Blogs

The life of an entrepreneur is never dull, especially for an entrepreneur looking to make the transition from self-employed back to full-time employment. That would be me. If I’ve piqued your interest, read on about what’s been going on with me personally and professionally over the last few months. CAREER & WORK Hard to believe…

I am often surprised when I hear people grumbling how they didn’t get something they wanted, only to find out from them later that they never really asked for it. “I built this new Web site and all I really wanted was for people to contact me for a free consult.” (Well, did you actually…

As an entrepreneur and someone who has had the privilege of being picked “last,” I have learned how to fend for myself, how to pick myself up, and how to be my own cheerleader. These “survival” skills were invaluable to me as I grew Vizion Products, Crimson Design and Development, and Barrel O’Monkeyz from start-ups…

Did someone change the dictionary and not bother to tell me? Methinks so, because “success” seems to have become a four-letter word overnight. When I was growing up (you know, back in the day when we had to walk 20 miles to school, uphill both ways), success was something to be admired, something to strive…

Each New Year brings mystery, uncertainty, anticipation, excitement, and even nostalgia for what has come and gone. You name it. The switching of the calendar from December to January is a literal grab bag of emotions. How did 2012 treat you? Was it a good year for you personally, professionally, or just sort of ho-hum?…

The Holidays are fast approaching and the season of giving is upon us. It’s also a time for service and reflection. Last year around this time, I wrote a Blog about the “art” of serving and honoring others, which seems an especially fitting theme again this year. My wish is that we could all serve…

Yesterday I read that a survey found 45% of Americans across all income levels would rather skip “Christmas” because the holiday season simply brings too much financial pressure. Many blamed retailers for over commercializing the holiday to the point where consumers have to go into debt just to keep up with “The Joneses”! That’s just…

Sometimes we’re just doomed to have a bad day. For most of us, we can simply slide by under the radar until things start looking up again. For others, especially those on bigger stages (presidential debates, anyone?), it’s not so easy to lay low. But being dealt lemons rather than sweet oranges doesn’t have to…

How you behave is important. It sets the tone for how others perceive you—what they expect, whether they can depend on you, whether they can see you filling a certain role (be it as an employee, significant other, parent, teacher, or some other position of responsibility). How you behave supersedes everything else about you. It’s…

The key to jumpstarting our sluggish economy isn’t to bury the competition. The key is to recognize there’s enough business and opportunity to go around for everyone. We just need to create it. And once everyone gets involved in the recovery and has a stake in the outcome, we all win—us, our competitors, customers, and…

With kids back in public school, college campuses refilled, national and local elections looming, and the economy still stuck in the doldrums, wouldn’t it be great to fast forward a few weeks, months, or years and see how it all turns out? Maybe, but what would be the fun in that? We gain strength as…

Summer’s end and the sight of busses bringing young one’s back to school often makes me reflective. Summer comes upon us each year with much promise, and seldom do we squeeze in all we hope to get done. But does that mean we had a bad summer? Hardly. I’m a believer in aiming high, thinking…