The sound you just heard was Jim (Your trusty editor!) Twisting my arm.

He said "Lynne, you've been involved with fish for 25 years. There must be a story or two there somewhere!"

So where better to begin than the beginning?

Should I start with the bowl of goldfish?

Or how about the fiasco of getting my income tax check and going to my friendly neighborhood fish store and buying a 55 gallon tank, twelve very large discus, and taking them home (with the tank the same day) and watching them die, one by one? A heater what's that??

Or when I was first gainfully employed in the "fish Biz"?

I had just moved back from Reno, Nevada, living in my sisters garage ($50 a month), had a car payment, 68 Mustang ($50 a month), and was desperate for a job.

An ad in the L.A. Times said. "Help Wanted, new fish store."

I called and talked to Aaron Rosen, the owner, and he said, "Sorry all positions were filled." Not to be denied, I said "Mr. Rosen, let me work for you for a week, FREE, and after that time, if you want to keep me, fine. If not, no hard feelings."

After a week, I was the only one left. When he said new store, there was nothing inside but PVC, iron racks, boxes of under gravel filters, and stacks of 15 gallon tanks. He handed me the keys said "Hey, you like a challenge. Put it together!" So I did. For $1.85 per hour.

Enter Mr. Greenwald. Jim and his pal, Larry Tabacco, were doing what I was soon to learn, giving the store their personal "cruise."

I can only say, it was an ugly thing to behold! They quizzed me on everything. They shook their heads, pointed, snickered at my mislabeled fish, and asked me by what right did I have to be giving advice to hobbyists when I couldn't tell a Jack Dempsey from a Blue Acara?

Human nature tends to immediately be defensive and make excuses. Truthfully, I was working 80 hours a week, (Don't forget my rent & car payment!!) and was just plain pooped.

But Jim and Larry opened my bleary eyes. By what right did I have to tell anyone how to cure a sick fish, put a filter together, etc. etc. etc. It was a real wake up call.

It must have worked because Village Aquarium was, and is, one of the highest grossing successful stores in L.A. AND Jim and I are still friends!!

I guess my point is, we all tend to go in marginal stores, sniff around, and leave. We don't want to take the time, or effort, to point out a mislabeled, or sick fish. Its kind of the same mentality of people who drive by traffic accidents because they don't want to become involved.

Well Jim wanted people to get the right advice, buy healthy fish, and the appropriate equipment. And by sticking his nose in my life, changed it forever! He made one look at things in a different light. Not to settle for the inferior fish from wholesalers. To listen to people. In other words, make customers to keep for life, not the sale today.

I ended up owning four pet stores, and a 10,000 square foot fish wholesaler. I now have about 8,000 angelfish in my basement that I supply quite a few stores with.

All because Jim Greenwald insulted me.

Go figure.