I've only been a member of the Crossfire community for a few months but I have been lucky enough to meet a bunch of SoCal members on a few occasions and what a great group you are! So, I thought I'd share this little bit of news with you all.



A little over 20 years ago I sort of fell into the career I've been in ever since. I've moved through a few different aspects of the industry in those years, touching on all sides of it, but basically I've been involved in commercial print and direct mail production and marketing since 1987.

Been some good years and some fun times, and I've met a lot of very nice people. But it's become a bore. A real pain in the ***, actually. Not to put too fine a point on it - I hate it. Have hated it for a few years now. Oh, I've been making pretty decent money, quite a bit more than I actually need to be honest about it (and believe me, that sounds stranger to me than it does to you, trust me on this).

Well, as of today I have left the industry. I'm going to take a pay cut but I'm going to start doing something I am truly passionate about.

Last week I received a formal job offer from Meguiar's and will start working for them effective 9:00AM, Monday April 21, 2008. The money might be less but the benefits are truly incredible (rated one of the top 5 benefits packages in Orange County, CA), the atmosphere is relaxed, and I'll not only get to go to events like Barrett-Jackson, SEMA, Monterey Historics, Amelia Island, etc but I'll be getting paid to do so. To top it all off, I'll be hanging out with car guys and playing with cars quite a bit. Not too shabby, huh?

I've been a regular at Meguiar's Thursday Night Open Garage sessions for a couple of years, was invited by Meguiar's to be part of their Meguair's/Ford SEMA Team last year and was even called in to help repair damage to their big rig after someone else's tent was blowing up against it all night long during this past January's Barrett-Jackson auction. I've also been on their pre-production testing panel and have had access to several new products before they ever went to market. I love detailing cars and I love teaching others how to do it. Now I'm going to get paid to be part of it all.

Hot damn!!!

 

Congrats, sounds like you are pumped!

 

Congratulations! That is great , I wish you all the best. Not too many people have the opportunity to work at thier "Dream Job" Sounds like a great atmosphere with lots of Perks

 

sounds like fun, now if i could get a job delivering hogh end sports cars....i would be in heaven

 

Yeah, that would work. While at SEMA last year with Meguiar's we also handled the vehicles for CEC Wheels and I got to drive almost all the cars they had there, including a couple of TechArt modified Porsches (a 997 Turbo and a Cayman) along with a new Lexus IS-F, a Bentley Continental GTC and a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. I know that a year or two ago one of the Meguiar's guys had to (yeah, HAD to) drive a Saleen S7 from Orange Couinty all the way up the coast to the Monterey Historics in NorCal. He said he was terrified the whole way in that half million dollar car!!

 

Mike, congratulations. I'm glad to hear you made a move that will make you a happy person. Money, while it helps is not what makes you truly happy. Good for you. I wish you the best.

 

Mike, When you come to the concours d'elegance at Ameilia Island, please let me know....it's almost within walking distance from my house.

 

Congrats again....

 

Congrats Mike! It's always good to hear a success story! I wish the best for you.

 

You know.......congratulations!

There's very few people left in the world who would turn down money for happiness. I sincerely congratulate you for doing something you love for less money than something you have grown to hate. There's far too many people in this country who are too concerned with the dollar.

Does this mean we might see you at the woodward dream cruise? I met Barry there a couple of years ago when he was getting footage for his "Car Crazy" show. If you can make it, let us know..........I'll drive you around in the Convertible if you want/can.

Let me know if you're going to the Meadowbrook Concours D'Elegance........I go there every year as well.

I'd tell you to have fun at the new job.....but I somehow think you are already doing that!

 

Good for you Mike.
It's not all about the $.
If you can do what makes you happy, and make money at it; that is great.
Good luck.

 

Mike in orange,

Good luck in your new life. Some dream a life and some live the dream. And, as you pointed out, it ain't about money.
I can relate. 20 years ago, I left the corporate world to follow my dream. Poor as a church mouse now, I'm happily working 12 hours a day. I tell people "I'm retired".... and when they get that perplexed look I finish with "and now I can do what ever I want."
You'll never believe it, I am in commercial print, advertising and direct mail. Go figure.

Most folks go through life trading time for money. Hardest work there is.
Enjoy you new "retirement." and remember, it ain't work if you like it.

roadster with a stick

 

Mike,

Congrats on the new gig. May we all be so lucky.

I have felt your pain. Spent 1st 18 years of my career performing direct mail related data processing tasks. Fortunately, that ended about 4 years ago. About the only good that came out of it was that it did allow me to be employed in the computer field before there were PCs on every workers desk. Oh, and I did meet my wife on the job.

I have flashbacks whenever I hear USPS, CASS, SERP, De-Dupe, CRRT, Keycodes, Maildates etc. Oh, lets not forget the good ole impact printer and the cold fusion laser printer. Also, for every nice person in that industry, there are 10 a-holes. That wears you down a bit.

 

I've been in the Graphic Design/Print Production side of agency work since the mid-70s. I feel your pain. There was a period there when I had a job I would have done for no pay if I could have afforded it. Those days have long passed.

Sounds like you get to be in that ideal job situation with Meguiars. Sounds like the perfect job for you. Congrats.

 

Thanks, I really appreciate that. As for Meadowbrook, well, I grew up in Rochester and attended Rochester Adams High School (was there the same time as Madonna of all people) and Oakland University. My mom still lives there so a trip to Meadowbrook would be a homecoming of sorts. I'd love to attend the Dream Cruise too - I've never been as they didn't start it until after I'd left Michigan. I might have to take you up on the offer!




I'm hoping to avoid the flashbacks. I did all my time on the sales side of things but got tired of fighting productiion and customer service. It seems that side of the business has really lost sight of what it's all about and I just couldn't put up with the frustration any longer. From what I've seen at Meguiar's, and from every single person I've met there - from the truck drivers and receptionist right up to Barry himself - Meguiar's is by far the most customer centric company I've ever encountered. That really drew me to them.

Now THAT is funny!!!

 

Congratulations Mike!!! My wife and I are really happy you made the move!

Now I just need to get to another track event with you and some of the other folks from Southern California.

Enjoy your new 'hobby'

 

Sounds like a great job. Good luck in your new career! Will we see you on the tv show?

 

Way to go Mike ! There's an ad saying " You have an uncle in the furniture business" now we can say " We have a friend in the detailing business" I always look forward to your posts on detailing. I left my job as a Senior Sales Engineer and now drive a school bus for Head Start, 3,4 &5 year olds, and have summers off and have never looked back.

Henry David Thoreau says it best:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams
Live the life you have imagined"

"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."

All the best in your new position Mike

 

Sounds great, congrats and good luck.

 

Congratulations!!! It's always refreshing to hear about someone having the opporunity to work in a career field that they are truly passionate about!