Day 10

“Called2Sell”

Stephen Gibson:

Brother Gibson joined us today and it meant the world to the students. The only thing they wished were different was the time—the wished he could have spent all day! The students felt honored that Steve would take an hour out of his busy life and dedicate it to them. They loved his stories, his lessons, and his personality. But, what they loved most was the fact that they could feel the Spirit of the Lord through his words. They were able to feel of Steve's love for them. Thank you Brother Gibson for taking the time to do that!

John Richards:

Talk about a treat! John lit up the room with his big smile and Spanish language abilities! The student absolutely loved the fact that they were getting time with such an impressive, “handsome”, and jovial man. They were so thankful that he “spoke their language” and that he “showed them how to increase their visions”. John spoke about thinking BIG, dreaming BIG, and becoming BIG. That meant a lot to these students. If nothing else, they know that John Richards knows they can do it. I can see them now, in their houses/businesses, discouraged, wondering what they are going to do and then “BOOM” the words of John Richards enter their hearts and minds and they say, “Hey, I can do this!” Thank you John for an outstanding 30 minutes!

      This generation has chosen the name “Called2Sell”. They said that they wanted to have this name because, as they said, “Nothing happens in business until something gets sold!”    They learned this lesson with each and every day they have had working on their ROCK PROJECT.

      Today was the final day! Not for the course, but for the ROCK PROJECT. The students have worked so hard on this whole project and were excited to see what they had achieved as a class. As you have read, each group was given a rock. They were then told to trade it up, and eventually they were investing, selling, setting profit margins, daily sells goals, keeping records, and fulfilling their desires to make money!

      The time had finally come to turn in their data and numbers. I had told them on the first day that the rock they had seen in front of them was worth 30,000 Pesos (about $2,500 USD). On the first day, when I told them that, they laughed at me. They told me I was crazy and that I didn't understand that “in Mexico, business requires capital through loans and that Mexico is not like the United States!” I replied to them that they could take this rock and make $30,385.10 Pesos. Remember, this is what I told them on the first day! They were incredulous; they didn't know what to think! They thought that there was some type of trick, for sure!

      Finally, when I told them to take the rock out and sell it, they just about went home! They couldn't believe that I was making them work in the course. After all, they were there “to learn how to do business!” Well...here you go..........................................

$30,385.10 Pesos

      They DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How amazing! The students could not believe it! They had made, in 8 days, a combined total of $30,385.10 MXN Pesos (about $2,550 USD). It was a great confidence booster and it really touched some of them—if not all—in a very special way. One of our students, Reyna, began to cry. She couldn't believe that her group had raised $4,001.50 MXN Pesos (about $400 USD). She cried because she realized that she had, in less than 8 days, started with a rock, sat three days with useless inventory in their business, felt oppressed by their goal of $3,000, and completely hopeless. They were worried, they felt “ashamed and embarrassed that they weren't making any money while everyone else was” but “that after they learned the value of asking other groups for tips and help, they were able to shake out their inventory and get new stuff”. Reyna was truly touched because “[she] realized that just like the rock, at times she has felt useless, but then recognized she was of great worth and that it was her attitude and hustle factor that really made the difference in her own life and the life of the rock!”

      The Spirit was very strong. Everyone started to share what lessons they had learned from the ROCK PROJECT. Here is what they learned:

-        ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

-        WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING MORE THAN WE EVER BELIEVED

-        MY FAITH IN MYSELF INCREASED, AND MY FAITH IN THE LORD AND THE PRINCIPLE OF WORKS INCREASED

-        HUSTLE, HUSTLE, HUSTLE

-        THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES

-        MONEY IS NOT HARD TO MAKE

-        WORK SMART

-        TEAM WORK IS GREAT AND SYNERGY IS ACHIEVABLE

-        NOTHING HAPPENS IN BUSINESS, UNTIL WE SELL SOMETHING

-        SELL, SELL, SELL!

-        GO OUT AND GET THINGS DONE

-        THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO WANTS YOUR PRODUCT

-        THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES

-        BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR PRODUCES MORE RESULTS AND MONEY FOR ME PER HOUR THAN WORKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE!

-        PROFIT MARGINS ARE CRUCIAL

-        I DON'T NEED HUGE CAPITAL TO START MY BUSINESS TODAY

-        I CAN START WITH A ROCK!!!

      *Perhaps the other highlight of my day was to see Saul Sanchez, the bishop of the ward I am in, show up to the chapel tonight, after class, just completely thrilled with the day. His face was completely filled with joy, it was as though I could see his soul and heart through his smile. He was happy, content, and excited for his new bright future. As he said, “I was doing it all wrong. I thought I needed to have so much money to make money. I have a good job as an engineer, but I realized that I can make my own salary by selling ROCKS! This curriculum has changed me, it has uplifted me, it has shown me a better way. I can employ all of these concepts in my family, my ward, and my business. I have a bright future!!!”

      We love this work. Matt Gunn and Lars Hamilton have been awesome. We miss Spencer Wilcox already, as well as Jeff Brownlow. Tomorrow is our last full day. We are anxious to teach more and learn more. What a great and wonderful day!!!