The Open Heart Company

Again, the corrected mugs have not arrived from the vendor.  I did practice mailing the test mugs.   I now understand about how much the cost will be to mail them and the time frame for them to be delivered.  I have been studying additional ways to keep interest in the website.   I am currently linking Facebook, Etsy, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Ideas flow all day and even all night, at times.   My emotions go back and forth from excitement to terror. I continue watching the culture of my current employment crumble.   Studying leadership/management has actually, as mentioned last week, given me a sense of calm in this storm.   There were more pre-introductions today of additional layoffs and restructuring.  I am surprised at how much I am learning from another company’s failure.   I still see it unfolding daily.  I have to believe there are still ways to keep ones integrity and run a people celebrated business, even wi...

The corrected mugs have not arrived from the vendor.  I don't feel a sense of panic yet, but it may be getting close.  I am practicing mailing the test mugs tomorrow to see which way is the most cost effective way to send the mugs to the customers.  I will be mailing them to myself. Interest is growing and the ideas are forming.  I have been studying a lot of outside resources as I launch this prototype and testing phase.  I would like to add detail to my business plan.  I have a lot of ideas and they almost seem to be narrowing down naturally, if that makes sense. I met with my entrepreneur interview and loved every minute of interview.  He spoke openly about how difficult things were at times, especially with a young family.  He had no regrets and seemed to be proud of his life's labors.  It was a huge honor to meet with him and his wife. I am watching the culture of my current employment unfold as countless reckless decisions have be...

As I grow in this new role of entrepreneur, I seek out a lot of wisdom from those who have walked the path before me.  This week I listened as a young man talked about watching his mother in her entrepreneur role.  He said he would watch her for hours and it seemed that all she ever did was put out fires.  And, he said, she was good at it.  When he grew up to become his own entrepreneur, he expected nothing less than daily fires and was never really thrown by the circumstances he faced. This week had a few fires.  My mug order came in and was incorrect.  The place I ordered from was not interested in replacing them.  I moved on to another company and found them to be less expensive, thus helping me recoup some of my losses.  The timing of the order is tight, however, I have a really good sense that will work out too.  I have chosen not to obsess about it and to just know fires will be fires.   Maybe one day someone will comme...

This is the end of week six.   The Elevator Pitch had a much larger impact than I anticipated.  The delivery was awkward, but the practice was invaluable.  It was wonderful to be able to review and repeat.  If I were actually going to do a video presentation, I would probably do it from one of the artist's viewpoint and with someone who is much more comfortable in front of the camera. Tonight I met with a very successful local entrepreneur.   His wisdom and courage as he described his 30 plus years as the owner of his own business was astonishing.  He kept a long term and conservative approach to his daily business and it paid off for him over time.  He traveled a lot and fought to keep the balance between work and family.  He spoke of long days and lonely evenings in hotels.  He credited his wife for her positive and lasting support.  He expressed his gratefulness for her strength.  He talked about the necessity of care...

Welcome to The Open Heart Company.  Our new adventure is our way of letting people send a gift, with a message, while having the assurance of value and a great price.  We are building packages with the quality, attention to detail, and the practical nature we would proudly hand someone standing next to us.  We are using our open hearts to help you express what is in your heart. This weekly entrepreneur journal is our way of sharing our journey with those interested.  The journal actually started four weeks ago but is now being shared on a public forum and addressed to those who choose to join us on this adventure. Week one and two had comments like "a mix of fear and excitement" and "out of my comfort zone in every way."  The challenge ahead seemed daunting at times, but the drive to create something we wish existed now helps us reach beyond the fear.  Week three started the critical linking of the brainstorming and the work.  The website is in d...