Do you have a real job?
09-28-2018, 03:31 PM
#241
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Mid-Atlantic (on land, not in the middle of the ocean)
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Something I happened to read today:
"You work that you may keep peace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession."
- Kahlil Gibran
If you generally like your job, I think this is a true statement.
"You work that you may keep peace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession."
- Kahlil Gibran
If you generally like your job, I think this is a true statement.
09-29-2018, 12:42 AM
#244
Ping me when you are ready to start IPO convo!
09-29-2018, 02:10 AM
#245
so many humble RLers, let's keep it that way 
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
The following 3 users liked this post by iczer34:
09-29-2018, 06:02 PM
#246
That’s an awesome story, and “thank you” for sharing it. Some people are lucky, no doubt. Good for them. Others have worked theirs butts off, and some still do. One thing we all have in common is our appreciation of fine cars.
Enjoy what you have folks, life is short.
Enjoy what you have folks, life is short.
09-29-2018, 07:05 PM
#247
Originally Posted by iczer34
so many humble RLers, let's keep it that way
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
09-29-2018, 07:17 PM
#248
I’ve never shared that story publicly. Local business publications have asked but I’m not quite ready for that audience lol
09-30-2018, 12:55 AM
#250
so many humble RLers, let's keep it that way
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
short autobiography here...(if you care to read, it's quite personal and long)
I emigrated to the US when I was 3 mos. old. My parents worked long days and nights (16-18 hours a day) trying to attain the 'american dream.' My siblings and I grew up as latchkey kids ~ lots of tv and self-made meals. My parents scraped and saved enough to open a restaurant but after a couple of years it ultimately failed. They then ventured into the electronics manufacturing industry working the production line. The industry was booming in the late 80s and early 90s, which lead to many subcontracting opportunities ('garage operations'). They again scraped and saved to open their own EMS company. They bought equipment and hired up to 25 ppl. They were doing well, bought their first home and living the 'american dream.'
Meanwhile, I had just graduated with an accounting/finance degree from a local no-name university. Lived at home, paid rent and tuition as my parents' money was tied up in the business. It was a commuter school, so I worked as much as i studied. Got fortunate with internships at Apple, Intuit (chose it over Google!), and Ernst and Young. Made the most of my opportunities and also had many great mentors along the way. I was heavily recruited by all the big accounting firms, chose one and got paid well.
Then the economy collapsed in the early 2000s. I got a call from my parents. They were days away from their company filing bankruptcy. They were served lawsuits from equipment lessors. They couldn't make payroll. They were months behind on mortgage. Their american dream was fading.
I had a duty to the family, so i quit my job. I picked up the phones, called each and every lender, supplier, employee and the landlord. Restructured loans, created payment plans, borrowed money from friends/family (at high interest rates) just to make payroll. I was making commitments that I didn't know if i could keep. All i did was buy time.
I went through the customer address book and called/visited each and every one. I literally begged for business. We quoted jobs to break-even. Whatever jobs we got, the family and remaining employees worked hard. We maxed out our credit cards to support the business. Deeper and deeper in debt we got. I was getting paid $0 and collecting EDD to get by. This lasted for months and months. No breaks, no vacations. Every purchase order we received was like winning the lottery. The economy improved, customers began increasing their orders and referring us more business ~ they remembered our dedication. Our business grew, we started to become profitable. I made good on all of my commitments - loans were paid with interest...and i finally got a salary.
Today, we've grown the company many, many times over. My parents (close to retirement) still work the line. We have over 100 employees, many of them loyal since the dark times. I'll never forget their contributions.
I'm now the CEO. I make a decent living. I'm humble.
But there is one thing that irks me until this day. Those who don't know my story, thinks i've been put in this position due to nepotism. I don't correct them. I know my truth.
I appreciate every minute and every mile behind the wheel of my Porsche.
09-30-2018, 12:26 PM
#251
Rennlist Member
my Good life
After yrs in corporate real estate segued into my own development company 20 yrs ago with my dad when he sold his business. Have 30 employees 3 keys that run day to day and over the last few yrs work 1-2 days a week with a lot of leisure travel. Thank you to my smart phone as portable office. At least 1 day per week is for me usually at the track on season as weekends are for family. No inheritance yet and in no rush as my 90 yr old mom is thankfully still above ground, active and healthy. On the way to fulfilling life goals of taking care of my family, having fun along the way, doing some good deeds and dying in obscurity.
09-30-2018, 04:57 PM
#252
Drifting
^ lots of great reading
My dad told me when I was 12 and had my first newspaper route...”The harder you work, the luckier you get”
That’s 50yrs ago and it’s still my ethos.
My dad told me when I was 12 and had my first newspaper route...”The harder you work, the luckier you get”
That’s 50yrs ago and it’s still my ethos.
The following users liked this post:
paddlefoot64 (10-15-2020)
04-04-2019, 12:10 PM
#254
Drifting
Mid 30s, advertising copywriter (freelance). Been doing that for 7+ years.
Although not my dream job, which would be as a unit stills photog on movie/TV sets. But it's "protected" by a union, so there's no real way to get in.
Although not my dream job, which would be as a unit stills photog on movie/TV sets. But it's "protected" by a union, so there's no real way to get in.
04-04-2019, 12:25 PM
#255
Rennlist Member
Former C-level executive in salon industry for last 20 years with manufacturers like Redken, Wella, Proctor and Gamble, Helene Curtis, Kao Brands, Nioxin..........retired on my own accord at 52 for 3 months and at 55 for 4 years........ and now retired for real.....65 this year.........corporate route was great.......also earned some equity three times, without owning a business and the 24/7 worries.......and I definitely enjoyed my car allowances I was able to set and the expense accounts/travel free of charge........
) happy and healthy.......
) happy and healthy.......
The following users liked this post:
paddlefoot64 (10-15-2020)