Just keep swimming…

My first paid job was sitting pool side as an attendant. I sat for hours waiting for members of a very exclusive club on the East Side of Manhattan to come in, spend some time swimming, then go back to their busy, fast-paced lives. I would give them an all importnat towel and show them … Continue reading Just keep swimming…

Middle Management Muddling

I spoke with a prospective client this week whose group will be launching his business in a week. The situation they are in reminds me of when I started in business in 1993 - three or four months in, one of my employees (who was 18 at the time) said, "Don't you have things to … Continue reading Middle Management Muddling

#BeResilient

Inspiring voices showing resilient spirits! During past year, I have been on many different journeys - connecting with more and more people both personally and professionally, building on my business projects and reaching more people who would like to be phenomenal message makers. But one of the journeys I began last year was a program … Continue reading #BeResilient

The Power of Managing

As Gifford Thomas wrote on the Leadership First blog, "some people think a leader should have a complete set of skills, characteristics, and abilities to handle any problem, challenge, or opportunity that comes along. This myth of the "complete leader" can cause stress and frustration for leaders and their teams." As a small business owner, … Continue reading The Power of Managing

Brand v.s Marketing v.s. Advertising

Stuff they may not have told you when you started in business... In TheHartford.com's Business Playbook, the difference between the three is this: advertising can enhance brand awareness, while branding drives the style and direction of advertising campaigns. Marketing can manage brand accountability and shore up a brand's reputation, in addition to promoting ad campaigns. Advertising is the part of marketing that focuses on acquiring customers or clients and what … Continue reading Brand v.s Marketing v.s. Advertising

Lonely at the top

You know what they say, "It's lonely at the top". Doesn't have to be... I always wanted to be in business. As a child, I would play "Restaurant" and "Supermarket" with my cousin - down to making checks and menus. When my parents added a dog to our household, I became fascinated with the vet, … Continue reading Lonely at the top

Unprecedented.

Honestly, I don't want to hear that word anymore. New Year's Eve is a day/night that I grew to despise when we had our TFL Party Planners store. We worked all year and ran to a million places to decorate and coordinate. But New Year's Eve seemed to cram a month's worth of work into … Continue reading Unprecedented.

Speak up… for your own sake!

When I was a kid (and in a move in today's world, would have prompted a call to the child welfare agency), I had my mouth taped shut by an adult cousin of mine. Now, before you get all bent out of shape about the horrible nature of this act, I will tell you this … Continue reading Speak up… for your own sake!

Business 101: You are NOT Peanut Butter

Here's a sticky subject… "I got it." "Why bother letting so-and-so do it? I'll only wind up doing it over again myself." "Just give it to me - I'll do it." And here's my favorite… "I have to do everything!" How many times have you heard these lines? How many times have you said them … Continue reading Business 101: You are NOT Peanut Butter

Are you a Firestarter?

Getting things done - making a plan and checking off those boxes. Up level and be unstoppable! Are you one of those people that gets things done before others around even get started moving? As a business owner, being comfortable with how you feel about money - understanding your value and being confident in the … Continue reading Are you a Firestarter?