I'm not exactly sure what time it is in Portland while I am writing this because I'm on a plane headed to Frankfurt, Germany, for a training and sightseeing trip at the Laegler headquarters. A month ago I wasn't even planning on this trip, but the opportunity came up last minute because of friendships and chance. I'm really looking forward to the trip because I will have four days to learn from some really great people who love the business.
I'm not exactly sure what time it is in Portland while I am writing this because I'm on a plane headed to Frankfurt, Germany, for a training and sightseeing trip at the Laegler headquarters. A month ago I wasn't even planning on this trip, but the opportunity came up last minute because of friendships and chance. I'm really looking forward to the trip because I will have four days to learn from some really great people who love the business.
For close to 10 years now I've known guys like Wayne Lee, Steve Seabaugh, and other truly wonderful guys in the industry. I've been skiing at Telluride with Seabaugh, snowmobiling with Lon from Glitsa, and had plenty of great dinners with guys like Sheldon Walker, Craig McIntosh and Jeff Fairbanks. The value of these friendships means a lot to me. Probably the biggest thing these friendships represent to me is that despite how busy these guys get, they will take my call and help me figure things out if I'm in a pickle.
When you're only a couple of phone calls away from being able to figure out how to install, sand, or fix any floor. it gives you an ease and form of confidence you need to win in this business. When times have been rough financially, I've always found myself searching for concrete reasons to keep my membership, as if the NWFA could directly fix my problems at the time. The NWFA doesn't have a magic wand to fix things right away for every business out there. What I'm sure of is that they keep more reach and awareness of ways to help their members than similar organizations I've joined and left.
I write this post not to pitch the NWFA but as a reflection of gratitude for where I am today because of good friendships and peers. I met most of those people at the distributor and at NWFA courses. The opportunities that are going to come your way and help you in the toughest of times are because of genuine relationships and a passion for the craft.
During this trip I will learn more in a week about the hottest new techniques and the way that 10 other people do floors-things I wouldn't be able to learn from just a technical manual and trying to figure it all out myself. I'm looking forward to talking shop and sharing what I know with my friends back home when I get back. Relationships will make your career an extraordinary one if you open up at places like the distributor and make a friend. Stay in touch, because I'd love to hear from everyone.
