This is a question I find myself asking a lot lately. As I created my resume a little over a month ago I used my current job and my previous job at the Sheriff’s Department for my employment history; I intentionally left the Lazy Susan off. Somehow it represented failure and embarrassment.
A couple of weeks ago, one of the many jobs for which I have applied had a requirement that caused me to pause; I needed experience with profit and loss statements. I have a lot of experience with profit and loss statements; however, the only way for me to show this experience is to list my ownership and development of the Lazy Susan.
It was around that same time frame that I received a comment on my post about job hunting from PJ; he said if I ever wanted to come to California he would hire me in a heartbeat. With some follow up emails I realized he was quite serious and has an awesome paying job I could have (we want to stay in Missouri for now if at all possible).
Last night I was trying to figure out what new restaurant developments were going up in Springfield or Branson; I really want to be a managing partner for a Texas Roadhouse and was hoping they are building another location in the area. Only one person comes to mind when I think of restaurants in Branson, so I emailed my old friend and General Manager of the Lazy Susan, Brad Moncado.
This morning I had an email back from Brad. After giving me a good update of some things going on and some places to check for the future; he ended the email with this:
It is amazing the impact we had with the development of the Lazy Susan. I still get people asking me about it.
(He also wanted me to let you know his house is for sale.)
As I thought about this more and more I realized it was truly amazing what we accomplished. After literally years of looking for a location and fine tuning what the Lazy Susan was going to be exactly; in seven months we built it from the ground up and opened the doors on what potentially could have been an extremely profitable concept. Sure we made some mistakes, and yes some things could have been better; but we did it and we eventually did it right.
Debt forced us to open our doors too quickly and ultimately to close them in the same manner. If I could have afforded to be there every hour it was open, and not have to work my day job, it could have been better. Had I not been mobilized I could have laid off my management staff and kept it open. The bottom line; however, is by doing it the way we did it and with everything that happened it has brought me to where I am now. Amy would not be in the Chaplaincy program, and I would not be heading for the Financial Counseling ministry if it would have turned out different.
I had a dream of owning a chain of restaurants with a concept I created. I did what all those people who have laughed at my failure will never do; I pursued my dream. I put everything on the line to make my dream happen and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. While those Monday morning quarterbacks joke about my failure, I sit here now at total peace knowing the Lazy Susan was an absolute success!
I have no doubt God has you and Amy right where He wants/needs you. You guys are an inspiration paying back that kind of debt most everyone else would walk away from. Amy’s sermon video on debt was awesome. She will be an awesome chaplain. You both achieved what some of us only dream of doing and never quite put into action. I am a few weeks away from finishing my business management degree. I have no clue about starting/building a business like you two did.
The Lazy Susan had an impact on those of us who read your blog and pass it along to others. Whether it’s thought of in the success or failure department, I would guess that the majority of us are in the “I wish I had the guts to do that” department.
Comment by Helene — October 5, 2007 @ 12:29 am
I never got to eat there, so I can’t speak from first hand experience about The Lazy Susan. But I do keep up with you and your family through this blog and gentlewhisper.com so I can definitely say that if The Lazy Susan is responsible for shaping you into the people you are then there is no way it will ever be a mistake.
Comment by roseykrh — October 5, 2007 @ 4:15 am
You never cease to amaze me. Makes me wonder if I have the courage to chase a dream!
Comment by Chief — October 5, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Joel:
As I told you, the offer stands! ANYTIME you ever consider moving out west, call me. We have a place for you!
That said, FANTASTIC POST! I know exactly what you’re talking about, having lived my dream of business ownership (and having, also, stood on the deck of that sinking ship, listening to the music play as we went down for the last time). And, while I wish it wouldn’t have ended the way it ended, I would do it all over again-even knowing the ending!
You see, Joel: you’ve got it; you’ll make it! The willingness to step out and live your dream, in the face of adversity? And then to hold your head up, move on, and not tuck tail when it doesn’t play out exactly as planned? THAT’S a successful person! And I’ll promise you: your experience will prove a steppingstone to future achievements!
Comment by PJ — October 5, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Thanks everyone!
Comment by Joel — October 5, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
I think Donald Trump may have failed once or twice, and be considered successful even to this day. Unlike you, he to the easy way out and declared bankruptcy.
Comment by triple-e — October 6, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
Pursuing dreams sometimes involves tough and wandering roads. As they say - when a door closes, a window opens. Your door was the restaurant, and you have opened your eyes to a new dream. It’s definitely worth being proud of what you’ve accomplished and learned.
Comment by Barb — October 7, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
Never say never again. I did go back. And it worked. Everything I’d discovered NOT TO DO, I didn’t.
Everything I’d discovered TO DO, I did.
The weird thing is, because many people (including you and the important people around you) associate the Lazy Susan with failure, it becomes that.
The fact is, it wasn’t. And you know why.
It was a success. But going back there is difficult. You have a battle to win still.
And it’s one I’m sure you will.
I suspect whatever you do will be successful. People learn from mistakes. And while many will call the Lazy Susan a mistake, I for one, will not.
The lessons reached far further than the closure. In the same situation with what you know now, you would know exactly what to do.
This experience will make you a valuable commodity.
And while I would hesitate to suggest starting again should be a next step, I would still not rule out that dream - you may one day be in a position where you can pursue it again - but this time you will know how to avoid the perils and ensure it’s a success straight away.
My prayers are with you.
Comment by Ian — October 8, 2007 @ 1:09 am
Hi Joel;
How does one really define success? Success means different things to different people. There are millionairs and even billionairs who claim to be successful and who no doubt the world would call them successful. Yet, with all they have, most of them are really not a success. Yes, moneywise they are, but iside they are just empty shells, miserable, no peace, no joy.
They think they have the world by the tail, and they may be right. The tail as you know always comes at the rear, not the head. Or they say they have the bull by the horns, but in both cases they have to hang on tightly for fear of losing their grip and possibly losing everything.
But even though you lost a business, it only becomes a failure when you lose your dream and give up. All you have done is have a business setback. We all go through setbacks in life. Some more severe then others. But it is how one handles those setbacks that counts. If every inventor gave up after the first setback we would still be in the dark ages.
Look at Abraham Lincoln, he lost election after election for years, and then he won and became one of the best presidents in the nation.
So success really is determination and perseverance and the desire to give something back to the world in light of adversity. And not many people have that. Most people who are so-called successes have and are in it not to give back but to take out all they can from the world. True success comes from something deeper then money, it is embedded in the spirit of the person who has committed him/herself to the way of the Lord. After all, it was God who said ‘…it is I who teaches you to profit’, and ‘…if you obey all my commands then you shall be prosporous, then you shall have good success’.
You have gone through a setback and it has made you a better person for it. You have not given up and so you have not failed. The best is yet to come. Just leave the future in your Fathers hands, staying commited to his word and the outcome will be beyond your wildest dreams.
Take care and God bless.
Thom
Comment by Thom Currie — October 9, 2007 @ 1:29 am