Business in General

But mommy, the cupcake was so good!

I had an interesting interaction with my 3-year old over the weekend that reminded me that most of us are faced with whether to be naughty or nice throughout our entire lives. Sometimes its just worth being naughty -- even considering the consequences.

Sunday my youngest turned 1, and we had a birthday party for him. My 3-year old helped me frost cupcakes before the party and decorate them with sprinkles. He had plenty of licks of icing while we did this, and partook in the sprinkles as well. As you may imagine 30 minutes later he was jumping out of his skin, running around like crazy. He must have asked me 30 times whether he could have a cupcake. I must have answered at least 30 times that he could, but he had to wait until the party and until we sang happy birthday to his brother.

The doorbell rang. I went to answer it, looked back, and there he was shoving a cupcake in his face. So off we went to time out. After the required 3 minute time out, I asked him whether he knew why he was in time out. He said "yes mommy, I ate the cupcake." I said "Ok, so please remember next time you have to listen to mommy." To which he replied with a devilish twinkle in his eye "But mommy, the cupcake was so good!"

I had a hard time holding a straight face. I couldn't believe he was telling me that the cupcake was worth the punishment. But at the end of the day -- we have all been faced with choices where we have to think about whether the consequence is worth "breaking the rules."

Entrepreneurs are faced with these types of decisions all the time. Do you rack up huge credit card bills, take on a second mortgage, and boot strap your dream at the risk of losing it all? Many entrepreneurs have decided that it is just worth the risk.

Mommy CEO

Honesty is not always the best policy

I just read Guy Kawasaki's post on his blog about how to get a job, and his experience posting an opportunity on Craig's List.  I find it fascinating that people think that telling you EVERYTHING is a good angle when trying to get a job.

Recently I posted a job opportunity on Craig's List for a nanny for my two young children. After weeding through many, many wacky responses my husband and I found an excellent candidate who we have now been employing for over two months. BUT, boy did I get some interesting "honest" responses. Here are some of the winners:

1. Will you offer health care? I am on lots of medication and need to have a job with health care.

OK who does this person think they are kidding? Does this sound like someone that I want taking care of my 11-month old and 3-year old? Not only do I need this person to be ULTRA responsible at my house with the kids, I also advertised that I needed someone with a car and good driving record. What the??

2. I am pregnant, due in a month with my second child. My first is 2 years old. Would that be a problem? I could take care of all four children (my two and your two).

Yeah - totally. When I advertised for a full-time nanny for my children, what I actually meant is let me pay you to take care of your children, and then watch mine as well. After all, four children under the age of 3 years should be a piece of cake, no?

3. I hope its o.k., I have only had a few car accidents in the last year.

Oh sure definitely. Please come drive the most precious part of my life around in your car.

4. I am currently available as I left my last nanny position, due to a personality conflict with the 4-year old.

Do I need to even comment on that one? Seriously? What kind of child care worker is this?

5. I live under the table. Could you maintain that life style for me?

Hmmmm. I assume she means she lives "off the grid" so to speak. Or maybe she lives under the table like my chocolate lab does (well, during meal times anyway)? And why would someone think that I care about maintaining their lifestyle? I want a good nanny, and I will pay a fair price, legally. Her lifestyle is her problem.

So when you apply to anything -- think about what you are saying, and why, before you do!

CEO Mommy

Wooing Angel Investors: Do's and Don'ts

Simona Covel interviewed angel investor Knox Massey in today's StartupJournal | Venture Capital column and produces a good practical list of what to do and what not to do when seeking angel investors.

• Research the investors
• Don't expect to get funding right away
• Network
• Treat your initial interactions as the first step in a long-term relationship
• Don't forget about your long-term plan
• Look at your investors as potential mentors.

This is well done and practical. If you are contemplating angel investment, you should read this.

-- Tim Berry

Technorati Tags: angel+investment

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10 Q Interview with Palo Alto Software Founder and President, Tim Berry

I recently read an article in the format of 10 questions asked to Tim Berry. Being a loyal Palo Alto Software employee and small-business junkie, I wanted to share this bit of history of how we got to where we are today, as well as some tips, stories....and a little advice from Tim. 

http://azsmallbiz.blogspot.com/2007/08/10q-interview-with-palo-alto-software.html

--Beth Anne

The rising cost of PB&J....

I have a favorite restaurant here in Eugene that I absolutely love...or should I say…did love.  This cafe has several locations around town and they are wildly popular.  Like any business would want to do, they are hoping to capitalize on their success.  Thus, they just opened their first "franchise model" store in town.  But if this new store is any indication of their future success, I wish them well -- as they will need it.

I went to this new location on Saturday with my two toddlers. I ordered my usual item -- only to find it very light on some of the ingredients I am accustomed to.  When I asked for a bit more sauce to put on my very dry dish, I was told I could pay $1.00 extra. 

Next I ordered a PB&J plate for my kids to split, then picked up a $2.50 bottle of water.  When the clerk told me my total, I was astonished -- $6.00 for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a plate. No side of chips.  No fruit.  No nothing.  When I asked her if she had rung it up correctly -- she confirmed that indeed she had. 

Equally as shocking was when I asked for a small cup to pour some water into for my son.  I was coldly told no...that I needed to buy a drink. What would you classify that $2.50 bottle of water I just bought?!  She said I needed to buy a fountain drink.  (Incidentally, the fountain drink costs $1.25 – they might want to do the math on that one.)

As much as I love this hometown favorite, I really hope they revisit their strategy before going large scale.  Perhaps if they spent less on the teak booths and marble counters, they could save a little bit of that money and spend it on things that will bring customers back.  Growth can be good if done in the right way.  Changing your image and veering away from what made you successful initially can make for dangerous waters,

The old adage really does apply:  Make a customer happy and they will tell one person.  Make them mad and they will tell 10.

--Beth Anne

Boustrophedon - Left to right -- right to left, like plowing with an ox

So you're worried about someone reading your business plan and stealing
evig uoy fi nalp ruoy kcip-tin lliw sCV esoht kniht uoy oD  ?he ,aedi ruoy
them too much detail?  Maybe the info of your business is so super-secret
dna ,flesruoy ,uoy tub enoyna ot nwonk emoceb ot ti tnaw t'nod uoy taht
id.  Or just perhaps, just for fun's sake, you are choosing not to eschew
                                                                          .noitacufbo citsanoelp

Then you should try the boustrophedon gambit. Present your text,
.ti od nac uoY .daehaoG .elyts evitanretla siht ni ,yllacinodehportsuob
I'll up the ante.  "I triple dog dare you!" ;-)

egnaL evetS--