It’s amazing that I can still visualize my meeting with J.G. over 60 years ago, that resulted into a long business relationship. Life is filled with these chance happenings, which I label Bashairt, a yiddish word that translates into (destined to be}.
It was summertime, when Shirley and I were leaving Brighton Beach (Brooklyn) area to pick up our car, when we met Jack and his wife Edith. I had known Jack as a customer. He had a camera shop on Pitkin Ave. Brooklyn and later moved to Manhattan in the Bus Terminal. I lost track of him when he closed this shop, due to lack of sales. We talked awhile and when he told me that he is looking for a job, invited him to see me in my office on 30th Street.
I, at this time was experiencing big growth in my business and thought that it was time for me to concentrate on executive matters. I needed to devote more time to product management, advertising and financial matters. I thought that Jack ,with his knowledge of photo products would be a good salesman.
Jack did not drive a car, so I arranged a territory for him that he could manage to cover. I introduced him to the camera shops in Brooklyn and in Manhattan. He could cover them by foot, subway and bus. Long Island dealers, I gave to brother, Bill. He lived on the Island and could spend two days per week, and 3 or 4 days in warehouse. This chance meeting worked out well J.G. He became the sales manager and assisted me at neetings with manufacturers in Japan and Europe
