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!
"tough Times Don't Last, Tough People Do!
(General)
Friday, July 31. 2009
I first heard those words almost 30 years ago on a tape where Robert Schuller was speaking to a crowd of disheartened folks who were dealing with the economic difficulties of the early1980’s. Unemployment was over 10%, inflation was rising, and interest rates were approaching 20%. Times were tough and people were hurting; sound familiar?
Almost every small business I speak to today is hurting. Many businesses are barely hanging on, some are already gone, and many folks are out of work just hoping that things will improve soon. With each new day comes news of more troubling...
Tip That Man!
(General)
Wednesday, July 22. 2009
I just returned from a wonderful weekend getaway and while I always enjoy a little R&R, I am always observing how business is done in different places. Such was the case last weekend as I repeatedly took a hotel shuttle into the city. The shuttle carried 15 passengers, ran on time, and was pretty mundane, until Ken got in the drivers seat!
Most of the drivers were polite, and performed their duties professionally. They greeted the passengers, drove safely, and assisted each on exit from the van. But as I approached the van on my last day, I knew things were going to be different....
Brand Rude?
(General)
Saturday, June 13. 2009
Companies spend countless hours and significant money in developing a brand and a brand strategy. Some brands convey quality, (Mercedes) cool, (Apple) fun, (Disney) or strength (MicroSoft). A brand is built to convey a specific message to a target market and can contribute significantly to the success of a company’s marketing effort. Do you know what your brand says? Have you spent any time developing a vision of how you could transmit your message through your letterhead, your business cards, your office decor, or how you answer the phone? Good branding does not happen...
My $40 Tomato
(General)
Thursday, June 04. 2009
I need to admit up front that I do watch infomercials. Not all the time, but occasionally there is a must-have product that captivates me and I find myself on the phone with an operator as times is running out, begging them to take my money and focus all their efforts on getting my “limited time”, “not sold in any store” wonder product into my hands as fast as the Fed EX truck can drive.
With that disclosure, I need to share my latest experience. I love a vine-ripened, just picked, deep red tomato. I can eat tomato slices, stewed tomatoes, bacon lettuce and tomato, tomato soup,...
Screech-n-dent
(General)
Thursday, June 04. 2009
I know a little about advertising, not a lot, but enough to make me dangerous, as they say. However there is an advertising phenomenon that I just can’t explain and maybe you can help me out. There is a style of ad that is running on local TV and radio that must be working (or they would not continue to pay for the time to run them) but when they come on… I will run like the wind, jump small children and pounce like a puma on the TV remote to change the channel. I can’t stand them even for an instant.
The ads are for Scratch n Dent World (or Appliance Direct) and Leigh screams...