Lessons from My Dad

My dad was an entrepreneur at heart. He was one of those people who not only had a vision, but was exceptional at making it happen. There are so many words that come to mind when I think of him: resourceful, feisty, fun-loving, passionate about making a difference, and hard-headed. And I was in awe of how much he adored my mom; they had an incredible love affair for sixty years.

My dad focused on taking risks that enriched our lives and made our business and careers much more rewarding. He had many “sayings”; the ones I’m sharing here have stayed with me, and I’ve embraced them all. To this day, my dad, at age ninety-seven, still inspires me with great thoughts and kind words; he has a ton of love to give and spoils us all with his generosity.

• Think BIG. It takes just as much time to develop a big idea as a small idea.

• Always keep your foot on first base.
• Your health, your family, and a job you enjoy: THAT is what life is all about.
• You can’t grow by sitting in an office. Get out there and help. 
• Open your home, open your heart. Share and be kind. 
• The harder you work the luckier you get.
• Family takes care of family—even when it drives you nuts.
• You have to speculate to accumulate. (A statement credited to P. G. Wodehouse.)
• You can do anything you put your mind to (girls can too!).
• Read, Read, Read.
• Playing with your grandkids (and great-grandkids) is way more fun than giving them M&M’s.
• Take time out to play.
• Making money is nice but it’s not why you work: you work to build something you can be proud of.
• There is no place better EVER than America.
• Sometimes you just have to fight. You might be small (our company) but don’t let the big guys push you around.
• The lawyers are not always right. Get their opinions, but business people should run the business.
• A positive attitude is a powerful tool and winners will make it happen (losers let it happen).