My Muse

I do my best thinking while I’m out walking my dog, Maisy. Is it the fresh air, the sound of birds chirping, the act of getting my blood moving or the pure joy I see reflected in Maisy’s eyes as she scampers to find the next enticing, irresistible scent? Or, is it simply because my thoughts can flow freely without the noise of the TV, the phone ringing or my kids interrupting to settle another earth-altering dispute over who was first to sit in the favorite “corner spot” of the couch? Whatever the reason, most of my best ideas have come while I’m holding a plastic bag filled with dog poop!

Out Of The Mouths Of Our Babes

Laughing is one of the best (and most natural!) stress relievers out there so I offer you this story...my niece comes home from day camp and announces to my sister and brother-in-law that she is so excited because she has been chosen for the summer production of The Wizard of Oz. My sister excitedly asked her what role she was given. My niece looked at her with a grinning wide-eyed enthusiasm and said, "Mommy, I'm going to be a donut!" My sister, confused at the idea that the drama department had added "food part extras" to fluff the cast list, asked again, "What part are you going to be?" Once again, my niece replied proudly, "A donut!" Suddenly it all made sense. My sister looked at her and said, "Emma, do you mean you are going to be a munchkin?" "OOH, yes," she said..."a munchkin!!!!!!!!!!"

Uplifting Motivation

Busy, busy, busy! My brain was racing today trying to remember all the things I had forgotten to do while I was preparing 3 outgoing orders, testing the accuracy of the skus for our new line that we had just entered into Quickbooks and following up with active sales reps during this very hectic beginning to the back-to-school buying season - all while listening for a call from my parents who were visiting with my son at sleep-away camp.

I was just starting to mentally beat myself up for only crossing off the first 2 items on my "While My Kids Are Away At Camp Summer To Do List" (given that they come home in 2 weeks!) when the office phone rang and it was an unsolicited call from a store in South Jersey that had seen some LikeWear stuff and loved it! They had already checked out our website and seemed ready to place an order. Talk about uplifting motivation!

Today's experience reminded me of a quote that I read a year and a half ago that has stuck with me and I think of VERY often. It is from the book entitled 'Mommy Millionaire' by Kim Lavine:

Here's an unspoken rule of business that only seasoned entrepreneurs know: Just when you think you're licked, something comes along to pick you up and inspire you with a whole new sense of purpose.

www.mommymillionaire.com

A "Detailed" Journey

As I sit here trying to think of something memorable to write for my first post on Blog What You Like, I must admit that I'm naive to this and still not sure what this whole blogging thing is about (but it sure makes me feel like Carrie Bradshaw writing her column for Sex and the City!). My brain keeps circling back to the struggle for balance that I am always trying to maintain in my life. I am the kind of person that likes to give 110% to all that I do. However, as a wife, Mom to 3 busy kids and a dog, and CEO of the first and only company to sell licensed apparel via the direct sales channel, it's hard to keep all the balls high in the air - or sometimes in the air at all!

So I marvel that the activities in my average day range from...prospecting for new customers and reps, pulling orders and restocking inventory and helping to negotiate prospective licensing deals to squeezing in a trip to the supermarket, making sure all my kids have what they need for various sports teams, birthday parties and playdates, taking 5 minutes to walk my dog and finding some time to do all that laundry! This type of balancing act is one that most moms perform - so I hope many of you can relate.

My blog will be a way for me to share the small details which have a big impact on my journey for balance...both personally and professionally.