Love What You Do

“If any man seeks greatness, let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both.”

~ Horace Mann

Do you ever wonder why you do what you do? Do you feel like you are in a dead end job? Feel like you are going nowhere? Are you doing what you love? Are you doing what you want to do? Are you doing what you were meant to do? Is your life segmented into who you are at work and who you are at home? Do you ever question “is this what I was meant to do” or have “I missed my purpose”?

Perhaps you think you have no purpose. Perhaps you think you have no hope of changing your situation and only think the idea of working at what you love is simply that, just an idea. I am here to tell you that maybe, just maybe, it’s your priorities that need to be changed in order to find your true purpose.

Where are your priorities? Are they focused on the things that truly matter to you or are your priorities focused so much on providing and getting by that doing what you truly love is on the back burner?

I know this is going to sound odd coming from a thirty something year old. But when I started my working career I hated what I was doing. I started out in graphic design at a magazine publishing company. I then moved to a University in technology and then to an international technology company that led me to working with rural Mississippi communities. When I finally figured out what I wanted to do, I had no clue what it was even called.

Only through truly assessing what makes me happy and putting my network to use did I come to find what I truly have a passion for and learned what I am good at. I know two things about myself with certainty. I love connecting people and mentoring to them and I love to tell stories. Through my own assessment and finding those two main focuses (among others) was I able to realize how much I love working with communities, working with people, growing business, telling a community’s story and sharing its heritage and culture. All of these things make up Community and Economic Development.

There is a story that one of my first bosses and mentors shared with me early on in my career. I have carried it with me through every job and transition I have had. I keep a laminated copy in my desk so that I always remember to keep my priorities in check.

The story is called “Do You Have Time for a Cup of Coffee”

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly, and the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed again that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the rest of the space. He asked once more if the jar was full, and his students responded with a unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the contents of both into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the grains of sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, children, health, friends and your favorite passions; things that, if everything else was lost and only they remained, would still make your life full.”

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.”

“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take time to get medical checkups, take your partner out to dinner and play another 18 holes. 

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the leaky tap. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities, because the rest is just sand.”
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem to be, that there’s always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.”
48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

Wherever you are in life, whether it is a dead end job or just a job you have taken to make ends meet. If you priorities aren’t aligned with your day to day tasks, stop what you are doing and reevaluate. Find what brings joy into your life. Find what allows you to focus on your priorities.

The new head of the Mississippi Development Authority, Brent Christenson, once said to me, and I am paraphrasing, If you can’t find a job [that you like] find a customer!

Now is a great time to find a side business and to align your priorities with your career. If you can’t find a job that lines up with your priorities and what you want to be when you grow up, go create it! If you love your idea so much that you can make it profitable full time, chances are someone will love it enough to pay for it.

There are two books that, I highly recommend to anyone looking to better their career, get more out of their current job or just find what their priorities are and makes them happy. Check them out and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Here’s to your success at finding what your priorities are and loving what you do. I know that once those two things come together our community will be better off because of it.

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* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, October 21, 2012 issue of

The Chronicle's"Planting Seeds" column.

To Everything There Is A Season

“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is something about this time of year I truly love. I am an outdoor-woodsy type. I love being in the outdoors, especially in the fall and winter months. I’m not a big hunter (although I see nothing wrong with it). I would just rather be in the woods camping, hiking or thinking.

As I was running this past Sunday morning at day break I passed a particularly beautiful corner lot in my neighborhood. I’ve passed by this place hundreds of times since moving here and have never given it much thought.

This time as I was passing by, the morning fog was lifting. Dew covered the ground. A fresh blanket of red and yellow leaves had fallen the day before. A few leaves were still falling. A chill was in the air. A sure sign that winter would soon be on the way.

As I watched the leaves fall I was taken back to a comment someone had made in a discussion we were having on integrity. The question was asked, “What happens when someone shakes your tree? Do your leaves fall or do you hold firm to your ideals and morals?”

What a powerful thought?

How firm are you in your convictions and beliefs? Do your ideals change with the times like the trees and the seasons? Are you firmly rooted in what you believe and have justification as to why you believe what you do?  Are you convicted by your inner integrity to do what is right and what is just? Is this how you run your business and interact with others in your community?

This point was driven home for me further when I read an excerpt from the speech, Citizenship in a Republic, delivered by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910.

Roosevelt declares in his delivery, “A number of years ago I was engaged in cattle-ranching on the great plains of the western United States. There were no fences. The cattle wandered free, the ownership of each being determined by the brand; the calves were branded with the brand of the cows they followed. If on the round-up an animal was passed by, the following year it would appear as an unbranded yearling, and was then called a maverick. By the custom of the country these mavericks were branded with the brand of the man on whose range they were found. One day I was riding the range with a newly hired cowboy, and we came upon a maverick. We roped and threw it; then we built a little fire, took out a cinch-ring, heated it at the fire; and the cowboy started to put on the brand. I said to him, ‘It is So-and-so’s brand,’ naming the man on whose range we happened to be. He answered: ‘That’s all right, boss; I know my business.’ In another moment I said to him: ‘Hold on, you are putting on my brand!’ To which he answered: ‘That’s all right; I always put on the boss’s brand.’ I answered: ‘Oh, very well. Now you go straight back to the ranch and get what is owed you; I don’t need you any longer. ’He jumped up and said: ‘Why, what’s the matter? I was putting on your brand.’ And I answered: ‘Yes, my friend, and if you will steal for me you will steal from me.’

Now, the same principle which applies in private life applies also in public life. If a public man tries to get your vote by saying that he will do something wrong in your interest, you can be absolutely certain that if ever it becomes worth his while he will do something wrong against your interest.”

I encourage you to be men (and women) of good moral character. Have integrity in all you do and say. If you say you will do something, do it. If you can’t, say so.

We will soon be electing new leadership to our country. I encourage you all to vote your conscience. But even more strongly, I encourage you to know your convictions and understand why you choose to vote the way you do.

Vote, conduct your business, interact with your community and lead your families with character, integrity and honesty. Don’t be like the leaves of the trees that fall to the ground in a stiff breeze. Hang on to your values and I know our community will be better because of it!

Go vote and happy fall y’all!

Larkin

Oh Bother!

“Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would, I'd never leave.”

~ Piglet

Maybe it’s because I have a three year old at home. Maybe it’s because I am a big kid myself and refuse to grow up. Whatever the case, I always seem to find meaning and purpose when Ethan and I are sitting on the couch watching cartoons.

Thanks to Netflix, Comcast OnDemand, and a host of other “instant access” technologies, I am trying to introduce the boy to some of the classic cartoons I grew up with. I want him to see cartoons that have actual morals and life lessons, unlike the stuff that is on now. We watch the original Mickey Mouse, Tom & Jerry (his mother’s favorite), Looney Toons and even Winnie the Pooh.

Ethan seems to like Winnie the Pooh.

The stories of Winnie the Pooh have been shared by generations for years. Since 1924 when the lovable Pooh Bear was first introduced to the world by writer A. A. Milne, stories of the ragtag gang of friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have been captivating the hearts and imaginations of Millions.

Milne wrote the stories for his son, the actual Christopher RobinMilne. He wrote them based on an actual bear in the London Zoo, Winnipeg, that his son loved to visit. The characters of Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and Roo were based on the boy’s actual stuffed animals; a pig, a donkey (with no tail), a tiger, and a baby kangaroo.

I am sure you are wondering how this all relates to business and our community. Well, in addition to the life lessons that permeate through the stories, there is a very real lesson we could all learn from the mistakes of author A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin.

I have written to you about having passion in what you do and about making an impact on the lives of others. Passion is only effective if it doesn't affect the PURPOSE of your passion. A. A. Milne wanted to create something for his young son. He wanted to be the hero in his son’s eye. (Very much the way many of us parents do).

The mistake Milne made was that Christopher Robin never wanted the stories published. As a young boy Christopher Robin was made fun of at school because the other children thought the stories were factually true about him playing make believe with the stuffed animals.

In addition, Milne was so involved with the writing of the stories that he neglected to spend time with his son. The boy’s childhood was gone before his father realized it. His purpose for doing a good thing for his son was overshadowed by his passion for doing them. His gift, while blessing millions and generations of families, tore apart the only family Milne cared about.

I am a firm believer that you must have a passion for what you do. But you also must not lose focus of your purpose. If your passion and your purpose are not aligned, you may be doing more harm than good.

I sincerely hope you find your passion and I truly hope you find your purpose. Whatever you decide to do, whether it is spending time with your family, giving back to your community through service or growing your business through leadership; I hope your purpose and passion always remain in sight. I know your community will benefit because of it.

Larkin 

These are some of my favorite Winnie the Pooh Quotes

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"”

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart… I’ll always be with you.”

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

“When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out of sorts, don't worry; you're probably just a little eleven o'clockish.”

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best -- " and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called”

“Just because an animal is large, it doesn't mean he doesn't want kindness; however big Tigger seems to be, remember that he wants as much kindness as Roo.”

I Love To Do Laundry!

“Helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, but service is the work of the soul.”

~ Rachel Naomi Remen 

The associate pastor of my church made a bold declaration from the pulpit a few weeks ago. Kory stood in front of the congregation to deliver his opening morning address. With unabashed confidence and conviction he declared in front of everyone, “I love to do laundry!”

The audience, somewhat stunned by this brash statement, listened intently for an explanation or clues as to why this was important business to come before the congregation. Some giggled. Some woke from their day dreaming. Most of us wondered in amazement what this could mean.

Kory went on to further explain that not only does he like doing laundry, he especially likes doing the laundry when Sorrel (his wife) doesn’t ask him to do it. He said that anytime he comes through the house and there is laundry to be folded, he pops on the TV, sits down and goes to work.

Folding away and watching TV he loses all track of time and the clothes are folded before he knows it. If he can incorporate something he wants to do into the chore, like watching a game or a TV program, it makes the act of folding laundry that much more enjoyable.

“This is not all completely true”, Kory explained as he finally came clean in his confession. He said what he really likes is for his wife to notice that he has done the laundry without having to ask. He wants the recognition, the praise and the pat on the back that he has done a good job. He wants her to make a big fuss over his effort.

Don’t we all.

Don’t we all do things because we know how others will react? Don’t we want people to tell us that we have done a good job? Don’t we want recognition for a job well done? Even if the chore or work we are doing is a blessing to someone else, isn’t it about our own pride and egos that is our motivation for pitching in to help in the first place? Isn’t it truly all about us?

Kory went on to further explain that at times his plan to gain his wife’s adoration and affection has backfired. One time as he was walking through the bedroom there was a large pile of clothes on the bed sorted out by colors. Without thinking he popped on the game and went to folding. A couple of hours later Sorrel asked what happened to the laundry on the bed. Kory stated he had folded them all and put them away. I can only imagine Sorrel’s look (I’ve seen it from my wife many times). She informed him that those were all dirty and she had sorted them to be washed. Doh!

I don’t want to discourage you from helping others. In fact, I have said it before, there is no greater joy you can have for yourself that to truly help someone else in their time of need. What I do encourage you to do though is to take a moment and take a sniff of the “clothes” you are folding. Discover what your motives for helping are. Are they clean? Are they pure? Are you helping because someone truly needs your help or advice; or are you helping so that you will get the credit?

We have tons of nonprofits and charities in our community who need your help. They need you to physically help. They need your financial help. They may even need your leadership by serving on a board or committee. Serve with pure motives. Serve with a giving heart. Do the work not only for your own satisfaction but for the benefit of others and for the good of our community.

I’m hoping your days ahead are filled with the scent of fresh folded laundry and our community betters because of it!

---

* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, September 30, 2012 issue
 of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.

Find Your Passion

“If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived? Find your passion, whatever it may be. Become it, and let it become you and you will find great things happen for you, to you and because of you.”

~ T. Alan Armstrong

If you have been reading any of my writing over the past year or so, you are probably well aware that I am a big mama’s boy. (Shocker!) I don’t use this as any type of derogatory statement. I simply want to bring attention to the fact that I like many other Southerners (and many of you), have been raised with strong beliefs in God, Family and Country.

I talk with my Momma and Daddy every other day and sometimes a couple times a day. [Side note: Momma and Daddy are terms of endearment for me. “No matter how big you get, you’re never too big for a momma and a daddy”. And as my Daddy still tells me to this day, “Boy, you’re never too big for me to take over my knee!”] I love my parents. I love everything they have taught me and what they have provided for me and my sister. We had a great childhood and I have fond memories of growing up with them. Learning how to water ski, how to fish, how to do chores, build things with my hands and drive Daddy’s truck. I could ramble on and on about the things they taught me and the lessons behind them.

We had Grandparents Day a few weeks back. I was thinking back on the many things I learned from my grandparents. I was thinking about many of the things I have been taught by my own parents. Things I want to pass down to my son. And lessons that he will hopefully learn as well as I have from his grandparents.

One thing that came out of many of my memories is something I have talked to you about before. It is the notion of passion in whatever you do. There is a photo I have that I cherish of my father doing what he does best (not chewing a coach out), refereeing high school football.

Daddy refereed junior high and high school football for 40 years. I have a photo in my office from his last football game on Friday, November 16, 2007, at the Mississippi Private School Association AAA State Championship Game between Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep.

Daddy refereed many games all over the state during his career. It wasn’t his fulltime job. He and “HIS crew” got paid little each game for their travels. They also got paid in concession stand hamburgers.

Every Thursday and Friday night he and “HIS football boys” would load up and travel to a high school stadium for 40 years. For 40 years he left me, my sister and my mother on Thursday and Friday nights to enjoy something he truly loved; something that he had a passion for. He enjoyed every minute of being with his fellow referees, coaches and players (the fans… not always).

I got to enjoy some of that time with him. Whenever our team wasn’t playing (or more often times than not) as our season ended early, I got to join him on his trips. In 40 years Daddy only missed a few nights to watch me play football or walk my sister on the field during homecoming festivities.

He has some pretty colorful stories about those times and when asked about many of them he just smiles. “HIS football boys” are still some of his closest friends today. Unfortunately “the crew” has broken up as time and jobs have taken them in different directions, but they still talk and stay up to date with each other’s families.

The passion that my daddy has for refereeing high school football is very much the same as the passion I have for the fire service. I got that passion from my grandfather – the original “Daddy Simp”. He was both a volunteer fire chief in Rosedale (MS) and a high school football referee.

I don’t know what Ethan will enjoy when he grows up. He likes both football and fire trucks right now, but whatever he is in to, I am sure he will do it with passion and determination, just like three generations of Simpsons before him. Whatever he does his mother and me and HIS Daddy Simp and Gin Gin and other grandparents will all support him.

I encourage you to find passion in your life. Whether it is passion in your church, your community, the arts, sports or a number of volunteer services; whatever you do invest your time and yourself in something that is meaningful and worthwhile. Help others. Serve others. Better our community. And do so with a cheerful heart! There is nothing as rewarding as serving others and giving of yourself to the betterment of your fellow man.

I’ll be praying you find your passion, and our community betters because of it!

Larkin

Get Off Your High Horse; Get Your Hands Dirty and Burn The Ships!

“With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

Well things are off to a great start with our 2013 class of Leadership Jones County. I hope you’ve had a chance to see the group either at the announcement ceremony at Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or in the paper the past several days. If not, hop on over to the Chamber’s Facebook page and take a look at this great group of individuals who have agreed to take on the task of becoming better leaders to enhance the future of Jones County through their commitment to bettering their leadership talents.

I’ve been thinking about leadership a lot over the last several weeks. Not only as I prepare for this year of leadership development, but also as we went through the preparation and execution of our Hurricane plans as Isaac approached the Gulf Coast and the Pine Belt. A lot of great leadership examples were relived as we were thrown back to images and memories of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Also on my mind a lot these days is the upcoming anniversary of September 11th, 2001 (another tragic day in American history, but a great day of compassion, love and leadership). All of these things have been weighing on my mind lately and have been the focus of my prayers.

I hope you and your families made it safe through the storms and I hope you will remember all of our emergency service personnel; police, fire, EMS, first responders, dispatchers and service men and women throughout this time of remembrance. These men and women work around the clock during emergencies. While we are in our homes trying to stay safe they are out in the community trying to keep other problems from becoming worse.

There are two leadership stories that I heard recently that I would like to share with you. The first is a story I borrowed from blogger Mike Rogers at www.teamworkandleadership.com.
Over 200 years ago, a man in civilian clothes rode past a small group of tired and battled weary soldiers. They were digging what appeared to be an important defensive position.
The leader of the group wasn't making any effort to help. He just shouted orders and threatened to punish the group if the work wasn't completed within the hour.

"Why aren't you helping?" the stranger asked on horseback.

"I'm in charge! The men do as I tell them," said the leader. He added "Help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it."

To the mean leader's surprise the stranger got off his horse and helped the men until the job was finished.

Before he left the stranger congratulated the men for their work, and approached the confused leader.

"You should notify top command next time your rank prevents you from supporting your men - and I will provide a more permanent solution," the stranger said.

Up close, the now humbled leader recognized General George Washington and was taught a lesson he would never forget!

Here is the second story.

In February 1519, Hernando Cortez set sail on the final leg of an ocean voyage that was to take him from Cuba to the distant shores of the Yucatan.

He commanded 11 ships with more than 500 soldiers, 100 sailors, and 16 horses, bound for Mexico to take the world's greatest treasure. The rare jewels, gold, silver, and sculptures sheltered on the Yucatan had been hoarded by the same army for 600 years.

Cortez had heard of riches of the Yucatan. With his men they arrived on shore. They did not go and take the treasure immediately; they waited until they were ready.
Then Cortez told his men to "Burn the boats."

The men were outraged wondering how they were going to get back to their families!
Cortez told them to burn the boats and they would conquer the Yucatan army and gain their fortune. They would take the Yucatan's boats home.

So what do these stories teach us about leadership? How do these apply to us today? To me, I learn a lot about the importance of commitment through these stories. In both, the conditions were not ideal. But the leadership was committed to the plan; the reward was greater than the sacrifice.

General Washington knew the defensive position needed to be fortified. He knew that he needed to gain the trust and respect of his men. He was willing to roll up his sleeves and get dirty with his men to get the job done. He did not let his pride or his position get in the way of accomplishing the mission.

Cortez knew that he needed to keep his men focused on their task. He knew that if they were worried about keeping the ships secure to return home, they would not keep their focus forward and might risk losing the battle. But by winning the battle and over taking the enemies ships, it was the only way for his men to get back to their families.

How often do we leave ourselves an “out”? We create back up plans. We create alternatives. We create reasons why we can’t succeed. We let our status get in the way of our success. We tell ourselves we are above those actions or we are too good to stoop to that level of involvement.

By creating these barriers and giving ourselves a backup plan, that becomes the plan.
Many of us say we want success, but aren’t willing to move forward from our normal ways of thinking. If we want different results, it requires a new way of thinking. We may need to get off our horses and get a new perspective. We may need to burn our ships to see a new way home. We must be willing to take the steps required for success to create success.

Just as we have done in the aftermath of September 11th, Hurricane Katrina, and natural disasters since, we have to roll up our sleeves and all pitch in. In order to get back on a path toward success we have to burn our ships that hold us back and move forward toward a plan of recovery and success!

Here’s to your success!

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* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, September 9, 2012 issue

of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.

I Know a Guy

“Great men are rarely isolated mountain-peaks; they are the summits of ranges.”

~ Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Have you ever been around someone who seems to know a lot about everything? Or do you know someone who seems to have an endless Rolodex of people they can call on just about any subject? In any conversation they are the ones who if they can't immediately give a solution to your problem, they exclaim, "Hey, I know a guy!"

My wife and I have an almost addictive infatuation with the History Channel's TV series Pawn Stars. We don’t mean to get into the show anytime it’s on, it’s just so dang interesting and entertaining.

The show’s main proprietor Rick is one of these people. He has a guy for everything. Cars, guns, sports, autographs, toys, historic memorabilia, it doesn’t matter; if Rick can’t retell the story of an item (and he knows a lot), he has someone who is a phone call away that can.

If you are not familiar with the show, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is in Las Vegas, Nevada. Three generations of the Harrison family (Grandfather Richard – “The Old Man”, son Rick and grandson Corey) jointly run the family business. There is a clashing of ideals and camaraderie in every show.

According to the History Channel website, “The three men use their sharp eyes and skills to assess the value of items from the commonplace to the truly historic, including a 16th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting and a 17th-century stay of execution. It's up to them to determine what's real and what's fake, as they reveal the often surprising answer to the questions on everyone's mind, ‘What's the story behind it’ and ‘What's it worth?’”

I am sure that like many of the “reality shows” of today that much of the information is scripted and the history and stories of the pieces are researched by a whole team of experts. But I am not trying to debunk the premise of the show. What I am interested in is the subtle lessons we can learn about running a business and running our lives.

We all have unique networks in our lives. I know I do. One of these days (when I have nothing better to do) I am going to sit down and “map out” my connections. It is interesting to me that in the short time I have been in the business community and certainly since I have come into the economic and community development world, how vast my connections have become.

I have friends throughout most of the United States and even in several other countries around the globe. I obviously don’t talk to all of my friends and allies on a regular basis but I do try to make contact with everyone a couple of times a year, even if it is a quick email or Facebook message.

The thing I have come to realize about cultivating a network and broadening your connections is that you never know when you will need someone’s advice or knowledge.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was able to put two people in touch to work out a logistics issue because I had a friend in Northern Arkansas who needed some knowledge about moving cargo down to South America and when I was in Hancock County I worked with a guy who did river based trans-loading (moving cargo from river barges to large ocean going ships).

I don’t know all the details of the transaction because I just made the connection for them, but they both thanked me for the new contact and my friend in Arkansas was able to work out his issue. I was able to be that guy, “who knew a guy!”

We’ve all had those situations where we’ve needed a guy or we knew a guy who could help someone else out. I encourage you that as you conduct your business and meet new people, new individuals, new customers you explore their networks. Make new connections and stay in constant contact.

Whether you are pawning your worldly treasures or you’re trying to open your business to new markets, you never know when you might need someone’s advice or someone’s Rolodex. Never be afraid to ask for advice or help. We’ve all been there. And “you never know what you don’t know” – until you ask.

Larkin