by Randy Lieber
In business, one must take chances. The risks of the entrepreneur are substantial when one considers it all.
The investment of money that could be lost, the time and energy that could be wasted, the hopes and dreams that could be shattered.
I've been calling on floor covering dealers for more than 35 years starting as a 24 year-old rookie in southern New Jersey. It has always impressed me how difficult retailing is and how very hard my retailers worked, not only on weekdays but weekends too. In at seven to get the installers out the door. Going into a stranger's home to measure a room, not knowing whether one will be attacked by a dog or, perhaps, a giant cockroach. Attempting to justify a legitimate price while suspecting that your competitor really is cheaper than you care to be.
Too tough for me. Add to the above that your suppliers create havoc with poor deliveries and questionable quality and their representatives fail to take care of the samples. So after Mrs Jones spends two whole hours looking at products, the one she picks is, of course, discontinued. I ofter wonder how flooring retailers sleep at night when there is so much energy expended just to survive the day.
So here's to you, Mr and Mrs Flooring dealer. Eat, drink, and be merry, You deserve it!