From Farm Worker Through Carpet Seller to Author
How many ways to earn a living have you tried?
How’s this for some variety: these are some of the occupations I’ve been involved in since I left school. . .
Farm worker/Herdsman
Car-parts van salesman
Forestry worker
Carpet wholesale warehouseman
Delivery driver
Flooring salesman
Flooring sales manager
Carpet and Flooring wholesaler (my own business)
Carpet retailer and contractor (my own business)
Independent carpet consultant and inspector
Published Author
That’s a bit of a mixed bag.
I learned so many valuable lessons and skills from each of these occupations. Each one a benefit in my journey to success.
Along the way I married my lovely wife Helen and together we had six beautiful children: three girls and three boys. Each of them loving, hard-working and successful. We’re very proud of them – they’re our greatest success story.
And as you can imagine, they were also our greatest incentive to be successful bread winners.
We’ve been very fortunate.
Not Everything Went to Plan
But it hasn’t always been plain sailing. Like many others, my wife and I have experienced some hard knocks together.
I won’t give the fine details. Suffice it to say that we lost a business along the way and nearly lost our family house with it.
We made sacrifices, worked hard, and pulled through it.
My wife fell seriously ill, but she fought it. She got better.
We had some long periods of need, but we’ve also had periods of plenty.
The unpleasant experiences taught us one heck of a lot about people, and about ourselves.
We moved on.
So Why This New Blog?
I’ve been active online for several years now building a few websites for myself and other people.
Recently I finished writing a book about carpets: ‘How To Buy Carpets And Save Money’. It took me eight months of continuous application and finally, when it was ready, I self-published it.
I’ve also just finished editing and published a book for my wife, Helen, who is a bridal hairdresser: ’100 Tips For A Stress-Free Wedding Morning’.
There is so much valuable content in both books that I felt the need to get some internet marketing skills to promote them. They won’t sell themselves.
Just as I had completed both books, by chance, I received an email promoting a marketing course by Alex Jefferies. It seemed to offer all that I was looking for; so I opted in to the training.
Part of Alex’s advice about the marketing process involves the need for a blog which charts my progress as an internet marketer. Because blogging makes it is so easy to interact with visitors it allows me to help others that are doing the same as me.
I Want To Tell You a Story
I’ll keep this short.
I live in Somerset, England.
In 2008 I sold my retail carpet warehouse which I had been operating for fifteen years.
Although my carpet business was very successful, after fifteen years working inside I was ready for a change. I missed my freedom.
I was ‘on duty’ and tied to the shop six days a week; working from 8 in the morning to 7 or 8 most evenings, until all my deliveries and estimates had been completed. I yearned to break free and to have a change of scenery.
Despite selling the business I still need to work. The small amount I earned from the sale means that I can’t retire just yet! Not that I am ready to retire, no way.
The work that I do now involves inspecting faulty carpets and acting as a consultant/advisor for carpet consumers. I thoroughly enjoy it; it’s a great way to apply the knowledge that I have gained over the past thirty-odd years in the industry. Added to that, I get to drive around the west country, enjoying the natural beauty of this region.
I’ve always loved books and writing. So my new-found freedom has allowed me to build an online publishing business, while developing internet marketing skills. Now I really don’t want to go back into captivity within a bricks-and-mortar business.
It Was Time To Move On
So that’s why I’m blogging.
I’ve investing a lot of money in my marketing training over the past few years.
I’m convinced that the internet is the place to be doing business.
For instance, just think of all the younger Facebook users who will eventually be online consumers when they start earning money themselves. It’s a new generation, many of whose parents still don’t have any interest in the internet or even computers.
The market is huge now, but the potential is massive.
What surprises me is that there are still so many business that don’t have websites: everyone in business should have an online presence – now. The earnings opportunity is huge and growing.
Successful Giving and Getting
I’ve learned over the years that by helping others, I help myself.
As a carpet retailer, often I would give discounts to customers without being asked for them. That’s because I took great pleasure in giving, while at the same time I knew that I would get back. I proved it on so many occasions. I had a terrific following of loyal customers who returned time and again to do business with me.
So I will be sharing some of my online experiences with you. If you’re new to the internet, and to blogging, then follow along and hopefully you’ll pick up some tips.
If you’re an experienced internet marketer, then I welcome your comments and advice. I need all the help I can get.
Building Our Businesses Together
I’ve paid handsomely over the last two years to study internet marketing. While my progress may have been slow, I believe that it’s all coming together and about to pay off.
So, as I learn new stuff going along, I would like to share it with you.
This is an online journey full of interest, excitement and reward.
Please let me know how you are doing.
