The Crossroads

 Oh hi Joe (and Ben),

I’m getting a late start on this, so let’s see how long I can be coherent tonight.

This has been an interesting week. I’ve been busy ish with freelance, it’s picking up. I always thought of it as a stop-gap, but could it be more than that? I probably need to give more credence to that possibility. I was fairly busy with that Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

Tuesday mom got up early to take me to the airport. I’m used to taking you guys to the airport since I haven’t traveled much since our Dallas days. I flew out on Frontier airlines, the seat was like $48 bucks. I didn’t expect much, but with the exception of the flight being delayed because of technical issues, it was a very pleasant flight, I even had my row to myself. In Denver, I got picked up by a guy in a dark suit and dark glasses in a big black suburban. The Denver airport is pretty far from town so it was about a 45 minute trip to my destination. I got to my hotel and got checked in. Then I met Steve, the franchise sales guy. He’s a nice guy who looks like a salesman, from the golf tan to the slick hair to the plaid jacket. He took me around to visit a couple of the SpeedPro franchises in the Denver area. They call the store’s studios, because they are supposed to convey collaboration and exclusivity. But these were just like any other sign shop. The owners and employees were nice and professional, but I guess I’m just a marketing snob who was hoping for a level up in presentation. Both places were pretty busy, so that showed promise. 

After, we met the big wigs for dinner at a fancy steakhouse called Ted’s. I wasn’t quite prepared for this reception. It was the CEO, and the VPs of both finance and marketing. I was being schmoozed boys. I don’t think I’ve ever been prospected on that level, even when Alan came to invite me to go to Dallas. I think I did my share of charming the folks there, I think they may be used to prospects with more blue collar experience. The steak was amazing, I had a bison fillet with a baked potato. I want another bison fillet.

The next day was a day at the corporate office. They had a sign with my name on the door. I felt a little bad because I dressed casually to be able to travel lightly. Just a polo shirt with my khaki pants. I know I’m not a slim person, but this get up was less than flattering. Well, they had a whole room set up with no less than 10 executives in attendance. I thought for sure there were going to be other, several other, franchise candidates there too. Nope, just your goofy old dad. I made a comment that this must be an expensive meeting which the CEO got a kick out of. Steve, the salesman started with an introduction, then it was my turn to introduce myself with the help of a PowerPoint that I had prepared on Monday. I was uncharacteristically calm and confident, so I stood my sloppy old double chinned self up and introduced myself. I talked about mom and you boys as the why behind my looking into this. I talked about my background including the first page from my portfolio, which seemed to really impress them. I talked about my experience and my vision of owning a franchise. Once again I heard the CEO whisper to the VP of finance, “this guy is incredible!” After that, I received customer presentations from the CEO, finance, sales, marketing, operations, and franchise support. Some things I was impressed by, others, meh…

At the end of about three hours they brought in sandwiches. What I appreciate is that there was no high pressure to close the deal, I expect that this coming week. I did receive a signed letter authorizing me to move forward in the process, which I think is a necessary step to start looking into financing the purchase of a franchise. Which is about the price of a small to medium house these days.

I feel really confident that I could do it, especially if you boys had any interest in being part of it. I am reticent to put my retirement into it, though it is probably my main option, I am planning on talking to a few people this week regarding my other options. I like the idea of starting something of my (our) own that’s more tangible than my freelance work. I understand that my primary job as the owner is to drum up business, yes, sales. I think I could do it, not sure how much I want to do it. So we’ll see where the is goes and how my other options might influence my decision. I would like your input. Jake and I have discussed it, and mom, but I’d like both of your thoughts and opinions, so ask away.

One of my other options is less up to me than a buying a franchise. It’s a job interview with Extra Space Storage for their Sr. Manager of Brand and Creative that I have tomorrow at one. Extra Space Storage is one of the biggest companies in Utah with a nationally recognized brand. I noticed several of their facilities when we were back east. Obviously I have a ton of experience leading creative and brand, but I’ve never had the branding part in my title, so it seems like a rare opportunity for an old guy like me to expand professionally. That may be the most exciting part for me. As I talk about it, I can feel myself tensing up. But I believe I did really well on my first interview and hopefully I can replicate that experience. Jake even gave me another blessing tonight that included some really comforting guidance. Pray for me boys. My brain tells me this is what I want, but I hope that my spirit can listen to what the right thing to choose is, this (if offered), the SpeedPro, or to continue freelancing. 

The news of this week was the murder at UVU of the right wing fanatic Charlie Kirk. I only know him by reputation, which isn’t in any way positive in my view. It really made me sad that it happened so close to home. It made me even sadder that the killer is an LDS kid about my kids age. It bugs me that so many LDS people worship him and his definitely un charitable, un Christlike opinions. But nobody deserves to be murdered. It seems that for many Christians, Caucasians, and republicans though, his life is somehow more worthy to mourn than brown people, women, or democrats. I’m angered and frustrated by the hateful reaction of the president and republicans blaming their political opponents. I’m deeply saddened to think that the kid that killed him is your age and that his dad ended up having to turn him in. I was telling mom that the only thing possibly worse that loosing one of my boys would be something like this. I also hate that our church name is being dragged through all of this. I switch from the total resentment of white Christian republicans killing each other for not having enough hate to empathizing with the killers family even though they are proud Trump supporters and gun freaks. I’m tired of this subject.

Thursday night mom and I took Jacob for his dinner birthday at this new, fancy Italian restaurant in Salt Lake, it was fun and good.

I’ve been doing freelance all weekend and my client seems pleased, he’s giving me some more projects and so is another client, I should be busy this week. 

Your mom is fighting a pretty bad cold or flu this weekend. Jacob and I gave her a blessing tonight. Earlier I was afraid my lungs were starting to hurt so I got paranoid and went to instacare. They shoved some long swabs up my nose to check for Covid, the test came back negative so I just wasted money. I guess that is better than having Covid and wasting money.

Well my boys, I really love you and I’m incredibly proud of both of you. Chat tomorrow,

Pops