I really enjoyed your “Ensenada” article, especially when it reminded me of my own “Ensenada” experience when Bob and I started Megasys.

I wanted to let you know that of all the people I’ve worked for in the half century I’ve been working, you were the one who exemplified what a great leader is. And I’m not alone; everyone who ever worked for you would have walked through fire if you had asked because we all knew you’d be the first to burn your feet.

Just thought you’d like to know you’ve got an army of fans out there.

Thanks,

John Rollins

Another thought which makes it possible to find and utilize a “rock” wherever and whenever it’s needed: From Psalms 18:2: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

When I started my first entrepreneurial venture, I did not take the time to go off and reflect on what I planned to do, or even worse, to ask for any expert advice.

It was 1968, for any of you old enough to remember — the year when MLK and RFK were assassinated; there was a police riot at the Democratic national convention; Nixon appeared to be a shoo-in for the Presidency but voters were having second thoughts and Humphrey was closing in; and we were in the midst of a flurry of conglomeratization and easy credit but too blind to see it for a bubble that would soon burst.

So what did I do? Quit my job, got married, and moved to New York to start a new business.

My pioneering idea was right on track, as witness the fact that many of my big-name competitors, who had originally dissed the idea, were doing it themselves within 2-3 years. So, I had a valid idea; unfortunately, I knew absolutely nothing about how to run a business. Having much earlier burned through my tiny bit of FFF capitalization, I had to seek shelter myself within a larger company within 2 years. An “artistic success,” a business failure.

Would I do the same thing all over again? Not today, but back then, probably. On the other hand, the marriage, while equally impulsive, endures to this day and continues to grow in value…

While attending college at the University of Arizona in Architecture you were required an annual review of your work. It was an stressful review.
One professor had a unique way of handing down his decision. “I want you to go up in the mountains. Find a rock. Sit on that rock and think about your career. And don’t come down until you have decided not to be in architecture.”

Your time in Ensenada must not have been during Cinco de Mayo, or the Ensenada Sail boat race from Newport beach.

I remember over 30 years ago in YPO when Red Scott told a story similar to yours about how he turned his life around. He went to see is his best friend in TX and was told to get on a train to Chicago, take no paper, no pencil, just ride, eat and think and when he got off check into a hotel and put down on paper what he wanted to do. You may have heard Red’s story before? I have told this to many people who are unsure of what they want to to – be in life. Red went on to say he does a similar thing each year on the beach in Hawaii (I believe).

Thanks for your stories!!!!

Living in Aspen, I am lucky to have a rock high in the Hunter Creek valley, where connection to place, self and intentions are a part of the flow…

There are two “special rocks” I have, one in the mountains, and one on the ocean. Time for me to schedule “sitting time” on one or the other!

Thank you for sharing your insight and your story of success.

Keep the Insights coming. They’re much appreciated!

Larry Hall

Thank you for this moment in your life.