Buy the book! True Stories Links Next Steps About Us |
|
Add your story to the more than 70 people profiled here. Be an inspiration to others!
|
True StoriesEd Tokarchik: "A Sideline or Three"  A high school teacher for 34 years, Ed Tokarchik,
63, was born to be his own boss, cultivating "a sideline or three" while he
worked for others. Selling insurance, he happened into a high school and discovered
"what I wanted to do with the rest of my life." His work as a high school
teacher may be over, but these days, the Saskatchewan native is a multitasker
reborn. He has a massage therapy business with more clients than he can handle,
sells make-to-measure orthotics, "an orthopedic appliance made to the shape of a
normal foot designed to correct abnormalities," and does some hypnosis on the side.
"Even as a kid I had a sideline. I bought and sold scrap metal and beer bottles. At college I sold encyclopedias door to door. I was an un-organization man from the start. My early professional training was a Bachelor's Degree in Business. I didn't find a boss who saw my talents. They all seemed to tell me to be creative, show initiative and do everything exactly as told. I didn't know how to do that. In frustration, I became an independent insurance broker. So, at the ripe old age of 23, I was self-employed. "It was in this capacity that I discovered teaching. Waiting for my prospect to finish his class, I walked into the high school hall. It was a warm June day and all the doors were open. I heard and saw the classrooms and the kids. The light went on: I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. "I obtained my teaching degree, for the next 34 years, I had the privilege to teach high school business and math. Then I was promoted to principal, and for a while, served as a director in the school administration. It was great fun for 10 years or so but then new winds started to blow. School administration became "system centered" instead of "kid" centered. I returned to teaching. "In the last 10 years, I taught emotionally disturbed -- what we call ‘at risk’ -- teenagers. I loved the job, the kids, and had the opportunity to bounce many a baby on my knee. I still see some of those kids with their kids, and am humbled that they still call me friend. "I think I was a good educator, but never a good money guy. Money was made to be spent. As a result of this, I always had a side-line. Insurance sales, some public accounting and for a while I even tried a candle factory, which was at the same time Couts Hallmark came into business. I only lost a little money on that. "In 1979, I injured my shoulder and made the rounds, doctors, painkillers, chiropractors that cranked me like an old car, but the shoulder remained unusable. In desperation I went to a guy, who I thought was a quack at the time, for massage therapy. My shoulder started to improve and eventually got back to full use. I was impressed. I saw myself doing this. So I took the training, got my license and ran my own clinic from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for many years. It was great; I helped people; I made some money; and I was my own boss. When teaching duties called me away, I just closed the office for those days. It worked well. "I still have a large practice. In fact I turn away more people than I treat. This is a great field for a guy who can’t or, in some cases, won't take orders. My clients treat me with professional respect, and the money is okay, too. When something important comes up, like a grandson's birthday, I can close the office. Look ma, no boss. "Even though I have my teachers' pension, it doesn’t go too far. I expanded my training I now treat people with a special branch of massage therapy called neuromuscular therapy. The success rate is higher and the treatment is less painful for the client. "In retrospect, things turned out fine. I started my 'retirement' business some 10 years before I stopped teaching. My advice to anyone over forty: plan ahead. These years come real quick. I would die if my life consisted of golf and happy hour. I am a happy useful citizen, my work helps people, my country loves the taxes I pay."
Home | True
Stories Copyright 2004 2Young2Retire.com, All Rights Reserved
|
