Sept. 11 - Where our story started

There is no mistake that the events that transpired on Sept 11, 2001 changed the world forever, impacting everyone to varying degrees. It was a horrible day. Many would bare the ultimate burden of losing a loved one while for millions of others it would alter the trajectory of their lives in ways unforeseen. This, unfortunately and fortunately, was where our story began.

I grew up and at the time lived in Jersey City, NJ, which is directly across the river from lower Manhattan. On 9/11, I saw the images on the news and quickly ran to my parents' second floor apartment window to verify. I could see for myself the smoke billowing from the towers in disbelief. I remember feeling a host of emotions ...anger ...confusion ...fear ...worry. My father worked in the city as a painter foreman so he would work in different buildings and I couldn't remember exactly what part of the city he was assigned that morning. This may have been before he had a cell phone or the lines were down but we couldn't reach him either. He typically would come home at 3pm each afternoon, having started his day around 4:45 in the morning. As we waited nervously, the time came and went. Needless to say, we were scared. It wasn't until later in the evening that he finally returned, having walked miles through the streets, over the bridge and hitching rides along the way to make it back. Other families weren't so lucky.

As the white soot from the air blanketed my black car week after week with what seemed like no end, so did a mix of patriotism and helplessness blanket my thoughts. I was a 19 year old college student with no money and didn't feel I had a way to contribute. I had a yearning to do something but I didn't know how, something I'm sure millions more shared during that time.

Some weeks after the attacks things changed when I discovered they were selling NYPD and FDNY based-apparel in NYC to raise money for the families of the first responders. In speaking with friends and family around the country, I soon realized there were many others who wanted to help but didn't know how. A light bulb went off as I realized there were probably countless others around the nation who wanted to show their support but didn't have the same opportunity I did living so close to New York.

My father lent me $100 to buy some of the apparel and I posted it on eBay, with hopes to donate the proceeds and help make a difference. Sales came pouring in and I soon found myself staying up all night hand-writing shipping labels to mail out the next day (this actually lead to my first ever business purchase...a $20 return-address stamper). From that day on, I would take the PATH train from Jersey City to NYC on a regular basis after classes and meet my father. We would venture to buy shirts, sweatshirts and hats carrying them back on the crowded commuter trains in huge black garbage bags. My father was a great role-model to me, teaching me that the duty to get a job done was always more important than how you might be judged or looked down upon by the people around you.

This process went on for pretty much the entire semester and as the holidays approached demand started to slow. This was my cue to close up shop though since my grades were taking a major hit (to the point of withdrawing from several classes). I counted up everything and made the donations to the FDNY and NYPD funds. I don't remember the figures 17 years later but I remember feeling I had contributed in my small way. I may not have done what others were doing but I felt good knowing I didn't just sit wishing I acted, but instead actually took a step.

That short but deeply impactful time in my life was over, and despite setting myself back in school significantly, I came out a better person. I started to dream of a new path from the one I had been on and ponder whether I could even build a business of my own. I had the feelings that many would-be entrepreneurs commonly share. I wanted to do it but was nervous and not quite sure what to do. I had no product to sell and no idea to push. However, I did do one thing that mattered more than anything else..... I decided I was going to do it, no matter what. All I had left in front of me was to find a product to sell and I'll give you a hint for the next blog.... it wasn't shirts, hats or stress balls!