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My learning life

My learning life

My initial interests out of high school were accounting, finance and business. At the same time, I had an admiration for the work of tradesmen. I appreciated the importance of a healthy, well paid workforce of men and women that were willing to get their hands dirty,...
The Road to $3 million Part 1: Why bother?

The Road to $3 million Part 1: Why bother?

Forty years ago, the day after the boat yard where I apprenticed went bankrupt, my boat-carpenter f riend and I announced to nobody in particular that we were renovators. It was that simple. Soon after, we’d heard a friend of a friend needed work done. We provided a...
“Fair” Contractors will always win over “Nice” contractors

“Fair” Contractors will always win over “Nice” contractors

I’ve heard this dozens of times; “I try to be a nice guy with my customers. When they lie to me I let it go. They treat my guys like shit on site but I tell my guys, ‘Just let it go. Do your job. He’s the customer.’ I try to lay low and take the abuse, expecting to...
In the time of COVID, what’s a life worth?

In the time of COVID, what’s a life worth?

The following story was published in 2011. I was writing another story on safety and this question came up: How do we value,  from an actuarial point of view, a human life? As our government wrestles with reengaging our economy against the risk of encouraging increase...