what i've learned

I was reading my twitter feed the other day, and saw a post that said social media is about building relationships and interacting with others, not a constant barrage of buy my stuff. I admit for the last few months I have forgotten that. I got wrapped up in the need to fund my new equipment and travels to upcoming tournaments, and so my social media comments became less about creating relationships, and letting the social media would get to know who I am and why I do what I do, and more about buy my stuff. This abrupt change has lead to a huge slowdown in orders, and all because I stopped doing what worked and got caught up in the pursuit of the bottom line.

Let me introduce my self. My name is Rick Zengler, I'm a northern transplant in Atlanta who has developed a taste for sweet tea and barbeque, I'm big baseball fan, history nut and voracious reader, I’m a wheelchair fencer with the Shepherd Swords , with aspirations to compete on the international stage, and to make it to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. I sell shortbread cookies and toffee to help offset the cost of gear, and competition fees. One day Id like to see the cookie business grow from a home-based entity to a larger one, that will not only fund my fencing dream, but also provide me with the ability to live the American dream, and to provide employment opportunities to other disabled individuals, and help them gain independence and confidence.

So that’s a little about me and my dreams and aspirations in the long run. In the short term I am getting ready to attend the UCO Endeavor Games in Edmond, OK June 10-12. Wish me luck.

The next step is to get my wheelie butt out from behind the computer, out of the kitchen, and take a short break from practice and introduce myself to my friends and neighbors and tell them who I am and what I’m about. Farmers markets and craft fairs are the ideal market, but unfortunately the ones that I have found take place on days when I have practice, so all I can ask is that all who read this to spread the word about this crazy guy you have heard of that sells cookies and play with epee's, and kindly direct them to www.wheelingchef.com