For some 28 years I have been involved in teaching people how to “spot trouble ‘before’ trouble spots you.” I have done so to audiences totaling some 350,000+ people during that time. However, despite those numbers, I am still just one person.

For several years, I have had people approach me asking, “Jeff, when are you going to start multiplying yourself with other instructors around the country to do what you do?” It has always been in the back of my mind, but last year an instructor I was familiar with who solely focused on this message for the residential real estate market was killed in a freak diving accident while on vacation. It was a “reality check” for me. For when this gentleman passed on, so did all of the information he had been communicating as well as future insights he had yet to communicate. That was the proverbial straw (if not warning sign) for me to more aggressively develop this new initiative.

For years, those who have heard me speak either in-person or on radio or television interviews know my common phrase of “spot trouble ‘before’ trouble spots you”. It just, then, seemed appropriate to brand this initiative using this same idea and approach, hence “Trouble Spotters”.

The goal is quite simple, to teach others to present these messages of safety, security and prevention to their own communities, to become that local community resource to schools, churches and synagogues, civic organizations, professional associations, college campuses, etc in their respective geographical areas. Not every Trouble Spotter will be armed with the same information, and that, too, is by design.

Women will be teaching the women’s seminars to other women. While there may be fine male presenters out there who have only the most noble of intentions of offering these seminars (myself included), the fact is that most women would rather hear from another woman relaying this information. I have experienced this myself over the years, and have never taken offense to such responses. This is especially true when you think of women’s conferences, women’s retreats, etc where sometimes “lodging” becomes an issue as no co-ed provisions where planned for in advance.

But there are other seminars that men and women alike will offer to their communities, “general audience” seminars, if you will. These are simply good information for anyone, regardless of age or gender. And do not consider these “second-tier” as they are good, solid presentations offering valuable insights and critical thinking skills. Point being, there is truly something for everyone with Trouble Spotters!

My goal, personally and professionally, is to grow this online entity to some 300-500 speakers strong in communities all across the U.S. and Canada. To this end, if you (or someone you know) might be interested in becoming one of our licensed instructors, contact us to begin the process and dialogue. In the meantime, I hope you will appreciate the humble yet profound difference we at Trouble Spotters are seeking to make as we help you, your loved ones, and your communities safer simply by better learning how to “spot trouble ‘before’ trouble spots you!”

Jeff McKissack, Founder, Trouble Spotters
President, Defense By Design

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