How The Winners Circle Began - Honoring Local  Businessmen

I happen to be an eye doctor. I always thought that being an eye doctor was a unique blessing.  I not only got paid so that I can  feed my family but I frequently get  a hand shake, a smile and a thank you.  The money is a necessity the smile, thank you and handshake are a blessing. In my ignorance of other businesses I  was not aware that a professional in any business can also earn these blessings by doing a professional job. Yes you are right,  I was myself a bit shy and did not smile enough when visiting local businesses.

Then when doctors started going out of business, thanks to managed care,  I explored other opportunities and joined an Internet based marketing business as insurance for a rainy day.   For five years I learned about selling, marketing and doing it professionally.  I read a lot of books that doctors did not usually read, and I learned to greatly respect and value the services of professionals in all walks of life. I then decided to add my expanded knowledge to my eye care practice  and attempt to do more than anyone in my profession and in my unique way.  This has been rewarded by my growing business and great collection of smiles.

Along the way,  and with a new appreciation for  professionals in ALL businesses,  I met Bill Evans of  Brewster Shell.  You don't just meet Bill.   Bill is in my mind, a happening.  A handsome,  tall,  blue eyed  person with a great smile bounds up to you and says "Good Morning!"  Suddenly you flash back to those TV commercials of the perfectly manicured gas station with flower beds planted all around and the "Ideal Gas Station Owner" greeting you.   If you only thought it happened on TV, go  to Bill's gas station.  If Bill is not there for the moment,  you will get an equally warm and friendly smile from either of his two pretty daughters .   They are often at the front desk,  in the coffee & snack shop a few feet away from the well kept pumps that are always busy.   If  they are busy chatting with customers, often by name (people are very loyal to Bill's station and always come back),  then it is likely  that Bills' current Dog, Diesel will greet you as his last  Cinnamon dog did.   I could go on and on and tell you about this excellent mechanic named Gary  but  the  point is this.........  I always wanted to make a Plaque and  put on it,   "In Honor Of The Best Attitude In Brewster"  and give it to Bill Evans.  On the other hand,  from me it meant something but from a bunch of people it would mean more.  Then it occurred to me that it would have to be from a  group of his peers and  that there had to be more great people like Bill if I thought about it.   

I then decided  that t I needed to have lunch with Bill and see who he believed met my criteria, I  had created a list of about  10 positive attitude and professional criteria that members should have to meet. I got Bill's feedback and help in refining this list.  Between Bill and I we came up with a few great professionals and then asked them for more names.   We created a  policy that membership would be only by 100%  agreement of all and a unique honor offered only to a few.   The few had to meet our 10 criteria and in all of our estimation be the tops in their field in at least these 10 criteria (see our front page for these).  The organization would be small and would meet with regularity so we could each learn from each other.   If someone moved  or retired we would invite one more to replace them.   The group would be small to be sure we could really get to know each other and learn from each other and to really make memberships unique by requiring a great effort at achievement.

Bill does not know that this link exists on the web site so... don't tell him.  I am curious as to how long I can get away with this.

Thanks for your interest,

Dr Joseph A Ross