Boden’s Story
I read a story the other day found in a recent edition of the Arizona Republic. The story was reported in the March 9, 1858 edition of the Republic. Yes I said 1858! The story amazed me. It told of a man named Terrance “Phatty” Boden. Mr. Boden was a stage driver at one point and traveled a bit through Tucson. Once, as he was sitting in a dance hall in Tucson, he noticed something interesting about the dance hall girls. He noticed that as the night wore on and the patrons of the dance hall left the girls grew very lonely. This observation stuck in Boden’s mind as he went on about his life. He later resigned from his job as a driver to pursue the idea that had grown from his observation about the dance hall girls. Mr. Boden paid some local boys in Salome a quarter a piece to gather up as many cats as they could! Soon the boys had caught practically the entire cat population of Salome. Boden gathered up these cats, loaded them in a wagon and headed to Tucson. Upon arrival in Tucson Boden set up shop below Auggie’s Saloon and sold cats to the dance hall girls. These girls paid anywhere from two to three dollars a piece for their new furry, purring friends.
This story caught my attention because I believe it tells the secret to successful business. The first is be aware of what’s going on around you. There is always an opportunity. Either for business or maybe just to help someone. Stay alert. Be aware. Observe. Watch and learn. You never know where the next need may arise. Secondly, never fear. Mr. Boden saw a need, had an idea and went with it. I believe many don’t succeed because they don’t dive in whole heartedly. If you’re going to do something then do it! Don’t worry about failure or even success. If you have a dream of an idea and you are passionate about it then do it! With all you have! Failure is a mindset. So don’t even worry about failure. Third, build relationships. I know I’m reading between the lines on this one but in my mind I can see Mr. Boden sitting at a table in that saloon, drinking some whiskey and watching. He notices a young lady in the corner, walks over and strikes up a conversation. Soon he realizes how lonely this girl is! He then asks questions all the while his mind is in motion considering ways he can meet this need. Fast forward to Boden returning to Tucson. Can’t you picture him pulling up to the saloon, grabbing five or six cats and carrying them in! You know the ladies went crazy! Boden built relationships. And besides, there’s not much sexier than a cowboy carrying cats!
Maybe you can take something from Mr. Boden’s story. It’s amazing that principle’s span all tests of time. This same story happens daily in the marketplace. My question is, ‘will you be a part of this success?’
Cheers,
Mitch
