Now, you know me—I can’t go anywhere without keeping an eye out for the rainmakers, the young entrepreneurs who are hustling with everything they’ve got. And as Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” This quote hit home for me during this trip, especially as I met some incredible people who are doing just that—starting, hustling, and pushing forward with everything they’ve got.
Let me share a moment that really struck a chord with me. We docked in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and I wandered into a tent set up for local artisans. Now, after years in the trenches of entrepreneurship, I’ve developed a knack for sniffing out winning ideas and, more importantly, the folks who’ve got the chutzpah to pull them off.
And there she was—a young woman with a warm smile and the eyes of a determined bearcat. I was instantly drawn to her booth. As I admired the beautiful items on display, her paintings really caught my eye. We struck up a conversation, and she quickly pointed out which pieces were her original creations and which were resales. It became crystal clear that her golden ticket was her hand-painted pet portraits—each one a perfect, detailed masterpiece.
But here’s where the hustle gets real: 1) No one has their pets on a cruise ship, and 2) These portraits take her 3-4 hours to complete. Let’s be honest—no one’s lining up to buy a portrait of someone else’s Fido.
I introduced myself to the artist—her name’s Jenny. As we chatted, I learned that she had immigrated from China just nine months ago, burning with the desire to control her own destiny. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable. She was charging $50 Canadian for these gorgeous 5×7 paintings, but after some negotiation, I told her I was paying double and asked her to paint my book agent Jill’s two dogs. Jenny jumped up and hugged me—it was one of those moments that makes you stop and reflect.
I realized something: I used to have that fire, too, but now it’s more of a slow, simmering flame. Whatever we’re doing in life, we’ve got to keep that fire burning strong, not let it dwindle into comfortable complacency. I committed right then and there to up my hustle, up my game, and become more aware of myself.
Here are three takeaways I want to share with you—things I’m challenging both you and me to focus on:
- Go all in—Let’s bring the fire into everything we do and really go for it. No more half-hearted efforts. It’s time to ignite our lives with passion and purpose.
- Lift others up—There’s such joy in seeing someone, really seeing them, and helping lift their spirits. Who in your life is silently screaming for a chance? It doesn’t take much to give them a kind word or a helping hand. That 10 minutes I spent with Jenny was the highlight of my day, and I’m willing to bet it was hers, too.
- Don’t accept the status quo—If you find yourself in an environment that’s toxic, unfruitful, or devoid of opportunity, stop moaning about it. Pick up your chair and move to a new spot. We are all responsible for our own destinies. Remember the Mark Twain quote I typed at the beginning: “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” So, let’s keep hustling, keep moving, and help those around us who are trying to do the same.
Below is the beautiful portrait Jenny drew for me, and if you’re interested in her work, here’s how you can contact her: Instagram: @JennysHandicrafts and email [email protected]
All My Best,
Rich
