Options Not Obligations
Several years ago I meant an interesting character named Marc Warnke. Marc had a fascinating story (he may possibly be the only person on the planet who has sold pots and pans at state fairs - and has had the President and First Lady stay at his house!). I don’t remember specifically when, but at some point he shared with his concept of “ONO” - an acronym for “options not obligations (and the Hawaiian word for “delicious”). This was Marc’s philosophy about enjoying the delicious things in life - especially related to marriage, kids, etc. Further, it was about using money not as a status symbol, but a tool for buying more “ONO” time with your family. This concept eventually spawned the term “Family First Entrepreneur”; a term for both the methodology and the people who create ONO in their lives. When I met Marc, he had just completed the first draft of the book. He handed to me in 8.5 x 11 sheets with a binder clip in a beat-up folder with a plea to “just read it”.
So I did …
What first struck me is that Marc had discovered and created all of the elements of a movement. It reminded me of “Purpose Driven Life”, “4 Hour Work Week”, and other movements that were driven by books. What also struck me is how timely the message was. Keep in mind that this was in the height of the stock market and housing boom - but the writing was on the wall for what we are experiencing today. I also noticed how practical and simple the concepts were. Essentially, they were things my grandfather and others from the World War II generation taught me. In essence, Marc was giving parents permission to do what their hearts probably have been telling them all along - that loving your family is more important than loving money or a job. Finally, I realized that this wasn’t just a “warm and fuzzy”; that Marc had laid out a business model; that there was an actual ROI for putting family first.
Two years later there is a real book, a real campaign, and a real movement. I was honored to MC Marc’s book launch party on Monday night (4/20). I am also honored (and compelled) to encourage you to buy his book. In fact, buy multiple copies and give them to your friends - especially those that you think have lost their priorities related to family. Like I said in my remarks at the book launch, there is a reason that Marc’s book is coming out now. The economic times are making us all realize how important time and family are. In addition, it is important for those of us that believe in free enterprise and entrepreneurism to take a stand and get behind a movement that transcends ideology.
It should also be noted that I received no compensation from Marc or his team for this “endorsement”. I am doing this because I strongly believe in his message - and because he is my friend.