ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

February 1 of this year, Slater’s Garage Ads and Audio celebrated its first full year in business. It was a wild ride, indeed. Actually, the ride wasn’t that wild, but that’s what you’re supposed to say when reflecting on a particular passage of time. I can tell you, for sure, that Year One was enough of a success to warrant a Year Two. And before I get to the meat of this entry, I want to say thanks to my clients, friends, and family, without whose support I never would have made it this far.

While the “ride” of the past year wasn’t necessarily “wild,” per se, it certainly was a learning experience, both good and bad. For example, in the past year of self employment, I learned:

• Lots of things are tax deductible.
• Do what you say you’ll do. If you can’t do it, don’t say you will.
• Don’t leave the microphone on when the speakers are turned up.
• Dogs only bark when you’re trying to record something important.
• Dial-up is for suckers.
• It’s tough to find enough things to write about to keep a blog adequately updated.
• Passion in life is everything. Nothing… nothing beats being able to do what you love.
• Overdeliver.
• Paypal is a pretty handy service. Hopefully more people will learn this in Year Two.
• Everyone should have the persistence of the squirrel at the bird feeder outside my office window.
• If at all possible, attend work in your pajamas. Hugh Hefner is so right about that.
• Have a plan every day, and work it. It’s really easy to get distracted on a nice, sunny July day. Or a dreary, raw February day. Or a moderately cool day in September with a few clouds and maybe a passing shower in the afternoon.
• The ads you’re used to hearing on the radio will not work. The buying public is wise to “the way we’ve always done it” in this business. There’s a new language of advertising out there – a new way to win your customers (and prospective customers) over. Wanna talk about it? Give me a call.
• Stuff still really does get lost in the mail. Not as often as some people lead you to believe, but it happens.
• The music of Steely Dan cures depression, upset stomach, headaches, and male pattern baldness.
• Great advertising is not about the advertiser. It’s about the customer.
• Carpet installation is really tough work.
  
  And finally, even though I learned this prior to the past year:
  
• Everyone needs three things to lead a full life: Something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.

So, at the end of Year One, I’m looking forward to what I'm going to learn in Year Two, and I’m looking forward to sharing more of it with you here.

Brett Slater - 02/02/06