Today I walked over to the Redondo Beach pier for lunch, something I’ve done many, many times over the past 25 years. This was the first time I’ve ever done it for work, however. It’s interesting, sitting in a spot you know so well but looking at it with a different perspective . . . even if that new perspective is incidental and unexpected.
About seven minutes elapsed between my arrival and yours, which gave me time to take a picture of the wall décor above our table and (quite a bit more seriously) ponder the inexorable passage of time, highlighted by wrinkles on my hand in the sun and pain in my back from yesterday’s volleyball. A spring chicken I am not anymore – something I’m realizing with much more regularity these days. And when I’m here in the South Bay it hits me all the harder, since this place is tied to so many coming-of-age memories.
Thankfully you walked up and broke my somber reverie– by the way, I promise I’m not trying to wax poetic here: I don’t think this is great writing. In fact I think it’s rather poor, but these are the words and phrases my mind uses when thinking of our time today, and I’m spitting them out quickly because I have to go pick up my dinner across the street in a few minutes.
So anyway, you walked up and we got down to the business of lunch. The conversation was casual and friendly, as “Midwest nice” as you would expect from a couple of guys with roots in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, not to mention the South Bay neighborhood vibe. We both took care of business and made a new connection in the industry, and I would have left it there if not for the last topic of conversation: philanthropic community.
I had mentioned my philanthropic work because it’s a big part of both my career and personal history, and you were encouraged to share yours in return. The reason I decided to drop you an IMYT card and write up the encounter is because of how rare it is to meet a founder who not only does this kind of work, but does it without marketing or ROI in mind. Not that there’s anything wrong with getting some mileage out of the good you do, especially when using corporate funds, but it’s refreshing when you meet someone doing their thing from a place of core belief and a desire to do their part in making this world a better place. I admire that, and I wanted to recognize it here.
As I said during lunch, companies are selfish. By definition and often by necessity, sure, but selfish nonetheless. They don’t always have to be, though, and that’s something I’ll be working on during my time at IDS. Maybe I’ve found a potential co-conspirator to engage when I have an idea I think could be a powerful force for good in this industry. Rest assured when that day comes, you’ll be getting a knock at your door (or more likely an email in your inbox).
Thank you for an enjoyable lunch, and for the best business meeting I’ve had in some time. We’ll be in touch 🙂
One last thing: as I sit here in my hotel room writing up the experience, I’m picturing the scene in my head, but because of my face blindness I can’t recall what you look like at all. The closest thing my brain is giving me is Phil Dunphy from Modern Family. So if you don’t like that show or that actor, I’m sorry? But if you do like the show or the actor, I guess you’re welcome.
