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The Kettle Corn Lesson From The Old Vet

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Silent Partner Marketing

Sometimes the most valuable lessons in life only cost a few bucks to learn.

Last weekend, my wife brought our family to a farm fair.  It was quintessential New England.  Cows.  Corn.  Arts and craft stands.

I went up to one of the stands and ordered a medium sized bag of kettle corn. 

“That’ll be $7,” said the guy who handed me the bag.

Seven bucks.  For a bag of popcorn.  Not like $7 is a big deal to me.  But man – this was a little farm stand.  It’s not like I was at the movies in NYC.

Needless to say, the first couple of bites were a little salty to me…and it had nothing to do with the way the popcorn tasted.

Seven.  Freaking.  Dollars.  For popcorn.

“Honey, seven bucks!  Can you believe that?” I asked my wife.

That’s when I saw an old man approach the stand.

“How much for the kettle corn?” he asked.

“$5 for the small.  $7 for the medium.  $9 for the large.”

“Thank you…but that’s a bit out of my price range,” said the older man.

“Hey – I notice your hat,” said popcorn man.  “From one disabled vet to another – your popcorn is on me.”

For the next couple of minutes, the two men chatted back and forth about their service.  They talked about our country and other vets.  They talked about faith.

I took another bite of the popcorn.  This time the kettle corn tasted sweet – just the way kettle corn is meant to taste.

I just can’t believe that popcorn only cost seven bucks.

 

Posted by
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Kyle Reyes is the President and Creative Director of The Silent Partner Marketing, a boutique marketing firm focused on helping businesses grow in an age of exploding technology.
 
Reyes is an acclaimed Keynote Speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing and social media.
 
The CEO is a former Producer of News and Special Projects, having worked in broadcast journalism for nearly a decade.  His team offers a marketing one-stop-shop, filling the role of a Chief Marketing Officer and support staff at a fraction of the cost of having to worry about the payroll, taxes, benefits, etc.
 
Reyes has appeared in multiple media outlets including Aol.Com, Yahoo and Bloomberg Business. 
 
You can find him on FacebookTwitter, Instagram and SnapChat (@dasilentpartner).  And he wants to connect with you on LinkedIn, so send him a request!
 
Show All Comments Sort:
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a great story to share.

Spread some kindness and have a wonderful week.

Sep 13, 2015 01:39 AM
Kyle Reyes
The Silent Partner Marketing - Manchester, CT

Thanks Roy Kelley !

Sep 13, 2015 01:44 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Kyle, sweet post!  Now I've got a huge itch for a handfull of kettle corn!

Sep 13, 2015 02:06 AM
Kyle Reyes
The Silent Partner Marketing - Manchester, CT

Thanks Patricia Kennedy

Sep 13, 2015 02:13 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

What a lovely post, Kyle! I'd be in the same state of shock over the $7 price tag, but so nice to know that one vet was watching out for anther.

Sep 13, 2015 02:29 AM
Kyle Reyes
The Silent Partner Marketing - Manchester, CT

I guess if you think about it, Nina Hollander - I only paid $3.50 :)

Sep 13, 2015 02:35 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Kyle... that's a great way to think about it! Seems like a bargain at twice the price then!

Sep 13, 2015 02:38 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Cool story Kyle, I really enjoyed it. 

Sep 13, 2015 02:50 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Very cool story. There are actually many lessons here.

Sep 13, 2015 03:05 AM
Kyle Reyes
The Silent Partner Marketing - Manchester, CT

Thanks Noah Seidenberg and Debbie Gartner

Sep 13, 2015 03:09 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good afternoon Kyle, 

It was one way of paying it forward!

At least the popcorn guy was reasonable.

Make yourself a great day.

Sep 13, 2015 03:49 AM
Gary Coles (Coaching)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

Kyle,  Fantastic story. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Sep 13, 2015 03:50 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Kyle- I love this story and the fact that we all can take something different from it.  All good!  

Sep 13, 2015 04:17 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I love this kind of story, Kyle.  Thanks for sharing!

Sep 13, 2015 04:55 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I love this country.  That was a fabulous thing you witnessed and what happened to your soul and heart as you witnessed it.

Sep 13, 2015 05:20 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kyle it's moments like this that really make us realize how some stuff just so isn't important - and what is important.  BTW my husband wouldn't blink an eye at over priced kettle corn! I can live without it.....:)

Sep 13, 2015 07:35 AM