Episode #14 - Interview with Sergeant Major (Retired) William Grandy

Malvin Young (00:00):

Welcome to be x do = have a simple formula to Uncomplicate your life. My name is Malvin young. I'm a speaker entrepreneur and brand partnership manager with a well-known TV production company. This show is about a straightforward formula that I've used to coach hundreds of people over the last 15 years to overcome many challenges. Personally, I don't like to coach on any area of life that I haven't improved on myself. So lucky for you. I've had to overcome big challenges in the areas of relationship, finances, health, anxiety, and depression. Then after a crazy car accident, I had to do it all over again. I'm really excited about this show today, because what I'm about to share with you is made a huge impact on my life. And more importantly, I've seen many others who have practices methods, breakthrough barriers that have been holding them back their entire lives. Also, please subscribe to get the most value out of this podcast. As each episode we'll build on each other. Before

Malvin Young (00:58):

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Malvin Young (01:55):

Welcome to episode number 14, where I have the honor and privilege of sitting down with Mr. Bill Grandy; Bill has 28 years of service in the Canadian forces, and he joined at 18 years old in st. John's Newfoundland. He's originally from Grand Bank, Newfoundland. Bill started in the military as a telephone lines man and retired in 2018 as a Sergeant Major. He served three separate tours of duty in Afghanistan, closing tour of duty for Canada. Also, a peacekeeping mission over in Cyprus. He served with the Special Forces in Ottawa for seven years from Sergeant to Master Warrant Officer's rank. Bill has been instrumental in the operation podium with the Special Forces for 2010 Olympics. He's also a great entrepreneur. He has a really cool food truck called The Shed. If you're from Newfoundland, that will make a lot of sense if you're not from Newfoundland. We'll explain that a little bit more later in the conversation Bill is really all giving back, he gives so much back to the community and the people around him. He's a great person. I met bill about five years ago when I first moved to this community. He was actually one of the first people I met here, and he and his wife are just great people. We're going to get into many great topics, but I am excited to have him here. So, uh, without further ado, let's jump into it.

Bill Grandy (03:40):

Hi Malvin. Uh, yeah, again, thanks very much for the invite. Uh, definitely loved the podcast. Uh, I've been a follower since the beginning and, uh, yeah, it means a lot to have me on this with you here.

Malvin Young (03:52):

Awesome. Well, bill, I think you're, uh, one of those listeners that when I was talking to you that like you really dig into the work, you know, you dig into the material and I really appreciate that. Uh, because you know, a lot of people will listen to things or read a good book, but not really take the time to dig in and maybe try some of the tools or advice on. And, uh, I'm glad you were able to do that. Uh, but before we get into any of that, I would love to hear your story. I'm sure our listeners would love to hear your background, uh, and just a pre-warning to everyone we're both from Newfoundland. And, uh, what that means is when you get to new feast together, uh, you may start hearing some slang and some heavy accents and stuff like that, but we'll translate it for you. Don't worry, but bill, I'd love to hear your story, man. If you could share that with our audience, that'd be great.

Bill Grandy (04:46):

Yeah, for sure. Malvin. Um, so yeah, it's, uh, it's been quite the journey. I think the last 30 years, uh, joining the military at 18 and Newfoundland was, uh, definitely a big, uh, adventure and I'm first-generation military. So, um, uh, I think for my folks, they were kind of shocked and surprised, but, uh, as I said, uh, at 18, that was, that was it. I, I dove into it and made a career out of it. I, uh, I lost the 28 years before, uh, I started seeking some other, other type ventures, which I'm sure we'll get into, but yeah, it, uh, it's been my life. It's definitely been my life. I think for the, uh, the last 30 years, uh, being retired now for two years, I still haven't, uh, totally, uh, I think come down off of that. I still feel like I'm some days I feel like I'm still part of the organization, but, um, uh, that takes time. I'm sure, uh, to separate from that. But, um, yeah, so 28 years, uh, I had a very great career, definitely. Um, many of my years, 20 of them approximately spent in Petawawa. So this is a what's kind of, uh, um, on retirement was an easy decision to, to rest down here

Malvin Young (06:12):

Kind of, uh, sorry to jump in there, but interesting because, uh, and excuse my ignorance when it comes to military, I don't know a lot about the structures in that. Uh, however I do know living in this community, we see a lot of moving around, you know, and people say that, uh, they get posted in different areas, but for you to have 20 years in one location, is that a very rare situation or?

Bill Grandy (06:39):

Um, it is, it's a, it's become, I'm going to say more common, but I, I, I wasn't here I guess, for, you know, 20 years consecutive. So, um, you know, it was a few years here then, uh, transferred, posted out to Quebec city, uh, for a couple of years then back to puddle Iowa. Um, and then, uh, you know, after the four years, I I'm, uh, without my family to Ottawa for seven years, uh, of my career. And then again, I was posted back to paddle Wallace. So it was, um, I guess if you look at it, you know, it was in and out of [inaudible], but [inaudible] was like my home station for me, if you want to call it that. So, yeah, it's, um, it's becoming the norm to leave guys, I think in locations, just for simplicity of, you know, people want to raise a family now and, and the costs that come with that. But, um, no, I, again, I, I definitely tell everyone, I was just very fortunate that we were able to, uh, have roots here in Petawawa that long.

Malvin Young (07:48):

Sure, absolutely. A question I have for you about, um, your career in the military. And first of all, really, I just want to say thank you for your service. I mean, 28 years, uh, with a service mentality, you know, uh, and doing your work in and out day in, day out, and, you know, talking about leaving your family for seven years, and it's just, it's incredible, uh, to hear stories like that. And I just want to, first of all, say, thank you for your service. I know you're one of those people that truly do it because you love to, it's not like, you know, you say career, but when I met you, it's like, it's something that comes from your heart and that's, uh, very special. So, yeah. Uh, thank you for that. And, and, you know, one thing that I would love to understand is, you know, you all, you also spend some time overseas and, um, you know, I'd love to hear maybe a little bit about that. Cause I think some people get into the military, uh,

Malvin Young (08:56):

And you know, maybe it's too for a specific career. Uh, but you know, they end up going, being posted out to where, you know, Wars happening, things are happening. And, uh, what was that like when you got called to go, what was that initial experience like for you?

Bill Grandy (09:17):

Yeah, it was definitely, I think my first, uh, I'll say tour in Cyprus was a little different in a peacekeeping mission plus, uh, you know, I was fairly young. I was 21, so not really knowing what to expect. Um, as I said, that that mission was totally different than the current one that most of the population is familiar with, uh, being Afghanistan. Um, and, uh, you know, that's something I'll never forget is where, um, where I was standing when we had heard of the twin towers in New York city being hit, and that is something I think, across the military that every member can tell you, I know exactly where I was. Cause we knew, we knew at that point, our lives were about to change in a military aspect that I'm definitely even as a civilian, right. It's something we'll never forget. Um, I was deployed first in 2003.

Bill Grandy (10:23):

Uh, so short, it was a proximate year and a half after, uh, nine 11. But, um, we were some of the first troops in Kabul, so into the capital city, in Afghanistan with a NATO led mission. So, um, again, I'm right out of paddle Walla here, but, uh, it, there were a lot of unknowns. Right. And, uh, definitely, uh, I think some scary times. Right. Um, and that continued throughout the mission for sure, throughout, you know, through my, uh, three separate to rotations in Afghanistan every time, you know, you're deployed, you're excited, but there's also the sense of, you know, uh, what are the fear, right. That comes with that.

Malvin Young (11:10):

Sure. Absolutely. Like, I'm kind of trying to picture myself being told that it's time to go, you know, we're heading off and like, how do you prepare for that? I don't know if there's any real way, you know, and, and I think right now how people can relate to that is just everything going on in the world. Like the future has become so unknown. How do you prepare for the unknown? Is there any specific training or anything that you go through that kind of helps you prepare for that, uh, type of scenario?

Bill Grandy (11:44):

Yeah, I mean, definitely. Um, the, with the unknown, the military does prepare you, uh, like as you said in, in, but again, uh, I think as a person, right, as a soldier, as a person, there's nothing that prepares you for, when you put your feet on the ground in that, in that, uh, you know, third world country, sometimes that, uh, is totally different from anything you've ever experienced. Um, the training definitely is top notch. It has been, and I trust it always will be, but, um, it's a very difficult to, I think, question to answer in regards to, you know, what to describe that feeling to you is, is really difficult until you are in that situation, right?

Malvin Young (12:36):

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I'm sure it'd be hard for many to relate to. Um, I do remember the uncertainty back when the twin towers were struck. I remember exactly where I was in that moment. I was working in a tech company. Well, Toshiba does Sheba Canada. And I remember just thinking like, is this real is like this really happening. It was such a shocking time, I think for everyone. So I could imagine, you know, being in your shoes, uh, in that moment, understanding that you had to go and, and, uh, really help out in that situation. It, it had to be scary, but I didn't mean to take you too much away from your story. I'd love to continue to hear more because there's lots more to, uh, to your story. Uh, so you spend time in the military, um, 28 years, a long time in the military, and then you also have a business. Uh, tell us a little bit about, uh, your entrepreneurial, uh, uh, journey.

Bill Grandy (13:38):

Yeah. So, um, again, I, I just, uh, I think I've always had it it's always been part part of me. Um, I I've described it to several people that, uh, the military, it was kind of what, uh, prepared me for this even more because it, uh, it gave me that security that discipline that's required in a, in a business, uh, to be a business owner, which I've quickly found out in the past five years. So, yeah, it was in 2016 that we, uh, took this venture to purchase a, a, a food truck location in Petawawa, uh, one that was established many years ago. So it's always been known to me and I drove by that location daily, and I could see the potential there and, um, but it had to be the right timing. And 2016, when it, when it was up for sale, I was, I said to my wife, are you on board?

Bill Grandy (14:42):

And, uh, are you in there with me? And she's like, yeah, I'll help you out. And I tell people now I said that, uh, you know, help you out is not enough. It's gotta be, it's gotta be, uh, in when a partner comes in, it's gotta be 110%. I am there. And I can say that, um, since day one, um, my wife, my family, uh, my folks, everyone, my friends, everyone was behind me on this. And, uh, we just completed our fifth season. Um, and it's been extremely a lot of fun, a lot of challenges, rewarding. And, uh, yeah, I I'm in my, in my zone right now. I definitely found, uh, I think where I need to be right now.

Malvin Young (15:33):

Awesome. Well, it's funny. Cause, you know, as we're talking about this, you're lit up, you know, and, uh, uh, smiling students, we got on the topic here, but I I'm interested to know, you know, in the military you learn a lot about discipline and within that, uh, what other, so you've got discipline in that other maybe, um, mindsets that you learn within the military that would prepare a person for business. Like how do you think the military has prepared you?

Bill Grandy (16:06):

I think like, like you said, right from, from the, uh, we call it the code of service discipline right. In the military, which is our, our military justice system, which is in place to maintain discipline, uh, efficiency and morale right. Of everyone in the CF. So I think with that being instilled in me for 28 years, um, it was I, as I tell people, when I brief on entrepreneurship for the mill, you know, military transition groups, you guys are perfect candidates to be an entrepreneur. You're your punctuation, punctuality, your, you know, your desire to work. Um, because it's not easy being a business owner it's, as I tell them, it's 16 hour days, some days. Uh, and you know, it's, you, you are responsible at the end of the day. You have to look in the mirror and say, you know what, it didn't work because of me or it's working because of me.

Bill Grandy (17:13):

And, um, I just find the military, uh, gave me that overall discipline to carry into a business plus, um, I, I think my, you know, to, to carry the certain traits into like managing it and employees, I treating them as I would treat my soldiers, you know, with that respect. Um, we like to have fun, but, uh, we're definitely, uh, my wife was my operations manager, operations warrant officer. I call her. But, uh, no, it's, uh, it's definitely assisted me for sure. And my dad's quick quote to me when I went down this venture and decided to retire, he said, basically my military ASIS on your military career has afforded you to chase a dream. And it was 100% that without my military career, I can assure you that I would not be into a seasonal food truck right now.

Malvin Young (18:18):

Yeah. That's, that's amazing. And, uh, it's funny how life unfolds in these ways, you know, and, and I see how you tied in, uh, the shed, you know, your, your new business, uh, into your roots from back home. So a, how did you come up with the shed, the name, if you're from Newfoundland. And we'll be very, very obvious as I said before, but, uh, but how did you come up with that name?

Bill Grandy (18:46):

Well, that's, uh, that's an interesting one for sure. And, um, to put it quite blunt, we were, we purchased in, um, I'm going to say may of 2016 with a launch date of July 1st, uh, to open a business on July 1st, I quickly learnt is probably not the best, uh, the best decision. Um, but regardless we, we did not have a whole lot of time, uh, to build everything behind it. So it was, the name was kind of like one of that last pieces. My menu was built. I knew what paddle needed. Um, I knew the theme behind my food truck, um, you know, to cater to the East coast population that's here in Petawawa plus to give them a little taste of home. Right. But again, the name was just wasn't jumping out. So, um, my son law, my son, we were building an extension on my shed in the backyard, uh, maybe about three weeks before we opened and, uh, I can picture it, he standing on the roof and my son-in-law says, well, gee, this would be a great shed, you know, for a shed party back home.

Bill Grandy (20:08):

Yeah. I know it was, it was like, there it is. Yeah. It's, it's the shed. And it was everything from, you know, the poutine shack, uh, donors of the Valley. And then we were like the shed and it just, it just stuck with us. And as you can tell, if you come to the shed, it is coming into a Newfoundland shed. I'm very strict on the decor. I'm very strict on the playlist that is on every day. Uh, even though it's, you know, rather tiring to staff, uh, but we, you know, everything is built around that shared experience. And as we say, a Newfoundland, uh, you know, where does everything happen that happens in the shed,

Malvin Young (20:57):

The shed by, yeah. And that's, that's funny. I, I, you know, when I first heard the name of, uh, of your place, I was just, you know, I just thought perfect. Like, it's just perfect, but you know, the, the people from back home, we'll just get that instantly. But then the people who don't get it will very quickly catch on or learn a bit of the Newfoundland culture, you know, by, by asking, Hey, how'd you get that name? The shed, but yeah, back home, uh, for folks listening, um, you know, the shed is where everything happens as a man. You go knock on someone's door, Hey, where's Billy in the shed, you know, so it's where all the music happens and, uh, it's where all the parties happen. It's either the kitchen or the shed, but the shed is the commonplace. For sure. Yeah. That's great. Uh, you know, the other part too, is you do a lot within the community here. I just kind of wanted to maybe a touch on that as well. One thing that's really impressed me about you bill is that, uh, it seems like your life has all been about giving, you know, and, and, uh, uh, I know that you do other things in the community within, uh, the seniors home here locally. And, uh, maybe just highlight us on a, uh, a little bit of your giving experience here locally.

Bill Grandy (22:21):

Yeah, no, um, you know, it's, it's, um, I, and again, I think since I retired just two years ago, I started realizing, you know, there, there's definitely more, there's more to life right then than just the, uh, the grind and, uh, going to work. And, and I realized that more and more every year, more and more every day, but, um, yeah, like everything from, uh, you know, I sit on a local committee for the council on Petawawa business. So the, I do all of business advisory network, uh, which is representing businesses on that liaison back and forth to the council, uh, health and Wallace checks with them in own businesses. Um, the agenda that the council, you know, is looking for us to carry out, uh, it's a volunteer position, um, volunteering with, you know, uh, our church, our local church should definitely be for COVID hit us and, uh, changed our lives a little bit, you know, in, with the seniors there.

Bill Grandy (23:27):

So it's kind of, uh, interesting that now, um, since I've closed the shed in October, that, uh, I, as you mentioned, went into, uh, actually, uh, I guess working at a long-term care facility, my intent was the volunteer. Um, obviously with COVID, uh, volunteer opportunities are non-existent in those type of facilities. And, uh, the idea kind of presented itself, like, Hey, let's, uh, there's gotta be some way I can get in there to help the healthcare system. And, uh, it started in my head. It's like, there's gotta be something from screening to claiming, right. As I, as I said, so, um, yeah, a lot of people are shocked to see me there and I get asked quite often, like daily, like why, like, why are you here? Right. Uh, they know my background and I'm like, you know, I'm here to see you folks, right.

Bill Grandy (24:32):

Like from the residents to the employees, it's, it's been outstanding. It's been an amazing experience. Um, I can't say enough about the healthcare workers on what they're faced with daily. Like it's, uh, you know what they're going through. It's, it's just incredible. But, um, no, it's, it's definitely been, uh, been quite the experience. Um, I, I just, I just think, you know, as it was identified to me, um, probably about three, two years ago when I just retired, sorry, I had a young girl that did a blog on me and she said, you know, what's your five-year plan. Usually a business has five-year ten-year plans. And I said, Oh, I said, to be quite honest with you, um, I don't have a five-year plan. I tend to take things day by day, month by month and year to year, even my business plan with the shed.

Bill Grandy (25:34):

And she quickly summarize that. And she, she looked at me and she said, you have balance in your life. And, you know, I was so focused on the military and that, um, my career of the military, where other things suffered at that time, uh, you know, from family to friends and she, she looked at me and she goes, yeah, she goes, you have balance. And she said, some people will never find balance in their life or they're, you know, they try very hard to find that. And she goes, I can tell right away that you've now got that in your life. And, uh, it was, uh, it was, it was, uh, uh, I guess the kind of wake up call for me when she said that, uh, it was something I hadn't realized that I had captured.

Malvin Young (26:23):

Yeah. That's what I was going to ask you. Is it something that you knew or is it just kind of threw everything kind of ended up in that place where other people could see that?

Bill Grandy (26:35):

Yeah, definitely. It wasn't, uh, it wasn't done on purpose. I wasn't, you know, on that mission to find, I think, balance, uh, not knowingly. And, uh, I trusted the decisions I made by releasing from the military. Uh, it was rather scary, um, considering I released, you know, on my terms and, uh, you know, I'm about to go into a business here that, you know, is, uh, two years already in the making at that point. And, but no, I, I think it was, it's more that people are identifying that to me. And the assurance is there now. Like I know now, now I, I can confidently say that, you know, it's, it's about balance, right? Life is definitely I, I value balance in life. Right?

Malvin Young (27:33):

Sure. Absolutely. And it's, it's a tricky conversation to that, uh, conversation of balance because everyone kind of perceives it a little different as well, too. Uh, and I remember for myself really trying to find balance, especially when I was coaching. And, uh, I had, uh, my business in Toronto and, you know, trying to balance the business, the family, uh, the finances, the goals, the future, your health, all of that stuff. And, uh, I found I was reading one article and I just wanted to say this because I don't know if people hear it enough, but I think when you find balance is when you stop trying to have balance, because it's like, you never find it by looking for it, you know? And I heard something and I'm trying to remember the exact, um, message that I heard, but it was something along the lines of giving up, trying to find it and you'll find it. And, uh, it's, it's an interesting experience because I S I, I have glimpses of it up of myself, but, you know, I still have experiences. And I don't know if you go through this bill where it feels like everything is unbalanced, but yet when you look at your life, you're like, yeah, I'm still much more balanced than where I was maybe

Bill Grandy (28:58):

100%, 100%.

Malvin Young (29:01):

Yeah. And I wish I had that saying here, buddy will come up. I'm sure I'll remember it for after, but, uh, that's amazing to hear bill, you know, one, one thing I've, uh, appreciated, uh, about you when I very first met you is you were the, one of the first people I met up here actually. And, uh, I just, I really appreciate meeting, authentic people, you know, and people that, uh, care about other people, but your whole life. If I think about it, like, you know, you joined the military at 18 years old and you serve your entire life. Well, sorry, not your entire life. 28 years, you got lots of life left, then you, uh, you know, you got this food, uh, business now where you're serving people in the community, as well as giving people from the East coast, you know, a taste of home, which I know they miss, for sure, especially those sweet donors, but then you're also, you know, take time out of your schedule, uh, and your life, which is a big chunk of time because you're actually working, doing it now and helping out, uh, folks in the senior homes, seniors homes during this crazy time, you know, one of the, I really appreciate all that about you, but one of the questions that come up for me is what does, what do you get out of that?

Malvin Young (30:26):

So I've very, I, and why I asked that is because generally we operate on the assumption that if I do this, I get this. If I do this, I got that. And most people are trained that if I work X amount of dollars while I get money back. Right. And it just seems like you're doing this for obviously not money. Uh, so what do you get out of a pill?

Bill Grandy (30:51):

Well, yeah, that's, uh, I want to say it's an easy one to answer, but, uh, I don't know if it is because as you say, there's definitely, uh, no reason to do it for any financial gain. Um, I've been, I think, uh, definitely blessed throughout life, you know, and, uh, fortunate in kind of that aspect and it's everything I think from the shed, like I meet so many people and there are so many serendipity stories that I have, uh, that should go into a memoirs of the shed someday, but, you know, it's, I finished by telling them, uh, again, it's like, um, this is why I do this to meet people like you to leave an impression with you, um, that, you know, that there's, the, the life is just so fast. Paced time is passing us by so quick. And, you know, 2020 has been, you know, so many ups and downs for people.

Bill Grandy (31:58):

It's, it's not, um, I'm, I've given up, you know, that sense of, you know, I need to work X number of hours to make X number of dollars to do X. Right. And it's not, I just, uh, I just don't have that in me to do that anymore. So I, um, I do what makes me happy. Right. I'm really, um, it's about, for me, it's about meeting people, you know, it's, it's, uh, just to have an impact. And I said this before I went to the nursing, all my son, um, you know, my goal here is, is to have an impact on one person, um, to bring a smile to one person, if I can do that every day there, um, you know, it's, a lot of people don't understand that, right? They don't, they don't understand that.

Malvin Young (32:57):

Well, they must have taught us that in kindergarten in Newfoundland. I tell you because when I started this podcast, I said the exact same words. If I can make a difference for one person, one listener got on and, you know, they, uh, heard something that made them think differently or go into a different direction and do something positive for themselves. Then, then my job is done, you know, and that's all I really want to accomplish, but it's interesting through that kind of, uh, thinking there's a much larger impact. And I think maybe because the pressure comes off in the sense that, Hey, I'm not trying to change the whole world here, but I'm just trying to, you know, maybe change one life.

Bill Grandy (33:45):

Definitely. And I think, uh, yeah, you're definitely hitting on it there because, um, obviously we can't, you know, to have that, uh, um, to change the world, we know, right. It is extremely difficult, but, um, I've had so many encounters, like at the shed from young soldiers to couples, uh, on a vacation, uh, folks that I've lost, people, you know, close to them. And sometimes it just takes that two or three minutes, right. To, to give to someone, um, where they realize that, um, you know, what, this person's actually listening to me. Right. Um, and definitely in, as I said, that I was at the a, and I keep relating now to the nursing home, uh, I think with it being my most recent, you know, experiences, but I was there just, um, maybe I think two days, maybe the second, third day before I realized this is why I'm here. And, uh, you know, I had an experience with, with, uh, with someone, with a resident that, you know, it totally changed their, their outlook on the day. And, uh, now I look forward to that, like every day. Right. Uh it's um, and it only took me three days, two or three days there to realize this is why I'm here.

Malvin Young (35:10):

Yeah. Yeah. That's interesting. And, you know, I remember just two days ago when we were talking about it, you seem to be quite lit up that you have that opportunity to do this type of work. When you started the military, did you gain a service mentality by being in the military? Or do you think you already had that before going into the military?

Bill Grandy (35:34):

I honestly think I may have had it before coming in. And again, this goes back, uh, I mean, right to my folks. Right. It's, uh, they're both entrepreneurs. Um, they, they are running the tea room, um, at the age of 70 and just will not give up that because they just feel that, you know, it's a part of their life. It's they enjoy just serving the customers and serving the population and creating that bond right. With people. So I, you know, I, when I joined the military, it's kind of shortly after that, that my folks went into that profession, that line of work by the, but I feel like it's always been there. And I don't know, I I'm thinking, you know, the military, um, as I said, it, it gave me that kind of right from day one, right. Being a large, if you want to call it a service provider, you know, to our country.

Bill Grandy (36:42):

And, uh, you know, it carried Ray right through my career. And I was always, uh, a big believer that, you know, I would never ask me my troops to do anything that I would never do. Right. Uh, whether, so put them in arms harms way or whatever the situation. Right. Um, you know, it's, um, I, I think I like to carry that right into being a business owner also. Right. Ultimately, you know, at the end of the day, it's, uh, the business take some effort. Um, and if I'm not putting the effort forward, you know, um, as my dad, I know that, you know, he said, you know, if you're not willing to be there, don't go down that road. Like you need to be the face of the business. Right. And, uh, that's kind of, you know, that's been my goal since retiring, right. So,

Malvin Young (37:39):

You know, you hit on some big points there. Uh, bill and I wanted to say that, you know, when I was coaching, uh, previously I had noticed there was a lot of people really stuck in the mentality of, uh, kind of the opposite of serving. They were more about, got to take care of myself, got to, you know, work, make X dollars so that I can, like you said before, so I could take care of the family or take care of myself or, you know, but, um, what I'm hearing from you and what I hear from other successful people, uh, who have, you know, really when I, when I define success, I mean, happy. So people that are happy living life on their terms, the way they want to live life, uh, when I speak to those folks, it really seems like there's more of a language around serving

Malvin Young (38:36):

Rather than, you know, uh, taking care of self. Where is that fine line for you though? Because at the end of the day, there is the aspect of, you know, Bell's got to take care of bill, so he can be a great server right. In life. So does that ever get in the way for you where it's, where it's been so much about driving service and serving other people that you kind of forget about self?

Bill Grandy (39:04):

Um, it does definitely. I, I, you know, not, not to kid ourselves here. Definitely it does. And it can, uh, it can be overwhelming right at times where it's like, uh, you get lost in that. And, um, but, but again, I think I, my business model for the shed is what kind of, uh, allows me to manage it. Right. You know, we're seasonal, uh, we're not seven days a week. You know, I have those reconstitution days, I call them and, uh, you know, to take the break from being, providing a service, you know, to our wonderful customers and, um, right to my current job, you know, I, I, wasn't going in there for, uh, you know, five days a week. Um, I wanted a balance of time in the workplace and time at home. Um, also I find after, you know, you're away from something for a couple of days, you, I crave it and I'm like, okay, I need to, I may I miss it? I need to get back in there.

Malvin Young (40:17):

Yeah. Uh, bill, I can completely understand that. And I think there's more and more people trying to, you know, look for opportunities or structure their life in a way so that they can, uh, you know, live life more on their terms. Bill, what do you think some of the characteristics, behaviors and skills that people need to be successful? Uh, either in the military or civilians.

Bill Grandy (40:46):

I mean, I've always, um, and this is something that one of my closest friends, um, kind of taught me in the past few years. He, you know, he summarized it very quickly and he said, you know, you will become who you hang around with. And I said, what do you mean? And he's like, uh, you know, he was a very successful, uh, police officer in his career. And his network of friends were very small and I was fortunate to be in that network. And he said, you know, it's, uh, it really comes down to, you know, having, if you, if you, if you want to be, you know, successful, then you tend to hang around with other people, right. That are also motivated to be successful. If, uh, you know, if you decide to venture down the wrong side, uh, you know, with a lot of your friends that aren't so motivated, then chances are you're, you're also probably not going to be, you know, um, motivated.

Bill Grandy (41:52):

But, um, I truly like, and my friends are probably getting a kick out of this because I, you know, I, I truly deep down believe in this. And again, it's, it's like, as I said, becoming a good leader, developing your style leadership, you pick certain characteristics from every leader and build your own. So I like to take little things right from my friends, and they're probably all, all questioning it now w you know, how, how I'm analyzing them, but I like to take those, you know, uh, certain characteristics. And then I build on that to be who I am. Right.

Malvin Young (42:35):

Sure, absolutely. I think that's, uh, awesome. You know, I, I remember somebody else saying something similar bill, and it was quite interesting, you know, how you put that as well. And, uh, that other person had said that his friends are kind of like his board of directors, you know, in the sense that they all have different qualities or experiences. And he draws from each of them secretly. So he calls it his secret board of directors. Like they don't know this, you know, but he hangs out with them because he's trying to mimic or mirror a certain aspect of their life. Right. But I do like the fact that you're talking about drawing from each, uh, person as the things that you like about them, but also how you utilize that to create your own, um, style of leadership. I think what too many people get caught up in is mimicking one leader and then becoming inauthentic, you know, like they're acting like this speaker or this business person or this other person, and they're not being themselves like there. So I really liked the aspect there that you're saying, take it, but develop your own leadership based on what you're taking

Bill Grandy (43:53):

For sure. No. Um, yeah. I, I totally, uh, again, those are, those were always my words to my, you know, to my, um, guys that work for me, uh, definitely it's about creating your own style, right?

Malvin Young (44:10):

Yeah. Yeah. And that makes it authentic and it makes it, you, and I don't know if you've ever experienced. I know I have, I tried being like someone else when I was younger and it's exhausting. It's like, how do I just be me? That's so much easier, you know, like I just don't, I don't there's, there's no need to go and be these other people. So I really liked that concept. I also liked the concept of a, that you're talking about hanging out with, uh, the right people. And it's so crucial. I mean, it's one of those things that you wish again, you could just yell at people and say, man, like, you know, you got to know this, you gotta know this, you got to hang up with, you know, people that you, that you want to be around that will inspire you. I heard an old saying too that said, um, quit hanging out with people that have a common pass and start hanging out with people that have a common future.

Malvin Young (45:02):

And, uh, that was interesting to me. Cause I think that's as well, made a big shift in my life, you know? Uh, there's another good saying you probably like this one bill, it says that your income is exactly the sum of the top five people that you hang out with is the average, sorry, not the, some, the average, top five people that you're hanging out with. And I'm telling you the time I heard that saying it was so bang on. I'm like, I need new friends. This was a while back. Right. Like, and it's amazing because we become who we are around, you know, and it's, uh, interesting to go through that process. Uh, but bill, listen, I want to, uh, bring it back to, uh, the shed here for a moment. You gotta tell me, what is your number one food that, uh, people order at the shed.

Bill Grandy (46:00):

Okay. So as much as I, I tell my customers this as much as I try and sway it to a, uh, a new feed poo 10, our Halifax Putin is our number one seller.

Malvin Young (46:15):

Hold on, hold on, hold on. There's a Halifax. Put them, I know what a new feature,

Bill Grandy (46:22):

Uh, that's our traditional Poot, but we, we top it with a shaved, uh, don't air meat, don't air sauce. So we've, uh, we've named it, the Halifax Putin and, um, yeah, as much as, uh, I'm in control of numbers and I try and sway it, uh, that dish is definitely one of our most popular dishes, for sure.

Malvin Young (46:45):

Well, you just made my stomach growl here. I thought I would never have thought of putting a donor on I put in, but that sounds really good bill. You know, I really want to thank you again for your service. Uh, you know, 28 years of, uh, you giving your life, you know, for this country, it really just means a lot to everyone listening, but it definitely means a lot to me. And to know someone like you, it means a lot to me. I really appreciate you appreciate, uh, all your giving. Definitely appreciate your food as well. Can't wait until you open back up again. Cause I'm trying to Halifax without a doubt, but I really do appreciate you, man. You're a good person and uh, I

Malvin Young (47:30):

Just love who you are and what you're doing for the world. And, uh, you know, ever since I met you and your wife, I was just so happy to meet really good people in the community here. So thanks for sharing your story with us here today. And, uh, thanks for being on the show.

Bill Grandy (47:45):

Thank you, Malvin. Uh, yeah, thanks once again. And uh, I look forward to seeing you at the shed.

Malvin Young (47:52):

All right. I'll be there, man, with my rubber boots on.