Jack Benny was a famous comedian with his own popular TV show, The Jack Benny Show. In his day, Jack Benny was a super star.

But he had been retired for years when a talk show host invited him as his main guest on his live TV talk show.

Minutes before the show was to air, an assistant rushed into tell the host that he had better check out Jack Benny who was waiting in the guest area. The host took one look at Jack and knew he was doomed.

He saw not the Jack Benny he remembered but an old, old, old man sunken into himself with labored breathing. Frankly, Jack Benny looked like he was at death’s door.

The host knew he had a disastrous show ahead but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do. He tried to remain calm, to focus as the show director slowly pointed to him indicating the show was live.

The announcer intoned: “Heeere’s our special guest. The one, the only… Jaaaaaack Bennnnnnieee… “

“Good God, I’m screwed!” the host thought.

Then, a miracle happened… Jack Benny bounded in, sat next to the host, and was lively, energized, funny… He was a great guest. The show was a hit.

After the show the host couldn’t wait to thank the great Jack Benny.

What he found after the show was a frightening sight, a tired old man with labored breathing, who looked not long for this life. Jack Benny was old, very old.

Jack Benny was a professional. He knew what the public wanted from him. He sucked it up one last time and put on a great show.

The truth was that Jack Benny at the time of that show was an exhausted old man.

As a tat professional, do you know what the public wants from you? It ain’t just tats. They want joy, excitement, enthusiasm, smiles, smiles and more smiles. They want you to light up their life for a few minutes.

Can you do that?

If you can suck it up like Jack Benny, if you can be a professional and give the public what they want, the sky is the limit. They’ll beat a path to your door.

Your business will grow magically.

Who cares how you feel? Your job is to make your customer feel good.

Kirk