The first week of September was filled with excitement and some surprises. We continue to receive encouragement from the community for Soky Happenings as well as continued support by our sponsors. It reminds me of something someone said right before our first issue came out; "I feel like I'm part of something bigger." I have to admit, I do feel like we're making a difference... or at least an impact.
I bought Carrie a birthday present, a brand new Dell Inspiron computer with Windows Vista and a cool wide screen flat panel monitor. She was choking to death on the old Dell she was using and this was my way of making her job easier. I've got to get the software installed and configured, as well as import her old mail and settings, then I will wipe the old Dell clean and turn it into a web server.
My next technical project is the phone system. We are getting so many calls and looking to expand staff fairly soon that I have to put some thought into the phone system. I will be meeting with a good friend next week to discuss my options for a complete digital PBX system. I believe this will allow us to use VOIP (voice over internet protocol) to save money and offer unlimited expansion.
I believe I have decided where our office will be. (I know, passive voice, still unsure.) I've abandoned my intent to locate on the square in favor of a location closer to the east side of town. I do need more space and also a location that is more professional. I have two or three people in mind to hire soon and they will need a good office, desks, computers, phones and other supplies. Though 2 months from that big move, I like to plan ahead and start shopping early.
This location will likely be a temporary one; maybe one or two years, as we continue to "find ourselves" and see where this business will take us. I have not abandoned my other plans, but I have decided to go a little slower and a little more deliberate. Once those other plans start to take shape, I will be able to make the choice between an executive suite on the square or the custom office campus on east side of town. (Who knows, maybe both.)
Transportation! Jesse returns from Air Force technical school soon and this will mean that we have to do something about my lack of transportation. Apparently, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance is too unprofessional to even return phone calls much less process my claim and I will have to pay for their policy holders damage myself. It's only about $4,000 so it's not worth a lawsuit. I will express my opinion about Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, they are unorganized cowards who will not return phone calls much less process any requests. My opinion is that this insurance company should be avoided.
So I'm faced with the decision to either fix my beloved Tahoe or buy a new vehicle. As indecisive as it may sound, I've decided to do both. Soky Happenings will be buying a truck for my personal transportation as well as local deliveries and advertising. I will mothball the Tahoe until I have the time and resources to rebuild it from the lug nuts up. I am currently eyeballing the Toyota FJ-Cruiser for the company vehicle. It will be wrapped in Soky Happenings advertising.
Opportunities abound and there seems to be many influences on my time and energy. It seems everyone has great ideas but remaining focused on my current objectives must remain paramount. I have another issue and that is time for me! I must find balance and allow time for my fitness and personal development. All work and no play is not healthy and though I do play from time to time, it's definitely not often enough.
I was justifying my decision to hire a full time sales person to a friend of mine. He argued convincingly that there is no one more qualified to sell advertising for Soky Happenings than me. I have training and experience as an outside salesman plus I have a passion for this company that no living soul could share. He is right of course, but there is more to life than working 24/7! I want to be the publisher and executive editor, not the writer, layout, graphics, programmer, clerk, janitor, webmaster, office manager, receptionist and water boy too... I want to build a business that works for me, not the other way around.
I've written about it before... many many times; my primary aim (in business and in life) is freedom. Freedom to come and go as I please; to guide and direct my business without it remaining a ball and chain. I want to start and promote several other businesses, travel, help others or just lay by the pool if that's what I choose to do. Currently, I don't have those freedoms and I intend to rectify the situation by investing in good staff and creating a strong company.
So here I sit on a Saturday morning with several things on my task list, writing for an hour about all the things I need to do. I just read Ralph Marston's Daily Motivator which struck a tone with me again, especially after writing the last two paragraphs above. He writes; "Why? For what reasons do you work, love, play, strive and pray? The reasons are there. Buried under the noisy complications of daily life is the person you truly wish to be and things which you long to achieve. In some way, whatever you're doing at any moment is connected to those reasons. But if you've lost touch with the reasons, the connection may be distorted and your actions may be less effective than they could be."
What I am doing at any moment is connected to the why. Now that's profound, not necessarily accurate; though I know it should be. The primary aim should drive me, it should guide my actions and dictate what I am doing at each moment. I know this stuff, yet I continue to forget.
What do I want? What will it take to get there? Am I doing what it takes?
I've written a saying on a 3x5 card and placed it where I can see it every day;
"If you want things to be different, you have to be willing to do different things."
I do want things to be different; and I am doing many things much different than just one short year ago. I suppose... I'm on the right track.
Yesterday was cool, and today will be too!
I went to Hot Yoga yesterday and that place is unique. Yoga in a heated room (105ΓΈ) for 90 minutes. I've got to try that. We "happy houred" at Smokey Bones then went to the Balloons, Tunes and B.B.Q. event to take some pictures. The crowd was much smaller than past years and a debate at City Limits later revolved around two issues, the $15 parking fee or the fact they took out the beer concession. We decided both influenced the lackluster turnout.
Today! Going to another football game. This one is care of the Bowling Green Daily News because I won 4 tickets on their website. (Too much irony to write about. LOL) Carrie is getting the seats upgraded and we are hoping some good friends will join us. We will be going to the WKU vs WVTech game. It should be fun.
Before the game, I will continue to set up Carries new computer and do some work on the new Soky Happenings website. I have big plans and ideas for the site and will be doing some back end coding to bring it to pass.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.
