Last week a group of SW student managers were attending a Leadership Retreat in Des Moines, IA.   Lee McCroskey was helping run the retreat and as they wrapped up lunch and were heading into the conference room, one of the managers remarked, “Rick Perry is in the restaurant.”   Lee was busy getting the projector ready, messing with the PowerPoint and then he got a text: “Rick Perry in restaurant.”  Lee said, “It dawned on me that this was no joke, since there was a debate that night in town!  We suspended the meeting and I headed over to meet one of our alums, now Republican presidential candidate.”  He talked about their time with Gov. Perry in his blog.

A cluster of student managers encircled Gov. Perry.  It was a nice encounter–the restaurant had emptied–and there were a couple bodyguards on the periphery.  Perry seemed interested in the Southwestern students, and his body language gave no indication he was in a hurry to exit.  We chatted about Southwestern, who we knew, and asked him about that night’s debate.  His “Gold Seal Gold” election schedule sounded daunting, and we were glad to be able to spend a few minutes with him.

Overall, Perry made a good impression (would you expect any less?).  He was warm, friendly, interested in us and what we were doing.  Obviously, photos were in order so we fell in and took a few shots.  As we broke up, we asked him if he would mind saying a few words about his Southwestern experience on video.  Perry told us that he could not endorse a product or company, but he did say we could quote him: “Southwestern’s the best thing I ever did.”

Gov. Perry’s roommate from the bookfield, Judge John Brieden, recalled their Southwestern summer in an article on mysanantonio.com.   They sold with Al Godwin’s Texas A&M group in Festus, MO in Southwestern’s library division.

The book set included a biblical encyclopedia, commentary and two others lost to Brieden’s memory. What he remembers are the qualities that later served Perry well in his state campaigns and will come into play if he leaps into the presidential race: a sharp focus both on the job before him and on his overarching goals.

A bookman running for President?  Most of us that have carried a SW samplecase would tell you it was inevitable.  Many of the skills gained from the bookfield are a great base for a Presidential candidate.   No matter what occupation we pursue, selling books with Southwestern is an experience I would not trade for anything.  A sentiment Gov. Perry echoed in a  Nashville Post article written after the passing of Southwestern’s former president, Dortch Oldham.

“I count my time working for Dortch Oldham as one of the most important formative experiences of my life,” commented Texas Governor Rick Perry…  ”There is nothing that tests your commitment to a goal like getting a few doors closed in your face” Perry said. “Mr. Oldham taught legions of young people to communicate quickly, clearly and with passion, a lesson that has served me well in my life since then. Mr. Oldham will be missed.”

Though she has been officially off of the Southwestern bookfield for nearly 5 years, Haley Price is still selling books.   Only now, she’s written and illustrated the books that she’s selling. 

While not writing, Haley works in global advertising sales for Microsoft in New York, NY.  Through her experience with Southwestern and beyond, she has learned the importance of having a positive attitude, working hard for what you want, and believing in your dreams. 

Haley continues to reference her days slinging books from house to house; and cannot wait until a book kid comes knocking on her door, “I’m going to give that kid the best pony story ever!”

Find out more about Haley’s book at http://www.todayisthebestdayofmylife.com/ or check out her blog at http://blog.todayisthebestdayofmylife.com/.

The Los Angeles Times

“Pearson looks at the door-in-the-face as a simple matter of mathematics. If he stops at five houses, one will buy.

‘One thing you’ll never survive with in this business is trying to plan your time or your money,’ he says. ‘I’ve gone out and worked, and sometimes I don’t get any business till noon. And then after noon, it all just falls into place. What would have happened if I’d have quit at noon?

‘The trouble today is, people don’t want to work.’” 

Reading Art’s story gave me a sense of pride in how I chose to make my living for those eight years I worked with Southwestern.  Door-to-door selling is most often viewed with the perception of the shady magazine crew operating out of a white van that quickly moves from town to town.  I know that many of us that carried the Southwestern samplecase can go back to those communities we worked in and, as we drive down those familiar streets, recall the names of the many people that touched our lives.  When you treat people right your sales area becomes your community filled with people you consider family.

Former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove once told me that twenty-five years after he had sold with Southwestern he happened to be going by the town he had sold in his fourth summer.  He decided to visit his host family from that summer.  The little old lady he had stayed with was now quite elderly, but fondly remembered Ronnie and the summer he spent there.  Having no idea he was at the time the Governor of Mississippi, she looked him dead in the eye and asked what he had done with his life.

I am so thankful for the people I met on the bookfield.  From my amazing and generous host families, to my customers and even those who simply shut their doors–they all served a purpose in the lessons I learned.  I am also thankful there are salesman like Art that allow me to say with pride that I was a door-to-door salesman.

Click here to read the full LA times article on Art Pearson.  You’ll be glad you did. ]]> http://www.southwesternalumniblog.com/southwestern_company/proud-to-have-been-a-door-to-door-salesman/feed/ 3