Back in middle and high school, it seemed everyone wanted to be one of the "cool kids". They seemed to have it all: popularity, money, access, etc Well, as for me, I couldn't be one of them because I didn't have the means to obtain many of the things they had.. (Not that my parents didn't provide but their sense of NEED was different than my teenage WANT). Now, what I DID have were the black thick lensed military (birth control) glasses, the never ending supply of plaid shirts, and the ultra cool brown and tan courdoroy pants. And to top it all off, I sported the leather CHUKKAS because my Dad said they were durable and would last a long time, which they did. (fashion and durability don't often mix).
Another thing I was fortunate enough to have was ingenuity and a sense of self though. I saw how all the "cool kids" went to the same "cool spots" and did the same "cool things", which didn't seem cool to me at all. So, I decided to move forward and do my own "thing"; and as I went down this "yellow brick road", I found there were others who were "different", just like me. We gathered and talked and found that we were more alike than different and soon more and more people started coming around. The team turned into a crew which turned into a mass and the next thing I knew, I was a "cool kid". (Well, sort of... I was more popular than anything)
I say this to let people know that in life and business it is not necessary to follow the crowd and hope for the best. Yes, we all want to belong to something and possibly be guided by someone but realize that not everyone will have your best interest at heart. Be aware and wary of the "business predators" that are more than willing to take your money and leave you with nothing but the same dollar and a dream you had before you had met them. Investigate, ask questions, do your due diligence, and don't be pressured or allow charisma to help make your decision. Because in the end, it is YOUR decison, so make the most out of it...
- Alfonso Todd III / GBC / www.globalbusinesscooperative.com
