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FOREVER GRATEFUL
HOW SULLIVAN CATTLE COMPANY RESERVED THE COVER OF OUR STATE FAIR EDITION!
BY LISA REID CO
In September of 2007, we walked into Joe Sullivan’s barn office in Dunlap, Iowa when I was 15, Brian was 21 and Laurie was 17. He was on the phone with his back to us. Having never met Joe before, we were speechless to say the least when he finally turned around and handed us a check to reserve the cover of our August issue for the next Summer. At that time, The Showtimes was only 3 issues in and not proven. He said if went belly up within the next year we would be scooping a lot of manure for him to pay back the check. For those of you who know Joe, realize this is a print fiendly version of what he actually told us! 106 issues later, Joe Sullivan’s family is still on the cover of every State Fair Edition. The belief he had in us as young people, helped propell us into a national publication. Whether it was scaring us into business or inspiring us to work harder to still be around the next year, we wouldn’t be where we are today without that first transaction. Their friendship and support is something we cherish and will forever be grateful for.
They’ve always allowed us to push the limits of what print advertising can do! The Sullivan family are just good people. Laurie had originally met James Sullivan (Joe’s oldest son) in 2004 where he and his friends helped us fit for the Grand Drive at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha, Nebraska. They became fast friends. Another time we were driving home from the Maine Junior Nationals in Spencer, Iowa and having truck problems. Without hesitation, Joe sent Brian down the road to a friend mechanic to fix the truck while he fed the rest of us ice cream in the barn. On another trip, while delivering magazines to Joe to haul to the Iowa State Fair, the ramp on our trailer was breaking. Nick (Joe’s youngest son) came in from the field on a hot Summer day when they were very busy to repair the trailer so we could get back on the road. Our 20 plus year friendship with Joe, Beth, James, Nick, Natalie, Joey and Jack and their loyalty to our family is priceless. ●
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