My father was a hard-working man. He believed in not just providing for our family, but setting an example in how he lived his life.

One thing he did ingrain in me throughout my childhood was how important first impressions can be for any relationship, business or otherwise. It’s a lesson I’ve worked hard to impart upon my kids as well.

As we are all recovered from Christmas and the New Year, many of us have set goals or created resolutions. January is one of my busiest months, as operators realize catering can hold the key to more sales in 2017.

If you clicked on this week’s article hoping to see me dressed up as a bad cop for Halloween, I am sad to say no such thing happened.

I think the last ten days have been all about the “basics” in my life.

As nice as it would be for every high school graduate to receive a college education paid for by Uncle Sam, I don’t believe that a degree equates to more catering business.

We are moving into the age of convenience. Today’s consumer is willing to pay a premium to have it delivered, have it done for them, or basically to just have it handled.

I have never been a big fan of baseball. In middle school, I spent one summer playing fastball. I was deathly afraid of getting hit by the ball.

A few weeks ago, my friend Robin Robins brought in Kevin O’Leary, from Shark Tank, to address members of her high end coaching group. She generously invites me to all of her meetings to listen to top speakers in the business world.

Last week I had a “catch up” dinner with one of my long-time friends Hank. Hank is a consultant I’ve used over the years and was my sailing partner in crime. Before he traded in his sailboat for a motorcycle, we would go sailing about once a week and take a big sailing trip on Lake Michigan in the summer.

Before I cut to the chase and tell you how to have lifelong catering clients, let me share a story with you.