OLD FUCKS: Sometimes have wisdom you need to hear!!! And when they Laugh, FUCK EM and prove them a wrong!!!


A SUCCESS STORY!!!

When I was in my teens and going to college, I would always work for Slim Tim in the summers to make a little cash for spending money. One particular summer, I got the privilege to work at Mr. Flemings beautiful waterfront estate with one of my best friends installing shell pathways. Whenever we had breaks, Mr. Fleming (in his 90's) would be telling us life stories and things from his past. Most conversations were colorful in  nature about his college days and how they were hazed "back in the day". You know the usual, stick the tips of their peni (I think plural for penis IDK) in a light socket and the upperclassmen would turn on the switch. You know, Just plain old locker room stuff.

One of the convos really stuck with me though. Mr Fleming told my friend and I that we need to continue to get life lessons as we age and fuck up along the way. Not intentionally, but on others people watch to gain experience and find out what really interest us. As we find what inspires us along the way start heading that direction and by the time you're 30 get serious and stop screwing around and get after it. That was it. Plain and simple. One of the few things I've ever took to heart. 

With that being said, At the ripe age of 29, I quit my job and informed my shell shocked wife (who may have not particularly liked her current job) that I was starting my own company. I had no choice Mr. Fleming told me so!!! Honestly in hindsight, I was never scared because I didn't know any better. Being young, I thought there was nothing I could not do and failure simply was not an option. It helps to be young and blind to all the what if's.... It also helps to have a great support team that believes in you. That's You Sandstram!!! I couldn't done it without my one and only life/business partner who puts up with ALL my shit. Day in and day out!!! Here's to 24 years of ups and downs babe. Luckily more UPS!!! As we say "We started out with nothing and still have some of it left"!!!


On this momentous 24th anniversary of Bennett Contracting, I would like to share a blog that was written back in the day that I find fitting for this special day. And may I add, young JB was not only a handsome devil, he was quite the writer!!!



Running--- Much like life--- Means never quitting on yourself!!! 12-23-08

Today was one of those days. You know when you get up and don't particularly care to do the things you know you have to do. Mine happened to be running a measly 4 miles. But, in the end I put on my running attire and headed out into the cold morning air. Just like every other time that I have had these occasional feelings of not getting out there and running, in the end I'm always glad I did.


This morning my mind wandered back to a conversation that my wife, uncle and I had a few weeks back. We were talking about my grandfather and how he was a great business man. The uncle we were speaking with is one of the two sons that now run the family business that my grandfather started. I started to tell my uncle how I went to visit my grandfather with my business plan 9 years ago. My uncle kind of interrupted me, not in a bad way, and said he remembered me doing that. After that I let the conversation change to another topic. I felt there was no reason to let my uncle know what I was actually going to say.

The real intention I had for visiting my grandfather that day was not only to look at my business plan, but to help me financially get my business up and running. Well, what actually happened that day was my grandfather looked at my business plan and..... wait for it ...... LAUGHED!!!

Thinking back at that moment while running this morning, it was probably the best gift that my grandfather ever gave me. I wasn't going to be handed anything from anyone and was going to have to make it happen myself. By laughing at my plan I never shared with him that my intentions were serious, and decided that my limited resources were all I could count on. Without a second thought my wife and I cashed in our mutual funds, a huge $4000 and started the business. During the past 9 years there have been bumps in the road, but (and I guess my point) I have always managed to get out of bed and go to work.

So, whether it's running, business or any other thing that you may want in your life, having the courage to get out the door is the first step. The second is to keep on going out that door no matter what your pea brain tells you. There is no one out there that is going to help you, plus they are all going to "Laugh At You". At least you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you have no one to thank for all of the success, but yourself. Peace Out!!!






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