More Than a Truck…

Because I run my business from home, I get a front-row seat to a lot of life happening around me. That includes watching my kids grow up, make decisions, and occasionally surprise me in ways I did not see coming.

Now, my wife and I have been fortunate over the years to help our kids get into vehicles. Let me be very clear. We are not talking about shiny, brand-new, “look at me” cars. No, no. These were “it starts most of the time,” “the AC works when it feels like it,” and “don’t ask too many questions” kind of vehicles. The deal was simple. We would help a little, but they owned it. They were responsible for insurance, gas, upkeep, and all that comes from owning a car. It’s character building, right?

And to their credit, they stepped up. As they got older, they started buying their own vehicles, making smart decisions, and figuring things out without Dad and Mom riding in like heroes with a checkbook. I have been incredibly proud watching that happen.

My second son, who is now a husband to my amazing daughter-in-law and a great dad to my perfect grandkids, decided a few years ago to buy himself a truck. Now, before you picture something fancy, let’s slow down. This was not some giant, chrome-covered, “takes up two parking spots” kind of truck. This was a truck. It is simple, functional and gets the job done.

But to his kids, it might as well have been the Batmobile.

I remember teasing him not long after he bought it. I said, “Well, you know what this means, right? You just signed up to help everybody move. Somebody needs to haul something to the dump. Guess who they’re calling?”

I gave a little chuckle, proud of myself for what I thought was a solid dad joke moment.

He did not laugh.

He looked at me, almost confused, like I had just missed something obvious. Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks. “Well, yeah, Dad. That’s one of the reasons why I got it. So I can help people. I remember when I needed help, and anyone with a truck who showed up was a blessing. I want to be that for someone else.”

Now, I just stood there for a second.

I am thinking, “Who is this kid, and when did he get so wise?” I mean, I raised him, so I am going to take a little credit here, but still. That was one of those moments where you realize your kids are not just listening. They are becoming.

And yes, we still tease each other. That is part of the deal in our house. He reminds me regularly that I am getting older, slower, and apparently make noises when I stand up now. I have no idea what he is talking about.

But that moment with the truck, that was different. That was not just about a vehicle. That was about service. And that stuck with me.

So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!

At its core, business is not just about transactions. It is about service. Real, genuine, sometimes inconvenient, often unnoticed service. The kind where you show up because someone needs help, not because there is a guarantee of a return.

My son did not buy that truck thinking about profit. He bought it thinking about people. That mindset, whether you realize it or not, is powerful. When you approach your business the same way, looking first at how you can help instead of how you can earn, something shifts.

Now, let me be clear. I run a for-profit business. I like getting paid. I enjoy it, actually. But not every act of service needs to come with a price tag. Sometimes the return is not immediate. Sometimes it is not even financial. Sometimes it is knowing you made a difference when it mattered.

And here is the funny thing. More often than not, it comes back around anyway. It might come back as a referral. It might come back as a new opportunity. It might come back as someone remembering you when it really counts. Or it might simply come back as that feeling you get when you know you did the right thing.

Either way, it pays.

Five Reasons Why Being Of Service, Even Without Immediate Payment, Creates Dividends That Matter

1. It builds trust that money cannot buy.
   When people see that you are willing to help without always expecting monetary rewards, they trust you differently. That trust becomes the foundation for long-term relationships.
2. It separates you from the crowd.
   There are plenty of people trying to sell something. Fewer are genuinely trying to help. When you lead with service, you stand out without even trying.
3. It creates unexpected opportunities.
   Helping someone today might open a door tomorrow that you never saw coming. Opportunities have a funny way of showing up when you are not chasing them.
4. It strengthens your own sense of purpose.
   There is something deeply fulfilling about knowing your work actually helps people. That kind of satisfaction fuels consistency and keeps you going when things get tough.
5. It comes back around in ways you cannot predict.
   Call it whatever you want. When you put good out there, it has a way of finding its way back.

When you build your business around service, something changes. Your messaging becomes more real. Your connections become more meaningful. And your work starts to feel less like a grind and more like a mission.

You start looking for ways to solve problems instead of just closing deals. You start listening more. You start noticing where people are struggling and where you can step in.

And here is the part that matters most. You do it because it is the right thing to do, not because you are keeping score.

Does that mean you should never charge? Of course not. We all have bills to pay. But it does mean that not every interaction has to be transactional.

Some of the best things I have seen in business did not start with a sale. They started with someone simply deciding to help.

So here is my question for you. Where in your life or your business can you show up and serve, even if there is nothing in it for you right now?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment and share a time when someone showed up for you, or when you had the chance to do the same for someone else.

And if you are looking for a place that not only teaches the mechanics of building an online business but also supports you with a community that understands the value of service, take a look at the Internet Profits Academy. It has been a game changer for me, and it might be exactly what you need to take your next step.

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go check on my son. I think someone just called him to help move a couch. And judging by the look my wife just gave me, I have officially been volunteered to help. Apparently, owning a back and a pickup truck by association still counts in this house.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” — Charles Dickens

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” — Oscar Wilde

And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:

My favorite part about helping people is when they say, “We really appreciate it.” My least favorite part is everything that happens before that.

I told my wife I enjoy serving others. She said, “Great, the trash needs to go out, the garage needs cleaning, and you can start serving right here.”

Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!

 

 

 

 

**If you are curious about building and maintaining a healthy online business, I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter here and continue following my blog. My hope is not only to create the freedom I have long desired, but also to share what I am learning with others who are working toward the same dream.