This week has been both trying and full of relief. One of my strongest and first business mentors passed away last week. I dabbled in the business world by doing odd jobs to gain extra money but Mike Hammond gave me the courage and the strength to do more than just make a little extra money. He was CPA and I think most of his motivation was to help me not have to pay so much taxes on this extra income. When I had my best year back in 2013, he could not believe the amount of revenue I had been able to generate given my humble beginnings. I met Mike while I was courting his daughter. I had only met him once up to this point but was ready to ask for his daughters hand in marriage. This was when I learned how much he cared about the people in his life. He told me “No.” He had felt that from a business standpoint his daughter did not have enough knowledge to pursue marriage. He said that she need more time to get an education. The irony in this is I believe Mike new “the formula” that I have talked about before, though he didn’t refer to it as that. Part of being happy is to be able to provide for your families needs, including knowledge. His daughter wanted to start a family right away after she got married so her schooling would go by the way side. Mike wanted her to be the best she could be. After a few more months we decided to get married. I didn’t ask again. He was right. My wife did not finish school. When we were first married I had made some poor financial decisions that led us to move in with them. I cherished those days of learning from Mike about business and life. He had multiple degrees from at least three universities and was always willing to share, yet was content in letting me learn some things the hard way. I will truly miss him. He gave me more than I could ever repay him in a hundred lifetimes. Thank Mike.
Lessons Learned
Do all you can to be “Like Mike” Hammond.
Lessons yet to learn
The patience of Mike. He was amazing.
JJ Claymore Inc. 