A Tribute to the Survivors
By Anthony Totta, Grow My Profits, Member of FreshXperts
My hat goes off to those entrepreneurs who are finding a way in these lean mean competitive times to survive. As I look back at those hard working, small to medium size business owners, whom I have met throughout my life, I am amazed at their drive, tenacity, creativity, persistence, and motivation to keep on despite the odds and despite the opposition.
These entrepreneurial risk takers who start businesses delivering products or services with passion and pride, fight endlessly to be more efficient as their margins are squeezed from competition. The North American landscape has always been "the land of the free and the home of the brave" abounding in opportunity for those who are willing to chase a dream with hard work and strong wills.
Growing up a third generation American of Italian decent, I did not fully realize the character and sacrifice of my father and grandfathers. Once, I was critical of the harshness in business owners, even in my own family. Then at 39, having worked for family businesses all of my life, I launched out and started my own. Did someone say "trial by fire"? It was easy to be critical and ungrateful, until I did it myself. It is amazing to me what you can learn at the "school of hard knocks". It was then; I realized what an awesome heritage I had.
My aunt and uncle had an Italian restaurant. Another aunt and uncle owned a chili parlor. My Dad had a grocery store and my grandfather (mothers Dad) started the grocery store along with a wholesale tobacco and candy business. The other grandfather (my father's Dad) was an ice man delivering ice home by home for the "ice-a-box-i-za" (refrigerators).
These folks poured their entire beings into their businesses recruiting their wives and children into the process. Those wives in particular played a key role in their husband's success. They became women of tremendous character and in the process gained the respect of everyone around them especially their children.
Many of you can relate to these stories as you probably are a descendant of an immigrant. Some of you like me have entrepreneurial blood flowing through your veins. You have become survivors.
I recently had the privilege of attending a clients company Christmas party. Their party not only included the family farm-shareholders, but those shareholders brought their parents, children, spouses, and grandchildren. To my pleasant surprise, many of them had first generation immigrant entrepreneur parents at the party. They displayed the pride and presence that is the fruit of their accomplishments. Looking squarely into my eyes as they greeted me they would say "Merry-Chris-si-missa" with a bright smile and warm handshake. At that moment, I had flashbacks of my grandfathers with found warm feelings.
What a blessing it is for me to have the privilege of working with growers. It is these kinds of experiences that lead us to start our consultancy, Grow My Profits. Our motto is "maximizing producer's returns" because it is our passion to assist these family businesses as they continue to be survivors.