02-01 Childhood Experiences

Looking back, my experiences as a teenager working for my father in the family clothing business were powerful examples of “learning by doing”.
Most of my friends, had a different kind of experience, and went to camp. Their stories were about learning how to paddle a canoe, how to make camp, how to portage through the bush to avoid fast water, and how to coach children in the arts of living in the wild. I remember asking a friend how they dealt with rain and bad weather. “We sleep under our canoes.” was his reply. Hmmm.
My experiences, on the other hand, were more powerful and life-changing. I worked with real trades people producing quality hand made custom clothing.
Firstly, I had to get up early so my father could be at the store at 8:00 am, which was when the factory opened. And dad always drove a second-hand car because that is what his employees drove. I became sensitive to the lives of his staff. He treated them as equals. That was a life changing lesson.
And father took me every day to the bank with him and I remember him kibitzing with the bank staff and telling them that he was now lending the bank money after years of borrowing from them.
During busy periods, I worked the cash register and made out receipts for the customers. I was learning about cash flow, and the basics of business. And I remember clearly trying to spell their names properly.
My factory job was called “bushelling” which was about taking all the loose threads off the suits after they came out of the factory. And then matching the jackets made in our factory with trousers and vests made outside. Then I would call the customers that their suits were ready to be picked up.
I developed a huge respect for all the staff, who were trades people bringing skills to Canada that they had learned as apprentices in Southern Italy. As a teenager, I learned to love these people, and they invited me along with my dad to their special social functions, such as weddings and anniversaries. It all had the feel of family.
Perhaps the most memorable moment as a teenager was going to the funeral of the foreman, who had died of cancer. I never forgot seeing my father crying. Then I started to cry. Tony Pavone, the steam presser, came over and put his arms around me.
But all “learning by doing” was not associated with working in the store. One of the most powerful experiences as a teenager was learning to drive. And I love the photo of a father teaching his son to drive. It was just like father and myself at age 15. Nothing was more important to me at that age then getting my driver’s license. And suddenly I was able to do special deliveries at the shop using my father’s car. I was so proud of myself.
There is a school of thought that some people are just genetically favoured to become their own bosses and start their own companies. I do not agree.
Instead, what is obvious to me is that working in a small business makes the process psychologically credible. It is about “learning by doing”. No wonder small firms are breeding grounds for other small firms.
That’s the way I see it anyways.