During these challenging times I think about the “words of wisdom” from Grandma Sarah and Mardy Cason.
Grandma Sarah was born in Yannena, Greece in the 1880’s. She was an orphan who was adopted by a Doctor who was General in the Turkish Army and she moved to Constantinople. She emigrated to America in the 1900’s, had an arranged marriage that ultimately did not work out. Grandma Sarah had four children, the youngest who was my mother. During the late 1920’s through 1950 she was the “ultimate entrepreneur”. She owned three profitable flower shops in Manhattan and the Bronx. Throughout my early childhood she instilled in me the importance of “your name”. To Grandma Sarah, “your name is your word and your word in your bond”.
Upon graduating high school and college, Grandma Sarah had these “words of wisdom”, which are true today and through the ages.
- Go forth into the world with “bravery”
- “Fear no one”
- Have “ethics and integrity”
- Always do “the best you can”
- “Never, ever, ever, ever, give up”
- Remember you are born into this world with your “name” and you leave this world with your “name” – Your “name” defines who you are and how people perceive you”
Mardy Cason and I became business partners in 1989 and we went on to have two successful business years together as “Crisis Managers”. Mardy then went on to acquire the North Face and then Converse. He sold both companies.
Mardy was one of the most brilliant business person I ever met. Equally important was his thoughts about life, which I still expouse.
- “Live life for the integrity of your name”
- “Live life for the love of your family”
- “Live life with HOPE for the future”
In today’s challenging world the themes of both Grandma Sarah and Mardy become so important. During this holiday time when we celebrate hope and family please think about the words of wisdom from Grandma Sarah and Mardy.
With respect to their memories and with”hope for the future”
Best
The GERBS
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