In a panel discussion on navigating today’s competitive business landscape, the question of what propels the journey arose. As I awaited my fellow panellists’ answers, I realized that venturing into this world wasn’t a conscious decision but something I embraced.
How did I arrive at this point? More importantly, how can you reach this point? How can I guide you to this point? Becoming a businessperson involves three key steps: enduring challenging and soul-sucking jobs, absorbing every piece of written wisdom, and managing multiple side hustles.
The first soul-sucking job
So, grease trap cleaner extraordinaire reporting for duty! What a soul-sucking job this was. The scent of mystery grease wafting through the air, my daily cologne that would make even the most seasoned perfumer raise an eyebrow. Ah, the dream job we never knew we craved! Have you ever fantasized about navigating a world where the lingering aroma of culinary chaos is your constant companion? Well, neither did I, but here we are, turning greasy traps into pillars of cleanliness.
It’s not the glamorous life of a superhero or the glitzy allure of Hollywood fame, but somebody has to be the unsung hero of the grease-laden underworld. So, I stood, donned in my makeshift grease-fighting ensemble of a surgical mask and long yellow plastic gloves, ready to face the oily challenges ahead. The aroma danced around me like a mischievous partner at a ball, ensuring I never forgot the unique fragrance of victory over grime.
Have you ever witnessed the magical transformation of a once-murky trap into a squeaky-clean haven? It’s like turning a greasy battleground into a spa day for your plumbing. The plastic milk bottle, my trusty sidekick scooper, became the weapon of choice in this epic battle against the forces of culinary residue. With finesse and a touch of absurdity, I slopped up that greasy concoction like a maestro conducting a symphony of cleanliness.
So, I proudly wear the badge of Grease Trap Cleaner Extraordinaire. I embrace the chaos and brag about it later.
Unlocking the ABCs of life
In a world where time is a precious commodity, reading may seem like a luxury, especially with the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, it’s essential to view books not just as written words on paper but as invaluable repositories of life skills waiting to be unlocked. Think of them as your library, with wisdom and insights that can shape your future sales, negotiation, and problem-solving endeavours. Life skills often feel like a cryptic crossword puzzle, but fear not, bibliophiles, for books are the key answer to mastering the ABCs of life.
From A to Z, literary mentors abound, each offering sage wisdom. Take Robert Greene’s “The Laws of Human Nature” for Adaptability and mindfulness guides for Zen. In Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” we find the letter H, reminding us to lighten up and avoid excessive questioning—a lesson to apply in life and business.
Transitioning from cosmic whimsy to profound insight, we turn to Ernest Hemingway’s timeless classic, “The Old Man and the Sea.” Through the resilient protagonist Santiago, Hemingway imparts valuable lessons applicable to business challenges. The old fisherman’s three-day battle with a giant marlin reflects the tenacity needed to overcome setbacks in business. As Santiago persists against the marlin, businesses must adapt and make strategic decisions in dynamic environments.
Books are the ultimate life-seasoning skills; don’t be surprised if you start quoting Shakespeare during family disagreements, “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, just pass the jelly.”
Adding a side shimmy
While your 9-to-5 job is a steady waltz, ensuring financial stability, the side hustle adds a spontaneous salsa, keeping you agile. This dual pursuit permits experimentation, skill refinement, and insight into self-employment dynamics without abandoning the security of a full-time job.
Ah, the frosty escapades of my entrepreneurial side-hustling led me to the saga of being a 23-year-old evening children’s encyclopedia salesperson in the heart of Winnipeg during winter. My day job was as the assistant manager at F.W. Woolworths, but let me take you on a chilly trip down memory lane, where heated bus huts became my refuge and selling encyclopedias in freezing temperatures turned into an unintentional winter sport.
The first time I saw those heated bus huts, I felt like I had discovered an oasis in the tundra of frigid sales endeavours. As I stood there, shivering in my oversized winter coat and trying to keep my sales materials from turning into frosty artifacts, I marvelled at the ingenious creation of the heated bus hut. It was like stumbling upon a cozy haven during an Arctic expedition—where I could thaw my frozen pitch and strategize my next move in warmth and comfort.
Winnipeg winters are notorious for their biting cold, but little did I know that these icy trials would serve as the forge for my sales resilience. Picture this: me, enthusiastically knocking on doors with an armful of encyclopedias, steam billowing from my mouth with every well-rehearsed sales pitch. My breath may have been visible, but my determination to sell encyclopedias was even more palpable.
Each successful sale felt like a triumphant victory against the elements. The key was mastering the art of persuasion and doing so in temperatures colder than my sales pitch. Selling encyclopedias wasn’t about knowledge but about surviving and thriving on the frosty battlefield—learning that every “no” was a step closer to the next “yes.”
So, let this be a rallying cry for more stories, more laughter, and a bit of chaos in pursuing greatness. Remember, every twist, turn, and hiccup is just another stroke on the canvas of your entrepreneurial masterpiece. Get uncomfortable. Cold. Greasy. Work late and later nights. Let the kaleidoscope spin, and may your journey be filled with colourful surprises and a whopping pile of humour.
