Ipswich BBQ is going Ahead

I didn't get a lot of sleep last night because I'm so excited. OH YEAH! It's just that things are turning out so good that I'm thinking I need to grab it by the horns and run with it as fast as I can. The BBQ was really such a success. Here's just a few things that I can say I'm proud to of done my bit to make happen.

I got a phone call from a guy saying he got my number from a flier he was handed about the BBQ. He went to our BBQ and picked up clothes and things and then Tuesday morning went for a job interview and got a job. I got on to a few friends I know with extra coin in there pockets and asked to get a Go-card with credit for the buses and trains for him to get to work and a few extra things as well. I'm not putting his name up here because he asked me not to in case the job don't work out.

I wrote about an old lady who's son had left home and hit the streets and she hadn't seen him for 37 years. Well she came to our BBQ and I put her in charge of keeping the cooks honest. Ha ha Really it was a job she could do and feel like she was doing something very special at the same time. Well let me say the whole time she was beaming with joy and I know that day will be one she doesn't forget for a long time. To be honest I hope she feels like she helped many people and maybe thinks that someone did it for her son.

You know how in life something happens and changes the way you think or do things, an example could be like my accident, I spent 9 months in and out of hospital and now I sell Big Issue Magazines. Well another example is doing this BBQ, I feel like I have helped so many people homeless and working people. The comments came flowing in and yes some bad ones but really the good comments were really great ones.

I started thinking really, it wouldn't take as much starting the Ipswich BBQ for the homeless and flood affected. But I started thinking of the things I should have done on the last one to make it more of a success. I listened to the ones saying “if I had put this together I would have ….....” now the fact is still the same. They didn't put it together and are not putting there hand up to offer to do the next one. Ha ha I really think that's funny.

The biggest problem I had with setting the last BBQ was I couldn't get a lot of the organisations to come to it because I was only a Big Issue Vendor and not a charity or organisation. They just didn't know who I was that's all and for the most part they didn't think it'd be worth going to. Ha ha.

Now in a way I feel greedy because I'm taking all the credit for the BBQ when the fact is I couldn't have done it without others helping me. Two people that who helped me made a huge difference is Tony Wehl and Alicia (Girl Friday) and no it's the good nick name she does bookkeeping and things and that's how she got the nickname. Ha ha. Alicia, Tony, Paula-Lee and I have been talking on the phone and emails a lot before the BBQ and afterwards. Then one day we all thought if we started a Non Profit Charity then we could help so many people in the future so Alicia and I arranged to meet at a pub in the valley.

Getting there and meeting we talked about how we could put the BBQ'S on in a bigger way and being a charity we could fund raise money to help in a bigger way. Hey we even started saying about getting a huge house and letting homeless come of a night time so they can wash there gear and eat, shower, sleep and leave with food and things in the morning. But maybe expand from there even.

It was a case of anything could be possible and the most important thing was, it was talk about helping those in need and when they needed it most. The both of us saying what we would like to put together and starting to write down a plan. For a few minutes I kept thinking, how things have turned around for me in a big way. I mean I was in charge of a kitchen and working 60+ hours a week to being a Big Issue Vendor trying to survive, and now I'm about to be one of the directors of a charity that helps the homeless. I can say Ipswich BBQ will go ahead and will help a larger amount of people because I'll be learning from my mistakes from the last one. To do this I'll have to be at Ipswich a bit to quickly get to know homeless and working people in the area so I can invite more people, so I'm going to be working selling the Big Issue every Tuesday and Thursday for a short while.

Now that in itself would make anyone excited but one thing that I kept thinking of was I don't get paid for doing the charity or putting the BBQ'S together. I could do all the good work but I still needed to live as well. Now for the really exciting thing that helps me. Ha ha.

I was asked if I would like to save money buying things directly from manufacturer and even making money like a 'fly buys rewards bonus' thing from others saving money. Well I can say I asked if I can help others to save money and I make money as well? The answer was yes. OH am I in. I introduced a few of my friends that work and are smart about things like this and out of 5 people 4 signed up. I went out last night and started talking to people who were doing this and some were solicitors, builders, cooks and there I was asking a lot of questions like “your a builder and your doing this?”

These people didn't care what I did or what had happened in the past because everyone starts at the same spot. Then I asked a lot more questions and found out that not only could I save money buying soap, shampoo and 2,500 other things and make money telling others but other people could as well. I started thinking of all the people I know and really who wouldn't want to save money and make extra as well.

Could something as simple as this be my light at the end of the tunnel. Could I make this work and sign up a lot of people. There's no selling involved and in a lot of ways I would be helping people which makes me proud. I know that the more people I show the more “No's” I'll get but also the more “Yes's” I'll get too. Let's face it I get no's a lot selling my magazines but it's when someone says yes that makes it worth while.

I guess I keep thinking what if it works? Could I be successful again? The worst thing I heard was part of the training was listening to CD's and most of them are motivational which will help me anyway in life. So I'm asking you, would you spare 40 minutes talking to me and hearing me out with a business idea? If people say no then at least there saying no because they don't want the business or like the idea, then that's better then not giving me a chance to show it. I can meet in the city or anywhere you like.

Something inside me feels that this is my shot to rebuild and if I only have a little chance at success then I want to give it everything I have because I know I wasn't meant to be a Big Issue Vendor forever and with funds I could help so many people.

I thank you for reading my stories and if I can show you this great business idea please email at grantthepoliteguy@gmail.com or call on
0412 190 011.

I hope you all have a great day and thank you again.
Grant the Polite guy.