All in a Day's Work...

Yesterday Rachel and I went to the BX on Base to peddle our wares. 

She was selling her Peruvian jewelry. 

We also set up Christian's organic, handmade soap and Hannah's beeswax candles. 

The kiosks were gorgeous; even had spotlights.  

And we could have asked for a cash register. 

This was better than "playing store" when my sister and I were little. 

We were really doing it in a real-live place of business. 

Yet it felt like we were playing. 

It really is a game. 

How professional can one act?  

How long does one have to "fake it til you make it?"  

Not long.  

Experience truly is the best teacher. 

The more you do it, meet the public and sell your wares, the easier it becomes. 

The day wasn't a hugely profitable day, but it was hugely profitable in a non-financial way. 

E-ship Club on Monday Night

Another great night at the E-ship CLub. 

Dan Stuenzi, a home school dad, entrepreneur for many years,  gave a great presentation on what it is like to be an entrepreneurs. 

SOme highlights from his talk: 

Things learned from past business ventures: 

~needs a profit 

~not fear rejection

~how to properly target customers

~under-promise/over-deliver

~the importance of capital

~importance of networking and reputation 

~how to "fail forward" 

~providing VALUE comes before reward 

WHat struck a chord with me was: 

"It's hard for entrepreneurs to work for someone else!" 

That is so true for me. 

One summer I taught summer classes and I was shocked the administrator was keeping their eye on me.  

WHy? 

Of course I am going to be doing what is right, I am a professional, aren't I? 

I will make good decisions, work hard, etc. 

Good stuff to recognize... 

Next month we have Frank Kumor as our guest speaker.  

HE is a long-time business owner from Olde Towne Bellevue and will speak on customer service and longevity of business. 

It Takes Time and Hard WOrk

Last night my 13 yo daughter and I stayed up way past midnight to finish her video project.

You see, Rachel has her own business and has had one since age 6.

Currently, her business is "Every Girlz Dream Jewelry Company."

What a cute and appropriate name.

She is definitely selling her passion.

For her 13th birthday she got her ears pierced (at a tattoo parlour(!) but, that's another story!) and since then she has been crazy about pierced earrings.

Her video project was the Import/Export Idea Challenge sponsored by the Entrepreneruship Forum.

She made her own Power Point Slides (easy to do I found out!) and showcased her website.

The content was relatively easy to put together; it was the technical side where we struggled.

IT turned out our video was not in the right format and we tried to convert it, to no avail.

We are not sure if her entry will count in the contest.

It may be a learning experience and an exercise in acquiring new skills.

I know our video is not professional and not the best job, but we got it done and learned from the project.

Plus, how many 13 yos import jewlery from Peru?

It is not about perfection, it is about doing it and getting it done!

Here is the URL on YouTube:

Buy the Big O! SHow

Tomorrow is a big day for the Omaha Simply Music Piano Teachers.

We have a booth at Buy the Big O! Show at the Qwest Center in Omaha with 400 other businesses.

It took a bit of convincing to spend the money on the booth (over $400.00), spend the money on the free giveaways (cute little piano post-it notes at $700.00) and schedule the personnel to cover the day.

The bottom line is if you want to be recognized, legitimized and acknowledged, you need to run with the Big Boys.

OK, so why would we say no to such a great networking opportunity?

1. $$$$

2. FEAR (Which is behind #1)

3. Lack of time (Which is really #2)

4. No experience (Which is really #2)

You get the picture?

FEAR is the #1 block to growth.

Tomorrow is going to be a growth-producing day for all involved.

The Omaha Simply Music Piano Teachers will not be the same because of putting aside their fears and saying "yes" to this fantastic opportunity.

What helps me is always thinking of the worst thing that could happen, deal with it and "Just Do It!"

I will keep you posted on the outcome of the Big O! Show...

Parents as Role Models

I believe parents are the role models in many areas, and especially in the areas of work and views about work.

I am currently preparing my presentations for the Entrepreneurship Educators' Conference in Austin, TX next month.

One of my presentations is on "Mom's E Boot Camp: Raising Entrepreneurially-minded Children."

THE number one factor I believe is: having parents who are supportive and take the time to help their children with their entrepreneurial endeavors.

IF the parental support and confidence is not there, it won't happen.

That's why we require the parents to attend our monthly E-ship Meeting.

Let your child dream, let your child experiment, but nothing is going to happen unless you are there helping and supporting.

Yes, it is another thing to add to your list, but it is SO WORTH IT!

Publicity

Families,

Think publicity vs. advertising.

IT will save you a ton of money, but also it will make you an expert in other peoples' eyes and you will gain a reputation faster than trying to do it on your own.

Our new (we've met one time) E-ship Club was featured in the Omaha World Herald on Saturday, the 11th. 

It was a complimentary article which led to another interview by an OWH reporter.  

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=3940&u_sid=10456256

Write press releases.  

Contact the local media. 

They're always looking for stories.  

Just try it, you might land one! 

Service Opportunities

Parents, 

It is important our children learn to serve others without expecting something in return. 

Yesterday four families helped at the Chamber office stuffing 6,000 goodie bags for a big trade show next week.  

All they received was a free lunch...of pizza!  and the adults received free electricity at our Big O! booth next week. 

We worked from 9:00 to 2:00 with a 30 minute lunch break.  

The children were hard workers and diligent with their tasks. 

The hands of the diligent will rule and all work is profit. 

It is good for them to serve others. 

Plus, it gave them a great view of office work and working downtown Omaha. 

Interesting... 

Let Them Experience IT!

Parents,  

Let your children experience their own business, selling to customers, being successful, being 

rejected, being in the red and being in the black. 

Let them work for their spending money. 

Let them go with their ideas. 

Let them spread their wings  a bit. 

Let them be encouraged and let them be discouraged by sales and by customers. 

Let them hear the truth from a customer. 

Let them experience consequences.  

Let them experience having a boss or supervisor. 

Let them learn how to organize their displays, supplies, inventory and order forms. 

Let them grow and develop as they were created to be.   

And most importantly of all...

May they grow in favor with GOD and man. 

Perfect love Casts out Fear

Fear paralyzes. 

No matter what situation you encounter in life, if you have fear, you will be paralyzed. 

If you are making a  business decision, wanting to grow, or start another company, if you have fear, you won't do it. 

Perfect love casts out fear. 

The only perfect love I know is from above. 

Use it. 

"I came to give you life and to give it more abundantly." 

Trust God to give you an abundant life. 

Leverage your TIME

Friends, 

Be sure to leverage your time. 

Meaning:  if you are going to have a paper route, why not walk a dog at the same time? 

Or if you are teaching one student a new skill, why not four or five at a time? 

OR if you are doing canvassing for one person, why not do it for two people? 

Today the children and I did just that...we hung door hangers for two different people. 

One person is running for City Council, and another wants to advertise her fitness classes. 

Why not kill two birds with one stone and halve the amount of work? 

Leverage, my friend! 

Your time is important. 

Candy Store of an 8 year old

If a child can add and subtract and talk to people, they are old enough for  a business. 

Our 8 year old daughter set up a candy store this week in my piano studio. 

She has sold $8.00 worth of product. 

She is organized, responsible, tracks her inventory, dresses well, and treats customers well. 

What a great learning experience. 

They could never get this experience playing  a entrepreneurship computer game or watching a tv show on how to start your own business. 

Let them go for it parents,  and take the time to help them get started.  

Once they have a taste of it, you'll be amazed at how motivated they are! 

And watch their business ideas grow! 

He who is faithful in little, is faithful in much!