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What did he say that astounded me? He said he was going to a conference that Saturday and would take a few along with him and try his best to sell them, if I wanted him to.
WOW. I didn’t expect that but I figured he must be going to Detroit or something, you know, not too far away. I found out later that the conference was in Seattle, WA. Once again, WOW. This means he would have to take the items in his luggage and fly on an airplane. Blows me away. Without even asking, I was shocked he made such a generous offer. I have to admit, I probably wouldn’t do that. That’s not very generous of me but I am being honest. Perhaps that is a lesson for me.
We text back and forth a couple more times, as I wanted to know how many he wanted to take. He said perhaps a dozen or so, or whatever I want to send with him. I decide on 12 of the Thin Red Line and 3 of the Police/Fire Dispatch, blue and red ones. I also sent along a couple of key chains.
Now mind you, I know this guy, but I don’t know this guy. Sure, we’ve been acquaintances for probably about the last 15 to 20 years, but I can’t say I know much more about him than his name and his type of profession and what car he drives. So with that, I’m taking a big chance, giving a couple hundred dollars in merchandise. The feeling I kept having, is what do I have to lose? Not too much. Sure, if he didn’t return the bracelets, that would definitely be an issue, but if he did and it went well, perhaps this can be a great relationship on a somewhat business level. So I took the chance.
Next time we’ll talk a bit more about what happened, Constant Reader.
Remember when I wrote about my letter campaign going completely bust and not getting any responses. Well something interesting happened. In the letter, I was marking the milestone of selling the 100th paracord item. This is around the 2nd week of July 2012. Although I sent out several letters, I kept several back until I came in contact with those people again. When I finally realized that the whole process was a big goose egg, I realized, I was well past the 100 item mark. I was creeping really closely to the 200th item and beyond. Although I didn’t like what happened, or should I say, what didn’t happen with the letters, I kept my nose to the grindstone and kept, making items and selling. That I believe is what is important.
I learned that it is important to stay focused. I can’t let a setback hinder my business goals. I have to press on and move forward.
I’ll talk with you next time constant reader.
As I said earlier about the Bikes on the Bricks, now I have a show to do. Oh @%&*. Now what?
The first thing that came to mind is I have a lot of work to do. I need a table(s), tablecloths, some type of display, and lots of bracelets. Now is a good time to take a deep breath and practice that combat breathing that I’ve learned at work so long ago. I admit, in addition to being excited, not I feel the pressure to deliver. This supervisor was very gracious with the invitation and I want to honor that support and do well.
So I begin the work. I have always liked the process of knowing something is coming and slowly making preparations to get ready. Heck, when we go on vacation, I like to take out the suitcases about a month ahead of time and slowly start putting items in. If it wasn’t for the fact that I would need to wear some of those clothes, I would be completely packed a month or so out. I know, it’s a little OCD, but what can I tell you. I can’t stand the last minute rush thing. I would rather be ready and just sit around watching everyone else scramble about.
As I’m writing this, I’m a few days from the show and have been twisting cord and making paracord items, placards and such. I even have the extra calloused fingers to prove it. I’m looking forward to the show and will definitely be blogging about it here. Hopefully it will go relatively smooth and the weather will cooperate. I’ve even had to remind myself that I won’t have everything perfect and will learn things that I could do better or eliminate completely.
I’m excited about the process and will talk with you next time, Constant Reader.
As I said before, when I was explaining to him my idea, he stopped me. Now I’m a little worried because this is unchartered waters for me. What he suggested was even better. He said that instead of doing just that, why don’t I set up a table and sell the bracelets if anyone is interested right next to their bike trailer. As you can imagine I’m smiling on the inside and it’s creeping to the outside. 🙂
It has amazed me just how helpful so many have been with this endeavor. Showing their families and friends. Coming to me with other orders for bracelets. Giving suggestions. Help coming in all directions in so many ways. I’ve had multiple people buy 5,6, or more bracelets for all the people they know and are close with. It is really touching to get so much unsolicited help. It’s actually difficult to give a good enough thank you. A few people I’ve given a few bucks to buy them lunch or given them a small item like a key chain. It seems so insignificant, but I have to remember I am trying to build something here. I can’t give away the farm, but I do want those “Angels” to know their help is so appreciated.
To all those who have helped me as I climb the mountains in this business, I can’t tell you how much you mean to me. I appreciate you. Each of you and I won’t forget. I will do my best to honor your contribution and make this a success. Again…THANKYOU.
Back to the work at hand. We’ll talk again next time Constant Reader…see you then.
I took my friends suggestion and went to one of the supervisors that has been an integral part of the police activities associated with the Bikes on the Bricks program. The thought came to me as I was going to work that morning. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get addresses to past participants that may be coming to the police training aspect of the Bikes on the Bricks and send them a flyer and/or card showing my bracelets and reminding them that they can inquire with me if they are interested. Sounds good right?
Well when I get to the office, this same supervisor, tells me he needs to get another bracelet for someone he spoke with at one of the local coffee shops downtown. This is a perfect segue.
So I tell him my idea and before I could finish it he stops me and…I’ll continue next time Constant Reader. Take Care.
This is a constant thought that crosses my mind with this business. At one point it is exciting because there are so many different ways to do things, that it is interesting picking which one. At the same time it is daunting, because I wonder am I making the correct choices. I try not to worry too much if I am doing things perfectly. I know that mistakes will come along for the ride from time to time, but I also want to make the best use of my time.
When I first signed up on Pinterest, the very first post that I commented on is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. It said something to the effect of “Do something everyday that scares you”. I love that quote. It reminds me that it is normal that doing something that I’ve never done can be scary. The clearest sign of courage, is facing my fear and doing it anyway or as I like to say in this digital age, “Push Send”. Which is my way of saying, let’s go ahead and do the darn thing. What do I have to lose. Most of the time what I have to lose is minimal.
One day I sent a text to a few people that I’ve worked with over the years and showed them a picture of the “Thin Blue Line” bracelet. A few contacted me and ultimately bought a bracelet or three. One of my good friends, gave me a suggestion that I couldn’t pass up. He reminded me that here in Flint in September of every year there is a motorcycle event we call “Bikes on the Bricks.” It is similar to the wildly popular “Back to the Bricks” custom car event that is held in Flint every August. He suggested that I maybe have a table in the event during the police motorcycle practice and competition.
When we talk again, Constant Reader, we’ll continue with this course of events.
Well that is what I was saying on the post that I had to do. Or should I say we had to do. We didn’t really take any type of a vacation last year and were really looking forward to the trip this year.
Our destination: Mackinaw, MI. It’s a lovely, quaint place at the tip of the mitten in Michigan. We call it our “Martha’s Vineyard”. It is a wonderful place to unwind and recharge your batteries. The water is blue and it’s just a beautiful place to be.
   
We also went with the kids to the Detroit Jazz Festival to catch some great music and relax a bit. We had a special treat this year. We were able to secure a room on the 63rd floor of the Detroit Marriott Renaissance center and on Saturday night we enjoyed a great fireworks show from the comfort of our bedroom. Watching over the Detroit river and seeing most of the fireworks exploding at eye level from our vantage point was something else.
   
I have to say that while we were gone, I couldn’t wait to get back to the business and get back to work. Actually one morning while we were eating breakfast in our room, we got into an informal conversation on several things that I could do with Paracordsandmore.com. My wife and daughters were extremely helpful with their suggestions and I can’t wait to put some of the ideas to work. Speaking of work; back to the regular post tomorrow. No rest for the weary.
See you then constant reader.
I spoke a few post ago on how lessons can be learned. I also spoke a bit of how a lesson can come at you hard and fast and at times when you least expect it. That was the lesson I got, real quick, when that deputy asked me if I had a website. As I’ve said previously I had been working on a site and was dealing with the kinks that would obviously present themselves. He reminded me to do one thing…hurry up about it. I’ve since thanked this deputy and given him a key chain as a token of my appreciation. He doesn’t really think he did anything special.
I’ve got something important that has come up that I need to do so I’ll catch you next time constant reader.
I truly believe the title. We are all teachers in some form or another. We can teacher others, intentionally or passively. We can even teach ourselves a thing or two from time to time.
I used to wonder how that happens. The answer I came up with is that our minds, the unconscious parts of our minds, remembers everything that we’ve experienced in our lives. Not just the things that we pay attention to but the mundane details that seem trivial or insignificant. Our subconscious mind can process a large amount of things that our conscious mind frankly doesn’t even pay attention to. I believe that is how we can teach ourselves things.
I bet you’ve had an experience like I have. You might be sitting somewhere and think about something; a question that you have been pondering perhaps. All of a sudden an answer to that very questions presents itself and it feels right to you. Without even researching if the answer is correct you know. You know in your gut that the answer is correct. That is, I believe, how we teach ourselves things or skills.
We can also teach others. Be that directly or indirectly. A lesson can be learned from most of our life’s experiences. That is a big reason why I am writing this. I want to for nostalgia sake be able to look back at the journey and see how far I have come. If, along the way, someone can read my words and take a lesson from my experiences, good and bad, that would be wonderful. I have done that with others; learned lessons from their challenges and zeniths. Perhaps I can do that same thing for someone else. My way of giving back to the universe I suppose.
We’ll see where it goes from here Constant Reader.
I know I said in the last post that I would give more details on the Thin Blue Line, “Sheriff’s Edition”, but I’ve got something else on my mind. As I thought further, I can imagine someone reading this blog might just wonder why am I writing about my business endeavor.
First of all I like to write. I find it enjoyable and relaxing, but I’ll be honest I find it difficult to do any consistent type of daily handwritten journal entries. I’ve tried several times, but always find cramps in the hand are more prevalent with writing than typing. It’s also hard to write as fast as I think. I look at this as a way of doing journal entries in a relaxed and fun way. No pressure.
I’m also somewhat nostalgic. I like to look at things and remember the journey that led up the event or finish line. I like to dream at times and the dream I have for this business is that it will continue to grow at a steady pace. I desire for it to maintain a comfortable income for my family and feel for the most part that it is happening easily and effortlessly. I don’t want something that is a headache and a pain to do. I want it to fun. Now I’m not stupid and think that a business is going to always be peaches and cream and fun all the time. What I do want is for it to feel worth it. To feel a measure of success that reinforces the decision to do it in the first place.
I’ll see you on the next entry, Constant Reader.
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