Some say the all journeys start by taking the first steps. I am finding out that this journey is only taking shape by looking back at the last few. So much emphasis on the future and what's next, why? From where I sit its only by taking stock in to that which has passed by do I even get a glimpse at what is coming down the road. Most folks are so caught up in the speed of things - new model, latest version, coolest widget, and my personal favorite - new title for the same old thing! Me, I just want you to buy my stuff so I can get back to smoking a cigar. I really do enjoy what I do, finding things and uncovering stuff, trying to understand what does it all mean,etc....
For he most part this last year has been quite a revealing opus for me. Being on my own for the first time in business has been quite the challenge. No one really to run things by. At least no one with out a vested interest in what I am doing. My customers are the best, we work really hard to find out what is coming next so that they can get on to whatever they want to be doing. Sometime though, I have to stop and realize that we are on opposite sides of the income battle. Perfectly fine...my job get the money, there job, keep the money. Fun stuff and totally acceptable! These are the truly fun volleys. What I am saying is, that when an idea crosses or passes across the table, my long time partner is not there to debate with. I do miss the team effort I once had. Now I get to make all the decisions myself. That is a lot of pressure. Don't screw up or you might have to go get a job..that is not acceptable!
Ranting is done. Down to business. Hold on, my tea is cold....be right back.
Thats' better.
So the post-WWII trends of all the traditional stuff is far behind us and the Mid-Century Moderns are have been in full swing for at least ten years, if not more. I spend all my time talking about simple, clean lines, utility, and many other things, like "Who designed this?...or "Is this from Denmark or Sweden.....phooey if you ask me. Most people want the look but can rarely afford the name. Get real with the pocket book I say. Many of the back and forth between me and my clients are about what will do for the price point and how many should we bring into the market place so as not to drown out the effect. Totally boring. Necessary but boring.
Where is the new money, Where is the market going, and How do we deliver the message are the fun ones if you ask me. Recently I launched a new electronic tool for my customers ( website plug: legacyimporting.com) Shameless but hey, you work on yours and trudge through all the tech and see how you feel! Breaking away from the classic way of the message - outdoor markets ( still do them), call people on the phone by looking up there ad in the yellow pages ( get out your 4G and Google it) and having a garage sale ( wait let me check my CL Ad, Ebay Store, website, blog, twitter, FB,...get my drift) has brought me into the new Way of the Market Warrior ( trademark this for later). I like it all! Very exciting, never knowing exactly when the phone will ding with a $ amount. I can watch all the free reporting and trends ( no more hiring out those costly consultants to talk with those costly CPA's, thanks QuickBooks and Google). Now I can spend more time hunting down that elusive animal know as the HOMERUN!! You know the ones the TV shows are always showing you on those shows about all this. This is for another time though. Okay, calmed backed down....tea is so helpful.
What does it all mean is the quite the question here. I feel lucky that being a forth generation junk man gives me a perspective that few have. I have watched trends come and go, so fast and so many times I have learned to slow down, think globally and act locally. Asking myself all the time - What can I really do? What can really affect? and do a good job at that. I don't need to be the biggest but I do want to be the best at what I do for the people I do it for. Role with the new way of doing things - matching old school hard work and new school fancy fangled E-commerce tools. The excitement of this new horizon gets me thinking and makes me back concentrating on the core issues, like is my tea cold and that cigar earlier was awesome, but I digress, sorry. What I want to say is this - How are people living there life today, what do they need to accomplish their task in life while enjoying the fruits of the labor they do. Thats me in a nutshell, thinking of you and how to be of service!
I leave you with this: Embrace the new, never loose sight of where you been, hold on to those experiences and the joys and pains of life. Search out what works for you and think - How does this affect the world in which I live. The challenge is always this - Is the legacy I leave one that adds to this life and benefit of others? Tall order but I know that we can do this. To the great unknown I go, you go and we go....
tea is getting cold again and I think me FB needs attention,
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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