I remember an opportunity that presented itself to me ten years ago. A basket business owner and his wife wanted to sell me their business. They had started and run the business for 20 years and wanted to retire to Florida. They had what I thought was a great product – they shipped baskets filled with New Orleans foods and treats. I did some research and found that the business was profitable and viable. I let this opportunity slip away based on a friend’s opinion. He thought I could start such a business from scratch and not miss a beat. Well, he was wrong. They wanted to sell the business to me to help the church and our members. When I refused, he sold it to someone else for a higher price, and the new owners expanded the business. I could have purchased the business for $10,000 and made $100,000 the first year, while also providing employment for three people from my church. I learned a valuable lesson from this event in my life: keep watch for ways to create opportunities, not only for myself, but also for other people I value in my life. Competition is good because it causes us who want to win to work that much harder and smarter. Be the very best you can be at whatever it is that you do. Be the best employee with the most integrity. Be the best student with the most desire for knowledge. Be the best neighbor on the block in your community.
January 29, 2013