Is President Obama Available? Just Ask.

Helicopter ride in Kauai? Just ask.

For those of you who have ever doubted the power of just asking, I am dedicating this (true) story to you.

About a year ago, I attended a summit for Michigan’s Next Great Companies. I was there to support a colleague who was putting on one of the workshops, and I was looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker – Bo Burlingham, author of the book Small Giants.

Over 100 people were present – and my proofreader, Jerry, and I planted ourselves toward the back and center of the room. As people joined our table, we introduced ourselves and engaged in the usual “what do you do?” chatter. When a smiling, relaxed man in tweed sat next to me, I introduced myself, and we started the “what do you do” process all over again.

The man was co-owner of a well-established, family-owned roofing business in Michigan. Recently, he and his brother had designed (and were in the process of patenting) a solar-powered roofing technology that was easy to manufacture, install and distribute. He had also been the recipient of $500,000 in federal stimulus money that was awarded to businesses throughout Michigan to help reenergize our state’s lagging regional economy. And if that wasn’t interesting enough, his was the only solar-powered company in the United States to receive such an award.

Needless to say, I was pretty impressed. Through the course of the summit, we continued to chat, and a synergy developed. My new friend shared that he had a pitch project he had been working on that he could probably use my (and my colleague’s) help with, so we parted ways and agreed to circle back and continue the conversation.

In the meantime, we stayed in touch. And as is quite common when I meet a kindred spirit, I was compelled to send him a copy of my favorite book (at that moment) titled The Go-Giver, which is solely focused on the importance of giving to others – and what in turn can become a powerful force of positive karma.

For those of you who don’t already know: I am a compulsive giver. I’ve even been described as a “giver piggy.” I find great enjoyment in giving to others – and always have. Nothing about my giving is calculated. It’s just something that has always felt right. On the flip side: I’m not the greatest receiver. Over the years, those who have given to me have pointed out how frustrating this is. So, I’m working on that.

About a month later, Jerry and I paid our prospective client a visit. We spent a half-day learning about his operation, the manufacturing and installation process that he and his brother invented, and talking about his challenges related to marketing. At one point in our dialogue, he asked me exactly why “I thought he should work with us, instead of hiring a firm right down the street?” After an awkward pause, the words came right out of my heart: “Because I believe in giving.” My friend cocked his head … and smiled.

Our conversation took a turn toward his immediate need, which was help with a pitch to the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Washington, D.C. Turns out, he was comfortable selling, but knew nothing about pitching a story with the intent to receive national news coverage. Seizing the moment, I suggested he dial up his contact at the NSF so I could help guide him through the process and the questions that needed to be asked in order to formalize a pitch. Amazingly, we were connected, and I proceeded to ask the pertinent details (timing, word count, focus, etc.) related to crafting the pitch. As we wrapped up our conversation, my solar-powered friend had one final question:

“You know, I’ve always wondered how people get invited to the State of the Union address. It has been a dream of mine – I’m just curious as to how that might happen.” The NSF representative responded in all sincerity that he did, in fact, know the gentleman who makes these suggestions to the President of the United States, and that once we sent him our pitch, he would be happy to forward it along with this request.

We parted ways with me agreeing to help with the pitch – at no charge – with the intent that if he was pleased with the results, he would consider hiring my team to help provide the PR-power to launch his new energy-saving product.

I completed the pitch and was proud of it. The prospective client was also pleased, and I submitted it on his behalf to the NSF. Not long after, one of my colleagues (a PR expert) sent me an e-mail letting me know that he had heard that our prospective client had hired someone else to manage their rollout.

In the 11 years that I have owned my own business, I’ve come to realize that sometimes the reason a person enters our lives isn’t perfectly clear. I firmly believe that this way of thinking has helped propel me forward at times when I might otherwise be disappointed – it’s kind of a derivative of the “you win some, you lose some” attitude. So I moved on.

You can imagine my surprise, when two nights ago, on the eve of the State of the Union address, the same colleague that informed me that my prospective client had hired someone else – sent me an e-mail titled “HEY!” with a simple question: “Did you see who’s sitting next to Michelle Obama at tonight’s State of the Union address?”

If you guessed it was my ever-smiling solar-powered friend and his brother, you are right. Not only was he sitting with the First Lady, he and his brother were personally recognized by the President of the United States during his address. He did it. He realized a dream. And all he had to do was ask!

I immediately sent my friend a text congratulating him on realizing his dream – and letting him know I was honored to have witnessed it come full circle. And it was at that moment that I realized the reason we connected at that business luncheon that felt like eons ago: so I could support a person with the courage (to ask) with my talent (to give) and he could realize a dream. What a blessing.