Last week was an odd but fulfilling week. I was coming off the Chaldean Open in Michigan, and while I needed to get a lot of rest, I struggled to do so.
Fountain Forward’s sales director, Brian, came to town right away on Monday. We had a great afternoon of hard work and training, and then got into some deeper conversations about where we need to go in the sales department.
We’re adding to the sales team to help support Brian and test out his skills in leadership. The prep work and hard discussions were exactly what we needed with the incoming hire(s).
A candid note regarding my first time growing a sales team:
In sales, results are what matter. The outcome is what matters. I don’t care if you’re using your style of sales strategy as long as you hit your numbers. If you don’t, and I give you advice and you don’t want to implement it, shame on you.
His improvement has been fun to be a part of, and the sky is the limit. GO TIME!
The rest of the week included a 600-mile day trip to Central Texas to see a couple of clients we are deepening relationships with. It was a long day, starting at 4:30 AM and finishing at 10:00 PM, but the conversations and lessons were worth it.
During the final hours of the trip, we met a guy named Michael Murray. Michael was 77 years old, was autistic (he highlighted the fact that he was in an incredibly endearing way), and loved some Rum and Coke. NOT A CUBA LIBRE!
Rum and Coke.
He discussed the things he has seen in the last 77 years. From racism to love, wars, to running a bike shop in Austin. We covered it.
He was incredibly self-aware and great to be around. His “tick” was, in so many ways, endearing.
When he said, “I’m in shape, I’m autistic, and I like to have a good time,” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Listening to Michael nearly brought me to tears at one point. I could tell that Michael was in search of something in his life and maybe telling his stories at a local bar fulfilled his purpose. I don’t know, but I was damn glad to listen, and you bet your ass I’m going back to that bar when we’re in town in hopes of seeing him.
Michael, you’ll never see this, but if you did… Thanks for being you!
The week finished with a little golf round with my old friend, Stephen Croxson. He was one of the first guys I played golf with at BraeBurn CC, and we’ve developed a fruitful relationship over the years. What stuck out to me most this weekend was the embraces with that Saturday morning golf group. All of them were hugs. All of them had great energy.
Everyone was just glad to be a part of it.
That’s what hit me. Being a part of something pure. Pure love.
One of the guys in the group, Randy, was especially fun to play with on Saturday. We know each other and have played a few times, but Saturday was different. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy playing golf with Randy, but we “leveled up” connection-wise on Saturday. I felt like I knew him differently, and I enjoyed rooting him on more than previously.
Maybe Randy felt the same way the whole time, and this was really me opening myself up to see/understand Randy more. Not sure… But…
What mattered most in that moment was that I was in control of the lens I saw Randy through, and I changed that lens.
Sunday gave me a day of catching up and spending time with Elizabeth. I very much enjoy taking care of the things I have worked so hard to acquire (such as my home, vehicle, etc). I was able to nurture those things (and relationships) on Sunday.
This week is another week of getting caught up while in Houston. I have the ability to push a lot of projects forward with multiple companies. I’m very excited about it.
Special shoutout to THREE YEARS of Accounting Labs. My business partner, Emiliano, has had his best year yet and has learned to build a business.
He is now adding 2-4 clients per month with a target of 40 by the end of the year. He has built a team of great people who want to be there for this journey and that’s his biggest accomplishment if you ask me.
God willing, we’ll have many more, sir!
Chin up, shoulders back.
– SJ