We were lucky to catch up with Douglas Coggeshall recently and have shared our conversation below.
Douglas, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My family is the first that comes to mind. I am the 5th of 6 boys. My parents celebrated 57 wonderful and loving years of a stable marriage. All of us were raised in the late 60’s and 70’s in a small Southern Illinois city where everyone was pretty much middle class. We didn’t know we were ‘poor’ compared to any other city because all of us we the same financial upbringing. ‘
However, if we wanted something special. Something our parents could purchase for us, we had to work extra to earn it. Odd jobs, part time jobs, collecting recyclable glass bottles or aluminum cans, anything to earn a few more dollars towards your goal. The work was sometimes really hard but the goal at the end was always attainable.
I learned that hard work was good for your body and soul. A couple weekends of hard labor or maybe a sweaty, dirty summer job meant that you got just that much closer to your prize. After a while, the sweat and dirt and grime became a sort of badge of honor. Work wasn’t overwhelmingly difficult, as much as it was pride and honor. Better to work hard for something than to simply acquire it for free.
So, as a kid, we mowed lawns, sold snow cones from a hand pulled red wagon, painted houses, picked dandelions from yards, picked up trash, had a newspaper route, did odd jobs, house sit, pet sit, baby sit, whatever we could to earn a handful of dollars. I would be that much closer to my goal.
We learned – if you really want something, you can work HARD to earn it. Nothing was beyond our reach. I applied this to college work later in my life and earned three degrees. I worked and paid for my college education: more grass cutting with bigger mowers, odd jobs, painting houses, fry cook, salesman, whatever it took to save and save.
As a self-made entrepreneur, I applied the same lessons over and over. My goals were more expensive but my work ethic was rock solid.
Work became fun, challenging and interesting. Learning was rewarding and opened your world to a larger network of opportunity.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I began making natural soap in my kitchen. It was a self disciplined journey of inquisitiveness. First, could I actually do it? Second, could I make money producing more? Both of these answers quickly achieved positive results. But, to be honest, my first couple of years were a struggle to create the perfect formula. Even now, after ten progressive and challenging years, we continue to perfect our formula. Change is always perceived as good.
We never know it all and life continues to teach us lessons. Praise is fine and feeds the ego but the real growth and achievements are found in criticism. We learn as we grow.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Mathematics – Have a solid handle on basic math. Use your brain more then a calculator. Prove your numbers with a machine but keep basic math as a solid skill set.
Language / writing skills – Be creative with your words. A practical way to improve on your language skills is to read books. A lot of them and often.
Be curious of the world. See life from different perspectives. Travel as often as you can. Learn a new language or religion. Be as open to the diversity of life as possible. Be respectful to others. Be patient and always… Be kind.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My current struggle is with Company Brand awareness. Specifically, SEO (search engine optimization). We understand the need. The need is real but we have learned that SEO is akin to buying ‘air.’ You can’t see it. It isn’t something you can hold in your hands. It is Brand awareness, marketing and promotion that leads to tangible effects.
The good news is – we are aware and working on it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.waterfallglensoap.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wfgsoap
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterfallglensoap/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglas-coggeshall-9504b08/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXZMWjiipZnLH_kRsI6qmsA
Image Credits
Douglass Coggeshall – founder, owner Bob Rosner – sales and marketing Nancy Bakay – shipping manager
