About those feelings......
In my last post I told you the story of the toy company I invested in - the highs, the lows, the impact. You might think I mis-titled the article because I didn’t really talk about my feelings. Now don’t get me wrong - I’m not about to lay down on the couch and tell you what happened to me as a kid. However, the Lammily story has another twist! Stick with me!
After the dust settled from the TV thing we went back to the business of growing a business! However it never really sat well with me that the deal never closed. What happened? Where did it go wrong? My life includes a lot of travel - A LOT! I fly nearly 150K miles per year. In addition to boarding first and not paying for my bags I get a lot of time to disconnect and read. I love to read. In January I was on a flight to China and was reading the latest issue of INC Magazine. Its one of my favs and one I think all Entrepreneurs should read. (I digress). In this issue there was an ad for their Grow Co Conference which was to be held in New Orleans in May. As I was checking it out I saw that one of the Keynote speakers was one of the key investors from the show I mentioned in my last post! In fact he was the investor we didn’t chose! WOW… what an opportunity!
I thought to myself, here is a chance to get in front of him and see if there is a way we can salvage this deal. Keep in mind, this deal is NOT about the money. Its about the expertise and influence that these individuals posses. I had to go. I had to take my shot!. Skip ahead 4 months and there I was listening to him deliver one of the keynote speeches. At the end they opened it up for audience QnA and this was my shot. I was going to remind him of the deal and let him know that we are still alive - and thriving - in hopes of getting him interested. I had a question that I felt would bring value to the room and also let him know who I was. I was ready! From the back of the room I raised my hand - waved it emphatically actually - in hopes I’d get the mic. I didn’t and the session ended! What now?
As a seasoned entrepreneur I knew I couldn't give up. I’d come this far and it wasn’t for the gumbo and jazz music (no offense New Orleans - I love your city!). I looked through the conference agenda and saw that this gentlemen was giving another talk. A break out session that would be a smaller venue. Not only would it be him but his chief of investments and some of the other entrepreneurs he’d invested in. Another shot!
The session was at 4pm so I showed up early to make sure I got a good seat and make myself noticed. The session was fantastic and I picked up some great gems. Most importantly they opened it up once again to QnA… here was my shot. I had my question prepared and went over it again and again in my mind to make sure I would nail it. I was ready. Then, just before they opened up the floor, the moderator of the panel said “I have one more question†and asked my EXACT question…. Holy Cow - is this a joke?!
In my mind I knew I had to recover and not miss my shot! I thought and thought to come up with another question that would be relevant and get me my time. I had one. Not as great as the original but it would do. Again, I waived my hand emphatically and the man with the microphone came and stood in front of me so I could be next. I did it!
When it was my turn I started with a Thank you (At TAC our top Core Value is We Lead with Gratitude - more on that later). I turned it to my question and weaved in the story about how we filmed for the show! The investor and his key guy acknowledged me and said they remembered! We had a nice back and forth and I felt good that I had their attention! At the end of our discussion I thanked them and sat down. They kept looking in my direction so I was feeling pretty good that after the session was over I’d get the chance to say hello and secure the opportunity for a follow up chat.
The session ended and I went to the front of the room and waited in line to say hello. It was my turn and the investor shook my hand and promptly said I have to go. Walked right past me and left the room. WHAT???? I looked around and saw his key guy still there so I went up to him. He was engaged in a conversation with another attendee so I quietly waited. He wrapped it up and I figured now was my shot. All I wanted was the acknowledgement that I was there and the chance to chat at a future date. As soon as he ended the conversation with the person in front of me he turned his back and started to walk away. I called him by name and he emphatically said “I have to go…. I have to go….†and swiftly left the room. WHAT????
Remember in part one I told you that every interaction is a chance to build someone up or break them down. What do you think this man did? Fortunately I’m a grown man and my esteem is not wrapped up in what this guy does or doesn’t think. However, it got me thinking about my own interactions and wondering how do I leave people? Do I give people the chance to say what they’d like to say? Do I validate them? Do I build them up or break them down? Do I leave them feeling valued and empowered?
The craziest part was that I left the room and headed down to the hotel lobby - there they both were. Just standing there…. now seemingly in no rush at all! Now don’t get me wrong - in the game of business these gentlemen are further down the road than I am but I’m on my way. However, my commitment is that no matter how far I go, I will never forget where I started and the people that helped me long the way. I will always strive to lift as I climb. There are more than enough forces in this world trying to keep us down - I will never be one of them!
To all of you - and my friends from the show - here’s to your continued success!