I wrote this letter early in the morning of November 5th, 2008. It was sent to all our employees at Nashville Wraps as a statement of encouragement. I did not intend to publish it to the internet, but because of requests from several people I decided to put it on our blog at least for a little while. My hope is that it will help heal our nation and remind us all of our responsibilities… So here it is, including the preface.
Dear Friends and Associates,
You have not really heard me say much if anything about our political system, leaders, taxes or other matters that would somehow put you in an unfair position or hinder you from exercising your freedoms in the workplace. I feel that my responsibility to you is to direct the company so that we all will have the opportunity to live well, contribute, and prosper as best we can. To that end, I have always voted Republican. This election is no different. But like life, business and the rule of law, things change. We adapt, and find ways to grow regardless of circumstances.
My government may take a different path in the next course of years, but my responsibilities remain the same. Who am I? Read and see.
Who am I now?
November 5th, 2008
Am I one of the thousands of Republican businessmen licking his wounds and crying “oh woe is me”? No.
Am I disenfranchised with my country because of this election? No. Is President elect Obama the Democratic President and somehow not mine? No. Am I worried that the face of my business may change because of a more social minded congress? No.
Who am I now?
I am the same person I was yesterday, and the day before that. I do not lick my wounds and neither do my friends and associates, rather we choose to make the necessary changes to our lives and business that will allow us to continue to live and prosper. I am not disenfranchised with my country, rather I have heard the loud voice of its people for change. I have lead our businesses through inflation, recession, apathy, war, life, death, sickness and health and have found ways to not only hold on, but to succeed. Only in this great country are their opportunities such as this, so no, I am not worried about the American government becoming a socialist government. No, I am not going to be a dissenter and no I am not going to cry about this election.
Who am I now?
I am an American small businessman. I am resilient. I have opportunity. I am limited only by my own intelligence, determination, effort and sheer will. I am only as good as the people that surround me, understand me and work with me, and they are the best. I am an American citizen, supporter, mentor, catalyst for change, and steady hand on the keel.
Who am I now?
I am an American citizen and taxpayer. I have seen income taxes far greater than 50%. I was leery about an actor becoming president but watched him turn into one of the great leaders. I have grown a family and a business through, with and even despite Presidents; Nixon, Ford, Carter, Regan, Bush, Clinton and Bush again. I have heard a man with a dream talk about equality, decency and freedom and hope that it will be applied fairly. Equality is the equal opportunity to prosper, not taking from those who prosper and equally dividing it to those who don’t. That isn’t crying. it is simply exercising my freedom, performing my duty and shaping my future and the futures of my family, friends, employees, and fellow citizens regardless of their walk of life.
God Bless America
Robby Meadows, Nashville Wraps
This post by Robby is an example of freedom of speech in the United States. Each person is allowed to voice their opinion. Robby does it in a way that expresses his beliefs but does not oppress others beliefs.
One person commented: “I noticed that several of the people who added comments to your blog, also took the opportunity to state their full name and their company name, in case anyone out here in cyberspace should want to contact them for business purposes.”
I would like to say that this has always been part of posting and commenting on blogs. I have always thought that you should stand behind whatever you say or you shouldn’t say it.
Well said. Our hope is not of this world, but we have to live in it and do what is right regardless of what the rest of the world does. I am grateful for business leaders like Robby and hope his words inspire others to the integrity I have witnessed in Nashville Wraps.
Absolutely perfectly said! Thank you very much for posting this on your blog…I’ll be linking to it from mine. Hope you leave it up forever.
Thank you Robby for putting to pen what many people needed to hear.
We are very fortunate to live in such a great country with equal opportunity for all people.
God Bless America! And God Bless the men and women who serve to defend her!
Jennette Knoblauch, Owner
El Jardin Organico
Thank you for sharing. These are my feelings too.
Respectfully,
Mary E
I’m sorry, but I don’t think your political views belong in my e-mail box, under the guise of a message from Nashville Wraps. I noticed that several of the people who added comments to your blog, also took the opportunity to state their full name and their company name, in case anyone out here in cyberspace should want to contact them for business purposes. Be happy, there is change ahead.
Mr. Meadows. I enjoyed your blog and the other comments from business owners as well.
As a “fairly” young and new business owner I was overcome for about 12 hours on Nov 3rd with fear. As I quickly awoke from my “wound licking” and remembered why I love being in business and more importantly who I am in Christ I was calmed to my normal state. I was then able to pray for Obama and our leaders of this nation.
Thank you for your words of resilince and reality. May we all grow in every way in the days, weeks and months to come!
Be Blessed,
Brooke
P.S. Change creates opportunity! Let’s prepare and be ready for it!
That was the most inspiring statement I’ve heard in a very long time! I thank you, Robby, for making that statment on this blog. It takes courage, and I admire that. And, as a small businesswoman in this economy, I need some inspiration and sound advice! Dare I say we all need some? I am a lifelong social and fiscal conservative, and I see a huge challenge on both fronts in the years ahead. But, no matter what our political affiliations or beliefs may be, we’re all in this together and we should be supportive on one another in order to succeed in our endeavors.
Thank you again for your message. I may print it off so I can re-read it on those tough days ahead!
Andrea Aho, Owner
Lake Superior Chocolate Company
this is perfectly stated!
Thanks for those thoughts. I’ve spoken to so many vendors who are all down and wondering how they are going to get through this. We do need words of both encouragement and hope in this most volatile time, unprecedented in our lifetime for the most part. Time to get back to basics, family, friends and a realization that money is not the end all and be all, but that when we do make decisions and purchases this holiday season and beyond, we try to make a difference, whether it’s buying locally, or responsibly with regards to the environment, or prudently with our purchases. May we help each other and may God bless us all with wisdom and insight for the future.
Robby:
I am not sure why I followed the links to read your article but I am glad I did. A very proactive and supportive philosophy. I have just started my own ‘marketing’ consulting company after my employer (largest industry type in the country) coverted my position to a ‘contract only’ scenario.
A ‘bad’ time to start a real estate related company? People say yes. A bad time to sell marketing ideas and intelectual property? People again say yes. Did I have a choice to sit around and do nothing? I say yes but I won’t.
And you know what? There is opportunity out there. There are people who are willing to sit down, team up and make affordable and neccesary sales and marketing programs available. There are companies who recognize that now is the right time to advertise, market, review your focus and make plans.
So thank you for your article. It was re-inforcing and I have Nashville Wraps on my inventory of suppliers so I can offer my clients ‘something different’ for their campaigns.
Stan Rinda
Thank you for sharing your well written words which are truly written from the heart. We too share your feeling about who we are. We too are Republicans who put America first. We are American Business persons continuing with our lives in health and prosperity.
We wish you health and continued prosperity and would like to say Thank you for such great products and fantastic service over the years.
After reading your blog we are even more enthusiactic about being your customer.
One of the most inspiring comments I have heard following the election. Small business is made of those determined people who have made America successful…full of fear, yet even more filled with hope for growth and success. It only brings to mind the ever present thought of “who we are today is based on who we WERE yesterday and evolved via the journey …without determined upward climbing beginning with a positive attitude will we continue to succeed. Onward always looking up!
I too am a life long republican and appreciate your comments. There is nothing for me to cry about because the best man got the job. And yes I voted for him. As long as everyone realizes that it takes more than one to get the job done the better off the country will be. I am not just talking about our elected few. As a nation we all have to work together. Otherwise the dreams and ideas of the few will be just that – dreams and ideas. One last thought- if we let those that seek to profit from the misfortunes of others succeed then we all fail.
Thank you for taking the time to write “Who am I now?” I too, am a small business owner who was “born and bred” Republican. I do so much want to believe that President Obama will be a galvanizing force and a positive force. We shall see. With the intelligence and vision he possesses, with good advisers, he may be able to fix this broken country. As