Scruffy Sam the Entrepreneur
Scruffy Sam the Entrepreneur
He asked about mowing the yard again and said, “I don’t know. Maybe two or three weeks.” I then forgot about the yard, but Sam didn’t forget. He would stop by about the time I suggested and mow. As we got used to each other I would either leave money in an envelope inside our storm porch or if I didn’t have cash when he came I would get the cash and leave it in the same place.
As time went on Sam would ask, “When do you want the grass cut again?” I would suggest an exact a day and in one of those little free daily planners that many businesses give out to their customers Sam would write down the date to mow our lawn. If Sam couldn’t keep the appointment, he would call to rebook. If he was running late, he would call to let us know he was running late.
One day our mower disappeared. It appeared the next time Sam mowed the lawn. This didn’t really bother me. As long as I knew where it was, I knew it would return. Sometimes we even have two mowers . . . I just laugh.
My wife and I had a big party anniversary party planned in August. All family and friends were invited. Sam was invited. He asked if he could “work” at the party instead. He was a lifesaver at the party. He was everywhere. He made sure people had something to drink, whether it was punch, wine, or beer. Sam was constantly checking on people to see if they were hungry and would escort our friends over to the barbeque area where they could order hamburgers or hotdogs. He was everywhere. He greeted the entertainers and helped then with their equipment and any setting up they needed. People began asking about Sam and how nice we were to hire the homeless. We had never realized.
As the party neared the end of an eight hour run, I gave a check to Sam for two hundred dollars. He worked hard and he deserved it. Also, since he left at the end of the party, we sent a six-pack and leftover food with him in an extra duffle bag we had. Sam got a ride home with two of our close friends. Several days later we saw those friends. The four of us were on our way to a movie. They told us a story and returned our check.
Sam stayed across town underneath a bridge. He wanted to cash the check at a nearby grocery store, but was refused. He didn’t have two pieces of ID. My friends found an ATM and gave him his money in exchange for the check. He divided the money up into smaller combinations and placed the bills in his sock, a jean pocket, a shirt pocket, and a coat pocket and god knows where else . . . just in case he was robbed. The check came back to us as an anniversary present from our friends.
Sam is a hard worker and has been cleaning up his act since day one. He no longer has a beard and his clothes are presentable. As part of the county’s housing program Sam has a small apartment. He joined us for Thanksgiving. We sent home leftovers for friends and family, so of course we had sandwich bags of ham, turkey, potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, and punch for him. All the food was packed away in our duffle bag. Before he left, Sam thanked us and set up a date to mow one last time for the winter. He also left a phone number where he could be reached.
Sam has been a model entrepreneur and businessman throughout the time I have known him. He offers a service. He provides great customer service and communication. He always keeps his word, shows up for his appointments, and shows his appreciation for the jobs I give him. I wish everyone I do business with, was as nice and as hard working as Sam.
Scruffy Sam the Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit Don Doman's Website.
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I used to call him Scruffy Sam. He looked like he just got through with a hard day’s work. He was a little dirty and his beard was all over his face and wild. He came to our door and asked if we needed our lawn mowed. We did. I don’t remember if he used our mower or brought his own, but he did a good job.
He asked about mowing the yard again and said, “I don’t know. Maybe two or three weeks.” I then forgot about the yard, but Sam didn’t forget. He would stop by about the time I suggested and mow. As we got used to each other I would either leave money in an envelope inside our storm porch or if I didn’t have cash when he came I would get the cash and leave it in the same place.
As time went on Sam would ask, “When do you want the grass cut again?” I would suggest an exact a day and in one of those little free daily planners that many businesses give out to their customers Sam would write down the date to mow our lawn. If Sam couldn’t keep the appointment, he would call to rebook. If he was running late, he would call to let us know he was running late.
One day our mower disappeared. It appeared the next time Sam mowed the lawn. This didn’t really bother me. As long as I knew where it was, I knew it would return. Sometimes we even have two mowers . . . I just laugh.
My wife and I had a big party anniversary party planned in August. All family and friends were invited. Sam was invited. He asked if he could “work” at the party instead. He was a lifesaver at the party. He was everywhere. He made sure people had something to drink, whether it was punch, wine, or beer. Sam was constantly checking on people to see if they were hungry and would escort our friends over to the barbeque area where they could order hamburgers or hotdogs. He was everywhere. He greeted the entertainers and helped then with their equipment and any setting up they needed. People began asking about Sam and how nice we were to hire the homeless. We had never realized.
As the party neared the end of an eight hour run, I gave a check to Sam for two hundred dollars. He worked hard and he deserved it. Also, since he left at the end of the party, we sent a six-pack and leftover food with him in an extra duffle bag we had. Sam got a ride home with two of our close friends. Several days later we saw those friends. The four of us were on our way to a movie. They told us a story and returned our check.
Sam stayed across town underneath a bridge. He wanted to cash the check at a nearby grocery store, but was refused. He didn’t have two pieces of ID. My friends found an ATM and gave him his money in exchange for the check. He divided the money up into smaller combinations and placed the bills in his sock, a jean pocket, a shirt pocket, and a coat pocket and god knows where else . . . just in case he was robbed. The check came back to us as an anniversary present from our friends.
Sam is a hard worker and has been cleaning up his act since day one. He no longer has a beard and his clothes are presentable. As part of the county’s housing program Sam has a small apartment. He joined us for Thanksgiving. We sent home leftovers for friends and family, so of course we had sandwich bags of ham, turkey, potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, and punch for him. All the food was packed away in our duffle bag. Before he left, Sam thanked us and set up a date to mow one last time for the winter. He also left a phone number where he could be reached.
Sam has been a model entrepreneur and businessman throughout the time I have known him. He offers a service. He provides great customer service and communication. He always keeps his word, shows up for his appointments, and shows his appreciation for the jobs I give him. I wish everyone I do business with, was as nice and as hard working as Sam.
Scruffy Sam the Entrepreneur - To learn more about this author, visit Don Doman's Website.
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
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Jay Kubassek(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek) In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.
As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)
Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper. Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website |
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