When our kids were born six years ago, we planted two maple trees in our backyard.
We moved homes in January and planned to take the trees with us. They’re important to us, and have huge sentimental value. Over the years, each child claimed one tree as their own. One is Noah’s tree, and the other is Bella’s. Frankly, we parents cared more about them than the kids, but still. We wanted them here, at the new house.
If you’ve never moved mature trees, it’s a big process. They have to use a hydraulic tree spade, mounted on a large multi-axle truck. Over about a month-long period, I called every company in northern Illinois that does this, maybe 10 companies total. A few came to the house. Nobody wanted the work. The job was too small, these people tend to do commercial work, parks, parking lots, etc. Finally one guy agreed to move them, then cancelled on me the night before with an email.
With the closing on our sale around the corner, we were running out of time. I had gone through all the companies within 100 miles. My wife said to let it go and buy a couple new trees. My parents said to let it go. The tree guys said to let it go!
I started calling companies in Wisconsin. I found a guy in central Wisconsin who agreed to do it. He drove two hours each way to me.
Last week, our trees came to the new house. They are the closest trees to the sidewalk, and to the street, here for us, and everyone who passes to enjoy.
My wife told me she doesn’t know anyone else who would have persisted like this to move these trees. She says anyone else would have given up long ago.
It’s the same in business. This is the kind of perseverance it takes to overcome obstacles, grow business, obtain testimonials, sell more to existing customers, follow up on quotes, find new prospects, set meetings, close deals, get referrals, and make more money.
You know what to do. The question is, do you have the perseverance to do it?
If you want something, fight like hell to get it, and never, ever give up.
The Evangelist Marketing Institute is a revenue growth consultancy specializing in aggressive sales growth for closely-held companies. If you’d like to discuss growing your business quickly and easily, please call Alex Goldfayn directly at 847-459-6322, or email at alex[at]evangelistmktg[.]com
My new book, The Revenue Growth Habit, has been selected one of the five best sales books of the year by 800-CEO-Read. I’m appreciative of the honor. You can buy it on Amazon here.