Lush, drooping ferns swayed gently in the breeze created by wooden-paddled ceiling fans. The restaurant tables were buzzing with conversations generated from the business lunch crowd. Following the hostess to my table, I casually clutched my new, leather briefcase. I had arrived, and I secretly hoped everyone had noticed. However, most of the crowd seemed oblivious to the fact that an astute business entrepreneur was now in their midst.
They were unaware that the owner of this popular Charlotte restaurant had personally called to ask me about the possibility of including one of our frozen yogurt stores in his new shopping center complex. Although my career as a pediatric nurse had been very rewarding, I had secretly wondered what it would feel like to be a smartly dressed businesswoman hurrying with briefcase in hand to important meetings. When my husband and I decided to open frozen yogurt stores, I had a chance to experience first-hand the joys and challenges of owning a business. Most of the time, I was cleaning out yogurt machines, trying to decorate yogurt cakes in a minus 18-degree freezer, and serving shakes, flurries, and sundaes to our customers. But today, I had shed my yogurt-stained khakis, and was living my dream in a crisp, tailored suit.
When the waiter came to take my order, I told him about the call from the restaurant owner, and asked if the owner was in and available. The waiter assured me the owner was expected in shortly, and his subsequent attentive service showed that at least he recognized that a VIP was among his customers. Glancing around at the other restaurant patrons absorbed in their own conversations, I decided to continue my performance as a successful entrepreneur. Reaching into my briefcase, I pulled out a copy of The Wall Street Journal, carefully unfolding the pages on the table to the marketing section. I was soon absorbed in perusing the paper. For a few minutes that is…until I suddenly became aware of bright light and smoke!
Horrified, I realized that I had inadvertently caught the corner of my paper on fire in the candle intended to radiate ambiance to the room. The fire was quickly spreading to other parts of the paper. As unobtrusively as I could, I tried to stamp the fire out with my napkin. It didn’t help a bit. By now, everyone in the restaurant had noticed my predicament – and me! The attentive waiter rushed to my rescue with a full pitcher of water. Time stood still. In mortified silence, I watched the waiter sling the entire contents of the pitcher onto the paper – and me! Immediately, the fire was doused, as was my new suit and briefcase.
For a moment, the humiliation was overwhelming. Then, the hilarity of the moment hit me. I had gotten my heart’s desire. I had been noticed by ALL! My fellow patrons joined in my laughter as I decided that humility and a sense of humor would be my new business attire.
That new business attire suited me well over the next few years, as I was named “Franchisee of the Year”, and later, when we almost lost our home due to the franchise company going bankrupt. God’s Words of wisdom are for today and have never failed me!
