I had lunch the other day with a friend of mine. He was all excited…he had to tell me about his newest business venture.
I’ve known him…admittedly, not well…for over twenty years. Our paths crossed often over that time. During that period, I’ve worked with/for a few different companies and, to the best of my recollection, he and I never actually did any business together. He can’t remember us working together either…is this a reflection on the fact, or our ages?
As with my situation, he, too, has been around and back. In his case, he’s gone the more entrepreneurial route…starting a number of businesses in and around the promotional products industry. Thus, the reason for our lunch.
As I have inferred, I am no position to judge anyone’s work history. Stuff happens. The road to success is littered with crumpled up resumes. Yes…I just came up with that. Pretty profound, coming from me. Every so often, I remember that I’m a real writer.
I won’t turn this column into a commercial; that’s for the sales department of this fine periodical to address. I will just say that what he’s working on has potential. And I might be saying that generously. It’s gotten to the point where I might not be the best judge. Is the promotional industry…or the world, for that matter…ready for the proverbial left-handed screwdriver? That’s up to the buying public to decide.
My job was to listen to his pitch (buy me lunch, you’d be amazed at what I’ll agree to) and give an honest assessment of his new venture. As I sat there and absorbed his "shpiel", I came to the realization that we’d had this conversation before.
That’s what I like about this guy. Always hustling. Always moving. Zigging when everyone else is zagging. Trying to stay away from the pack, and stay ahead at the same time.
I know that that’s to his credit. Let’s face it, kids: it’s ugly out there. My friend is doing what he needs to do to feed his family and stay alive.
I’ll be honest: when he first invited me to meet so that he could tell me about his latest business model, I may have rolled my eyes a bit. Hadn’t we had this conversation before? But then, I got off of my high horse (which, admittedly, has gotten lower) and looked at the situation with different eyes.
I’ve known others like him before…and in some cases I’ve been fortunate enough to be along for the ride. When I partnered in the creation of an industry bobblehead company, it was with a partner I’d known for over twenty years, who had been through many different business models. I’m pleased and proud to say that the bobblehead business is still doing well. Was that because I left?
What I often tell people in this business…whether I’m their mentor, or if they’re just buying me lunch (hey…we all have a price!)…is that the game continues to change. What are you doing to stay relevant?
Mike Schenker, MAS, is “all that” at Mike Schenker, Consulting, where he assists businesses entering the promotional products industry, mentors professionals, and offers association management. He is a promotional industry veteran and member of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) Hall of Fame. He can be reached at mike@mikeschenker.com.