Why am I starting this Friday Faves out with a picture of a Swedish Fish truck? Because on our mega-huge to do list for next week’s Outdoor Retailer is to buy some Swedish Fish as part of our super cool Under Solen swag to give to our nearest and dearest. And so three block away from my house at the end of my morning run as I was mulling over said to-do list my jaw dropped when I saw this lovely van parked on the street. Serendipity perhaps?
Just like a lot of you out there, we’ve been in high-end OR planning mode, which has included t-shirt printing, workplan writing and way too much email sending. But as I’ve made my way through the craziness of this past week, I’ve been reminded of two of the key things that you need to run a successful business: support and empowerment.
Tomorrow marks month 9 of official Under Solen business, and this gives me some cause for introspection, because when you’re on month 9 of business and still eating, you’re pretty stoked. On Wednesday we had the chance to present on Social Media and Small Business: Crafting a Strategy That Works For You at the second official Portland Society meeting. This is a group of intelligent, business savvy, bike loving women, and to be perfectly honest, I was a little nervous going into it. Come on, a bunch of independent, awesome women that all take part in making this one of the best bike cities in the country — how could you not be a little intimidated?
But as the meeting progressed I quickly went from intimidated to inspired. I sat and listened to the women in the circle give thanks to others that had helped, supported, or just brought a bit of fun to them throughout the last month and felt a new sense of empowerment being part of this community that’s not only committed to providing a supportive network for each other but reaching out to even more women.
This was a reminder that I get that kind of support everyday, not only from my ever fabulous, ridiculously hard-working business partner that I wouldn’t be anywhere without (big Friday Faves love to you Ms. Nuchols), but an amazing network of individuals that help us do what we do on an everyday basis, and keep us inspired to continue to move forward.
Women like Karyn, who works tirelessly and never ever complains, and Rachel, who’s always up for a photo shoot (with dogs and doppios) and life advice, and Julie, who’s number one in the Under Solen role model book for always being on her game and appreciating funny emails, and the other Julie ,who always has something positive to say. And then of course there’s the 23 Feet ladies who are rolling in to Portland tomorrow, which means we get to transition from long distance email chains to good ole in-person creative brainstorm sessions.
But that’s only a handful of the people that keep us on our toes on a daily basis; the connections that make Under Solen function on an everyday basis span the globe. Running a business is all about taking risks, but taking those risks is doable when you have a support network in place, and I couldn’t be happier about the one we’ve got around us.
So this weekend, take time to thank your own support system, and empower them to go out and do great things. That’s how we’re going to make positive change in the world.
-Anna
