Back to normal life after a few busy weeks. It's great to wake up in the morning feeling rested and ready to go (yes, Ama. Hoping you won’t ask me to get a life again lol).
Two weeks ago, somebody told me: “Patrick, you are a doing machine. Find some time to just be”. I laughed so much, but I came to see that she was right. After much consideration, I took last Monday off. All I did was respond to a few e-mails, some of them to friends who were just discovering my blog for the first time (Vanessa, I am not trying to name any names lol, but your comments were so great. Thanks a lot), some others were discussing with me about an opportunity of me blogging for them (I really felt honoured, so I said yes. Stay tuned for more on that).
I was again the MC of an event a few weeks ago. Despite my team losing at the Basketball game prior to the event, I had great fun. I guess now the Lakers are having second thoughts about signing me to that contract I have long waited for. If that doesn’t happen, I will be just fine with the Miami Heat.
Coming back to the event I was hosting, my friend Diego received an award given to a successful young entrepreneur. Although he was caught by surprise, I personally think he deserves it.(I am not saying this because he is the main sponsor of our Basketball team). He really is deserving of being the recipient of such an award.
I've known Diego for a while now and we have developed a great friendship which started with sharing books we read. But since he started Ngoma Lounge, our friendship has grown stronger and deeper (could it be because of the VIP treatment I always get when I go to his lounge, yes the free Sprite I get every time says it all. Now how great of a deal is that?)
A few months ago, I met Nicolas and Kijanya, Diego's long-time friends and business partners. They told me about a great opportunity that had presented itself. They could finally settle down and have a place of their own after years of going from one place to another while showcasing their talents. All they needed was some extra money to add to what they had at that time and they would finally own the place. We made a few phone calls here and there and the deal was sealed. Ngoma Lounge was born.
What seemed to be an easy deal turned into a nightmare for my friends. For 8 long months, there was setback after setback, and Ngoma could not open. But Diego never lost hope. He was close to the Promised Land and there was no turning back. He really inspired me. In a hopeless situation, Diego kept his smile. He knew one day he would get there. Finally, it happened. On Christmas day of 2009, Ngoma Lounge opened its doors for the first time. It was a huge victory for Diego and his friends. And they never stopped expanding. It’s gotten to a point where I have to come early if I want to get my free Sprite (or just get in).The place is always packed. It's a great lesson of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
How about my friend Diego? Did he change? Not a single bit. He still keeps his low profile, always serving his community and still quoting our favourite movie “Peaceful Warrior” by saying to his loyal customers “Thanks for stopping by”. No wonder they keep coming back.
Did I mention they also have a cool website? I recommend it, great piece of work too. www.ngomalounge.ca
Moral of the story? Do you want to be successful in your business? Just offer me a free Sprite and you will receive an award.
Always a pleasure
Patrick
The Journeyman
pbizindavyi6@gmail.com
Two weeks ago, somebody told me: “Patrick, you are a doing machine. Find some time to just be”. I laughed so much, but I came to see that she was right. After much consideration, I took last Monday off. All I did was respond to a few e-mails, some of them to friends who were just discovering my blog for the first time (Vanessa, I am not trying to name any names lol, but your comments were so great. Thanks a lot), some others were discussing with me about an opportunity of me blogging for them (I really felt honoured, so I said yes. Stay tuned for more on that).
I was again the MC of an event a few weeks ago. Despite my team losing at the Basketball game prior to the event, I had great fun. I guess now the Lakers are having second thoughts about signing me to that contract I have long waited for. If that doesn’t happen, I will be just fine with the Miami Heat.
Coming back to the event I was hosting, my friend Diego received an award given to a successful young entrepreneur. Although he was caught by surprise, I personally think he deserves it.(I am not saying this because he is the main sponsor of our Basketball team). He really is deserving of being the recipient of such an award.
I've known Diego for a while now and we have developed a great friendship which started with sharing books we read. But since he started Ngoma Lounge, our friendship has grown stronger and deeper (could it be because of the VIP treatment I always get when I go to his lounge, yes the free Sprite I get every time says it all. Now how great of a deal is that?)
A few months ago, I met Nicolas and Kijanya, Diego's long-time friends and business partners. They told me about a great opportunity that had presented itself. They could finally settle down and have a place of their own after years of going from one place to another while showcasing their talents. All they needed was some extra money to add to what they had at that time and they would finally own the place. We made a few phone calls here and there and the deal was sealed. Ngoma Lounge was born.
What seemed to be an easy deal turned into a nightmare for my friends. For 8 long months, there was setback after setback, and Ngoma could not open. But Diego never lost hope. He was close to the Promised Land and there was no turning back. He really inspired me. In a hopeless situation, Diego kept his smile. He knew one day he would get there. Finally, it happened. On Christmas day of 2009, Ngoma Lounge opened its doors for the first time. It was a huge victory for Diego and his friends. And they never stopped expanding. It’s gotten to a point where I have to come early if I want to get my free Sprite (or just get in).The place is always packed. It's a great lesson of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity.
How about my friend Diego? Did he change? Not a single bit. He still keeps his low profile, always serving his community and still quoting our favourite movie “Peaceful Warrior” by saying to his loyal customers “Thanks for stopping by”. No wonder they keep coming back.
Did I mention they also have a cool website? I recommend it, great piece of work too. www.ngomalounge.ca
Moral of the story? Do you want to be successful in your business? Just offer me a free Sprite and you will receive an award.
Always a pleasure
Patrick
The Journeyman
pbizindavyi6@gmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment