Small Business Owners -- The Other Iron Men
For two thousand six hundred and thirty two days he made the rounds. EVERY DAY! Even when he was tired. He provides a critical product that is essential to human beings. But no one ever gave him a parade.For two thousand six hundred and thirty two days she showed up. EVERY DAY! Even when she was sick. She could have worked less somewhere else, and probably made more money. She creates something that is useful and provided opportunity for everyone around her. But no one ever called her a hero.
For two thousand six hundred and thirty two days he was on the schedule. EVERY DAY! Even when he was tired, sick, or hurt. He entertained and gave performances that others enjoyed. His name is a household word and a metaphor for consistency, perseverance and endurance. If it hasn't happened already, he will be given at least one parade. He is considered by many to be a hero. And his accomplishments will be revered and discussed for generations to come.
Who are these people? Well, the first one is a dairy farmer, the second one is the owner of a small factory, and the third one is a baseball player.
The Dairy Farmer
As a farmer, John is a member of a profession that is one of the original small businesses. Do you know what a dairy farmer's day is like? First we have to stipulate that a dairy cow MUST be milked twice a day. EVERY DAY! A cow doesn't know from off days, holidays, sick days, vacations, or whatever other excuses humans have invented to not go to work. And since cows can't milk themselves, either a calf or a human must do it. And one more thing: dairy cows expect to be milked the first time really early - like before daylight.
John went two thousand six hundred and thirty two days without missing a day milking his cows. He is the Iron Man of farmers. Yes, John has employees, and probably some family members, to help him. But if you know dairy farmers, you know there is a bond between them and their livestock that is primordial. And you and I are the better for John's commitment to that bond.
The Factory Owner
Mary runs a factory that produces a product her customers can get lots of other places, and from companies that are a lot bigger. But Mary's customers like doing business with her because she has proven her reliability to them.
Do you know what it's like to run a factory? Well, it's about machinery and humans working in concert. The humans who work with Mary know all about off days, sick days, and vacations - but like John's cows, her machines don't. One thing to know about factory machinery is that when they get going, it's best to keep them going. Starting and stopping is very expensive and unproductive. Therefore, someone has to be there EVERY DAY to make sure everything is moving along.
That someone is Mary. Sure, she has employees who help her run things. But for two thousand six hundred and thirty two days, Mary showed up. EVERY DAY! The Iron Lady of small factory owners. What Mary knows is that her factory works better with the presence of her guiding hand. And there's just something about this business Mary owns that's more than a job, a career, or even a profession. There's a bond between Mary and her factory that runs very deep.
The Baseball Player
Cal is a short stop on a major league baseball team. He is called baseball's Iron Man because for two thousand six hundred and thirty two days, he was on the schedule and on the field. EVERY DAY! But not EVERY DAY like John and Mary - just the days his team played a ballgame.
There was nothing in Cal's contract about having to play every day. He just did it. Good for him. His customers are his fans, and it's admirable that they could count on Cal to show up EVERY DAY, 162 days a year for 16 years. What an accomplishment! Cal has been good for baseball, and a good role model for America's youth. It's clear there is a strong bond between Cal and baseball, and him and his customers.
Three Retirements
1 - When John announced his retirement from the dairy business, no member of the media interviewed him. There were no articles or television programs about John's accomplishments. On the day of John's retirement, as Americans purchased a gallon of that pure, clean, wholesome, pasteurized, homogenized, vitamin-enriched white liquid that we and our children require for strong bodies, did anyone think, "Why don't we give the man who made this possible a parade?"
It's understandable. Who ever heard of a parade for a man who milks cows?
2 - Mary is selling her factory. Her retirement isn't even being mentioned by the cable show that covers local events and people. On that day, as we grabbed a small piece of molded plastic or cast aluminum to operate a home appliance or part of our automobile, either of which add to our quality of life, did we think, "The person who made this handy gadget available at a price I can afford is a hero"?
Don't feel too badly. No one else thought to lionize Mary, either. I'm pretty sure there's no small factory owner hall of fame.
3 - Cal Ripken has announced his retirement. If you didn't know about his outstanding playing performance and record-breaking accomplishments, that deficiency will be corrected by the countless words of hundreds of sportswriters, dozens of media outlets, a world of baseball devotees, the management of at least one major league team, and the full cadre of professionals employed by a Big Business called Major League Baseball.
Don't worry about Cal. He's made millions. He'll get his parade(s) and certainly will be enshrined at Cooperstown on the first ballot of his eligibility. If it hasn't already happened, some street or building, or both, will be given his name. And generations of baseball's faithful will talk about Cal's 2632 consecutive game record.
Don't Get Me Wrong
I grew up loving baseball. And I admire Cal Ripken's devotion to his work and the way he conducts himself on and off the field. The problem I have is with how we choose our heroes. To me, John and Mary, who are composites of thousands of small business owners who show up for work EVERY DAY, and contribute REAL value in our lives, are infinitely more deserving of our adoration than any athlete, actor, or other species of celebrity.
As the Australians say, goodonya, Cal, for what you have accomplished. But what about John and Mary? EVERY DAY thousands of small business owners demonstrate consistency, perseverance, endurance, and courage. Where are their parades? When do they get to hear us say they are our heroes?
Write this on a rock... To find the REAL heroes, all we have to do is look around. They live among us - not on a field for playing a game, and certainly not in the television, or on the movie screen.
