It Took Me 30 years to Tell the Bullies “No”

Isn't it funny what you see when you look behind you.

Although I’m a total introvert, I don’t think anyone would accuse me of not sticking up for myself – at times I’m the lone dissenter in a conversation, which makes me uncomfortable, but when I’m sure of my opinion I try not to back down. However, this was not always the case.  It’s taken me [...]

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A Cautionary Tale of Eggs and Baskets

This ain't an Easter basket, kids.

Today I’m talking about eggs.  And baskets. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s Easter-time, but no, unfortunately – we’re talking about business eggs and baskets. (If you’ve got a chocolate bunny, though – I’m listening.) Eggs in One Basket Vs Eggs in Many Baskets First, I’d like to mention the old “should you have all [...]

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2 Million Pageviews Later, and Why It Doesn’t Matter

Tick Tock. Time's a Wastin'.

We live in a world where numbers provide us with internal and external validation. Salary figures = importance of job. Klout scores = supposed amount of online influence. % Unemployment = how well the economy is doing. Number of “top XXX” lists you’re on = how well YOU are doing. Figures, figures, figures – they’re [...]

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I Think You Should be More Controlling in 2012

A truly magical sunrise. That's Mount Rainier there on the right. A spot for reflection.

I’ve really been struggling with what to pen for my last blog post of the year here. I’m loving the annual review that Chris Guillebeau does every year, but I just went through some changing up of my biz, and continued upheaval personally, so not sure now is a good time for a review. I [...]

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The Problem with Paying for Advice

Paying for advice is a good thing – it’s a must for many entrepreneurs, because it gives you access to specialized knowledge that you might not otherwise get.  It can also open doors and help you move things along faster than if you were just plodding along. The problem with paid advice is sometimes it [...]

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Yes, Success IS a Spiral

spiral

For some reason, I picture a old monk, in flowing orange robes, stroking a long beard and gently laughing as I write this. Peter J. Smith, in his book called OnWard! (published in 2000) said that success is a spiral.  I keep proving to myself over and over again that he’s right. It’s Not Deja Vu [...]

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One Day at A Time

After much pondering and review, this week I’ll be rolling out some of the biggest changes to my biz since I started. (For the morbidly curious, yes, I’ll be blogging about it.)  It’s the result of what’s been a pretty momentous year, in both good and bad ways. A member of my family is worryingly sick. The [...]

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4 Things I Love and Learned From Chef Entrepreneurs

FYI, if you haven’t heard, I’m offering to help you with your end-of-year business planning. Click here to find out more before I’m sold out! Out of all the categories of entrepreneurs, I think the restaurateurs and food truck owners are the ones I’ve been the most intrigued with lately.  Food businesses are so difficult to get right, [...]

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8 Questions to Ask Your Business Before Next Year

FYI, if the idea of a end-of-year check in totally stresses you out, then you might want to have a look at this.  It’s important. Businesses run in seasons, and you – like me – will probably take some time at the end of the year to reflect. Actually, the reality is that you should take [...]

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Does Marketing have to be Manipulative?

Last week I was having an interesting Twitter DM conversation with my friend Sarah (who, due her employment circumstances has asked I not link to her).  Our conversation, paraphrased: Sarah: Ugh. I’m having a terrible time with this new marketing campaign I need to setup for my boss. Me:  Why, what’s wrong? Can I help? [...]

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