The (Real) Key To Success

The (not so secret) Key to Success – Knowing who’s boss

By: Chavy Engel

Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of "being my own boss."

There was something really exciting about having my fancy desk, a leather chair, three computer screens, personalized pens, and a beautiful window overlooking a park… and NO, boss!

For ten years, I worked at a desk job as I dreamt of the day I would make it on my own and be my boss. For ten years, I diligently clocked into a regular 9-5 job. For ten years, I continued with the pleasant monotony of a typical work setting and routine.

Then one day, it hit me! I could create and sell a product that was in high demand! The idea popped into my brain and nestled itself there. I knew I could; I couldn't ignore the feelings of excitement. It was like someone lit the fire to my rocketship, and I was ready to take off!

And so began the hustle. I will reach out to suppliers, test out sample after sample, and hire graphic designers, engineers, freight forwarders, and anyone else who could help me achieve this dream. At the time, each step seemed daunting, but I was able to see how much I'd overcome and created. It took a while to get everything organized, but it was also a time filled with exhilaration and ingenuity. In just a mere few months, I created a product. I was finally ready to take the final step and ordered 1200 units to be shipped by sea. 

The day the order arrived in the US, we got up at 6 am to head out from Brooklyn to the port at Kearny NJ and pick up the 30 cartons of product. Excitement flowed through my veins as we drove home, and I couldn't be more thrilled – That is until we opened up the boxes to find that the packaging of each unit was torn and the barcodes were wholly unscannable. DISASTER! This meant not only major delays with the product release but a manual repackaging and stickering of each unit.

At that moment, I was ready to give up. How could our supplier, with whom we worked so diligently, make such a drastic mistake? How would I ever manage to repackage everything? Maybe the "be your own boss" thing just wasn't for me. I was overwhelmed with doubts and was ready to give up. Disappointment hung in the air and flooded within me.

But then I realized two things simultaneously. Firstly, I realized that as much as I think I'm the boss, and the one who's in control… that is not the case. The real boss is G-d, and once I came to that realization, I suddenly felt overwhelmingly relaxed. He has a plan, and He will help guide me. That brought on my second realization, which was that every single business or venture will invariably have it's ups-and-downs and that this was no reason to quit! I have the best ally in the world - I have G-d Himself on my side! So I powered through the disappointment and painstaking work that needed to be done and prepared the items to be sold. With G-d's help, the item quickly sold out. We doubled and tripled our next three orders, which all sold out as well. 

If you think that was the only hurdle, you'd be mistaken. With every step of the way, issues continually cropped up that we needed to address. From a wire transfer not going through, to massive corona related delays, and more packaging issues… 

When we realize that we can only do our hishtadlus (our part) and cannot control the outcome, we turn to G-d for help and guidance. That has a double benefit! It strengthens our faith in The One Above while simultaneously keeping us calm and grounded through everything we go through. Everything is easier when we understand that G-d is there, and He is rooting for us.

So I have learned that being my own boss is more than a fancy office and cool personalized pens. It's about learning to have faith in our real boss above.

They say that "you are only as strong as your employees," but I think quite the opposite! We are only as strong as our boss – and I am thankful to G-d for being the best, most loving, and kind boss.

Email Rifky@roseattache to get in touch with the author