This brought tears to my eyes


I spent last week in Washington, DC for some R & R and to attend a wedding.


To our surprise, the weather was perfect all week, low 80s and low humidity.


We spent three full days exploring the National Mall museums and memorials.


We also visited George Washington's Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.


Our trip made me wonder why I didn't pay attention in history class.


We could've spent a month exploring our nation's history which is more relevant than ever, 248 years later.


Our founding father's were more than war heroes.


Sure they wrote our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.


They created the framework of our Democracy.


They were also inventors, writers, leaders and entrepreneurs.


George Washington ran many businesses, including a fishery on the Potomac.


He grew and exported tobacco to England.


The taxes were high and his profit margin was low so he switched to growing wheat, milled it into flour and sold it for a large profit.


He also had a profitable whisky distillery.


Jefferson had his share of inventions and he founded the University of Virginia.


The most touching moment of our trip brought tears to my eyes.


While we were at the Vietnam Memorial, a busload of Vietnam veterans pulled up.


They cried as they approached the memorial wall.


They were overwhelmed as they found names of their family members, friends and fellow soldiers.


We cried as we watched them.


We thanked them for their service and they gave us a nod as they boarded the bus.


If you ever get a chance to visit Washington, DC, take your time and learn about the history of our country.

Ted

Ted Prodromou

Join 60,000+ seasoned professionals who are done with the corporate world. Epic Encore is an almost daily newsletter with inspirational stories from leading experts. Your Epic Encore is about turning your lifetime experiences into the cornerstone of the rest of your life. It represents your audacious leap into entrepreneurship, fueled by the wisdom and tenacity you've garnered in your successful career. This isn't about playing catch-up in business and building a 7-figure business. It's about forging a unique path, using your distinct perspective, seasoned judgment, and invaluable insights that can only come from years of life experience.

Read more from Ted Prodromou

I remember a project early in my consulting career. I poured my heart and soul into it, working late nights and weekends to deliver something truly exceptional for the client. The results were fantastic, far beyond their expectations. But when I sent the final invoice, based on my hourly rate, it felt… hollow. The number on the page didn’t come close to the value I had delivered. It was a tough lesson: just doing great work isn’t enough. My clients frequently share a similar story with me....

I remember the moment like it was yesterday. I worked for IBM in its consulting division. Like clockwork, I would jump on a plane on Sunday afternoon for my next project. Every week it was another destination where I would work with a client then fly home on Friday night. It was the first time I became a member of United's 1K club, meaning I flew over 100,000 miles in a year. In my mid-40s, I was a road warrior living on planes and in hotels racking up frequent flyer miles and hotel points. I...

My recent health challenges have me thinking about legacy. And no, I don't mean the touchy-feely kind or getting a library named after you. I'm talking about the real part. The one that keeps you staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, asking, "Will any of this matter in ten years?" After I left my corporate role, I thought my legacy was set in stone. I led big projects and built strong teams. But I soon realized those corporate wins were resume virtues. They get you ahead, but they aren't what...