the entrepreneurial cab driver

This one is totally unexpected. I'm glad it was a pleasant one.

I ride cabs and I love chit-chatting with the drivers to see how they see the world behind the wheel. I thought I met them all already. I mean, I've met Mr Pogi (those cab drivers who like to share their prowess with women). I also met Mr AM (those cab drivers who have readily embraced the opinions of AM commentators thus their very angry disposition in life). I also met Mr Sweat (those cab drivers who have unique and totally unforgettable smell). I also have met Mr Hardworking (those cab drivers who would have those nano second naps on the wheel.) I also have met Mr Contract Star (those cab drivers who are opportunistic in a bad way). I also have met Mr Sana Masakyan ko uli itong cab na ito (those cab drivers who simply love their jobs, a blessing to others) But I was wrong. And I'm glad I was wrong.

About two Saturdays ago, I met Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.

I just came from a bank and hailed a cab to go to Imaj in Makati. As I sat in the front seat and as ready myself to stike a conversation, I noticed boxes of brownies placed on top of the emergency hand brakes. That's odd = )

As we spend along, I was surprised when the driver offered if I like to buy some brownies. He said that it was his wife who made it. According to him, his wife learned it from a seminar held in their barangay and he was just being a loving husband and helping the wife help the family during these economically trying times.

I bought the story and I bought a box for 70 pesos. I know that's a bit overpriced for a box of brownies but I'd like to "encourage" him to continue this and I was simply impressed.

From a standpoint of closing a sale, I was a captured audience. The average time commuters spend inside a cab is the holy grail of one-to-one guerrilla marketing.

Personally, I prefer that cab drivers work for their tips and show they deserve some additional money rather than telling me a story about how life is hard and how unfair the governement is and on top of that mag papakonsensya pa by saying, something like "buti pa kayo sir, nakakapag-taxi pa..."

Well, I do understand their predicament that's why in my own little way I give a little on top but I rather hear and see someone try something else, something different, something felt and sincere like Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver.

Here's a possibility for those entrepreneurial minds, what if this very economic challenge that we are in today makes us consider ways we never would have bump into when things are easy and rosy.

What if Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver is a new channel of distribution for comfort food products?

Think about that.

Lord, thank you for making me meet Mr Entrepreneurial Cab Driver. I was blessed by his courage, his never-give-up attitude.