Business Success: You’re Either Improving or Getting Worse
July 1, 2010
I heard a quote once that I fell in love with: “If you aren’t improving you’re getting worse”. 
It just really struck a chord and has stuck with me over the years. Maybe because I could relate: there have been times in my life and my career when I’ve gotten too comfortable and stopped looking for opportunities to improve my skills. I stopped learning. I stopped challenging myself. I stopped growing. Some call it a rut but it really is more than that- it’s a regression.
In my small business marketing workshops and seminars I tell business owners that they must become students of their industries for their businesses to thrive. That means constantly looking for new opportunities to learn and grow. We need to be on top of changing trends in our industry, what our competitors are doing, the actions and behaviors of our target market if we want to stand out from the crowd.
Think about your hair stylist- would you rather go to someone who attends all the latest industry shows and events, reads the current beauty magazines, and continues to take classes or the one who has had her shop for 30 years and hasn’t so much as picked up a copy of “Hairstylist” magazine in 20? The same is true with your CPA, attorney, auto mechanic, plumber, and remodeler. Aren’t you more confident in a professional who stays current and continues to improve her skills? So think about that, with trends and technology forever changing- if we aren’t improving – we really are getting worse!
When so many small business owners out there are content with the status quo , you can rise to the top by continuing to learn, improve your skills and find new ways to grow your business. How are you a student of your industry? What do you do to continue to improve?
It Can’t Always be about Business
March 28, 2010
I lost my best friend yesterday, completely and suddenly and out of the blue. When I left the house in the morning he was laying on the floor in the middle of the hallway like he always does – all 100 lbs of his furry self – totally in the way. Like many mornings, I had to step over him every time I wanted to get into my bedroom or the kitchen and he just laid there looking up at me with his big ole puppy-dog eyes every time I did.
I smiled at him, promising not to step on him and vowed to take him for a walk after my conference. But when I got home 8 hours later I found him lying in his favorite spot on the side of the house in the sun; lifeless, breathless and stiff. He was gone. Just like that - no goodbyes, no explanation. Just gone.
For 7 years he was my friend, my companion, my protector. My big old Rottweiler and Chow mix. I was never afraid as long as he was by my side. He was loyal, caring, and loving; he was my best friend. I’d often look at him and wonder how I could love a four-legged ball of fur so much. But he was always there for me. For 7 years he made me smile, he made me laugh, he made me love.
I have been working so much lately and didn’t spend all the time with him I wanted. I was going to take him for a walk when I got home yesterday and take him to the lake today for a swim. But it’s too late now. So today my blog is not about marketing or growing your business; it is about reminding us all to take the time to nurture the parts of our lives that don’t revolve around work. I spend a lot of time talking about investing in yourself and your business in order to succeed. But today I want to remind you to also take the time to nurture your life; your loved ones; the things that matter most to you. Play with your kids, take your dog to the park, take a moment to ask your neighbor how they’re doing today, call your mother, stop for a moment and just hold your spouse; because you just never know when it will be too late.
I miss my dog today and can only reflect in the irony: it took him dying for me to take the day off.
Opportunity and the “Great Recession of ‘09”
October 6, 2009
Greetings small business owners and marketers. I wanted to launch my first blog by telling you a little about myself and why I founded Fortune Marketing Company.
I have been an advertising and marketing professional for more than 15 years and have worked with some of the world’s smallest – and largest – companies. In the 90’s when I was selling advertising for the Vallejo Times Herald I enjoyed working with local small business owners but was often astounded by their lack of marketing strategy and planning. It absolutely broke my heart to see a couple mortgage their house to realize their dream of entrepreneurship, lease a storefront, purchase inventory and open their doors expecting customers to come in droves by sheer osmosis.
I’d walk into their business or shop, briefcase in hand, to congratulate them on their new business and offer my assistance with their grand opening promotions. What??? You can’t afford advertising??? If I knew then what I know now, my next questions would have been, ‘”Are you freaking crazy??” Well, since I couldn’t really say that, my next question would have been, “Do you have a marketing plan?” And if the answer was “no”, (as it normally was), then “How do you plan on letting people get to know, like, trust and want to buy from you?”
Sadly, throughout my six years at the Times Herald I witnessed many small businesses struggle to hang on. Many failed and lost their hope of business ownership, along with their homes, life savings and dreams.
I spent the last six years of my career working with some of the largest marketing teams in the world: Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream (owned by Nestle), Constellation Brands, Kaiser Permanente, TiVo, and Intuit to name a few. During that time, I’d often think back of all those small businesses I sold – or tried to sell – advertising to and think, “wow, if I knew then what I know now…..”
I realized that with all the experience and knowledge I gained from these huge corporate marketing teams, I could really help small businesses. I could help them stop wasting money on the wrong advertising. Help them create a plan for marketing that’s tailored to their business and the market they are trying to reach. Help them with affordable cost-effective marketing and promotions. Help them preserve their investments, save their businesses and realize their dreams. I realized that with the level of marketing expertise I had gained, I now had the tools to really help small businesses succeed – and not just sell them an ad in a newspaper.
During what I like to call the “Great Recession of ’09,” I, like many of my peers found myself unemployed. I decided it was time to put my dream of entrepreneurship and helping small businesses in motion. … and here I am starting Fortune Marketing Company and helping small businesses in Solano County realize their dreams of business ownership and success. One business at a time I will show that marketing does work….
My blog is going to be devoted to offering small businesses a trusted source for information, tips, and ideas. As I grow my business using the Duct Tape Marketing System I will share the process and relay my experience. So, stayed tuned and let’s grow our businesses together!
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