Not everyone wishes to rule the roost. There are those who, given the appropriate duty and compensation, are content to do the bidding of others. To them it is no discredit by any account; and certainly not to any theoretical psychological need for management or superiority. But for those who wish to have it their own way the prescription is inescapable at any price. For those latter sorts, the issue has nothing whatever to do with dominion. It is the performance which demands meticulous attention and execution. This is not to suggest others haven’t a pursuit of excellence; rather, it describes the disposition of those who require that what is being done meets their personal standards without compromise for the mere sake of accommodation or any other irrelevant requisite. It is not that one is the boss of what is being done; it is that what is being done is the boss. And how that is done is “my way”.
Of course not just anyone has the privilege of doing it “my way”. Preliminary to that entitlement are numerous other factors, some of which derive solely from the individual himself, others from those close to him, some perhaps from inheritance or family; and, naturally some from financial lenders. Whatever the source of the strength to enact one’s own way, the direction and management of the enterprise is always at the behest of the individual operator.
It is not uncommon to hear of such individuals, many of whom are noted for their success. The path to success is marked by hard work, judicious decisions and usually a pyramid of growth from small to large.
As a former sole proprietor myself, I learned that the roadway to whatever small successes I enjoyed was paved with the contribution of banks. Although initially one is reticent to involve the banks, it soon became apparent to me that they depended as much on me as I did on them. I was their business. I know too that it was similarly popular for certain rural solicitors to engage themselves either directly or indirectly in the business of “money to let” (as my late departed friend Moishe Smith once comically described the enterprise).
The advancement of success means not only doing it “my way” but engaging as well in a pattern of growth. Wherever there is possibility of adding to one’s business operation with further control, there exists the possibility of elevating the status of the outcome. The process is likewise always governed by the ambition to do it “my way” (a feature which signifies a hallmark of one’s business).
If you are wondering what has prompted this particular monologue, early this morning as I yet lay in my lair I was reflecting upon the success of a couple whom we know (Jay and Alana) who have recently moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia. There they have bought on a whim an oceanfront property and are in the process of building what is assured to be a rather grand home. I make this prediction because I have seen Jay’s work in the past. He is a building contractor by profession. Not ever having been privy to the details of his business operation I can only assess his performance by one property I have seen. It was a significant renovation; and it unquestionably reached the height of perfection. There is nothing purely cosmetic about Jay’s work; instead it speaks of regiment and high standards. I know too that he was retained by people in the Village of Rockcliffe Park (Ottawa) to manage their renovation needs.
What has caught my interest in particular in Jay’s business pursuits is that he and his wife Alana chose, instead of renting, to buy another house while their new one is being developed. The house they purchased is on a lakefront property not too far from their oceanfront property. And as you might imagine, recognizing Jay’s singular standards of construction, he has undertaken immense renovation of the lakefront property. Once again I have no reservation at all concerning the anticipated product of this endeavour. Nor have I any doubt that during the renovation of the lakefront property, his reputation as a superb building contractor will quickly spread among the local inhabitants (many of whom in this particular area of Nova Scotia are from Germany and the United States of America, people frankly with the proverbial “wherewithal”).
Being as I am a former resident of the Province of Nova Scotia (having attended Dalhousie Law School in Halifax) I have some familiarity with the nature of society there. Foremost in this instance is the reception Jay and Alana have likely already received as interlopers from “Upper Canada” (that is, the Province of Ontario). One must however be cautious not to misconstrue the reception as one of reluctance or disapproval. Rather it amounts to a baited introduction, one designed to pretend an element of inferiority while awaiting the catch. To their credit, Jay and Alana (whose superior management skills have already proven themselves by her recent employment in one of Nova Scotia’s notable institutions), are both from Northern Ontario. Within the scope of Upper Canadians, people from Northern Ontario enjoy a reputation for succinctness and success. It is regularly they who are entitled to look down their nose upon Toronto for example. I know Jay and Alana would never openly agree with what I have said; but I pull rank of age on this one!
What makes this account entertaining is that we met Jay and Alana over 15 years ago. We didn’t meet them in Northern Ontario, Nova Scotia or Toronto. We met by accident on the beach on Hilton Head Island (whence I am now composing this entry). They were visiting Hilton Head Island from Ottawa (nearby where we are domiciled); and, most significantly, they were walking their French bulldog Max. When I saw these strangers on the beach with a Frenchie, I was immediately drawn to them because we had had a Frenchie. Since that chance encounter we have reacquainted ourselves year after year, once again here on Hilton Head Island, and subsequently in different place in and about Ottawa. Additionally we know their new Frenchie Louie and his adopted brother Roy.
