A few weeks ago, I was searching for a vehicle wash location while driving around my neighbourhood on a Sunday afternoon. At a set of stoplights, I came upon a man washing a car. Even though it was close to my house, I never gave taking my car to him a thought. I noticed how busy and committed he was to washing that car that day. He appeared to be enjoying his profession a lot. It appeared odd. I went by and informed him that I would return later to get my car washed.
He told me that if I hadn't warned him I was coming, he would have left the location by the time I came back that afternoon. When I pressed him further, he admitted that Sunday afternoon was the only time he had to check on his store's performance. I was curious. He had a store, right? I learned a little more about it and discovered that he had actually hired someone to manage the store while he was at his car wash. It appeared to be a reputable company.
He was conversing and meticulously cleaning the automobile at the same time. He has obviously done this a lot of times previously. He operated according to a precise system. I don't talk much, so I was glad to hear him start telling me about his life. It was intriguing. As soon as he was fourteen, he moved out on his own. not due to his orphan status or anything similar. He had pleaded with his parents to let him leave the house and live his life independently. He began working and conducting business at that young age and was able to finish education, at least to grade nine. Unfortunately, due to the "hardships" he was going through, he did not complete grade twelve.
He never relied on anyone to take care of him, though, and he always maintained a good attitude on life. He can now support himself and his wife and two children by operating his shop and cleaning automobiles. I asked him how much he charged per vehicle and how many cars he typically washed in a day. The numbers were striking. Let's just say that he makes more money washing cars by the side of the road than most people do working in the public or private sector. What's best? All of it is tax-free income!
He told me he would never have the courage to work for another man. Why should I work for someone else when I can be independent and support myself? The majority of employed individuals have really meagre salaries, and on top of that, they must deduct taxes from their earnings, he continued. I was astonished beyond belief. The person in question actually made the decision to do what he was doing, and not only was he proud of it, but he also appeared to be enjoying it.
