I Let Myself Down and Learned a Lesson!

On October 12, 1974 I opened my own business. Due to circumstances I split with my business and 'life' partner. I had been the 'front man' in the business and he took care of all the economics involved. For 8 years I had been a "STAR"--a big fish in a small pond. And I was good at what I did--selling the product. When we split I opened my own business for 3 reasons: the first was that I didn't want to leave Memphis and unless you were black and/or a female you didn't work as a waiter (things have changed since then!) and the second was that I was very good at what I did but the 3rd reason was a stupid one--revenge!!

I had a big following, as did the women who came into the business with me. We took off like gangbusters, better than I had even anticipated but I made a few mistakes. The first was opening too many locations, too fast and without a plan. The second was that I was a lousy boss who didn't understand the business of business. If I gave one person a raise I gave everybody a raise. I didn't keep an emergency fund and I didn't compare income with outgo. I, also, was mired in lawsuits with the ex--again showing his smarts--he knew he wouldn't win but it would cost us money and time and we couldn't afford either.

4 years later I realized it was over and wanted out of the business. I offered it for sale, took a very bad offer and that was that. It was pride and nothing else that made me sneak out of town. It is the latter that I truly regret because I didn't have to--I had done my best and should have left with my head held high.

I did learn that I didn't have a head for business--something I knew but wouldn't/didn't acknowledge--again because of pride.

I don't regret any of the 12 years I spent in the weight reduction field--I learned a lot--and I really enjoyed the work! I went back to being a server, which I didn’t regret as it, also, was a profession, I loved--never felt like 'work' to me--even when I did get 'in the weeds'. LOL