I don’t want to make a huge deal out of this but at the same time I would be remiss to ignore this topic going into the 4th. And that’s specifically about the quality of service provider out in rural America and how much better you have it when it’s some red blooded, family owned business.
We moved out to unincorporated Kane County two years ago almost to the day. A couple acres in an expanding but familiar community rooted in classic family values.
A lot of change comes with that. Some of it bad. Like longer commute times than living in the South Loop. And less bourgeois cafes and sun dresses this time of year. Respectfully to Mrs. Carl just saying.
But a lot of it good like an exponentially more peaceful existence in nature and an overall better environment to raise a family.
And honestly a lot of this is very predictable.
You could say it blows because Wrigley is at best 1 hour door to door but probably closer to 1.5 on gamedays. And in those moments yes, it absolutely blows.
And you could say we don’t have a downtown area to walk around on a Saturday mornings or whatever your wife cares about in her free time.
There’s so many obvious complaints against obvious benefits. Like objectively better golf courses and a more casual pace to life and good roads.
But one thing I didn’t think about moving out here is the quality of the service you get from small business.
It’s actually so unbelievable I’m writing this blog.
Because every time we’ve had to call on someone, they’re here in 24 hours.
No franchises. No sales people. No email lists and contracts. Just some guy named Randy in blue jeans who smells like Marlboro Reds giving you a handshake that he’s going to fix the well for under $2,200.
Or the paver who came out and measured 7,000 square feet then agreed to start work without a deposit?
Or the plumber coming back in the afternoon to test the work from the morning because it’s on the way back to Batavia anyways AND IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
And as I type this, just an overwhelming feeling of gratitude is washing over me as an American man.
The country was built by guys that can fix shit.
It’s the Randys and the Butches and the Marks of the world showing up that know how to move earth and repair damage that make this country special.
It wasn’t made by the salespeople that are offering you a discount on a water treatment membership from the national chain. It’s not the free estimate marketing schemes to give you subpar service. And America certainly wasn’t made to stand out because of our back office finance people.
So as we approach the 4th of July, I just wanted to share this message mostly just because it feels good to say this out loud.
I’m really lucky to be apart of this community and get the benefit of being around so many solid Americans.
That’s the point.
And unless you’ve experienced it, probably hard to understand so I’m sorry for the confusion. But this country rocks and I hope anyone reading this is one day lucky enough to feel what’s in plums right now.