Jim Himshaw
Contributing Writer
Improvement Professional, President & Sales
Just read a FB post from Joshua Nepa that stirred my heart, got me to thinking. He shares that a few weeks ago, he and one of his employees, James Brewer, along with help from two other employees Jeff Bowman and Jason Wolter, went out and bought a single mom some much needed school supplies. In fact, she has 8 kids, so the school supplies were much needed! Spent over two hundred, could have gone to Dave and Buster’s with that money, or had a couple of great family meals. In his words, it would not have been close to the feeling that they had helping a person who had a lot on her plate.
Josh says he remembered the feeling he got buying his own kids the school supplies they needed at the beginning of each year. His oldest is a senior, they manage to get their own supplies at that age. He asks us to think of the child in school who has no backpack, no pencils or markers, none of the stuff many of us take for granted. As a 7 or 8-year-old, your self-esteem and confidence will plummet on that first day of school, may not ever recover. Even if you realize the family doesn’t have the money to purchase these items, it still seems unfair when all those sitting near you have everything they need. So he made one family feel better, only had one glitch. Seems like in the rush of excitement, he miscounted, got to the home one back pack light, someone would be left out. Went back later with the extra backpack, made it good.
Not the first-time Josh has done something for someone else. He took a decade old car, four door sedan, did all the things that should be done: brakes, shocks, worked on paint and interior, some engine work, tires, etc. He took it to a mall, met a woman who was headed to California, GAVE her the car. Clear title and all. Free. No strings attached. This comes easier to Josh than to some of us, he is a true gear head. In a positive way. Has a Supra with 1003 hp. Yep, count it all, don’t you be rounding it off. Actually had a two cars in the Fast and Furious movie a couple of years ago. Toyota featured one of his cars at SEMA in their booth, he makes the fast cars faster. Full disclosure, he has a lot of help and support from local business owners who help make things happen.
He told me he did not do this for any accolades, but to move us to action, to do something for someone else, especially someone who could not repay the gift. In Josh’s mind that is one reason we are on this earth, to help others. I appreciate the thought behind the act as much as the act itself. Thanks Josh for setting the bar high.
Paula Norris met with me today, she is working with a local charity to find her a family that needs a system, she will provide it at no cost. Hobaica Services, Donley Service Center and Chas Roberts have done this as well, it is a concept that is gaining popularity. I realize there are lots more who are also involved in the community, giving back to those in need, I just didn’t have time to list them all. Most of the dealers I know will gladly give service or even a system when they come across a family that is deserving. And both Josh and I think that is exactly what we need to do. He just took the concept a step further, worked with a co-worker, blessed a family and got blessed themselves doing it.
What is my point? Well, we take our air conditioning businesses for granted sometimes, it pays the bills, gives us some freedom, provides for several families to earn a living. As Josh says, he has been down and up in the past, some years were much tougher than the last few. His wish is that he leaves a legacy of doing for others when possible, and equipping his people to be involved. He loves to see the surprise when a plan to help a family comes together, makes the long hours and mental sweat worthwhile. And to see his employees get in on it, PRICELESS. So follow his example, be on the lookout for those people around you who may need a helping hand. May be in your neighborhood, not even a customer, maybe a friend of a friend. You probably will not have to look long before someone comes across your desk who needs the help you can bring. Thanks for listening, we’ll talk later.