As I lurch myself over this daunting cliff called business ownership, I have learned a few things. Not all good and not all bad.
Today, however, I may have learned my biggest lesson so far.
Today, however, I may have learned my biggest lesson so far.
I woke up to a phone call about cancelling my afternoon meetings. Not a big deal for most people, but when you work alone, from home, getting out of the house is essential. Especially when you believe the dog has started communicating with you via her thoughts and head tilts.
I did have one appointment I had to keep: a meeting to review my portfolio with a mentor, collaborator, and all around good human; Don-E Coady.
Yes, I also think the way he spells his name is silly. In fact, I think Don-E is generally a bit silly; always making noises and jumping out of his skin, throwing around ideas like a four year old with ADD.
But that’s part of the excitement of spending time with Don-E. Cause you know 99 per cent of those ideas will be amazing with the right execution. And honestly, anyone who has worked with me can testify, I can be just as bad for physically displaying my excitement over a new project or idea.
Either way, I wandered down to Bates Hill and sat in the little boardroom with my little orange book on my laptop, which made me feel like a kid griping my finger painting, looking for praise from a kindergarten teacher.
Don-E gave praise – because he knew that’s what I needed (bless you). But we barely talked about the work I’ve been gathering. Instead, we talked about the realities of being in business in this town. How it’s a small circle and tough to make a go of it. We talked about the peaks and valleys, and most of all strategy, which hit me like a brick in the head.
We didn’t much discuss the fact that I need to create a strategy for my own business (which I do), but how I love to create plans and strategies for other peoples’ businesses and how my current clients love that my work, makes their work easier.
That’s my highest compliment so far in this wacky world outside the 9-5.
That with my help, these small business owners feel they can do anything. I take it as a compliment because that’s the feeling they had when they first started their business.
The tough part for small business comes in the executing, and realizing you can’t do it all, and the difficulty of finding that person who can see all the balls in the air just above your head. I’m that person making sure the juggling is purposeful; making sure those balls never hit the ground.
Recognizing that my work can help someone else get that incredible feeling of ownership back, that’s the purpose I want to fill.
I did have one appointment I had to keep: a meeting to review my portfolio with a mentor, collaborator, and all around good human; Don-E Coady.
Yes, I also think the way he spells his name is silly. In fact, I think Don-E is generally a bit silly; always making noises and jumping out of his skin, throwing around ideas like a four year old with ADD.
But that’s part of the excitement of spending time with Don-E. Cause you know 99 per cent of those ideas will be amazing with the right execution. And honestly, anyone who has worked with me can testify, I can be just as bad for physically displaying my excitement over a new project or idea.
Either way, I wandered down to Bates Hill and sat in the little boardroom with my little orange book on my laptop, which made me feel like a kid griping my finger painting, looking for praise from a kindergarten teacher.
Don-E gave praise – because he knew that’s what I needed (bless you). But we barely talked about the work I’ve been gathering. Instead, we talked about the realities of being in business in this town. How it’s a small circle and tough to make a go of it. We talked about the peaks and valleys, and most of all strategy, which hit me like a brick in the head.
We didn’t much discuss the fact that I need to create a strategy for my own business (which I do), but how I love to create plans and strategies for other peoples’ businesses and how my current clients love that my work, makes their work easier.
That’s my highest compliment so far in this wacky world outside the 9-5.
That with my help, these small business owners feel they can do anything. I take it as a compliment because that’s the feeling they had when they first started their business.
The tough part for small business comes in the executing, and realizing you can’t do it all, and the difficulty of finding that person who can see all the balls in the air just above your head. I’m that person making sure the juggling is purposeful; making sure those balls never hit the ground.
Recognizing that my work can help someone else get that incredible feeling of ownership back, that’s the purpose I want to fill.