Chapter 4: The Start-Up of You

Chapter 4 is all about networking.  It talks a lot about being a people person.  Even if you are not in the customer service industry, you will always work with people.  "In fact, the word company is derived from the latin cum and pane, which means "breaking bread together." (pg84)

As a parent I often encourage my kids to surround themselves with friends that are a good influence and that lift them up rather then drag them down.  This is true for us as adults too:

"The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be." (pg 85)

I appreciated that the authors make note of the team effort.  Yes, we work individually and are responsible for our own actions.  However, where we are and who we are depends a lot on the people we come in contact with, work with and socialize with.  They even point out that in the business world, a team will often only perform at the level of the worst team member!

It is important to have valuable relationships that can help us and we can help them.  These need to be sincere connections.  When we are trying to just have the most connections people will see the we are not sincere and not desire to connect with us on a personal level.  When we keep connections alive our names are the ones people think of when opportunities arise.

The book talks a lot in this chapter about LinkedIn and the importance of networking and making connections.  I thought about the connections I have on LinkedIn and the connections that have endorsed me.  I feel that I need to make a better effort in endorsing others and keeping in touch.

Chapter 3: The Start up of You

This chapter seemed like an opposite to the idea: Stars and Stepping Stones.  Instead of setting a goal and working your way backwards to create stepping stones, this chapter talks about a different method: ABZ planning.  The whole idea is that the world is always changing, therefore you can not have a set plan with steps to take along the way.  You should "be ready to change your business based on market feedback...start companies that are true to [your] values and vision, yet remain flexible enough to adapt." (pg51)  The book goes on to explain that even though you may not have a step by step plan your choices should still be disciplines, with lots of planning - not just random.

The idea behind ABZ planning:

A = The plan for right now.  The most you should plan is 2 steps ahead.

B= What you pivot to when you need to change what you are doing.  Once you pivot to this plan, it become plan A and you set a new plan B.  Changing doesn't always mean failure.  A pivot is a decision you make based on what you've learned along the way.  It can be something as simple as taking a new direction.

Z= Where to fall back.  What to do if all else fails.  This is not a permanent plan, just a safety net to use if needed when adjusting plan A!

When talking about plans the authors point out that it is actions that we learn from, not the plan itself.  We have to act to discover where we want to go and how to get there.

My Favorite quote from this Chapter:

"They compare their cash salary to their peers' instead of comparing lessons learned.  They invest in the stock market and neglect investing in themselves."

An interesting suggestion they give is to get the experience you need is to offer to do the job for free.  I think this is hard advice for some, however, I think they are spot on.  Invest your time now that will build a resume for the future!

Reflecting on Me - Week 1

I really enjoyed the talks, articles and videos of week two.  They really helped me reflect on who I am, where I am and where I want to go.  I enjoyed thinking about my calling in life and joining that with the idea of "Stars and Stepping Stones."  As a girl, my star was motherhood, my calling was to be nurturing and teach my children.  I am still a mother of 4 beautiful children, but as they are all off to school all day I find myself reevaluating my life.  I will still nurture and teach - but I am limited to "after school hours".  Reality has also hit, that as they grow they will need me less and less.  I need to find an additional calling in life and a star to focus on.  I believe that calling/star is creating art to share with others through my business: Howell Creations.

I appreciated the videos - specifically "Treat Life as an Experiment".  I was motivated to look at failures as not discouragements but as just learning what didn't work, learn from it and move forward.  I was inspired by Thomas Edisons statement: “I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 10 thousand things that didn’t work”

I look forward to continuing to learn ideas and concepts that can help me become an entrepreneur.  I enjoy being uplifted and inspired.  I am grateful to have the Lord guide me and strengthen me on this journey to self-discovery and setting business goals.

The Start-up of You Chapter 2

"Develope a Competitive Advantage"

I really enjoyed this chapter, it made me really think about my own personal soft and hard assets relating to my art creations that I sell.  As I read this chapter I spent a lot of time pondering how I can apply it to my business.  I like how he talks about being competitive, and being able to answer how my product is better then the rest.  Plus, I have to be better too, not just my product.  However, sometimes I feel like I have to be able to do it all and it becomes overwhelming.  How do I do web design, marketing, create art, customer service, financles all equally well?  He said:

"If you try to be the est at everything and better than everyone, you'll be the best at nothing and better than no one." pg 29

I still have to do all those things, but I can promote the thing I am really good at - my art!  I need to still do those other things, but by strongest part, that is the best, my selling point - is my art. 

People often ask why I am going to business school, I always reply, "to turn my weakness into a strength."  I know I have a lot to learn about the business side, non of it comes naturally, but I am trying to learn.  Read Hoffman says to do exactly just that (pg 33) - which confirms I am headed in the right direction!

My 3 peice puzzle:

1.) Soft assets: customer service skills/ people person/ ability to take someones ideas and get them on paper/ knowledge about paint for in home murals, signs and windows/good clientele with positive reviews/wood cutting for my mural boards/canvas stretching for my custom wallpaper.
     Hard assets: business bank account/paints and brushes/ in home studio

2.) Aspirations and values: My deepest wish is to be able to continue to create custom artwork for clients.  I want to be able to work from home and schedule my working hours around the hours my kids are in school.  My hope is to grow my business enough that I can employ my daughter if she would like to (she is extremely artistic as well).  I want to expand my clientele from Spokane, Wa and Northern ID to across the country or even the globe by promoting my mural boards and wallpaper that can be shipped.  "Broad enough to allow adaptation and reinvention" and "Your identity doesn't get found. It emerges" (pg. 34-35)

3.) Market Realities: "Market research is not a one-time thing" and "You aren't entitled to anything" (pg 37-38)  I have a lot of this to do. I know the market for custom art work is small.  I know that I have to compete against inexpensive vinyl and wall decals.  I have to show that quality and custom design is worth it to my clients.

The Start-up of You Chapter 1

I enjoyed reading chapter 1 of the "Start-up of You".  I instantly felt the credibility of the author seeing that he was the founder of Linked-in.  I learn well from stories and personal examples, so I was grateful for the authors use of stories such as General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in Detroit. 

His definition that "entrepreneurship is a life idea, not a strictly business one, a global idea, not a  strictly American one" (pg 12) made a lot of sense to me. He explains that all humans are innately entrepreneurs.

B 183 Introduction

I am starting full force on my journey to obtaining my Business Degree.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I often tell people I am going to school to strengthen my weakness.  Every topic relating to business feels like my weakness.  It takes a lot of effort work understand and put into practice what I learn.  However, I am so grateful to be a part of a church school where I not only am encouraged to learn by the Spirit but have church leaders’ talks and remarks are a part of my class. 

I enjoyed reading the LDS perspective activities.  I had read both the talks: “A Disciple Preparation Center” and “Your whole souls as an Offering unto Him” by Elder Bednar when I was in the pathway program.  These are inspirational talks that I feel inspired and motivated each time I read them.  The mom in me always thinks I need to save them to share with my children as they enter their teenage years. 

I am excited about doing the case studies.  I love learning through practice compared to reading the text.  I tend to retain what I learn far more when I am able to apply it to my own life.  I am curious to see how the role playing and meetings workout online. 

As I have read the course description I have felt that this class will be very beneficial to my long term goals of turning my “on the side artwork” into a full functioning business.