That first night, Mario buys a pre-paid cell phone. He goes to the library and prints a flyer outlining his landscaping and homeowner services. Of course, he proudly includes his testimonial which is an independent verification of the quality of his work. At the copy shop, he prints a hundred flyers. The next day, he is back to knocking on doors, and if there is no answer, he leaves a flyer. If there is an answer, he introduces himself and explains his work in the area. He mentions his testimonial and he leaves a flyer. Mario also posts his flyers in all of the pizza shops and laundromats and markets.
What kind of a crazy nut would do what Mario is doing? Doesn’t he realize that what he is doing is demeaning and fruitless? Isn’t the economy in the tank? Aren’t people cutting back on expenditures? What about the cost of gasoline and the banking crisis and Chinese trade policies? Doesn’t Mario read the financial press? How many people have to tell Mario that he can’t do what he is doing?
Within a week, Mario is working six hours a day and canvassing two hours. He has eight satisfied customers. He is mowing lawns and doing odd jobs. One of Mario’s customers is a graphic designer who helps Mario design a better flyer and a yard sign to post while he’s working. In exchange for mowing her lawn five times, he barters a design for a simple web page.