No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Lessons for Young Adults

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

THE 110 PERCENT RULE

I have a smart friend named Joe, who was in the business of commercial real estate, leasing and selling space. He is a people person, liking them, a fine salesman. At one point he had some commercial space he needed to sublet on the Boston waterfront. The space was advertised in the trade papers, long before the Internet. “Sublet deals are a pain,” he told me, “but I was dealing with a guy who was relocating to Boston. He was representing a medical company, Germany based, growing their business in American markets.”

Joe told me, “I knew he was relocating, and would probably need housing, so I gave him a little verbal tour of the Boston area towns, and recommended a realtor who was patient and nice. The man bought a home in one of these towns, particularly when he learned the quality of the public schools.”

“My two girls play soccer and boy, would I love to be plugged into that in my new town,” the client said. My friend Joe made a few calls and connected his client with the local soccer people.

“I'll never forget this,” said the happy client.

Several years later, my friend had left his job in real estate and was searching for his next career, and he wanted something part-time. He tried calling the company he had done the sublease with and was told, “Sorry, we can't find a way to fit you into this organization.” Joe persisted and was told that his qualifications would be passed up the ladder one more time but that he should not hold his ...