Excuse Me

One more post about our experiences at the inaugural events. We attended the Illinois State Society Ball on Monday, which apparently was quite a disappointment to many who paid upwards of $300 for a ticket. The venue was the Renaissance Hotel. There was no apparent program or schedule of events, and the conference rooms were "sponsored" by various IL-based companies and organizations. We spent quite a bit of time in the room sponsored by Cruzan and sampled their mojitos, but ultimately the event was a big house party. No politics involved, which was a bit strange for a politics-driven event.

At this event I was also reminded that although people put on nice clothes, it doesn't change personas. Ugly is still ugly. I walked past a woman who was on her way to the dance floor with her partner. She had a glass of wine in her hand, and when she bumped into me she spilled her drink down the back of my dress, dropped her glass on me....and never broke stride. No apologies. She didn't even look back. Everyone around me stood in disbelief. My wonderful friend dabbed at my behind in an attempt to minimize the damage. My first impulse was to walk out onto the dance floor and throw my glass of ice on her (I made sure that I drank the rest of my mojito - no need to waste it) - but I restrained myself and held my head high as I prayed that my dress would dry quickly.

I imagined what the outcome would have been if I had acted on my initial impulse - and none of those scenarios would have made me look good. Some would have cheered my actions, but most (who did not witness what this self-absorbed woman had done) would have perceived me as crazy, rude and every other negative word that would have dampened the atmosphere of the event. But you can't help feeling tired of being "spilled on" and turning the other cheek. Just once it would be nice to just be bad.

It takes such strength to NOT act on impulse - to take a moment, evaluate the consequences and make decisions.

Thankfully my dress dried without a spot and I wore it again to the Peace Ball the next evening - which was a very well put together event. It was hosted by Dick Gregory and Harry Belafonte, and the other speakers and performers were inspiring. Considering that attending the event was an unscheduled surprise, the "peace" theme was quite fitting after what had happened.

I do have one vindictive thought - I hope that woman woke up with one hell of a hangover.

Great Balls!

We returned home from Washington, D.C. / VA this morning at 5:30 am EST and I am a bit exhausted, but I couldn't go to bed without at least starting a blog recount of the past 2 days. As you may recall we were scheduled to attend the Illinois State Society gala on Monday night and I offered to wear a jeweler's design in promotion. A few designers recognized the great PR opportunity and contacted me, but due to logistics I was not able to coordinate some meetings. I want to thank Nancy Redisch (http://www.nancyredischdesigns.com/) and Keri Starker (http://www.keristarker.com/) for presenting the wonderful opportunity to wear their designs. Check out their work!

Not only did I attend the Illinois ball, but by a stroke of wonderful luck I had the opportunity to also attend the Peace Ball (Obama did not make an appearance at either - sigh). I was not prepared to attend 2 events, but I had no problem wearing my outfit twice!

The jewelery that I did wear unintentionally fit a "green" theme. Remember, my Bill Blass dress was bought from a Goodwill store, so it was wonderfully appropriate that I wore a bold necklace and pair of earrings from TAA Designs - all made from recycled materials! The pieces were made of recycled glass and vintage beads. The dress served as a wonderful backdrop to the jewelry and I received quite a few compliments.

Don't forget - wearing the jewelry was about promoting a product in exchange for having something dazzling to wear, so I exuberantly gave TAA Designs (http://www.taadesigns.com/)business cards to every person who expressed interest. These were receptive and interested potential clients - not passers-by who happened to walk by.

This situation is a great example of "thinking outside of the box" for ways to spread the word about products and brands. The big name designers constantly use entertainment personalities to model their wares and ultimately to promote their products. The key in promotion is to get that buzz going - to get people talking about your product, whether you start the conversation or someone else does.

Just make sure that the comments are positive!

Time To Visit Aunt B

Your business plan review is like the family member that you visit once a year. You dread going on the trip, but afterward you are glad that you went. On Monday I submitted the Executive Summary for our Val-ID-ate business plan to the IEFL Business Plan Competition. Considering that the prizes have yet to be announced, I couldn't help but worry a bit (did you ever read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson?). Our business plan needed a tune-up and I figured that participating in a competition gives me a "reason" to get it done. This is the same reasoning I give myself as I step into the water for the Danskin Sprint Triathlons. Although the swim portion is still daunting, I know that one day I will get through it without hesitation.

Wonderfully, the business plan is holding up very well. Our goals remain the same and we are currently implementing the strategy that we had laid out - granted without the $500,000 investment for which we had hoped when we presented to Golden Seeds. We have even discovered that a couple of our competitors have "disappeared" (VeriResume and Pledgex). As when it was first written, I need help with the numbers. I recognize that my strengths are in developing the vision and formulating strategy, so when we make it to Round 2, I will be giving our financial guru a call.

Cross your fingers. Assuming that the grand prize is not a stoning, winning this contest would be a great boost!

Hmmm....The Newsletter Is Missing Something...

Today we published the January Newsletter. We forgot to add key pieces of information. Did you notice? In the Company Update I introduced that Hema and Michele (interns-extraordinaire) are assisting with getting our social networking plan off the ground BUT I didn't mention on WHICH social networks we are establishing a presence. These are the "heel-of-the-hand-to-forehead" moments that kill me!

The social network strategy won't work UNLESS we have people who are interested in interacting and providing feedback and it was a major oversight.

So, without further ado: we have groups on both Facebook and LinkedIn. We have posted starting discussions and we would really like to hear from everyone out there. We are trying to figure out what other social networks will give us opportunities to meet job seekers and hiring professionals. A good friend recommended www.meetup.com. If anyone has suggestions, post a comment and let me know!

Hey! That Was My Idea!

What does my local Shop-Rite, which offers online grocery ordering with in-store pickup, and the BrickHouse Child Locator have in common? These are 2 ideas that I originally had, researched and started developing. I am sure that many of you have had those moments (whether after a few glasses of wine or just daydreaming) when you have come up with the "next big thing". Some of you may have explored it beyond the dream and many -like me-hit walls that made you put the dream on a shelf. So I know the frustration of seeing someone else take the dream that you had and profit. Of course you still pump your fist in the air when you see "your" product on the shelf or on TV because it provides validation that you "are not crazy" - but you can't help but think: THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!

This is one of the main reasons why I continue to put my energies into Val-ID-ate. I believe in our service and the tool, and I know the impact that it will have. I also know that if I don't see it through to the success it will achieve, someone else will - and I am tired of turning to the invisible person sitting on the couch next to me and saying, "hey, that was my idea" as a well-known TV personality hawks "my" product.

So, to all of you who have that "next great thing", try to follow through as far as you can - because that distance you travel may be just the right amount to get you "there" (wherever there may be).

Is It Really Wasting Time?

Yesterday I attended an awards event - and I don't know why. Not to be specific, but it was for a small business agency to which I don't even know whether I belong. I have placed much emphasis on networking to build our business, but yesterday made me question that approach. I went to this event alone and I did not know ANYONE - which is unusual for events I choose to attend. It was for a government-based agency which usually equates to expending much energy JUST to be considered for projects. I am not trying to do more work - I do quite a bit now.

It is January, a great time to evaluate how one spends time - and this was not the best use of my time. I obligingly sat through the awards presentation, made sure I drank a glass of wine from the open bar - and went home. I met a very nice man on the wine line - but even the as he mentioned potential opportunities, all I could think was, "million page RFP".

A really good friend is taking the 4 Hour Workweek approach - and I am going to join her. I bought the book (have yet to complete it), but I understand that the basic tenet is to go after clients from where I receive 80% of business.

So, executive recruiters everywhere, listen out for my call!

Self-Promote or Die!

Ugh! I will never learn. Yesterday I was invited by a personal training client to take a spinning class at a new studio that is receiving rave reviews. It is the 360 Cycling Studio (http://3sixtycyclingstudio.com/) and it is co-owned by cosmetics magnate Bobbi Brown (http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/). The class was great and challenging - thanks Mark Cohen! Afterward, Bobbi Brown (who also attended the class) gave me a great compliment and asked why I was in such great shape. This is the moment when I should have said, "I am a personal trainer, teach fitness and also coach my daughters' gymnastics team. I am ABSOLUTELY going to encourage my clients to check out the studio". But NOOOOO, that is not what I said. Instead, I said something inane like, "oh, I guess I have good genes". Who cares!



My client (who is a great marketing person) introduced me as a trainer to the instructor and had my back the entire time since she must have realized what a dork I am.



I am so tired of the high school moments when you come up with the great comeback 5 minutes later. When am I going to learn that there are no second chances for first impressions and that clicking your heels will not turn back the hands of time?



Worst yet, there went a first impression with someone who could have been a future Verify-ED investor.



Ugh!