Dear Readers, the following was written for my friend, Peter (not his real name).
Tick, tick, tick. The clock on the wall was large and loud, interrupting his thoughts and plans for another day: making lists of people to call, scheduling meetings, reviewing and memorizing the latest marketing material and everything else that comes with being a successful insurance salesman. I loathe this job, he thought.
It was a hot, cloudless summer day. The air conditioning whined off and on; the air moving just enough to keep him from sweating but not enough to dissipate the stuffiness of his windowless office on the third floor. The clock ticked again. His coffee was cold. It was only 10:30 a.m.
Glancing up at the ceiling he leaned back, closed his eyes and put his feet on his leather desk, a coping skill he had perfected. His thoughts turned to homemade chocolate fudge ice cream; the taste, smell, coolness and pleasure of that first bite. An idea that seemed limitless. A failed partnership and the reluctant, but necessary pivot to the insurance business to support his family.
Fast forward ten years; food trucks and beer gardens are all the rage. A renewed, post-pandemic demand for outdoor dining, community events and getting back to real-life socializing is in full swing. Like magic, a side gig is reborn: Grandpa Richie’s Ice Cream.
Suddenly, there’s important work to be done: selecting the highest quality ice cream and his favorite flavors, fixing up the truck, securing a spot at local outdoor events, and getting someone to help him serve the customers who always seemed so happy. Weekends and holidays became a non-stop labor of love.
During the weekdays, the clock on the wall still ticks by, but he can hardly hear it anymore. He’s thinking of the smiles, laughter and joyful conversation of the people he serves when they take that first bite.
What’s your passion? It’s not too late to find the work you love.
Interested in learning more? Give me a call at 775-392-4223 or email me at feedback@dterralaw.com.
