Businessman knows: Adversity has its benefits
A positive outlook helped a New Springfield man survive serious setbacks.
By MARY ELLEN PELLEGRINI
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
"Almost every adversity I've gone through had some serious benefits. You don't like it at the time, but it [adversity] does give you some benefits if you let yourself open to it," said New Springfield resident George Landis.
Landis knows more than he would like to know about adversity. Within the past 24 years, he lost his job as a Steelworker, went through an arduous process establishing an Oriental rug business, suffered episodes of ventricular tachycardia that required 20 hospitalizations in seven years, was forced to liquidate his successful rug store because of deteriorating health, underwent a heart transplant and is now rebuilding his career with a new business venture.
Although there were dark periods, the benefits gained brought Landis a new set of priorities and a greater belief in personal responsibility. "You can take life lessons and let them embitter you because that's easy to do. You can go into the victim mode, and that's not wrong to do, but you need to get past that. That type of mentality can devour you. It can eat your soul," he said. A sense of humor and the support of his wife, family and faith community enabled Landis to navigate unforeseeable obstacles.
Steel job
After graduating from high school, Landis found a good-paying job at Metal Carbides. When the steel industry hit bottom, those wages and benefits evaporated. That downturn proved to be a blessing in disguise.
Landis took a job with his brother's company cleaning carpets. He had always considered owning his own business, and being laid off prompted him to research the local retail market. He discovered there was a demand for Oriental rugs, a business Landis believed he could learn.
A month and a half after their marriage, Landis and his wife, Carol, rented a building in North Lima and opened Landis Oriental Rugs. The process proved to be more difficult than anticipated, but, he said, "We were in a position where we had to make it work. There was no alternative."
Landis continued cleaning carpets. He and his wife sold plaster crafts in the store and held plaster craft classes for about a year to supplement their income.
Heart condition
Except for a short period in 1987-88 when Landis temporarily closed his business, life was uneventful until 1994. That year marked his first episode of ventricular tachycardia, also referred to as sudden cardiac death.
"I was waiting on a customer who was a registered nurse," said Landis, who added that 95 percent of people stricken with such an attack don't survive. A week earlier, Landis had been backpacking in the Allegheny Mountains with his daughter and his brother. "I had no indications of any problems. I was the average active 40-year-old," he said.
A defibrillator implanted in Landis enabled him to survive 45 more episodes over the next seven years. As his health deteriorated, Landis brought a cot into his store. He would rest upstairs for part of the day while his wife managed the store. Eventually, one hour on the sales floor became too exhausting for Landis, and the couple was forced to liquidate their business. "Selling the business was just like going through a death," he said.
Transplant needed
Shortly before the liquidation began, Landis was told a transplant was his only option for survival.
"I didn't think I'd see my son graduate from high school," he said. A successful heart transplant in 2001 allowed him to be there. "Getting a second chance gives you a whole different outlook on life. You think of the things that are important, and obviously family comes first."
It was the process of going through adversity that redirected Landis' outlook, not the transplant, he is quick to point out. The experience instilled a greater appreciation for life and the ability to overcome hardship.
"I went through a terrible illness. I lost a business. So what. No matter how far down I get, I'll come back," said Landis.
He is coming back, nurturing another retail business through the growth stage. This time it's Island Ink-Jet, a franchised company that refills ink-jet cartridges at about half the price of a new cartridge. Landis manages a kiosk at both local malls and serves as Island Ink-Jet's area developer for Northern Ohio.
The ethics behind Island Ink-Jet and its cutting edge products drew him to the company. Their philosophy concurs with Landis' approach to business -- treat people the way you would want to be treated and do the best you can.
Volunteer work
Along with business, volunteer work occupies a significant portion of Landis' time. "I thought I was contributing before because we had a business and were paying taxes, but I really wasn't giving back. Now I give back."
Landis is active in his church, speaks at schools for LifeBanc and serves as vice president of the Mahoning Valley chapter of Transplant Recipient International Organization.
"At one point, I thought the peak of my success was being invited to a customer's home during the presidential campaign and having dinner with then Vice President George H.W. Bush." Now Landis finds greater satisfaction in speaking to donor families and promoting the need for organ donors.