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How do you define success?
This question was posed to me by Robert Tambur, one of the Wyoming Valley’s prominent businessmen, during my time as the Times Leader’s business reporter last year.
That question and our ensuing conversation have been stuck in my head since.
I’ve always felt success is not measured by dollars but more by sense.
It’s not about owning a big house or an expensive car. It’s not about wearing the latest styles by the newest designers.
It’s about following a dream, building on failures and treating others with respect while reaching out to help those who may be struggling.
If you look back on American history, thousands of “successful” individuals have made their mark by seeking knowledge and demonstrating altruism.
A perfect example is Henry Ford.
This past school year, my son, Nick, compiled research for a project on the American industrialist, of which I sheepishly admit I knew nothing.
Nick would share every interesting tidbit of information with my husband and me. As we learned about Ford, I could not have been happier with his topic selection. Ford possessed many of the characteristics that should be part of any successful person, including determination, humanitarianism and being goal-minded.
Ford, according to Nick, started out with a desire to make farm life easier by building machines capable of performing certain duties. To learn more about mechanics, Ford dropped out of school at 16 to take an apprenticeship as a machinist in Detroit, Michigan.
Ford’s interest in building a self-propelled vehicle spurred experimentation with gas-powered motors, a new concept in the 1800s.
After several trial-and-error attempts, Ford built the Model T. He designed and priced the vehicle to give wheels to the working class.
Automotive mechanics was not the only learning curve Ford mastered as he attempted many entrepreneurial endeavors that crashed before finding his footing with the Ford Motor Company.
Ford’s story only represents part of the meaning of “success.”
The businessman also cared for his workers.
Nick uncovered the fact that Ford set a groundbreaking move in 1914 by raising the work rate for his employees to $5 for an eight-hour day. At the time, most factories paid about $2.34 for a nine-hour day.
Stories of Ford’s charitable acts were not highly publicized but were numerous and included the completion of the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit to offer medical care for the working class.
One interesting tidbit Nick learned was that Ford frequently mingled with his workers and enjoyed a good prank now and then.
The Wyoming Valley has many tales of “successful” individuals who started from a simple life and gave their whole-hearted devotion to a goal of building a life for their families.
My parents fit that category.
My dad was an independent contractor. My mom worked at a local bank. Together, they found “success” in providing a good life for my brother and me. They gave to those in need when they could.
They are retired now, but even today, people still remember their hard work ethic and honesty.
That’s success in my book.
