How hard is it to get out of the house, kids loaded in the car, do drop off and make it on time to a 9 a.m. workshop? Very hard.
Anyone else feeling me?
One kid was up at 6:30 a.m., the other I let sleep in until 8 a.m. as he’s only just getting over a cold. Daycare drop off on Monday never goes according to plan after a lovely weekend all together and it very quickly turns into separation-anxiety-city.
Soooo…by the time I got in the car and looked at heading to the ‘What’s Your Why’ Workshop I had registered for with Invest Ottawa for womxn founders I was *this close* to turning left and heading back home as it was 8:47 a.m. and the event started at 9 a.m. And it was a good 25-30 minutes away.
But then something magical happened. The traffic lights in my suburb were down. Power at gas stations was out. My laptop was with me but the battery was dead. So no ‘working from home’ was going to happen, I may as well head to this workshop and show up late.
Better late than never?
And it was! I parked and entered the building around 9:45 a.m. and was greeted warmly by a few staff members from Invest Ottawa–I show up there quite a bit…sometimes with kids–and joined a group work activity where we were fleshing out our ideal customer’s pain and gain points.
I met some great contacts and at lunchtime they invited people to speak on the mic during the 30-minute break to ask questions, network, pitch…so I did. I decided last minute this was the ideal market research opportunity so I surveyed the group and about 50-60 per cent were parents. Many of kids age 10 and under.
I told them about Babies, Business + Breakfast, the upcoming event next week on Wednesday, October 30th at Algonquin College’s DARE District and mentioned I was looking to host events in the not so distant future at Invest Ottawa.
I also told them I had been bringing my children into business settings since they were in the womb and once they were born…from four-weeks-old and onward. Then I went back to my seat feeling a bit sheepish but was stopped by a woman who said she had heard about me.
A few women came by my table to introduce themselves, say they loved the idea and ask for more info. And on my way out of the building, another woman approached me…she had seen me speak in June at an event while wearing my baby and she loved what I had to say. As a mother of four children, lawyer and a newcomer to Canada, she had continued to bring her children into business settings throughout her career.
So despite my late start, self doubt and a bit of stage fright, my Monday morning was time well spent.
The main message I have for you today: If you ever get the opportunity to speak, pitch, ask questions, or simply show up and be seen, please do.
Even if it makes you feel queasy, or nervous, or vulnerable or question why on earth anyone could possibly care/listen/relate to what you have to say. Those moments of unease are always right before the magic unfolds of connections you may not of met, opportunities you may have missed or people who nod and believe what you have to say, ask or offer resonates with them.
That’s all for now from me, really felt the love today.
Happy #SmallBusinessWeek!
Support your local business owners and remember, a ‘like’ or ‘share’ on social media, a positive review based on a previous experience or a word of mouth referral are all worth their weight in gold. Support doesn’t always have to = money spent.
Enjoy your week! 🍂🎃
P.S. I voted last weekend so I wouldn’t be rushed today. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time!
Your voice (and your vote) matter. Always.
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Notes From Another Land 