I have fond memories of growing up in my grandfather’s workshop, tucked behind his carport and enclosed with a custom-fit screen door, latched shut by a hand-carved piece of wood. That piece of wood—a small branch whittled down to fit perfectly into the latch—held the door closed. I credit my time with my grandfather for my love of woodworking and my passion for fixing things with my hands. A lamp he crafted by hand while attending Berea College in 1946 sits in my office today, a reminder of the hours we spent together making furniture and various odds and ends. We never left his shop until we had finished what we were working on—his rule, not mine.
As I reflect on our virtue of being “Gritty,” I can’t help but think of my grandfather, Eddie K. Wilson. Perhaps those of you reading this, and other writings on our virtues, recall someone in your own life who comes to mind when defining these words. But isn’t that the point? When we consider our virtues, we should think about people—because virtues are lived out. My grandfather was one of the grittiest people I’ve ever known. But he was also patient and kind. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, you listened. When I think of hard work and dedication, I think of him. He was precise, thoughtful, and resolute. He was a finisher.
Being gritty isn’t about being rough or dirty—it’s about finishing, no matter what. It’s about not quitting or giving up, regardless of the circumstances. Whether it means crawling through the mud, navigating a difficult customer situation, or putting in long hours to finish strong, the result is worth the hardship. Because finishing isn’t just about reaching the end—it’s about finishing well. In fact, I’d argue that to truly finish anything, it must be finished well. Otherwise, it’s not finished at all.
It’s easy to think about finishing in terms of stopping, as if it means reaching a final point. And yes, some aspects of our work have a finite end. But so much of what we do continues on—there’s always another day. When we serve one customer and finish well, another customer is waiting to be served. And that’s exactly why “Gritty” is a virtue at Home Brands. We must finish well today, tomorrow, next week, and next year—over and over again. When being gritty is part of who we are, we don’t quit, and our work carries on. There is immense fulfillment in this cycle—finishing well, time and again. Think about how many people are impacted by what YOU do every single day. It’s not easy, but it’s rewarding. And if it were easy, I’d argue the reward wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying—if it existed at all.
Thank you for what you do each and every day—one day at a time, one customer at a time. Let’s finish well today!
