Tag: entrepreneurlife

Ramble On, 4.25.2022

It’s been a while, I know. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to say. There has been plenty of inspiration, just not the motivation to sit at the computer and type away sharing my thoughts. Lazy? Perhaps. We all go through cycles and sometimes I just do not want to write. Of course I know that when I don’t want to is the most important time to write. Great talk self.

Speaking of cycles, do people not understand that many things operate in cycles? The economy, the stock market, the seasons, internal combustion engines, these are just a few examples. It just boggles my mind that we continue to get so many comments about pricing. It makes wonder who does the shopping for these people? Who filled the car with gas that they drove to the shop? One does not need to watch the news or read the papers to realize that inflation is real. Simply pay attention at the pump or the check stand.

Maybe these people think restaurants are immune to inflation. The cost of dairy just increased 3x but we still get extra special lower than low wholesale pricing. Yes, that’s it. We pay next to nothing so we can inflate our pricing so we can all buy second and third vacation homes strategically located around the globe.

The truth is small businesses, such as ours, often pay full retail less sales tax. If we do get something at a discount we typically pay the highest wholesale price because we do not have the volume the bigger businesses do to benefit from the deeper discounts. Not to mention that we can’t buy too much in bulk to take advantage of price breaks because we don’t have the space to store it. Small business often means small space as well. e have to play Tetris every day just to make things fit on the shelves or in the freezer. Every square inch is put to use.

The moral of the rant is that we are not raising prices to make more money and pad our bank accounts. We are raising prices so we can stay in business, pay our employees, and continue to serve our customers.

Please keep this in mind next time you visit your favorite mom and pop and have to an extra $1 dollar for something.

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Ramble On, 2.7.2022

“Helping customers not only renders more sales, but also stimulates positive word of mouth” – Mark Joyner

As a small company, customers are our life blood. No customers, no business. They are what keep any business alive, and when you are starting out you can’t afford any bad word of mouth. The way to militate against that is by taking care of your customers, which you should be doing any way! Right?

The reality is, it shouldn’t be a question. Excellent customer service should always be a top priority and executed at the highest level. It doesn’t matter what size or type of business you are, quality customer service should be woven into the fabric of the company and culture.

When Go-Go Babyz started out we didn’t have much of a budget to speak of so we couldn’t afford much marketing. We used to get calls about marketing services and they would always ask “what’s your marketing budget?” or “what do think you can spend on our service?” Our response was usually asking them us to tell us what it would cost and then we would look at the bank account to confirm or deny if it was “in the budget.”

Marketing is a vital part of any business, especially new ones, but many times we just couldn’t afford the advertisements or other expensive marketing activities. That resulted in placing a lot of value in word of mouth. Obviously, what we needed was positive word of mouth. The problem is, a small percentage of happy customers actually go out of their way to provide that. I understand,  treating customers well is what all companies should be doing and customers expect that so why should they spend their precious time telling people how good of a job we did doing what are supposed to be doing anyway?

Because, I can guarantee that a high percentage of unhappy, disgruntled customers will shout it from the roof tops. There’s no excuse for poor service but it would be great if customers would give businesses the benefit of the doubt and contact them directly to resolve their issue instead of taking it to the streets. In my experience, most bad reviews are knee-jerk reactions usually posted while a customer is still in the red zone, feeling the blow of disappointment. They just want to be heard. Once they get it out it usually fades.

We always do our best to resolve any issue and take care of our customers so they will keep coming back and, because it’s the right thing to do.

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Ramble On, 1.18.2022

“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” – Confucius.

I call BS!

I don’t know who to attribute this quote to because there are so many people that have said it or a variation of it. I chose to put Confucius because he was the earliest figure of the bunch I have seen. Whoever said the quote above, I call BS on it.

There are two main arguments I have. First, a job is a job no matter how you define it. Whether you love what you do or hate it, you still have to put in the work. You have to suit up and show up whether you want to or not. Loving it just makes it easier.

Secondly, if you love what you do you are just going to work more and harder. That is my experience. Even more so if what you love to do involves owning your own business. In this scenario there are no set workdays with punching in or out. There are no forty hour work weeks. You just work and work until what needs to get done is completed. Work life balance is non-existent. There is always something pressing that needs to be done when own a business, especially in the beginning.

Having said that, It is also my experience that when you love what you do the work is typically more rewarding, making it easier to show up day after day to put in the time and effort. The hardest part about the work for me is finding the ability to let go and create some balance in life. There comes a time when you have to pass off some responsibly to others in order to minimize the time spent working. If you don’t do this you are sure to burn out.

Therefore, the key is to find work that you can enjoy to make it more fulfilling while putting parameters and boundaries in place so you punch out at quitting time.

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

It’s So Easy, When I Keep It Simple

A very important concept to understand is that “simple” doesn’t translate into “easy.” It is important to make this distinction. Especially this day and age where the social media feeds are running rampant with the “get rich quick” pitches. It seems like the majority of my feed is selling some simple path to success, wealth, health, you name it. Any of the things one desires are easily achieved with little effort as long as you buy today. After the timer hits zero, the deal is over.

I know most are not get rich schemes but many are definitely presented in a way that can easily be interpreted that way. Now add the countdown timer and it becomes even more important to hurry up resulting is a rash, impulsive purchase. It’s easy to be seduced by the idea that in just five simple steps we can have the life we’ve always dreamed of. Or in just thirty days we can have our beach worthy body without any diet or any exercise. Now add that expiration date and it becomes even harder to pass up. There are always exceptions to rules and outliers but the reality is that any significant result or desired reward takes time and effort. There is not a magic pill or formula that takes the work out of it.

I am not saying that everything out there is a scam, but there are definitely bottom feeders that are looking for a quick buck by manipulating people. I have been seduced by them in the past and drank the Kool-Aid. Fortunately, I have learned from those costly mistakes. My biggest mistake was falling into the trap of thinking any of these things are fast and easy. When I think these simple strategies, formulas, or processes are actually easy and take little effort I have lost sight of reality and allowed myself to be manipulated. It is really not the people publishing the content; it is my own mind that is the culprit by convincing me otherwise.

The reality is simple strategies are great. They work and are effective if executed correctly. That takes both hard work and time. The biggest lesson that I have learned is that just because something is simple doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Simple plans take hard work to be successful.  That said. If there is a way to simplify the process I am all for it. I just do not believe there are any true short cuts that eliminate the work. There might be a proven process that someone has already tested and is offering. Great. Do the research and if it makes sense fits goals then go for it.

The second important lesson that I have learned is that I am my biggest obstacle. I search for the easier way because I am constantly making things more difficult. I can over think a very simple plan right into a state of paralysis. Then I find myself talking to the monkeys and squirrels in my head as I rock in a corner drooling.  That is not a fun place to be.

That is why using a mentor or coach is so important. I have learned that I need to untangle my thoughts and ideas by putting them down on paper. Then I can search out solutions or advice from another. Once I can see the ideas in their simplest form, stripped of all the fat and fear I wind them with, I see a simple plan of action that can be executed one step at a time. Now, if I cam only remember this moving forward and keep it simple.

It’s simple but not easy!

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Ramble On, 1.10.2022

“The oldest, shortest words – ‘yes’ and ‘no’ – are those which require the most thought.” Pythagoras

Isn’t this so true? There are so many opinions on saying yes or no these days. If I am to consolidate the thoughts and opinions of all my mentors throughout the years I think it would come down to this…

In the beginning, say yes to EVERYTHING! When you are staring out and have not made any sort of name for yourself you should say yes to anything that comes your way.

Once you have established yourself, learn to say no. It seems to be a common theme that once a level of success, however one defines that, is achieved, saying no is what will provide the greatest opportunity for continued growth and freedom.

I am not going to argue with this but I do think there are exceptions to every rule and personal influences on them as well. The reality is these cannot be blanket statements. The rules for saying yes or no cannot be made as one-size-fits-all solution.

For example, I actually need to learn to stop saying no. I say no all the time. Too much I am told. My no saying issue falls into the knee-jerk reactive category. This type of reaction without any thought has caused a lot of problems for me. I need to learn to process the data and provide a responsive answer of yes or no. The truth is that many of my knee-jerk no’s have turned into yeses once I stopped and thought about the question, offer, or proposal in question.

The lesson for me is to work on responding rather than reacting. This is a lesson I have been working on, and getting better at I might add, for years. It goes beyond the simple yes – no dilemma.

Think before you speak!

Talk Soon,
Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Ramble On, 1.7.2022

“Can you hear the Holy Mountains?” – System of a Down

The mountains are holy to me. They hold a sacred place in my heart.

I have been thinking a lot about this lately because the weather has not been conducive to certain outdoor exercises I like to partake in. These are mountain biking or cycling and trail running. I am not a fair-weather trail user but the snow and rain has made the trails near my house quite messy. This has forced me to ride a stationary bike indoors. I much prefer to be outside.

Yesterday on the way home from my other favorite outdoor activity, snowboarding, the song “Holy Mountains” came on and it just confirmed the importance of getting out to these special places. It is good for the mind, body, and spirit. For me, it is really any hilly terrain with trails that take me away from the regular chaos of the day and the crowds. They don’t have to be rugged mountains in the wilderness, just a trail far enough away from the daily noise that provides an escape and a means to quiet the monkeys and squirrels.

The song has nothing to with what it inspired in my mind but I am glad it came on. It reminded me that working hard is great but it is important that I always find time to get away and play. Heading to hills is more than a way to stay fit for me, it is a way to decompress, relieve stress, and reflect.

Remember to always find time to play.

Talk Soon,
Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Ramble On, 1.6.2022

A skill or talent left unused atrophies…

This has been my recurring thought of the year thus far, haunting my mind daily. That is why you are reading it. I have a very active mind an imagination. The squirrel cage in my head is usually in hyper drive with a full crew of monkeys surrounding it at all times.

Writing is a great way to get the noise out of my mind and slow things down. I do this every day. I have been doing it every day for a very long time. I just haven’t shared, posted, or published it every day. There really in no need to. Much of what I scribble is nonsense, simply random thoughts that need to be released from the cage to relieve some pressure between my ears.

Every once in a while, however, a thought emerges in my writing that I think others might need or want to hear. That said, I decided on New Year’s Day that I would start sharing some of these ramblings for a couple of reasons. One, because some of these thoughts might be just what someone needs to hear. And two, because I do not want my wiring muscles to atrophy as the opening thought suggests.

I am by no means asserting that I have any skill or talent in writing, but I do love to write and improvement and mastery comes with practice. I write often but the regularity in both writing and posting has dwindled over the last two years. I do believe that I have many years of experience in life and business and have some thoughts that many can find value in to assist along their own journey. With that, I thank you for being my victims and I hope I am able to help.

I plan to make the “Ramble On” feature short and sweet, sharing simple thoughts that I think will provide value to others. I do not plan to do this daily, but a few times a week to start as long as the inspiration fuels me. Don’t worry, I will do my best to refrain from sharing the chaotic, mumbo jumbo swirling my brain from the arguing monkeys and squirrels.

To close, the second half of the opening thought is that an unused skill or talent also deprives the world of gifts. When you leave a skill or talent in your tool chest to collect dust, not only does it wither away, it also deprives the world of the gifts you have to share. You never know who needs to receive what you have to offer.

Make 2022 the year you open up your chest, dust off the contents, and take that leap to share your gifts.

Talk Soon,
Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

Can I Say…Something On That Mark Cuban?

“Success is about making your life a special kind of unique that fits who you are – not what other people want you to be” – Mark Cuban

This might be one of the greatest definitions of success I have ever heard. I often struggle with the word success. Not only in terms of how I measure and define my own success but also how others will judge my success, or failure for that matter. Not that I look to others to justify or qualify my success, but I often find myself wondering if people will read and consume my content.  Will they buy my book, if I ever get around to finishing it? Will they hire me as consultant or coach?

The simple question there is to ask will people deem me successful enough to become a client, follower, or fan. I am obviously not a celebrity chef or founder of a fortune 500 company. I am simply the entrepreneur next door that has quietly started and run a handful of businesses for more than two decades. Is that enough? Will the simple fact that publishing a book, assuming aging that I get around to it, be enough to whisper “success” the in the ears of prospects?

Many people define success by something that is easily quantified. How much money have they made? How many tangible assets do they have? The reality is it doesn’t matter how much you make, it’s how much you get to keep! I am not broke, but I am not super rich either. I have a nice home and drive a nice truck, that’s about it. I am not into fancy clothes or jewelry and I buy most of my clothes on sale. I usually have one or two pairs of brand new shoes in my closet because I try to buy them when they are on sale or during buy on get one specials. That said, I do love watches, although my most expensive is probably around $200. One day when I feel like treating myself, I will pick out a watch I really like and buy it regardless of the price tag.

The point is that we all have the privilege to define our own success. We get to personally decide what success means for us. I have been my own boss for over twenty years now. I have started or have helped start many businesses. Many have crashed and burned, some are still in their infancy, while others are still plugging away. The reality is, it only takes one. I have gained a level of freedom and flexibility in my life and that is what I call success. I am able to work, and do the things I love to do, mostly, when I want to do them.

Success is being happy and living life on the “unique” terms you define. Thanks Mark!

Talk Soon,

Kevin W.
@Leap272

You have to leap if you want to live.

To Defy The Laws Of Tradition Part 6: Heed Thy Calling

“Let the music be your master” – Led Zeppelin

I always thought my calling was to be a rock star. That is all I ever wanted to be. Music was my master, my savior, my medicine, my escape, my love…my everything. Then one day I just quit. The truth is the story is more complicated than that but the details are better left for another piece.

To wrap up this series , however, the relevant cliff note version is that through some soul searching after I quit music I discovered that whether I play and write music or not I must create. If I don’t, my soul slowly withers away into the darkness.

Cooking and writing is my current form of creating that nourishes my soul and allows me to heed my calling. I might not be creating traditional music but what I create is inspired by music and the rhythm of my soul. This internal music is what inspires ideas and action. I hope that what I create for others in my shop is like music for their taste buds and what I write is like poetry that resonates within.

I often approach my writing and cooking much like I did when writing and playing music. While writing I often talk it out in my head first much like I would hear a riff or a lyric. I talk it through in my head with a cadence as if signing along to the beat of a song. When I cook I think of flavors that will play well together and enhance the other ingredients. Once I have worked that out I practice. Practice, practice, and more practice. I write out sentences or I create a dish and work on it until I have produced what closely matches song I heard in my head.

Even more, I like to create that which hasn’t been made before, or doesn’t seem like it would fit but the flavors meld and accompany each other and come together in brilliance. As I touched on it in the beginning of this series, this approach has often produced many things that simply do not work.

I don’t like to waste time, money, or food so I have to be careful. I also do not like being told what I can and can’t do. That is where the laws of tradition come back in to play. What I create must be confined by some basic rules. Very basic that is. I love music and art because the freedom it allows the creator. The rules are there to keep the artistic process moving and flowing, not to restrict or prevent. Yes, they are rules but they are basic and do not crush the spirit of creativity and passion. They are there so an artist can produce something that truly works. They allow a musician to create a song that is played in key, a pastry chef to create a cake that rises and holds its shape, or a writer to create a poem that can be read. None of which has to make sense, it just has to work.

So, will you heed your master’s call? Will you defy the laws of tradition and push your art to the boundaries of creativity to create your masterpiece?

I hope so; the world needs more of what the artists create.

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live

To Defy The Laws Of Tradition Part #5: All In The Family

“Remember to laugh kiddo” – Jerry Williams, my Dad

I write this on the tail end of our annual Thanksgiving closure at the pie shop. Thanksgiving is our Super Bowl. It is our busiest time of year. The closure is always a wonderful way to rest, recover, and enjoy time with family and friends.

This year we did Thanksgiving at our house. My daughter was missing her papa, my dad, and really wanted to be at home this year. It was great; we all had a very nice holiday.

This really allowed me to think about the traditions we have that date back as far as I can remember. The Thanksgiving traditions I remember most from my early childhood are the stuffing, the turkey cooking process, grandma’s jell-o mold, and my mom baking pumpkin pies for our home and some for her lifelong friend. She did this as long as I can remember, up until the day she lost her friend.

Oh, the stuffing. Every family seems to have their own version of stuffing. My dad’s is the best that I have ever had. I don’t know how far back it goes. I am sure it is documented somewhere, but my dad always made it by memory. Fortunately, one year my oldest sister and I finally stood by and watched him with a notebook so we could document the recipe and pass it down. Making the stuffing the night before is a process and one of my favorites traditions. It was always the kickoff to Thanksgiving and the holiday season. My daughter has helped every year since she was little whenever it was our turn to make it. These are memories that will last a lifetime that strengthen the traditions so they will last generations.

These are not traditions I want to defy. I want to uphold and keep them alive. I also do not want to be too rigid. I believe there is room for traditions to evolve and adapt. As I reflect on all the various traditions, I realize how many revolve around food and that there are traditions the traditions and within the cooking processes. It is almost ritualistic. These are traditions I want to share with my family and my customer at the pie shop.

Many of the products we make at our shop have been inspired by dishes that were first created long before my time by my family members and ancestors. The recipes are only part of the traditions that were passed on to me. The more important aspect of all the traditions are the people, the rituals, the processes, the feelings, the stories, and the experiences they provide for others. They are made stronger by the people they are shred with and solidified by the stories we tell and remember year after year. These traditions are meant to bring joy and happiness. They are meant to create bonds and memories. And most importantly, they are meant to evolve and adapt so they can be shared for generations to come.

I hope you are as lucky as I am to have so many wonderful family traditions that get better and better every year.

Happy Holidays!

Talk Soon,

Kevin W @LEAP272
Owner-Operator

You have to leap if you want to live