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!

Sammy The Dog

A couple of weeks ago I had saved enough money to go to the hair salon (yes! I am an entrepreneur and money is tight). Next door to the hair salon is our local animal shelter. I used to pass it every day on my commute to NYC and sometimes I would notice animals abandoned on the doorstep. Like the homeless person you pass, you feel helpless - want to help - but don't know how and you keep moving. I know one of the employees at the animal shelter, and when he saw me on the way to the salon he ran in to tell me that a man was surrendering his dog and I should come take a look since he knows that I like small dogs. I should mention that, yes, I like small dogs - but my husband was the one who specifically mentioned his preference for terriers and similar dogs. I have NEVER owned a dog. Ever. Well, of course I go and meet a man who (because of personal reasons) was sadly giving up his dog. I called my husband who informed me that I could bring a dog home but that 1) he would not be taking care of the dog and 2) the dog was not allowed in the basement. So much for the man who wants a dog. The dogs' owner suggested that I take the dog home for the weekend, and if things didn't work out that he would retrieve the dog and take him to the shelter.

I am sure that you have figured out the rest. I brought the dog home, the kids like him, he seems to like us, AND he doesn't bark. So we have welcomed a new family member: Sammy, the long-haired Chihuahua.

The tie in to business: did I save Sammy or would someone have come along? At times when I am trying to find the right contact to help our business get to the next level, I do wonder if someone will "save" us because that is the feeling of hope you have. Yes, we work hard but we are realistic that hard work is only part of what is needed to succeed. We are so dependent upon our networks to move forward and people literally do save you. Without this support you flounder. As we search for funding, we ARE looking for that "savior" - someone who believes in our tools as much as we and has the ability to financially support the endeavor. I read my entrepreneurial magazines and the stories of the lucky few who have found their financial saviors do give me hope - and isn't this the season of hope and belief in angels?

From my house to yours - HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Let 2009 be prosperous for us all!!