5th Generation Funeral Home Director on Success, a Meaningful Life, and Managing Two Businesses

Jeff Monreal is the Owner, President, and Funeral Director of Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, which spans three locations in Northeast Ohio. He is also the Owner of Installed Services, which installs batt insulation. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he represents the fifth generation in his family’s funeral home industry. Jeff has a deep-rooted passion for service, demonstrated by his ability to provide unique and meaningful experiences for grieving families. Jeff is also known for his philanthropic efforts, such as organizing an annual golf outing that raises substantial funds for various charitable causes.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [1:50] How Jeff Monreal’s family legacy shaped his entrepreneurial path and work ethics
• [4:40] Why communication and professionalism are key to Jeff’s success
• [8:50] The power of listening in the funeral home business
• [12:10] Behind-the-scenes insights into funeral home operations and services
• [15:15] How a business deeply rooted in family heritage influences its service quality
• [20:15] Balancing entrepreneurship with family life
• [23:30] The 24-hour rule: Jeff’s strategy for handling tough times
• [28:00] The transformative impact of philanthropy on communities and personal fulfillment
• [39:50] Why preplanning funerals offer peace of mind for families
• [41:31] How to maintain passion and dedication across diverse aspects of life

In this episode…

Research has shown that early entrepreneurial experiences can impact your ability to identify opportunities and create thriving ventures. But what happens when this entrepreneurial spirit meets a commitment to serving others? Can professional dedication coexist with philanthropic initiatives? Learn the strategies that helped a fifth-generation funeral home owner balance entrepreneurship with a fulfilling personal life.

Jeff Monreal’s multifaceted entrepreneurial journey began with childhood snow-shoveling gigs that naturally evolved into business ownership. With vivid anecdotes, Jeff illustrates how dedication to customer service and community engagement fuels his endeavors. Self-taught skills in communication and negotiation, along with the influence of family traditions in the funeral home industry, have shaped his approach to business. Jeff emphasizes the importance of maintaining genuine personal connections and offering compassionate service, which is particularly crucial in a funeral home business, where he often goes above and beyond to create personalized, memorable experiences for grieving families. He also provides insights on balancing professional responsibilities with being an attentive father, husband, and active community member.

In this episode of Alpha Bytes, Alex Zinni hosts Jeff Monreal, Owner, President, and Funeral Director of Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, about navigating diverse entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropy. Jeff discusses the significance of customer reviews and personal referrals in building credibility, the value of preplanning your life and career, and the power of the 24-hour decision-making rule. He also delves into his philanthropic endeavors, illustrating how business can be a platform for positive change.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Alex Zinni on LinkedIn
• Alpha Key Digital
• Jeffery Monreal on LinkedIn
• Jeff Monreal Funeral Home
• Installed Services Inc.

Quotable Moments:

• “It’s not what he said, but how he listened. Sometimes, we just need a listening ear.”
• “You take the good and the bad, and you try to keep a smile on your face.” 
• “You need to spread it out so you give everybody a fair chance, and I was always fair.”
• “I try to take things a day at a time — sometimes a moment at a time.”
• “You know the people who love you and care about you, and they make mistakes too.” 

Action Steps:

1. Embrace personal interaction and customer feedback: Engage directly with clients and actively seek feedback to build long-lasting relationships and improve services. This step is effective because it ensures you maintain a personal touch and responsiveness, which helps you stand out in industries where service quality is paramount. 
2. Prioritize balance and family time: Make a conscious effort to balance work commitments with family and personal time, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. This addresses the challenge of being constantly on-call and maintaining personal well-being. 
3. Practice the 24-hour rule for better decision-making: Implement a cooling-off period to avoid making hasty decisions or reacting impulsively to challenging situations. This technique is effective because it allows for clearer judgment and emotional processing.
4. Engage in community and philanthropic activities: Participate in or organize community events and philanthropic activities to give back and build a positive business image. Jeff Monreal’s involvement in charity golf outings highlights how contributing to the community not only supports worthy causes but also enhances personal fulfillment and a positive business reputation.
5. Employ preplanning in professional contexts: Advocate for preplanning, such as in funeral arrangements and business operations. This ensures smoother processes and peace of mind, crucial for addressing unforeseen challenges and reducing stress for clients and families.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Alpha Key Digital.

Located in the vibrant heart of Northeast Ohio, Alpha Key Digital delivers revenue-generating digital marketing solutions tailored to plastic surgeons and roofing companies.

From cutting-edge SEO and social media strategies to high-performing websites and PPC campaigns, our expert team is committed to driving measurable results that elevate your brand.

Whether you’re a local business striving to dominate your market or a national brand seeking a competitive edge, our comprehensive suite of services ensures success in today’s crowded digital landscape.

To unlock your business’s full potential, visit our website at https://www.alphakeydigital.com/ or book a discovery session with Alex Zinni at https://calendly.com/alex-zinni/30-minute-google-meets-call.