“Living the American Dream & The Freedom to Choose”

As America celebrates its 250th Birthday this year, I’ve been reminded of the freedom we enjoy to make choices for ourselves. The brilliance of our Founding Fathers and the Constitution they collectively penned guarantees ‘freedom of choice’ for all citizens.  No one’s life or outcome is predetermined here; in America, we have the right to make choices and to direct our own endeavors. 

While most published commentaries address the freedom to succeed, we sometimes forget about the equally important freedom to stumble, to bounce back and to change course. I’m reminded how blessed we are to live in a country that not only allows us to fail, but to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and to move forward with renewed vision and opportunity.

As I’ve contemplated this theme of personal freedom which serves as the foundation cornerstone for all Americans, I’d like to share a few stories to help illustrate and drive home this principle. 

FREEDOM TO CHOOSE 

I have a neighbor whom I speak with regularly during early morning dog walks. He’s an ardent Georgia bulldog, while his wife is an equally enthusiastic Bama fan. As I’m a die-hard Auburn fan, our initial conversations were lighthearted, dealing with traditional collegiate rivalries. Over time, however, our friendship and conversations evolved to include the daily challenges we both face.

My friend is a hard worker: a police officer by day, a security guard by night. His focus is to ensure his children can take advantage of the superior Alpharetta school system, which is ranked among the best statewide, competitive with many of the top private schools in the area. While his daughter recently graduated and is attending UGA, his son is middle school aged. His family faced a challenging crossroads as he analyzed the escalating cost of rentals in the local market against his goal of providing the best education possible for his son. The financial implications dictated the need to move. It was a weighty and difficult decision, but he chose to focus on the positive. He reminded me that change is the one constant in all our lives. His example of being positive and rebounding despite difficult circumstances, inspires me. No doubt he and his wife will continue to pour into his son to ensure he gets the best possible education, no matter the geography.    

Then there’s my friend in Oregon, a public defender who works alongside parents who have lost their children to the state.  She endures an excessive case load, deals with highly stressful situations and often must confront unpopular decisions beyond her control. She’s at a pivotal point in her career where she hopes to leave family law and move into the criminal sector. Whatever the court of law, she firmly believes everyone has the right to an attorney and fair representation. While she easily could have chosen the more comfortable world and more lucrative income associated with private practice, she made the choice to follow her passion … to represent the underserved who desperately need a voice.   

Some of you may know of Retired US Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne, a quadruple amputee who survived a devasting IED blast in Afghanistan in 2012 during his third tour of duty. While he could have returned home with honor after his first or second field assignment, he chose to go back again and to fight for America with his team of patriots.

I was fortunate to hear Travis’s testimony during a recent OEM dealer meeting. While the devastating turn of events could have crippled his life, he rose from the ashes of war and found a new purpose. Besides an extensive rehabilitation process and a fulfilling career as a recalibrated veteran, motivational speaker, actor, author and advocate for veterans and amputees, he went on to establish the Travis Mills Foundation in 2013 in Mt. Vernon, ME: [email protected]

In 2015, he and his wife Kelsey held a groundbreaking for a retreat in Maine to enable his vision: “Support post-9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs; help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles; strengthen their families; and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation. Veteran families who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid, barrier-free experience in Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s outdoors.”

Today, his dream is reality, sporting a beautiful resort complex featuring private family suites, formal living and dining rooms, commercial kitchen, library, theatre, spa, plus a new health and wellness center featuring an indoor pool, gym, fitness room, laundry and storage. The grounds are also home to Warrior PATTH (Progressive & Alternative Training for Helping Heroes), a clubhouse, offices, merchandise store and multiple workshops. Outdoor amenities include a playground, high ropes course, handicap accessible dock and kayak launch, archery range, basketball/tennis court, front and rear patios with fire pits and gardens. In 2017, he purchased a marina and revealed to our group how being on the water helped ease his mind when he struggled at his lowest point.

These three examples depict unique stories of individuals who made life-changing choices. Each could have given up, pointed fingers, complained of unfair circumstances or abandoned their dreams. But this is America! Each made choices that allow their dreams to evolve and continually unfold.

ALL-AMERICAN MARINE INDUSTRY CHALLENGE

Like those in other industries impacted by the economy, we have dealers and manufacturers that have faced, or are facing, life-altering decisions every day. As the recreational marine market continues to shrink and the cost of our product continues to increase, it should come as no surprise that many are feeling the squeeze. The questions loom: “Do I continue to scale back to meet the demand for what I’m selling?” Or, “Can I cash flow this decision?”   

We’ve observed many retailers and OEMs more focused on surviving today versus assessing greater critical trends. From our perspective, marine businesses simply can’t afford to become complacent or too comfortable. It’s risky to continue to do the same thing and expect different results, or to sit on your laurels and hope for the best.

Within our wholesale community, we see some who are failing to adjust their course; others who are trying to survive; and a few who are choosing to thrive. The latter are generating and chasing every lead. They are ingrained within their communities and regularly engaged with their customers. They are constantly reviewing and analyzing financial decisions so they clearly grasp and can better control cash flow. Some who aren’t generating the turns or breakeven cash flow are aggressively seeking solutions, from consolidation to testing an array of new incentives to try and drive demand.

The million-dollar question: where does your business stand? What choices are you making?  

An aside, and an important lesson we all should take to heart as we work together to throttle the industry and our respective businesses forward. I’m reminded of the strategic direction adopted over the past decade by many OEMs to move away from the lower cost models/product mix to higher margin boats.  This decision left a huge segment of our entry level buyers in the wake, and we are seeing the consequences of that decision today. We need to learn from the past, so we are smarter and stronger as we move forward.   

LET YOUR AMERICAN DREAM CONTINUE …

To bring this column full circle, as we celebrate America and 250 years of Freedom, let’s stop and remind ourselves: we each have the God-given right of choice to succeed or fail.

If your efforts during this latest downturn have led to success and you’re among those who are thriving and living the American dream, bravo!

If on the other hand, your business is struggling and you’re treading water and/or trying to stay afloat, perhaps it’s time to get real, honestly review your situation, ask for help, consider the options and make the hard choices. Some among us may fail, but that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Remember: we live in the greatest nation on earth – America!      

Whatever your situation, your team at Northpoint remains steadfast. Please let us know how we can best serve you, answer any questions and/or support you as you carefully analyze and make important choices that impact your business, your team and the customers you serve. We’re here for you!