My customers are awesome!

We are celebrating 10 years in business. It was so scary to leave a lucrative 30-year nursing career and open my own store. But I have absolutely no regrets.

I'm often asked what I love best about my store. The uninformed think owning your own business means, number one, that you're rich (HAH!), and number two, that you can do whatever you want. I once saw a sign in a small business that said, "The only thing more overrated than natural childbirth is owning your own business." How true.

Frequenly when I'm interviewed for a newspaper article, the reporter asks what advice I'd give to someone wanting to open a business like mine. My two standard answers are, "Don't expect to get rich," and "be prepared to work harder than you ever have."

But it's my customers that make it so worthwhile. Some have been with me since I opened in 1997. I've gotten to know many of them very well and I count them among my best friends.

This month, I've started a "Customer Spotlight" feature. For January, I chose Jackie Bialorucki, a most delightful woman who almost never shops just for herself. Just yesterday, she was in and bought a gift for a friend.

I love positive people. Jackie never fails to be cheerful and uplifting, but is by no means a "pollyanna." She has more good friends than anyone I know and I'm sure people are attracted to her zestful love of life and her generosity. I don't believe in "luck." Jackie is proof that if you're surrounded by good people and good things happen to you, it's because of who you are and what you do, whether that's done consciously or unconsciously.

Thank you, Jackie, for being you (...and keep on shoppin'!)

Who is the "Jackie" in your life?

Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy

Very recently, I posted a comment on Debby Peters' blog about "TAKERS." I complained that when having a one-to-one meeting with a "TAKER," I was always the one asking the questions about the other person and rarely did the other person ask about me in return.

So I decided to change my "modus operandi." Yesterday I met with "Copier Kelly" (Kelly Elton of Goodremont's Copiers). I was determined to make it a two-way conversation. As we began to talk, I deliberately slowed down the pace - a short lull in the conversation provided her the opportunity to actually ask a question of me. And then it happened again . . . and again.

In my eagerness to be a "notable networker," was I too eager in the past to fill every second of time with questions to the other person? Was I setting myself up to be shut out? Did I really afford others the opportunity to pause and reflect on their own agendas?

I think I've found a better way to have a mutually satisfying give-and-take with the person across the table from me. I can't wait until my next appointment!

What's the best lesson you've learned about making a one-to-one meeting most beneficial to both parties?

Sometimes you've just got to play!

Several weeks ago while having dinner with a friend, Merri Bame, she told me what fun she and her partner Kim had recently while at Toys 'R Us - of all places! Merri had just read a book titled Little Money Bible (or something like that) and this exercise came from there -

They walked up and down all the aisles and talked about the different toys and games they had when they were children. And they talked about different games and toys they'd love to play with now. I don't think I get it, but Merri said they had a great time. Maybe it was about getting in touch with your inner child.

Her story made me think about playing games. We have a bunch of friends that we play euchre with on a regular basis (in case you don't know, that's a card game almost unknown outside of the Midwest). And when we're with our own grown kids, we often play a dominoes game called Chicken Foot.

We have tons of other games at home that I've bought here and there that we've never (or hardly ever) played. I wonder why.

What games do you like to play with your adult friends or family members? (Ones you can mention in this public forum.)

Friendly competition can be just that!

I just returned from a 14-hour trip to Chicago and back with one of my best friends, Betty Hill, and her husband Ron. We went to a trade show to buy for our stores. I say "our" stores, because Betty also owns a consignment shop in the area.

Yes, she's a competitor. Yes, she's one of my very best friends. Isn't that neat? We share some customers and occasionally we even share consignors. But we mainly share stories. Boy, do we have stories. We often say we could write a book and maybe we should.

We don't know how unusual it is for local competitors to be so close, but it works so well for us. For one thing, we refer people to each other all the time. She doesn't sell maternity clothes, so she refers all that business my way. If a customer can't find a specific item at my store, I send her to Betty's. (One time, I referred someone to Betty's for a dress to wear in a wedding and the woman ended up buying a dress of mine that I had consigned there! Too funny.)

Do you have any good stories about a friend who does the same thing you do?

I love learning new stuff!

One of the very best lessons I learned from the Certified Networker program is the value of helping others. And one of the very best ways to help people is to connect them with someone else that they've identified as potential referral partners.

Recently a member of my BNI chapter, Brent Lehman of Midwest Mortgage, asked for personal introductions to Certified Public Accountants. Having recently met two CPA's, I was able to set up meetings for Brent with both of them.

Now, I obviously know what mortgage people do and I had some idea of what CPAs do, but did I get smarter when I brought these two professions together! The two accountants, Jeff Ogg and Gay Herman, are both in business for themselves. Their practices vary slightly but they both are in a position to help Brent and vice versa. And now I know how.

And I'd heard the term "reverse mortgage," but had no idea what it was and its advantages. Now I feel so much better prepared to help Brent myself when I see a need.

What specific advantage have you gained as a result of using the principle "Givers Gain?"

Doesn't technology just blow your mind?

Our youngest son Paul just gave us and our son Dave each a webcam. It is the neatest thing in the world.

Those of you who know me well are all too aware of the role that my 18-month old granddaughter Emme (Dave is the dad) plays in my life, my heart and my soul. My universe revolves around her. They were just home for four days over Christmas (they live in Washington state), but I missed her minutes after they left. (Yes, that is our small cat that she's almost sitting on).

Tonight was techno-time! For the first time, we were all on the webcam, talking and looking at each other in real time. She looked as fascinated as I was. She not only waved and threw kisses, but she leaned over and kissed the screen. Our long-distance love affair will never be the same.

What piece of technology has made the biggest impact on your life?