Uno Dos Tres

Peter Piper by oecomm featuring a gold chain link necklace

Listening to old school hip hop music as I draft my business plan. I love the energy and the feeling. I am also inspired how urban youth with little to nothing brought their heart and soul and turned fun into art into a multimillion-dollar industry. You really have to examine why you're going into the business. It's can't be simply for the money. It's got to be for something else. I hear old school rappers say, it's for the love of the game. I'm sure you've heard rich folks say it too: love what you do whether you get paid or not. Isn't that fine and dandy coming from someone who doesn't have to worry about keeping lights on or a roof over head. But then I think about artists like Basquait who while living in a cardboard box made his mark. I've got serious life decisions to make. I'm taking the biggest risk of my life so far. And I may have to consider moving with relatives in order to pull this off.

The SLSBC.

Yes, this is the conference which i was investing so much into with my $35. I expected everything to just voila. (I even expected to win the fabulous prizes -- camcorders and a complete office giveaway.) I would meet all the necessary people and instantly I would be connected to the money people and have the financing I need to start my business. Well, I have news for myself. Don't get me wrong. The conference was awesome. But it made me realize how much work I have ahead of me. And that I will need to come back next year with the answers to all the questions they raised for me. The sessions covered the gambit of getting banks loans, alternative lending, tax credits, etc. While I realized I wasn't quite prepared for the definite opportunities that were there, I collected a lot of good information, I met with experts, I got motivated by the speakers and I networked. Success story speaker Esailama Henry of Bissap Breeze, a company that's gone global in a matter of a year, described SLSBC in terms of an ecosystem. All of this works, she said, to support you as an entrepreneur/business owner. They kept it real, too. The next success story speaker Kyshun Webster of Cupcakes & Co. told of the ups and downs of business and how that ecosystem can be the difference between temporary failure and permanent failure. One thing about the Digital Age is that success and failure go hand-in-hand. Ying & Yang. You can't be afraid to experiment -- use negatives and positives to grow & evolve.

A touch of Homegirl

A touch of Homegirl by oecomm featuring michael kors tote bag

The conference is getting close. I've changed my mind about my original outfit. I don't think I should look so Mary J|J-Lo "flyy." Can't help myself. I am a Carrie Bradshaw fan.

Halloween

Halloween by oecomm featuring a long leather coat

Taking off for a cool halloween party as Trinity.

Boots to the Ground

Boots to the Ground by oecomm featuring grey scarves

Boots to the ground. I'm getting ready to pound the pavement. I'm heading out to do a little R&D (research and development). I've come across a couple of companies like the kind I want...correction, like the one I am starting. Words carry power. It's called, speaking into being like abracadabra. I don't expect this to be instant; after all, it is a process. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Courting an idea

... by oecomm featuring french connection

I'm sticking to my plan: both my business plan and my workout regiment. I had the pleasure of attending a cocktail party recently where i got to mingle with some business "types." I spoke to one, whom while very direct and matter of factly, was almost discouraging about starting a business. Maybe, the person was just battle-scarred. Being optimistic, I found that the advice was still good. What i took away from the conversation is that it's hard work, great sacrifice and often-time, no pay. "If it's glamour you're looking for, you better run the other way." The other way being a regular salaried job. "Look, kid --" Mind you i'm in my 30s. "This is like being married...." And no, I'm not married so I can't fully correlate that analogy; but I get it, it's a commitment. I'm getting ready to take a big step. I need to be absolutely sure that this is really...really what I want to do.

Boss

Notepad message: Think like a boss. Act like a boss. Because you are boss.

Boss by oecomm featuring forever new

Workout

I swear reading that workbook was the longest reading of my life! I'll tell you why. To extend my therapy session, I realized I have a natural resistance to moving forward with my business pursuits. This is uncharted territory where fire-spitting dragons roam. I put too much pressure on myself. After all, it says step by step. Step by baby step. It's time to part with the notion of wanting a business to actually taking the necessary action to be in business. I have my work cut out, so I thought it'd be appropriate that I begin a workout regiment as well.

Workout by oecomm featuring champion

The Blues

I've got a confession. If not two. I'm feeling like success is a matter of luck. Magically, I want a fairy godmother to wave her wand and voila! I'm in business. To tell you the truth, this business plan stuff is hard. Not so much the writing, it's coming up with the answers. I don't have a clue. I don't even have a name for this business. I can't tell you anything about my intended market. Yikes ! I don't mean to panic or cause you any alarm. But if I'm supposed to share my experience through this process, I have to be honest. Deep breath. Fashion relaxes me. My creative juices flow when it comes to styling and buying. I think it's important for people to pay attention to their personal spaces. Life is so much more wonderful when you have style. I want people to appreciate the smallest of things in their lives to the largest. That's why I want to be in business. That's the kind of joy I want to add to the world.

Simplicity by ranniee featuring nicole miller

Nicole miller
nicolemiller.com

Keep Calm and DRINK TEA Poster 11x14 (Old British Flag background...
etsy.com

Pumped UP

Pumped UP by oecomm featuring christian louboutin shoes

In case I left you're wondering, SLSBC stands for Southeast Louisiana Small Business Conference. It gives you the most bang for your buck. A whopping $35 will connect you with unbelievable resources and networking opportunities. If you're in this region, go to www.slsbc.com. I'm pumped up after the president's awesome speech. I feel more encouraged than ever that our head-of-state recognizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs and protecting the equal rights of women--all. It's affirmation that I am moving in the right direction. I got another sign when I came across a step-by-step business plan workbook by an organization called Good Work Network. I admit, at the time, I felt a tad-bit scared. Like walking in high-heel platform shoes. I don't want to fall or fail. You know something, since you're supposed to have a plan, mine will be for success.

New Beginings

I've traveled a bit and played around with the idea of becoming a merchant: importer/exporter. I want to open a shop but I'm not trying to be like an emporium. More like a really cool boutique.

Marking my calendar for early November and pre-planning already what to wear to the 2012 SLSBC. I've had the idea to start a business for some time. I understand this is the place to jump start ideas and make them reality. The money people will be there, resources and information. And of course, me.

Networking chic

Networking chic by oecomm featuring aviator sunglasses

Rick Owens drape cardigan / Diane von Furstenberg slim fit pants, $425 / Dune high heel shoes, $64 / Quilted shoulder bag / BCBG Max Azria magnetic jewelry / Earrings / STONE ISLAND aviator sunglasses, $315