[M.D. Holloway]

Lots of speculation being bandied about. Its no news to many of us that we have seen some changes around here in terms of the way things are being done - some good, some not. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes on the workings of a business.

The interesting thing about what Wayne has created is based around some fundamental axioms about the human condition that will raise a company into a higher level then the competition. Lets explore a few and share others.

Axiom #1 - Your Heart Follows Your Wallet
Anytime you shell out cash on a somewhat continuous basis for a non-essential you begin by proving internal justification then you believe it and it becomes part of your behavior to the point of defensiveness. Think about the money some shell out for youth sports, high end music lessons, watch collections, gun collections, upgrades on our cars - all non-essential for basic life but essential for 'happiness'. Its a personal justification that you defend strongly. Feverishly. Some would even say we could apply this to donations to Church and political parties but this isn't PPOT so lest not go there shall me? Money spent is time spent but a certain type of time is the next axiom.

Axiom #2 - A Platform of Accomplishments and Opinions Garners Loyalty
Give a man an opportunity to brag about his kids, wife, parents, or share what they 'did to their Porsche today' and you establish an advocate. Couple that with a high degree of civility and back patting and you have a devotee. While the PPOT and OT can get yappy, the tech forums are more civil. Folks here are basically very supportive of what you feel is important. You do something to your car, back pat. You lose a loved one, sympathetic ears. A virtual 'Your Story" is established and you are proved the ability to share and also receive affirmations. lets face it, that does not happen in physical interactions with people to the volume this place does. This feeds egos and makes many feel like they are part of something.

Axiom #3 - People Love to Learn
This is obvious so why would more companies figure this out? Facebook, Twitter, all the 'fake' news, (is there even real news anymore), NPR, AM radio, all work because people crave insight. Its entertaining and they feel like it may help them down the line plus its a spend of sometime that beats doing some work you may not enjoy. This place provides social learning as well as hobby insight.

These 3 axioms are really obvious. I am sure that there are others that fit in as well. What is really interesting is that other companies haven't got the formula down. This place does, or at least did. It didn't charge you to be here but maybe it made up for it with a bit higher prices but the service is excellent and the parts come quickly so its all good.

So where does that leave us if Wayne sells the joint to some Cap Vents? Who knows, time will tell right?

One thing is for certain, no smart business owner talks about his business strategy with his customers. He can share his vision and comment on generalities but for legal and just plain smarts you have to keep your mouth shut.

So, if this place is on the block. Oh well. Wayne et al developed a great business and a great place to spend money, brag and share, but most importantly we all had the opportunity to learn. To learn about how to do things with our cars but also, maybe we learned about each other and ourselves. We are just prisoners here, of our device.

So good luck Pelican Parts and Good luck Wayne. Be proud of what you have done.