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The day before the show, my wife drops a bit of a bomb on me. It was good though. She made up a great logo design about a week prior and put it on a T-shirt for us to wear at the Bikes on the Bricks event. It looked awesome and after we all gave her the go ahead, she made up shirts for all of us, even her to wear. To add to that, Amy decided to tag along and go with us on the first day. I was extremely happy to have her. Frankly I was so anxious I probably needed her.
Well we get to the surface lot where the officer’s are going to be practicing, but I don’t see the Flint Police Motor Unit trailer. We wait around a bit and eventually find that initial supervisor that I spoke to and a couple other people on the event committee that I work with. The point me to a spot in the lot, next to there food tent and we begin setting up there.
A few firsts were in play here as well. First time being at an event like this or at all. First time setting up our collapsible canopy. First time selling my creations on a larger scale.
As I talk with the guys from earlier, they tell me that today(Friday) I can set up in the lot, but they give me a couple suggestions on setting up the next day or two for the official event, Bikes on the Bricks. I was also told that the motor unit trailer, will be on the main thoroughfare, Saginaw St., with a suggestion of maybe setting up right there with them the next day. As you can imagine, I’m trying to take all this in and feeling a little bit like a fish out of the water. There are people putting up large commercial tents and it all feels more official than I imagined. I’ve never done this before and am so far small potatoes. So what am I doing here? The answer I kept coming back to, is that I’m working on building a business. I’ve also got that quote from Eleanor Roosevelt rolling around my head of doing something every day that frightens you. Well here I am, a bit frightened. My family is with me and I don’t want to look stupid in front of them or waist there precious time as well.
Tune in next time to see what happened next, Constant Reader.
Before I move on to the new topic at hand. That gentleman did go to the conference and he returned home. Once we were able to hook up, he sold, 5 bracelets. To me that was excellent. He also said the turnout at the Seattle show, wasn’t what he expected. He thought it would be like in the past, where they have a fairly elaborate expo and many people and business are selling items. For some reason they didn’t have that type of expo according to him. He thought he would be able to sell a few there. Either way, I am eternally grateful for what he did and if he ever catches these words I want him to know that.
OK, the show. As I’m writing this, I’m sleepy. I’ve put in lots of hours of hard work once I found out about this show. I want to do my best to be as prepared as I can and look like a professional business, not just some guy with a table, hocking his wares. I plan to bring my 3 kids, along with me. I figure as I’m learning about business, they can come along and learn with me. I’m not afraid of making mistakes in front of them. I long ago heard a statement from Melvin Van Peebles, speaking on the importance of letting your children see you do well and see you make mistakes. They watch how you handle, triumph and defeat and glean what character is in the face of differing circumstances.
I’m excited and anxious. Did I make enough items? Will everything work out for the most part? Will my children enjoy the experience. So many questions. But as I’ve lived and been a part of various events that take planning and a lot of work, few of them work out exactly the way you need. You have to improvise, adapt and overcome. I’ll add another verb to that: decide. Many times a myriad of decisions will need to be made. It’s on my shoulders and I have to decide. I may get input from others, but the important is to not be afraid to make a decision. It may not always be the best choice, but moving forward is just that; moving forward. There is no movement without a decision.
The next time we talk, Constant Reader, my first show will be over and I’ll let you know how it all worked out. See you then.
I went to one of the supervisor of our 911 center. I showed her a flyer for the specific coloration that I made up for our dispatch. They are affiliated with the police and fire departments, so I added both colors to their paracord items. She really like that bracelets and offered to put up a couple flyers and she bought a bracelet as well. As a matter of fact, she said she was thinking about searching through the internet on how to make the bracelets, but since I was making them, she figured she would just support me. I thought that was very kind.
She asked me if I had done the same and presented a flyer to the fire department or their stations. I told her that was next on my list. She said why don’t you speak to _____. I’ll leave his name out, but he is the assistant fire chief. Doh!!! I didn’t even think about this guy even though we have known each other by name for a number of years. We walked upstairs and went to his office area.
I showed him what I had and what he told me astounded me.
Next time I’ll fill you in Constant Reader.
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.
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.
Along with commemorating a significant event in this endeavor, I had an idea, that maybe some of the very positive comments I got from people that bought paracord items, was that maybe I could transform them into testimonials for an upcoming website. I made up this real nice letter and bought envelopes and went down my list of customers and sent out about 50 to 70 letters. I asked everyone to email me their story of their purchase or feelings about the bracelet or other item or write it down on the letter and return it to me. I sent those letters out and then it happened. Wait for it…wait. BAMMM. Nothing. Not one. NADA. Goose Egg. No one sent or emailed me anything. At first I was quite bummed, then I realized I better get back to work if I want this business to do something.
I want to make sure to put this information out along with the positive. There is no way that all plans will be linear and work perfectly. I expect that and try to look at every setback as a learning experience. This was definitely one. It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen, but it is one of those things that can be humbling and remind me that I have a lot to learn. On the other side, it still was a good idea. The fact that it didn’t work out doesn’t mean I made a mistake. Perhaps I should have followed up with some of the people that spoke so highly of the bracelets. I will continue to listen and learn from all the aspects of this endeavor.
I’ll see you next time, Constant Reader.
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