Spotlight Entrepreneur: Barbara Lynn Cantone of Body&Soul Restorations

Meet Barbara Lynn Cantone, our Spotlight Entrepreneur for January. Barbara Lynn is a great example of someone who's career path naturally progressed to self-employment after years of working for others.  Barbara Lynn found an industry that fulfilled her and when an opportunity presented itself to become her own boss, she seized it.   One of the things I love about Barbara's business is her mission to make #citylifelivable. Throughout her Long Island City, NY spa, her targeted treatments and her products she has infused the essence of this critical restorative and preventative principle.  Read on to learn more about Barbara's business Body & Soul Restorations, her tips for balancing work and home life, and small business resources she can't live without.

Barbara Lynn Cantone Body and Soul Restorations

Tell us about your business, Body&Soul Restorations:

Body & Soul Restorations is a holistic body therapy brand that creates products and provides services that cater to the unique stresses of an urban environment. We aim to make #citylifeliveable.

We currently offer a menu of services that includes skin therapy, massage therapy, prenatal body therapy, reflexology, aromatherapy, energy work, and meditation training in our Long Island City treatment room.

Our products for home care are designed to assist the body's inherent ability to fight stress and disease through the use of botanicals and minerals. They are made by hand and 100% natural (organic when possible).

When did you decide it was the right time to take the leap into self-employment?
The decision to build my own business was a gradual one for me. Holistic body therapy is my third career; in past lives I was in magazine advertising production and then not-for-profit arts development. When I made the transition into wellness therapy, I didn’t intend to have my own treatment room – I just wanted to find a trade where I could better myself and others without being tied to a laptop for 12 hours a day. But after two years working in the spa industry, I knew I would never be happy working to fulfill someone else’s vision. So when an opportunity to open my own space came up I jumped on it.

What's the most challenging aspect about being an entrepreneur?
Juggling. Time. Work. Energy. Family...

What is your #1 tip for balancing work and family?
My 2013 resolution is to stop work at a certain time each day. This is very tricky when you are both a practitioner and the sole administrator in a business. Even trickier when that business belongs to YOU. For several years, I would see clients all day and then come home, eat dinner and go straight to my laptop to handle all the other business involved in owning a business. It became overwhelming and I found myself needing the same therapies that I was offering to my clients because of burnout! This year, I’ve set days/times to work as a practitioner and as an administrator. Hopefully, that will allow me to set better boundaries with regard to my family time.

I’m also a big believer in yoga and exercise. Being able to take an hour, 2-3 times a week, makes all the difference in keeping me centered. And when I am centered, I’m better able to manage my work and life.

What small business resource(s) can you NOT live without?

• Evernote. I use it constantly. For notes on my blog. For formulas for products I’m developing. For to-do lists. For research notes. I can access it anywhere via my phone or iPad. 
• The Square.  When I started my business, I began with a traditional merchant account to accept credit card payments from clients. I couldn’t afford to take American Express or Discover, and even still I was losing money with transactions. God bless The Square! It’s both an application and a small plastic attachment that plugs right into your phone or tablet. Swipe the card. Square accepts all 4 major credit cards, charges an across the board % per transaction and then deposits the money into your bank account THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. It’s a miracle for small businesses.
• Come to think of it, I guess that also means I couldn’t live without my iPad! Obviously, I use it for all of the above and also for scheduling appointments, email, correspondence, conference calls, etc. And for occasionally watching Arrested Development in my downtime.

What advice would you give to a friend who was thinking about starting a business?
Be open minded. I’ve set up services and created products that I thought for sure would be successful only to find out no one is interested, or that the market is limited. A great example of this is my bath soak line. Most clients LOVE the salts and essential oils and wanted to reap the benefits of the aromatherapy but just didn’t have time to take a bath. (Many of my clients live in apartments and don’t even have a bathtub!) So I went back to the drawing board, did a little bit of research to find out how clients could benefit from aromatherapy in another form, and then launched my line of candles. Same essential oils, different medium. Very popular.

Favorite social media site?

I’m a very visual learner, so I’ve loved using Instagram to to take photos of all the things that I think make #citylifeliveable. It’s a great way of visually documenting ideas. I’m not sure what will happen with their application over the coming months as they work out their new policies with regard to copyright, ownership, etc. But for now, I use it all the time.

I also love Tumblr. I use it to tie in all my other social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) The ease of using one site to manage all the others is a real blessing when you are a one-woman show.


What book has been an inspiration to you as an entrepreneur?
I’ve honestly used more blogs and online resources than books with regard to business. Currently, the two articles that have made the most impression on me are:

• http://www.freakonomics.com/2011/04/28/the-100-rules-for-being-an-entrepreneur/
• http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/

When you're not working, what's your favorite activity?

• Yoga
• Spending time playing Wii Just Dance with nieces (they are the light of my life)
• Drinking a really good vodka martini and doing the crossword with my husband

Body&Soul Restorations

Connect with Barbara and her team!

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www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Spotlight Entrepreneur: Susan Cannella and Helen Denny of Gardening Gals

This month I am so pleased to introduce you to The Gardening Gals.  Meet Susan Cannella and Helen Denny, founders of the Charlotte-based raised bed gardening company.  Whether you're looking to have a little vegetative guidance or want the gals to jump in and get dirty- Susan and Helen are there for you! From rain barrels to compost and all the blooms in between the gals are there to walk you through the process.

How did the two of you decide it would be a good idea to go into business together?

Helen: Susan and I have been friends for almost 10 years.  About three years ago, the two of us worked together as camp counselors for a summer camp at our swim and racquet club.  We found that we really enjoyed working together and that we made a good team.

Susan Cannella

Helen Denny

Do you find the gardening industry to be a male-dominated field, and if so have you had to overcome any obstacles?

Susan: We primarily build raised bed gardens, and deal mostly with men as far as purchasing materials such as lumber through a building supply company and soil through a landscaping company.  On the other hand, our customers have been mainly women from whom we have gotten a lot of positive feedback for owning our own business and offering the service that we do.  We do come across the occasion quizzical look from a customer after having explained that WE would be the ones building the bed and filling it with soil.  I suppose they have a moment of disbelief that two women would be doing the labor.  

With Fall approaching, what are some things that we should think about doing in our gardens? 

Helen: Some plants might still be producing.  I am still getting tomatoes, peppers and egg plant.  I will freeze most of tomatoes I harvest at this point by blanching them in boiling water just until the skin starts to split and peel away. Once they reach that point, remove from the water, let cool, then peel.  The skin will slip right off.  I freeze the tomatoes in zipper lock freezer bags and use them in recipes throughout the year.

If your plants have finished producing, now is a great time to clean up the summer garden by pulling up the old vegetation, work organic plant food into the soil, and plant fall vegetables.  Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are just a few vegetables that can be planted at this time.

You don't have to have a green thumb to have a great garden...
         

I love to garden with my kids, what are some tips you could provide on getting children excited about gardening?

Susan: Most children love the idea of helping with a garden, and they can participate and just about every aspect of tending to a home garden.  The more involved they are, the more rewarding the experience will be and the more dedicated they will be.  Let your child choose some of the types of plants you plan to grow.  Let the garden be a science experiment.  Plant some items by seed and some by plant and make observations.  Children love to water but should have some guidance.  I find my own children are sometimes too eager to pick vegetables.  Remind them to harvest the vegetables when they are truly ripe.

What advice would you give to a friend who was thinking about starting her own business?

Helen: I would certainly encourage anyone to start a business.  In our case, we turned a hobby into a small business where we can make a little money, but more importantly have fun! We truly love working together and helping our customers.  I would encourage any friend to stick with an area of business that they feel passionate about.  Keeping an open mind and knowing that your business might change or offer different services over time is also important. 

Thinking about sprucing up your yard and investing in a raised bed garden? Give the Gals a shout!  

Fan them on Facebook 

Tweet @GardeningGals

Gardening Gals, LLC
web:  www.gardeninggals.com
email:  info@gardeninggals.com

www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Spotlight Entrepreneur: Shelley Oppedisano of Macaroni Kid

This month I'd like to introduce Shelley Oppedisano of the Fort Mill/Tega Cay, SC branch of Macaroni Kid.  What a treat it was to strike up a conversation with a fellow entrepreneur from my local area. Shelley is a WAHM: A work at home mom. While juggling motherhood, she also co-edits and co-publishes Macaroni Kid.  

For folks that have never heard of Macaroni Kid, what service does it provide for local community?

Macaroni Kid is a hyper-local website and weekly e-newsletter built for moms in the Fort Mill / Tega Cay, SC community.  Our main focus is sharing the best events for kids and families in our area and we run articles on everything from kid crafts to dinner recipes.  We also work closely with local businesses that are of interest to our target audience, coordinating specials and events for our readers.

What are some of your favorite family-friendly activities in the Fort Mill/Tega Cay area? 

We tell moms to check our Facebook page everyday because there is always something fun going on.  For example, Macaroni Kid recently sponsored a “Pinkalicious” tea party at Shug-A-Bug Kids Spa for girls.  The tea party consisted of fingernail painting, “glamour shots”, an etiquette class and catered snacks.  A fun event coming up is the National Costume Swap Event we’re doing with The Bump Maternity Boutique in Fort Mill.  Moms can bring old Halloween costumes during our drop off week and receive a ticket for a “new” gently worn costume.  

A lot of the moms in your network are multi-tasking Mama's. How does Macaroni Kid work with moms who are looking to promote their businesses?

One exciting promotion coming up is our first Macaroni Kid Fort Mill “Independent Consultant” guide. For four weeks (starting mid-September), we are highlighting local moms and their direct sales companies. We want to create awareness to local moms that there ARE options out there that will allow them to work from home. Options that are not scams, and options that will be fun!   Local fundraisers are always our favorite activities to be involved in.  It’s a great way to meet the community, build your brand name and support a great cause.  For example, we are active supporters of Team Saving Savannah and are helping coordinate Savannah’s Spirit Night at BT’s Burger Joint on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.  Come by and check it out- good food for a great cause: http://fortmill.macaronikid.com/article/339746/macaroni-helps.

What is the biggest challenge you face as Co-Editor/Co-Publisher?

A lot of businesses and advertisers want access to our audience, but if we go too far in that direction, we lose credibility and lose our voice.  So it can be a challenge balancing our relationship with local businesses with the interests of our audience.  The core of our business is sharing relevant, useful content with moms and families- so we’ve chosen to limit advertising to what’s appropriate, which sometimes means saying no.   

What is your #1 tip for balancing work and family?

Have lots of coffee in stock at your house and always sit down for family dinner! 

Thanks so much to Shelley for taking the time to share the benefits and fun that Macaroni Kid brings to the local community.  To reach Shelley and Macaroni Kid visit their website, become a fan on their Facebook page, or sign up for their Twitter feed.


www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Spotlight Entrepreneur: Jill Salzman of Founding Moms

Are you ready to be entertained?  Meet Jill Salzman- sassy CEO of Founding Moms. A graduate of Brown University and law school after that, she ditched bankruptcy law to begin her entrepreneurial journey with two successful companies; Paperwork Media LLC and the Bumble Brand LLC.  Her third venture, Founding Moms is focused on connecting mom entrepreneurs around the globe.  Jill brings great advice to this Q&A with lots of humor.  Enjoy!

Jill Salzman

What made you decide to take the plunge into self-employment?

I’d just graduated from law school and knew that I was not going to practice law.  I also knew that I wanted to create an environment where I could be home with the kids and making money at the same time.  Child labor laws prevented me from going one route, so I opted to launch my own business instead.

What is the biggest challenge that you face as an entrepreneur?

It depends on the day.  One day it’s accounting, another it’s legal, and most days it’s marketing.  Finding customers and clients is a pretty big one.  But for the most part, figuring out how to get my work done and feed my family all in one day takes the top of the cake, most of the time. 

If you had to give a piece of advice to a girlfriend that was thinking about starting her own small business, what would that be?

I’d ask her to sell me on her idea.  Then I’d tell her to go out and find friends, family and strangers and pitch her product or service to them.  My first piece of advice for anyone is to figure out whether there’s a market for what they’re selling.  Too many people spend far too much time planning, thinking, planning, waiting, wondering if it’s the right time, creating a laundry list of worries, and then planning some more.  I’ve seen a lot of entrepreneurs spend upwards of 2 years prepping their product launch only to find out, post-launch, that no one is interested in buying it.  I’m very much a dive-in-first-and-then-plan kinda gal, and since it’s worked for me three times, I’m confident it’s going to work for someone else, too.

What small business resources can you not live without?

Twitter.  And Tadalist.  And LessAccounting.com.  And Google Docs.  And Wordpress.  And Evernote.  And Skype.  And most importantly, My First Ticonderoga #2 pencils.

Tell us about The Founding Moms and how mom entrepreneurs can benefit from joining.

The Founding Moms is a collective of meetups and educational resources for mom entrepreneurs.  We’re in 30+ cities to date with 2,500+ members around the world, including cities in Canada and Australia (and soon Germany, too.)  We host kid-friendly meetups each month where we come together to help one another through education, advice, speakers and networking to better build our businesses.  We’ll be launching an online platform soon and there’ll be a lot of benefit to each of these members in their cities connecting with members outside of their home area.  Very exciting.  The benefits to joining?  There’s the practical stuff, like advice and tips on all areas of entrepreneurship that you can write down, go back to your office and put into practice.  There’s the intangible, like the networking and brainstorming that happens at each Founding Moms’ Exchange (which is what we call our meetups.)  But then there’s the real gold:  the inspiration and confidence that you get from connecting with other like-minded women.  Every month I head back to work after an Exchange and feel even better about what I’m doing.  It’s indescribable, really, but outstanding and happens each and every month.

You just published your first book: Found It: A Field Guide for Mom Entrepreneurs, tell us about the book and how we can purchase a copy!

Sure!  I wanted to write a quick-read guide for women who were interested in launching their own businesses, or who were already running small businesses but wanted to grow bigger.  I knew a lengthy, well-researched book was not really up any mom entrepreneur’s alley, so I gunned for a bathroom read and put together 51 short, to-the-point chapters that you can read and refer to again and again.  The first half of the book is all about starting up and sustaining a great company.  The second half is about how to do all of the first part’s bits with kids in the mix.  Humorist John Hartzell of MiddleAgeRiot.com agreed to do the illustrations for my book, and we made them black and white so kids could color them in.  The last part is not true but I just figured out that crayons would totally work on them. 

You can purchase it at http://www.bit.ly/jillsbook1 which is the only place to get a signed copy.  It’s on Amazon, too.  The e-book is available through BarnesAndNoble.com and it’s in Barnes & Nobles’ stores nationwide.

    When deciding to write your book, what was the biggest stumbling block?

The writing of the book was the easy part.  The chapters almost fell out of my head and onto paper and I completed it in literally 6ish weeks.  The hardest part was figuring out whether to self-publish or to find a publisher.  I spent much too long waiting for my agent to nab a publishing deal, when in reality most pub deals are pretty bad these days as the industry struggles.  But when I decided to self-publish, there were so many new challenges that I didn’t even know to know that it held things up for a bit.  Which printer?  How to distribute?  What size book?  Who would design it?  Those things.  Fortunately (and clearly) I figured them out and here I am!

My thanks again to Jill for a wonderful interview. To learn more about Founding Moms or to contact Jill directly, please visit:

http://www.FoundingMoms.com

http://www.twitter.com/foundingmom

http://www.linkedin.com/in/foundingmom

http://www.facebook.com/foundingmoms

www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Off to SleeveShirt's annex

5 days a week I work from my home-office.  I've designed it to be fun and functional- a place that I really enjoy being in while I do write, perform research, or construct business plans for clients.  On the weekends however, separating work from family-fun becomes a little more difficult since my office is on the first floor of our home and since it does not have a door.

After a good morning walk with our new puppy, breakfast with my favorite little people and after sharing a few cups of coffee with my love, I head to our community library.

They've come to expect my presence as the doors open at 9am. The librarian even have the key for Study Room A ready and waiting. I have my own private "office".  If you thought the library was quiet- imagine when you're in a small room tucked in the back of one. Complete silence!

Headed out to SleeveShirt's annex again today- wish me a productive day!  If I struggle for inspiration, you may just find me engrossed in a good book.

www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Grow Smart, Risk Less: A Franchising Success Story

I love to read. In fact, I wish there were more hours in the day to sit curled up with a cup of green tea and a good book. I like to mix it up between fiction like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series all the way to the Steve Jobs biography that I just started.  Whether it's a fictitious feminist with a photographic memory or a true American icon, we all need heroes to look up to.

I'd like to introduce you to a hero of franchising, Shelly Sun.  I just finished her book: Grow Smart, Risk Less: A Low-Capital Path to Multiplying Your Business Through Franchising.  Her resume is impressive: She's the owner of an Inc. 500 company, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners and the International Franchise Association and her company BrightStar Care® was named second in the top fifty fastest-growing women-led businesses by the Women Presidents' Organization.  Impressive indeed.

I connected right away with Shelly. A workaholic sentenced to bed rest by her doctor while pregnant with twins, Shelly started holding weekly staff meetings in her bedroom.  She also used her bed rest time productively by writing all of the company's operations manuals!  From this meager beginning, with a drive for success Shelly was able to grow her company from $1 million to $100 million in five years.

In today's economic climate, access to capital is limited, and that isn't likely to change. Shelly's book provides recommendations on how to propel a business with a solid foundation on a path to amazing growth while minimizing risk.

For those of my readers who enjoy local success but who have always dreamed about growing their business to one of a larger regional, national or even international success, this book will outline step-by-step the process to evaluate the opportunity and lay out a roadmap to reaching your goals.


www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

ABC’s of Small Business Success

At SleeveShirt Consulting we’d like to take you on an inspirational journey to reach your career goals.  Are you just starting to think about launching a business?  Or maybe you are looking to build your brand and grow your customer base?  No matter what phase you fall into, together, we will build successful strategies to help you become the fearless entrepreneur you want to be. Here are some tips, from A to Z.

Anthem.  Choose a song that motivates you to focus on your goals.  Listen to it while you’re exercising, make it your ring tone or set your alarm to wake up to it and kick off your day with a smile on your face.

Barter.  There are ways to conduct business that do not include invoicing customers. Find a complimentary business that needs your services and find common ground on a trade agreement.

Communicate. Have you ever heard of anyone being looked down upon for OVER-communicating?  Ranked in order of importance; In person, over phone, via email, via text, and lastly, megaphone.

Drumroll, please!  Celebrate your successes- no matter how small. If you don’t pat yourself on the back, no one else will. 

Elevator Pitch.  A 30 second intro to your brand and your mission.  Don’t have one? SleeveShirt can help.

Freebies.  That’s right, I said the magical word: FREE!  Everyone wants a deal. Together we’ll brainstorm ways to market your product/service to customers and provide them with some valuable extras so they keep coming back for more.

Greed is good.  Be greedy about your time.  Time is money.

Humility.  Make a mistake? Own it.  Don’t hesitate to apologize and make good on the situation. 

Intention.  Setting an intention, different than setting a goal, allows you to focus on “being” in the present moment.  Let go of goal-oriented outcomes and instead look inward and ask yourself, “Where do I want to be (with my business/with my life)?”

Just Do It.  So you’ve been thinking about starting your own business for a few years, but just haven’t had the time…  What’s stopping you?  Fear? Don’t know where to begin?  Call me for a free consultation and we’ll get you on your way.

Kindness. Kill ‘em with it.  

Love thy neighbor.  I recently reached out to a number of local small business owners for advice and I couldn’t have gotten more genuine, helpful responses.  Your community wants you to succeed- reach out!

Mentor.  Don’t have one? Get one. Feel you would be a good one?  Sign up here: http://www.mentoring.org/

Network.  With your facebook fans, with your chamber of commerce, with a local women’s group. You never know where your next customer will come from.

Optimism. Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t… You’re right. 

Pay.  Not a copywriter? Don’t pen your website. There is good value setting aside money to pay for expertise.

Question. Ask it:  “Do I have your business?”  You can’t be shy about this.  You have to close the deal.  Here are some additional tips: http://www.startupnation.com/business-articles/1138/1/AT_5-Tips-For-Closing-Deal.asp

Read.  About your industry, about your competition, about people who inspire you. Then share those good resources with your network.

Stamina.  If you are thinking about launching your own business, or are already self-employed, you know that it takes stamina and endurance to keep going.  Think of yourself like an athlete who is in training for the race of your career.

Travel: Outside of your comfort zone.  Sometimes we have to do things that make us uncomfortable just to break down the door and move past it.  It's good for the soul.

Underminers.  You know those folks in your life who tend to be on the more negative side? If you let them, they’ll just bring you down.  Avoid them at all costs! 

Vision.  Ever created a vision board?  I can walk you through 3 simple steps to achieve your most important goals in business, and in life.

White Board.  Oh how I love my white board calendar.  Thank you Board Dudes!  Organizational tools like this one help me visualize my to-do list and gives me a snap shot of my schedule so that I am able to stay on my game.  Are you on your game?

X factor. What will Simon Cowell be looking for on his new show?  The indefinable “something” that brings unique star power?  What is your businesses Xfactor? Let's define it together.

Yard Sale!  Cleaning out the clutter in your space allows you to focus on the task at hand. If you work from home, ensure you have a quiet, comfortable work-space free of distractions, and full of inspiration. 

Zero-tolerance.  Adopt it for ignorance, hostility, arrogance, wastefulness, dishonesty, and the complacent.

Ready to get started?  Call me to set up a free consultation.

www.sleeveshirtconsulting.com

Never say never

10 years ago or so I distinctly remember having a conversation with a fr-enemy co-worker. Her boyfriend at the time had dragged her to a NASCAR race one weekend and she was horrified. Did loving him mean that she had to enjoy this past time?  I remember taking secret pleasure at the thought of Ms Kitten-Heels &Pearls traipsing around a dirty race track surrounded by rednecks wearing tank tops and little else.  I would NEVER find myself at a NASCAR event.

Fast-forward to today.  Not only have I been to a track, but I have been fully indoctrinated into the culture of NASCAR.  My husband was always an enthusiast of antique cars, so when a job opportunity came up marrying his love of cars and his expertise in exhibit management we were on our way to Charlotte without looking back.

I learn something new about racing every time I sit down with my family to watch a race.  What's new with the points system? Why is Kyle Busch running so loose?  Does praying for the little baby Jesus do anything to help the drivers like it does for Ricky Bobby?

My husband has met some fascinating characters through his job- and we even have little old ladies offering to cook him dinner when he stops by to pick up artifacts for the hall.  Junior Johnson's moonshine?  Delicious.

Well its about time to go check in on how my driver is running at Daytona.  Yes, 10 years ago, these are words that I never thought I would utter.  But in life, you can never say never.

I have the solution to BPs mess!

From what I understand, BP et al, are taking suggestions from any Tom, Dick or Harry.  With that being said, I’ve had some inspiration circa 1998:

NASA discovered that there is an asteroid roughly the size of Texas heading towards the Earth, and when it does hit the Earth, the planet itself and all of its inhabitants will be obliterated, worse, the asteroid will hit the Earth in 18 days. Unfortunately, NASA's plans to destroy the asteroid are irrelevant. That is when the U.S. military decides to use a nuclear warhead to blow the asteroid to pieces. Then, scientists decide to blow the asteroid with the warhead inside the asteroid itself. The only man to do it, is an oil driller named Harry Stamper.  Harry says he can't train men how to drill in ten days, so he brings in his own team of roughnecks to learn to become astronauts and get the job done. 

- Armageddon

Did you recognize the movie plot?  Doesn’t hurt to play Aerosmiths "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" in the background which I heard yesterday on the radio.

Loss of life is no laughing matter, and I am about to put myself out on a limb here with a controversial line of thinking, but here goes…

Don’t we have any patriotic roughnecks that we could send down in James Cameron’s private submarine to fix what a diamond drill bit can’t?

The crew might be on a suicide mission, but sacrificing a few white collar criminals with engineering backgrounds feels okay to me in order to save the rest of the Gulf.  And they don’t even have to be criminals. How about just a few bonafide heroes – willing to do whatever it takes?

Let’s take a page from J. J. Abrams wonderful screenplay:

Harry Stamper: None of you have to go. We can all just sit here on Earth, wait for this big rock to crash into it, kill everything and everybody we know. United States government just asked us to save the world. Anybody wanna say no? 
Chick: 20 years. Haven't turned you down once. Not about to start now. I'm there. 
Freddy Noonan: Guess I can't let you go up there alone. 
Bear: I'm with you. 
Oscar: Man, this is - this is historic. Guys, this is, like, deep blue hero stuff! Of course I'm in. 
Rockhound: While I don't share *his* enthusiasm, you know me. Beam me up, Scotty! 
Harry Stamper: You all right, Max? 
Max: I-I don't, I-I don't... Whatever you think. 
Harry Stamper: [to A.J] How about you? 
A.J.: I'm in. 
Harry Stamper: All right then. We go. 
Rockhound: I don't mean to be the materialistic weasel of this group, but do you think we'll get hazard pay out of this?

And don't worry Rockhound, I'm pretty sure if your mission is successful that Barack will earmark a substantial hazard pay package for you and the crew.

Big Box vs Mom&Pop

Target had me at hello.  I admit it. I am in there once a week (at least).  What sucked me in, as I suspect it did for many of you dear readers, it its one-stop shopping experience.  I don’t need to go to AutoZone, Stride Rite, Hallmark, and Harris Teeter all in one day- instead I head to one place. Better carbon footprint, no?

What I’ve recently come to realize, is that I’ve limited my shopping experience mainly to major corporations.  Hardly a Mom&Pop operation in my retail repertoire. 

Cinda Baxter would like to change that. She has started a Mom&Pop revolution.  Cinda’s brainchild The 3/50 Project- is a movement to save the brick and mortar businesses that our nation was built on.  Consider these thought provoking points:

3                    What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello.  Pick up something that brings a smile.  Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

50                If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue*.  Imagine the positive impact if ¾ of the employed population did that.

Have you ever given much thought to your local economy? I know I surely haven’t- until now.  Join me in supporting The 3/50 Project- and shop some great businesses in your hood.

*Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Labor Department 2/6/09 report; 68/43 stats courtesy Civic Economics 2008 study.