AlanSills.com

Greetings from rainy and mild Salt Lake City! Rainy? Sure, in the valleys…but Alta reports 14″ of new snow and its STILL snowing! Now, Alta is only about 35 minutes away, but is about 4500 feet higher (at its base) than the valley…so, what does that mean to me? GREAT SKIING in a couple of days once it stops snowing! Moving on to matters that mean something to you…

Recently I attended perhaps the most powerful training I ever experienced. It has motivated me to create perhaps the most powerful training series I ever developed. I am giving this freely to YOU (although I may pull it in the future and package it as a full course). Right now I have 3 videos done… by the end of today, I expect 6 will be done.

Look for me to introduce 1 each day. Today introduces you to the Chinese Bamboo Tree…and how it relates to our industry. This video like most I create will be brief (around 7 minutes) and to the point – and it makes a point! 

The next lesson in this series can be viewed here…

Learning from  a Master…

The entrance to Little Cottonwood Canyon

Amazing! Stimulating! Awe inspiring!! Just a few thoughts that immediately come to mind as I write this in the Salt Lake Valley. I’m in awe… and it hasn’t even snowed yet! Here is a view from my RV – I see it everytime I walk outside…

Not bad eh? The Wasatch - Alta ahead - just 45 mins.

Days are typically around 40, nights around 20. The RV has great insulation, so, I’m warm and comfy at night; and its easy to go outside in the day. All peaches and cream? Nope. Challenges abound! Just yesterday, I was sitting at my dining room table & I heard the water pump kick on – and NOT stop! What did it mean? Something broke! After shutting off the water pump, I proceeded to search for the source of the problem…found it and FIXED it myself! Not bad eh? The trouble spot? The ONE place the RV is not totally protected from winter’s cold… a small water line that feeds the freezer’s ice maker (yeah, my RV has an ice maker)… (and a fireplace)… go figure, I’m roughing it! But anyway, I replaced the line; and then turned off the water feed to that line (for the winter at least) … since I really don’t need an ice maker! 

Another view of the Salt Lake valley. So… allow me to bring you up to speed on my journey to date – you can see more detail in earlier posts.

• Left Florida on December 3rd – driving a 38 ft. “5th wheel” and a new truck – a home that goes 70 mph! 
• Enjoyed 75 degree weather all the way up to North Carolina; a major cold front (finally) pushed through on Dec 8 and temperatures fell to near freezing – went in for FIRST significant issue (battery not holding charge for a full night – that is a big deal ’cause the furnace, while it runs on propane, DOES have an electric fan and if it doesn’t work… then NO heat!)
• Drove through the Washington, DC beltway MESS
• Encountered a 10 foot clearance overpass… i’m over 12 feet… met angels – I know I’m not alone!
• Attended Daegan’s event at BWI – very powerful; made great contacts; learned a lot – and survived 3 below freezing nights with a non-functioning furnace! (got to 32 INSIDE the RV)
• Drove to JERSEY!!!!!! Got the furnace FIXED (for good) then up to Morris County… back home!
• Spent a week – time w/ friends; hikes; NYC over Christmas week (week before Christmas)
• Dec. 19…started the “Journey Westward”
• Indiana – repairs at the Crossroads factory; visited/lived in Amish country for a couple of days
• Iowa – a couple of days in/near Waterloo – love the heartland
• So. Dakota – Christmas Eve in Mitchell – Candlelight Service; Rapid City – “home base” with Americas Mailbox
• Wyoming – WINDY – saw an 18 wheeler BLOWN OVER… stopped for the night in Rawlins
• UTAH!! Couple of days in Coalville…interesting place THEN onto SLC – 4500 miles in! 

So, that’s the SHORT version…want more detail – read the earlier posts. 

Does your local Starbucks have a view like this?

Downtown Salt Lake City after a 2" snowfall

So much has been going on! I’m here in the SLC Valley. Attended a POWERFUL Send Out Cards “Recruiting Mastery” event; met some great new people there and in the area; and well… to be honest…I’m waiting for the darn SNOW to arrive! Salt Lake City is home to some of the BEST skiing in the world… and I’m only about 45 minutes from Alta. Considering where I grew up, I was 45 minutes from Vernon Valley, NJ, I’d say this is an improvement! However… they need snow, big time!

Anyway, I will have more pics posted soon; a few more stories; and … I want you to know that business is growing on TWO fronts – Send Out Cards changes are powerful…and will impact many many people. Good Life with Hair of the Dog is growing virally. I created two videos recently – one addresses the changes in SOC – you can see it below. The other is a recording of a recent webinar where I detail what you need to do to truly succeed in network marketing (well, its a start… I will be speaking much more on this subject soon, real soon!) You can see the recording of that webinar here - I actually condensed it to 27 minutes so you get “just the meat”!

Ok, for those of you who are even THINKING about Send Out Cards… you should see this ’cause what Kody has done WILL grow his company from UNDER 100 million to NEARLY 1 billion dollars in volume in (most likely) a year or two – possibly less. It is a model that has been proven in the past to work and has been adapted to SOC.

12.31.11 Coalville, Utah (population 1000; elevation 5000 ft)

Wow…it’s been quite a week.  At the age of 53, one would not necessarily think that there are LOTS of new skills to learn…but there most certainly are. I can honestly say I have stepped out of the “suburban” (coffee shop, typical middle class) lifestyle – not that I was *ever* that typical, but this is a whole new realm.

**read all the way through for some powerful info**

Let me take this chronologically (its how my mind works…and I guess others now that FB has implemented ‘timeline’!, plus its easier for me.) I’m going to start with Christmas eve in Mitchell, SD. My drive took me from Cedar Falls, Ia. where I spent a couple of days in a local park; got my phone replaced in Waterloo; enjoyed the first snow covered landscape (about 1” total depth!) and took some time to “walk” mainstreet. *And of course, introduced “Hair of the Dog” to a few local business people in the area.

A view of the heartland... this could easily be anywhere between Indiana and S.D.

Arriving in Mitchell later in the afternoon, I was already feeling poor from a virus I contracted. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was running about a 100 degree fever. Even so, I was determined to attend Christmas Eve services at a local Lutheran Church…inspiring and eye opening. Americans in this part of the nation are a tough breed…you can see it in their eyes and how they quietly worship. It’s not “showy” in any way. Entire families and extended families came out for this service. I stayed as long as my health allowed.

Getting sick on the road is a challenge in and of itself. I’ve been on a schedule to get a few important things done…and could not afford to just stop; crank the furnace to 70 and lay in bed. This was the first fever I have run in probably 10 years, so, I was a bit concerned at the time. I have since beat the virus and only have the “after-effects”. I’m sure you don’t need me to get into details!

Wall Drug - Took a photo (anyway) - read and see why...

Ok, so, onward from Mitchell, leaving early on Christmas day, I discovered just how real the holiday is to “middle America” Americans. Wall Drug – one of the biggest tourist traps in the USA, right up there with South of the Border in SC was CLOSED! Wow, after hundreds of signs for hundreds of miles… I was looking forward towards some cough medicine if nothing else – instead I was greeted to an empty town (there are not many people in SD anyway!) and a locked door to Wall Drug…oh well, not to be deterred, I headed west and about 10 miles west of Wall, at exit 98, I found a “campground” that charged only $5 for the night…there was nothing else around, but as always, there is plenty for me to do inside. Plus…I was still sick! So… some soup, a good nights rest and with God’s help, I healed and was read for travel on 12.26 (Monday) – yet another holiday to Box Elder (Rapid City), SD.

Box Elder (12.26 Monday – 12.28 Wednesday) – Even after staying there, I’m still not sure what “Box Elder” is…the nearest businesses all identify themselves as Rapid City, SD. You can map it and see where I was. Business had to be done here. I met Barbara – owner of Americas Mailbox. Nice woman as is all the staff! Thanks to Dawn and others if you’re reading this. Dawn helped me with my plates (yeah! I have SD plates and a SD license now!) We of course talked a little “Good Life” business – and of course SOC!

Beyond the Americas Mailbox office, I had opportunity to travel around the town – got to FedEx 2x, the DMV (for my license) – twice (yeah, they want confirmation you actually receive mail in the state!) Tyler at Verizon wireless was both helpful and interested in HOD. Many good people in Rapid City. I could see spending more time there at some point. The weather continued to be unusually warm – easy on the propane wallet! But…I did break down and purchase a space heater…one of those things that looks like an old 1950’s style home radiator…kinda cool actually.

The Black Hills - climbing to 7000 ft +

Another view of the Black Hills - evergreen forests - but no skiing

Wednesday (12.28) was time to move on again – traveling through the Black Hills (look at the dirt on my carpet and you know why they call it the black hills!) The Black Hills are actually beautiful. Home to Hill City (met the owner of the Mangey Moose Saloon – and yes, gave him access to HOD). Of course, the Black Hills are best known for Mt. Rushmore – drove near it but not next to it – the road looked too hairy for the RV. I did drive by Crazy Horse – another mountain carving “in the works” since 1948. Yup, that’s not a typo… 1948!  

Crazy Horse - make the pic larger adn look at the stone carving

Crazy Horse - my actual view

I descended out of the Black Hills (wow does this kill gas mileage!!) in the mid-afternoon and reached Wyoming – New Castle – for a late lunch (and a quick stop at a local bar to promote HOD! – they were excited and even bought a few cans off me!) I also had a GREAT bison burger and BAKED fries – perhaps the best I’ve had at Isabella’s (?) just off main street. The hardware store was thrilled to see me park street-side in front of their business! After some time chatting with the people at the café and the bar, it was time to hit the road again and head towards Casper.

Sunset on the high desert

An early morning drive into Casper from New Castle (Wyoming)

Night settled in across the prarie/high desert and the wind picked up… I found a place to gas up and then a rest stop to spend the night (really from 6pm to 6am!) Got a good night’s sleep and then on Thursday (12.29) headed into Casper. I started driving pre-dawn and watched the sun rise over the high desert – magnificent.

Casper is a somewhat depressed town along the edge of some mountains – can’t see what makes it tick…but didn’t spend much time there. Time to park at Wally World, cook breakfast (so windy put down the rear support legs), and then go shopping. Found a bulb that fits one that blew – tried another one before and all that happened was I blew a fuse that not only controlled the light, but also the furnace! Fortunately, fuses were 2 minutes away and I was able to restore the furnace on a night that was in the 20’s (and windy).

A brief stop to enjoy the high desert

The landscape here really is fascinating

Thursday ticked on as I drove west and encountered some good winds. I’m really learning how to pull a 38’ trailer and stay out of trouble…but the biggest test (yet) was coming up soon. From Casper, I headed SW on Wy 220 to 287 – both state roads. On my last leg of the days journey into Rawlins, Wy, I saw a tractor trailer that had been blown over! When I reached Rawlins (only about 1pm), I decided it was not worth trying to get any further west with 40 mph winds and gusts OVER 65mph! The folks at “RV Camperworld” were great, hospitable and confirmed the wisdom of my decision to call it a day from the road!

Dust blowing across the highway in 50+ mph winds - shortly before a tractor trailer blew over

More of the high desert and almost a lunar landscape!

Rawlins, like much of Wyoming is populated with folks who are “just” making it. The town has all you’d expect – a City Market; a few hardware stores and a downtown area with ½ of the stores closed and unoccupied. Even still, the town was immaculately clean and the people were most friendly and helpful. I really like what I see here in this part of America.

After a windy night in Rawlins, it was time to head westward… especially since there is a new ‘high wind warning’ for Saturday for Rawlins and that means if I didn’t leave on Friday, I was not leaving until Sunday!

An approaching cold front and the precursor to todays snow

Get the idea it is OFTEN windy here?!

Just stepped outside (Saturday 12.31) – LOVE the smell in the air when a little (or a lot) of snow has fallen. Just seems to do something to the humidity – even in cold weather – makes it wonderful to breathe and feel live! Its nice and chilly outside – I’m wearing 3 shirts and no jacket – typical for me unless its windy or VERY cold. Right now its about 28… so, its very comfortable (yes, I know those of you in Florida think I’m nuts!)

Ok, back to the story… I left Rawlins yesterday afternoon (Friday 12.30). Drove about 5 hours to get to Coalville. Going for lunch soon – some ice cream/ tex-mex place was recommended to me. I may meet Jesse there – Jesse is an energetic young man whom I met yesterday at the Holiday Hills campground office. A young man with a story to tell and his along with Chandra’s this morning (at the same office as I “re-upped” for another day) make this trip worthwhile. Jesse told me last night about his travels after high school to Hawaii! Amazing how some folks step out of their comfort zone!

Another amazing sunset - here at the Coalville campground

A spring-like evening - 50F after sunset!

So… here we are  – Saturday morning 12.31.11 – new years eve – not really feeling the whole new years thing, but I guess I never really did – its just another evening. Not sure if I will stay here or venture into Park City for at least dinner or something.

My goals at the moment are to get this post up – with LOTS of pics and to get some marketing ready for the new year- including a sales funnel I have in my mind and now need to transfer to pages to “hit the ground running.” I know I’m onto two great companies with products and services in need – now the issue is to get the word out.

IF you stuck with me this far… you deserve to see my post about 2012… go to http://facebook.alansills.com and review my post from 12.30.11 – LOTS of useful and powerful info there. 

All for now,

Al

Have you ever driven through the heartland?

(Watch for messages to you within here! There are many…)

No, I mean really THROUGH the heartland…not on I-80 or I-70…but on a “backroad” like U.S. 30 in Iowa. That is where I am this morning. I’m in a small town (Lowden, Iowa) where the owner of the café I stopped in (the ONLY café in “town”) recently reopened it with the goal of reviving her local economy.

The heartland…fields of grains, corn, wheat, cows (no, they are not grains – yes, I know I’m from Jersey, but even I can tell the difference!)

The heartland – farms, plain homes, largely subsistence living

The heartland – values, ethics, morals…solid people on literally solid ground

I love traveling on these backroads, meeting “real” people and seeing the country from a perspective that you just can’t from the interstates. Farm houses, trucks, farm tire stores, signs to old Indian outposts and much more await the traveler. And of course… good country music playing the background with Alan Jackson or Kenny Chesney reminding us about what is RIGHT with our nation and our people. It is so easy in the city areas to get jaded. I’m so glad I’ve left those regions – perhaps for good.

The weather continues to be “on my side” with the big snows falling to my SOUTH and west. I know Texas and New Mexico got clobbered and now Colorado. I’m on my way to South Dakota and Lord willing the weather will hold up at least until then. It will be darn near a miracle if I get through SD and enter Wyoming and then Utah without hitting at least 1 snowstorm.  This morning was 32, “freezing” yes, cold, not really (I’m still not wearing a coat) and its headed again to near or over 40! NOT typical for this region for Christmas week.

Driving through this region reminds me of what makes us… well… us! We are a simple, honest, straightforward hard working people. When I was a kid and went to Maine for my first time, I saw that in the locals and now I see it everywhere (again – outside of a few regions where I have lived in the past.)

As I travel, I want to connect with people – you, my friends and readers & the locals in each region. Naturally as I pass through, I will share (as the situation allows) something about Hair of the Dog and/or Send Out Cards.

I am heading to a campground in Waterloo, Iowa (isn’t that “radar o’reilly’s home town?? Remember MASH!?) I will overnight there and continue in a day or two up towards Rapid City, SD. I want to close this for now by wishing you and yours the BEST of Christmas’ and that you truly have the peace you deserve. Know why the season exists…some day ask me for my perspective on all this. I have a great story I used to share with my students… and I believe it explains why we celebrate at this time of year rather than at any other time or season.

Al

Update… I arrived at Cedar Falls, Ia. Yesterday afternoon (I wrote the above yesterday morning – 12.22.11) I’m spending 2 nights at a campground on the edge of town. I picked up a replacement Verizon phone yesterday afternoon – so that is one big concern & headache off my mind (and figured out how to pair the replacement to the truck’s “sync” system this morning.) Note – when in doubt, read the manual!

Had another scare with the furnace yesterday…turned it on; no heat. But…this time, I had filled the propane tanks earlier (using about 3.00 propane per day…not bad to heat your home; heat your water and cook food, eh?!) I had not threaded the connector on right… so, I checked that and now all is good. Good thing too… last night’s low was 11 degrees F! But, inside it was a comfortable 60. With heavy covers, no need for more warmth than that.

I took this morning to create and edit a “fireside chat” (see below)…it’s for Good Life, but, you may enjoy it (and heck, you may want to benefit from the products as well!) Then headed off to Cedar Falls “shopping district” – essentially 3 blocks of mid-high end retail with lots of bars on the block as well. If nothing else the guy  who runs the Apple Store and the fellow who owns the bicycle shop know about Hair of the Dog! I printed a few flyers this morning.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I plan an early departure and I’m aiming for Mitchell, SD. I’m going to locate an open campground (not too tough actually) and then someplace with a good Christmas Eve service. Thank God for the Internet!

Ok, have a great day…

Al

Too late for Thanksgiving? Nope, its NEVER too late to express thanks for the gifts and treasures of life.

I’m thankful for the time I had with my Dad before he passed. I still wish I’d done more…but I’m thankful for that time.

I’m thankful for having a brother around who despite lifes challenges maintains a positive and ambitious outlook.

I’m thankful for having friends – many of whom are former students with whom I have developed such deep relationships…you know who you are.

I’m thankful for the angels (Victor & Tim) who were (are?) watching over me – especially that rough afternoon near Baltimore.

I’m thankful for the belief system I was introduced to so many years ago and the sharp-mind I’ve been given to accept it.

I’m thankful for the business ventures I’ve become tied to; I could not ask for better companies with whom to associate and better business associates with whom to build.

I’m thankful for the safe passage granted to me thus far on this journey of a lifetime. I’ve driven from Florida to NJ to Indiana with much more planned and yet to come…and I know I’m not alone.

I’m thankful for the weather holding up – wow – when I first started out on Dec 3 to have unusually tropical air all the way to North Carolina and temperatures in the mid 70’s until Dec 7. And then to have the weather turn colder, but not brutally cold, and as of 12.21, I have yet to encounter any significant snow or ice.

I’m anticipating more adventures as I travel west. I’m looking forward towards introducing the Good Life products (Hair of the Dog; Cardio-Protogen; It’s Amazing and more) to folks who can benefit from their nutritional value and who will profit as they share these products with others. I’m anticipating the Send Out Cards event coming up in Salt Lake City – a great city with great people; a service that just makes sense and the opportunity to build new friendships and business relationships. Oh, and of course, there is kick ass skiing in the SLC region…so, yup, I’m sure I’ll do that as well!

Hey, just a few thoughts…good to take stock every once in a while about our blessings. None of us are alone; even if we may feel that way from time to time. Sometimes one can feel alone in a home full of relatives and not feel alone in the quietest most isolated area. Think about it. Have a great day…and if this moved you… reach out to me however you wish to.

Wow, one week until Christmas and so much has changed…

I woke up in my cozy RV this morning, well rested and comfortable at about 60, while outside it was 19. I slept in until 8:30 – probably the first time in nearly 6 years I’ve done that! After breakfast and personal stuff, I’m listening to Mahalia Jackson…it’s almost like being in church – better in some ways… I didn’t have to travel anywhere!

So, today is my last day in NJ, perhaps for quite a while. Yes, as I follow national and world events, I’m not inclined to stay on the east coast or near any of the big cities….so, off I head to the Midwest; then the Great Plains; and ultimately Salt Lake City (mostly for the SKIING!)

I leave NJ with mixed emotions. I won’t miss the traffic and congestion, but… and this follows up on what I said in my previous post – I feel blessed… I have a good relationship with my brother and I have great friends up here that I will have for my entire life… that includes you Brian, Steven, Darwin, and even you Tino!

Highest Point in Morris County - a nice local hike

Be sure to listen to my video where I talk about meeting two angels who were watching over me – and arrived just in my time of need.

I also feel blessed to have *finally* listened to my brother and started taking Cardio-Protogen. For anyone nearly as ancient as I am (53), it’s a darn good idea to get a great L-argenine formulation (http://leadership4success.com/goodlife - and of course if there’s a way to make a buck…why not?!

I’m also enjoying Hair of the Dog and have found that “it’s amazing” to be a life saver – especially after about 10 miles of walking/hiking in the past 2 days! (see the good life products page to see what it is an why I need it!)

I’ve spent some time thinking about sales funnels. And…I think I’ve found a great approach to use and will work during the Christmas – New Years week to implement so that once 1/1/12 rolls around, I’m going to run some ads and build leads…. I also plan to “co-op” on a “rotator” to my team – so their leads will be exclusive. All I will ask is for them to share in the cost of the advertising…all leads that go to them will be exclusively their leads. Sound fair?

The Manhattan Skyline... inspiring - A Christmas week day in the city

Well, I’m going to make a video now and post this – gotta figure out how to re-connect the truck to the trailer and want to do that in the light of day since I’m pulling out first thing tomorrow. I have to get some batteries in western Pennsylvania and can not miss them during business hours!

Travelin' Man

Carolers in Washington Square Park

Nice way to travel, eh? Fireplace & 42" TV

It has been just over a month since my last post. An unusual gap for me, but my life has completely changed in the past 5 weeks. When I moved to Florida in 2006, I made a commitment to help my Dad through his last stage in his life. When that commitment ended on November 7, I began the process of grieving his loss (he had a great life and is now with the Lord, so, other than missing him, whats to grieve?)

I began the process of closing his affairs and moving on with my own life. In just a few weeks, I have a new “5^th wheel” (see the photos) and a Ford F250 truck. I have traveled from So. Florida to Northern NJ and lived a lifetime along the way. I developed new skills, new confidences,  spent some time with my brother and his 8 dogs, met angels (yes, most definitely angels – more on this soon) and attended a high level internet networking conference with Daegan Smith, clearly one of the most talented marketers in our nation.

Camping in Morris County, NJ

At Daegan’s event, I met some wonderful people, made some new friends, and perhaps some will become business partners in one of my two major projects. I am also feeling better…actually better than I have in quite a while. Yes, I’ve been eating better, but its more than that. I know that the advice my brother has been giving me for the past 3 years was good advice…and me – mr “thickhead” finally acted upon it…and now I’m feeling better – even good most of the time! And yes, that has become my 2^nd project.

So, my biggest challenge is to know where to begin.  I’m going to keep this post relatively brief as I still have lots of things to do – some personal stuff got set aside to handle my Dad’s estate and the travel (I’ve driven about 1700 miles in the past 10 days) has cut into the time I’ve needed to take care of other routine things.

A Hike in the Woods

I will end by sharing this much – look at the photos below. I took a hike yesterday for about an hour. There was snow on the ground and the temperature was right around freezing…and I loved it! I am clearly not a warm weather person! It was nice to commune with nature, be in NJ, if only for a few days (I do plan to get into NYC in the next few days – I love NY at Christmas time!)

I will also encourage you – please do take a look at the reason why I’m feeling better – http://leadership4success.com/goodlife   Be sure to take a look at the cardio products &  hair of the dog… these are “game changers” and I (for the first time) am really behind these nutritionals. Want to know why? Stay tuned…more is coming in this area – I will share my discussions with the owner/developer/manufacturer of these products.

Lastly – my thought is this – when you hear what the past 10 days have been like – you’ll understand why I say this… never give up…always persevere…and believe that you are never alone. If you want to make something happen, believe it CAN and WILL happen…and then watch the magic occur. I’m not often cryptic in my writing, but trust me, the past 10 days have been amazing… more soon.

Truly last thought…I am dedicating 2012 to helping as many folks as possible to achieve their dreams – both big and small as I can. Based upon the past few weeks, I know that that is why I’m here. 

A hike in the woods...

Yes, I still wear sandals - even with snow on the ground! Take that Florida!!

In my dad’s 95+ years, he (as you might suspect) saw quite a bit! One day, a few years ago (after I had moved to Florida to help care for him), I walked into his home that we were now sharing and he was watching a Yankee game. He quipped that one day, when he was 9, he was in attendance at Yankee Stadium (he grew up in the Bronx and later in Brooklyn) and saw Babe Ruth hit two home runs that day at the Stadium! That might help to put into perspective his birth 1916. Do the math,  this happened in 1925!

One might also contemplate that his health throughout his long life was fairly good as he was born before the 1918 “pandemic” and of course, he survived that illness which took so many Americans at that time. That’s why I didn’t worry too much when a few years ago there was a “scare” of a similar event.

A few highlights of his life I want to share with you in this message,  that may hopefully enrich your day as you read this include – in 1938 after enduring the hardships of the Great Depression (his family really had nothing) and, seeing the rise of Hitler in Germany, my dad wanted to enlist to serve our nation. There was only one problem… he was Jewish and had a clearly Jewish last name. The Army would not accept him! Yes, prejudice and intolerance extended well beyond Hitler’s Germany (and in many ways still does today). He changed his name to one that did not sound Jewish, and in 1942 enlisted in the army. He was assigned to lead an all black unit of enlisted men to oversee as an officer – perhaps they figured out that he was Jewish and this was their way of treating him?? I am not suggesting that leading a squadron of black men should be a punishment, but, in those days, it might be how the military operated. Blacks, as you may know at that time were segregated in the Army – thanks to the “wisdom” and insight (actually, intolerance and bigotry) of Woodrow Wilson.  By all accounts, his men and he got along well, I don’t believe he ever lost any under his command and they respected him.

Think entrepreneurism is something new? In the early 1960’s, my dad started his own chemical supply company.  He was raising a family of 3 boys – and we were a handful – and frankly so was my mother! In 1966, he decided to “move up” to a town called Livingston in New Jersey and extended himself to make the move. A jealous colleague insured that my dad lost his job at the same time. So… at the age of about 50, with 3 minor children, a new home that he really had to push to afford and pay off, he found himself jobless! Fortunately, he had the initiative to start a company, one that (without benefit of the Internet which was not to be commercialized for another 27 years), he “hit the road” and built an income – one that provided for him and his family for the rest of his life. (Wonder why I’m soooo strong on becoming an entrepreneur AND helping others to do the same???)

As I graduated from college in 1981, my parents retired to Florida and moved through a number of homes. They had many good years together and even traveled the world. By the late 90’s, my mother was on the decline with Parkinsons. Her passing ended their marriage of 59+ years in 2002 and a career (on the side) of playing duplicate bridge.  (I even found a course he wrote on the subject and used as he trained others in the play of this rather intricate game.)

Despite being in his 80’s at the time, my dad, with a “never quit” attitude cared for her for about 3 years – even carrying her to bed and to the shower as she slowly declined. In the process, he ended up breaking down his body further (he always was a “couch potato!”) This made his final years rough as he was walking with a walker when I came to Florida in 2006 to live with him. From periodic visits since her passing, I saw enough of a decline in 2006 where I knew it was my role to move in with him to help him remain comfortable and dignified in his decline.

His mobility declined in steps as his body slowly failed – and as life has it, alzheimers stole all but his most consistent memories. To his passing day, he remembered who I and my brother are.  Even with his limitations, he served as Secretary to his condo association until 2009.

My belief system comforts me to know where he is and that he is no longer in pain or affirmed by a failing, mortal body. I know that someday I and my brother will see him again. At his funeral, the rabbi said we are accorded “3 score plus 10”, meaning 70 years, he lived 25 years beyond that, a testimony to the good he did during his first 70 years. However it happened, I’m certain he did lots of good and was always thought of highly by his peers.

He was not perfect – no man is. He had much to give and as he could, gave freely. I learned from him and I know my brother did as well.

Having read this, you perhaps have gained insight into my dad’s life, but also into that of mine and my brothers and you perhaps understand why we are both entrepreneurs AND why we have little regard for excuse makers, whiners, and cry babies.

In my “line of work”, I am always looking for leaders or developing people who wish to become leaders. The others can fall by the wayside…that is just who they are and frankly, life is too short and precious to worry about those who will not take action to help themselves.

For those who DO wish to grow, develop and build business (preferably WITH me!), I welcome you and look forward towards building mutually profitable relationships with you. THAT is why you hear from me as often as you do! The cream always rises to the top – and that’s what I’m looking for – the cream of the crop!

And for those who took the time to read this, I hope you’ve been blessed and at least enriched by it. Feel free to email/call/text me and ask me whatever, including sharing more stories of what I learned or what my dad experienced for the better part of the past CENTURY.

As I build business into this holiday season and in preparation for the economic winter I believe is just months or a few years off…I will be helping those working with me to grow and thinking of both my dad and Him in whom I trust and believe.

Alan Sills

11.13.11