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Mother always said, "..." Timeless Wisdom to Achieve Personal & Business Success
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Overview. Robert Popovich is a seasoned and proven international business and governmental consultant, speaker, foreign policy advisor, professional interpreter/translator, poet, and bestselling author. Every book published has a purpose, and his book wasn't
any different, except how it all came about.
His mother, Dragića (Dorothy) Popovich, came to this country, with her parents and nine siblings from the former socialist
communist state of Yugoslavia. Like many immigrants from the majority of eastern bloc countries lived under oppressive leaders, yearning to be free. America to most was an unattainable dream, but fortunately for her family they were able to migrate to America.
They settled in the little steel town of Aliquippa, PA. a stone's throw from the then steel capital of the world, Pittsburgh where faith,
family, and hard work defined their identity and culture. They arrived when she turned six years of age, but at the age of fourteen
her life changed forever. Her father passed away, the three oldest quit school to find work to support the family.
The oldest was her brother Tešo (20 years of age) found work in the steel mills, while the next oldest Mary, worked in the mills
as well but became a union organizer at the age of sixteen fighting for better working conditions and health benefits. In those days,
steel mills spewed out toxic waste into the air, while the toxic sludge flowed into the once pristine rivers.
My mother decided she wanted to work in a business setting. "It was an early Saturday morning," she said, "I walked two miles to
the center of town and every place of business was closed, except for a shoe store, Jackson’s, and a very stately man was standing behind the cash register I assumed putting in cash for the day’s business.
I knocked and knocked on the door window and tried to gain his attention but he repeated waved for me to go away, but I persisted,
until he came to the door and asked me what I wanted. Let me ask, how old are you?” She replied, “Fourteen. Why aren’t you
in school?,” She explained her father had unexpectedly died and the three oldest of ten children had to find work for provide the
basic needs, food, clothing and house payments.
“My mother told me not to come home without a job, please give me a chance to show you my abilities.” He pondered her words,
then after a reflective moment made her an offer. “If I decide to hire you, what can you give me that no one as of yet has offered?"
She paused, her nerves were tingling in every part of her body, she calmed herself, and then said without hesitation, “What if I
work for you free for 30 days, and then you can decide whether hire or fire me."
He later told me when I began working in the store at the age of six, “After one week, my partner Harry Jackson said, “My God
Morris, she’s amazing! Let’s hire her now!” “No,” said Morris, “we made a deal. This is her first lesson in buisness giving you word
and keeping it.” He went on to explain that when the month ended, she was not only hired but given a full month’s salary. “No,”
she said adamantly, “the deal was if I proved myself, I’d be hired, you don’t owe me any money.” He countered with, “You not
only kept your word but surpassed all of our expectations.
At the age of fifteen she was the top salesperson, at the age of seventeen the store manager, and at the age of twenty, a full partner
and the rest as they say is history. She did 70% to 80% of the sales, year in and year out. How? Because she became part of every
customer’s family. She knew their birthdays, illnesses, etc., a genuinely caring and devout Eastern Orthodox Christian. When she passed at the age of eighty, there were lines around the funeral home in a torrential downpour of those who loved and admired
her. I went outside and ask them not to wait in such awful conditions, but they stayed until they paid their respects. Many were older, in wheelchair along with presidents of shoe manufacturers. “It’s the least we can do for the years she waited on us and became part of our families."
*****
Mother Always Said, "...” the author is a much sought after speaker, and whatever topic he covers, he wraps them in his mother's timeless wisdom.
His audiences were so taken with his mother's wisdom, they continually encouraged him to put her words into writing. After
twelve years he did just that. The book was never intended for commercial sales; in fact, he gave courtesy copies to his audiences.
One of them decided to send excerpts of their copy to major news networks, international newspapers and business magazines. Unbeknownst to him, it became an overnight success. Mother always said, “...” has become a staple for families and business
training sessions for over twenty four years.
Over the years, the author continues to receive so much ongoing support that he has now completed Mother always said, “...”
Volumes II & III, which will be available later this year—2024.