How to Beat a Recession - Success Lessons From the Past
During the Great Depression of the 1930's, jobs were scarce and people were lucky to make a dollar a day.
A new car cost $800.
Morris, a guy in his early twenties, had an eighth-grade education, but made over $200 a week; that's over $7000 in today's dollars.
How did he do it and what can we learn from this to make us successful today? There was a laundry/dry-cleaning plant in the town where Morris lived.
The owner needed more business, so he offered Morris a deal.
"You go out and solicit cleaning and laundry; bring it in and tag it.
I'll charge you half of the regular price.
You charge regular price and keep the difference.
You pay all of your own expenses.
" The plant owner offered the same deal to many people, but most turned him down.
People wanted a salary, a guarantee, expenses or a car.
After all, "Why should I risk my own car and gas money to help someone else's business?" Morris took the deal.
He recognized this as a chance to have his own business without any sizeable investment.
He had a car and a few bucks for gas.
Morris created a laundry/dry-cleaning pickup and delivery business in a rural area outside the town, by driving up and down country roads knocking on doors.
He discovered that even in a serious depression, many farm people could come up with a dollar to have a clean suit or dress for church on Sunday.
He also discovered, in a nearby town, a house of ill repute that always had a load of sheets on Monday mornings.
I guess some people could find a dollar for other things too.
The cleaning plant got extra business, the customers got excellent service and Morris made a good living.
Now there are several valuable business success lessons to be learned here; success lessons that you can use in today's high-tech world.
A new car cost $800.
Morris, a guy in his early twenties, had an eighth-grade education, but made over $200 a week; that's over $7000 in today's dollars.
How did he do it and what can we learn from this to make us successful today? There was a laundry/dry-cleaning plant in the town where Morris lived.
The owner needed more business, so he offered Morris a deal.
"You go out and solicit cleaning and laundry; bring it in and tag it.
I'll charge you half of the regular price.
You charge regular price and keep the difference.
You pay all of your own expenses.
" The plant owner offered the same deal to many people, but most turned him down.
People wanted a salary, a guarantee, expenses or a car.
After all, "Why should I risk my own car and gas money to help someone else's business?" Morris took the deal.
He recognized this as a chance to have his own business without any sizeable investment.
He had a car and a few bucks for gas.
Morris created a laundry/dry-cleaning pickup and delivery business in a rural area outside the town, by driving up and down country roads knocking on doors.
He discovered that even in a serious depression, many farm people could come up with a dollar to have a clean suit or dress for church on Sunday.
He also discovered, in a nearby town, a house of ill repute that always had a load of sheets on Monday mornings.
I guess some people could find a dollar for other things too.
The cleaning plant got extra business, the customers got excellent service and Morris made a good living.
Now there are several valuable business success lessons to be learned here; success lessons that you can use in today's high-tech world.
- You can create your own business from selling someone else's products or services.
- Two businesses working together can be more successful than two businesses working apart.
- It is OK to help someone else succeed.
- Risk taking can be rewarding.
- Having knowledge can reduce your risk and increase your chances of success.
In this case, Morris was familiar with those back roads from a previous job. - Having your own business requires some type of investment, usually some combination of time, money and knowledge.
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