While much of the country vacillates between economic hope and hopelessness, there is one segment of the country that hasn't gotten the "things are tough" memo.  I received a text message today from a young man that gives me hope for the future of our youth.

It went something like this:

Hi, Mr. Cooper.  This is Jack.  I was outside doing my parents lawn and I was wondering if you needed someone Raking Leavesto cut the lawn next door?

Me: Absolutely.  I was going to buzz you.  When can you do it?

Jack: Just tell me when.  I'm outside doing my parent's lawn right now.

Me: As soon as possible.

Jack: OK, I'll get on it.

Me: Thanks.  You can text me the fee.

Jack: No problem.  $50.00 for front, back and edging.  It would need every week or every other week.

Me: Sounds good.  Would you clean up the heat pump area?

Jack: Thank you, sir.

I love this kid.  His parents are friends of mine, and Jack has helped me in the past.  He has an entrepreneur's heart.  He saw an opportunity, and instead of waiting for it to come to him, he went after it, gained a job and made sure that I knew it would need continuous care.

What a great lesson for all of us.  If you want something, you've got to go after it.  If it's available and the decision is not within your grasp, you need to ask.  If you get what you want, can you see a way to make it become a continually producing part of your life? 

When is the last time you walked into a bank and talked to the REO department?  When is the last time you called a local bankruptcy or estate attorney to ask if you two could link up to do distressed and estate sales for him/her?  When is the last time you called a FSBO to see if you could help him sell his house?  That doesn't mean you have to list it, but you can still profit from it. 

If you see an opportunity, ask about it.  If you gain the opportunity, how can you turn it into a continuing resource?  Entrepreneurship is an evolving process of having eyes to see what others aren't seeing, and then, putting yourself in a position to become the immediate solution.  Good job, Jack!

The Kids Didn't Get the Memo

 

1. Buying your first home in Winchester VA

2. What to look for when buying a foreclosure in Winchester VA

3. Short Sale inventory in Winchester VA

4. Winchester, VA - The best bedroom community for the Washington, D.C. area

5. Passion is contagious - Infect somebody!

6. Winchester, Virginia is a great place to buy a house at great discount!

7. This simple electrical test could save your life.

8. Turn setbacks into springboards

9. Reduce your mortgage by pre-paying principle and eliminating interest

10. What can I do to sell my home more quickly?

********************************************************************************

Mike Cooper, Real Estate Broker, Winchester, VAGive me a call for all your real estate needs, and let's make something amazing happen. 

Mike Cooper @ Cornerstone Business Group, Inc., 888-722-6029

 

Real Estate Sales and Property Management         

 

(Disclaimer:  All grammatical mistakes, punctuation breakdowns and misspellings are purely for your amusement and entertainment.   Feel free to cackle.)                                                                                                

 
Star Posted by Mike Cooper on 09/10/2012 04:48 PM   Comments (51)   Realtor Life in the ActiveRain Channel   youth, entrepreneurs  
Originally posted at: Mike Cooper - Winchester Real Estate Sales - 888-722-6029: The Kids Didn't Get the Memo
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51 Comments on The Kids Didn't Get the Memo

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SEP
11
398,263 Points Outside Blog

Glad to see a youngster with the will to get the job and do the work!
7:07pm • #32
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks, Michael.

There you go, Jason.  You've got to know Jack. 

Myrl, Jack has great parents.  They've done a good job encouraging his entrepreneurial spirit.

Excellent, Christine.

7:09pm • #33
1,178,921 Points 87 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That kid will be the next 'Donald'. He's probably saved the second dollar he earned, to invest down the road.
7:10pm • #34
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Me too, Than.  He's got a great life ahead.

I hope so, Ed.  He wants to go to West Point first.
7:11pm • #35
876,466 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This kid should go out to all the schools and tell his story to students... This kid is exceptional and is a role model for other kids.
7:18pm • #36
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes he is, Joan.  He's a great kid.
7:20pm • #37
2 Featured Posts

Great story, Mike and a little glimpse of hope for the next generation despite all of the 'dumbing down' from our text, tech and instant gratification world. Nice job Jack!

-Dee
8:02pm • #38
3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Sounds like someone who would make a great Realtor someday.  :)  Too many of the current younger generation don't have the "Go and get it" mentality.  I could go on and on regarding this subject, but think others have said it well.
8:11pm • #39
363,805 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike-Just goes to show not all kids are or come from bad seeds. The kid'll probably ever go looking for a handout.
8:48pm • #40
SEP
12
683,969 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jack is a fine example to all of us, what a great kid!

As the mom of a seven year old, I certainly hope that I am teaching my child to work hard and to go after what he wants.... He is willing to work for video games right now and saves half in his "jar" for college.  
3:28am • #41
201,002 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

GREAT JOB JACK!! It's people like him who built this country. We could use a few more Jacks these days!
3:42am • #42
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

He's a stand out, Dee.

Andrew, he wants to go to West Point.  He definitely has high goals.

Absolutely, Wayne.

That's great, Amy.  There's a great book you'd probably love called, "Debt Free Kids."

Yes we could, Richard.
4:40am • #43
724,621 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Mike, It is nice to see a modern day kid have the will and heart to take initiative. You do not find it often any more... I have to agree with Donald that yes indeed we could use a few more Jacks these days, they are our future.
5:47am • #44
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You bet, Scott.  Have a great day.
5:51am • #45
1,441,775 Points 43 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I would be recruiting that kid and pay for his real estate license school. . .
6:18am • #46
4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Mike, I hope you have the parent's email, you should send them a link to your blog post. Sounds like they are raising a fine young man!
6:32am • #47
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That would be nice, Fernando.  He has his eye on West Point.

Tanja, I sent it them a minute after I posted the blog.  They're great folks.
6:45am • #48
1,939,740 Points 392 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike, I love this post!  And when I hear the talking heads referring to all of the job seekers who have "given up", I have to wonder if many of them haven't started their own little business.  When I was in this position back in the 80's, real estate turned into the answer for me. 

This kid sounds wonderful.  Does he travel?
6:48am • #49
Attended Rain Camp

I have had the priviledge of working with several first time homebuyers this year.  All were young, in their mid to late twenties and I have full faith in the next generation.  These kids were smart, articulate, knowledgeable and hard working.  Some were self employed, some weren't, but all shared goal setting capabilities and a good work ethic.  
6:54am • #50
564,585 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

He's a great guy, Pat.  I do wonder about the lack of jobs.  I wonder if it isn't more, I like free money, and the jobs only pay a little more issue.

Excellent, Jeanne.
7:04am • #51

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