More and More Success

I know... 2 years and no new news from me.  Well, not exactly...

Clients, clients, and more clients -  we've been very busy around here in the last two years.  Our obsession with perfection is to blame.  Does that mean every show has been perfect?  By my clients standards -  yes!  They keep coming back and the referrals keep pouring in.   And the economy really does suck. However, we seem to have carved out a very nice niche here at Harley's House of Sound.

I won't give away my secrets because there are none!   Business is business.  You simply do what you say you are going to do and take responsibility for your actions, or lack thereof.  

I recently had a telephone conversation with a self-proclaimed competitor of mine.  I was asking him some questions about some gear that he uses that I do not and was thinking of switching over.  In that conversation, he went on to tell me about this gig that he had received.  It was pretty descent, out of state but a national act from the 80's nonetheless. At the time he really needed the gig from what I hear.  What he didn't know was that I declined the job when I heard that the client was looking at both of us.  I told him that and further explained that I declined the job and told them to go with him.  I told him that I was sincerely glad he got the work.  He was taking back and shocked.  The tone in his voice immediately changed as he thanked me.  I'm sure he was shaking his head In disbelief as he hung up the phone.  

Truth be told,  I really wanted the gig.  You see, I was talking with a friend in the business who had just told me of the run of bad luck this person had been having. I thought to myself, "Who needs that gig more - him or me?" I looked at my calender with enough work to get through until winter, so it was a no brainer. You have to do the right thing over the most profitable thing sometimes.  Because I believe in what I can do (and have done,)  I knew it would all work out for me in the long run.     

The following week I had two major cancellations that were great gigs.  I simply said, "Damn, that sucks. That would of been a fun show," and went about my day.  I don't know what it was that made me shrug off what I normally would have been bitching and moaning about for the rest of the week.  I am sure it had to do with the fact that I believe in myself, my product, my company and the people that work with me. (That's WITH me, not FOR me.) 

This last week I had a four day event and was hit with a good handful of problems. (No show is ever perfect to us!)  "They pay us to cope with situations, not mix," I find myself always saying to my interns.  At the end of the event we were tired, beaten up and a good deal of gear got soaked in the last hour of the last act on the last day.  The client came up to me and said, "Harley, you make everything so easy for us."  I laughed out loud at that one.  Then I simply smiled and looked at her and said, "That's my job".   I walked away from that conversation with  and all the contracts for that client for the next year and a new client to boot.

I am no saint by any means, but I was surprised in myself to walk away from this week thankful, not for the successful show and the large string of confirmed work for next year.  I was more thankful for the people that helped me get this good fortune.  My wife, who IS a saint, experienced how back-breaking this lifestyle is.  I will still put her up against any guy for work performed in a day.  My long time student and youngest intern Kyle F. stepped up his game this week and did a fantastic job on his truck pack.  I have two new interns, Fish and Nathan.  Fish really impressed me; I was damn proud of his character this weekend.  Nathan is just waiting on the right time to show me what he can do, but I am sure I will be thoroughly impressed before the end of this month. Thanks guys. I only hope to make you better than me so you can teach me a thing or two!

No matter what your business is, all you need to remember for success is what you are there to do: build confidence and trust in you and your skills.  And to make your employer's job "easy."

If I can do it any one can!!!
                                                                 
Thanks for reading, 

Harley Osterlund