Sam's Blog

I recently saw one of those life-sized statues of Colonel Sanders in a KFC that reminded me of his tenacity and his successful business story.  In case you haven't heard it, read on and you will see why any motivational speaker knows it by heart.

When Colonel Harland Sanders retired at the age of 65, he had little to show for himself, except an old Caddie roadster, a $105 monthly pension check and a recipe for chicken.  Knowing he couldn't live on his pension, he took his chicken recipe in hand, got behind the wheel of his clunker, and set out to make his fortune.

His first plan was to sell his chicken recipe to restaurant owners, who would in turn give him a residual for every piece of chicken they sold--5 cents per chicken.  The first restaurateur he called on turned him down.

So did the second. So did the third. In fact, the first 1008 sales calls Colonel Sanders made ended in rejection.  Still, he continued to call on owners as he traveled across the USA, sleeping in his car to save money.  Prospect number 1009 gave him his first "yes."

After two years of making daily sales he had signed up a total of five restaurants.  Still the Colonel pressed on, knowing that he had a great chicken recipe and that someday the idea would catch on.

Of course, you know how the story ends.  The idea DID catch on. By 1963 the Colonel had 600 restaurants across the country selling his secret recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken (with 11 herbs and spices).

In 1964 he was bought out by future Kentucky governor John Brown. Even though the sale made him a multi-millionaire, he continued to represent and promote KFC until his death in 1990.

Sam Thompson, Senior Mortgage Advisor, PHH Mortgage

843-230-7929