Manly Mentors

Never disregard what you read and hear about the importance of a good mentor. It hasn't taken me long to realize that having a good solid mentor you trust (and in my case love!) with your business and your decisions will make all the difference in how you approach your start-up. My husband is my mentor and has been a phenominal sounding board as well as an excellent resource for advice on many facets of the business realm I simply would not have been able to grasp without him. He is brilliant, hard-working, practical and kind and all of these things even out my sporadic creativity that causes me to be here-there-everywhere and back again without a moments notice. I have had to catch myself many times from letting negative and doubting thoughts tip-toe into my mind once my brain storm has subsided for the day. Having a mentor to encourage and support me has made all of the difference in how I see my business and the ideas that I might not have loved or even liked otherwise. My passion is strong, my ideas are good and my drive is excellent. I will succeed because even if I should somehow fail to believe in myself (which we know cannot happen ;) ) my mentor will be there to pick up the belief I've cast to the ground, dust it off and say "you've got what it takes, lets move forward."

What to name the baby?

Today proved relatively successful as far as the boutique is concerned. I spent some time researching wholesalers and found some excellent products that I will be excited to sell once my business is up and running. I always semi-decided on a name and made some very rough sketches of what the logo might look like. So far so good I say all except for the nasty little voice that keeps creeping up on my confidence whenever I feel stumped on what my next move is. There are days I feel like I'm moving about as quick as molasses in winter, but those days seem far off when my head is a whirlwind of ideas and creativity. I'd say in the end the good and bad balance out and I'm left with something that I'm told is often referred to as "balance". That word just makes you want to say "ah" doesn't it? All I know is when I hear it I think of a hot bath filled bubbling over with sandelwood soap suds that sparkle with the reflection of the candlelight. Wow! That sounds so good I think that could be the perfect way to end such a brain busting day! Cheers!

After working many different jobs that have left me about as excited as a snowman at the first sign of Spring, I have made the decision to start my own online boutique! I am confident in my decision to work for myself, but I will admit I have some reservations due to the fact that this is a new venture and being human I am prone to fear of the unknown. This decision is only in it's very initial stages of development which becomes painfully obvious when you consider I don't even know the name of the business, or what exactly my "niche" is. So far what I do know is no matter how scared I may be at this jumping off point, it can never scare me as much as having the life sucked out of me like working for "the man" does! I am ready to start formulating a plan and so far have spent the past few weeks at the library researching and simply jotting down any idea that comes to mind. I am seeking advice from those of you who are already "Intrapraneurs" and can offer me any info on what it is really like to work for yourself and what has helped you on your road to launching your dream.