Monday, July 5, 2010

Thanks again for wasting our time

Like hundreds of others, we gathered to watch the Fourth of July fireworks display off Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach.

In the paper and multiple media outlets for weeks, it claimed to start at 9:30pm.

Well 9:30pm came and went, as did 10pm and 10:30pm.

As we watched from a boat, we didn't get home until nearly 1am, both of us having to be at our first session of our second four-week-set of beach boot camp at 5:30am (we didn't make it) and to work in the morning.

Now that handy nixle notification system emailed my home computer at 10:08pm and said the fireworks were delayed and should start in 45 minutes. Too bad they didn't send it BEFORE I left, not when I was sitting there on a boat waiting for them to start...

Thanks for messing up my evening and next day, North Myrtle Beach.

:( sunshine

Monday, June 14, 2010

Getting in shape with beach boot camp

Like millions of others, I think more about losing weight and being toned and strong when the clothes get skimpier in the warmer months of Spring and Summer.

Happily, my husband and I found a great solution close to home: Adventure Boot Camp in North Myrtle Beach, or Beach Boot camp as it's known as locally.

The four-week course consists of hour-long, varied workout sessions three or five days a week (we opted for the 5 days/wk) fwhich starts at 5:30am (there's a later, 7am class, too, I believe) at McLean Park in North Myrtle Beach.

The early hour wasn't really a problem getting used to; after we adjusted to being somewhere before daybreak, the cooler temperatures at that hour were appreciated.

As of today, we've just finished the first day of the third week, only this week and next to go in this four-week boot camp, though I'm pretty sure we're signing up for the next one, too.

:) sunshine

Sunday, February 20, 2010

Give thanks to those who try to thwart your efforts

Most business owners and managers have experienced verbal attacks from a "bully"" and I am no exception, having had two such encounters over the past few years.

The first one, several years ago, taught me about calmly getting even and making more money in the process, but the second one, which happened more recently, was actually an enriching experience that I have to thank the "bully" for putting me through.

This second "bully" considered himself a competitor, and perhaps a public attack was his way of trying to level the playing field.

I was giving a speech, actually a small luncheon seminar to train and inform a group of business owners about a particular product. Out of no where, this person started attacking the product and me, and completely derailed my planned presentation into a series of defensive answers to his attacks.

In other words, he basically took control of the training seminar and I was left to pick up the pieces as best I could.

But I am eternally grateful to this man, and here's why: I will never again be so unprepared or shocked by behavior from an audience member to allow anyone to rob other seminar participants of the lessons they came to learn.

No matter what business you're in, there will always be "bullies" out their who don't play fair, and the sooner we decide to learn from them, and to handle their attacks with grace, the better off we'll be.

:) sunshine

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Indigo Farms: Quality & customer service

Despite the pouring rain, I ran over to Indigo Farms today to check out their stock of baby spinach plants and to buy some produce and their signature salad dressings.

I'm a pretty happy person, but every time I go there I leave with a bit more joy than when I arrived. I'm sure this is because in each area of the store, whether it be the plants and supplies, fresh baked goods, or produce section, every person I talk with is helpful, friendly, and kind.

And on top of the friendliest people around, everything I've ever purchased there over the years has been the highest quality.

These days it's more common for people to write scathing reviews of a business than to write good things about a business and to thank the owners and workers of that business.

So, Thank you, Indigo Farms, and when I return Saturday for my spinach plants and more produce I'm going to thank each of them in person for their friendliness and quality offerings.

:) sunshine

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Have chambers forgetten that businesses expect returns on their investments?

We used to belong to three local chambers of commerce.

Not so long ago, the largest of the three chambers began competing in the local market, effectively hampering the business of their paying members, so now we belong to only two local chambers.

We're now at the point of regretting paying another year's dues for the next largest chamber, and vow to let our membership lapse when this year's dues expire.

Why have we lost faith in the second chamber? Because after being charter members, paying dues for ten years, I cannot cite one single thing that chamber has done for our business. Not one referral, not one lead, not a single prospect contacted our business through our membership with that chamber.

I can, however, recite a long list of things we've done for that chamber, all without any type of compensation, acknowledgement, or even a thank you. We've spent a great deal of our time and money helping promote that chamber so it would continue to grow, attract new members, feed hungry families, and have increased attendance at its events.

We love giving. We think giving is the most important thing a person or business can do. But there's a point where you feel taken advantage of, instead of helping a worthy organization or worthwhile cause.

With this chamber, the final straw was getting an invitation to the annual awards dinner next weekend - at $60 per person, with a cash bar. If we were to attend, two of us would shell out $120 at the door and likely another $30 in drinks and tips. Four of us would be in the range of $300.

Tourism is down, jobs have been lost, income is down everywhere, so why is this chamber expecting businesses to continue shelling out good money for a frivolous event?

It's an award dinner to honor its members. So why doesn't the chamber sponsor this event and pay for the meals and drinks? That would effectively thank all members for continuing to support the chamber during this recession.

Our business would rather keep our money working for us, and after ten years with this particular chamber, unless some serious policy changes are made by their board of directors, I doubt that will happen at this event or any other they host.

:) sunshine

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Will 2010 be scary or exciting for you?

Last night, while talking with a fellow member at the monthly chamber of commerce business after hours gathering, it dawned on me just how excited I am about what will unfold this year.

Now, I don't believe we've yet seen the worst that this recession will hand us. I believe things will get worse economically, for most businesses and families, mine included.

So why am I so excited about this year?

I'm excited because adversity and challenges pave the way for unprecedented innovation and growth, and it's exhilarating to know that welcome changes and improvements are just over the horizon.

I truly believe that without obstacles and problems, we don't grow, in any area of life. So I'm looking at the bright side of this recession and using the time to trim both personal and business budgets as well as develop alternative revenue streams this year and for the years ahead.

In the third quarter of 2009 we formed our first partnership with a successful local marketing company, and projections from that union range from promising to phenomenal.

This year, we'll be partnering with at least four other local companies to create much stronger market presence than either of us would have on our own.

That is wildly exciting.

:) sunshine

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