After years of reading blogs and helping others determine whether to set up a blog or not, I've finally decided it was time to join in on the fun. While this blog will be primarily dedicated to online and offline marketing for the small and home based businesses (Small Office Home Office Individuals, MLM & Network Marketing Distributors, Mom & Pop Retail Shops, and the Solo Entrepreneur,etc) I will venture into other areas of my life's interests so you get to know me better. My goal is to be a positive voice for entreprenuers that provides a positive space for conversation and learning when it comes to running a small business and all that goes with it.

I've been working in sales, marketing and client services for a very long time. Pretty much for the last 30 years of my life - and yes, I'm over 30. I started when I was 8 years old working in my family's retail shop. We were a true mom and pop garment store that my grandparents and mom started the year I was born. I was stocking shelves, helping customers and running the till by the time I was 8. I'd spend my time after school and on weekends at the shop helping out when I wasn't playing sports or with my friends.

My grandparents who emigrated here from Central America taught me about the value of a strong work ethic at a young age. Determination, desire and a positive attitude were very important and went well alongside hard work. I took my first paying job at 14 and haven't looked back since.

When I went to college in the early '90's most students didn't know what entreprenuership meant. As a matter of fact, my degree is in Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship. When someone would ask, "What's your Major?" most of us replied "Small Business Management" because the "E" word wasn't really used and the status quo was to get a job and work for someone else, not start your own business. Needless to say those of us in our major became close over the years because we were passionate about the same things: being creative and willing to take risks. I might remind you, during that time, starting your own business was for people with money or who inherited it. (The Dot Com era was not in sight yet. There was no Yahoo or Google, which were both founded after I graduated college).

Fast forward to today.  After a successful real estate career I moved on to the technology industry where between the two, 20 years of my life went by while I worked in and on various aspects of running small businesses from sales, marketing and customer service to operations. I've been employed and self-employed at different times and I've always kept my entrepreneurial spirit alive with various side projects. I've made a lot of money and I've been on the downside as well. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don't. Your attitude plays a huge part in recovery when things fail. And you have to be willing to try and take a chance - some of my best success came when I took a leap of faith.

The Key - I've learned a lot from my mentors and peers. I've learned techniques and skills pertinent to the positions I've had and I learned about working with people and building relationships. Relationships are the critical element to business. People do business with people they know, like and trust. It is an old adage, almost trite, but it is true. Although it is wonderful to have a good product, it is not all about your product, it is about you.

Now, as I am getting closer to 40, my focus is on the coming decade and what will come next. My entrepreneurial spirit is strong the opportunities are knocking. I've got a few ventures in play and I am super excited.

Freedom and flexibility through entrepreneurship are my goal. I don't mind working hard but I also play hard and spend a lot of time giving back to my community.

My other goal is to help you be successful by sharing the knowledge and training I've had over the years - some of it formal training and some of it on the job.

Read, learn and grow - we're all a work in progress.

I love talking to new people and helping others. Call me to schedule some time to talk about helping you start or grow your business: 360-539-2663.