reputations

I finished the business admin classes on Friday. It was somewhat sad, as I will no longer be interacting with the others in the program on a regular basis, but it's nice to have my mornings back. I was able to hit the gym this morning without having to go super early, which I definitely prefer!

I was paid a very nice compliment by one of the others in the class. She said she wanted to compliment me on being a young adult and having my own business, as well as the dedication it took to bike to class every morning, and never late. It really encouraged me to hear her say that. A couple days later I was talking to Jon about it and got to thinking about why it is that it means so much to me to hear things like that. Sure, we all like to be complimented and hear that other people admire us, but there's often even more to it than just that too. As I was analyzing myself and my background, I hit upon a very interesting dynamic. I've always had a good reputation, been seen as a "good kid", but it was always because of the family I was from, or the church I attended. So sure it was nice to hear, but I was piggybacking off of someone else for the most part, and it was never just my reputation. That has all changed now. I've been living in Windsor for almost two years, and no one here knows my family, or even really has any idea what they are like! Not only that, but I'm no longer associated with any religious group or organization. The reputation that I am building is finally completely my own. And to hear someone compliment me and say they admire me for having my own business and having the dedication to bike to class is a sign that I am building the kind of reputation I want. It's like a road sign that says I'm going the right direction.

It's always been my dream to work for myself. I was just never satisfied with someone else giving me a schedule, telling me what to wear and how to run things. From my first real job on I was always chaffing at having to work for someone else. I knew there was a better option, I just wasn't sure how to get there. Imagine my relief and wonder to now find myself with the resources and ability to be able to do exactly that! It feels a bit unreal, but I guess I always knew I could do it - and I was definitely given some of the tools needed while growing up.

So business is going well! I've been keeping busy getting my books all set up and my paperwork and office space organized. Spent a few hours on the weekend getting rid of stuff and re-organizing my whole room. Gives me the warm fuzzies to walk in now as my living space is so much improved! Minimal clutter, more floor space and just an overall nicer looking room. Makes it much more pleasant to work in.

I've been spending a fair bit of time outdoors as well. Planted a little garden at Jon's and have been helping him with some other things around his place too. Feels great to get creative and make something with my hands, as well as just do something physical. Since most of my work is on the computer, and I spend a lot of time sitting and typing, I start to crave actual physical work and getting my hands dirty. Thankfully I have a boyfriend who has his own house and is more than glad for the help!

And that's the update on my life...

road rage

As a frequent cycler, I am often amazed at how irresponsible and just plain inconsiderate people are. They pay attention to other traffic and pedestrians better than they do to bikers. We seem to fit somewhere in between regular car traffic and those on foot, but somehow we get overlooked a lot of times. I notice it especially when going to cross an intersecting street. People will pull up to the stop sign or stop light and will pull up so far that you cannot bike around them, or you have to bike around the back. They'll sit there, wanting to make a right hand turn, and will be watching the traffic coming from the left, and don't look to the right, so don't see you coming and then start to pull out without looking back to the right. It drives me crazy! THEY have the stop sign, I don't. If it was another car, they would be more likely to notice and wait - but they seem to underestimate us bikers. I see it over and over and over again, and it annoys me more and more each time. When I was first driving and taking my road exam, I was told to look both ways when you go to make a right turn to watch for bikers. But apparently most people do not know this. Luckily I am attentive and keep my hand on the brake, ready to stop short if they start to pull out in front of me, but sheesh, why are drivers so inconsiderate and unaware?

In business news, I have a week of classes left - then I can do the stuff full time. I am looking forward to that! I've enjoyed the classes, learned a lot and really enjoyed getting to know the others in the program, but I am looking forward to having the whole day to make sales, build websites, start learning more skills to be able to offer, and get myself more organized. So very much work goes into starting a new business! I'm seeing areas that I want to learn and expand into as well, like graphic design and search engine optimization. I would love to be able to promise a client to get their website on the first page of google results for their search term. But that's not easy! Especially with so many others trying to get the same result. But to be able to learn how to do that, practice it and get results and then be able to deliver on that to clients would be a huge advantage - and I'm all about the ADVANTAGE!

I am enjoying spring. I've been biking to class every day - about a 20 minute ride - and it's been getting nicer and nicer every day. So pleasant to be able to enjoy the bike ride instead of freezing and just wanting to get there! And when you actually enjoy the ride itself, it goes by quicker, seems to take less time. So yes, I am thoroughly enjoying spring and the warmer weather! The motor bikes up and down main street are a bit annoying when you're trying to sit and have a nice relaxed time at the coffee shop. lol.

I got my business card to the printer today, so sometime in the next week I will have business cards! I'm pretty pumped about it. They are nice too. Classy, professional and unique. Definitely something I can be proud of! Will be nice to be able to hand over a business card when people ask, instead of saying, "No, I don't have them done up yet." I am planning to get shirts done too, with my logo and everything. Then when I go to networking events and such I will be a walking advertisement! How sweet is that? (Yes, I know, it's pretty damn sweet...)

Still working on my "bikini body", as I like to call it, and enjoying the results! I enjoy working out, pushing myself and seeing what I can do, and then feeling my muscles get tighter, harder and a bit bigger. And I feel pretty good about having stuck with it this long.

Well, that's all for now. Fare well, dear readers!

happy springtime!

Well folks, it looks like Old Man Winter has indeed left us for another season. I thought he would never go! Seriously, it was the longest winter that I remember. It felt like it was never going to get warm again! But finally, the chill is leaving the air. Yesterday was sunny and felt very springy. Today looks as though it is going to be the same. Yes, I am happy. Perhaps I can now get thawed out... I realized yesterday though, when I put on a short skirt for the first time since last fall, that I should be hitting the gym harder, as I want to have a nice shapely body for the tops and skirts and bikinis that come with summer. I wouldn't mind to get a nice tan this year too. And thank goodness I am setting my own schedule now - perhaps I will actually be able to take advantage of summer this year! Last year I was stuck in the call centre job and it was very difficult to do much of anything because of my schedule and whatnot. Hopefully this year I can be more flexible and able to get out and enjoy it more!

Business is going well. There is sure a lot to do to start up! I have completed one week of classes, and am really enjoying it and learning a lot! The others in the program are pretty cool too. It's neat to hear about everyone's businesses and get to know them a bit. My biggest challenge so far is trying to get insurance. I'm required to have it for the program I'm in, and I've been calling around and trying to get a quote and everyone says they cannot offer any kind of policy to someone living in a rooming house situation - which is basically what I'm in. So, it looks like I'm going to have to pretend to be living in an apartment to get any kind of damn insurance! Talk about frusterating! So I guess tomorrow I'll do some more calling around and see what I can find for that. I did finally manage to get an appointment set up to open a business bank account. I was going to go with Scotia bank, because that's who I've been dealing with for my personal banking, but I called them to set up an appointment, was told that the small business manager would call me back to set up an appointment, and I never heard from the guy. So, I took my business somewhere else! I'll go where I'm going to get good service, thank you very much! Called BMO to ask about setting up an account, had to leave a voice message, but they called me back right away and were to friendly and helpful! It was like a difference between night and day! So guess who gets my business? I may even switch my personal banking over to them.

The other pieces I have to get together this week are my standard forms - receipt, invoice, contracts, etc - and a mission statement. Fun stuff! I do like seeing my business name on things. It looks pretty neat... Thursday I have an appointment with the graphic designer to get a logo and business cards drawn up. Very exciting!

So things are coming together, and the next few months should be very interesting. With the self employment benefits I will be getting I'll be able to have a car probably by the end of April or shortly thereafter, and planning to be in my own apartment a couple months after that. Finally, I'll be out of the crowded little room I'm living in and have my own wheels again! That will be delightful! It feels like the pieces are all falling into place for me finally. And it feels damn good!

For those of you interested, watch for a new issue of ADVANTAGE Tips for Small Business Owners which will be sent out soon... If you are not subscribed, visit my website or drop me an email to subscribe...

funnies

Just a couple of funny things...