Dream Once Again
And “there was a man named Jabez…”
In 1916 Anheuser Busch produced over more than one million barrels of beer. Production was up and the market bursting. But storm clouds were on the horizon. The Temperance movement was gaining political clout; World War I brought rationing and anti-German sentiment, which sent production downward drastically. By 1919, sales had dropped to 218,000 barrels. Then came prohibition.
Events beyond their control descended on America’s brewers and thirteen years later, when Prohibition was repealed, more than 50% would no longer be in business. Anheuser Busch however, was determined to not let that happen to them. Through ingenuity, creativity and patience, they found alternate products and markets, including crafting truck bodies, making ice cream and selling brewers yeast. Because of their ingenuity, Anheuser Busch was ready to rebound, and in the first eight months after the repeal, they made three times the amount of beer as they had in 1919.
We in the concrete foundation industry have seen the boom of five years ago turn to bust. All of our members have struggled to survive and sadly some are no longer in business. We have had to make very difficult decisions, with more, likely still to come.
With the pressures we are facing, it is easy to forget to dream or hope. But let me challenge us all to do just that. Let’s think creatively, rebrand ourselves and dream once again. I want to encourage you to take advantage of the tremendous resources the CFA has to offer. Call a few fellow members and tell them your ideas, what you are thinking of trying and vice-versa. We need each other now more than ever.
I am reminded of an obscure character from the Bible, who, in the midst of his difficulties did not hold back hoping for bigger and better days. He is found in I Chronicles 4:9-10.
“There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel,“Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do and keep me from all trouble and pain. And God granted him his request.”
I look forward to serving as your President for these next two years and helping us all to stay focused on the future, dreaming dreams and producing results.
Tim Parrish, CFA President, Cornerstone Foundations
