I am a lifelong entrepreneur and I love the challenges and opportunities presented by operating a small business enterprise.
Today, I am honored to manage an amazing resource for small businesses in Orlando, Florida, called the Disney Entrepreneur Center. I love my job!
This blog is an outlet to share my thoughts, ideas, and perspectives on small business with you. Please feel free to comment, add your perspectives, or just drop in occasionally for some food for thought.
I have worked for the largest business in the world (AT&T) and the smallest (my own), but I don't have all the answers! I do have lots of opinions, questions and ideas to ponder...so I hope you come back often to enjoy the journey into the mind of a serial entrepreneur!
Sick Day
(General)
Wednesday, August 20. 2008
Today, I am under the weather. As I switched on the TV, I heard a news story about legislation in Congress to force small businesses to offer 7 paid sick days each year to every employee. Even feeling as poorly as I do right now, I was able to scream at the newscaster on TV.
Now before you scream at me, I realize that at this very moment, I am taking a paid sick day and this might sound a little hypocritical! I understand that my employer is paying for me to sit home and recover today and that I won’t be reprimanded for being ill. I also know this is a benefit of my employment...
Fay
(General)
Wednesday, August 20. 2008
Fay
Tropical Storm Fay wandered through Central Florida yesterday and as I help Julie prepare our center for the potential emergency, I had visions of the 2003 hurricane season where we had multiple destructive tornadoes hit our region. At the time, I was a marketing counselor in the UCF Small Business Development Center. We were assisting many clients who had had their businesses destroyed and were struggling to put things back together. At the same time, we were helping businesses that were suddenly in great demand. (tree trimming, roofers)
Fay did not produce such devastating...
Sorry Seems To Be...
(General)
Sunday, August 17. 2008
Elton John penned a song entitled, “Sorry seems to be the hardest word” back in my youth. (hey, don’t go there!) That song came rushing back recently, as I heard several folks relating their encounters with poor customer service.
In each case the customer had obviously been wronged, and yet responded calmly and were very understanding about the situation. All they wanted was a simple apology. They didn’t throw a fit, ask for discounts, or demand to see the boss; they understood that accidents can happen.
What was interesting about each of these situations was...
Olympics
(General)
Sunday, August 17. 2008
I love to watch the Olympics! There is something so awe-inspiring about the dedication, persistence and performance of all of those athletes. Whether it is fencing, ping-pong or beach volley ball, I find myself glued to each event, cheering for people I don’t even know, from countries that I couldn’t locate on a map.
I am so proud of the U.S. team and the phenomenal performances of Michael Phelps, however, I have tremendous respect and admiration for any participant that has gone through the grueling process of qualifying to be there to compete. Even the person who finishes...
Regional Cooperation
(General)
Sunday, July 13. 2008
I am reading a book that was recommended by Dr. Cameron Ford of UCF, and was given to me by Central Florida Partnership President Jacob Stuart. It is a fascinating book about the myths surrounding entrepreneurship. The research is extensive and provides some unique perspectives on entrepreneurship that may surprise you. I am not finished with the book yet, however, I am very encouraged that leaders of our business community are not only reading the latest research on entrepreneurship, but are also willing to share it with each other! That is the cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork...