My
last day at Weight Watchers was September 30, 1974, and the next day I
signed a lease for an office and meeting place on Summer Avenue not too
far from the WW office. Seven of the ladies from Weight Watchers left
there and joined me either to work in the office and/or be lecturers with all having experience and a following.  Also I knew I could depend on Johnny to help me.

I
did many things wrong as a business man and quickly came to appreciate
Bernie's acumen at running a business and I will talk more about my
learning something I already knew but didn't heed--I was not good at
business! The first mistake I made was renting a hall at too high a rent
and then not having the sense to get the landlord to make improvements.
I hired a contractor to make the office in front of the hall a show
place and to add very private weighing in booths, buying 5 Detecto
scales along with shelves for the clerks to write what information was
needed and a lecture hall in the rear. I bought 4 desks and chairs plus
the latest in phone equipment. It's a good thing computers weren't being
used that much or I would have gone computer mad. There was an
elaborate signing in desk to be used for meetings. There are arguments
for and against going first class when opening a business but I should
have gone in between.

To
give Johnny his due he did make a lot of things in the office such as
shelves for Barbara and he did design and decorate the front office
which was really impressive.

Our
first class at the new place was going to be held on October 30 and I
knew to expect a 'visit' from Weight Watchers International which was
understandable. I, also, knew Bernie would send in 'spies'. The ladies
who came with me were harassed with law suits but by the time we opened
all was settled and we had won.

Our
opening was jam packed with a line out to the street. Yes, I recognized
a couple of the WW executives from New York, plus a franchisee who I
thought was a friend of mine but I realized this was business and they
didn't want me to succeed and possibly open in their territory. Being
the nice guy I was/am I invited them to come in, observe, take any
literature they wanted, without having to pay to join. We had a very
full week with all the meetings being well attended and I knew I had
hurt WW's income.

The
first year of business was super but I was making more mistakes. I
opened too many classes in too many different locations and stretched
everyone and everything too thin but it wasn't obvious to start.

I
started a monthly "Our Weigh" newspaper and we handed out menu charts
with recipes along with Barbara, Carole and I getting cookbooks
together.

One
of our biggest costs, but we felt it paid off, was hiring a new
advertising agency Jan Gardner and Associates who taped video
commercials of me 'selling' the "I always said if I found an easier,
better way of losing weight I would be the first to tell you. I have and
I am. Our Weigh." I never did get copies of those tapes or I could be
doing a "Norma Desmond" today--if you don't know who she was just ask!
LOL Sadly I googled Jan's name and it seems she passed away awhile back.
It also looks like her business did very good.

By
1975 we had opened classes all over Shelby County plus West Memphis and
Jonesboro, Arkansas, plus Jackson, Tennessee and were expanding into
Mississippi after opening in Chattanooga.

How do you like our stationary? My idea!