I'm sick: 

We had a customer in the store yesterday who had argued in front of the Supreme Court back in the 1970's. As one who loves to debate, it took me back to a time in my life when I was sure I would become a lawyer. That idea was quickly killed once I realized that not every day as an attorney resembles "A Few Good Men". 

Last night I had a vivid dream. One of our best customers, who happens to be a partner at a high-powered law firm, had a case go in front of the Supreme Court, and he kept an extra chair at the table for me. Our team was impeccably dressed from head to toe: a three-piece suit or two, understated cufflinks, a pocket watch as an homage to Atticus Finch.

I was just a fly on the wall until Justice Scalia noticed that I hadn't said a word during oral arguments, and condescendingly asked if I had anything to say for myself, to which I responded: "I'm just the haberdasher."

And then I woke up. I wonder what it means...

He's a snowboarder; I'm not.
He's got multiple Olympic gold medals; I've got multiple gold cufflinks. 
His nickname is the Flying Tomato; mine is the Well-Dressed Cucumber (at least when someone wants to liken me to a vegetable).
He owns a couple Lamborghini's; I drive a car that either of his cars would fit inside.
He's a 23 year old living the life of a 16 year old; let's just say I'm living the life of a gentleman 3 decades older than I am.

There is one piece of common ground, however. Last night, during NBC's Olympic coverage, which included an interview with Shaun White. And sure enough, he was wearing a pair of the Wolverine 1,000 Mile Boots. Since my last blog post was already about the 1,000 Mile Boot, I won't rehash their appeal here. Needless to say, everyone at On The Fly already owns a pair.

How long before Bob Costas places an order for a pair?

Last Fall, several blogs I follow announced the re-launch of the 1,000 Mile Boot from Wolverine. From the press release announcing their reintroduction last year...

More than 125 years ago, Wolverine founder G.A. Krause built a company on a dream of creating finely crafted footwear using the best materials of the time. Inspired by hard-working men, Krause began a footwear company that would soon innovate the industry. The first of its kind, the Wolverine 1,000 Mile shoe was created in a time when men were looking for authentic craftsmanship and footwear that would last. The Wolverine 1,000 Mile Shoe had all these characteristics as well as superior comfort. Advertised as comfortable enough to “give you 1,000 miles of wear,” the shoe became a wardrobe staple for men of the 20th century.

The 1,000 Mile Boots are made in the USA based on the original pattern. The leather is top grade North American cowhide, tanned by Horween Leather Co. The leather sole features a classic hand-stitched Goodyear welt, and stacked leather heel and outsole. They are stunning to look at, and even more compelling when you appreciate the history and the construction.

My pair finally arrived today - the 1,000 Mile Boot in Brown. No one would ever accuse me of working hard enough to require a work boot, but then again, maybe that's the point.

The only negative aspect of carrying Wolverine shoes in the store? Since I've always been a big Saturday Night Live fan, I can't stop saying, "I would like...to feed your fingertips...to the wolverines." It's immature, I know, but I can't help it.

A tale of two attitudes: 

9:30am, 30 minutes before the store opens, about 3 weeks ago. I'm at a desk in the front of the store doing work, but forgot to re-lock one of the doors. A customer barged in, not checking the store hours, which was not his fault since the door was unlocked. Walked straight to the belt rack without acknowledging my existence, even though I greeted him. Found his waist size on the rack, looked at some prices which were $65-$95, and started to walk briskly for the exit. I asked if he needed help with a belt to which he said, "Not for $65", and stormed out.

2pm today. Customer looks over belts at the belt rack, and turns to head out. I asked if he needed any help, and he said, "Well, I had to come to the City to drop my wife off at an appointment and I forgot to wear a belt. I have a bunch of belts at home, but I can't stand my jeans falling." I found the Martin Dingman Matt Belt in his size, which sells for $65 and is great for jeans. I asked, "Would you give me $45 for this?" His eyes lit up, and he bought the belt. I would bet $45 is slightly more than he wanted to pay, but he recognized I was trying to help him out, and it was a good deal, and we turned a belt, so everyone won.

What the customer today didn't know is that immediately after the first interaction, I began thinking: what should I have said to him? Should we keep a ball of twine in the store for customers that don't want a reasonably priced, all-leather, made-in-the-USA belt? Maybe duct tape? In my head, I settled on, "I'd have sold it to you for less if you treated me like a human being." And the reality is, I would have. I'm sure he probably thought I was an underpaid, under-educated retail cashier, but that is only half-true. If he'd have told me a story, he'd have walked out a happy customer. 

Two very contests were held recently that may shatter your worldview: 

In an international wine competition, Nyetimber's Classic Cuvée 2003 produced in Sussex, Enguhland beat out French Champagnes in the Sparkling Wine Category. Keep in mind this was a blind taste test done by winemakers, oenologists, sommeliers, and journalists. More here. 

On its own, I wouldn't have posted that as news, had it not been for the headline I read earlier in the week that a Taiwanese Whisky -- Kavalan -- won a blind taste test in England that was organized to celebrate Scotland's Burn Night festivities. Ouch. More here.

We're living in a global marketplace, and the days of thriving based solely on historical reputation are over; the product must still be superior. And even if it's superior in any given year, or for ten years running, one must innovate even if it's only to ensure that no innovation is required. While some may heed the business advice of a Michael Porter, Geoffrey Moore, or Jack Welch, I always remember the words of Big Tom Callahan from Tommy Boy: "You're either growin' or you're dyin' -- there ain't no third direction."

I wish I knew how most men stored their belts. I hang mine on a couple of spinning belt hooks that hang from my closet rod. Due to my unfortunate shoe fetish, my belt collection resembles a box of crayons. So each hook is holding at least 2 belts, sometimes 3. As a general rule, I've got dress belts on one hook, and casual belts on the other.

The problem is that I have some belts that go both ways. Sometimes, if I'm trying to dress down a suit or dress up khakis & a sweater, there are a lot of options. A medium brown belt day could result in a solid medium brown belt, one with contrast stitching, or a matte crocodile belt I've got. And because they are at least 2 deep on spinning hooks, it's almost impossible to carefully weigh each option and still leave the house. 

So...I spend a significant chunk of my day fearing Sub-Optimal Belt Selection. In other words, the belt I've got on is fine, but there may have been a better belt in the closet.

On The Fly hopes to introduce a solution to this problem later this year, but until then, I'm exploring pharmaceutical solutions.