What others are saying about
When the Universe Throws a Curve Ball – How a mom entrepreneur went from disappointment to living her passion
“Sharing your personal stories made it more interesting and real. I can relate to so many things you’ve gone through. I admire and respect you, your work and especially your business/personal philosophy–family first. I love the fact that being a mom, having Caleb fueled your ambitions even more–increased your energy, creativity and passion and in turn you have become a more fulfilled mom, wife, and woman. This is the essence every woman dreams to achieve. I’m absolutely positive your book is going to be a tremendous help to many moms seeking the ever elusive sense of fulfillment and balance. Oh yeah… the title says it all–Love it!”
---Ros Guerrero, founder, www.ficklets.com
“When the Universe Throws a Curve Ball is a book that’s filled with life events that shaped an individual into the successful entrepreneur she is today. It’s filled with Rules of Life and Quotes to keep you motivated to believe that anything is possible so long as you believe in yourself. Reading the book was truly an inspiration and will be to everyone that reads it!”
---Cindy Cadacio-Chan, founder, www.elementalleisure.com
“I absolutely love it and think any mom business owner has to read it!!! I found myself relating to a lot of what you went through to get where you are now. I’ve laughed and cried throughout the book. Great job, Tisha!!!”
---Jodi Rios-Towns, owner, www.tentiltwo.com
When the Universe Throws a Curve Ball – How a mom entrepreneur went from disappointment to living her passion
Tisha Marie Pelletier
Published by Tisha Marie Pelletier at Smashwords
Copyright© 2010 Tisha Marie Pelletier
This book is available in print at www.tishamariepelletier.com and www.Amazon.com.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Dedications
For Caleb—So you know exactly who your mommy is—a strong-willed, determined, social butterfly of a woman who loves you very much, Bubbas.
For Sean—My love. We’ve weathered some rough storms in our lifetime together, but I appreciate you letting me take some major risks in life and backing me 100%. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to follow my dreams or have the most precious gift in the world, our son.
For Sash—To never give up on your hopes and dreams. Although they may seem so far, you’ll get there…I promise, sis.
For Dad—You are living proof that people “can” change when you least expect it. I’m thankful and blessed to have you back in my life and in Caleb’s.
For Mom—My cheerleader. Thanks for always being there no matter what. You are my ultimate hero in life and I’m so very, very proud to be your daughter. You always inspire me to never ever give up on anything I set my mind to.
For all the moms out there contemplating whether they can quit their job, do something they love AND make a viable income all while spending time with the kids, it is possible. It’s hard, it takes some courage, but it can be done. Just make sure you have a good group of family, friends and women to support you along the way.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 From the Beginning
Chapter 2 New Life Straight Ahead
Chapter 3 Weighing the Pros and Cons
Chapter 4 Officially Open for Business
Chapter 5 Life’s Day to Day
Chapter 6 Let Our Future Begin
Chapter 7 And Then It Happened
Chapter 8 The Year the World Changed
Chapter 9 Woman on a Mission
Chapter 10 Life with Caleb
Chapter 11 Believe in Karma? Absolutely
Chapter 12 Life TodayClosing Thoughts
About the Author
Closing Thoughts
Favorite Things
More Favorite Quotes
Introduction
“You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.” — Henry Ford
I have been asked on numerous occasions how I got where I am today—how I fit life into life. If it weren’t for the universe throwing me a few curve balls and taking some risks along the way, I wouldn’t be in this moment right here, right now enjoying my family, my business and all the endless possibilities life has to offer.
I don’t believe in regrets; only that you take what life hands you, even if the outcome doesn’t look so great at the time, and turn it into something truly amazing.
I hope you enjoy this book sharing my life’s business and personal adventures over the past five years or so just as much as I enjoyed re-living some of these remarkable moments again. I hope it inspires you to be great in anything and everything you set your mind to.
Cheers to your continued success!
Tisha
Chapter 1
From the Beginning
“Choice, not chance, determines one’s destiny.” ———Unknown
I’ve always been a planner. From the moment I was born, and even up to now, my life has been on a tight schedule—graduate high school, go to college, get a good job, get a better job, get married, buy a house, start a family and have approximately two children, no more, no less, all by the age of 35. All of the above, with the exception of having the two kiddos (my husband Sean and I have a beautiful son Caleb who has the social butterfly personality of his mama), has happened so far. But in September 2004, you could say that the universe really threw me a few unexpected curve balls. Each curve ball was packaged differently than the one before and each one taught me a valuable life lesson or two along the way.
About six months before my Bahamas destination wedding in May 2004, I was working at a small advertising agency. I absolutely loved my job, my clients, and co-workers, and felt a huge sense of accomplishment. I felt needed and wanted. What woman doesn’t want that same feeling when she goes to work? There’s nothing worse than absolutely dreading going to the office.
Since it was a small agency with only about six or so staff members, I got to dabble in just about every project we had, and I learned so much. I managed between six to eight clients, a handful of vendors, and was heavily involved in the creative process of brainstorming ideas for ad campaigns. I loved doing this since my mind never turns off. It’s constantly creating. I also had Jessica Becker, an intern from Arizona State University who enjoyed working with me, because I actually taught her the ropes and took her places. She never once made me coffee or stapled papers. In fact, she and I still talk once in a while even after six years of not working together. Gotta love Facebook®. She pursued a degree in marketing and has since relocated to her hometown of Chicago.
Life was good, but somehow I wanted more out of it. I longed for a stable job, but freedom from the usual 8 to 5 grind, and an office...at home where I could grow a business, watch my imaginary child learn and explore new things, and be successful at the same time. Wasn’t too much to ask for, right?
Back then and even today, telecommuting in the ad agency business isn’t really all that common. Most days you arrive early just to eat lunch at your desk in front of the computer, and stay late to get caught up on projects. If there is a deadline, you better believe you’re not leaving until the work’s finito. And weekends? Yep, you sometimes worked weekends, and without any overtime.
Then it happened; a few months before my wedding, I received the opportunity of a lifetime, or so I thought.
A vendor who owned a successful sign shop down the street contacted me out of the blue and asked if I would like to work for him as a marketing manager. I was ecstatic. The opportunity was just what I needed and it would give me the freedom and flexibility to start my own business on the side, something he was very open to. Since he already had an established business, I could work off his client list to drum up business for marketing and advertising. It really was a win-win situation. He wanted to keep more of his clients’ business with him, and he was confident I was the person to run that part of the show. The plan was brilliant. Best of all, I could have an office at home and there. What could be better? I could run my business, yet have a steady stream of income coming in. Perfect. Too good to be true? Nope, I thought. Now this was a done deal.
I was scheduled to start shortly after Labor Day 2004 which gave me time to get hitched, spend my honeymoon with Sean in the Bahamas, and put an action plan together in six months time. I worked hard at putting a business plan together and managed to gather a couple of potential clients, some small businesses and start-ups, so I was ready when I finally went solo. I finally felt like “this” was meant for me.
As the days grew closer, I spent many sleepless nights on the computer researching how to get my business off the ground and headed in the right direction. I had mentioned my plan to a few people and they also thought this was a good fit for me, especially since if you recall, my life’s plan called for birthing a child in a couple of years. And two by 35.
By the end of August, the vendor confirmed everything was a go. I was excited and ready to make my move and hand in my resignation to the advertising agency. When I did, I was surprised to learn that my boss already knew. He didn’t appear to be upset that I was starting up a business and working for our vendor. But then again, looks can be quite deceiving. I assured him that starting this business would not be direct competition for the agency, especially since the companies I wanted to do business with were small, locally-owned businesses that couldn’t afford big ad agency prices. These were the companies that we typically turned away because they didn’t have large advertising budgets. He wished me well and agreed to let me finish out the next three weeks to train my replacement.
Shortly after this, things turned ugly. Within one week’s time, I was asked to leave with the arrangement that I would be accessible for two weeks so that my replacement could move into my office. Mind you, she sat across from me in an office about the same size. My replacement was a good friend and co-worker that was just about my age. We had both graduated from ASU and were even in some of the same classes.
Picture frames of my boxer Zeus, me and my sister Sasha, and Sean still lined my desk. A plant sat on the window sill in its pink and white plaid pot soaking up the sun, and here was my co-worker in my office with a box full of her stuff ready to get to work. I packed my things, said goodbye and good luck to my boss and co-workers and left the building late afternoon that Friday on what I thought were good terms.
The following Monday I returned to the agency with my sister alongside me to grab a sweater I left in my old office, return some Sex and the City DVDs I had borrowed from my co-worker and the office key. The staff was having its regular Monday morning meeting like always in the glass enclosed conference room I always thought looked like a human fish tank. When I opened the door, I had a smile on my face and was happy to see everyone, but that smile quickly turned.
My boss who seemed so accepting of my new plan in life the Friday before rushed to the door and told me to stop where I was. I was no longer allowed or welcomed in the office. I told him I was there for my sweater and he quickly replied, “I’ll get it, you stay right there. You’re not welcome to go back there.”
Hurt, confused and humiliated, I glanced at the conference room where everyone who I had considered a friend turned to look down or the other away. Just two months prior in June, these were the same people that attended our wedding party, toasted us with champagne and congratulated us on a life filled with happiness, love and laughter. Right then and there standing in the office lobby, happiness wasn’t even a word in my vocabulary.
How could a place I worked at for three years treat me this way? Didn’t they understand why I needed to leave? That there was nothing left for me there? No challenge, no advancement?
I ripped the sweater from his hands, threw the key on the desk and exclaimed, “Since you think I’m such a thief,” and stormed out of the office never to step foot in there again. Being the sob queen that I am, tears ran uncontrollably down my face even after I made it home.
At that very moment, I was thankful to have my sister right by my side to embrace and pick me up when I was down and feeling so incredibly small.
Years later, my colleague and friend, a web design contractor for the ad agency, told me that while my old boss was wishing me well the Friday before in his office, he was tasked with going into my office and locking me out of my computer. Just goes to show that the very people you like and trust may also be the people that hurt you the most.
Rule of Life #1
A friend recently told me that even though you love your job, your job doesn’t always love you back. It’s not uncommon especially in big businesses. In the blink of an eye, the very same people you carpool with, share an office with, or eat lunch with may just be the same people that hurt you.
When we’re young, we believe that when we make a new friend, it’s a friend forever. I’ve quickly learned that some people I’ve always considered a good friend are no longer around. It’s up to me to figure out which friends stay in my life and which ones I choose to let go.
Chapter 2
New Life Straight Ahead
“Be what you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” —Dr. Seuss
A couple days later, I met with the vendor. The date was getting closer and I was anxious to get back to work. Sure, having two weeks off while still getting paid was nice, but I’m a natural-born work-a-holic. Chaos is good for me and I was ready and willing to have at it and make my mark.
I was scheduled to start the week after Labor Day 2004. Sean and I planned a special post-honeymoon trip to San Antonio over the holiday weekend to relax, eat some good Mexican food and enjoy the sights of the River Walk.
As I sat in the vendor’s office discussing what happened at the agency my last few final days, and how upset I was with my old boss, I could tell something was bothering him. He didn’t seem as enthusiastic or as interested as he did when we met over sushi a few weeks earlier to discuss the big picture. His mind seemed pre-occupied. Being a woman you can sense these things from a mile away. But what happened next was far from expected.
I remember this moment so vividly because it was “the” day my life was about to be thrown a curve ball. A fast one.
“Tisha,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about this and I don’t think I can go through with it. I can’t hire you. We can’t work together.”
Awestruck, my mind went blank and I was speechless. “But I was going to start after Labor Day,” I interrupted. “I quit my job for you, for this. I don’t understand. What happened?”
“I just can’t,” he said.
“But I don’t have a job anymore. What am I supposed to do now?” I clamored. “I can’t go back to the agency. He won’t take me back at the agency (not that I wanted to go back anyway after being treated so horribly).”
He quietly sat in front of me with the sun beaming into his office and across his desk. As if it were a joke to him, he put his sunglasses on and said, “Tisha, the future looks bright and sunny for you.” That was it. Those were the last words I would ever hear from him.
What the heck was that? A weather report? I left his office, once again, confused and upset, with the same emotions running through my head and tears streaming down my face.
The words repeated over and over in my head like a broken record. “The future looks bright and sunny for you???” Yeah, whatever. Here I was without a job and tomorrow Sean and I were leaving for vacation to relax in San Antonio. How could I relax?
I went home and contemplated what had just happened. Why didn’t he want to work with me anymore? Did I do something wrong? Did my old boss get to him? Was this whole thing a conspiracy from the get-go? After all, the agency did do work with this vendor. And people talk in such a small “everyone knows everyone” industry.
Between my old boss’ overnight mood swing and my vendor’s sudden bailout, life was starting to wear me down. I felt like a boxer in the ring who had just been knocked down by his opponent. Exhausted and worn out, I was kicked over and over again without ever being able to get back up and fight. And of course, I cried once again on my sister’s shoulder. What was I going to do? My plan that I had worked so hard to follow all this time was crashing and burning before my eyes.
Sean, not so much of a “lay your head on my shoulder and cry” type of guy, did his best to keep me from having a nervous breakdown by talking me through it. He assured me that things would be okay, and that I would find something even better. We weren’t rich by any means, so being unemployed while I tried to figure out my next move meant tightening our belts a bit with finances. Luckily it was just the two of us and our boxer Zeus. And since Sean and I are very frugal people, he shops maybe twice a year for clothes and I clip coupons at least a few times a week, we would manage.
Sean and I still ended up flying to San Antonio the next day despite my eyes being so swollen from crying so much. He again tried to convince me things would be okay, but at that moment, who could believe him? Here I was in beautiful San Antonio miserable as miserable can be. The fact that it rained the two days we were there made it even more depressing. My future is sunny and bright, huh? Not likely.
I never did get a straight answer from the vendor that day or ever. We never crossed paths again, although I still drive by his building now and then and wonder what if he had followed through with our plan.
My old boss and I ran into each other a few years after I left the agency. He was meeting with my former client at a restaurant I was at with my friend Heather, a cute, blonde-haired, girl I met through the agency. She was my sales rep at a local radio station. He and I never made eye contact. I gave a half-smile to my former client as I exited the restaurant.
Rule of Life #2
This new opportunity, or shall I say curve ball, was it for me. It was my chance of a lifetime that was never really meant to be. Just a dream that looked good on paper. I fell into it hook, line and sinker only to learn a valuable lesson. If it sounds and looks too good to be true, it usually, most definitely, is.
Chapter 3
Weighing the Pros and Cons
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” —Les Brown
So here I am, officially considered “unemployed.” I have nowhere to go, no job to get ready for and rush off to. Nothing. Just a house full of peace and quiet, and Zeus, who strongly resembled “Petey” from the Little Rascals, having a staring contest with me. He must have been so completely excited and utterly confused now that mama was with him all day, every day until Sean got home.
As I said earlier, I like busy. Busy suits me. Sitting around the house while everyone’s at work should seem like a dream and a nice change, but for me, I was itching to get back to managing projects, meeting with clients and being on a deadline. I thrived on deadlines.
It was then that I really bounced back and forth on what to do with my life. Do I start sending my resume and work for yet another ad agency? Do I work for a company and become its marketing manager? Do I start my own company? After all, I had a couple of potential clients ready to jump on board when I launched the business. Might work, right? A couple clients could hold me over and get me started. I always knew I had the entrepreneurial spirit. Had no idea it would happen this soon.
Sure, it was risky, but Sean had a good and steady job working for the City. He had the benefits and the retirement.
I called my mom for reassurance, told her my plan, and as she does with every bit of news I give her, she couldn’t wait for me to get started. What are moms for, right? God love them. They will always be your cheerleaders no matter what.
So that was it. Perhaps the one thing that made my mind up for me was the two potential clients. Calling and telling them I was no longer going to go through with the business wasn’t something I felt comfortable doing. There wasn’t a contract set in stone, just a solid handshake and an exchange of smiles that I would help them get their business going in the right direction. And the rest is history, well, not really. We’re barely into chapter 3! Business, like any adventure in life has its learning curves, its challenges and “ah-ha” moments where you stop and say, “I love what I do!” We were just getting started.
I officially went into business on September 10, 2004 and became the president, the secretary, the accountant, the entire marketing and sales department, and the janitor all at once for Simply Put Marketing. I was 24. Yes, once you decide to become an entrepreneur, you are a woman of many hats and you learn more about things like accounting, estimated taxes and clients that don’t pay their bills, than you ever really wanted to in life.
Later that week, just a few days shy of my 25th birthday, a manila envelope arrived in the mail. It was the most intimidating package I had ever received. It was from none other than my ex boss’ law firm. I hesitated opening it. It couldn’t be good news. After staring at it for a few minutes on the counter, my nervous hands tore it open slowly. It was a lengthy letter on the law firm’s crisp off-white letterhead, their names, all three lawyers, embossed in gold at the top. The letter outlined my non-compete with the agency and that if I were to contact my former clients, I would be in breach of contract. In addition, the letter questioned my work ethics. Hadn’t my old boss had enough? Was he willing to stoop this low to make my life this miserable? I had worked for him for a few years and in my time there, I had noticed he was insecure at times questioning even his own decisions and asking others for input. I also came to the realization that he felt threatened by my ability to build relationships with anyone and everyone I met, something he didn’t do so easily.
This was definitely a good scare tactic. I could have just ignored the letter, but I wanted to put an end to this. If I hadn’t, I knew the letters would never cease. I sat at my desk and wrote a letter back to the law firm explaining that I understood my non-compete, that I had no intention to contact my former clients, and for them and my old boss to stop harassing me.
If that weren’t enough, I was later told by a former co-worker (she and I used to be good friends at the agency and she took over my old office), that my old boss called a meeting after I left that Monday to tell all co-workers and vendors to stop all communication with me.
Eight months after I left, the agency closed its doors and my former co-workers all went their separate ways. Call it women’s intuition. It was, by far, the best decision I ever made to leave.
Rule of Life #3
Life’s full of choices to make. Some big, some small, some good, and some not so much. Others will always give you their input even when you don’t ask for it, but in the end, it’s entirely up to you to decide. Once you’ve made your decision, it’s your job to make sure you picked the right one. My motto? Live life without any regrets.
Chapter 4
Officially Open for Business
“Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities, work hard, and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.” —Brad Henry
Now that Simply Put Marketing is open and if I’ve learned anything about marketing, it’s to let the entire world know. And what’s the best way to do that? Write and send a press release out to the business community.
I sent my first press release to the business reporter at the Phoenix Business Journal announcing I had left the agency to start my own. I figured that if I was going to let people know where I was nowadays, the Phoenix Business Journal was the best place to be. It was the business Bible. If you wanted to know who was doing what in business or what events were taking place, it had all the answers, almost like a Who’s Who in the Phoenix business scene. I knew that if an article ran in the Phoenix Business Journal on the start-up of Simply Put Marketing, it was official. The reporter called back within minutes to ask me a few questions about my services. I explained to him briefly that I had worked for an ad agency, went out on my own and provided marketing and public relations services to small and start-up businesses. Simple.
The following Friday, a small blurb hit the paper. Another one hit Arizona Woman Magazine. Within a few days of the article running, I received a call from Ad2Phoenix, a local advertising association for professionals under 35. The president was looking for guest speakers for an upcoming Small Business Expo and she wanted me to speak on the topic of radio advertising.
How could I say no? This was a great opportunity to get in front of small businesses—my target market. The expo was taking place in a couple weeks and I still had so much to do. I didn’t even have business cards made up yet. My designer and I were still working out ideas for a logo. Everything was happening so fast. The day of the event, I entered the Scottsdale Civic Center with a handful of flyers and business cards I had designed and printed two days before. I took a deep breath and gave my presentation to about 30 business owners on radio advertising. I was part of a line-up that included well-known PR and marketing consultants that had been in business for years. I was now running with the big dogs and I felt so proud. It was exhilarating to be up on stage sharing what I knew. And in the second row, three of my biggest and proudest supporters smiled back at me—my parents and Sean.
Yes, the article did that for me and a whole lot more. It built credibility for my business and even brought me a couple of new PR clients. It did what I had hoped it would do—it got my business out there, but that was just the beginning. There was still so much to do.
Now that Simply Put was on the map, so to speak, I thought of other ways I could get connected and drum up business so others could find me. Networking was another “to-do” on my list. Since I was such a newbie at business, I decided to join the Arizona Small Business Association, better known as ASBA. There at my first meet and greet was a room full of business owners—some just getting started like me and others who already had established businesses. The organization’s executive director took the floor and told us all about opportunities available for businesses like ours, and asked us all to give our 30-second commercials. I paused. “What? What the heck’s a 30-second commercial?” I thought to myself. Luckily, I wasn’t the first to go in the group and had picked up the general idea from others who went before me. The “30-second commercial” was and is a term I would hear at every networking meeting I would ever attend. For those reading that are new in business, I describe a 30-second commercial as your “benefits” pitch to your customers. It doesn’t so much say what services you provide, but how you can help fulfill your prospect’s needs. It often ends with a strong call to action, your name and a memorable tag line of some sort.
Another free tool ASBA offered was one-on-one mentoring called T.I.M.E. I immediately signed up. I wanted to know how to get my business from point A to point B.
I was paired up with Keith Jones, a man in his early 40s who worked for H&R Block in sales. Our assignment was to meet every week and go over things like sales letters, 30-second commercials, cold calling, and any and all business challenges I was experiencing. Throughout our time together, Keith and I became good friends and I learned a tremendous amount from him. In fact, he recently started his own business this past year called Magnified Sales. One thing that we discussed stuck out in particular—cold calling. If you’re in business, it is mandatory that you have to cold call to get business, right? Maybe for some, but cold calling was definitely not for me and my service-based business.
I attended a sales presentation at ASBA with guest speaker Liz, a witty, talkative gal with a successful sales and coaching business. When asked what my biggest business challenge was, I piped up to the group and yelled out, “cold calling.” I was never comfortable doing it, cringed every time I had to and didn’t get far with it. I had managed to spend a few days doing it, booked one appointment at a hair and nail salon in Mesa that turned out to be a total waste of my time and the business owner’s time, too.
At the end of the class, Liz approached me and said, “If you don’t like cold calling, don’t. I have a feeling you’ll get more clients doing what you love to do… networking.”
She was absolutely right. That night I went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting with a client. Everyone in the room got up and gave the same old 30-second commercial that started with “Hi, my name is and this is what I do.” Yeah, I could have done that, too, but I wanted to stand out. In a room full of 50+ people, I got up and did my 30-second commercial. I first asked the group if they felt they didn’t have enough time to market their business. I then asked if they felt like they were running out of ideas on how to market their business and continued on with the benefits Simply Put provided—affordable pricing that wouldn’t break the bank, sensible marketing solutions customized to fit the business’ specific needs, and peace of mind in knowing that the marketing was getting done right. I looked around the room to see if people were paying attention, and they were. Amazing. My name was the last thing I said. After the meeting ended, six potential clients lined up waiting to talk to me. It was the best piece ofbusiness advice I had ever received. Thank you, Liz.
Rule of Life #4
You can go through life doing what everyone else does—staying in your comfort zone and never venturing out because of fear. Instead, be you. Take a chance and be unique. Choose to be a leader and not a follower. The best quote that sums this up is this, “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” —Unknown
Chapter 5
Life’s Day to Day
“Motivation will almost always beat mere talent.” —Norman R. Augustine
After a couple years of holding the title of president and handling clients’ marketing and public relations needs, business was good and steady. I had a handful of small business clients in various industries so work was never dull. I worked on projects ranging from logo and identity packages to collateral materials and web sites, dabbled in a few photo shoots, got my clients ink in the paper and face time on television, media coached them, and was always standing right by their side supporting them at the TV station.
I even had an intern. My friend Liza wanted to learn more about marketing and came to my home office to be mentored once a week. Once again, I felt important. Plus, it was nice having someone to talk to. When you work alone in a home-based business, most days the only person you talk to is your four-legged friend. I talked to Zeus. He was my water cooler companion that well, didn’t say much. He just listened, cocked his head to one side and stuck his tongue out at me…literally. When preparing for speaking engagements, he made the most endearing audience and he never had a bad thing to say, ever.
Life was good. I couldn’t imagine it getting any better than this. I was free to set my own hours, sleep in if I wanted to, work out at the gym during the not-so-crazy hours and have the flexibility that others only dreamed of. There was no more rushing to the office in the morning, eating through one-hour lunches, driving home and doing it all over the next day. I could work in my pajamas if I really wanted to although I would always try to be ready when Sean came home at 5. He would always make a comment if I was in the same clothes I was wearing when he left that morning. Those in a home-based business, I’m sure you do the same. In fact, I know most of you do. Getting showered and ready just to sit in your office down the hall takes a backseat to getting a client’s work done.
I always did my work on time. When you own a business, your hard work determines whether you succeed. There were days I don’t think I ever stopped working. I was always coming up with new ideas for my business and clients. As I mentioned earlier, my mind never shuts down. It didn’t matter if it was in the wee hours of the morning or late nights and weekends, as long as the projects were done on time and well before deadline, clients were happy. In fact, many of my clients came from referrals. I never once advertised for new business. It was all through word-of-mouth advertising, the best kind.
I was also making more money than I did at the ad agency and it was only my second, going on my third year in business. I had a couple of retainer-fee clients as well as some project-based and hourly clients that kept me on my toes. I also received requests from local groups like the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce, Early Rizers, a networking group for business moms, East Valley business referrals, and even ASBA to speak at their events on various marketing topics like how to write a marketing plan, the top 10 marketing mistakes, how to develop a good PR story and the power of networking.
I vividly remember my speaking engagement at the Ahwatukee Chamber of Commerce. It was a 7 am morning mixer in October held at the local Best Buy store. I arrived twenty minutes early and was decked out in a black suit jacket and skirt, a white with black polka dots silk shirt, and black high heels to match. I looked professional. My mom came with me. We were going on a mother-daughter trip to New York the next morning and as always she tagged along for moral support.
As I strolled into the store, I was greeted by a few of the Chamber members. I introduced myself as “the speaker” and as I did, I felt a rush of nervousness send tingles down my spine. Every time I introduce myself as “the speaker,” I get a couple of “Oh, you’re the speaker? Nice,” looks. Like, “What does this young girl have to say that I haven’t heard already? I’m old enough to be her mom or dad.” Here I was, 26, giving a presentation to a room full of people, again in various industries who were already established, about how to effectively market their business. I had spoken to numerous groups before, but with any presentation, even with my short 30-second commercial, the moment of doubt always enters and I wonder if what I say will get jumbled up in the process. I thought, “Why listen to me? I was a young’en. What did I know?” I swallowed hard and as everyone took their seats, all eyes focused on me, I started my presentation. I had a cheat sheet, too. A PowerPoint presentation I printed off just in case I lost my train of thought. By the end of the presentation, I found myself speaking from the heart, sharing my own business experiences and using them as examples, and answering questions left and right. Honestly, I don’t know why I ever worry. It’s as if my mind and my mouth are in perfect sync and the words just flow. One woman came up to me at the end, thanked me for the presentation and said, “You don’t even need the paper. Throw it away next time. You did great!”
Ah, sigh of relief. I also signed a new client that day—a realtor with Keller Williams who had a new product to share for brides and grooms looking to buy their first home.
My former client and friend Pam Tucker of Focus Beads later told me that age doesn’t matter. She said, “Tisha, it’s how you present yourself that makes others want to listen. You carry yourself well and are very professional.”
After that presentation, I never again thought I wasn’t capable of speaking in front of an audience or that I was too young to accomplish anything, even when I do get those “you’re the speaker?” inquisitive looks. When I finally changed that mindset, the universe was there to open more doors.
Rule of Life #5
Release any self-doubt you have lingering in your mind. Even the tiniest bit can have the strongest hold on you. Instead of saying “I don’t deserve this,” say, “I do deserve this.” Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” say, “I can do this.” When you finally change your mindset, you’ll be amazed at the amount of confidence you’ve gained.
Meeting Maria of DrivingMBA
At the time, I was attending networking events every week, at least a few during the day and in the evenings, while working on projects at night or in the early hours while the house was asleep. Networking face-to-face was and still is my favorite way to meet and get acquainted with new people. It’s how I’ve built many relationships throughout the years.
One day a client invited me to attend a morning E-women networking breakfast in Scottsdale. It was a small group of about ten women seated in a conference room amidst bagels, muffins, coffee and juice. We were each given the floor for three minutes to talk about our business and introduce ourselves.
One woman in particular stood out to me. Her name was Maria Wojtczak, a woman in her 40s with short, dark hair, determined eyes and a golden heart. She owned a business called DrivingMBA, a local driving school specializing in simulation-based driver training and ensuring teens’ safety on the roadways. I was very impressed with her and the way she presented herself, not too boisterous or loud, just calm, cool and collected on a very touchy and emotional subject —teen driver deaths. I especially liked her business concept—saving teens’ lives through proper driver training. Another woman asked her if someone was working with her on marketing her concept. She replied “Yes, I have an ad agency,” and left it at that. I didn’t pursue a conversation with Maria that day, not because she was already working with someone, but because we were both heading out the door to other meetings. Six months later she called.