Today I am researching Small Business Administration (SBA)
resources. I’ve dreaded creating a business plan for years. Now I’m ready to
dive. The SBA has a great online planning tool that lets me complete a plan at
my own pace and guides me through all the necessary parts.
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| Courtesy Flickr.com Stephen Poff |
The business plan is described by the SBA as a “living”
plan; as if it is alive and breathing. What an “ah ha!” moment. People refer to
their projects as their “baby.” My business plan is a living breathing baby; it is the DNA of my health advocacy
business. What a cool way to think of it!
When someone raises a child and the child leaves home, they
(we…I) experience “empty nest syndrome.” Often the cure to the syndrome is
finding a new purpose or project or hobby or whatever…finding a new “baby.” The
same thing happens when someone retires from a career.
Currently my son is 18 and entering his 2nd year
of college. I am not a typical empty nester because my son is still at
home…well, sort of. At the local community college he has found a social life
he didn’t get to experience in high school, so he is rarely home. I get the security of knowing I will see him
more than parents whose children are far away at school. I get the
pseudo-security of letting him go more slowly; pseudo because it is a false
sense…I couldn’t worry about him more if he were far away, than I do now.
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| Courtesy Flickr.com Laura Hartog |
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| Courtesy Flickr.com Alipyon |
Holy Cow! Cue “News
Flash” music. Enter voice: We interrupt
this blog to bring you an important phone call. C. (that woman who you most
often describe as “evil” and “out to get you” but has recently turned over a
new and more pleasant leaf) has an important message to deliver; a local
housekeeper, and parent of a childhood school mate to your son, is in need of
advocacy and I’m putting her on the phone with you now. “I heard you do that
kind of thing; I need your help.”
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| Courtesy Flickr.com Art Aspirations |
It started with a horoscope that said “Some of
the paths you are exploring now seem a bit daunting, Aquarius. Don't worry
about that- you are in your element now. Enjoy these new connections and paths
you are looking into and really, give yourself permission to thrive in the
things you're checking out.”
And the next thing I know I am helping a local woman whose
ex-husband (father of her 5 children, 3 little ones still at home and the
oldest only 20) needs a lung transplant. She’s been working alone trying to get
him on the national transplant list and there are a few requirements he’s
having trouble meeting and she’s thinking positively about future resource
needs when he gets on the list. The Universe truly does conspire IN my favor!
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| Courtesy Flickr.com Walkn Boston |
