Independence.

What does that word really mean?

After all, none of us become successful on our own. It’s always a team effort. We all have mentors, or someone that gave us a hand along the way.

Sure, you can invent something or create something or even be first. But seldom is it ONLY you that was responsible for that success.

Intra-dependence, I believe, is a more accurate word.

The idea is that independence is born with the need to depend on others, the need to have others on your team. The alchemy comes when we trust someone else and know that they trust and believe in us, too.

Too often, we hear, “I did that,” or “I will do this or that.”

But I is seldom truly just I.

It’s us.

In business and in life, I’ve been blessed to be around some of the smartest, most loyal, hardworking people around.

We have all learned from one another, and I like to believe we have grown better as a result.

As we’ve now turned the corner on Q2 and started Q3 of 2024 (I can’t believe how fast it’s flying by!), I think it’s healthy to remember that we’re not in this alone.

We have people around us who care and want to see each of us do well.

Eliminate those who do not share this thought.

That way, when one of us does better, we all do better!

-J.D.