Post Thanksgiving Thoughts - Business Plan?

I realize the Thanksgiving long weekend offers me an opportunity to reflect on the previous year and begin to visualize for the upcoming year; not only for me personally but for me as a business person and for the company as a whole.

A few of the questions I am pondering are:

- How am I best going to balance my personal and business lives? Especially since in April I will become a mother for the first time.
- Can I afford to take maternity leave or can I truly find a balance where clients can come and see me beginning just a few weeks after he is born?
- How big do I want to manifest my client base? 20 clients a week ... 30 clients a week ... 40 clients?
- The Tito's Touch products - how many different product lines with how many unique 'flavors' of each line?
- Where will the Interactive Pet Therapy (IPT) program really head? How big do I want to see it grow to? How will I monitor the quality of the IPT experience for those clients and handlers outside of my geographical area?
- Do I want to get into distribution of the Tito's Touch products? How will this be handled?
- How many employees do I want to employ for Therapy in Transition by this time next year?

I am sure most of you who are either in business for yourself or work for another are realizing that most of these questions look or seem familiar. They should as they are the root questions behind any good business plan layout. Getting clear on goals and aspirations for a company is the first step to writing a solid business plan. Not every company has a good business plan let alone a plan at all but for me and my partner we both believe in at least having a fairly solid outline of what we would like to achieve as it helps us with manifesting, visualizing and budgeting how we expend our funds.

Thanks for reading. Embrace your inner wisdom.

Until next time ...

In gratitude,
Karen

Happy Turkey Day!

That is what my family always says to each other instead of Happy Thanksgiving. I am not sure why but I think it was a way to interject a little humour into our lives. I was thinking of making a list of all things I am very grateful for like my husband, my two puppy dogs, my health, the child I am carrying, my parents and sister etc then I realized I have so much to be grateful for in business as well and maybe this year I will make list of what I am grateful in this regard. So here is my list ...What I am most grateful for in business:

1) New clients ... my client base is continuing to grow and I am grateful for having a full book of 30 clients;

2) New product creations ... under the Tito's Touch name I have introduced a Whipped Hand and Body lotion which is getting awesome reviews so I am grateful for the remaining products which I will be launching during the first quarter of 2008 for each of the same type of response and acceptance;

3) Ladies Who Launch ... this women's network has been an amazing source of inspiration, love, support, and introductions to a new set of friends and associates;

4) Studio Cue ... Kelly has been not only a wonderful graphic designer for the organization as a whole but she is becoming a very good friend for which I can not be more grateful;

5) Aine & Tucker ... my two dogs which continue to inspire me to move forward with the Interactive Pet Therapy Program as they begin the third portion of their training to become certified therapy dogs;

6) My business partner ... Jerry, who also happens to be my husband and best friend is a wonderful source of support. He has given me the best opportunity to follow my dream of starting this business and the natural/organic product line and I can not be more grateful to have such support and unconditional love to be surrounded by;

7) My creativity ... I am grateful having an outlet in which to express my creative side and having it be so readily acceptable and understood - well for the most part any ways :)

8) A wonderful office and practicum room ... I am grateful for the fact I have a safe, beautiful, and loving environment in which to work every day as well as to offer my clients to come and find a place of healing;

9) Abundance ... I am truly grateful for all the abundance I am surrounded by. Abundance of health, love, harmony, peace and joy. As well the abundance of wealth which I find being brought forth every day empowering me to continue to follow my heart and life's purpose; and

10) Education ... every day I learn something new which enlightens me and excels me to a higher level of compassion, understanding and knowledge.

This is my list of this year's things in which I am most grateful for with my business. I thank all of you for reading my posts, believing in me and supporting me with your love and best intentions.

Embrace your inner wisdom.

Until next time,
Happy Thanksgiving!

Karen

Firing the Boss?

I read this biz blog on MSNBC this morning. The title certainly caught my attention and I have to agree with most of what Eve Tahmincioglu has to say. I have witnessed entrapranuers not recognizing when they have outgrown themselves in their companies. I currently consult with a company and the founder shows classic signs of not wanting to let go of the reigns. He certainly believes he is surrounding himself with the correct individuals but yet he hasn't really. They are for the most part yes men who will do his bidding and will raise their concerns but defer to him even when the topic is not his area of expertise. Frustrating to say the least.

I have this concern for myself. As I move forward with Therapy in Transition I am seeing how big this can really become. It does scare me but I believe if I keep reading stories and blogs such as these and holding the intention the right person to step into CEO position comes along that I will definitely recognize it. I just hope a part of me really is that person :)

Reading this biz blog this morning has certainly opened my eyes a little wider and my thoughts inquire how many other individuals who have started their own business in the last six months have already begun thinking about such things?

Thanks for reading. Embrace your inner wisdom.

Until next time, I am in gratitude for all you do.

Karen