I got my first job at a plant nursery. I was 16. It was December. It was Christmas tree season. I was young, able, and eager to saw some trees and carry them down to people's cars. It was the perfect first gig, and I knew it would be a picturesque, Americana-memory I'd never forget.
It’s been 10 years since I quit my job and started 5+8. I didn’t want to write a self-serving script about how we’ve made it through so many struggles and look at us now—even though that’s true and you’re more than welcome to look at us now. I’d prefer to write about simplifying the concept of starting a business and tell some truths that I feel are less often shared. I believe these truths are concealed because they may demystify the Awesomeness of the Entrepreneur. And, though I'd love for you to be mystified by my awesomeness, you shouldn't be. Please enjoy my observations on one way to start a business.
I coach my 8-year-old daughter’s softball team. I love it. Like any parent or coach, I am always straddling the line between pushing her to do her best while still ensuring that she's having fun. After all, she’s 8.
I used to play this weird game as a child. I’d close my eyes and pretend to forget everything I ever knew about myself, where I was, and even why I was. Undoubtedly inspired by my parents watching ‘Quantum Leap’, a 90s Sci-FI series wherein the main protagonist, Sam Beckett, found himself trapped in a sort of recursive time traveling experiment, leaping into the body of a different person each week.
Mental health and toxic work cultures are the buzz words we hear all around us- and often for good reason. For far too long, bosses sat above it all, demanding, stealing and squeezing their people. Leaders in today’s world must do better. If you don’t already know this- know this.
When Adam told us he was making us each write a blog post, I panicked. What was I going to write about? Who would care about what I had to say? Then I realized there's an easy way to get others to help give me content: a Q&A, baby. Let the people tell me what to write. Werk smorter, not harder. 😉
Remember being a little young, adult-ish thing trying to figure out what your passions were? I remember getting so frustrated in HS because I couldn't figure out what I was good enough at, that would make a real impact in this world. I’d daydream in class picturing myself in different career paths. Mrs. Chaney makes me laugh. Mostly because I’d probably just want to play games with the kids instead of teaching them how to read and stuff. I can't do blood so that crosses out the medical field (vet too). A professional scuba diver still sounds great minus the whole being underwater with sharks thing.
We all are familiar with the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover", which is true for people, but not for cans. When I was 10 I had three things I loved: baseball, Batman, and cans. Why cans? I was fascinated by the art and weird flavors that came in those of cans, which made me start a small collection. From The Shasta Colas, A&W Root beer to Coke cans from around the world, I picked up everything I could get my hands on. As any 10-year-old with limited funds, I kept my collection small and mighty. Soon enough I moved on to other things.
That question is intimidating, right? Especially when you are meeting someone for the first time and want to make a good impression. How does one even go about telling "their story"? Where do you start? Is it when you were a toddler first discovering yourself? Do you go into all the heartbreak and obstacles you’ve faced through life to get where you are today? If you’re like me, these questions arise when someone approaches you and says, “So tell me about yourself. What's your story?”
Sales is overcoming fear. Sales is saying to the world, we built something that is so valuable, I believe you should give me your money for it. In many cases, large sums of it. Sales is freaking scary, because it means you’re on the hook to deliver on your promise. We don’t just hide from sales because we’re scared of rejection, we hide because we’re scared we have not brought value to the world. Worse, we confuse that value with our own value, and that can send you to a dark place in a hurry.
