Paper Trails

I spend a great deal of time watching business and personal finance programs like "The Big Idea" with Donny Deutsch on CNBC, and "The Suzy Orman Show." I find it empowering to hear how the Big Dogs think. Every so often I walk away with an idea of my own.

A few weeks ago, I was making a point of sending my company link to everyone I knew...and a few folks I didn't. It paid off. One of the people I sent the link to happened to be an editor for washingtonpost.com. So today, she wrote about my business in her blog.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/small-business/2008/01/a_labor_of_relaxation.html

It was proof to me that many opportunities are more "happen-stance" than anything else.

One question that she asked me was whether I wanted the business to grow to rival such toiletry giants as LUSH, a U.K.-owned corporation which a gazillion stores all over the globe. Without a moment's hesitation, I said, "No." Once a company becomes so big, it looses that personal touch that is the lifeblood of any small business.

I guess this places me squarely in the ranks of the so-called 'Mommie-preneuers.' In Tamara Monosoff's book, "Secrets of Millionaire Moms," she writes that there are number of myths that come with running a business:

1) You have to be "Ms. Personality. She says it is more important to be smart than charismatic.

2) The Idea is the important thing. Monosoff says that sometimes the idea is already there; the task is to improve upon it.

3)Success means never going backward. Being successful she said, can also mean changing directions.

4) Only Risk Brings Reward. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race. You don't have to risk everything in order to find success, Monosoff says.

5) Your No. 1 priority has to be money. Not everyone is in it just to make a lot of money. Sometimes it is because an idea is important..then the money is a sweet surprise.



Kathy A. Gambrell
Founder
ChesapeakeBayBathandBody.com