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• 5 Tips for Marketing Your... by ssproson [September 08, 2010, 11:46:01 AM]
• ALIBABA manufacturer dire... by ssproson [September 07, 2010, 02:12:48 PM]
• More Disability Resource ... by ssproson [September 02, 2010, 02:58:33 PM]
• Sam's Birthday by ssproson [September 02, 2010, 02:07:38 PM]
• File last years taxes for... by ssproson [September 02, 2010, 02:06:17 PM]
• Talent has no boundaries.... by ssproson [September 02, 2010, 02:01:13 PM]
• Ultimate Guide to Startin... by ssproson [August 31, 2010, 08:12:10 AM]
• Women With Disabilities H... by ssproson [August 27, 2010, 08:36:46 AM]
• Making a Difference Award... by ssproson [August 27, 2010, 08:32:23 AM]
• 2010 Small Business Fair by ssproson [August 26, 2010, 11:05:06 AM]

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[kedmab]

If you only knew what was in my mind. It sort of like a running machine that has hyped up batteries. I am constantly thinking, working, dreaming the vision.

These days I am very happy to share that we are really bearing down to the nuts and bolts of our program and redefining the mission.

It's not easy; sometimes I am liked for my decisions and sometimes I am disliked but as long as I am serving the program with integrity; what matters is that the right decisions are made.

Having a young son that is special needs, I constantly breathe the work I do. Like just now - my 4 year old ran into my office at home and put his foot on my leg and said "your hurting". What he meant to say is "I am hurting".

I think if adults were more honest about their own emotions things would go a lot smoother. I find it amusing when people cross our path and it just doesn't work out sometimes...well instead of walking away or saying "I am hurting". they try to build drama into an unnecessary scenario.

In any event - I am so grateful for my teachings because they continually guide me in the right direction.

My mentor said to me the other day....there are two ways to ingest poison in your system. You can do it the old fashion way and just drink the poison or you can surround yourself with poisonous people. Both will have the same effect eventually. How true it is!!

As for me..I am going for drinking chocolate these days..or surrounding myself with people who have chocolate. Assuming both will have the same effect on me....eventually...

[salvatorepdx]

I love this! Your own little blog. This is going to be fun.

I feel the same way about my mind. For the first forty years of my life I had a hard time sitting down and reading books because my mind wandered so much to other thoughts - creative thoughts. I was always so busy building dreams and planning my future that I rarely got anything accomplished. Now I've learned to channel my thoughts into the things I love doing and by the end of the day I can lay down with an audiobook on my iphone, turn off the lights and fall asleep to the sound of someone else's thoughts.

Another thought regarding the poison: I have always said that vampires are real and you can choose to surround yourself with vampires or you can avoid them altogether.

I like your idea about the chocolate though. That's my biggest weakness.

Sal

[kedmab]

Today was another busy day for us. We had a bartering session with discussion on software and bartering tools. I am constantly impressed at the people that I meet everyday that are caring, considerate, interesting people.

I wonder if we could barter for people like that everyday. Most of the time we are thinking of bartering tangible items; like services, or products, or money...but what about bartering for relationships, connections, influence, persuasion...Gosh how far would businesses grow if they learned that transfer of money is really about transfer of relationships and how you communicate with the buyer. Especially with the small business owner.

As I write this I am listening to the laughter of the ODC support group held twice a month by Sunshine Dixon. I am so curious to know why so many businesses are not utilizing the support group...

I think we all need support. If you don't think you need support - then you  need even more support...and if you don't want any support - well then you should be supporting others..

Life is about paying it forward....in the end by doing that you will become a very rich business owner; both inside and out.

[ssproson]

On the idea of pay it forward...

I consider pay it forward and Karma similiar in nature.

Everyday I am challenged to do the right thing: To let someone else sit down on the max train instead of myself; to let someone else go before me in the check out line because their load is smaller than mine; to call up my friend and invite her over for dinner knowing that we are both low on food for the rest of the week; biting my lip even though I know I am right; waving thank you to the car that stop and allowed me to walk past first... the moments are endless.

The point being... dont just walk through your day and go through the motions. Look up! Smile and say hello to someone. Look at your situation see how you can make someone else feel better.

You will be surprised on how this affects your own self being.
While you are paying it forward to someone else; someone is paying it forward to you.

If you need me to apply this to business...

Relationships are everything! That person you just smiled at in the elevator could be your new investor!

[goldenstone]

Love this Sam!

Happiness is the best karma=) Bad days/bad energy just makes ya stronger! rarara siscoomba!

[kedmab]

Thank you Sam! Hey I can't wait till I get my own blog.. Today was another busy day at the office. There are so many amazing people with amazing ideas that I am constantly...well...amazed..BUT....I realize that while ideas are great..it's the hard work to bring the idea to fruition that matters the most.

My husband always makes an interesting comment. He says 'So many people want to GET rich; but few want to BE rich! meaning..you have to work at being wealthy, being happy, being productive..It is rarely handed to you on a silver platter.

As for me - I didn't wake up one day - and TA DA...I had everything at my doorstep. On the contrary I didn't even have a door..I had the glimpse of a door knob when I first began my company...

Although my success has come from constant hard work and sheer determination, I know for a fact that I would not have been here today if it wasn't for people that paid it forward in my life.

I believe that some people in life are born with a silver spoon, some even with a golden spoon As for myself, I believe I was born with a plastic spoon and I constantly advocate for those that have no spoon.

As long as you pay it forward - you will never go wrong in life - the doorway will always be open..at least it has for me...

So before you walk away from this message - I want you to count how many times you paid it forward this week.

[kedmab]

I really enjoy the fact that I can blog from anywhere in the world. This week I am blogging from beautiful New York City, the city that never sleeps. I am amazed that I can walk along Broadway and see dozens and dozens of small businesses working to make NY a better place. Yesterday I walked and saw the florist watering the plants, the restaurant manager trying to coax us for dinner, the masseuse persuading us to experience the next best massage...

The reality is that small business is big business. In Portland where I reside, 97% of all businesses are classified as small business. So the next time you question whether your small business makes a difference in our community; ask yourself what would happen to our economy if 97% of our businesses thought the same way.

Well I am off to experience a gluten free muffin from the friendly neighborhood small business bakery.

[kedmab]

Yesterday I had an opportunity to walk around NYC on my own. Starting at 33rd street East I ended up on 72nd street West. That may seem pretty close but trust me it takes a long time to walk from the Eastside of NYC to the Westside of NYC.

As I walked through the street of NYC, I was amused at all the chitter/chatter of people and businesses. Shops were busy, cafes were filled, people were hurrying and life just stood still for a split second.

No matter how often I come to NYC - I am always experiencing a new journey. This time it was with Bus number 6628. It was the first time I was on the bus by myself as I journeyed back to my family's place on the Eastside. As I approached the bus - I had this assumption that the bus driver would be rude, hurried, and I would be fumbling for my bus ticket. Well only the latter occured.

As I approached the bus - I asked the bus driver if he was heading towards Macy's (that is the closest landmark I knew to where my family lived). He said "of course, come on in from the rain." As I stood there I was fumbling for my ticket and said this was my first time on the bus in NYC and I needed a crash course on the system. Politely he said "sit down, relax, take your time on finding your ticket, you have a while to go before we reach 34st street. Don't worry as we approach I will call it out so you know exactly when to get off.". I thought to myself - WOW! what an amazing bus driver - I was so impressed with his kindness to a stranger - someone new to the bus system - and he made it a wonderful experience.

I can relate it to how clients feel when they are launching their first business. They may know where they want to go; but unsure on how to get there; or the best route to bring them to their destination. They need comfort in knowing someone is willing to help them while they are test driving their new transportation.

As for me - I never got the name of the bus driver that made my experience from west 72nd street to east 34 street so comfortable but I did remember his bus number - 6628 - so I can find a way of thanking him one day - for taking the time - to pay things forward to a stranger on his bus.