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I’ll never forget the first time my son heard the term “redneck.” He was very young and we had some new neighbors from New Jersey. Having never heard the term before, I found him checking the back of his neck in the mirror. When I asked what he was doing, he told me — curiously — that our necks weren’t red. The neighbor kids had informed him that everyone who lived “down here” were rednecks.
Now, this was many years ago. Way before DuckDynasty made being redneck something of mainstream popularity. CJ and I had a discussion about “rednecks” vs. being “Southern Strong” like his Grandad and Pops. I let him know that the neighbor kids were trying to be insulting and that he should just say, “Thanks! I didn’t even know I was a redneck.” and we moved on.
Let me say that I was country way before country was cool. I am — in fact — “backwoods legit.” **wink** In college, I rolled my eyes at the girls who’d wear cowgirl boots and sing Shania Twain songs but couldn’t utter a single lyric of an Alabama or Kenny Rogers song. (Not even the classics.) They’d never stared down an ornery steer, competed in a 4-H ring, been bucked off of a horse. More importantly, they didn’t know the meaning of “feeding up.” =) They looked cute in their boots and beer bottle cap belts… and they may have fooled some city boys, but I knew the truth. They were posers, wannabes, city folk.
Anyway, having gone to college near the West Virginia border, I still consider the term “redneck” something akin to a derogatory racial slur while I consider being country / southern something to take great pride in. In my humble opinion, there IS a difference.
Still, in honor of Duck Dynasty taking “redneck-ing” main stream, and doing us REALLY PROUD from a business standpoint, I want to offer you 3 REDNECK tips for More Money in 2015. Regardless of YOUR heritage, you CAN and SHOULD use them.
1) Use Whatever You Have.
“Rednecks” aren’t picky. I’ve seen them drive around with duct tape holding their bumper on. Tacky, yes. BUT, that sucker stays put! This sort of resourcefulness can be super useful to a business… especially during launches and / or periods of growth. Being willing to use whatever you ALREADY HAVE on hand eliminates unnecessary WASTE and WAITING — both of which should be despicable to you.
2) Substance Over Image.
The Duck Dynasty folks first had a great product that worked. THAT is what they focused on… not some brand or empire or image makeover. Substance first. Perhaps substance ONLY. But, one of the most costly mistakes business owners make today is investing in making themselves, their business, their site or their office LOOK a certain way rather than making it / themselves BE that certain way. Put another way: it’s far more important to BE profitable and successful than simply to LOOK successful.
3) Immunity to Criticism
If you’ve never seen the movie, The Cowboy Way with Woody Harrelson, you’re missing out. It’s really funny, but I’m a Woody Harrelson fan, so you may not want to simply take my word for it. Still, that movie shows a prime example of immunity to criticism — redneck-style. The key to your WILD success will depend on a certain (high) level of immunity to criticism. Something rednecks and southerners alike seem to have mastered!
I hope this helps. You can find more Southern Style Success tips here!
