By Jathan Janove (Guest Contributor)–
My friend Dave Dahl spent over 15 years of his life in prison. He has experienced life’s lowest of the lows and worst of the worst. And yet, if like me, you’re a fan of Dave’s Killer Bread, you can thank him. He created it. You can learn his story here.
Dave has retired from the business and is currently a philanthropist, collector of African art and rock ‘n roll guitarist. He’s passionate about creating employment opportunities for the formerly incarcerated and recently made a major donation to a wonderful Portland organization, Constructing Hope, which provides employment opportunity in the construction industry to the formerly incarcerated, homeless and drug addicted.
What’s something in your life for which you are grateful?
I am grateful for my current mental and physical health. I’m grateful for a wonderful relationship I have with my significant other. I’m grateful for being comfortable now with who I am. Frankly, I’m grateful for every moment of existence.
What’s a treasured memory?
During my last stint in prison, while taking a class on draftsmanship and machining, I had a revelation. I realized that I wasn’t a hopeless loser convict, that I was capable of contributing to society, and that I was not a bad human being. It was a rebirth at age 38.
What’s an embarrassing moment in your life you’re willing to share?
When working at Dave’s Killer Bread, I tried to be a hands-on vs. snooty boss. Something minor like a light bulb needed changing at the top of some stairs. Rather than delegate, I grabbed a ladder to do the job myself.
As I climbed, I could tell the ladder wasn’t the sturdiest, but I wasn’t going to be intimidated in front of other employees. Up I went, the ladder started to buckle, and down I came. I tumbled down the ladder, hit the top of the stairs, and kept going. At the bottom of the stairs, I ended up in a heap.
The employees witnessing the incident were at first shocked and worried that I’d been seriously injured. Upon discovering that aside from a few bruises, I hadn’t been hurt, they joined me in laughing our heads off. The Three Stooges got nothing on me!
Given the choice of anyone, whom would you want as a dinner guest and what would you talk about?
Attorney General William Barr. I would ask him how he feels about the general state of this country, including the corruption. I would ask him to speak to me from his heart.
If the current you could provide real-time advice to a younger you, what would it be?
I would say to my pre-age-38 self, “Hold on. Don’t give up. Your life’s not over.” I would give my younger self advice and perhaps more important, comfort. I’d tell me not to stress. I’d encourage the belief that things can get better and people can overcome the terrible circumstances they’re in.
If you could say something to a deceased friend, relative or colleague, something unsaid during that person’s lifetime, what would it be?
Until much later in life, I didn’t realize how important my dad was to me. He died while I was still in prison. He never knew of my later success.
If I had the opportunity, I would have a conversation where hopefully we could make peace with each other and forgive each other. I’d acknowledge that I now realize he wasn’t so bad, that life isn’t so easy, and that he did the best he could. I would like to tell him goodbye.
Your condo catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash. What would you grab?
I would grab my Gibson Les Paul guitar. I have artwork that is worth a lot more money, but that guitar means the most to me.
Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time that you haven’t yet done?
I would love to spend a month in Africa. Because of my past, current travel restrictions prevent me from doing so. However, I hope someday to visit. I would start in West sub-Sahara, including countries like Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. I would make my way east and back.
I’d visit the tribes from which I’ve collected art. I’d spend time with them, have them show me how they live and help me experience the natural beauty of the continent.
What do you find spiritual in life?
I was brought up in a devout Seventh Day Adventist home but don’t consider myself religious in a traditional way. In prison I studied Buddhism, including the concept of the Eightfold Path.
Today, I find spirituality in helping others, and supporting organizations like Constructing Hope. I find spirituality in shifting from my old self as a taker to a giver. Creating Dave’s Killer Bread was a spiritual journey. People told me the bread would be too expensive to produce but I didn’t worry. I wanted to create something that would give people an extraordinary experience. After the bread became successful, we created employment opportunities for dozens of ex-felons who wanted a chance to hit the restart button in their lives. All of this is spiritual to me and it’s why I said earlier that I’m grateful for every moment of existence.
Jathan Janove is Principal of Janove Organization Solutions, http://jathanjanove.com. Through consulting, executive coaching and training, he works with employers to create fully engaged workplace cultures. He also practiced law in Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.
