So
today, I left the house early again to meet Mr. Michael Jackson of
Triple J's Tire Shop. Again, like I did yesterday, I prepped my
questions ( I always prep my line of questioning to be relevant to
the owner's needs and that of the audience, who will listen to the
podcast) and got ready.
I got off the 240 bus, and walked
over. I met Linda her assistant, who said he was on his way. In a few
seconds he walked in. "I tried to call you back, but for some reason, I couldn't reach you. Yeah, I forgot, but I have a doctor's appointment in 35 minutes. I will have to reschedule."
I said,"Okay." I understood this does happen, and that's fine, as long we can reschedule. This could happen to me too, when you have a slot on your schedule filled twice, without knowing.
"We can do it next week, same time, if you don't mind," he suggested. "Can we do it on Thursday morning?" I responded, wanting to draw it closer in time so I can reschedule later appointments next week. But he made me know, understandably that the closer we get to the weekends, the busier they get. So I called for a reschedule later today, since Tuesdays were their slowest days.
"Okay, we can do something after lunch, around 1 0r 2," he offered. I picked 2pm, agreed on it, and left to prospect.
I took a few minutes to myself and figured out how to make the most of my time now that we are scheduled for later today. I decided to work a street close to the neighborhood where his business was to make it easier for me to come back in the afternoon. Remember I am not driving and doing all this by bus and foot.
I caught the 275 feeder bus and walked over to Research Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Austin, and went to work.
I stopped by a Taekwondo shop, and realized it was closed. German Auto Center was my next stop. I explained my project to the assistant at the front, who pointed me towards the owner in a close by office. I walked over to find a man in a conversation on the phone while looking over some paperwork. He seemed very engaged in his task.
Realizing my presence, he looked my way and asked how he could help me. Again, I shared my project. "Have a seat, and I will be with you in a few minutes." I did, and waited. Minutes went by, and it seemed he had a lot on his plate, as he got up a few times to cross check things with his staff.
I thought about it all, and wandered if it might be better to come back at a better time. After a few minutes, I chose to leave and maybe come back later. I walked over to inform Mr. Len Gilmore ( I later knew from the business card he gave me, and he is the owner), and he realizing I didn't want to wait any longer, requested I either stop back later or wait a few minutes when he will be done with what he was working on. I had waited a bit, and wouldn't hurt if I did a few more minutes.
We talked about my project, when he was freed up, filled out my survey, and gave me his card to email him with the details of my project. I will be preparing an email for him later.
On to my next stop, Deluxe Auto Repair, whose owner is not in. And Abe Automotive's owner, whom I spoke to at my next stop, was not interested. But I got a seat and a chance to explain myself clearly with the owner of Sterling Affairs & Events.
I was introduced to Scott by Emily Perry, who after hearing me out, took my survey to the owner. Scott, the owner filled out my survey, and asked me to email him sometime next week Monday or Tuesday to set up a 30 minute interview that same week. He is interested, he made me know, and again I will be preparing an email for him later.
I passed up a number of other shops which didn't match my criteria---franchises and corporately owned businesses. This project is focused on solely family and locally owned small businesses.
Having walked a while, I stopped by a Salvation Center shop to use the restroom and rest a bit. I took sometime to check out a video my uncle had posted on our family What'sApp Account and took time to play with Camilla, a little hispanic girl who came over to where I was seated after I waved at her. She was in the company of her dad, who didn't mind her talking to me a stranger. I played a video on my phone for her, and simply made small talk with the few Spanish words I know.
Rested and ready, I made my next stop at Ex-Calibur Auto Repair, where Clay, one of the staff there asked me to check back tomorrow about 1pm. The owner, Brad, just left earlier to take care of a tooth problem.
Checking the time and noticing the approach of 2pm, I wanted to get to a few more businesses before I catch the next bus headed toward Triple J's Shop.
I didn't get to meet the owner of Panaderia, Jesus Gevara, at my next stop. He was in a meeting, and couldn't be disturbed. Panaderia is a Mexican Artisan Bakery that sells some of the best breads and pastries in Austin, judging by the number of customers you find there often. I wrote down a short description of my purpose on a piece of paper to be handed to him, thanking the associates there.
I caught the next bus, and was in Triple J territory. I arrived to meet Linda, who walked over to his office to check. She came back with bad news---Mr. Michael Jackson is not in. As I learned later, he had to rush to Pflugerville, a nearby city to pick up tires, and wouldn't be back until tomorrow morning.
Well, disappointment, right? No worries, these things happen. I was a little down, but I gathered myself, and wrapped up the day. There were other things I have to take care of at the apartment, and need not worry much.
The next 1 an 24o bus brought me home. I got some rest, had dinner, and started punching the keys.
Got to turn in now, and get ready for Day 7.
