{"product_id":"2940148593928","title":"AT THE EDGE OF BREAKTHROUGH","description":"After working for 40-years in the same company and rising from a clerk to a manager John was very confident with what he wanted during his retirement. He decided to build a store similar to the one he worked and if possible, compete with his old company. One thing continue to puzzle him as he prepared to retire, for those years he never really met the founder of the company. He never attended any meeting and all communication emanated from the general manager and stopped with that same route. When the yearly Christmas party time comes around, everyone got a present from the founder but no one really met or saw him or any member of his family. \u003cbr\u003eTo his surprise he received two options regarding his retirement benefit. Would he prefer a store such as the company or would he want his money en-bloc? Since he had always wanted to have the same store, he choose that option. He provided the company with a piece of land he purchased and the building of the store commenced. \u003cbr\u003eFollowing the example of how he worked for forty years he began to run the store. The first week was busy as friends and former co-workers came to wish him well. From the second week onwards, there was only the annoying sound of cars that passed by. Weeks went into months, the bills came for electricity and others but no customer walked into the store. Within three months only a little boy came to ask if he sells ice cream. As the third month rolled by he proceeded to his former work-place and asked for advice from the general manage who replied: \"Patience is what you need.\" He asked if there was any gimmick but the GM repeated himself: \"Patience is what you need.\" From the GM's office he proceeded to the oldest staff and the longest serving worker. He was told that at the beginning, their large company was just a one room affair but patience, integrity and faith in God kept the founder going day-by-day.  The family that runs the company have no need to hang around for they understand what is expected and remain confident in the workers.\u003cbr\u003eHe returned to his shop to try patience. By the fifth month he only sold items worth $50. That night he visited some of his old friends at a bar and complained aloud. One of them said: \"For people to come to your store you must be selling food. Things like salad items and cold drinks will usher people into the store.\" Now, he is really fed-up with the whole store thing and regretted not collecting cash equivalent at his retirement. Consequently, he placed a notice outside that said, \"FOR SALE.\"","brand":"Maryam Kirschbaum","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47108831740144,"sku":"2940148593928","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940148593928_p0.jpg?v=1763704723","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940148593928","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}