Dick to Dick LLC: My Billboard in Cleveland at the RNC

Dick to Dick LLC: My Billboard in Cleveland at the RNC
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Instagram: benfrend
Instagram: benfrend
Photo (C) Ben Friend 2016

In real life, I’m Andrew Farrington, a 43 year old devoted father, husband, and independent financial/accounting consultant with an MBA - earned while working full time and going to night school. If you google “dicktodick” (with a filter on and not at work) you will find not only me, but my alter ego Drew Dogan III, CEO of my satirical company Dick to Dick LLC.

So why would a business professional who has to constantly interview and have extensive background checks, have his name associated with “Dick to Dick®”?

It all began during the stock market crash of 2008 when many Americans started losing their homes. First of all, I wished I had an “extra” million dollars at the time of the crash because I would have put half into the market and the other half into guns, oil, and booze. There really were only going to be two outcomes in my mind. Unfortunately, my soon to be wife and I only had $10,000 which was set aside for our wedding. I didn’t dare touch it. Secondly, I remember Congress going on break and thought how differently they would have reacted if they all lost their homes.

At this time, I was also going through my own stuff at work which I won’t get into. I spent a lot of nights drinking beer and watching the end of Willy Wonka, (where Charlie does the right thing and gets everything he wants) and Bluto’s big speech at the end of Animal House. I realized that unless you’re the CEO of a “Mom and Pop” company, your business interests are often not in line with your personal interests. If you are making decisions to maximize your bonus, net worth, or line up your next job this is probably not in the best interest of the stakeholders. The best part of being a CEO and controlling the Board is that you are not going to fire yourself. This is what www.dicktodickllc.com is all about.

With a child on the way, my wife told me that I either needed to care less (which she knew wasn’t an option for me) or find a different way to cope. I incorporated Dick to Dick LLC five years ago on the day my wife gave birth to our first child. I don’t believe business should be about hoarding money, but rather making a profit and protecting the stakeholders, which includes the employees. When it comes to the economy, It’s not about Democrats vs Republicans but rather how money is corrupting our politics and our media, dividing our country and destroying the earth.

At a time when I should be concerned about investing for retirement and my kids future, I’m dipping into my 401k and investing the money I earned to operate Dick to Dick LLC, a company that doesn’t actually sell anything, but a message. You can tell me I’m wrong for doing it, but when it comes to my family, my wife’s opinion is the only one that matters. She also leads a double life. She has a sales rep day job but also works as a talented professional singer who has performed in the LA Opera. We want to teach our children to invest in themselves and that they don’t need to be millionaires to be president, be heard, or try to change the world for the better.

The billboard at the RNC is my Super-Pac, paid for by me. I can’t thank Cleveland enough for all the great compliments and laughter they’ve given back to me. Life is about helping others and making people happy. I’d rather have my children remember me as a loving, caring, funny father who created the world’s most complicated, expensive, dick joke ever, than a mound of cash I left behind. The billboard is at the very end of the protest route. Whatever side you are on, I hope it takes you out of your element, just for a moment, and makes you laugh. I know there are some very serious issues at hand, but we’re all human and we all deserve respect and a smile.

“Dick to Dick®” is a registered Trademark of Dick to Dick LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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