Just before my 2 week run of sold-out shows began at the Hale Centre Theatre I realized I didn’t have the personnel lined up to man our table and sell my book, “The Promise To The One”.
My kids were all traveling, we wanted my wife to just attend and enjoy the shows, those on my team either had travels or health challenges, and I had few options left.
I remembered driving through Maui a decade ago, on the beautiful Road to Hana, where my wife and I found multiple stops of fruit stands where the Honor System was employed.
No one was there to make sure you were honest, it was expected.
We often left more money than was suggested, since we appreciated the concept of honesty first.
And so, we did the same for the sale of my books at my shows.
We discounted them by half price, from $20 to $10, I signed every single one, and we printed a sheet that explained they could pay via Venmo.
We put up the table, set out 40 books, and had to let go of the possibility that someone might steal them and just be ok with whatever could happen.
I went backstage, the audience filled in the seats, and began our first show, which was a resounding success!
Afterward I went to the lobby to see the table, which was empty of books…and full of cash.
I was surprised, since we hadn’t said cash was an option, but apparently people made change for themselves (and perhaps among one another) to make it work.
The theatre staff was shocked to see a table of cash, and worried someone might take it.
I assured them I didn’t care if someone took the cash, or the books, or the whole table, that if said person had to do so then they obviously needed to read the book, and were truly desperate for the cash.
Here’s a video after a few shows of my personal happiness in having the Honor System work so well –
This Zen approach delighted some and horrified others, as it has never been something they’ve done at the theatre, and isn’t common in most places of reputable or suggested business practice.
Not knowing if anyone would even buy books at a theatre show, it was suggested I only print 300 books in case we didn’t sell any at all, as we estimated perhaps 10-15 people would buy, as each show had over 460 people present.
By intermission of each show, the table of 40-50 books was sold out every time!
During the 6th show we sold out of books on a 14 show run!
It was the fastest I’ve ever sold product, mind you, books were half off, but I also believe people bought them because no one was pressuring them to buy.
No staff, no spouse or child sitting there staring at them as they contemplated their purchase…
I find this whole experience fascinating and wonder where else in my life I can just allow others to be trusted, to be honest, to have the chance to live The Promise of being a good person and doing what’s right without me having to set up accountability measures to ensure it.
As a Dad, as a businessman, as a volunteer with organizations I help lead, there are opportunities to cultivate The Honor System in every day ways.
Sadly, we packed up the table before we were halfway through with the show run, and could have possibly sold 1,000 books.
Our estimates were way off, and we learned a lot. Now we know, for the next run of shows, that we need to plan on having more product!
Actually, it’s a great problem to have!
Always better to sell out the product than shlep it back to the garage at home!
And yes, great news – it was such a successful show run that the Hale Centre Theatre has asked us to return with the same show in the Spring, if you are in Utah between April 26-May 3, 2025, tickets are on sale now HERE and are expected to sell fast.
I love the proof of The Honor System, and know others found inspiration in getting to prove their own honesty as well, especially while buying a book entitled, “The Promise To The One”.
~ Jason Hewlett
Husband, Father, Writer, Mentor, Hiker
- Speaker Hall of Fame * Award-Winning Entertainer * Mentor
- World’s Only Keynote Speaker utilizing entertainment, musical impressions, and comedy to teach The Promise
- Author of “The Promise To The One”
- President of Cardio Miracle. Go to CardioMiracle.com to take your health back! Use coupon code HEW2024 for 15% OFF your order.
