From Scratch

A friend recently commented, "Chuck, you should be real proud. You built a business from scratch that lasted thirty years." This person did not know that I also built a house 'from scratch' that has been home for well over thirty years. In fact, my whole life could fit under the 'from scratch' theme. As a five year old my mother told me that my father had "flown away" and "flew the coup." No further explanation. On the playground at Woodrow Wilson Elementary school, my kindergarten teacher...Mrs. Dixon, asked me why I waved at airplanes that flew over our school ocassionally. I'm waving to my father, I answered. "Is he a pilot?" she asked. I didn't know and... probably didn't answer. When it came to fathers I had to start from scratch. I had four uncles that helped fill the void. Obtaining a College degree was a goal when I graduated from high school. Neither of my parents had finished high school. We built a community college from scratch...I and eleven other students from Kalamazoo area high schools comprised the academic affairs commitee responsible for formulating a curriculum and design for KVCC. I cut the ribbon that launched Kalamazoo Valley Community College. We started it from scratch and now 55 years later, KVCC is a pillar of the community. Starting and nurturing a business in small town America has become ridiculously more difficult...loyalty, customer loyalty is a thing of the past. Big Box enticements, Internet enticements and online shopping has eliminated the 'little guy' and crushed Village Shopping in America. However, I do appreciate your patronage.