Mary and I joke about writing a book someday on how to start up a business with nothing more than a dream and $200.00 bucks (or so). I guess we actually had a little more than that. . .we had a friendship that has lasted since highschool. That always helps. If you are going to have a business partner, knowing their strengths is one thing, knowing they have a hint of OCD and germaphobia is another. When Mary checks the back door to make sure it is locked 20 times, it does not surprise or shock or even bother me. Mary cannot have been my friend for (UGH!) twenty plus years without knowing that I have no sense of time and work in what might seem an unfocused manner.
We also had some luck on our side. Its weird how things aligned and fell into place just when we needed them to.
And I know I have mentioned a bazillion times how blessed we were (and are) with friends and family who truly helped make the whole thing possible.
So, with that said,here is an unedited version of Chapter One: What I Learned My First Month in Business:
1. Always listen to the advice of others, but do not always follow it. There are many naysayers, no brains, know it alls and nutjobs out there ready to tell you how things should be done. Weeding them out from the pearls of wisdom can be a daunting task. In the end, the business is yours, the decisions are yours . . . for better or worse.
2. Stick to your vision, but not when it is blinding you to other possibilities and ideas. Be willing to change, to learn, to alter your path. The advice of "go with your first thought" does not always apply here.
3. There is a fine line between being nice and being a total pushover. Learn when to be tough and stick to your guns. Having a consistent and clear game plan can help. In some areas of business, gray has no place--black and white are the colors of the day.
4. My husband told me after one particularly upsetting day that there are 10 jerks out there that you will meet on any given day--10 cheats, sneaks, liars, swindlers, bullies and fun-suckers--but that meeting one great person makes it all worthwhile. I agree with his general philosophy, but I think his ratios are skewed. I think there are 10 great people out there--10 honest, helpful, happy, supportive, friendly, giving, people who make that one jerk bearable.
5. Give thanks everyday--whether you had 2 customers or 200. Remember--you wanted this, dreamed this, created this--its yours--jerks and all.
Chapter Two: How to say "No" Even to Your "Helpful" Friends and Family
