Tag: strangers
Help Comes From Surprising Places
by Dan on Nov.03, 2009, under Articles, Entrepreneurship, Startups
Who is this guy? He's great!
Starting a business can often bring out the very best in people. Shockingly, I’ve discovered that the best is frequently gleaned from people I’ve never met!
Whenever I’ve started a new business, I’ve always needed help, in one form or another. Sometimes, help is in the form of physical labor. Other times, I’ve needed introductions, special pricing, favorable terms, borrowed equipment or vehicles, expert advice or other favors. It never ceases to amaze me how virtual strangers will step up and save the day!
Sadly, I’ve also had close friends disappear when I’ve needed them most. I’ll give you examples of both extremes.
When I opened my first restaurant, The Barn, I recruited a bunch of friends to help clean, repair and paint. I paid everyone with pizza and beer (excellent forms of currency). I vividly remember working on these renovations, sleeping on the floor and creating my first tangible business with my bare hands. It was hard work and probably the most fulfilling time of my life!
Unfortunately, one of my best friends was unwilling to help. I had done countless favors for him and treated him like a brother. He gave me every excuse in the book. It was a sad revelation for me.
On a more positive note, I gained a number of new friends who were extremely generous with their time and resources. They went far beyond anything I would have expected from them. I barely knew these people, and they willingly jumped in to help!
I’m not suggesting that a person who won’t help you isn’t a good friend. Sometimes people just don’t have the time or energy to chip in. I completely understand.
The point I’m trying to make is that there are many unexpected surprises when you pursue a big dream. People will become inspired by your vision and hop on your train, even people you barely know!
Recently, Tom and Pete from Engage Marketing (who I still haven’t met) and Corey from PrintRunner really came through in a big way by printing all of our conference programs over the weekend TWICE! The first print run was flawed, so they ran it a second time on Sunday night, just in time for our conference on Monday. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated their clutch performance!
As you continue on your entrepreneurial journey and work needs to be done, remember that you aren’t alone. Someone will usually be there for you, even if that someone turns out to be a complete stranger.
