Dad’s Gift of Self-Belief
By Debbie Allen, All Rights Reserved

My father taught me much of everything I know and believe about business today, by teaching me to believe in my dreams, my goals, and myself.  I learned right out of high school as I joined the college of “Hands of Business Education” at the “School of Hard Knocks”.   My father was a true entrepreneur and loved the start up of a new business.  In fact, he enjoyed this so much; he was usually starting a new business about every 6-12 months.  Some were successful and some we prefer to forget.  But, every step of the way dad was teaching me about how to run a diverse selection of businesses. The best education any one could ever wish for! 

Growing up in my dad’s business I learned first, and foremost, to believe in myself. Dad always supported my independence and even let me invest into his business when I was just 20 years old.  Dad helped to instill in me the first step in marketing success – to have a strong belief in yourself and your ideas.  This valuable lesson has always been the core of my business success.  

Since my dad had many different businesses, we were always promoting something new.  Most of our businesses started out with little or no investment; therefore self-promotion was essential to getting those businesses from idea to success. Dad’s belief was that no matter how crazy other people might think my ideas are, I believe strongly enough to never give up and will to continue to self-promote on a daily basis.  

Back in the mid-seventies, Dad was on one of his long solo motorcycle trips from Indiana to Texas. While in Texas, he saw a mini-storage facility, one of the first in the nation.  The business intrigued him, so he pulled in to inquire.  Dad asked the owner detailed questions about the business.  The owner was very proud of his new business and open to sharing as he gave him a tour of the grounds.  As Dad rode back from Texas, he brainstormed about how he could start his own mini-storage business. 

Inspired by his new-found idea, Dad shared the news with the family.  Not knowing much about it, we went along with his idea.  He had a way of convincing and motivating most anyone when it came to a new business concept.  The next step was to go to the bank and get a loan.  Simple enough, especially since Dad had proven himself with numerous other business ideas.  However, the bank didn’t go for it.  “I’ve never heard of a mini-storage business. It sounds like a fad to me.  I don’t think it will work,” said the banker.

Bank after bank turned Dad down, until one banker gave him a small loan based on his past successes.  Dad took the small loan and made the rest happen by working long hours on the building’s construction.  My dad and brother were “hands on” throughout the process, pouring concrete and helping the construction crew finish the project.  They turned Dad’s new business dream into a reality.  

Even before the mini-storage buildings were completed, we had a long list of interested customers.  This new fad took off like some crazy dream.  As soon as the buildings were completed, they were filled.  Before each new building was complete the customer waiting list was full. Finally, the bank believed in the concept.  Dad had no problem getting funds to complete a second location.  A number of years later, Dad sold the whole operation for a big profit to a major corporation called Public Storage.  From start to finish, dad believed in his idea and kept going and going to make it happen.  I wonder where I got my determination?  

Thanks dad, for believing in me and for the wonderful experience of growing up in, and learning from your business experiences.  Your knowledge and daily advise has taught me to always believe in my career and to trust myself.  You also taught me the importance of being fair and honest in all aspects of my life.  And, along the way, though you didn’t know it, you were even teaching me how be a successful self-promoter.

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Bio: Debbie Allen is one of the world’s leading authorities on sales and marketing.  She is the author of five books including Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters and Skyrocketing Sales.  Debbie has helped thousands of people around the world attract customers like crazy with her innovative, no-cost marketing strategies and secrets to sales success.  Her expertise has been featured in Entrepreneur, Selling Power and Sales & Marketing Excellence.  Sign up for her FREE 6-week e-Course Business Success Secrets Revealed ($97 value) and take the online business card quiz to rate your marketing online now at www.DebbieAllen.com.

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