First of all, I must say that it felt really great to come up for air this weekend.
I had very few plans on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and that allowed me to accomplish a bunch of tasks that will re-center me going into a travel spree.
This weekend also allowed me the time to digest just how awesome last week’s Tavern Tour IV was. Being fortunate enough to take the pro’s from our club on a golf trip together meant so much to me.
These guys are flat out AWESOME, and every minute I’m with them brings me joy. I get to relive my years in the golf industry with guys that are real veterans.
I just want to thank Paul, Jeremy, and Mark again for sharing their time with me.
To add to that, I believe their energy was what helped me put together a great score on Sunday.
I’ve been putting the time in, as often as possible, to get to the next level in golf. From tee to green, I am really humming. My short game is still a bit in my head (now it’s putting), but I’m spending the time and effort to center myself so I can perform.
This course allowed me to overpower it and go around my short game woes. I didn’t have to chip because I hit the ball so well tee to green.
When I digested the round, that was the part that humbled me.
It wasn’t that my putting or chipping came back; it’s that I flat out overpowered and outmaneuvered the course… Just like David Mclay Kidd would have wanted lol.
Again, I’m so grateful. Almost brought me to tears knowing how long it’s been since I went well under par.
On the business side, I had fun this week. I really enjoyed having fun this week.
We still have a TON of unknowns with one of the manufacturers (25% of our business), but we have other ones that are having discussions with us and have agreed to a pilot.
I had four of our best guys on an important call with the manufacturer (giving us the pilot), and I must say, the passion in their eyes is something I will never forget.
They want their shot in the big arena, and they’re gonna get it.
I’m damn glad to be next to them in that arena. I can tell you that much.
I ended the week playing golf with my business partner, Chris, and had a great time. The conversations we have are always progressive, challenging, and enlightening.
When you have friends that challenge you deeply on a regular basis, keep them close.
Keep them incredibly close and do not let go. They are much of the reason you will grow, especially as they get closer to you and can see through the bullshit you tell yourself and others.
Fountain Forward signed its next salesperson, which now makes that team three deep.
We need it because I’ve allowed us to fall behind in our dealership growth. I can say this candidly: I’m disappointed in myself.
With that said, I did what I needed to do. Get back to work and get back to hiring!
It’s amazing when I look back at how big we got before even having a sales team. Everyone I speak to tells me it makes no sense that we grew anywhere near our size without a 3-4 person department.
But we did, and now I get to see what happens when we have three people and me training them. I’m focused on spending a lot of time with them, and so far they’ve been very teachable.
In my opinion, I’ve never been a great teacher. I’ve heard some people give me good feedback, but I’ve never felt that confident.
I feel I do a great job in-person (role playing for example), but sitting on training calls each day is something that bores the hell out of me.
I’m looking forward to the challenge. If the sales team doesn’t perform, it’s either bad personnel or shitting training.
I’m confident I’ll get them ready to go because they’re great hires in my opinion.
It’s a week on the road headed to Dallas/Fort Worth and then Park City. A little bit of work and a little bit of fun.
Outside of Fountain Forward, there are some fun projects turning the page. One of my apartments is listed for sale with my partner JC as the hero in this transaction.
Guy put in countless hours and essentially all his savings on the line for this small property and came out with a 400% return on his money in just over three years.
That’s the dream, baby!
Doing business with my friends and making money while doing it.
To close the week, I’m inspired by a conversation with my gf, Elizabeth. She and I are working really hard on our communication and approaching each conversation as love.
On Thursday evening, we found what I believe to be our next level of communication, trust, and most importantly, love.
She asked some great questions and took my hand in a very deep and impactful conversation. She dug deep for us but, most importantly, for herself.
That ties directly to a quote from Rex over a year ago. She asked Rex what she could do to best support me, and he answered…
“Work on yourself. Take care of yourself.”
That set the tone for the weekend, which I spent mostly with her.
I’m so grateful for her hard work, dedication, and love.
May God inspire us both to continue leading with love on our journey together.
I’m hopeful this week. I feel inspired by opportunity, insight, and enlightenment.
Chin up, shoulders back.
– SJ