The book “Though Shalt Prosper” by Rabbi Daniel Lapin was recently recommended a second time. I knew it was time for me to download it to the Kindle on my iPhone and get started. Though I am only a few chapters in, it appears to be a book I will wholeh
eartedly endorse.
Early this morning Lapin was talking about how the business owner has been vilified in this country. Pre-1965 most movies and television shows portrayed the businessman as virtuous. Just think of Jimmy Stewart playing an honorable, generous banker in “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
Since the 1970’s this image has become more distorted in Hollywood productions. J.R. Ewing would do anything to get ahead on Dallas. Gordon Gecko proclaimed, “Greed is good.”
As a matter of fact, according to studies of television and movies, businessmen commit more crimes disproportionately than even career criminals.
Lapin’s premise is that wealth is good. It is noble. There is nothing to be ashamed of, as those of the Occupy movement would have us believe. If you don’t believe me, just drive around your community.
Thanks to the successful business owners in your community, there are hospitals, schools, parks, libraries, universities and countless non-profits helping make this country better. And may I add, most non-profits and faith based organizations can take a dollar and stretch it to ten…the government can eke out ten cents of good from the same.
Being Jewish, I can personally relate to some of the teachings Lapin quotes. My favorite is the eight levels of charity defined by Maimonides…with number one being:
“The greatest level, above which there is no greater, is to support your fellow Jew by endowing him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding employment for him, in order to strengthen his hand until he need no longer be dependent upon others . . .”
Feel free to substitute the word Jew above with your religion. I think it applies to us all.
I say you, the hard working restaurant owner, are NOT evil!
It is because of the risks you took to open your doors…the challenges you embrace each day…to feed your family, build a legacy, employ members of your community, give to charity when the time calls, step up when someone is in need…
Last Saturday night at a party, I was reminded by a local prominent businessman, in front of his wife and my girlfriend, that over fifteen years ago when his company had a big fire, we delivered free food for his company.
Honestly, it was no big deal then. I had totally forgotten about it.
There is no profession more noble a than business owner. Don’t let your kids forget it.
Hold your head up high. You should be as proud of yourself as I am of you.
In fact, I want to help you become even more successful in 2012 to continue the good you do for your community and our country.
I am hosting a live webinar entitled:
Cater or Die! How To Build A Million Dollar Restaurant Catering Business In A New Economy
This webinar is limited to 100 attendees. Last time, quite a few people were turned away.
To register, please go to: www.FreeCateringWebinar.com
I truly hope you can make it.
Well, that’s all for this issue.
To Your Restaurant's Marketing & Catering Success…
Michael Attias
Restaurant Catering Software
