Yes, it was awkward to accept that award in front of my peers, because when you're 13 the last thing you want to admit is that you try hard without much to show for it. Not cool.
And you know the worst part? My Dad NEVER forgot that award (and neither did my older brother Chris). My Dad thought it was amazing while my brother teased me relentlessly.
So when I was in my mid 30s and feeling a little lost in both my career and in turn my resume (how could I summarize my experience as a drummer, philosophy major with an MBA and some experience in the outdoor adventure industry into something that would land me a great job) you know what my Dad said?
"Stephen, what about that effort award you won... I think you should put THAT on your resume, it really shows your character."
UGH.
That damn award was still haunting me... until I finally started to see what my Dad saw.
Because - for better or worse - once I start working on something I believed in, I just can't stop. Through setbacks & failures, persistence, curiosity and ultimately - effort - is what has carried me through. And that couldn't be more true of etee.
So I guess my Dad had a point, what made me a dork in grade 7, has helped birth the etee products you have sitting in your home.
And I bring all this up because right now, sitting on the shelf in my closet is:
1- Version 7.2 of our concentrated body lotion - never heard of it? That's because we can't figure out how to package it without the oils leaking over everything.
2- Version 3.2 of our paper laundry detergent packaging - as summer wears on and I watch it leak through our paper bags, I'm not sure this one will work.
3- Version 4 of our dishwasher detergent - Somehow we just can't figure out how to get performance without that cloudy film.
And this is just the top of mind stuff - our list of products in progress is at least 3 times that length.
So I guess the point I'm trying to make is three fold:
1- If you're feeling a little lost, sometimes the people who love you the most will see in you the stuff that really sets you apart and it's worth listening to them.
2- If you've ever had a crappy experience with etee and / or our products, don't write us off, because I promise you, if there's a way to improve it we will.
3- Maybe most importantly - our failures really are our greatest lessons and I think that is especially important to realize now when we consider the biggest challenges our society faces. Let's not run from them, let's lean into and learn from them...
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