TALKING TO STRANGERS

A homemade bookmark turned out to be an artist's business card, so I ended up on Annie Clavel's website. Her digital watercolors on yupo paper muse on consciousness, dreaming, and mathematics. Her Glances of Women body of work touched me as I seek connection, self-care, and gratitude. 

What drives you? What first three words do you see?


I See You

Women typically act as the financial conscience of the family. We scrimp and save, then dig deep for the unexpected emergencies and baby shower gifts. Is it no wonder that necessity is the mother of invention? Is this why we sign up for Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University? Is this why Elizabeth Warren teaches the 50-30-20 budget rule? Is this why we rely on the grace of God and additional smart work to even afford an annual vacation? Is this why women choose to create additional income from their home-based businesses? Or alternatively, like artist Annie Clavel, utilize her talents and set up her own shop?

Professional Development

In his Permission Marketing book, Seth Godin encourages we turn strangers into friends and friends into customers. Communication is essential to passing a message then becoming effective entrepreneurs. The skills include listening, being transparent and authentic, receiving feedback, and asking follow-up questions. Leadership and providing support are also key for women to become entrepreneurs. 

A Toastmasters International local club offers a safe place to develop our own communication and leadership styles. My favorite comedian Tina Fey suggests when someone invites you (to a local club Open House event), just say yes.


Dare you challenge yourself and become Bossypants? There is no lock-step method to someday leaving a legacy--- just smart, proven avenues to building towards recession-proof incomes each day. 

Full Circle

The thing is paradox lies between the polypropylene material Annie uses in her art to my plastic-reducing sensibility.  Supporting an artist that uses recyclable materials, however, does make me respect her effort. I must, I must, start saving for one of her pieces.

More affordable and closer to home, here's kudos to A Keen Impression Cake Studio run by April Joy Koteh. She uses her fine arts background, her Professional Baking diploma, and her boundless energy to create show-stopping cakes for special occasions. 

I expend a similar effort when I contact acquaintances to share a money-saving, shopping concept. When open, I help them rethink the use of an online platform to buy American-made products. It may be unusual and elicit skepticism at first, but I enjoy sharing a collective vision to survive this economy.

Comments

  1. Regina FernandezNovember 24, 2020 at 1:31 PM

    Small Business Saturday was first hosted by American Express in 2010 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 27, 2020 at 7:53 PM

      The 3 words I found first were Alignment, Strength, and Family. Wow!

      Delete
    2. Regina FernandezNovember 30, 2020 at 8:41 PM

      Those have to be your focus that you spotted them quickly. What to do for alignment, hmmmm

      Delete
  2. UnknownNovember 27, 2020 at 7:00 PM

    You're blog is inspirational and thought-provoking. It makes me want to "do" something and get out of my comfort zone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Regina FernandezMarch 21, 2021 at 1:16 AM

      I cannot recall whose quote this is: "A mind, like an umbrella, only works when it is open." I can share a collective vision with you.

      Delete

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