Eleven years ago today, April 15, 2005, I walked into United Broadcasting Sales Company where I had worked for 13 years and handed my manager my resignation. Despite setting individual company sales records and serving as the default unpaid coach of so many new hires and despite company profitability relatively new company owners instituted a new pay plan that slashed everyone’s pay. Mine would have been cut over 35%.

I had many promises from numerous co-workers to join me in starting a new company, but none followed through. So I was left to fend for myself. Total Broadcasting Service has been like another child to me and grown through tough times, including my divorce. It hasn’t been easy. And despite those tough times and never quite attaining the high income levels I had before I am so proud I walked with wobbly legs to my previous manager’s desk 11 years ago and said I won’t be mistreated and under appreciated by them anymore. The UBSC owners were pissed and threatened me with legal action to stop my entrepreneurial efforts. I believe those threats, in part, scared off my former co-workers.

As it turned out I was the first of many who fled the plantation that United Broadcasting had become. When I quit they employed over 40 sales people. Within 2 months they were down to 13. Nearly all of the top sales people left for another Bellevue company. Many meeting with great success. That Bellevue company no longer exists and my former colleagues have scattered with the wind. United Broadcasting collapsed. It clung to a precarious existence for some 5 years before finally shutting its doors after 30 years in business. A greedy owner and a Liberal (even leftist) narcissistic, and incompetent management tree that believed in taking from their best and giving to their least-capable spelled the company’s doom.

I miss working with the many who became friends. After so many followed my lead and quit I went a while feeling somewhat responsible, since I had been the first. They eased my anxiety on the matter by seemingly improving their lives dramatically after leaving the plantation. I’m glad at least for Facebook to somewhat stay in touch with some of them. I’ve learned that if you don’t value your best people they will find someone else who does; a lesson that translates into personal relationships too, not just business.

I’ve also learned that perseverance is omnipotent. Despite friends and my closest family members doubts and lack of support Total Broadcasting Service is coming off two consecutive record-setting sales years and 3 record-setting years out of the past 4 years. The best is yet to come. We’ve built strong relationships with an increasingly large host of fabulous and loyal clients. I’ve hired the truest and most loyal co-worker in Marianne Petersen who continues to grow in her work duties and continues to impress. Thank you Marianne for being such a valuable employee and person in my life.

My dream that I pray for is that my efforts will benefit my children and someday even my future grandchildren long after I have sauntered off this mortal coil. With God’s grace we will achieve this goal. And we’ll do it while forging a new journey with new compatriots who bless my life by being in it.

My plans for my life have turned unexpectedly at several points in my 52 years. Like anyone who reads this writing. Today’s anniversary represents one of the most significant switches in directions. If I’d not experienced this dramatic turn, the new turn I’m months into now, would be a lot scarier. So, ultimately, I’m grateful.