I probably learned more about business, by being a waiter.

I learned the art of not over-serving liquor and over-serving the likability of service. Too much liquor, meant too little left over - emotionally and financially - to pay for a tip that went into my pocket.

I learned the kind of work ethic and accountability that comes from, not a salary, but from direct results. A waiter quickly learns, not to confuse effort with achievement. At the end of the day; regardless of how hard a waiter works, optimum performance only has one metric - how much tip money did you get.

I have hired many of the same, by-the-boots strap people, who had a high emotional IQs and had the right results-oriented mentality. I tend to hire people, who were not educated by a silver-spoon.

My most successful workers by far, are people who had to work too hard for little pay, and had the get-up-and-go, to economically prosper when given a chance.

Someone gave me a chance; while I was technically unqualified. That has made me a firm believer, that what is an opportunity for someone without the "standard resume"; is an extraordinary opportunity for the company's I have run.

Immigrants are the best hires. They inherently know they have to produce results. This is perhaps, because they know, that the only way to be competitive, is to deflect prejudice by results.

The next best hire, is the up-from-the-boot-staps, worker. This is probably for the same reason, I have had a measure of success; the fear that comes from, always remembering what it was like to work hard, for a small ceiling of pay. Once the pay ceiling is lifted; the best "waiters" have unlimited economic potential.

The business lesson is the look for people in the right places. It is a win/win for the human being and their family, and for the company itself.