Page 88 - Sorry, We're Not Hiring Any Visionaries Today

SORRY, WE’RE NOT HIRING ANY VISIONARIES TODAY
I retained friendships with people that got burned, but not in a big way. I helped them as much as possible. Thankfully, the impact on my brother’s re- lationship with me was okay. We never had any problems with it. I never blamed him, and he never blamed me. Of course, he still yelled, “You shouldn’t have taken that One-Plus One order!” He still reminds me of it to this day.
We bought out our manufacturing partner for $400,000; in hindsight, it was not very good advice. We got this advice from our accountant. Let’s say that sometimes experts don’t know what’s best for your business.
After Affirmative, I became a marketing consultant. I called my business The Social Strategy Group. I set up a website in the early days of the internet. I was making money and spending money. I spent my money on rent, food, enter- tainment, and holidays. I never put any money aside. I have no savings. I was foolish. This is something that has always made me feel very disappointed in myself. I never planned for the day when I wouldn’t get the $150,000 a year salary that I got at Mr. Leonard, you know, way back. My brother was more in- telligent than me. He did sock some money away.
Divorces don’t help your finances either. Divorces do a lot of damage. My sec- ond wife was right. I should have abided by what Mr. Leonard wanted. He re- quested a report from me, and I should have written one.
At the end of 2023, my ex-wife and I were at a party. We were talking about the past together and how she said, “You really fucked up big time.” She asked me point blank why I was so obstinate back then. I told her, “I know why I’m ob- stinate. I want to do it my way. Because my way’s right.” Now that I am at my age, I am finding out I wasn’t that right. I should have listened. Whether I took the advice or not, it was my choice. But some advice was excellent at the time, based on the circumstances.
This is when my second marriage fell apart. My wife felt insecure about my mentality. I was always starting something, creating something, but it never mushroomed. We had two little boys, plus I had two daughters from a
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