As my regular readers (all 3 of them) know, I have a few businesses. Over the past 6 months, since opening Zeus Digital Theaters, I have been working crazy hours. My day starts around 8 or 9 and I get home sometimes after midnight. Most of that time is spent in the theater working on details, details, details. When I opened Zeus last October, I had Hayes Investments, DeWitt Crossing, BlackBear Title and RentQuick.com on my plate.
In November, I shuttered BlackBear Title since I knew I wouldn't be able to "push a rope uphill" in the current housing market. Just last week I sold RentQuick.com, a company I started 13 years ago. RentQuick needs a full time owner and I could not longer spend proper amount of time on it.
So as of right now, I have Zeus, Hayes Investments and DeWitt Crossing left. This feels about right.
Once you start one business, you find it easy to start another. Some businesses grow by expanding their market. However, as an entrepreneur, there is an urge to create new businesses to diversify the income streams. So after a few years, many active entrepreneurs end up with a group of small businesses. I am here to tell you that, for me, is the wrong approach.
To be successful, you must have focus. With multiple businesses, you cannot be focussed. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Also, as we age, we lose some of the vigor we all have when we are young. I don't consider this slowing down. Instead, I see it as expanding in a single direction.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
The Finest Man I Ever Knew
On Saturday, we buried my Father-in-Law, James R. Jewett. He was just shy of 80 years old. He was a farmer all his life. He has a 400-acre farm in Madison County, Virginia where he grew corn, soybeans, and barley. For decades he also had dairy cows.
Saturday was both a difficult day and a wonderful day. I had known him for 22 years and considered him a friend and mentor. When he would visit, he and I would ride around in my truck and look at various projects I had going on. He was always supportive.
After all the guests had left and just the family remained, I marveled at the bonds and quality of the family he left behind. We were happy to report that of all his kids and grandchildren, there was not a single black sheep. In fact, they are all excellent people. I am honored to be a part of the family.
The most poignant moment was during the service when the Reverend stated that Jim Jewett was "the finest man I ever knew". Not many people can honestly have that said about them. He was in fact the finest man any of us ever knew.
The very best part of the whole thing is that he was buried on his farm that he loved. To make matters even better, it looks as if his son and grandson will continue to farm the land and keep it whole.
I will miss Jim Jewett terribly. He was the finest man I ever knew.
Saturday was both a difficult day and a wonderful day. I had known him for 22 years and considered him a friend and mentor. When he would visit, he and I would ride around in my truck and look at various projects I had going on. He was always supportive.
After all the guests had left and just the family remained, I marveled at the bonds and quality of the family he left behind. We were happy to report that of all his kids and grandchildren, there was not a single black sheep. In fact, they are all excellent people. I am honored to be a part of the family.
The most poignant moment was during the service when the Reverend stated that Jim Jewett was "the finest man I ever knew". Not many people can honestly have that said about them. He was in fact the finest man any of us ever knew.
The very best part of the whole thing is that he was buried on his farm that he loved. To make matters even better, it looks as if his son and grandson will continue to farm the land and keep it whole.
I will miss Jim Jewett terribly. He was the finest man I ever knew.
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