Darkness and Light
It was the end of a difficult business day so I headed outside for a brisk walk. To the west of me were the warm, soft colors of the setting sun; to the east were the cool evening shades with the rising moon. I couldn’t figure out which way to look since both views were breathtaking.
As I turned around to walk back home, I realized the beautiful shades at the end of the day represented a typical entrepreneurial day. It’s hard to get through a work day without something negative happening like experiencing a lackluster sales day, dealing with a frustrated client, or losing a customer. It’s also impossible to get through a day without positive things occurring like signing a new client, accepting an invitation to speak, and gaining a fresh perspective on an old problem. Business days are full of both rays of sun and glimmers of darkness.
I don’t think business women give themselves enough credit for dealing with the challenges of entrepreneurship. Sometimes we focus too much on the darkness, duty and pressure of running our companies. We become consumed with problems, issues and worries. I believe the dark moments strike us harder because we’re trying so hard to achieve success all on our own, all of the time.
But the walk reminded me that where there is darkness, there is also light. In any given moment, feeling bad can evaporate if we 
recognize the lesson that goes along with the experience.
Today’s blog post is to remind you just like the darkening sky at sunset, there will always be troubles running a business – sometimes big problems and sometimes simple annoyances. Embrace the rich, dark colors of difficulty. The greatest lessons are learned in the dark. It is also to remind you just like the bright amber colors of sunset, there is hope for the next day – a glowing new attitude, an unexpected pleasure or the gift of a client relationship. Bask in the glow. You deserve the rewards.
When your business day ends, be grateful because it was filled with both darkness and light. An entrepreneurial career is a special profession made just for those of us who like to glance both ways and savor what we see and learn.
Downhill Rewards
The recent news of Canadian skier Sarah Burke’s tragic death triggered a memory from my teenage years that taught me about risk taking. Every weekend my mother, sister and I headed to the slopes of Snow Ridge, a ski resort in Turin, NY. As my mother taught ski lessons, my sister and I ventured to the hills for a fun day of skiing. Having always enjoyed skiing as a recreational sport, I never thought about racing until my sister and I were approached to join the junior racing team.
Knowing we were very good skiers, we accepted the invitation to join. I’ll never forget the apprehension that flooded over me when I lined up for my first race. All of a sudden the thought of “wiping out” during the race swept over me. I felt paralyzed by the fear more than the excitement of the challenge. It’s funny how fear can cause both adrenaline and the temporary feeling of not being able to move at the same time.
It was too late to back away as I approached the gates. All I could do was move forward through the fear using my knowledge of skiing to weave through the icy turns. The short racing run was probably the longest run of my life. At the bottom of the hill, my sister and I relished the experience but a couple weeks after being on the racing team we came to different decisions about our futures as skiers. My sister, with a little bit more bravado than me, continued to race. I decided to enjoy the unpressured joy skiing brought to my life. Racing wasn’t for me but I was extremely glad I tried it because I would have never known if it was something I should pursue if I didn’t test myself.
In business we freeze sometimes. We don’t have to be outside on a wintry day or at the top of a ski slope ready to race. We can freeze when we know must experience something new to see if it’s a right move for us. Whether it’s hiring an employee, taking out a loan, or expanding products, we can’t freeze as entrepreneurs. We have to give new adventures a try. It’s the only way to know what is next.
Today’s blog is to remind you business is about risk. It’s also about reward. You won’t receive rewards without some type of risk. You don’t have to test your nerves on a ski slope but you need to test your nerves within your business. Moving forward and taking brave new steps is essential in business. What do you feel you are ready to tackle today?
Enjoy the risks and rewards of being an entrepreneur. It’s what makes us different from professional business women who work for other institutions. Embrace the race at the top of the hill once in awhile and see if it triggers an unexpected knowledge about yourself and your future. A special “thank you” to Sarah Burke for being a pioneer for women competing in the X Games.
Instinctive Decisions
A few years ago I met a woman entrepreneur who was on her way to making a million dollar in sales. By all accounts, she appeared as a successful businesswomen to the community. Little did anyone know she had created and failed with two other companies.
Through numerous conversations with this woman, I discovered she felt the success of the third enterprise rested on the lessons she learned from the failures of the first two. She also admitted creating a highly successful business was because she was truly ready and prepared to achieve victory as an entrepreneur. The quote “Adversity is so much a part of business that it just might be the key ingredient to success,” rings true in this example.
As women we have an instinct of knowing when we are ready for personal changes like getting married, having children, moving away from home and leaving behind poor relationships. We might not realize we have the same instinct when it comes to business transitions. The number of years running a company,fluctuating sales figures, changing economic times or our personal maturity as an entrepreneur can cause an instinctive desire to embrace transformation if we just pay attention to the voice inside.
When we are confused about the next step in our entrepreneurial venture, we need to dedicate time to hearing the instinctive message resonating within. Our instinct combined with facts, figures and a plan can lead us in a new corporate direction. Any angst we sense, and any adversity in the way, can be exactly what we need to finally more forward and create the success we really desire.
Today’s blog is to suggest you find time this week to focus on what your instincts are telling you. Flush them out. Focus on what they mean. Determine what you want to do with this new knowledge and then take some risks towards moving in a new direction.
A quote that has always helped me in times of decision has been, “If I don’t try, I won’t fail; and if I fail I’ll just get up and try again.” It has served me well during adverse times; I hope it does the same for you.
Taking the Plunge
How long have you been waiting to take the plunge? And I don’t mean the plunge off a diving board of a crystal blue pool at a seaside resort. I mean the plunge of taking a big, new entrepreneurial risk?
For some entrepreneurs nerve-racking risk is created when they think about accepting a public speaking opportunity, borrowing money for expansion, or adding a new product. As seen in an old time cartoon, the decision to take a risk can be worsened when an angel appears on our right shoulder and the devil appears on our left shoulder whispering the pros and cons of each decision in our ears.
Instead of depending on heavenly or devilish advice to help with decision making, I’ve used the following three factors to guide me:
- The length of time the decision has been brewing
Sometimes the concept has been bubbling and resurfacing for years. Significant developments in my business have always taken one to three years to come to fruition. The new concept presents itself internally at first, but outside factors such as meeting the right people, having more money, seeing a demand in the marketplace or learning new information ultimately prompts final action.
- The reasons and people to support the decision
I’ve heard goal setting experts say the “why” and the “who” of setting new goals and taking big risks are integral to success or failure. The reason (or the “why”) behind taking a new business risk is the most important part of setting and achieving the goal. When the “why” is understood, it’s imperative to have the right people (or the “who”) to support the entrepreneur and concept.
- The downside to not making the decision
Many times I have taken a risk because I didn’t want to live with regret. I refused to let fear replace hope especially if I had the “why” and “who” in place. So asking the question, “What will happen if I don’t take the risk now,” usually provides the answer.
So take the plunge after considering these factors. The decision might be so perfect you end up celebrating your success a year from now by jumping into a crystal clear blue pool at the seaside resort of your dreams.
Rememberance
Anticipation is by definition the feeling of looking forward, usually excitedly or eagerly, to something that is going to happen. For many of us, the anticipation of being with family and friends this weekend and next makes us keenly aware of the joy that awaits us based on wonderful, warm memories from past holidays.
The ability to reminisce is a gift. As women entrepreneurs we should not only reminisce about personal relationships but professional bonds as well. Our entrepreneurial lives are full of a variety of affiliations – long time business friends, new acquaintances, valuable repeat customers and important new prospects. Each one has worth.
I hope you take a half hour sometime in the next few days to think about the relationships that have meant the most to you this year. There is still time to pick up the phone, drop an email message or send a card to those who have contributed to your joy, business success and bank account.
I also hope you take time to remember what you have accomplished this year. In the rush of ending another business year, we can forget to stop and savor our accomplishments. Take ten minutes to jot down the most important business moments that bubble up in your spirit. Write them down. Remember them. Be appreciative for all the hard work and energy you put into your professional life in 2011. It counts.
Today’s blog is to thank you for being an important part of my professional life this year. My personal mission is to help as many women entrepreneurs as I can be more financially successful because of their affiliation with Women TIES. I am excited for a transformational year ahead for every woman in our growing network. I hope you join me in two new networking regions, at four quarterly new innovative programs, and in January in Syracuse with an important mind changing program to set you on the right course for 2012.
Until then, I wish you sweet and blissful moments of remembrance and an eagerness and anticipation for a brighter and more financially successful New Year. Together we can create a brighter future for ourselves and our sister entrepreneurs across New York State.
Change and Risk
Holiday music was playing in the background at a beautiful, free civic symphony concert given by a shopping center in North Syracuse. I was drawn to the event because a woman entrepreneur I knew had opened up a second café in the center and wanted to show me her new venue.
In the midst of symphonic tunes, this woman told me about her six year struggle to keep her business afloat. The quaint venue she had, which was home to her restaurant, boutique and catering business, simply didn’t attract the clientele she needed to be profitable. Every year she contemplated closing the business and giving up on her dream.
The week she finally decided she would make the heart wrenching decision to close up shop, a woman who found the café through our business directory, approached her about opening up a larger, second café in their expanding center. After inspecting the space, which was double the size of her current café, with an affordable rental fee and automatic higher traffic pattern, she seized the opportunity. Proudly she told me she was making monthly profits since making the decision. I’m not sure which was more joyful – her smile or the music playing behind us.
If you have been struggling with making a profit, take some advice from this story. Women start companies to make money and create a financial income and future for themselves. We don’t intend our businesses to be hobbies where we dedicate time to something we love without generating revenue.
Today’s blog entry is to encourage you to think about whether or not you need to do something different to earn more of a profit in your business – especially if you have been struggling with making a profit for three to five years. You owe it to yourself to make some changes and those changes might involve larger risks.
Second, trust your instinct. Pay close attention to why you believe your business is not doing well. Is it location? Is it pricing? Is it a saturated marketplace? Is it your sales approach? Empty your gut instincts onto a piece of paper and then research the hard, cold facts of your business to see if your instincts are valid. Third, if you want to make your company profitable, seek counsel from a business advisor, revise your business plan and take the extra risks you need.
If you find yourself on the precipice of giving up, think of these two women who lived out the Women TIES mission by taking risks and working together collaboratively to produce a brighter revenue future for both companies. By making the right decision today, you can lead yourself to a more joyful and rich new entrepreneurial year.
Risk Taking
At the October Women TIES Annual Retreat, Amy Dickinson, the nationally syndicated advice columnist of “Ask Amy” which is read by an estimated 22 million readers daily and appears in more than 150 newspapers nationwide including the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post, inspired women to not be afraid to ask for what they want. She said, “I have discovered 3 out of 10 requests I ask for are usually granted. Knowing the percentage of success helps me plan for the outcome whether it’s positive or negative and inspires me to ask big.”
Her statement was one of a handful of profound statements that resonated with me that day. With confidence in my Wednesday Wisdom writing, I approached Amy shortly after the Retreat to be the business advice contributor for her new national blog “Ask Amy Daily” debuting in December. For six years I have written columns, like this one today, to inspire women entrepreneurs all over New York. The positive reaction to my editorials is something I thought could lead to something bigger someday.
That ‘someday’ was Monday, when Amy Dickinson’s new blog “Ask Amy Daily: An All Advice Portal” launched with a blog section entitled “Entrepreneurial Spirit” written by yours truly. At least once a week I’ll post an original business lesson and advice piece. My goal is to not only inspire more women across the country and internationally, but to increase the awareness of the Women TIES organization in hopes of drawing more consumers to the website to buy from our members.
Today’s blog is to inspire you with Amy Dickinson’s advice to make 10 requests this week, whether they are sales phone calls, new client appointments, national writing opportunities or speaking engagements to increase your chances for success. Remember you might only receive 3 out of 10 things you ask for; but consider how those 3 positive requests can positively set your business in a new direction.
Once you are done making your 10 requests, check out Amy’s new blog www.askamydaily.com and look for my column “Entrepreneurial Spirit”. I hope you bookmark it, share it with others, and read it on any other day than Wednesday because you’ll always have my personal Wednesday Wisdoms to inspire you.
Reputation Management
Everywhere you turn these days there seems to be universities, politicians and individuals defending themselves in the media. Every day there is an update on ESPN, MSN and local media on new allegations facing college sports programs, coaches and presidential candidates. The media’s 24 hour firestorm demands substantial PR efforts by the accused parties.
In my early 20’s I was an administrative assistant in a non-profit organization. Only two months into the position, the president of the organization realized the bookkeeper had made gross errors leading to a financial crisis. The swift action by my boss to fire the staff member, meet with her board members to clarify the situation, and hire outside accountants to rectify the problem still resonates with me. As leader of the organization she handled the situation head on with direct communication and a plan.
As women entrepreneurs we don’t expect to face major PR problems or devastating personnel issues seen in today’s news. Most of us weren’t trained in communications, law or human resource management. But being prepared for a major PR issue is a good idea. Someday we might face a disgruntled employee, an angry client or a major workplace issue that becomes more public than we ever anticipated. How we handle that issue could make or break our reputation and our business.
Today’s blog entry is to make you think about how you would handle a major PR crisis within your organization. Consider whether you need to create a list of individuals you might reach out to in a crisis such as an attorney, public relations firm, board members or other trusted advisors for guidance. If you have employees, you might want to review your policies, contracts and disciplinary procedures. No one ever intends to be faced with an unexpected crisis but being prepared and having a plan is smart especially in today’s world.
A Thanksgiving Message
The “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by early Americans to thank God for guiding them safely to the New World. The first feast lasted three days, providing enough food for 13 pilgrims and 90 Indians. Then in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving which has become a popular holiday in the United States.
Everyone has a holiday they enjoy the most. I personally love Thanksgiving for a number of reasons. With a college age son, the holiday means more because our family is reunited. His presence in the house makes me feel complete. With most of my extended family living outside of New York, it provides a chance to have other loved ones at our table. As a special event planner, it gives me the chance to create, cook and serve a delicious meal on a table adorned with my grandparent’s china and pink roses.
As a woman entrepreneur, it gives me an opportunity to be grateful for my work and the amazing women I represent, see and promote throughout the year. Just like Thanksgiving, event days are my favorite days because different women in various regions around the state gather around tables to share lessons with others. Just like at my own dining room table, the conversation is warm, inviting and supportive.
Today’s blog is to thank all the women who have been part of Women TIES this year. Whether you read our blog, attended an event or have been a member for a month or six years, your presence in this organization is something I appreciate. I hope you take time to thank the clients, vendors, staff and supportive women who have helped you and your business this year.
From my home to yours, I wish you a beautiful holiday. You will be remembered as I sit down and count my blessings. Thank you for living out the Women TIES mission and believing in the buying and selling power of women.
55 Days of Purchasing Power for Women
Did you know the number 55 is most associated with the average speed limit in the United States, the number of beads on a rosary and the number of gallons in an average size fish tank? It’s also the major route number in southern New Jersey and my son’s favorite basketball player’s number. But the significance of the number 55 today has everything to do with my intention for women entrepreneurs.
The statistics show in 2010, approximately 37.2% of Americans started holiday shopping by November 1st and last year’s U.S. holiday sales reached $447.1 billion dollars. In 2009, holiday sales represented 19.1% of total retail industry sales. These facts indicate there is a lot of money spent between November 1st and December 25th. In fact, the National Retail Federation considers the “holiday shopping” season to be the full months of November and December which is usually 55 days.
If you understand Women TIES brand, you know our number one mission is to encourage buying between women entrepreneurs locally, state-wide or regionally. With millions of dollars being exchanged between parties 55 days leading up to December 25th, it is the opportune time for women to purchase with purpose. No matter how much money you have allocated for holiday purchases, your dollars can directly impact your sister entrepreneurs.
Why place your money in Walmart’s multi-billion dollar pocket when you can put it in the pocketbook of a woman entrepreneur? Why eat at a national food chain when you can eat at a woman owned café? Don’t underestimate the immense power of your dollar.
We make spending choices every day. Sometimes we make them thoughtfully and sometimes not. We might purchase what we need depending on time, ease, familiarity or budget. For the most part we rush around and impulsively buy what we need when we see it. We don’t stop and think about the power of our purchase.
Today’s blog is to challenge you to consciously stop before you purchase anything from November 1st through December 25th and consider whether you could buy that item, service or gift certificate from a woman owned business. Like a diet, it might be hard to get use to at first, but if you start purchasing with purpose you can significantly impact the women entrepreneurs’ market for 55 days.
I strongly encourage you to commit to increasing your holiday gift buying with local, state or regional woman entrepreneurs this season. All of our November and December events will have extra shopping and buying opportunities and we have extra marketing incentives for our members. Please join me in making the billion dollar holiday shopping season, richer for women owned companies. We can do it if we purchase with purpose.
Women TIES 