The Story of Nobody: A Rant from a Fed-Up Business Owner

You know what’s exhausting? Giving a damn.

It’s not that people don’t understand what needs to be done, it’s that they genuinely don’t care. That’s the part that breaks you.

Today, I shared a quote from Tim Walton, the classic story of Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. I posted it with hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, my team would read it and get it. That they’d finally realize that if everybody did something, then everything would always get done.

But guess what? That didn’t happen.

Because today, I had to replace the damn ketchup bag-in-the-box because Nobody thought it was their job. At the end of the night, while they clocked out without a second thought, I was re-mopping the kitchen, putting away food left out to rot, and sweeping garbage from under the sink.

I’m not talking about once in a while. I’m talking daily battles with apathy.

And honestly? I’m tired.

I’m tired of covering shifts.

Tired of doing other people’s jobs while still doing my own.

Tired of explaining the same basic things over and over.

Tired of begging people to give a damn about the place that gives them a paycheck.

I used to care, deeply about what others needed, how I could help, how to be the kind of boss people respected. But lately? That care is running on fumes.

I don’t know if I want to fire everyone and start fresh or just walk away and do something else entirely. Because no matter what, I’ll be fine. Better than fine.

Why?

Because I’m a worker. A leader. A fighter. I recognize what needs to be done and I do it, without waiting to be asked, without clock-watching, without making excuses. I’m not afraid to fail, to learn, to hustle. You won’t ever catch me watching my boss clean up my mess.

Too many people today want the title, the paycheck, the perks, but they don’t want to show up. They talk a big game, but when it’s time to do something, they vanish like a Snapchat.

And that’s the root of it, isn’t it?

The gap between talk and action. The canyon between “that’s not my job” and “how can I help?” That canyon is killing businesses, killing culture, and burning out people like me who still believe in showing up and doing the damn work. My family is here day in and day out doing it all and putting in the hours waiting to see who will step up and help or who will sit down and quit!

But here’s the thing, I’m not quitting. I’m just getting louder.

So if you’re reading this and it stings a little? Good. Maybe it should.

Do better.

I’m curious—how have you handled moments when you felt like nobody cared? Share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out if you’ve got advice for a fellow business owner navigating these challenges.

Unseen Battles: Why This Exists

“The true measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good.”

— Samuel Johnson

We like to think that loyalty and support are easy to recognize, that we’ll see the people fighting for us, standing beside us, defending us when it matters. But the truth is, some of the most important battles fought on our behalf happen when we’re not in the room.

Someone speaks your name in a meeting and backs your work.

Someone defends your character when you’re not there to explain yourself.

Someone shuts down negativity, protects your reputation, or gives you an opportunity when you aren’t even aware of it.

These are the unseen battles, the ones that define who’s truly in your corner.

Im creating this blog because too many people assume they have support when they don’t, or worse, they give their loyalty to people who would never fight for them in return. It’s about understanding the difference between real allies and those who just play the part. It’s about making sure you have the right people in your life, and that you’re the kind of person others would fight for too.

Lets break this down:

• How to recognize true support.

“When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.”

— Japanese Proverb

We all like to believe we know who’s on our side. But too often, we mistake presence for loyalty. Just because someone is in your life doesn’t mean they’re in your corner. Some people stand beside you for convenience. Others stay close just to keep tabs. And then there are the rare few, the ones who fight for you when you’re not looking, who protect your name in rooms you’ll never walk into.

Recognizing true support is about knowing the difference between those who are merely there and those who are invested in you.

• How to surround yourself with people who fight for you.

True Support is Shown in Actions, Not Words

Anyone can say they support you. The question is, do their actions match their words?

• Do they stand up for you when you’re not around?

• Do they offer help without expecting something in return?

• Do they celebrate your wins without jealousy or competition?

Fake support shows up only when it’s convenient. True support is there when it’s needed.

• And just as importantly, how to be someone worth fighting for.

Loyalty is Not About Agreement, It’s About Honesty

A real supporter isn’t just someone who hypes you up; they’re someone who holds you accountable. The people who truly have your back won’t just tell you what you want to hear, they’ll tell you what you need to hear.

• They’ll call you out when you’re wrong.

• They’ll challenge you to do better.

• They’ll check in when they sense something is off.

Fake friends will sit back and watch you fail. True supporters will step in and say, “I won’t let you go down like that.”

The Silent Test: What They Say When You’re Not There

One of the easiest ways to recognize true support? Pay attention to how people speak about others when they’re not in the room.

• Do they defend their friends, or do they gossip? (If you know me well, I DO NOT GOSSIP!)

• Do they shut down negativity, or do they add to it? (If you know me well, you know I SHUT DOWN GOSSIP AROUND ME)

• Would they protect your reputation, or would they stay quiet? (If you know me, when it comes to my friends and family, I WON’T STAY QUIET)

The way someone talks about others is exactly how they’ll talk about you when you’re not around. A true supporter won’t just stand up for you in person, they’ll fight for your name in places you’ll never hear about.

Look at the Patterns, Not the Promises

If you want to know who’s truly on your side, stop listening to what people say and start watching what they do. Support isn’t proven in a single act, it’s a pattern of consistent loyalty, honesty, and presence.

So ask yourself:

• Who has shown up for you when they had nothing to gain?

• Who has spoken up for you when you weren’t there to defend yourself?

• Who has been honest with you, even when it was hard?

Those are the ones fighting your unseen battles. And those are the ones worth keeping close.

Because in the end, your success, your reputation, and your future aren’t just shaped by what happens in front of you. They’re shaped by the unseen battles fought when you’re not in the room.

Let Downs: Commercials vs. Real Life

We’ve all seen them, countless commercials that suck us into a product or service with perfect visuals and happy actors.

Companies spend thousands, if not millions, crafting these ads, using professional lighting, scripted interactions, and carefully chosen actors to sell us a dream. But what happens when you actually buy in? Too often, real life doesn’t match the commercial. Let’s break down a few examples.

Chipotle: Fresh, Friendly, and… Fake?

Watch the commercial here.

Chipotle markets itself as a place where food is prepared fresh daily by smiling, friendly staff. The ad makes you crave guacamole and a burrito bowl on the spot.

But step into a real Chipotle, and reality hits. The employees? Not so cheerful. The freshness? Questionable. The experience? Usually rushed, sometimes rude, and rarely as inviting as the commercial made it seem.

Leaf Filter: Fix Everything… or Nothing?

Watch their pitch here.

This one I have personal experience with. The actors in this ad should win awards for how well they sell it. They promise a solution for clogged gutters, debris, and even damaged downspouts.

So, I called. And what did I get? A third-party installer who barely seemed to care about the job. These guys have their own businesses and side gigs, so they rush through the work and cut corners. And when issues pop up? Good luck getting someone to come back and fix them. Leaf Filter the product might work, but the service is nothing like what the commercial promises.

Window World: Stand on Your Windows? Cool. But Install Them Right First.

Check out the ad here.

The commercial is all about professionalism, clean-cut installers in branded shirts, carefully installing high-quality windows. It looks like a smooth, easy process.

Now, in real life? The salesperson shows up with a long-winded pitch about how strong their windows are (yes, we get it, you can stand on them). But I don’t care about that. I care about a fair price, a professional install, and a crew that actually knows what they’re doing. Instead, you often get a team that looks like they just rolled out of bed, and when they mess up the install, it takes weeks to get a new crew out to fix it.

Do These Actors Ever Buy What They Sell?

I sometimes wonder; do the actors in these commercials ever try the products they promote? Do they ever go out to eat at the places they hype up? If they did, would they still smile the way they do on screen?

There should be stricter rules for advertising, making companies deliver on what they promise. Or maybe, more customers should start playing these commercials back for the companies, asking, “Where’s this experience? Because this isn’t what I got.”

Until then, the best we can do is call out the nonsense when we see it.

Entitlement, Racism, and Earning Your Merit

It seems like, more and more, people are using race, nationality, or identity as leverage. Whether to demand recognition or to pressure others into giving praise or opportunities.

But for me, I don’t see color, religion, or any other superficial trait. What I do see is work ethic, morals, and dedication.

The Problem with “My People”

The phrase “my people” always makes me pause. If you were born in 2000, let’s be real, who exactly are your people? Are you truly connected to the struggles of past generations, or are you just using identity to claim victimhood or special treatment?

Does someone deserve special privileges because they’re white or Black? Should a person automatically earn a place on a team because they identify as straight, gay, or bisexual? The answer should always be no. Merit should be based on ability, effort, and performance not identity.

Changing the Past Won’t Fix the Present

In recent years, we’ve seen movements to rename sports teams and tear down historical statues. The Cleveland Indians became the Cleveland Guardians in 2022. For decades, no one seemed to have an issue with the name, but suddenly, it’s deemed offensive.

In the South, parts of history are literally being erased. Virginia removed the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in 2021, a decision that came after legal battles and public outcry. (NPR article)

But history isn’t about what makes us comfortable—it’s about remembering where we came from. General Lee, whether you like him or not, is a part of American history. Removing statues doesn’t erase the past; it only creates a selective memory.

The same goes for Native American leaders like Tecumseh, Pocahontas, Geronimo, and Sitting Bull. They deserve recognition and public monuments, just like any other historical figures.

Success Comes from Hard Work, Not Identity

Boxing fans, do you really think Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, or Muhammad Ali got where they were because of their skin color? Of course not. They fought, trained, and sacrificed to become champions. Their success was earned through sheer determination and talent, not handed to them because of racial identity.

Moving Forward

Racism and favoritism exist, and unfortunately, they always will. But fueling division and rewriting history isn’t the answer. Instead of focusing on race, politics, or identity, focus on what you can control, your work, your values, and your family.

Educate when you can, stand for what you believe in, but don’t create division in the name of progress. If we want unity, we need to stop tearing each other down over the past and start focusing on what we can build for the future.

Teaching Leadership in an Age of Entitlement

Can the entitled be taught leadership?

Leadership is more than just a title, it’s a mindset of responsibility, service, and resilience. But what happens when you’re trying to teach leadership in an environment where entitlement runs rampant? How do you inspire accountability and a strong work ethic when people believe they should be given leadership rather than earn it?

The key is to shift the culture from expecting rewards to embracing responsibility. Here’s how you can do it:

Set Clear Expectations

Leadership isn’t about privilege; it’s about responsibility. From the start, make it clear that leadership is earned through effort, integrity, and commitment. Outline the qualities you expect in a leader: hard work, problem-solving, and the ability to handle challenges. When people understand that leadership is a responsibility, not a right, entitlement starts to fade.

Lead by Example

The most effective way to teach leadership is to model it yourself. Show up early, put in the work, and demonstrate accountability. When people see you leading with integrity and grit, it becomes harder for entitlement to thrive. Leadership is caught more than it is taught.

Let Consequences Teach the Lesson

People who feel entitled often expect someone else to fix their mistakes. Don’t do it for them. Allow them to experience the natural consequences of their choices, both good and bad. If they fail to meet expectations, let them own the results. Failure is one of the best teachers, and real world lessons will stick far better than lectures.

Foster Accountability

Entitlement thrives in environments where there are no consequences. Set up systems where people are held accountable for their actions and commitments. Encourage peer accountability, where they support and challenge each other to step up. Leadership isn’t about making excuses it’s about taking ownership. One more time for the people in the back.

Leadership isn’t about making excuses it’s about taking ownership.

Shift the Mindset to Growth

Entitlement says, “I deserve.” Leadership says, “I will earn.” Encourage a growth mindset where effort, resilience, and continuous learning are valued over status or seniority. Teach that setbacks are stepping stones and that true leadership is about evolving, not expecting special treatment.

(Every job I’ve ever had, leadership was based on “I deserve” and demonstrated complete failure!”

Promote Servant Leadership

One of the best ways to break entitlement is to emphasize servant leadership, the idea that great leaders serve their teams, not the other way around. Encourage mentorship, community involvement, and acts of service. When people see leadership as a way to help others rather than gain power, entitlement loses its grip.

Reward Effort, Not Entitlement

Be intentional about recognizing and rewarding work ethic, determination, and initiative, not just participation. If people see that leadership opportunities go to those who genuinely contribute, they’ll be more likely to step up rather than expect handouts.

Entitlement is a tough challenge, but it can be overcome with the right approach. By setting clear expectations, modeling leadership, and reinforcing accountability, you can transform entitlement into initiative, effort, and responsibility.

True leadership isn’t about demanding a seat at the table, it’s about proving you belong there. And the best way to teach that lesson? Live it.

Things I’ll Never Understand

Watching the news this week, I saw extensive coverage of the California wildfires. Among the stories were several famous actors and musicians sharing their losses and asking for help. It made me wonder: unless there’s been major mismanagement of their funds, how does someone with their resources not have the means to rebuild?

Where’s the coverage for the countless regular, blue-collar people who’ve also lost everything?

I own a business, and back in 2017, we expanded with a $150,000 remodel. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work without going to other businesses or individuals to ask for donations. That’s why I struggle to understand when businesses seek monetary help for repairs, remodels, or upgrades.

The same goes for travel sports. My son played travel baseball for eight years. We traveled all over the East Coast, South, and Midwest, spending thousands of dollars on equipment, clothing, and hotels. It was a worthwhile investment that provided him with exposure and opportunities, but it wasn’t cheap. We made sacrifices to afford it, and while it wasn’t always easy, we never asked others for help.

I don’t understand the countless families who rely on donations or fundraisers to cover the costs of travel sports. If you can’t afford it, maybe it’s not the right fit. Unless there’s a significant issue like a health problem or an emergency, I struggle to see why asking for personal financial help is necessary.

For example, I need back surgery. Without insurance, the $90,000 price tag is completely out of reach for me. But instead of creating a GoFundMe or seeking donations, I’ve chosen to live with the pain and do the best I can. That’s just how I was raised, to find a way forward without burdening others, especially when I don’t know their struggles or financial situations.

Maybe it’s just me, hence the title, “Things I’ll Never Understand”, but I can’t imagine asking others for monetary help unless it’s an absolute necessity.

Work hard, buy what you need, and enjoy the occasional splurge when you can. Ask for help only when it’s truly needed. Otherwise, live within your means and make it work.

This post reflects my personal opinions and experiences. I understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and I don’t intend to judge or criticize those who choose to seek help in ways that work for them. My perspective is shaped by my values and upbringing, and I respect that others may approach these situations differently.

Loyalty or Hypocrisy, It’s Your Choice

It’s inevitable, in life we are going to encounter others who will talk badly or negatively towards a close friend or family member. What you do when this occurs will define the type of person you are.

Whether it’s gossip, criticism, or outright lies, hearing such talk can feel unsettling. You have two options when faced with this behavior.

Option 1: You can use your loyalty to your friend or family member to defend them gracefully. Assess the situation. Stay calm. Set clear boundaries. Defend with facts not emotion. Know when to walk away. Always support your friends and family!

Option 2: Do nothing at all and allow the negativity to continue while not coming to the aid of your loved ones.

Flip the script and imagine you are being talked about or gossiped about and step into your feelings and wonder if any of your close friends or family members would come to your defense and stand up for you.

Defending a friend or family member against negative talk requires a balance of assertiveness, tact, and empathy. By standing up for your loved ones while maintaining composure and respect, you demonstrate both loyalty and integrity. The goal isn’t to escalate conflict but to protect your relationships and foster understanding.

Your silence proves your hypocrisy and dishonesty and ultimately shows how little you value your friends and family.

Ditch the Excuses & Grab Some Accountability

So many people are too easily distracted and would rather shy away from challenges. It’s easy to find reasons, or rather excuses for why things don’t go the way you want. Whether you’re blaming external circumstances, other people, or bad luck, excuses are often your way of avoiding responsibility.

True growth only happens when you take ownership of your actions. Accountability is the key to success, and it begins when you drop the excuses!

Good or bad, accountability is owning the results of your actions.

It’s about accepting that you control your choices, behaviors, and responses to life’s challenges. When you’re accountable, you don’t deflect blame onto others. You stand by your decisions and are willing to face the consequences, whether they lead to success or failure.

Being accountable isn’t just about saying you’ll do something, but actually following through with consistent action.

Excuses, whether you are verbally announcing them or keeping them to yourself, they are doing nothing but killing your personal growth and opportunity in life. You use excuses to protect you from feeling uncomfortable. You may say you want the answered, however criticism is your kryptonite. Excuses are walls you build around yourself to prevent you from reaching your full capacity.

Do any of these sound familiar to you?

“I didn’t have time”

“it’s not my fault”

“they, he or she was supposed to do it”

“that’s not my job”

They may validate your moment, but ultimately they are all road blocks to your progress.

Awareness of the first step towards change. Stop focusing on why it went wrong, or why it never got done, and ask yourself what could you have done differently to solve the problem.

Take your job for example, and you hear a boss or manager tell someone that a certain task needs to be done. After a week the task still hasn’t been addressed. Are you going to make sure it gets done or are you going to fall into line with the others and make an excuse as to why you won’t step up and handle it?

Acknowledge your role in a situation and own your mistakes. Failure isn’t weakness. Failure shows you are willing at least try and others will take notice of your efforts. Would you rather be known as the person who is dependable, helpful and accountable, or the one who has all the excuses and never helps out?

Being accountable will increase your productivity and help improve your relationships whether it’s at home, on the field or at work.

Excuses might feel comforting in the moment, but they rob you of opportunity to grow, learn and succeed.

Accountability, on the other hand empowers you to take control of your life and steer toward your goals. A path to growth begins with you owning your actions and letting go of the excuses.

Challenge yourself and ditch the excuses, you will be surprised of the potential you possess and may even notice a better atmosphere surrounding you.

Do You Know Your Worth?

What are you worth? Do you know your worth? These questions can only be answered once you know yourself and know what kind of person you are.

Let’s start with you in a family setting. You will only know your worth once you know if you are a good son or daughter, a good sibling or a good husband or wife.

Do you provide and support your family? Check this box and you increase your value in life. You’re worthless if you cannot or will not be there for the ones you call family.

Your value goes up even more if you are an outstanding individual in your community. Honesty, integrity and compassion mean something and your peers will see great value in you if you demonstrate any of these traits.

There is not value in your life if you are a thief and or a criminal in general.

Back to supporting your family. This requires a job. Are you employed? It’s hard to provide for without employment. Unless you’re a criminal, then you already know your worth; worthless!

What’s your worth at work? Your life value increases with the type of worker you are. Do you put in the required hours? Do you show up everyday? Are you the type of worker who goes the extra mile to help the job? These types of people have high value and are worth a lot to an employer.

On the other hand, are you a worker who can’t put in a full work week? Incapable of give solid days of grinding? Would you rather sit down instead of helping out during busy times? Would you jump in for a few moments while off the clock to help out?

One of the biggest problems in knowing your worth is, most people take the lesser route and usually do not help out or go that extra mile and still think they’re the best at what they do.

To put your worth in dollar sense, you may feel like you’re worth a lot more than you actually are. Ask yourself those questions, then slap a $5 bill on your back! That could be generous for some.

Going through the motions, doing very little or anything extra will amount to you never seeing a raise, a bonus or any praise.

The high value most worthy people out there are doing it all with little to no recognition. I assume they don’t want it, because they actually enjoy being a good person.

Know yourself, then you’ll know your worth! Go the extra mile, do the work no one wants to do, do it because you are the better person, work the extra hours, days and never miss a function for your family, your worth will be astronomical but this isn’t a giant ask from your family or boss, this is an ask that comes from within your own heart and mind.

Talkers Are Gonna Talk

By the time you are an adult, you should most likely already understand what type of person you are. There are two types of people in this world, well for the sake of this post, there are two types of people.

Talkers and Doers! Which are you? A talker or a doer? Most of you are talkers, and usually just pop off because you want to make yourself feel better or you want others around you to think highly of you. Here’s the truth, most of us see through your bullshit! You can only talk so much before the world realizes you are full of hot are and pointless words. Doers on the other hand, are people who not only talk about it but actually get out there and do it!

To quote an old friend of mine, “be about it, don’t talk about it”. I went on a trip one time, I talked about the trip for a weekend, then come Monday I was on a plane to Hawaii! Monday night my friend shot me a text message to meet up for happy hour and I let him know I was walking into my resort in Hawaii… That’s when he said, “you my friend are a doer, not a talker, enjoy the trip”

The point I’m trying to make, whether you want to travel, visit someone, help someone, move away, quit a job, start your own company, pick up a new hobby or start working out. No one gives a shit if you do or don’t, what people do care about is how often they have to hear you talk about the things you never do or never will do.

Do yourself and the rest of the people surrounding you a giant favor…. either Be About It, Or STOP Talking About It! Plain and simple. You will gain much more respect from your peers and co-workers if you actually do what you say your are going to do.

Like Aesops tale, “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” Eventually, everyone will stop listening to you and one day you may actually end up doing what you say and there will be no one there to appreciate, validate or join in with your adventures. The toughest part of being an adult is adulting…..