I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Learning to Fly
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I was planning to write one of those typical messages about getting back into a business mindset now that Labor Day is in the rearview and we’re heading into the busiest time of year for many of us. But, when I sit down to write, I don’t feel the usual back-to-school energy that’s typical for me during the first week of September. Instead, I’m reflecting on my mixed bag of a summer and wishing it weren’t, in everything but name, over. I had such momentum coming into the season and then life kind of sidelined me. My mom got sick, needed surgery, got better, and then worse again with a new issue. All told, I probably spent less than a month of summer in my own home and less than that able to focus on my own things. Many of the goals I set for myself back in May are still just that, goals, with very little headway achieved. But then, I think about something that happened, which probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been caring for my mom and gone so much of the time. Pigeons built a nest in the shadow of my lounge chair on my terrace. Each time I came home in June, I tracked the progress of the eggs and am grateful I was there in July to witness first one then the other squab hatch. For the next several weeks, the babies grow bigger and braver, exploring more of my terrace. They learn to hop onto surfaces and then onto my railing. One day early in August, I watch the larger, older squab take flight. The littler squab takes longer to test its wings. It flaps about but doesn’t leave the safety of its perch. It cries and coos and hops around seemingly working up its nerve. Then, one day, without ceremony or complaint with a big stretch of its wings it flies away, too. This is life, I think. Amazing! Sometimes we’re like the first-born pigeon, we spread our wings and fly without hesitation, without setback. Things feel easy and natural. We are unstoppable. If you're feeling like this, yay you! Sometimes, however, we need time and courage to propel us forward, to push us from survival mode to flying high and thriving. If you can relate, feel free to reach out to me for a sympathetic ear and some support. Until next time, PS - If you missed it, last week I cried Help! I Need Somebody. Your success is our strategy!No longer want to receive my newsletter but don't want to miss my special offers and announcements? Click here. |
Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Hi Reader, This fall my mom was diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia. While sad, it did not come as a surprise. It's one reason I sold her house and we moved in together late last summer. At first, I planned outings to the Y and other senior programs, scheduled visits from family and friends, coordinated physical therapy appointments, and designed little daily activities to keep her engaged and stimulated. This winter it's gotten harder and harder to get mom out of bed let alone dressed...
Honestly, I was going to writing about something else for my first missive of the new year, but I don’t want to add my voice to those trying to normalize what is not normal. I don’t know about you, but it’s very hard to shut out what’s going on and focus on my to-do list these days. Especially, when every item seems trite and pointless against the much larger issues hitting the news feeds multiple times a day. It’s more than a lot. It’s way too much. So today my message is simple: Take care...
Right now, there's a consumer 'blackout' movement afoot to, basically, stop buying stuff for the entirety of the Black Friday weekend from corporations. This isn't just happening in the USA, but also in Canada, as a way to protest the current economic climate and policies that are making the wealthy wealthier and squeezing every penny out of the rest of us. Don't forget, there's still active consumer protests against Target, Home Depot, and Amazon, among others, as well. In other words, it...