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Life lessons from a Fuller Brush salesperson by Jeff vonKaenel
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they sad? Is there love in the house? I In the circulation area of Sacramento could feel it. And over the course of the News & Review, about 25,000 students summer, I was in thousands of houses— will be graduating from high school working-class homes in San Jose and and college this year. It is an important rich people’s homes in Saratoga. moment. Life-altering decisions will be The rich people had nicer houses made. with nicer things. Some of their homes So some reflection is needed. were warm and inviting, but others Perhaps the advice of an older and possibly wiser person will provide some were so cold that you wanted to leave as soon as you could. insight. In the working-class neighborhoods, I had an important life lesson at the there were also houses that age of 18. I had two job offers were heavenly and houses that summer. I could get that were miserable. a job as a lifeguard at What struck me was the local pool, which that wealth and nice would have been fun If the big paycheck things had no impact, and paid $1.60 an did not increase your positive or negative, hour. Or I could on happiness. sell Fuller Brush chance for happiness or At age 18, this products door-tolove in your house, what was a major reveladoor, which I had good was it? tion. I was a good done the previous student and a very summer, and make good salesperson. I something like $10 an had a well-paid corporate hour. In a summer, I could future waiting for me. But make enough money to pay my experience selling Fuller Brush for a whole year’s tuition at UC convinced me that it was not worth it. If Santa Barbara. So the choice was clear. the big paycheck did not increase your The Fuller Brush company had a chance for happiness or love in your line of hairbrushes, cleaning supplies house, what good was it? and other sundries, which claimed to So I never pursued it. Instead I be superior to products in stores. There worked at alternative newspapers for 45 were no online stores in the 1960s. years, which certainly never produced Another benefit of Fuller Brush was a big paycheck. Adjusting for inflation, that the salesperson provided customers I made roughly twice as much per hour a break from the loneliness of being selling Fuller Brush than I do now. But stuck at home or caring for children I am happy. And I have had a good life. all day. In the 1960s, there were many So, dear graduates. I know you’ve housewives who stayed home every heard that money can’t buy you love or day. happiness, but trust me. Selling Fuller Back then, most people would invite Brush, I learned this first-hand, door by you into their living room for 15 minutes door. Ω or so while you explained the wonders of brushes or cleaning products. If you know me, you will not be surprised that I had a series of jokes that usually got a chuckle. Jeff vonKaenel is the president, CEO and majority All houses have a personality. Are owner of the News & Review. the people happy in the house, or are