Words of wisdom

In this business, you get a chance to interview people who do things right. These are people you don’t forget.

Three of those people I interviewed this year were Bud Ford, Ron McIntyre, and Tom Robb. Each of these men have had amazing careers and aren’t done yet. They made their marks. Ford in real estate and investments, McIntyre in the grocery business with Super 1 Foods, Robb in the restaurant industry with the Iron Horse on Sherman Avenue.

In spending time with these men, even briefly, they shared some things in common.

They gave thanks often.

They deflected praise for their success.

They were respectful and courtesy and more than fair.

Each of these men set goals, worked hard to achieve them, and built upon that success.

Each of them has been generous with their time, their talents, their money.

Each of them wants to see those around them succeed.

Each is committed to family and friends.

They love where they live and love being part of their community.

In interviewing these men, they did not speak a negative word about anyone. I’m sure, in all the people they have done business with, someone did them wrong. You don’t get to where they are without some fallout. But you would never hear that from Ford, McIntyre or Robb. They are, indeed, throwbacks to the days of dealing with people in person, rather than in today’s social media when everyone criticizes everyone.

Today, we have folks who think so highly of their own opinion, they post it on Facebook or on YouTube or anywhere on social media so they can enlighten others with their wisdom. Sadly, their wisdom is most often based on pointing out faults in others, on pointing out mistakes made by others. It makes them feel smarter, I can only guess, if they can do their best to drag others down to their level.

Fortunately, there are people like Ford, McIntyre and Robb, who operate differently. They have a philosophy that is directed at bringing out the best of those around the me. For them, it’s a matter of building up rather than tearing down.

Here are a few words from each those men as recorded in interviews.

Bud Ford

“I’ve worked hard. I’ve been frugal all my life. I’ve made adequate income and I like to return things to the community.”

“I sit here and sip it, look at the downtown area, and just remember how thankful I am for what I’ve been able to do and my health.”

“I enjoy working.I still work five to six days a week. I think working keeps me young.”

“This is home. I love it here.”

Ron McIntyre

“It’s no different than it was 50 years ago. You still have to work and work and work and hope and do all the other things.”

“I need something to do and this is a good thing to be doing.”

“Working with other people, successful people, is a good thing.”

Tom Robb

“I told my wife long ago, I’m getting up every morning and coming to work, and I’m not breaking that habit. And I didn’t.”

“In our business, the core things haven’t changed. It’s about people being comfortable, people liking to come to your place.”

“The thing about the restaurant business, particularly the bar business, you build it one person at a time.”

Here is my advice: Listen to these men. Learn from them. Our world will be better off for it.