Now or Never

Life can be so interesting sometimes. With everything that has transpired in the past several months, I'm getting ready to do something I never thought I'd do at this stage in my life.

I'm going back to school.

When I was younger, my parents owned a little fast-food joint in the small town where we grew up. That entrepreneurial bug bit me back then (even though I never wanted to work in the food industry again) and has always been there in the back of my mind since - nagging away like a bitter old woman.

So I'm going back to school to garner some additional skills and open my own business.

With my many years in the banking and finance industry, I've gained a wealth of knowledge and skills that will translate to any industry - leadership, management, financing, tangible equity, spreadsheets, P&L's, and (my favorite) employee development. Many people go into business very knowledgeable in their field but without these basic elements of finance and management to help them succeed. This is a death knell for any small business owner.

So many new business owners only look at the income without focusing needed attention on the bottom line. They pull the equity out of their business for their personal needs without leaving that necessary element in the business to build it for the future. They think once they start their business that they'll become wealthy and can relax and live a life of leisure while the peons take care of running the business. Wrong-o!

Being a small business owner means you are the first one in and the last to leave - plus you take it home and work on it every single night. You're constantly researching to stay ahead of the curve and keep up with the latest industry trends. People have short attention spans and you must keep finding inventive ways to make them come back for more. Ownership is not an 8-5, 40 hours a week event. It is a marriage, 24-7.

I remember how my mom would open the restaurant and my dad would close it (after he got in from his teaching job). My mom was a teacher at one time too but they quickly learned that they had to have someone onsite at all times, so Mom gave up her position to focus on the business. Even after closing, they'd count up the money and do the books during the late-night newscast. Anytime we tried taking a vacation, ultimately we'd end up cutting it short and rushing home because of some emergency or mechanical failure.

One time we were in Florida for a long-term family vacation, the first we'd taken in many years so far from home. My dad ended up having to fly back home to take care of a massive mechanical failure and then fly back to Florida for the drive home. The potential income lost was greater than the expense of a last minute ticket.

So here I find myself, on the threshold of headaches, heartburn, and pocketbook failure potential. But if I don't do this now I may never have said opportunity again. Reward never comes without a measure of risk.

Mom's taught me that.

Going Mental

Taking Saturday for a mental health day must have been a good thing. A really good thing.

I have a job interview.

Yes, even though the pickings are slim I've received another call for an interview. This is with a firm here in my hometown that is growth minded and yet still a small enough institution in which to have some influence and just plain fun.

After all, I love to be a part of making things happen.

Which is part of the issue in dealing with the big boys. Don't get me wrong - each player has it's piece in the puzzle. But for me, I prefer to be able to immerse myself up to my waist and slog it out with the best of the forward thinkers.

Which is probably why I love watching Deadliest Catch. I'd go out on a crab boat anyday if ever given the chance. Probably puke my guts up and be scared half out of my mind, but hey - what an adventure in which to do it. If you're going to die, why not go out in such a setting?

But getting back to the daily dose - I'm just really excited about the possibilities of being a part of such an institution. Whether I personally make a mark or assist in someone else being able to make theirs, slogging it out with the best is what makes it all worthwhile. All I want is a chance to prove myself.

And I still want to go crab fishing in the Bering Sea someday. Yeah, I know - then I'll really be mental.

This Too Shall Pass

Over the last several weeks I've been asked by a few people how I'm holding up with the job situation, considering the finance industry has been pretty hard hit. To my close friends, I have my moments. But to the rest of the world it is important to me to not just put on a brave face but to really exude my usual upbeat demeanor.

After all, it isn't the end of the world...YET.

Barring my almost month-long bout with an ear infection, I've really tried to keep up on the exercise. After getting my son off to school, I sit down at the computer and work on a few job-related items. By 9:30 or 10:00 I'm on the treadmill and watching a rerun of TLC's "What Not To Wear". Then I'll pop in for a refreshing shower or swim in my big tub and try to pamper myself a tad. A quick sandwich and then it is off to run an errand.

I usually try to space my errands out so that I have a purpose for getting out of the house most every day. Run into town to the bank one day - get catfood the next. On a nice day I'll go for a quick walk in the sunshine to liven things up and energize the body. Sunshine is good for the soul.

Occasionally I'll meet a couple of friends for a bite out. Oh how I have appreciated their hospitality these last few months! There's been times it was the only thing keeping me sane.

So I also realized it was important to keep up with my friends. I try to talk to friends and family on the phone a few times a week (rotating, of course, not the same ones every time). This, I have found, has been very helpful to my sanity and in keeping the walls from closing in.

For the most part I've been able to keep a positive outlook without allowing my occasional fears to overwhelm. Yes, I'll have my moments with a close friend but that's what friends are for. We're there for each other.

And that's probably the most important thing that keeps me going.

Eventually the job that fits well for both sides will pan out and I'll look back on this time as a wonderful learning experience and a great time to have had opportunity to slow down and reconnect with those things that are most important.

Yes, this too shall pass.

The Object of Desire

Well I ended up not getting any writing done today.

Ended up spending a little time with my salon friend. She's getting the remake completed and really wants to work with me on marketing and employee development. Met her new business partner, who is really sweet and a people person.

I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do for them.

Also spent time this afternoon working on finding a real estate agent and looking up property tax information on some homes we're going to be perusing. My parents are coming back up next weekend and we're going to do a few run-throughs on about eight to ten houses in the area.

It's going to be alot of fun for me, probably a little stressful for my dad. But I think he'll like the agent I found. My dad is no-nonsense when he's considering property. He's not interested in salesmanship, just someone who can let him look and give him time to make decisions then wrap up the details with a nice bow at closing.

He's going to be impressed with this agent. I had a wonderful conversation with him this evening and think he'll be just the perfect match.

You know, it's so nice being needed and wanted.

This job prospecting has been rather frustrating. Since the industry is so depressed at the moment, there's almost no activity happening in my area of specialty. But I'm a quick study and can always take my specialty and translate it into something else.

I think the other problem is that the finance industry probably doesn't want to pay the salary I previously earned. It's not the salary I want, it's the opportunity! I'm more than willing to take a cut just to get in the door and show someone the value I can bring to their organization.

However, I do not want to get back into the big corporate lifestyle, but I do want to work. Which is why this freelancing stuff just might be my ticket. I've even got an online publication that wants me to write articles for small businesses. Little money, but good publicity potential, eh? Hard work getting things off the ground, but hey! I'm a single mother.

Hard work is my middle name. It isn't for cowards either. Neither is freelancing.

Which is why I might make it.