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Wednesday
July 8, 2009 Catching up with an old friend!Filed under: ASI Canada Recently I was invited to attend the Promo Expo BBQ, hosted by Neil Mihan, Tom Guitard, Sally Ross, Linda Davies & Jessie Camani, I had no idea when I accepted their invitation how much I would appreciate the opportunity they provided me. One of the great things about events like this is being able to take some time to network with people in the industry and chat with friends we never seem to have enough time visit anymore. When I first got into the industry in the early 80’s socializing was a major part of doing business together in this industry, but over the years that has changed. While there are many reasons for this change I personally think it’s a shame. When I arrived at the BBQ I was pleased to see a number of old friends and it was great to have a chance to just relax and catch up. But the highlight of my day was when Athena Dunn showed up with her father Wilson Dunn, Wilson retired from the industry a few years ago and it’s been awhile since I’ve seen him. I was very fortunate in my early days to have the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Wilson, he was like an industry staple and I looked forward to seeing him every month at the Ontario Chapter meetings. Wilson was our industry’s real Ambassador; I can’t tell you how many people I spoke to during the years that had questions about the industry or running their business that I said call Wilson! He always took the time to speak to them and give his advice and opinions to, no matter how big or how small they were Wilson always made time for them. I can’t think of anyone in all the years I’ve been in the industry who has freely given more of their time and expertise than Wilson. Wilson has always been a true gentleman in this industry – it still amazes me sometimes that he enjoyed hanging out with Fred and myself and was a constant figure at every event we had, including many late nights in our suite! His Friday lunches were infamous in this industry, to be honest back in those days if you were included you knew you had made it in this industry, that was the power of Wilson Dunn! We actually started referring to Wilson as the Godfather of our Industry he is held in such high esteem. When the twins were very young we started to have an annual Christmas Open House and Wilson came every year, but the one night I will always remember is when Wilson arrived someone made the remark “the Godfather is here”. I’m not sure which of girls asked the question when they overheard this but the question was: is he our grandfather to which I responded – you could only wish! Seeing Wilson and getting to spend some time with him was without a doubt a true highlight for me, so I’m thankful to Neil, Tom, Sally, Linda and Jessica for hosting a good old fashioned BBQ and allowing us all to spend some quality time together – we just don’t do enough of that anymore!
Check back later for more info on what the Promo Expo group is up to… 16 CommentsLeave a Comment |
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I just had to say how right you are that Wilson was a true gentleman of our industry. Back in my Bonica days I worked on a watch order for him – a little complicated, but nothing that a distributor should not expect from a good supplier. Wilson called me every day to be assured that this order was going well. Imagine my panic then when a box turned up from Wilson Dunn – I opened it imagining that something had gone wrong with his watches. I couldn’t imagine what but I was scared.
Inside was a huge basket from Hickory Farms – a thank you from Wilson for the service. I was blown away – in his busy schedule he took the time to show such appreciation – really a genuinely caring person. Such a gesture had a big impact – I remember it nearly 15 years on.
Leslie I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog about Wilson and I have so many fond memories of Wilson it is hard to know where to start. I too met Wilson so many years ago when I was freshly starting in the Industry at Sheaffer Pen. He was always a gentleman and always quite generous with his time for me and for anyone who sought out his advice. I am proud to say that I am a friend of Wilson Dunn’s and consider myself lucky to have been included in our regular Friday lunches over the years. It told me, as you said, that I had arrived in the industry. For many years Wilson and I have kept our friendship and now that he is retired I do miss his company and most of all his great sense of mischief. He never lets a chance go by when he can zing any one and he took no prisoners when the opportunity presented itself. All in good clean fun of course.
One of my proudest moments in the business was when you and Fred graciously asked me to present him as the very first Man of the Year in the Task Force days, it is still a highlight for me and my career. This past Christmas at our annual Boys Lunch now in its’ 23rd year we had a very special Christmas gift for all who attended. Wilson him self showed up with Chris and Elliot from the office and it was such a delight to have the “old gang” back together again. He made it such a special Christmas for all of us by joining us and we hope to see him again this year. Slainte.
It is so wonderful to hear from the “80’s members”, from which I also belong, speaking so fondly and respectfully about Wilson. I have been thinking for years that there must be some award at the National Awards Night that could be presented to Wilson for all his years of service, guidance, dedication to the industry, his business ethics & fairness. He was and still is a role model and truly the Godfather of this Industry. I have had the pleasure of being a teammate of Wilson Dunn for over 20 years. I would not be where I am today without Wilson.
Hi Rhonda,
WOW it’s been so long – great to see your post, actually we did create an award for Wilson in 2000 we inducted him as The Man of the Millennium! It was the only time in the history of Team Task Force that we recognized one individual for their contribution to the industry!
WOW Wilson Dunn what a guy.In 1984 when I started my own company the very first phone call I recieved was from Wilson. He called to wish me good luck and assured me that should I ever need help or advice he would be there for me.It was a great feeling to have a man of his standing in the industry behind me at that very early stage of my new venture.I for one will never forget him.
Yes Leslie things are not the same at all…I miss those days. At least when we went through hard times before we had each other to commiserate with!
Wilson, what can I say…I can still here his voice in my head “Susan, what’s the gossip”! He loved to hear the gossip! He helped me out so many times I can’t even list them all here! Never asked for anything in return…well nothing except a good piece of gossip! Don’t hear much of that these days either…we are so boring now!
Approximately 15 years ago when I was with Starline I had been trying to get in to see Wilson Dunn for a presentation. For three consecutive years Wilson said no. One day I did a favour for him which got him a big order and and sure enough the next time I asked him he said “We have an opening October 31st, see you at 9:30am.” I accepted graciously not realizing that this was Holloween and we were all going to be in costume at work that day. I figured I had nothing to loose so went to my presentation dressed and in full make-up as one of the cats in the play CATS. I was not sure what to expect when I got to there but was greeted by Wilson himself who started to laugh and could not wipe the smile off his face. Needless to say I was welcomed anytime after that. A memory I will never forget.
SO many fond memories of so many lunches with Wils and his ‘chicken wings’ spread across his face! He then switched to ‘chicken strips’ to avoid the mess. Stories galore every time and he and I would share ‘shopping tips’ on where to get the best meat and produce in the Maple/King area! We would laugh at the irony of his home backing onto a Catholic Monastery. Moments that I will always cherish – especially when he would give me updates on the ‘salacious gossip’ or share his good-natured bribes about how Brad was ‘snapping his gum’!
Leslie this is such a great blog about Wilson. Wilson Dunn is where I started my career in this business and what a privilege and honour to have worked for such a fine company and honorable gentleman. Wilson remains close to my heart and I too recently saw him at a supplier function with the WDP gang and it was great to catch up. One of Wilson’s favourite sayings to anyone on the sales team as he greets them is always “Anything new to report?” (meaning.. any sales?.
He never missed a trick whether it was checking supplier invoices,knowing exactly what everyone’s sales were or which clients hadn’t paid! I have so many good memories of Wilson including having a good knees up with him at one of the Task Force functions!
It is so nice to stop and remember an old friend for a few minutes in our busy day and read such great old stories about him. Thanks Leslie for invoking the memories!
It was my introductory year with Starline (18 years ago)when I first encountered Wilson. It was actually on a plane to somewhere and it wasn’t really an encounter as much as an observation. He was sitting up ahead two rows but across the way in clear rear view. I had heard enough about Wilson Dunn to not be holding out any hopes for a welcome reception…apparently he and Starline had had some disagreement in the past and I was warned that he would never give me the time of day. It was a bit scary…but never-the-less the challange of the day. I walked up the aisle…step by step…inch by inch…and slowly…I introduced myself. Well this gracious man smiled ear to ear and said something to the effect of, “Very nice to meet you”. I felt quite special (and powerful for my effect despite the warning). For years after that I would see Mr. Dunn and approach him and get that same smile he afforded me that first time…welcoming and warm. And when each time, following the smile, I reminded him who I was- “You remember, Janet Trachter from Starline”, he really smiled. I don’t think Wilson could pick me out of a crowd to this day if we didn’t dance our dance when meeting because that smile was as deep as our relationship grew. And man…that was more than enough.
-JT
When I joined the industry in 1981, my partner, Paul Said and I were told that there were a handful of big-time distributors that we had to cultivate. Wilson was number 1 on that list.
I remember meeting Wilson at my first trade show and feeling somewhat nervous, him being a big-time distributor and all. Imagine my surprise when, fifteen minutes into that first encounter, we were already behaving like old friends, and my knowledge of the industry had taken a quantum leap, thanks to his experience and insights.
Since that first encounter, I always looked forward to having a chat with Wilson. It was my privilege to be included in several of his Friday lunches, which were not always on Friday, by the way. To my recollection, he never missed one of the 23 annual Boys’ Lunch events, and last year was no exception. We were all delighted to see him and the poignancy of that moment makes it very special for me.
Wilson, I wish you the very best, and thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom, which have stood me in good stead, especially during those first formative years.
For anyone in our industry who has ever met Wilson, this story will not surprise you. My dealings with Wilson were primarily early in my career where we were referred to Wilson Dunn to access brands that at the time were not as widely available in our industry as they are today. Not knowing how the industry veteran would respond to another new young competitor, I was surprised that Wilson was more than eager to help, not because of the modest margin that he made on our orders (which he disclosed without my asking), but because he genuinely cared. He cared about this industry, and he cared about people. He offered to help in any way he could, and he meant it.
Upon reflection, that early interaction with Wislon helped me establish my values in dealings with competitors. Thank you Wilson!
Wilson – I could write a book on you. On your business accumen, your help and advice to so many people in this wacky but addictive industry. Your a legend in this industry. I have known you many many years and mostly if I was heading in a direction that you did not think was smart (which was many), your first statement would always start with “Now Patricia” that sure got my attentions. But most of all I enjoyed your wit and the twinkle in your eye when you were up to something. You have always been a good friend through the years and I have always enjoyed your company on many occassions. Thank you Wilson you are a true legend in my mind and the industry.
Glad to hear that Wilson is still well and enjoying the friends he made during his wonderful career. It has been a long time since I had the pleasure of speaking with him but about 25 years ago I was ready to move to a new industry and was fortunate enough to be encouraged by him to think it through before leaving, Wilson, I have been grateful for that 5 or 10 minutes for a long time, you certainly did not have to spend the time with a newbie from Nova Scotia but you did and because I’m still involved and can call a good number of the people on this blog friends. Thanks
Nailed on, Leona. ???in ?? today had an interesting obirtvaeson, but no matter what, the mess is on the head of Mr Blueblood. And it is a mess and total incompetence. Ah, the sin of arrogance, as you rightly pointed out.It is a shame though this gives accountability system a bad name, for we need it and there’s no way we can get away from it if we are to move forward in political development.The pan-democrats once again show they are only interested in discrediting without regard to the overall interest of Hong Kong and their love of picking on small issues (nationality) rather than the crust (the power and responsibility of the new positions, in particular in relation to the Secreatry and Permanent Secretary).I never thought I’d agree with ??? but I do with most – not all – of the things he wrote in ?? today.
Nailed on, Leona. ???in ?? today had an interesting obirtvaeson, but no matter what, the mess is on the head of Mr Blueblood. And it is a mess and total incompetence. Ah, the sin of arrogance, as you rightly pointed out.It is a shame though this gives accountability system a bad name, for we need it and there’s no way we can get away from it if we are to move forward in political development.The pan-democrats once again show they are only interested in discrediting without regard to the overall interest of Hong Kong and their love of picking on small issues (nationality) rather than the crust (the power and responsibility of the new positions, in particular in relation to the Secreatry and Permanent Secretary).I never thought I’d agree with ??? but I do with most – not all – of the things he wrote in ?? today.