Success Stories

Written by Diane M. Calabrese| Published November 2024

One thing, a result, follows another as the consequence of intent, planning, and goal setting. That’s success.

The Latin origin of the word “success” makes it a neutral term. True, the contemporary connotation of success often includes the perception that what follows from doing is positive or a gain.

Success is a fluid word, and the definitions become personal. Not only does the definition of success vary with the person, but it also varies with the departure point. Completing a certification or an academic degree constitutes success.

Forging ahead—persistence—during the toughest intervals is a form of success. To be sure, landing in the exact career a person dreamed of pursuing defines a type of success, just as balancing life’s activities—especially family and remunerative work—ought to be acknowledged as success.

It only takes each of us an instant to think of someone we admire for their success. It might be someone like President Abraham Lincoln, who overcame adversity to learn and lead. Or it could be someone close to us, such as a neighbor who perseveres and takes care of a child with acute special needs and simultaneously carries on all the other responsibilities of life. And it would not take most of us long to turn our focus to the military personnel who have returned from missions with serious injuries, individuals determined to keep doing despite their injuries.

How do success exemplars converge in outlook? They all have a large degree of self-motivation.

Lincoln did not sit around lamenting the absence of a reading light. He lit a candle.

The neighbor and the combat veteran did not pause to think about what might have been. They begin with what is and commit to continue from that point forward.

Worries over failure are not part of the worldview of those who succeed. Someone trying to regain mobility and working with a physical therapist will have setbacks. The setback is not the concern, rather the sought-after continuous improvement is. Success is in doing.

Individuals who succeed know they cannot do everything alone. They may need help or advice. A caregiver may need a respite or some helping hands.

And everyone—no matter how good the plan—must have a thirst for relevant information. To move toward goals, we keep learning from all available sources.

Others may assist us by providing ideas, inspiration, resources, and so on. Honesty about input provided by others can only bolster a good outcome.

Lincoln earned the moniker “Honest Abe” because he was deemed to be fair and objective in his work as a law clerk. It’s the sort of appellation we should all aspire to attain. It’s a reminder, too, that many stories of success are so quiet we don’t know about them.

Indeed, the framework that supports vigorous communities begins with the accumulation of little stories of success, each endeavor achieving its result. It’s the contractor who completes a job to the satisfaction of a customer and to his or her own satisfaction.

It’s the administrative assistant who got through a day without being pulled out of balance by a caller who wanted to complain about a delay in the delivery of a part. It’s the business owner who knows that the team at work gets a bit stronger each day because everyone is motivated to do his or her best, and because the owner sets the example.

Success is in doing and doing well. In the next two sections two members of our industry, Maxwell Baldwin at Whisper Wash and Edgar Kron at Bozeman Distributors, each share a success story.

SUCCESS STORY I — WHAT IS SUCCESS?

By Maxwell Baldwin, Owner/Director of Operations- Whisper Wash, Saint Petersburg, FL

This is a difficult question for me to answer. I have thought hard about how to respond. I have had multiple opportunities in my life to enjoy or create success. There are a few that I will briefly touch base on, but there is an overall theme.

I was called on by a friend years ago to go out to teach skiing for a season in Colorado. I had never really skied before, but I applied and got the job on charisma. This choice created some hardship as I was in for a rude awakening not knowing how to ski.

I showed up and learned about skiing, the industry, and certifications. I then went to morning and evening training almost every day, and within 60 days or so I signed up for a three-day certification exam and passed. Within a few years I went from an instructor to foreman, then supervisor, and achieved more certifications and accolades.

I also started my own business in the summer months sealcoating, striping, and pressure washing. I was able, with my contacts and team, to grow this side hustle into a full-fledged, employee-run business within a few years. I have since sold that business and left my skiing days behind me for Whisper Wash, which was already a great business with the best product.

I now find success in people. All these experiences have led me to one understanding: People are the key to success. It’s not in the car you drive or the house you own. It’s in the people you surround yourself with and the effort in cultivating relationships.

I couldn’t have achieved those certifications and promotions without great relationships and trainers. I couldn’t have grown my sealcoat business as quickly if I didn’t have great team members, foremen, and clients.

Whisper Wash is no different. Without our great staff, leaders, and overall great industry partners and purchasers, we couldn’t have the successes that we do. I like a challenge, and I face challenges head-on at 100 percent.

Looking back, that is what I’m proud of; up to this point in my life, that is my success. Facing any challenges together relentlessly with no quitting.

SUCCESS STORY II — SERVICE AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AS AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESS

By Edgar Kron, Sales Manager – Bozeman Distributors & Cat Pumps, Baton Rouge, LA

We recently assisted a new customer who was having issues with some engines on their eight-GPM pump skids. The skids were purchased from various manufacturers out of state and not from Bozeman. The Honda iGX700 & iGX800 engines were not performing up to expectations. Since Bozeman is a Honda premier sales & service dealer, they contacted us about the issues.

The customer, a commercial power wash and soft wash operator, had tried several things to correct the issues before coming to Bozeman. They tried changing different components on the engines and pumps, but the issues did not go away. They even purchased additional engines as backups, but the problems persisted. The customer’s use of after-market parts contributed to some of the issues with the engines.

After several face-to-face conversations and phone calls, the customer wanted Honda to take all the engines back. I suggested he contact Honda customer service. After about a week or so I spoke with the customer and learned that he had not contacted Honda but had bought three of a competitor’s engines to replace the Honda engines. That is when I made the phone call to our Honda engine distributor. After speaking with the service manager and the field service representative, an on-site service call was scheduled where the customer was washing a high-school football stadium to check the engines.

The Honda field service rep evaluated each engine and specified what parts were needed or services performed to correct the issues. Several of the engines just needed valve adjustments, and some were done on site. The iGX700/800 engines require a valve adjustment between 200 and 300 hours to prevent faulty readings by the MAP sensor regarding the intake and exhaust airflow.

The units that were not able to be repaired in the field were scheduled for in-shop service at our facility. Parts were ordered, and the defective components were replaced within a week of the initial in-field service evaluation. Valves were adjusted on all the engines. New spark plugs were installed. Fuel strainers were recommended prior to the low-pressure fuel pump. Grounding issues were corrected. The iGX700/800 engines need to be grounded to the engine block grounding ports or the bare metal of the frame. Improper grounding from the manufacturers was causing some of the issues.

After repair of the engines, the customer was much happier with the Honda engines. He made a deal with a competitor to get the competitor’s iGX800 that was having issues for two of the three new non-Honda engines he had just purchased.

Some of the issues were service related and the responsibility of the customer. The defective parts were covered by Honda and installed by Bozeman. Bozeman took the initial step in getting the engine issues resolved and taking care of the customer, even though Bozeman did not manufacture or sell the equipment. As a Honda premier sales and service dealer, customer service is priority number one at Bozeman Distributors. Bozeman is the manufacturer of Aqua Pro power washers, pump equipment, and sprayers.