My Entrepreneurship Story

     It was a cloudy and humid morning. I usually go to the gym around eight thirty before going to work at ten. When the clock struck close to nine thirty, I had left Planet Fitness looking at my watch for spare time. As I looked up from my watch, I saw a young man around my age heading in my direction. I stepped down from the sidewalk after looking both ways and started crossing the road. That's when this young man yelled out, "excuse me!" I was going to ignore him, because there was something a bit off. He wasn't dressed in gym clothes. Nor was he carrying a gym bag. He was dressed in business attire holding a brief case. Yes, "holding" the brief case. He was holding it in a way as if a wild animal was going to jump out of it. Granted, it was a very weird encounter. However, I was curious. I was wondering what could someone possibly be selling in a gym parking lot. As he was crossing my path, I slowly walked up to him a bit dubious. He opened up the brief case like he was going to show me a million dollars. I peered into the brief case and saw the most exquisite jewelry. The quality and craftsmanship of the jewelry reminded me of high end retailers. The bracelets, necklaces, and earrings reminded me of Tiffany's. I became enchanted waiting to hear how expensive these pieces were. He told me that he made the jewelry himself, and the price ranges he had. To my surprise, he was asking triple times less than what I expected. I asked him if he took credit cards. He told me that he only takes cash. For the first time, I felt regret to have no cash on hand. In our world of growing technology, I only felt the need for cards. Since I was a little bummed, I asked him for his business card in a way to get in touch. He told me that he didn't have any made yet. So I asked him if he was on Etsy. He didn't know what Etsy was. I guess I looked shocked, because that's when he told me he just got out of the hospital a little while ago. He was in a really bad car accident and was in a coma for six years. Since he has a brain injury, making jewelry as a hobby was relaxing and calming for him. His parents take him to art events by the beach for him to sell the jewelry. They were in the grocery store on the same strip as the gym. I guess he wanted to sell some in the parking lots while they were in the store. I asked him how I could get in touch with him. He let me know that his parents only take him to the art events by the beach. As he walked away, I felt an understanding towards his parents. Their family must have went through a very tragic event. However, I also felt as if they were holding him back. He didn't realize his true potential. They could help him start his own little business. He could make a name for himself. He acted as if it was only a hobby. However that is how great things can start. As I was getting in my car, I was thinking that I should have gave him my email or something. I was asking for his information, except I should have gave him my information as well. I was thinking, I could have partnered up with him and helped him grow a small business. I understood that because of his trauma, he wasn't thinking the way I was thinking. I would have to explain to him how we could create a small business with his work. I got back out of my car and tried to find him. Except, he was gone. Nowhere in sight. I didn't see him at the art event the last time I went. Maybe I will run into him again one day. There is one good thing and one bad thing that I got out of this situation. The good thing is, keep some business cards handy for connecting with people. The bad thing is, I now carry a small amount of cash on hand. I gamble with it. It's a terrible addiction. Self control is key. I enrolled in the class to get better insight on entrepreneurship.