Welcome!
I'm Tami Parks, fourth-generation entrepreneur and small business person. I love small business and consider it the heartbeat of America's marketplace. My family has been involved in real estate, service, and retail; we're just regular people who have a passion for serving others and being our own bosses.
My husband and I have made a committment to run our business, Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists, LLC, as a debt-free business. This blog is our accountability partner!
Yesterday, I asked one of my team members, "I wonder if our customers know how much we pray for them?"
Lord, bless this appointment.
Lord, make me a blessing to this customer.
Lord, this customer is difficult. Is she hurting?
Lord, PLEASE let this gown be in stock!
Lord, help me find the matching fabric...
Lord, where did that spot come from? Now show me how to remove it...please??
Lord, please let this gown fit (usually prayed while I'm trying to zip it!)
Lord, please help me be kind to this frustrated bridesmaid.
Lord, please bless the bride who is wearing this gown today, and make a happy marriage.
There is no difference between secular and sacred. We are called to serve, called to be kind, called to "pray one for another".
This morning, I'm listening to the EntreLeadership podcast, from the Dave Ramsey organization. The guest is Rabbi Daniel Lapin and he is phenomenal! I read his book a few years ago and I got to thinking about the books I have read in the past 10 years that have really formed my thoughts about business and service. I want to share this short list with you in hopes that it may help you, too.
1. Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung Especially helpful for a young person who is looking for their "calling" in life...or for someone older who needs confirmation!
2. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
3. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey If you only read one business book this year, this is the one!
4. The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant by Terry Felber A short book, a long fable. I read this one with my 13-year-old son and he loved it, too!
5. Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin The author I mentioned above. This is the most challenging of the books to get through, it's deep and heavy at times. But, the truths found in it are business-changing!
Happy Reading...I can't wait to hear what you think.
You're busy.
You're trying to build or sustain a business. You're trying to please your customers, make payroll, make a schedule. Some days it's hard to just get everything done, let alone analyze the numbers from last month and plan for next month!
Take a day off.
Huh?
Yep...you need a day off. You can't do it all and if you do it all, it's not worth it. Make it your goal this year to train your team to operate without you and then take a day off each week, or each month. Read a book, do some backing, catch up on the laundry! (Yes, I do live that life)
If your business is really small and you don't have a team, then train your customers to give you a day off and close your doors for one day a month, ignore your email, and let your phone calls go to voice mail. It will not close you down, I promise. Instead, you'll feel rejuvenated and filled with energy and fresh ideas.
Happy New Year, 2013!
Yes, it's been quite a while since I have posted here. Along with one of my associates, I've created a Facebook page for bridal biz owners (my main niche), so I would like to invite my blog readers to join me there. The page is called Smitten! and is a gathering place for a larger endeavor. Smitten! also offers peer-to-peer consulting for bridal businesses in the areas of finances, customer service, team building, and marketing. We have a Live Chat scheduled for January 11 and would love to have you join us. Just request membership to the group and see the "Events" tab!
But, one of my New Year's resolutions is to return more faithfully to this little corner of the blog-o-sphere and share more about small business, family business, and most importantly, debt-free business!
