A couple of weekends ago I met with a large group of successful people. About half the group had college degrees, some with advanced degrees. The other half probably didn't finish high school, much less log any university time.
I fell in the middle. I finished high school, but didn't go to college. I did a little forgetable stint in the Army, and then went to work building my first company, which was a freight business.
When I started that business I didn't know much about the freight business, or trucks, or paperwork, or how to acquire customers, and keep them. In fact, I didn't have much going for me other than a burning desire to build a company.
I learned how the freight business worked on the job. Then I figured out some unique ways to make money based on what my competitors were doing, and not doing very well. I took those things that they didn't do well, and found a way to do them very well. That kick started my company, and got me a bunch of free publicity. When I saw how easy it was to get free publicity, I started picking up the phone to get some more, and that worked pretty well for me. I didn't have to spend money on advertising because I had reporters writing stories about me.
Having someone else tell your story is better than anything you can do for yourself. Somedays the phone would ring off the hook.
In those days I worked 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Then I found a mentor who showed me how to delegate, and how to outsource a good number of the things I thought I had to do. Pretty soon I had a decent life that didn't consist of working all the time.
When I gained all that time I started reading books, listening to CD's and watching DVD's about any number of subjects. Thus began my self education, which continues today. I also spent a lot of time listening and watching what we call oldtimers. I learned more from these guys than I could ever put down on paper.
I am convinced that anyone can be a success if they have the desire to succeed. They are certainly plenty of naysayers in the marketplace that think that isn't possible, that there will never be, as they say, a level playing field.
Well the news flash is this: Desire will overcome all obstacles.
Thomas Edison failed to invent the lightbulb 10,000 times. But the point is he suceeded because he kept trying.
If you want to be a success in business, just get in the game.
From the big saddle,
Jim Whelan
The Chairman of the Board
P.S. To start getting the sweet flutter of large denomination bills headed to your business, contact us at: thejamesrwhelanagency.com, or call 206 407 3124.
Leave a comment