When this concept first came to mind, I knew I had to get it out as soon as possible. Very seldom does an idea impress itself upon me so strongly that it forces me to stop everything else and devote my time to seeing it through. As this series is still a work in progress, I felt this platform would be a good place to work out the kinks while not delaying the central message — an indefinable gratitude to those who came before me and acted as mentors, guides, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and so much more. These are the people who helped shape the man I am today. I do not say this to boast, as I truly feel I have little to boast about. What I can say with certainty is that I have been blessed to be in the company of remarkable individuals whose lessons deserve to be heard by more than just me.
For the first week, it feels fitting to mention my first boss, Jim. As a young man fresh out of school, I hadn’t given much thought to a career or “what comes next.” Naturally, I thought the best course of action was to find a job, earn some money, and figure things out along the way. My dad had already been living in Two Hills for some time, and it seemed like a good place to start. He mentioned that his friend Jim owned the local grocery store and might be hiring. To this day, I can’t even remember if I had a résumé or simply showed up, but Jim took a chance and hired me.
One of the first things he stressed to me was, “I’m not your boss — every customer who walks through that door is.” He said this while pointing to the front entrance. “They are the ones who support this store, and through that, they indirectly sign your paycheque.”
The impact of that statement was profound. Even now, I can still feel its weight. Doing one’s duty with a cheerful attitude and treating every customer as if they were the boss changes how you approach not only work, but people in general. At eighteen, I didn’t fully grasp how deep this lesson went. Applied properly — whether in business or employment — it creates a visible shift in how you treat others. Like ripples in a pond, the mindset begins to spread into other areas of life. Before long, people notice, genuine friendships form, and connections deepen in ways you never expected.
To this day, whenever I consider a new idea or venture, I think of Jim and how he might approach the situation. His wisdom, genuine care for people, and ingenuity made it seem as though no problem was beyond solving. I believe many of us who worked with him share this sentiment when I say he is a truly wise man whom I am grateful to have known and worked under. The skills and lessons I learned from him helped me approach everything with confidence balanced by humility, curiosity tempered with caution, and a willingness to think outside the box. For that — and much more — I owe Jim my deepest gratitude.
