Carolyn Stradley is the founder of C&S Paving Inc in Atlanta, USA. In the following account, she recalls the job that challenged her imagination and skill but left her flying high.
“When the Atlanta Airport was under construction in 1979, we were a new company struggling to make it. National Car rental wanted to have 2,500 square meters of dirt paved so the cars could be on site when the airport opened, and the official opening was only the days away! no other local paving company wanted to do the job, stating it couldn’t be done in such a short time.
“Because we were new and really needed the work, we were willing to try harder. We gave National Car Rental our offer and promised our best effort to get the job finished within ten days. We also reminded them that if we failed, they would be no worse off, but they had plenty to gain if we succeeded.
“We got the job and immediately went into action . Working at night needed lights, so I rented a machine to produce electricity for the site. Our next challenge was to keep the rock mixture wet enough. All the available water wagons were rented out for the airport construction, and we certainly couldn’t afford to buy a new one. instead , I got a special permit to rent fire engine hoses and connect them to nearby hydrants；then I personally held one of those hoses to water down the rock.
“Those ten days were filled with challenges that required one creative idea after another. Nine days later, the night before the airport opened, National Car Rental was the only company that had cars on the parking lot.
“The key to our success was having the courage to take on any job and then being creative in our approach to getting it done.”