This was not all bad, I figured, since I had good health, a wonderful wife and a great family, a good home mostly paid for, not seriously in debt, and a wealth of experience in the sales field. My biggest problem was just looking for a job to support my family.
After a few weeks of agonizing weeks of idle time, I became bored with TV, didn't care for golf, fishing, or hunting. I simply began to wonder what in the world I could do to continue my career and help raise our kids. Virginia had been in education for many years as a teacher and also a Principal of an Elementary school. One evening we were discussing any possible avenue I might consider for employment.
She had been very successful in fund-raising in her schools by using a product called "World's Finest Chocolate". This was done by the students taking boxes of chocolate home and selling it to their family and friends. The profit on each box would go to the school. I learned from her that all schools needed to raise extra funds for school supplies and miscellaneous equipment.
Wisely, she suggested that I contact her local distributor, a Mr. Ed Campbell, and inquire about any available openings in the sales force. At first I was very doubtful about selling "candy"for a living. I was completely unaware of the potential in this field. I soon called and went to see Mr. Campbell.
He was slightly older than I and had a very relaxed but positive attitude. He was very business oriented with long experience in the sales field. After getting acquainted I asked him about the company's history and production methods. He explained all this fully to me and convinced me that the company had a solid reputation of quality merchandise and was capable of fulfilling all the orders that were sent into them.
When I asked him about the possibilities of employment, he quickly told me that the potential for success was unlimited and the salesmen worked on a straight commission basis. This meant that for every sale I made, I would be paid a certain percentage of the total order. Success would depend on my ability to call on the prospects that he selected, show them the program and ask for the business. There would be no retirement plan, no health insurance, and no paid auto expenses.
He also told me there would be no limitation on my income or territory assignment. An office at home and a car, along with a positive mental attitude was all that was needed. I was not required to make any monetary investment in the company. This all seemed like the answer to a prayer for me.
When I asked him when I could start, he replied, "Right now", as he reached in his desk drawer and gave me the name of a school in a small town nearby. I rushed right down to the school with my order form and a few samples of the product and presented the program to the Principal.
The school was desperately in need of funds for their Beta Club, so I had arrived at an opportune time for them. He gave me an order for 30 cases of $1.00 bars for immediate delivery. With great joy, I rushed back to Mr. Campbell's home with the order. He was all smiles and so was I. He then gave my the names of three more schools in the area as prospects! This was to be the start of the most successful part of my professional life.
I continued selling chocolate and could not have been happier. I was doing something I dearly loved while providing a high quality product to deserving groups and schools that derived a great profit. Best of all, of course, it proved most lucrative for me. I was calling on 900 schools in Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes at this time. This job provided my family with an excellent income, trips to Europe every year, and a great retirement income that I had saved through the years. About two years ago, I trained my son to do this work to take my place one day.
One day all distributors in the company were abruptly notified that the Sales Division of World's Finest Chocolate had been sold to our biggest competitor - a fund-raising division of Reader's Digest, called QSP. This company offered magazine subscriptions for schools to sell for fund-raising. I realized at that time that retirement was inevitable for me. I managed to obtain the position for my son and he seems happy with his new position with the new company.
Several of my good friends are still with QSP. I have many fond memories of Wendell Wiggins, Susan Bjonerud, K. T. Lopresti, and lots of others. I have the greatest respect for Wendell, even though he is an Ole Miss fan.
Nothing lasts forever and I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a job where every day was the "World's Finest".
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