I find that I am getting pretty excited about starting this new venture. I have belonged to several women's groups and have enjoyed them all, or most! Unfortunately, I have yet to find that group that would help me take my business to the next level. I feel so fortunate that I met up with Michelle O'Conner who expressed the same frustrations and we decided to do something about it. I feel so fortunate that you have decided to meet with us to explore all of the possibilities that might come from our cumulative efforts.
It is truly a mixed blessing to have your own business. We benefit from the flexibility and the freedom that comes from setting our own schedules, but that freedom can be a double edged sword. When you have no one to hold you accountable for your activites, no one to help develop fresh ideas, no one to be there when you need a push, it can be easy to get distracted and to stray from your business plan. Every distraction and every swerve has the potential to directly impact your bottom line, to hold you back from reaching the success you envision for yourself and your business.
We want this group to serve as an unflinching magnifying glass that will force the best from our efforts. This is not going to be your average supporting cast of cheerleaders! As I said to Michelle, "I want these women to be mean to me!' I want to be embarrassed if I come to a meeting knowing I did not accomplish what I said I would. I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of professional meetings where the members were men. This group was always respectful, but the members were also very direct and honest with each other. They did not worry about hurting each other's feelings or worry about whether the other members thought their ideas were silly. Every man I met at this meeting truly believed they deserved to be successful, and fully expected to meet or exceed all of their goals. They came to the meetings prepared and left the meetings with to do lists. It is this productive, professional and honest environment that we would like to cultivate.
Michelle and I believe that we all hold the key that helps us unlock the potential that we all have but often don't utilize to its full potential. What could happen if we all came together on a regular basis and served as our own board? Where could we all go if we benefited from a weekly spotlight on our business and the steps we are taking to grow that business? Where ever we want!
