06 July 08
3/4 of the way done
About 2 months ago The Boss of You hit store shelves all over the continent. I was lucky enough to get a copy in the mail, which I promptly lost. So I bought a copy and decided to skim and find the tiny section about me to read first. But I spent so much time the first night I had it skimming and skimming, that I decided that I would just start reading it instead. And, I don’t quite regretfully say, I’m still reading it. It’s not a very large book, nor is it full of jargon and business terminology and theory that is dense and hard to read. But the reason it is taking me so long to read the book that the absolutely wonderful, and I can undoubtedly say generous and wise, women at Boss Lady have written is because it is seriously making me think.
I’ve been running this business thing for a few years now and I’ve been happy with the moderate amount of press and publicity and notoriety and kind words and sales that I’ve gotten. It’s all I ever really expected of my business honestly, and reading this book has been very hard. Mentally and emotionally. I’ve taken some images of pages of the book that I’ll upload soon (tomorrow if I remember, when I’m at the computer that holds the images). Some of them are scans of the pages where I’m mentioned (and I have to say that I’m beyond flattered and downright amazed at how many times they mention me and my business), and at least one of the images I took is an image that I know Veronica will laugh at. Why? Because I’ve got notes scribbled in all of the margins and I’ve got corners of pages turned, and I’ve even folded a few pages in half because they were even more important and deserved more than a dog ear. And, yes, I wish I carried little post-it notes and tabs with me, because if I did, this book would be even twice as thick as when it was bound because of all the notes I’ve taken.
And that’s how I know it is a good book. I have this urge to buy “self-help” books and business managment books and read them and skim the exercises and devour the books and come away with a few nuggets of information that I remember on occasion. But this book, and I realized tonight why, made me stop, slow down, think, process, digest, ponder and evaluate before moving on. And I’m so grateful to Lauren and Emira for their honesty and their frankness and most importantly, their ability to get me to think through the hard questions. They don’t guilt, they don’t scoff, they don’t gloss over the hard parts. Essentially, they say (and this paraphrase is from my brain, not their pens) “If you’re willing to take the time to work through the tough questions, should you even be in business?”
Maybe its just because of where I was mentally when I picked up the book, maybe its because I know that these two women aren’t business majors, maybe its because I know that their tiny design business went from barely successful for them to supporting themselves and a small staff, maybe its because I actually was able to see them talk about their philosophy last year at SXSW, maybe its because I was able to see myself and my failings and my weaknesses, and just as painfully, my strengths, but this book has rattled me through to my core. I’m rethinking everything about where my business and where I want it to be and what is the best way to get there and finding out how my weaknesses and my stubbornes have failed me and prevented me from growing, and prevented my business from growing.
I’ve still got about 1/4 of the book to read, I’ve still got a lot to chew on. But I see myself firmly at the crossroads between “Really Make This Business Grow” and “Maybe This Should Be Just a Hobby”. And I am able to admit to myself that I’ve been at this crossroads for over a year, possibly as much as two years, quite possibly since the original interview was done with me. But, the relieving part, the part that is keeping me from becoming overwhelmed again and just throwing my hands up and crying till I fall asleep, is this book. Not just that it is a security blanket (because I’m dreading that I’ll soon finish it), but the relieving part is I can see myself taking things out of this book, shaping them, and placing them into a basket that I’ll carry down whichever path I choose. And the wonderful thing, the refreshing thing, is that no matter which decision I make, I’m pretty sure that once I finish all the self-actualizing this book has left for me, I’ll be ready to start down the path that seems right for me, for now.
So thank you, Lauren and Emira. I’ll honestly never be able to thank you enough for your kindness in interviewing me.
And to the budding entrepreneur, or even the entrepreneur-in-progress, I can’t stress this book enough. But more than just reading it, you have to complete the exercises and take notes. Most of the exercises are at the very beginning, and spending the time fleshing the answers out will help you immensely throughout the rest of the book.
And if you’ve wanted to pick it up, but aren’t sure if its useful, I’m buying a copy with my own money and raffling it off to the randomly drawn commenter. This book could be yours if you are the lucky commenter.
I’ll use an online random number picker to decide the winning commenter. All you have to do is leave a comment with your name, your email (so I can contact you, it will NOT appear publicly) and answer this question: “If your business were a food, what type of food would it be? and why?”
Comments
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hmm. a food? sushi, I guess: elegant, compact, self-contained, nutritious and yummy. Everything I would hope for my business, anyway.
— ari on Jul 6, 08:39 pm
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And because its always hard to be the first, I’ll start.
My business would be sushi. Partly because its my favorite food. But mostly because I feel like I have a lot of little bits of ingredients and if I can get it assembled just right it could resemble a dragon or butterfly or some other creature. But if I get it wrong, it will still be tasty but people will eat it with their eyes closed.
— Cinnamon on Jul 6, 08:43 pm
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My business would be those Trader Joe’s Chocolate Ice Cream Bon Bons with the cookie crust.
Understated, inconspicuous in the shop, but something of a miracle in the mouth. I had no idea they would be this popular, and yet, still a total secret!
One of these comprises 13% of ones daily value saturated fat, 3% of your cholesterol. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?
I guess my ace card is that they’re still a total delight. I will always enjoy my hobby (like you I’m caught in between the hobby and the business, call it a hobbiness?).
I can’t stop eating them once I’ve bought a box! So, we’ll see what my ass looks like… later.
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I love your post and would love to read this book!
My business is like Likable Wallpaper from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory…it doesn’t exist yet but sounds like a great idea.
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My business would be a lime popsicle: very green.
— Kelly on Jul 10, 08:56 pm
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My business is a bean. Full of the potential to grow tall and luscious but as of yet, an idea.
— Jenn P on Jul 10, 09:25 pm
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I’d love a copy of this book… my business would be soup stock: made of the bits that might otherwise get thrown out, but adds yumminess to everything it’s added to.
— wendy on Jul 10, 10:13 pm
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my business is a sandwich, simple or complex as you like, sustaining, satisfying, with many options for customizing to suit a variety of needs.
— sharon on Jul 11, 01:33 pm
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My business would be an Amy’s organic frozen meal – much tastier than you expect once you get into it, and an accessible way to make a more sustainable choice!
— Emily on Jul 11, 11:20 pm
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If my business were a food it would be Granny’s secret cookie recipe- something everybody loves and would die to know how to make.
— Ro on Jul 12, 06:29 am
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that’s easy – a Twinkie! sweet on the inside with a long shelf life. whenever I see a Twinkie, I think timeless, then I think what the hecks IN that and HOW do they make it?
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Mine would be a non-fat latte. Makes you want it so so bad, first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning. Then when you get your hands on it you are as satisfied as you thought you would be. And it won’t make you fat ;)
— Amanda on Jul 13, 01:22 pm
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My business would be a nice glass of chilled white wine on a hot summer day. Refreshing and helpful at the same time.
— jenn on Jul 13, 04:51 pm
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My business would be like your favorite pizza. Satisfying, comfortable, but with the possibility for mixing ingredients up and trying something new.
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My business would be Leftover Casserole. I take all the bits and mix them up into something tasty!
— emily on Jul 13, 07:24 pm
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This is a great post – I just ordered the book, thanks for the heads up!
— Jenny on Jul 14, 11:18 am
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Thanks for the great info, Cinnamon. I’m at the library right now and noticed they have a copy – I’m checking it out today!
— Ramona on Jul 14, 12:06 pm
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Thanks for the great post. Just in Time !
— Shelly on Jul 14, 06:30 pm
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sounds like it has given you a great set of things to think about…while your quotes in the book will give other people a great set of things to think about. it’s a win win!
— carolyn on Jul 14, 10:42 pm
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I’d love to win a copy of this book!
My business would be lasagna. -
My business would be sauteed ant larva; surprisingly good!
— Nance on Jul 16, 05:31 pm
Commenting is closed for this article.
