Gaia Community

I did it- I'm back in business!!

Marianne said Apr 24, 2007, 9:18 PM:

Ok…Fred..this is for you…
I rented a space and made a 12 month lease comittment.
It started out very high monthly, but i had my “walk away” figure and stuck to it, and the landlord gave me what I wanted…
Starting Monday I am opening a small version of my retreat and education center…

I have to say, without the support and ideas I found here, and Fred's encouragement and 2 week deadlines, I would not have had the courage to do some of the things I have done…
It is exciting and scary, but do-able….I am taking another calculated risk!!(if there really is such a thing!)

Fred, I wish you the best..good luck I am sending prayers your way..For a little while I will be REALLY busy, but I will be back..I hope one of you can take over as administrator until Fred can find his way back here again…I for one am very glad you made the comittment to get this started….
All my love and Blessings,
Marianne

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Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Fred said Apr 25, 2007, 7:23 PM:

HOOOLY SMOKES! That is wonderful, Marianne! Congrats! And most of all, I am really, really touched by your kind words. I can't possibly take credit for the progress you have made, but I am humbled and EXTREMELY uplifted to hear that our pod did something to help you through your challenge. It has been a difficult time for us lately, and you have come to my aid at the perfect time. I feel re-energized to know that you have done what you did. Even if we all somehow helped you in the slightest, most trivial way, then everything we've done here so far has been worth it. You have proven this pod has purpose!

Keep us posted!

Fred

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Marianne said Apr 26, 2007, 7:27 AM:

Fred,

Everything is purposeful, everything is happening for a reason..
Just make sure to rise above to look for the higher reason…
Maybe the pod is keeping you from things you really need to be focusing on ..for now…The reason will appear, but know that we will carry it until you get back…
Just our presence in this world affects those in ways we may never know….
Love
Marianne

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

~KES said Apr 30, 2007, 10:47 AM:

Congratulations Marianne~

When are you having your ribbon cutting blessings?

You are a stellar example of what needs to be done in setting targets and goals.
I will be helping administer this and will check back to help Fred out.

Did you give your place a name?

What are you doing to help let new prospects become members?

We can help come up with some marketing games to help expand your new venture.

May you flourish and prosper.

Kathy

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Marianne said May 1, 2007, 7:50 AM:

Kes,
First I would like to thank you and everyone for their 'virtual' support.
I would love some marketing games..
The name of my business is A Village-retreat and education center.
the Aht is the sound of gratitiude in chanting…
and the 'A' gets you to the top of any list….lol….

I had an identifiable brand with my old business so I have been referencing that it is also part retial..That we are growing an evolving in to a great place to find a simple peaceful life…I was the only herb store in Northern Ohio, so that certainly carries some weight.

I am blessed, because I have over 1300 people on my mailing list. I am a firm believer in word of mouth advertising. I do have to do a mailer, but financially that is not an option today.

I will however be doing a 'phon-a-thon' and calling my clients…All of those years in collections are paying off…lol

I am also directly located next door to this areas largest craft store, and I am having a live plant/herb sale, that is always much anticipated by the majority of my client base….Also drawing the attention of my new crafty friends next door..They won't even have to move their car!!!

I ordered the plants this morning from a long time vendor..I was honest in telling her that I am ordering with NO money in my account…she is a self employed business owner/entrepreneur, and she completely understands and will be holding off payment until the weekend passes…the sale will certainly cover that expense (faith).

The largest downfall during the transition from my last business to this one was I disappeared..So only the spiritual part of my clientel has heard from me for the last 2 years..They have all banded together, spreading the word and forwarding emails…I am blessed…
This is like a dog on a leash..It's imperative to stay focused, paying attention to the detail. Remaining in integrity, speaking clearly. asking for help, setting boundaries taking calculated risk, and sometimes just leaping into the unknown…

I have a group of friends who are all bearing witness to this process, and in the thick of it too and I am seeing a new sense of self emerging from them…Finding the courage to walk through fear into the exciting world of the unknown..what a rush!

My life motto-
Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and bleeding while shouting..Holy Shit!! What a Ride!!”

I look forward to your expertise and input Kes!
Love and Blessings,
Marianne

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

~KES said Jun 1, 2007, 9:28 AM:

Cogratulations!!!

We are virtually here for you and want to know how it's going on your business. I trust that you are also on some pods here and can share some stories of your expansion as you walk this new business on it's leash forward for humankind.

Force yourself to smile and soon you'll stop frowning. Force yourself to laugh and you'll soon find something to laugh about. Wax* enthusiastic and you'll very soon feel so. A being causes his own feelings. The greatest joy there is in life is creating. Splurge on it!

Doing this in front of a mirror on down days…works!!!

Much love,

Kathy

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Fred said Jun 13, 2007, 8:18 PM:

Hi Marianne,

Please, give us an update on your business, how are things going? I want to offer my help to you in handling web needs & some basic marketing tasks if you are interested. Recently I have learned wonderful information regarding marketing and brands, etc. that might be of assistance. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Fred

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Marianne said Jun 14, 2007, 9:23 AM:

Hi everyone!!

Well, my first 30 days are under my belt and I'm getting into a groove..
My son forgot the long hours,and he romanticized the less than fun parts, so he is transitioning too….lol

First, let me say that even though I started with an established client base, I have changed the focus of what I'm doing, which may not appeal to my old retail clients.

I had a live plant sale the same week I opened, (what the hell was I thinking??lol) and in my haste, took a big financial hit on the plants..(Cleveland weather did not cooperate the beginning of May, and I was EXHAUSTED)..I did have an expectation that throngs of people would miss me and come for that.

But, I have been MIA for 2 years, and it will take a bit of direct marketing to get them used to hearing from me again.
The bigger challenge has been to wrap my own mind around what it is that I'm doing and offering ( that is where the business plan helped me focus) and not falling into anxiety and going back to the money part, versus the service part…
Applying faith, and service to others as the focus, releases our fear of scarcity, and then the abundance flows….Fear stops the flow…

I found myself falling back into old habits of fretting about inventory (which is a big expense, and no longer my focus)thinking that if I had more 'stuff' that would get them in here….wrong….rather than focusing on the spiritual educational, development part of what I am now…If you build it, they will come…..

Remembering to be peaceful with the process, and having fun has been the best medicine… If this is my passion, then it needs to be fun- or why are we doing it?

Applying all my spiritual insight to this human process has been the key to it's slow but measurable success…..when I release fear, amazingly clients call…lol

If I'm a frazzled mess, and not present with clients- what kind of example am I in helping others achieve balance,or thrust in the Divine Order, or inspire their entrepreneurial spark ???

Sorry to go on and on..but I've missed you guys, and the Momentum group allows me to be human- to articulate my process- allowing others to see my struggles as their own- it gives me the platform to say it, hear it and move through it - kind of like a bartender, minus the tequila…lol (some days that sounded pretty good in the month of May…lol)
Thanks Fred, and Kathy who have been great at not enabling me, but speaking their truth- as they see it- an admirable quality.. I'll be back more often now..I too became an ambassador for Zaadz..and if I can be of service..just let me know ;)
Fred, I know only enough about web stuff to be dangerous, not effective…here are the sights that I created Free on AOL…(I'm sure there is a better way, and would love your input..)
http://hometown.aol.com/blueroadspirit/myhomepage/business.html
http://hometown.aol.com/walkredroad/MarianneGoldweberSerenitySunday.html

Love, blessings and abundance,
Marianne

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Fred said Jun 16, 2007, 10:48 AM:

Hi Marianne,

Well, luckily I can certainly help you with the website piece. I've been building, designing, and just recently have started taking some DM (Direct Marketing) courses, so I have a clearer picture of how things work than ever before. I'd love to help you take care of the web piece. If you could afford 15 dollars per month and about 10 bucks for a domain, we should get you set up with a real website, a look, etc.

Email me & Let me know. Do you have a logo yet?

Fred

Re: I did it- I'm back in business!!

Marianne said Jun 16, 2007, 11:10 AM:

Fred,
I'm sure I can pull that off. Yes I have a simple logo..
email me at blueroadspiritmg@yahoo.com
I'd like discuss it in more detail…
Marianne