I've been reading this book off and on for about a year - it's called "The E-Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It". Intriguing, huh...
I got through the first chapter and felt "full". One of the first things he writes about is that a technician and an entrepreneur are two very different things. In order for a business to move from small, to medium, to big - the owner has to be the entrepreneur.
I think it's a conflict for most business owners - I see it all the time. The business owner mopping the floor at night - because nobody does it as well as they do (in their mind), the business owner doing all the bookkeeping, all the work, serving customers - because nobody cares as much as them.
I don't think it has anything to do with that! Obviously, no one will ever care as much as the owner. It's a different relationship. But I think the real reason why owners insist on STAYING technicians is fear; fear of taking things to the next level, fear of having that little business seedling go into full bloom. It's a huge responsibility - no question. And maybe it's not every business owner's dream to have a big company.
I can only speak for myself: I want that big dream. I've always seen it. New Moon wants to grow. and I want to be the one to take it there.
But here I am, stuck in a cycle of switching from Entrepreneur to technician - back and forth, back and forth. Right now we are down two bakers - and it's me and the manager pushing dough all week - on top of all the other myriad tasks.
When I am called into bake I feel confident, I know how to bake, I can do it with my eyes closed at this point. it's a safe zone for me. But I also feel stressed - if I'm baking it means I can't grow the business, it means that some things are on hold.
When there is no need for me to be in production, I sit at my desk with my head in my hands, wondering where to go from here... I am in the unknown. How DO I take my business to the next level? How DO I hand in my apron?
There's really only one way to deal with the unknown:
LEAP! eyes closed, whatever it takes - just move forward. I may fall miserably, I may stumble, or I may succeed. The knowledge I need is waiting somewhere.
First step: I have to make a clear decision - I have to draw a line in the sand. Take off the apron, make sure I have a solid foundation. and go for it.
Second Step: Hire people who will be part of the movement forward.
Third Step: I have no idea. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Hello My Name is Eden and I'm a Businesswoman
The other day someone introduced me as "a baker", i quickly corrected them with: "businesswoman".
It struck me afterwards - this moment of dichotomy in my little life. Obviously, I love baking - but I'm not a baker anymore. Baking got me where I am today - in this new and deserved seat of Entrepreneur.
It has taken me a long time to equate myself with business. Business has such stigma attached to it; dark suits, crisp ties, wheelings and dealings, clammy handshakes. And I just never wanted to be that! But I admit it - I love Business. I love the maneuvering, the problem solving, the multi-tasking, and the inevitable win of bringing a company to its next level.
People often ask the question, 'what gets you up in the morning?' and for me it's the prospect that every day is a day to make my business grow, to nurture it, discover it, navigate it. It's always exciting.
This is the nerdiness of the entrepreneur! I am letting you all in on my secret here. I'm a business nerd - but I don't wear a dark suit or crisp tie and I sure as hell hope my handshake isn't clammy.
We're all in business in some way or another; whether working for one or owning one. I think people get locked into believing that business is solely about the pursuit of money (which it may be for some). There's another side though - the awesomeness of being able to create something and watch it grow. This is a win far greater than anything else. True success comes from how you achieve something, not what you achieve.
Those are my deep thoughts for today.
It struck me afterwards - this moment of dichotomy in my little life. Obviously, I love baking - but I'm not a baker anymore. Baking got me where I am today - in this new and deserved seat of Entrepreneur.
It has taken me a long time to equate myself with business. Business has such stigma attached to it; dark suits, crisp ties, wheelings and dealings, clammy handshakes. And I just never wanted to be that! But I admit it - I love Business. I love the maneuvering, the problem solving, the multi-tasking, and the inevitable win of bringing a company to its next level.
People often ask the question, 'what gets you up in the morning?' and for me it's the prospect that every day is a day to make my business grow, to nurture it, discover it, navigate it. It's always exciting.
This is the nerdiness of the entrepreneur! I am letting you all in on my secret here. I'm a business nerd - but I don't wear a dark suit or crisp tie and I sure as hell hope my handshake isn't clammy.
We're all in business in some way or another; whether working for one or owning one. I think people get locked into believing that business is solely about the pursuit of money (which it may be for some). There's another side though - the awesomeness of being able to create something and watch it grow. This is a win far greater than anything else. True success comes from how you achieve something, not what you achieve.
Those are my deep thoughts for today.
Sunday, 26 August 2007
What Makes It All Worthwhile
Most of the time I am on the inside of my business: staring at a computer, looking at cookies, working with staff, answering the phone, running up and down stairs. But on the rare occasion I get to see what actually happens when the cookies make impact.
Last week my driver went on Holiday in the Dominican Republic so I became Delivery Girl for 10 days. I had a blast; driving around the city in Sadie (New Moon's big blue delivery truck), singing to the radio, and taking cookies to the masses. I got to talk to my clients, take a look at the displays, shake a lot of hands, and have a generally good time driving around. It was a break somehow, I was in the cookie delivery bubble where I didn't have to answer a phone or check email or do anything but get cookies from Point A to B.
Last Wednesday, I left Hamilton and headed for St. Catherines. It's a long stretch - 45 minutes on the QEW. I was tired, the day was getting on, and traffic is always a bummer.
So there I am zooming along with the radio on, and a car comes up in front of me. The passenger window rolls down and a guy starts waving to me. I wave back. And then he pulls two bags of New Moon cookies from the car and starts waving them out the window, then he gives me an exuberant thumbs up and we honk back and forth.
I'm quite sure I was grinning for three hours. Because really, at the end of the day, this is what it's all about. And there's nothing like a magic moment...
So whoever that was in that car with those cookies - thankyou! You made my day. I hope the cookies made yours.
xo Baker Babe
Last week my driver went on Holiday in the Dominican Republic so I became Delivery Girl for 10 days. I had a blast; driving around the city in Sadie (New Moon's big blue delivery truck), singing to the radio, and taking cookies to the masses. I got to talk to my clients, take a look at the displays, shake a lot of hands, and have a generally good time driving around. It was a break somehow, I was in the cookie delivery bubble where I didn't have to answer a phone or check email or do anything but get cookies from Point A to B.
Last Wednesday, I left Hamilton and headed for St. Catherines. It's a long stretch - 45 minutes on the QEW. I was tired, the day was getting on, and traffic is always a bummer.
So there I am zooming along with the radio on, and a car comes up in front of me. The passenger window rolls down and a guy starts waving to me. I wave back. And then he pulls two bags of New Moon cookies from the car and starts waving them out the window, then he gives me an exuberant thumbs up and we honk back and forth.
I'm quite sure I was grinning for three hours. Because really, at the end of the day, this is what it's all about. And there's nothing like a magic moment...
So whoever that was in that car with those cookies - thankyou! You made my day. I hope the cookies made yours.
xo Baker Babe
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Welcome to my Blog!
After a few months of procrastination, some cross-identity confusion, and a couple of vacations under my apron, I am finally blogging.
Believe it or not, this is exciting. In fact, it's monumental. I think there is a day that comes (hopefully) for an entrepreneur when they are no longer swamped, exhausted, and completely overworked. It's bold to say - but I think my time has come.
As you may or may not know, I started up New Moon when I was 19 years old. It was completely unofficial (and was called "eden's edibles" yikes!) but something was starting... Since then it has been full-force for ten years; work like you can't imagine, every aspect of myself completely engaged in birthing the New Moon baby.
And here it is - New Moon is almost a teenager. The reward of my investment became very clear this year when I was able to actualize a lifelong dream of going to Italy. Over the years I have been fortunate to take vacations here and there - but my Italy trip was three weeks!! The longest I'd been away since I was 18.
Needless to say, it was not just an exquisite adventure, it was a triumphant victory as well. I flew home the day before my 3oth birthday.
Those of you who are entrepreneurs will understand the meaning of that! And hopefully, those of you entrepreneurs who think it's impossible to get away from your business will delight in the fact that it's not.
So what am I saying here? What is this first message I am sending out?
My dream (and goal) with New Moon was to create a vehicle for myself. Other than having a knack for baking and a love of business - I am also a writer, a singer, an apprentice, and a traveler. I want to express all these parts of myself - and New Moon is definitely the vehicle which allows me to do that.
So now you know why the Blogging is exciting! Because I now have the time and energy to do it.
How I got here is a whole other story... stay tuned.
xo baker babe
Believe it or not, this is exciting. In fact, it's monumental. I think there is a day that comes (hopefully) for an entrepreneur when they are no longer swamped, exhausted, and completely overworked. It's bold to say - but I think my time has come.
As you may or may not know, I started up New Moon when I was 19 years old. It was completely unofficial (and was called "eden's edibles" yikes!) but something was starting... Since then it has been full-force for ten years; work like you can't imagine, every aspect of myself completely engaged in birthing the New Moon baby.
And here it is - New Moon is almost a teenager. The reward of my investment became very clear this year when I was able to actualize a lifelong dream of going to Italy. Over the years I have been fortunate to take vacations here and there - but my Italy trip was three weeks!! The longest I'd been away since I was 18.
Needless to say, it was not just an exquisite adventure, it was a triumphant victory as well. I flew home the day before my 3oth birthday.
Those of you who are entrepreneurs will understand the meaning of that! And hopefully, those of you entrepreneurs who think it's impossible to get away from your business will delight in the fact that it's not.
So what am I saying here? What is this first message I am sending out?
My dream (and goal) with New Moon was to create a vehicle for myself. Other than having a knack for baking and a love of business - I am also a writer, a singer, an apprentice, and a traveler. I want to express all these parts of myself - and New Moon is definitely the vehicle which allows me to do that.
So now you know why the Blogging is exciting! Because I now have the time and energy to do it.
How I got here is a whole other story... stay tuned.
xo baker babe
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