award. As many of you may know, there has been a technical glitch in the voting portion of the site since early June which is why your votes (although greatly appreciated) have not been counted for over 6 weeks(we’re stuck at 1998 votes) Fear not however because there does appear to be a “fix” in the near future which will record a vote when you post a comment. So please keep those great remarks and comments coming!

In the meantime, we will do as we always do and Keep Swinging!

Thanks again for your inspiring support.

Jay Myers

Wow–What a wonderful book. I have passed this down to my daughters and they loved it too. Thanks Jay for puttung story in this book at a level anyone can grasp!

Great Book. Awsome story. This is a stand up guy. Keep Swinging……

Having lived this story as the wife of the entrepreneur I can tell you Keep Swinging is a wonderful and truthful account of what it’s like to own your own business- the good, the bad and the ugly!

Great book for all aspiring entrepreneurs! Real life stuff and not sugar coated which is what I like best about it.

My dad’s book tells it like it is for small business owners- all straight from the heart. Lots of business and life lessons in it.The biggest lesson- never ever give up on your dream and always “Keep Swinging”

“Keep Swinging” is an honest look at life as a small business owner. The range of emotions when trying to make one day to the next. I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

As a former banker I really appreciated the emotional stress Mr.and Mrs Myers went through in dealing with ISI’s embezzlement back in 2003. Since then both the Myers and ISI not only survived but thrived. What an inspiration!

Keep Swinging is a great book that both my parents and I have read. How often does that happen? Very inspiring!

Keep Swinging is great book. Lots of real life, crazy stories about ISI and how we got started. We give a copy of it to all new employees when they start with us.

Jay’s book inspired me as a new employee of ISI back in 2007. The company really is very resilient and despite all of the struggles and obstacles we all “Keep Swinging”

Great book! It really shows what ISI and Jay are made of!

Love the book! It really does tell it like it is about life in a small business. Inspiring stuff.

Keep Swinging speaks volumes about the value system that drives both Jay and ISI. Truthfully, Jay’s book reinforced why I initially decided to go to work for ISI back in 2007.

Great book! I really enjoyed learning about how the company got started and endured the many hardships along the way. Makes the current success that much sweeter!

Proud to be a part of such a resilient organization and really enjoyed reading about the company’s past. Lots of obstacles but we came out on top!

An inspirational read! Love the story about Yankee Fantasy Camp (even though I am a Red Sox fan)

Great story of hanging in there and making it happen against all odds. Gotta be a tough cookie to deal with all the adversity. Good business and life lessons.

Great read! Really enjoyed getting a feel for the company’s past and the obstacles we have overcome.

Love the book and appreciate the hard work it took to build ISI into what it is today. Lots of lessons to be learned from the book- never give up and always “Keep Swinging”

Great book! Love the part about the Boy Scouts and how you like to run the business with honesty, integrity and ethics- refreshing stuff these days!

“Keep Swinging” is a refreshing look at what life is really like in small business. Candid and inspiring!

Great book and proud to be a part of ISI!

Love the book and what ISI stands for! Such a different approach than many businesses have these days.

Love the comoany and love the book!

Great lessons can be learned from “Keep Swinging”

Love the book and what ISI stands for. As a new employee its nice to know there is an employer out there that still cares about its employees and company reputation.

Great book and proud to be an ISI employee for over 6 years. Onward and Upward!

I heard Mr. Myers speak at my MBA class and Ole Miss and quickly decided that is the company I want to work for. Keep Swinging tells the inspiring story of ISI and how it has achieved greatness despite considerable challenges.

I have been with ISI since 2003 and was hired right after the embezzlement. What a ride!I am proud to be a part of such a tough minded, high achieving company.

Great book and great small business success story.

Jay’s story is true and very well written. It was an enjoyable read.

Great book about a small business person bouncing back from adversity.

As a small business owner Jay Myers book caught my attention with the title. It was insightful to read about pitfalls to avoid and how to leverage your trust in people. I have passed Jay’s book along to several other folks and have the privilege of Jay coming to Virginia Beach, Virginia to speak at our first AFCEA Hampton Roads Small Business Outreach Symposium in August to share his experiences with other small business owners and executives.

Great book about small business adversity and overcoming obstacles

Great book that tells what its really like to run a small business.

Loved the book. It tells all the emotional ups and downs of running a business. Lots of life lessons too!

Great book! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Grat book with lots of business and life lessons

Keep Swinging is a home run for small business owners looking for a rel life story of running your own business

Great story of overcoming adversity in small business

Loved the book. Really resonated with me because it was real life-not a fictional account of a small business.

Loved the book and glad Paul bought it for us. What a comeback story!

Loved the book! We could really relate to a number of the issues that were brought up.

Heard you on Bott Radio and loved the story- good stuff!

Loved the story- a truly inspiring story!

Thanks for the book. I knew John and Charlie well. You have a great family. The legacy lives on!

Thanks for the book. Its a really good read about overcoming adversity.

Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks for the book. I’ve really enjoyed reading about ISI and all the obstacles you have overcome.

Enjoyed the read, very inspiring!!

Jay. amazing book. Really enjoyed your story!

Loved your book! Always Keep Swinging!

You’ve endured so much. It’s great to see that in times like this, those who fight hard will make it! Great Read.

This story ignites a fire within us all! loved the book!

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I never realized the things you overcame to bring ISI to success.

I enjoyed your book and love the work that ISI does!

Jay,
Thanks for sharing your story and your ISI team with our company.

Jay, your book shows the true character you possess. Never give up!

Great story! I’d suggest it to anyone who needs motivation or just needs some inspiring!

Great book, took no time to read because it pulls you in. Thanks for sharing, Jay.

Business lessons, motivation, and a great story all piled into one quick read.

Read the book a little while back, but it’s lessons still ring true!

Loved the book! Different from other business books- spoken from the heart.

Great book! Definitely gets my vote for the Ethan!

Way to stay strong, Jay. Hiring the hussle is genious!

Great meeting you at GROWCO. Love the book- very inspiring!

Love the book and great meeting you at GROWCO. Inspiring stuff!

Love meeting you at GROWCO. Thanks for book- very inspiring story

Great meeting you at GROWCO and thanks again for the book. Your story about the embezzlement is priceless!

Great time at GROWCO! Love the book and thanks again for writing it- took a lot of guts!

Thanks for the book. Real insiring stuff and great ethical lessons for all!

You and Darren did a great job with the book. Very heartfelt, emotional and worthwhile!

Great book and success story! Love to see how you overcame the obstacles. You’ve come a long way since we met in the early ’90′s

Great book and valuable life and business lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs

Great book and inspiring story!

Love the book! Great stories and real life obstacles

Thanks for the book- lots of obstacles but you beat the odds and came out on top. Congratulations!

Great job at GROWCO! Thanks for the book-its a really good read about life in the trenches. The employee theft story is unbelievable!

Thanks for being one of our first guests on Bold Ventures. You did a great job! Your response to the embezzlement crisis was inspirational. Good luck and “Keep Swinging”

“Keep Swinging” is a great book full of real life stories of the struggles of owning your own business. I love the way it is told in such a personal, narrative style

Enjoyed meeting you at GROWCO and thanks again for the book. Its a really good read and has some valuable lessons.

Loved the book and thanks again for it. Employee theft is a tough issue but love how you handled it. At the end of the day, you proved honesty, integrity and ethics still count!

Great book that really hits home about a lot of small business issues. Love the part about “hiring the hustle”

Great job with the presentation at Talk Shoppe. Also, really love your book- never give up and always “Keep Swinging”

Great meeting you at the SMB Summit in Aspen. Thanks again for the copy of “Keep Swinging” What a story! You are an inspiration.

Keep Swinging is a story about REAL small business issues that would bring down a lot of startups. But ISI and Mr. Myers prevailed. Never give up and “Keep Swinging”

Great job with the presentation at Talk Shoppe. An inspiring story with lessons for all of us.

Thanks for the book and what an inspiring story! Jean told me about your interview on Bold Ventures. Good stuff!

Great book and an inspiring story!

Thanks again for the award of the MYERS FAMILY Memorial Scholarship. It means a lot to me. I also loved reading your inspirational book “Keep Swinging” and got a lot our of it. You have a great family.

Thanks again for speaking to my class. They thoroughly enjoyed it! You have a great book that is helping a lot of people.

Love the book! It is a real life example of getting knocked down and picking yourself back up.

Loved the book so much I have recommended it to all my small business customers.

Thanks again for the book and what a great job with the Books and Authors Show on WHHI. That embezzlement story is incredible!

Great book with stories that really resonate with a lot of people.

Great meeting you at GROWCO! Love your book and appreciate the time you took to write it. Also I like that you talked about all the mistakes you made as well as the success. Refreshing stuff!

Love the book and have recommended you speak to Pre-Paid Legal Services conventions in the future. Lots of good advice and stories for small business. Quite entertaining as well!

Thanks again for the book! Very enjoyable and easy read. You and your wife (and company) have been through a lot. Good luck and always “Keep Swinging”

Great book about real life obstacles in a small busines. Also sound advice about recruiting, business ethics and giving back to the community.

Great job on the Books and Authors Show. Your whole story of “Keep Swinging” is an incredible book. Thanks for writing it to inspire all of us to hang in there and always “Keep Swinging”

Thanks for the book. An enjoyable read with many great lessons in it.

Thanks again for the copy of “Keep Swinging” Your stories are inspirational and can help many people endure these difficult times.

Great book with a lot of inspiring stories. Love the part about the impact of the Boy Scouts on Mr. Myers and his staff

Thanks for speaking to our sales team. Your message was very inspiring and well received.

Love the book and the great stories. You have come a long way since winning the Kemmons Wilson Emerging Business Award in 2003. Keep up the good work!

I heard Jay speak at the 2007 INC 500 Conference in Chicago. He and the US Secret Service did a great job telling the story of employee embezzlement. Lessons to be learned for all of us!

My brother passed this book along to me after I was having troubles finding a job post graduation. It gave me the added motivation to find my perfect job!

Quick read and so worth the time. Keep Swinging is a great story that lends motivation and drive to all of us who have ever been down a tough road before. Thanks for sharing Jay!

You did a great job with the presentation at Keller Williams. Inspiring story that maybe we need to run in the Chinese Times newspaper.

Great job with the speech at Keller Williams. Your book is very inspiring and helpful in these difficult times.

Jay,

What a story!

Motivation is hard to find when times become as rough as your book describes. You’re an amazing man for finding the strength to make it through those times; a light to us all.

Entrepreneur or just a member of a thriving small business, Keep Swinging makes you want to help take your company to the limit!

Jay,

I hire the hustle too. You can’t teach that!

This book shows everything right in how to run a business by explaining how to come out of the tough times. Good job!

A truly great story.

Thanks for the great presentation at my Fast Trac class and also for the copies of “Keep Swinging” Inspirational and informative. Good job!

What a treat it must have been to meet Kemmons Wilson!

A true depiction of the American Dream. Makes us all realize what a great place we live in if we have the strong will to make it ours.

Great book and inspirational message.

Fascinating book! If I’m ever down I’ll just think to myself, what would Jay do?

Keep Swinging is an inspirational read that has very wide appeal to not only small business owners but anyone who is going through hard times

“Keep Swinging” is a really good book that inspired me to never give up in business or life. Also great that it was written by a University of Memphis graduate. GO TIGERS!

A friend passed your book to me because he knew I was looking into starting up a small business. So much insight, inside such a powerful book.

Keep Swinging is a very entertaining, inspiring book. Once I started it I had a hard time putting it down. Congrats on a job well done!

Great meeting you on the set of Art Scene a few months ago. Keep Swinging is a great story with a lot of lessons that many can learn from. Love your committment to giving back to the community

I love the book and your presentation. They are both so informative!

Adversity is nothing for Jay! Awesome book

Not only are you a strong businessman, I think your community involvement is great as well! Never give that up.

Great having you on AM 640′s Viewpoint show recently. As you know I normally don’t do radio interviews about books but your story was so moving I had to make an exception. Great job with the book and fighting back from adversity.

Hard to find just one comment to focus on about the book! Such an incredible story.

Mr. Myers did a great job with his presentation at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization conference. His ability to overcome adversity in “Keep Swinging” inspired not only me but all of my fellow students

Your book was really inspiring and one of the few that i have read cover to cover since college days. Keep Swinging has lessons for everyone, not just entrepreneurs.

Great meeing you and loved your presentation at CEO. The students loved your inspirational message!

What an inspiration. My son is a small business owner and I just thought he had had troubles but Jay really had them and came through a champ. I also know of his good works with several organizations in the Memphis and Colliervile area. Jay deserves this award because of the goodness in his heart for others and the helpfulness he has always had for anyone that needed it.

Good Luck Jay,

Lisa

Great meeting you at the INC 500 conference in DC. Your book was very inspiring and let us all know to never give up despite all the obstacles that business and life throw in front of us.

Great job at the CEO Conference. Your presentation and book are both motivating and inspiring to “Keep Swinging”

Great job at the EO Louisville meeting. Our whole group really got a lot out of your presentation and felt it was one of the best we’ve ever heard. Good luck and “Keep Swinging”

Loved the presentation and your book “Keep Swinging” Couldn’t stop talking about both after I got home. Inspirational, Motivational- all of the above. Congrats

Your presentation to EO Louisville was one of the best I have ever heard. An amazing response to overwhelming adversity. “Keep Swinging” looks like a great book.

Loved the presentation at the MILE class. All 185 MILE students got a copy of “Keep Swinging” and really got a lot of value out of it. Great motivation and inspiration.

Great job at EO Louisville with the presentation. “Keep Swinging” has a very timely message right now for all small business owners who are struggling in today’s economy.

Keep Swinging inspires all of us to keep going no matter what happens to you in business and life. Great message!

What a story. Talk about a comeback! Keep Swinging redefines the notion of “never say die”

Great book and inspiring message!

Nice job with the presentation at the Memphis Business Alliance meeting. Your message of perseverance really struck a chord with the group. Also, “Keep Swinging” is a great book!

You were a hit at the recent EO Louisville meeting.Also Keep Swinging is a really good book and inspiring message-well done!

Loved your inspiring message at the Small Business Chamber. Keep Swinging is the real deal, a realistic view of what its like to be a real entrepreneur.

Keep Swinging is a great book for anyone seriously considering starting up their own business. Real life stories, NOT A TEXTBOOK!

Keep Swinging is a great story of the ups and downs of small business owners. Its not for the faint of heart!

Keep Swinging hit a home run for telling the real story behind starting your own business. Hats off to Jay and his staff for making lemonade out of lemons!

Great to meet you at the INC 500 Conference. Keep Swinging is an inspirational message for all of us trying to “make it day to day”

Inspirational message! Recommended reading for all.

I have actually had the privilege to meet Jay Myers in person and hear him speak at a meeting. He is definitely a dynamic and exciting speaker. His book “Keep Swinging” is definitely a good read and Jay identifies practical and realistic solutions for the success of small businesses. The book is heartfelt and motivating. Jay is someone who definitely can put his feelings into words and the book is incredibly interesting.

What a great message! A must read for anyone in business.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jay through ISI. I promise, this guy is the real deal. Everything mentioned in the book, he lives and that’s why his company has been so successful!

Intense book, I really enjoyed the read!

Jay’s writings are an indication of his intelligence, intuition, and determination. He not only OVERCAME some major obstacles, he SUCCEEDED and he continues to INSPIRE others to do the same.

Thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” A great entreprenuerial story with lessons for a lot of people.

Yankee Fantasy Camp was a blast. Thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” Its definitely an inspirational story!

Great meeting you at the B&N book signing. You have a great story and I really admire the way you handled the employee theft issue. It took guts!

Great book and lot of valuable insights- Proud to have ISI as an account.

Thanks for coming to speak to the students at Ole Miss-Southaven. Your story is motivating and inspiring and a great lesson to never give up and to always “Keep Swinging”

Loved the book and the message. Never give up and always “Keep Swinging” Very timely in today’s world

“Keep Swinging” is a great book but the presenation was even better

Great job with the radio interviews. Really loved “Keep Swinging” Very interesting ans inspiring.

A “Must” Read for all small business owners. Jay has been on my Small Business Advocate radio show numerous times and has a quite a story.

Thanks for speaking to the Leadership Bartlett class. You have a great company and an inspiring story. As you suggest- “Keep Swinging”

Thanks for a great presentation on “Keep Swinging” at the SOE Roundtable. What a moving and inspiring story!

Proud to have you as a University of Memphis/ FCBE alum. “Keep Swinging” is a great, inspiring book.

Thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” I love inspiring stories like yours.

Great meeting you at the SMB meeting in Aspen and thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” Inspiring stuff and lessons for a lot of entrepreneurs.

Thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” Such and inspiring message to never give up no matter what the obstacles are in front of you.

Great job with the presentation at the Small Business Development Center. You were the talk of the meeting afer you left. Great book and very well done!

Great presentation at Emerge Memphis and love the book. Starting is business is easy- keeping it going not so much. I love your inspiration and advice!

Grat book- very enjoyable and inspiring!

Love the book and the message. Also, you have given back to the community of Collierville time and time again. Good stuff!

Great presentation at Emerge Memphis about Keep Swinging and never giving up. Timely message for all startups!

Enjoyed meeting you at the SMB meeting in Aspen and thanks for the copy of “Keep Swinging” Inspiring stuff so needed in today’s business environment.

Good job with the book signing and great book. Easy and inspiring for many people.

Love the book and the radio interview- you’re a natural! Inspiring and motivational for everyone!

Loved your book and quite a motivator! Good stuff for all to appreciate and learn from.

I had the honor of hearing Jay speak a while back and have not forgotten how he motivated and captured the audience’s attention. He is a man with strong business ethics and integrity. Anyone who has the good fortune of hearing or reading Jay’s message will truly be affected in their own life.

Keep Swinging is such a great story. Jay you’re an inspiration!

Inspiring. Motivating. Everything an entrepeneur stands for!

Jay deserves this award because he, along with his book, promote the entrepreneurial spirit everday.

Mr. Myers is a fine and genuine person that carries on his business like he would want to be treated. I have done business with him and met several of his employees that have nothing but good things to say about him. His book was amazing seeing that he would open up his life like he did to the world in each chapter. I believe he should win this award because he is such a truthful and
honest man with a love to help his community and work as hard as his employees do to keep his business on top.

Good Luck Mr. Myers and I hope you win

Jay’s passion for the community along with the books strong message about never giving up make him the man for the Ethan!

Strong message in an outstanding book!

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jay on a project. His energy in life comes out through Keep Swinging. Great message from a great guy.

Wow! What a great read. I never knew that Jay went through all the things that he did and I am so proud of him for standing up for everything that most people wouldn’t. Standing up for what is right. The book was great and he is even a better person.

Jay’s book was very inspiring in regard to keep working for things that you love and want. His story was a real inspiration to keep on keeping on even when the times get tough.

The book should be named Crushing Adversity and Continuing to Achieve Small Business Success! Great job Jay!

Outstanding work, Jay! Giving back in so many ways.

Jay is a great person. His book was an open door to his life and how he lives it. Standing up for what is right.
I really enjoyed the book and am so proud that Jay took the time to put down on paper his problems and how he overcame them. It is encouraging to see the good guys win, and I am so glad he did. He deserves to win this award. Thanks for the book, Pat

Mr. Myers book was really enlightening. It opened my eyes to what can happen if you are not keeping a close look at what is going on in your business. I am so glad
he took it upon himself to carry through and let the employee that did this to he and his company get what she deserved. So many people wouldn’t have and that would have left her right out there to do it over and over again to other innocent people. Congradulation, Hope you win.

Audrey

I really liked the style/way the book was written. It definitely wasn’t a boring “how to” book. Ver inspiration and informative.

The book has help me in so many ways. Thanks for sharing your story with the world!

Great book with many lessons. Makes me proud to work for a company with conviction and ethics.

Thanks for sharing your book, Jay! It’s great!

Great book and impressive rebound. ISI is a great organization that has a great reputation. Honesty, integrity and ethics are what they’re all about

Great story, great guy! Jay deserves this honor!

Keep Swinging is an awe inspiring storey. It’s hard to believe someone can endure so much. Way to never stop!

So much encouragement to be had by this story

Keep Swinging has my Vote!

Wow Jay! It’s hard to say anything else because all of these other people have nailed Keep Swinging right on! Good luck!

Keep Swinging is a great book written by an entrepreneur that cares- about his employees, family,customers and community

Great book from a caring entrepreneur. He cares about his employees, family, customers and community!

Great book with lots of helpful advice.

Keep Swinging is a great and inspiring story of overcoming adversity. Lots of business and life lessons

A inspiring story of overcoming adversity in small business. Lots to learn from! Makes you appreciate the value of persistence and perseverance

Great book! An inspiring message for many people

Great book and company. Proud to be a part of such a fine organization.

Love the book and the ethical standards the company stands for.

The book is a great lesson in perseverance and persistence. A home run!

Love the book and the message- never give up

What an inspiring book! Makes me proud to work for a company that stands for something.

Learned a lot about persistence and perseverance from Keep Swinging.

Keep Swinging has a message for many people. Never give up no matter what happens to you in business or life.

Keep Swinging is an inspirational read about the struggles of small business. A timely message in today’s challenging economy.

Love the book and many life and business lessons

Such an inspiring message that tells the real life struggles of building a business.

Great book with many real life stories of overcoming adversity. Really appreciate the conversational tone that Keep Swinging is written in.

Just recently read the book, so great to see it is up for an Ethan! Congrats, Jay! You definitely deserve this award!

Real life stories of what its like to start and grow a business. Good stuff- in Keep Swinging you quickly learn about the importance of family, ethics, perseverance and giving back to the community.

Great meeting you at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) conference. Love your book and its message for the students. Never give up and always “Keep Swinging”

What a story of overcoming adversity. I can relate to many issues like partnership breakups and embezzlemment. Good job telling it like it is!

Your book and story in Keep Swinging is an inspiration to us all. Thanks for writing it!

Thanks for the book and allowing me to haar about your amazing story. Embezzlement is a tough issue but you hung in there and came out a winner. Congrats and well done!

Your book was inspiring to read. So many obstacles but you came out on top. Great job!

Great job with ISI and the book. Keep Swinging inspires us all!

Keep Swinging inspires us all!

Congratulations on the book signing-Keep Swinging is a wonderful book and so inspiring!

Love the great small business stories and overcoming adversity. Very cool that you met Kemmons Wilson- the founder of Holiday Inns

Great meeting you at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization conference. Keep Swinging is a really good book with lots of interesting stories and solid advice.

Great having you in Chicago and appearing on the First Business Show- Good stuff. Really appreciate your candid remarks about the tough issue of employee theft.

You did a great job presenting to the Germantown Exchange Club and thanks again for the book. Your story is amazing and inspiring to so many people.

Keep Swinging is an amazing book- Also very fun since I feel so much a part of it from my old MCI days. Glad you were able to overcome all of the obstacles and make ISI a success.

Great job presenting to the Small Business Chamber and love the theme of “Keep Swinging” We all need more inspiration and hope these days.

I can relate to many of the things you’ve gone through in “Keep Swinging”. Thanks for sharing!

“Keep Swinging” is a fantastic story. One learns so many things of what business and life can bring.

Being small business owner myself, I’ve gained a lot from “Keep Swinging”. Jay has done a great job with the book and his involvement within the community is outstanding!

Great book, Jay. I’m glad you were able to do the right thing and get that crook off of the street.

Really enjoyed reading “Keep Swinging”. So many life lessons can be taken from the story applied every where, not just in business.

Jay continue’s to make the greater Memphis area proud by running his business with intergity and promoting our area in a way many other companies do not. I’m glad to know that ISI is gaining the national recognition that it has and that “Keep Swinging” is spreading this great story across the nation too.

Amazing book. Glad I have been able to read it and apply its lessons!

Jay’s story, the great way his company opperates, and his community involvement make him the man for the Ethan.

You’ve some a long way since we met in 1996 in the old MCI days. Great job with ISI and “Keep Swinging” and for never giving up.

Great seeing you and hearing you speak at the CEO Conference in Chicago. Keep Swinging is an important message for college students to chase their dream and never give up no matter what the odds are. Congrats and well done!

Thanks for much for speaking to our Memphis Business Alliance group. What an important message in these days and times. Hang in there- never give up-”Keep Swinging”

Congratulations on “Keep Swinging” and the success of ISI. You should win the Ethan Award because you’ve done it the old fashioned way- YOU EARNED IT!

I’ve watched Jay in the corporate fortune 500 world before he owned his own company. Jay is characterized by an intensity to succeed but not at the expense of others. He demostrates a true servant leader. Being a leader invites great trials and challenge at times. Jay demostrates his courage and ability to do the right thing when fronted with a storm that could have easily cost him his company, friends, & family. “Keep Swinging” shows you how Jay was able to keep his team together and focused after a devasting blow of betrayal from an employee that he trusted. Jay keeps it all in perspective with an anchored faith, a determination to succeed, and a desire to see justice served. You won’t be disappointed in this read!

Great book and great company. You deserve the Ethan Award because “you talk the talk and walk the walk”

The Wall Street Journal couldn’t have picked a better company to profile on the “comeback” from embezzlement. Good luck with the Ethan- you deserve it!

Great story about coming back from disaster and good luck with the Ethan- you deserve it!

Great job with the radio interview on the Viewpoint show. I know our listeners enjoyed it. Your story of overcoming so many obstacles and adversity should earn you the Ethan Award. You’ve got my vote!

Inspiring book that was hard to put down! You are hands down the best choice for the Ethan Award.

You deserve the Ethan Award because your book is impacting so many lives by reading it. Everyone needs inspiration and “Keep Swinging” certainly delivers a lot of that and more!

Loved your book so much I am having my son read it. Many business and life lessons that are so important. Great job-you deserve the Ethan because you’re changing lives.

Keep Swinging is an easy read that tells stories of dealing with hard life lessons. A worthy Ethan Award receipient.

keep Swinging is such a candid view of the world of small business. Realistic and inspiring- Great job and an Ethan Award winner to me!

Solid book, definitely one I will continue to recommend.

I’ve had the pleasure of reading Jay’s book and working with him. To me there is no other candidate more deserving of the Ethan.

“Keep Swinging” does just that, everytime I read it, I pick up more and more inspiration and insight!

Jay’s community involvment, is to me, one of his greatest contributions and one of the greatest reasons he should win this award!

Thanks for the book- very generous of you. Your story is amazing and inspiring to so many people. Keep up the good work. Keep Swinging is a Ethan Award winner in my book.

This book is exactly what future small business owners need to read to prepare for the great journey’s they are about to start. Great book Jay!

Thanks again for the copy of Keep Swinging. I had no idea of the struggles ISI has gone through in the past several years. One tough company and one great book! An Ethan Award winner for sure.

Such a striking book! A must read for the business person/entrepreneur crowd!

A fast read that will impact anyone who dives in!

Really enjoyed reading your book and was inspired by it. A company with ethics and conviction-what a novel idea! Keep Swinging and ISI are both winners and deserving of the Ethan Award

Thanks for getting me a copy of Keep Swinging at the last USAV meeting. Truly an inspiring story of a tough minded entrepreneur who never gives up. An Ethan Award winner for sure!

Such awe\-inspiring story, I share it with anyone I know who is having troubles either within their business or personal life!

I heard about a lot about your book and had to get a copy of it. What a story! Overcoming so many obstacles(getting fired, cancer, embezzlement) Lessons for everyone to hang in there, chase your dream and always Keep Swinging

Glad to help with the pictures for Keep Swinging. Its a great book and very inspiring. Worthy of the Ethan Award for sure!

Jay this book and award are definitely news worthy!

Keep Swinging is a really good book that isnpires us all. An Ethan Award winner in my opinion.

Very impressive work! “Keep Swinging” deserves the Ethan.

Thanks so much for passing along your story to me. I really enjoyed the read. Keep Swinging!!

Great name and even greater story, Jay! Best of luck with the Ethans, you deserve this!

Great book signing and congratulations for a job well done. Keep Swinging is wonderful story worthy of the Ethan Award because it is giving hope to so many people including thousands of small business owners.

“Keep Swinging” hit a homerun in my heart and should win this award! Good luck!

Loved the presentation on Keep Swinging. Your book gives us hope that any obstacles can be overcome,despite how difficult they may appear to be. Good stuff- an Ethan Award winner for sure!

Surviving cancer is enough to slow most everyone else down, but overcoming all of these other obstacles simultaneously shows true strength. Congratulations Jay and Keep Swinging. You deserve this award!

You deserve the Ethan, you’re an inspiration to us all!

What a guide to business, as well as, life. Thanks for sharing this with the world. I’m sure it has helped many people dealing with obstacles that this tough world can deliver.

Great entrepreneurial read! Keep Swinging!

Wonderful story! Good luck with the Award.

E.Lee

Your strength inspires and motivates us all. Always keep your faith and you’ll succeed through anything.

Congratulations on this honor, Jay. I know you’ve worked and pulled ISI through hard times and “Keep Swinging” highlights your strength and toughness perfectly. It is only fitting that you would be in the running for the Ethan.

Good job with the book signing and congrats on writing an inspirational book. A definite Ethan Award winner for quality of writing and the impact on the community.

Keep Swinging is a great book that can help many small business owners and other people get through hard times. A shoo in for the Ethan Award!

Nice job with the book- signing and congrats on writing a great book. Keep Swinging is a real life story that really lays it out there for everyone. Inspiration, suspense, humor- it has it all. An award winner for sure!

Keep Swinging is a book full of valuable lessons. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think its a Ethan Award winner.

Great job on KWAM radio show. Your story is incredible and your company coming back from embezzlement is such a moving story. You’ve got my vote for the Ethan!

Great job with the book signing. Hilton Head has a lot of small businesses and your book can help them a lot in this challenging economy. You’ve got my vote for the Ethan

Super presentation at EO Western New York. Such a moving account of you and your company’s many obstacles to success. Keep Swinging is a high quality book worthy of the Ethan Award

Love the presentaion at EO Western New York and thanks again for doing it. Keep Swinging is an inspiration to us all and a great choice for the Ethan Award

Loved your presentation of Keep Swinging. You “bared your soul” with the way you tell your story. Its refreshing to hear about the importance of family and values in building your business. An Ethan Award winning effort!

Loved your presentation at the Small Business Chamber workshop so much I bought 5 copies Keep Swinging. Sometimes,its hard to run a small business but you give me hope. You’ve got my vote for the Ethan Award

Loved the Keep Swinging presentation at the SBC as well as the book. Love the stories about ethics, giving back to the community. The employee theft story is priceless. Good luck with the Ethan- you’ve got my vote.

Thanks for the great presentation at the Small Business Chamber. Keep Swinging has a message for all of us in our business and personal life- worthy of the Ethan Award

Great presentation at our Insurors meeting. Employee theft is such a huge issue and thanks again for stepping up and doing the right thing. A gutsy move. Love “Keep Swinging” and think its a great choice for the Ethan Award

Keep Swinging is a great book and proud that the author is from Colierville. You’ve got Collierville’s vote for the Ethan.

Great job with the Small Business Chamber workshop. I got a lot out of Keep Swinging and it really inspired me to keep going. You should win the Ethan because you’re book is truly changing people’s lives- for the better.

Loved the message of “Keep Swinging” to never give up. Also love the other stories about ethics, importance of family and giving back to the community. Good stuff worthy of the Ethan Award

Thanks again for the book and the inspiring message. So refreshing to know a company and a business owner that has ethics and conviction and who also cares about his employees- An Ethan Award winning effort.

You’ve come a long way since the AM days in the ’70′s. Loved the message of “Keep Swinging” to hang in there and never give up. You’ve got an Ethan Award winner.

Loved the presentation at the Memphis Business Alliance and looking forward to reading “Keep Swinging” Your ability to overcome so much adversity makes you an ideal Ethan Award winner.

Thanks for the book and presentation at USAV. I really enjoyed Keep Swinging and admire your ability to deal with so much adversity. An Ethan Award winning effort!

Keep Swinging is such a good book that really spotlights your leadership skills. Good luck with the Ethan- you’re a perfect choice

Thanks for getting me A copy of Keep Swinging at the recent USAV meeting. Its a wonderful and inspirational read. You quickly understand there is more to life than just making money. You’ve got my vote for the Ethan

Great meeting you at the AMX meeting and thanks for the copy of Keep Swinging. It so refreshing to read a book that is real life and tells about mistakes made- not just success. Good for you and you’ve got my vote for the Ethan

Thanks for the copy of Keep Swinging. Its such an inspirational book that makes me proud to be an ISI client. An Ethan Award winning effort!

Great meeting you at the INC 5000 Conference and getting a copy of Keep Swinging. Its an easy read with lots of good stories, suspense, drama, inspiration etc. Love it-an Ethan Award winning effort.

Love the book and many great stories. Gives us all hope. You deserve an Ethan Award for the effort.

Wonderful job with the Keep Swinging presentation at EO Western New York. Such an inspiring story and worthy of an Ethan Award.

Keep Swinging is an inspiration to all small business owners. Gives us all hope we can make it to the next day and keep fighting. Worthy of the Ethan Award.

Keep Swinging looks like a great book with a timely message of never giving up. So needed in 2010- an Ethan Award winner for sure.

Thankf for sponsoring the PINT 5K with copies of Keep Swinging. ISI is the kind of company I admire and your book should help many people in difficult times. Good luck with the Ethan- you have my vote

Love Keep Swinging and glad you wrote it. We can always use encouragement in these trying times. You have my vote for the Ethan!

Great job with Keep Swinging- keep chasing your dream and never give up. My vote for the Ethan

What a story and so close to home for us! Thanks for writing it and letting the world know more about employee theft and embezzlement. My vote for the Ethan goes to you.

Thanks for the copy of Keep Swinging and good to meet you at the AMX meeting in Orlando. Inspiring effort on ISI’s part(and yours) to grow the company with so many obstacles. An Ethan Award winning effort

Loved the presentation at EO Western New York. A true life story of overcoming adversity and achieving success. You are best choice for the Ethan Award

What an inspirational message to those challenged by the pursuit of an entrepreneurial dream!

Great job at EO Western New York. Real life stories thar are so inspiring. An Ethan Award winner.

EO Western New York was amazing with your presentation. Hats off to you and your company for an inspiring performance. My vote goes to you for the Ethan

Loved the Keep Swinging book and presentation. You rcck and dererve the Ethan

EO Western New York was a home run for Keep Swinging. I wholeheartedly think you deserve the Ethan Award

Great job with Keep Swinging-my vote for the Ethan

Great job with Keep Swinging and ISI. Both deserving efforts for the tenacity and perseverance to keep going through hard times. Worthy of the Ethan Award

Keep up the good work with Keep Swinging. Your ability to overcome obstacles is truly amazing and thanks again for sharing your story. My vote for the Ethan- Keep Swinging

Keep Swinging is a great story of entrepreneurial success against all odds. Thanks for writing it and giving us all hope. You deserve the Ethan Award

Enjoyed meeting you at the AMX meeting in Orlando and thanks for the copy of Keep Swinging. Love the stories of small business struggles and overcoming adversity. A lot of people can benefit from reading it. My vote for the Ethan!

Enjoyed meeting you at the AMX meeting in Orlando and thanks again for the copy of Keep Swinging. Truly an inspiring story that we can all learn from. Good luck with the Ethan- you deserve it.

Great book and inspiring message from a guy i’ve known for over 15 years. Very deserving of the Ethan Award

Thanks for the copy of Keep Swinging. Ita a good read and quite inspiring-my vote for the Ethan!

Thanks for coming out and giving us a presentation on “Keep Swinging” Its a great book and hard to put down once you start reading it. A winning combo for the Ethan!

Great book and message and very well written. Makes my problems not seem so big anymore. My vote of the Ethan- hands down.

Great book and inspiring story. It took guts to overcome the embezzlement. Best of luck with the Ethan- you deserve it.

Reading “Keep Swinging” is great, but getting to work with Jay is even better. Good luck with the award!

All of these comments reassure the fact that you deserve this award. Congratulations with “Keep Swinging” and with ISI!

Great story! Good luck, Jay!

Jay is living proof of the great Entrepreneurs who have come out of Memphis! Thanks for continuing the legacy!

No more deserving person for the Ethan than Jay. “Keep Swinging” and you’ll definitely succeed!

Great job with the book and ISI. You deserve the Ethan

Love the book and the small business stories. Sounds like Yankee Fantasy Camp was fun. Great bob worthy of the Ethan

Phenomenal story! Best of luck with the Ethans!

Love the book and doing business with ISI. A company with high integrity and ethics. You deserve the Ethan because you are doing it the right way and helping so many people with Keep Swinging.

What an inspiring book which has already helped many small business owners in Memphis. Thanks again for writing it- you deserve the Ethan for your efforts

Your speech at the MILE meeting was simply amazing. Keep Swinging has inspired us all to keep our head up and never let anything stop us from our goals. My vote for the Ethan goes to you.

Keep Swinging is one of the best books I have read in recent memory. I gladly cast my vote for you and the Ethan Award. So much emotion, inspiration, guts etc

Your sppech at the MILE meeting was one of the best I’ve ever heard. Never give up and always keep swinging- spoken from the heart. Ethan Award winning material

Enjoyed sharing the stage at the Subsidum event and getting a copy of Keep Swinging. Great book with lots of intereting, inspiring stories. Ethan Award winner for sure.

Great story of never giving up- Ethan Award winner in my book.

Great meeting you at the INC 5000 Conference and playing on the winning golf team. Keep Swinging is remarkable from the meeting with Kemmons Wilson to the embezzlement,working with the Secret Service. Award winning effort worthy of the Ethan

Great job with the book Jay and good luck with the Ethan. You deserve it.

Love the theme of Keep Swinging and after reading it- somehow my problems don’t seem so bad. You deserve the Ethan because you wrote it from your heart and are helpins so many people across the country.

Embezzlement is a very big problem that you wrote about so candidly in Keep Swinging. Appreciate your interview on WOR NYC and letting the world know about this issue. I vote for Keep Swinging for the Ethan Award.

Very inspiring book for young and old alike. Love the drama and live lessons. You have my vote!

Enjoyed reading Keep Swinging which tells the real story of the ends and outs of starting and running a small business. Not as easy as it looks! A recommended book for any aspiring entrepreneurs. My vote for the Ethan!

Keep Swinging is an inspiring read for all current and aspiring entrepreneurs. You quickly realize owning your own business is not for the faint of heart. An award winning effort for both Jay and ISI.

Good job on First Business TV show in discussion of employee theft. I applaud your candor and know it will help a lot of people. You have my vote for the Ethan.

Super job with Keep Swinging. The never say die story is so authenic and real. Thanks for sharing your struggles and triumphs.

Love the book-had a hard time putting it down. Kudos to you and ISI for coming back from disaster. Gladly nominate you for the Ethan Award

Great storytelling with an inspiring message. You should be awarded the Ethan because you wrote a book that details mistakes as well as success- refreshingly candid

Love the book and the never say die motto. So needed in today’s environment. GOod luck with the Ethan- I like yoru chances

Great job with Keep Swinging and ISI- both winners for the high integrity and ethics

Great meeting you and getting a copy of Keep Swinging. What a wonderful and inspirational read that benefits so many people.

Keep Swinging has a timely message for many of our small business owners. Never give up and always Keep Swinging. Thanks for caring about other people and inspiring them.

Great job with the Small Business Chamber events and thanks for writing “Keep Swinging” Its really helped a lot of our members. You have my vote for the Ethan Award.

Thanks for stopping by with a copy of Keep Swinging. An inspiring story of overcoming adversity with high ethical standards and firm convictions. Great job and good luck with the Ethan- I vote for you.

Thanks again for the great presentation on Keep Swinging and overcoming adversity. You were the talk of the class after you left. An Ethan Award winning performance!

Great job with the Keep Swinging presentation and everyone got a lot out of it. You are an inspiration to so many small business owners. Good luck with the Ethan- you deserve it.

Love reading “Keep Swinging” and really respect all that you have done with your company and community. Good luck with the Ethan Award. You have my vote.

Great presentation at the Small Business Chamber. Keep Swinging is such a real life look at small business- no sugar coated academic stuff. My vote for the Ethan Award

Thanks for the continued support of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. Keep Swinging is a great message for our students and thanks for writing it. My vote for the Ethan goes to you.

Great job with Keep Swinging and the character to stand up for your convictions. An Ethan Award winner if I have anything to say about it.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s full of endless motivation and I’ve read it more than once!

Through cancer, family loss, embezzlement and more…it’s unreal to think that anyone has had to deal with all of this. Way to show us that it isn’t the hand life deals you, it’s how you play it to win!

Great job with the presentation at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. Keep Swinging is a wonderful tribute to persistence and perseverance in business and in life. A home run worthy of an Ethan Award!

Hilton Head has a lot of small business owners who can benefit from reading “Keep Swinging” Grat job inspiring us all! You have my vote for the Ethan

Great job writing Keep Swinging- an award winning effort!

Thanks for a great book signing and a book worthy of the Ethan Award. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Keep Swinging and admire your efforts in fighting through adversity.

Thanks again for the wonderful presentation at the Ole Miss campus in Southaven. You have a great company and Keep Swinging is quite a compelling story. Good luck with the Ethan Award- you have the Ole Miss vote!

Great story that reads almost like a suspense type spy novel. Nice job making it real1 My vote for the Ethan

Great presentation at the MILE meeting. You have such a compelling story of overcoming personal and professional adversity. Keep Swinging is a great choice for the Ethan Award.

Loved the Keep Swinging presentation at the MILE event. Its a story with so many lessons-worthy of the Ethan Award

Keep Swinging has helped me many times over the past few years when I wanted to throw in the towel. Persistence and perseverance are just 2 of the many lessons I learned from this wonderful book. Good luck with the Ethan Award

Loved hearing you speak at the MILE event- straight from the heart. Keep Swinging is the first book I have read cover to cover in quite some time. It’s a winner!

Keep Swinging is a seriously good book with so many stories of small business challenges and obstacles. I feel its an Ethan Award winner because its not a textbook-its a real life story of building a business. warts and all

Great job on the FOX Business News Show. Took a lot of guts talking about employee theft. Keep Swinging is a terrific book worthy of the Ethan Award- Good luck!

Great job with Keep Swinging and love the message of the book. Its a really good read and very heartwarming worthy of the Ethan Award

Keep Swinging is a great book worthy of the Ethan Award because the stories in it are real and hit home about the importance of honesty, integrity and ethics in business as well as a strong family life. A home run!

Keep Swinging is a wonderful story of overcoming adversity and achieving small business success. I love how Jay expresses the importance of family, values and character in starting and running a successful business

Keep Swinging is the real deal discussing the importance of family, character and values in building a business. Surely a Ethan Award winning book.

Loved having you on KWAM and the Art Scene Show. Keep Swinging is a great book describing the ups and downs of starting and running a successful small business. An Ethan Award winner in my opinion.

Great job with Keep Swinging and wonderful message for us all. Never give up and always do background checks for all your employees. Good advice and an Ethan Award winning effort.

Loved the presentation at the Memphis Business Alliance. As a CFO I was enraptured with the embezzlement story and how you and your company handled a potentially lethal problem. Good for you. Your efforts are worthy of an Ethan Award

Your book is a great read and full of useful information about starting and running a small business. Thanks for sharing so many personal stories-they’re inspiring!

Great job with Keep Swinging and coming back from disasters that would have sunk many other companies. Your efforts are worthy of an Ethan Award.

Good job with the interview on KWAM 990. Really appreciate your candor and advice about employee theft. Keep Swinging is a really good book that packs a lot of good advice and personal stories in dramatic fashion.

Great meeting you at the INC 5000 Conference in DC. Keep Swinging is a really good book that inspires small business owners and many others. You quickly learn that there is lot more to business that just making money

Great book and presentation at the Small Business Chamber. You are an inspiration to all of us who are trying to make it- and do it the right way. Keep Swinging is an Ethan winner for sure.

Great job at Talk Shoppe and thanks for writing Keep Swinging. Starting a business is not for everyone but you give all of us hope.