This past weekend my Father came to town to visit us for the first time here in Metro Detroit. And boy did I have an agenda packed for us. There is so much history here - it blows my mind. But one particular afternoon we visited Meadow Brook Hall, also known as the Dodge Brothers Mansion (Dodge as in Dodge the car).
Here is what Meadow Brook Hall is all about:
"Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States and is renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale. Built between 1926 and 1929 as the residence of Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of auto pioneer John Dodge) and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson, the 110-room, 88,000-square-foot, Tudor-revival style mansion is complete with vast collections of original art and furnishings." And it sits on only a mere 1,500 acre estate.
This place is huge, incredible and beautiful. One room really stood out to me and that was the study. The entire room was paneled with solid wood from top to bottom. At the very top of the wall there were various "charactchers" that depicted different milestones in John Dodge's life. And for some reason that word "milestone" rang true to me that day.
I see life as a journey. I just turned 30 years old this year. I have a beautiful wife, two outstanding boys and one on the way (we are so excited - hoping for a girl). Right now is a huge milestone for me. All of my business ventures failed. I have been struggling to provide for my family, I am scrambling to get a job; I sit down, look up and think, "What was I thinking? What is happening? I'm 30 years old, with a family and don't even have a career to sustain our needs."
So right now is a MILESTONE for me - a huge one. Lets say this is a turning point for me. I'm closing out the chapter of the last 4 years of my real estate investing, internet marketing and the ups & downs that come with being an entrepreneur.
What is ahead?
I have a great opportunity to work side by side with my father and brother. Up until now I have avoided the family business to pursue my own ventures, but now I am ready. There are great opportunities there for me and my family. Much more stable income. My wife and I need stability very badly. My tolerance for risk is starting to recede, I will not be going "all-in" anymore, and will be much more frugal with what we have.
I've learned a ton over the last 4 years. Have absolutely no regrets. The last 2 years have been tough - I will admit that. So I'm going to regroup some now but I still have very ambitious goals for myself in the future.
Don't get me wrong the entrepreneur in me is still very alive.
The plan is to maintain a steady income outside of all of my crazy ventures. Goals that I am aspiring to, would be:
Here is what Meadow Brook Hall is all about:
"Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States and is renowned for its superb craftsmanship, architectural detailing and grand scale. Built between 1926 and 1929 as the residence of Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of auto pioneer John Dodge) and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson, the 110-room, 88,000-square-foot, Tudor-revival style mansion is complete with vast collections of original art and furnishings." And it sits on only a mere 1,500 acre estate.
This place is huge, incredible and beautiful. One room really stood out to me and that was the study. The entire room was paneled with solid wood from top to bottom. At the very top of the wall there were various "charactchers" that depicted different milestones in John Dodge's life. And for some reason that word "milestone" rang true to me that day.
I see life as a journey. I just turned 30 years old this year. I have a beautiful wife, two outstanding boys and one on the way (we are so excited - hoping for a girl). Right now is a huge milestone for me. All of my business ventures failed. I have been struggling to provide for my family, I am scrambling to get a job; I sit down, look up and think, "What was I thinking? What is happening? I'm 30 years old, with a family and don't even have a career to sustain our needs."
So right now is a MILESTONE for me - a huge one. Lets say this is a turning point for me. I'm closing out the chapter of the last 4 years of my real estate investing, internet marketing and the ups & downs that come with being an entrepreneur.
What is ahead?
I have a great opportunity to work side by side with my father and brother. Up until now I have avoided the family business to pursue my own ventures, but now I am ready. There are great opportunities there for me and my family. Much more stable income. My wife and I need stability very badly. My tolerance for risk is starting to recede, I will not be going "all-in" anymore, and will be much more frugal with what we have.
I've learned a ton over the last 4 years. Have absolutely no regrets. The last 2 years have been tough - I will admit that. So I'm going to regroup some now but I still have very ambitious goals for myself in the future.
Don't get me wrong the entrepreneur in me is still very alive.
The plan is to maintain a steady income outside of all of my crazy ventures. Goals that I am aspiring to, would be:
- Author a book one day
- Get into the seminar/platform speaking business
- Visit every National Park with my family
- Overhaul my 1986 Chevy Suburban
- Create my own mentorship school for aspiring entrepreneurs
- Hike the tallest peak in each state & document it with photographs
- Cycle a century in each state
Feel free to share any milestones you have experienced in your life below in the comment section. May you stamp your own personal milestones in life to become a better, better person.
4 comments:
Travis, I'm glad to see the entrepreneur in you hasn't totally thrown in the towel because you turned 30! 30 does somet6hing to people. I understand you going to work with your father, but don't let that clip your wings!(I'm sure you'd tell your students that!) Get that steady income and fly again.
I hate also to see failure intermingled there...you have not failed, you just missed your bus. Milestones...I conquered the wheelchair! Not a big milestone, but I didn't want it, so yes, I conquered it! It is my new best friend! Teaching at church with a very limited short term memory. I have learned to study over and over and make good notes. Heavenly Father helps me each time... and I'm passing milestones. Not quite biking a century in each state, but it's where I can see accomplishment!
Love you,
Aunt Vicki thank you so much for your words of wisdom - I really appreciate it. I don't see it as failure, just regrouping and will continue to plug away. You hang in there. I always enjoyed hanging out with you guys...
Love you too
Travis
My milestones always had to do with traveling, very inspirational blog to push me to come up with more. Thanks!
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