Starting a business is fun. I've done it before. Successfully. Only, I had a partner. My mother. This time I am on my own and though it is fun, I realize that that I owe the success of building clientele in previous ventures all to my mom. She was a fantastic sales woman. I say was because we lost our mom last Fall. Boy she could sell. In fact, she's probably selling halos to angels as we speak. Somehow that gene skipped me. I have had exactly two clients. And both approached me. I actually made myself go out into the field to pass out and collect business cards...once...and was so terrified that I had to create an acting scene to make myself do it. And this is where the challenge lies.
So what to do? Give up. Get a "real job" and forget my dream? Well, I absolutely did consider that. And then I thought of my mom. She would be so darn proud of me right now. In fact, I am sure that she is. She would tell me to hold on to that dream no matter what. She always wanted me to find the sort of happiness that only comes from following your dreams. She would insist that I not give up. Then she would tell me that I truly am a gifted sales woman and I would at that point shut down because I know that is not the case. Then I would think all the things daughters start thinking at this point.
She's patronizing me. It's just so easy for her. She thinks she's so much better than me. Why can't she believe that I am not NOT a good sales woman? She always has to be right. Well, she's wrong! And why is she looking at my belly? SHE THINKS I'M FAT! WHY IS SHE CALLING ME FAT?!
Etc., etc., etc!
And it all goes downhill from there. Until I stop and get a hold of my thoughts and remind myself that my ma did not say all those things, nor does she think them. Maybe, just maybe, she actually sees something in me that I never did before. Maybe it's time for me to look harder. I do know this: my mom had a ton of sales training at an early age with Tupperware and then later in life with different careers. Me, nadda! zip! zilch! And that's when it hit me. Maybe I just need training. Not to become one of those pushy, obnoxious sales people, but to learn how to organize my services and present them to those of you who would greatly benefit from them. So I've been studying; reading books like Negotiation Bootcamp, by Ed Brodow, watching webinars by the likes of Brendon Burchard, finishing a 30 day push goal challenge hosted by Chalene Johnson, and I also just signed up with Toastmasters at the Naval Postgraduate School and wow they are tough! I have also interviewed successful marketing gurus like local, Rebecca Riddell, from Riddell and Riddell Advertising .
Rebecca is brilliant! She sat me down and gave me some very good advice, "Here's what I want you to do," she began. "I want you to sit down for two to four hours every day and work out the details of your business. Ask yourself the 5 W's, who, what, where, when, why? Ask yourself how your business benefits you, your family, the community and even the world." Here, when I am usually just worn out by thoughts of I just can't do this!, I am actually squirming on the edge of my seat. Finally! Someone is telling me not just what to do but how to do it.
She went on with more suggestions and then patiently answered my worries with simple solutions and advised me to, "lift the picture of your business to the sky. When you have a question, raise your arms upwards to that picture to find the answer (that's what I do). Work your way down, not up..." Okay, here it got a little trickier but I got it! I understood what she meant because she had already laid the foundation with simple actions steps and concrete questions that would (and have) lead me to answers and more actions steps. I don't know if I can "sell" but I do know I can take definitive action steps that will make the process enjoyable, meaningful, and a great value to my clients. I am truly grateful to Rebecca!!!
So Mom, I guess you are right. You always saw what I never did. I only lacked confidence and know-how and those, those, I can develop easily by asking the right questions and taking the proper steps. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and even found it helpful.
"If we all practiced manners and civility, what would we then have left to war over?" ~Carrie Glenn
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Thank you for visiting my blog and have a fabulous day!
~Signing off...
