Two people come to mind who shaped me in ways they’ll never fully realize:
Mr. David (my old boss at yogurtland):
One day he asked me to hand out samples during a festival. I said I didn’t have the tools. Without missing a beat, he flipped a container lid into a makeshift tray and said, “Improvise.” That one word stuck. Ever since, when an obstacle blocks me, I remember that moment: find a way, figure it out, get it done.
Lee (a later employer at My Yogurt):
Lee taught me two lessons. First: “It only takes 2 seconds.” Fix the small things right away before they become big problems. I once avoided a document for two years, fearing the cost. When I finally showed up, it was resolved in minutes and cost me almost nothing. Second: “Just show up.” When I became a young father, I was anxious and unsure. But showing up—day after day—helped me build the strong, above-average family I have today.
These men left a mark on me: improvise when stuck, act in the moment, and always show up.
This week, my way to honor them:
I can’t reach them anymore, but I can pass the torch. I’ll take time to mentor a new 18-year-old employee at my job—the same age I was when I learned these lessons. If I can plant seeds in him the way David and Lee did in me, their impact continues forward.