I had all my plans set in stone well maybe scrap paper (because they changed so often) but one was left off the page working for my family business. I was going to buy a gas station near my college in Rhode Island but then thought about the potential and my skills and that idea fell by the waste side. My entrepreneurial spirit led me to think about a store to sell all new inventions on consignment but as I was building the business plan I realized where my true expertise lied and how much monies I would need to open such an operation. Therefore logic replaced emotional desire and I decided that I would get involved in the business that I knew since I was only a preteen but on my terms.
” Buddy Building Products by BW” was born a sales representative business that happened to sell supplies from my family business. I would hit the road 5 days a week using an old fashion device “the Yellow Pages” to drum up leads. In the morning I would cold call 100’s of leads (maybe more like 50) to get a bite and if I didn’t get a bite that way I’d hunt them down in their office. Many a door was slammed in my face but over months and with persistence the doors began to be open and I started to make a living. I was no millionaire but at least I could afford my rent and food on the table for me and my dog. Yet as time went on I realized that I had to spend a bit more time in the office to make sure supplies were actually items were delivered to my customers, and that they paid their bills. That time changed from one day once a week to two and three … I think you get the point. I also realized “logically” that if I dedicated my time in the office that I would receive the other benefits (health insurance, free lunches etc) that I was missing on my own. Maybe if I spent more time with the family business I would have more time to build the other enterprise correctly. Yet once the steps into the family business began “Buddy Building Products by BW” was about to end and the steps would lead to 27 years in this “Crazy Business”.