Business Lessons From Masters
That’s me, the infant on the right born the previous October.
Never mind all those rabbits. This story is about my business and my family and how I came to build a business philosophy of my own.
It had been about 6 months since my real estate sales and appraisal office opened in Laurel. All around Jones County I was traveling looking for a farm for a major local businessman, Joe Frank Sanderson, Sr., to buy. He wanted a cattle farm, a big one. He sent me to find it, the chance I needed.
Mr. Sanderson taught me one major lesson I still hold close today. “Listen to the man who is telling the truth. You might not like what he says, but it’s the truth. That is much more valuable than simply liking what someone says.”
Joe Frank Sanderson, Sr.
Mr. Sanderson told me the truth, sometimes it was tough to take and not what I wanted to hear. It was the truth, and I knew that; so I could act with the assurance that his word was good. When he said something, better listen. That something was going to take place.
My uncle Champ, who worked at the feed store, told me that some fine places were out around the Myrick community. Out I drove past Bogue Homa Lake, on past Masonite Lake to ‘downtown’ Myrick. There was the Valentine grocery store, a place I had been as a child with my father Spec. At the feed store, Spec did the route sales, since he couldn’t sit still anyway. I went in this wood sided country store and asked Mr. Valentine, who stood behind the counter in his khaki clothes, if he knew any large tracts of land for sale in the area.
He looked up at me and replied: “Now, just a minute, son, who are you?” I told him, explained my business, and went on that I was a grandson of J M Wilson, Spec’s son. To which he commented, “Son, you know those Beards? They are fine people, really good business people, and they have a world of customers.”
Think about it.
These businesses are gone now. Regional farms mostly growing pine trees today. This conversation lived on. It’s a part of my idea about owning a business. A successful business is not so much about prices, locations, buildings, and expertise as it’s about Relationships. If you build a strong, connection of trust and honor with your clients, customers, and community, you will find success.
As a footnote, Mr Sanderson got his farm. The “old Dr. McLaurin” ranch about 3 miles East of the Valentine store in Myrick. About 2,200 acres became one of the most beautiful cattle farms in Mississippi. What I learned from Mr Sanderson and Mr Valentine set the sails for my career.
Thank you, Gentlemen, for the lessons.
January 11th, 2016 at 9:50 pm
What a gem! Mr. Valentine was my great great (or maybe 3rd great… I’d have to look) grandfather. I’m very much into genealogy and I love finding little stories and bits about my ancestors’ lives and personalities! So, thank you for this article!
February 20th, 2023 at 4:09 am
This is quite interesting. I believe my grandfather James Michael Wilson is somewhere in that Christmas photo. i’m curious how you came into possession of said photo. I would love to know more about the family history. My grandfather is alive and well.
May 1st, 2023 at 3:28 pm
John, I am just now seeing your post to my Blog titled Lessons From The Masters and I apologize for my tardy reply. Indeed, Cousin Mike is in the photo, bottom row, far right with Op over him.
I have other pictures and some stories but never got around to writing them down.
I hope you get this reply, let me know.