Paper Chase: Taking Time to Fold the Roses

Check out Jeff's profile.

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Your former work?

Head of Sales & Marketing for a $40 million air conditioning and appliance-service company subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company.

Your new work?

Helping men enjoy a romantic evening/night on their Wedding Anniversary. We create custom-made flowers for anniversaries and all floral occasions, 100% Internet.

What or who inspired you to make the change?

Adversity. The Fortune 500 company mentioned above sold the subsidiary to our major competitor and we (management) all got two weeks notice.

What was the biggest hurdle to making the change?

I had acquired habits of liking to eat a few times each day and sleep with a roof over my head. I started driving for a limo company, figuring it would take six months to get my business going. In fact, it took six years before the business could support me.

Can you map out what steps you took in this transition?

• How did you start?
  I spent $5,000 to create an inventory of my own designed, fold-out, heart-shaped Origami greeting cards and called on every local gift and card store in the area.
• Did you consult someone?
  No and glad I didn't. Most likely anyone, or anyone with a little sanity, would have told me I'd never make it.
• Did you read books?
  Lots: self-help, business success stories, etc.
• Did you take any self-assessment tests?
  Each morning I checked to make sure I was breathing.
• How did you define what was right for you?
  Five years ago when the business evolved to JustPaperRoses, I got back a testimonial from a guy who said his wife cried! I knew right then I was putting out good stuff, and the Universe would respond by returning good stuff to me.

What skills from your old job are useful in your new?

Not really a skill, but understanding that people make emotional decisions when buying stuff. Also my presentation, marketing, and advertising skills have been a continuous education throughout past jobs and my current business.

Anything you miss about the old career?

Lunch, paid vacation, having a bad week and still getting a paycheck, flirting with co-workers.

How do you feel now that you've taken the leap?

Born again, and I don't mean that in a religious way. I've read so many stories of people who did it their way, but I always closed the final chapter thinking, "Yeah, it happened with them, but it could never happen with me."

Now when you go to a party, how do you introduce yourself?

"Hi, I'm Jeff," as I'm twirling a "killer" cocktail-napkin rose When the proper oohs and ahhs result, I say, "Don't try this at home, I'm a professional and do this for a living." Then come the curious looks, and then I show them my business card."

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