Finding 'Inner-Strength' From Watertown's, 3 Alarm Fire Being Called 'The Main Street Meltdown'

Anything but laughing matter remains for the tens of thousands of people that got sucker-punched from the “Main Street Meltdown” incident that occurred in Watertown on Tuesday night, February 26^th.  The 3 alarm blaze had response crews on the move at 9:33ish and working throughout the night. 

In short, the ramifications of this blaze’s “doings” will be harsh and certainly will carry a vast set of compounding consequences.  In an effort to do a good-deed and speak for my fellow members of the Watertown community, we want to send EVERYONE directly involved a shout-out and huge electronic hug for you losses!

Tragic events such as this are something that can’t be explained unless you’re on the inside-looking out I would imagine?!...

It's 8 days from the occurrence.  And now that the “dust had settled” a bit in my world, I’m writing to you as I sit across the street at the funeral home in awe as I see the faces of people passing by (both by automobile and by foot), I can't help but think what a mess all of this is.  Conversely, I’ve been drawn to do a "write-up" on he devastation that these businesses face as they face the rebuilding process.

There are many things to think about with so little time and clarity for these folks.   Knowing three of the four business owners personally, "What to do next" is the least of their concerns.  What happened is still so HARD-PRESSED into their cerebral cortex that being anything other than dumbfounded is not something we should expect of them.

The Truth Is OFTEN Bitter-Sweet For Business Owners

Being a casual acquaintance of Roman (the owner of “Inner-Strength Studios) and Dennis (the owner of Pan World Insurance), I was utterly shocked to see the debris at the site which once housed their dreams.  As for Roman, he and I worked at Super-Fitness back in the day as personal trainers and have bumped into each other here-or-there.  For those who don't know Roman; I believe him to be one of the visionaries that brought the spiritual movement to "brick and mortar" buildings like only few have to date.  Your talents, passions, and loving to swim up-stream nature will be missed in Watertown Roman.

As for my friend Dennis, he greeted my by saying “When it rains it pours.” the Monday morning after the incident.  As for the other business owners involved, (the gals at Guys and owners of Loney Salon), I’ve yet to speak to them and don’t plan on it.  However, the property owner is somebody I’d like to track down to do a piece on How Owning Property Is Not As Luxurious As It Looks.  Maybe I'll try to get them on my television show, The Beantown Business Review?!...

But the REAL reason I’m writing today is because I’m NOT a stranger to these business owners... nor am I a stranger to the world of doing business in Watertown.  And although I wasn't an owner of any of these four businesses, I am an “insider” that is fighting to find a way to extract “Inner-Strength” from all of this. think about it; how would you feel if a guy whose son you recruited to play on your son’s Pop-Warner football team had just lost his dad's business? (Dennis' son is just six years old)

So, I say to my friend Dennis: I’m going to miss the many tears we shed at Pan World my friend.  An taking my feelings outward-bound, how on Earth do you describe memories of months ago that are now nothing more than a decreasing pile of ashes?

...Makes you think about what’s REALLY important in life now doesn't it? But before I move on to the business lessons to be learned from this story I want to speak for pretty much ANYBODY BREATHING that is aware of this story; WE ALL WANT TO THANK FOR YOUR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE WATERTOWN AREA & BEYOND!

But with every closing of a door, a new opening exists.  So, I'd like to share the 3 things that "hit home" in my world after being part of this disaster.  First, I can feel the ill-effects Watertown IS having from this.  Let's just look at the ethnic under-tone and upbeat spirit that once ruled this area alone. Pan World was predominantly a Ugandan business that probably had 70% of it's clientele from the African market-sampling.  As for Lony's Salon, there were an AWFUL lot of clients of the Asian decent.

But even though each of these businesses catered to a different crowd, I'd like to share 3 things that anybody in "BUSINESS BUILDER MODE" must learn from this tragic incident:

3 Tips For Embracing The "Click & Order" Era

1. Understand The Difference From Building A Business By Design Versus Building A Business By Default – We can do AS MUCH of soul-searching and take courses on how to build a better business we want.  However, life is STILL going to happen.  Many times, (like this), life happens in the unique of ways.As a business transformation coach, I often speak to the principle of “Building your business by design, not by default” for reasons such as this. 
   
   As for the reason why?!... It's because there is far more to being successful than simply believing the hype.  You must always be thinking... you must always be with the times... you must always be doing your best to be minimizing any imperfection that could happen to your business.
   
   
2. You Better Be Internet Enabled Or You’ll Be Out Of Business Soon –This tip is for the few laggards remaining in the world.  What else can you say other than four businesses just had their "brick and mortar" hearts burnt to a crisp.  NO BUSINESS ANYWHERE can’t afford to continue neglecting the “click and order” aspects required when to build a THRIVING business these days.Let's face it, this “innovation economy” is waiting to embrace you with arms MASSIVELY wide-open. 
   
   If I were you, or, if you know a local business owner or service provider, the greatest thing you can do is share this website with them.The bottom-line is that being properly equipped online isn’t about being cool or chic -- it’s being in-front of MORE of the faces that make up your 'ideal' clientele that you can' t afford to be without anymore. 
   
   At this point, and because of scenarios like the "Main Street Meltdown", you FORGET about worrying about whether or not to get online.  It's learning ‘how to’ strategies that will leverage the many tools of technology should be your top concern.
   
   
3. Looking From The-Outside-Looking-In Is Much More Effective - People in the Western World have been sold the “work hard, not smart” rallying cry for decades... How is that mind-set helping the business owners from this fire.  Yikes. 
   
   I'd like to have you think about eagles soar while others fly?  Why eagles can see their prey from 30,000 feet above while everyone else "crop dusts"?  And a fun thought to ponder is why are eagles such a rare breed?

I love eagles.  Their one of the MOST powerful forces in our universe.  So, as we “fly” back to complete our next do list item, I'd like to help Roman, Dennis, the Gals from Guys and owners of Lony Salon by getting your thoughtful words of wisdom below.  Please let us know WHAT THIS INCIDENT MEANS TO YOU below -- thanks for supporting local businesses!

To shining "light and love" on this incident,

John Gosselin