Vacation Perspective on business

First off I am back!  I took a vacation. First full week off in so many years I can hardly count.  It was hard to go, but I loved it so much.  It was good for my mind, body and soul.  I am the type of person who likes to go places and do things.  But I was unprepared for how much I loved this vacation.  Lots of firsts for me: new country, new adventures- it was fabulous.  I think everyone needs to get outside their safety zone, and keep growing.  My wish for  everyone is to  have at least one vacation this year that feeds your soul.

Every morning I would walk the beach to think, relax and see what gifts the ocean brought me that day.  I like to look for shells, it makes the walk more interesting when you collect prizes. So, while on one of my walks, I was looking for this certain shell that another girl had found the day before.  I picked up shell after shell- they were broken, imperfect in some way.  I held out hope, eyes scanning for the one, big, perfect shell.  I could find plenty of small ones that were perfect but the big one was not to be found by me.

This made me think about businesses today.  Everyone wants the million dollar over night success business.  The Mack Daddy- Super Duper, Huge Business.  But like those big shells, it is very rare.  It takes so much work, time and patience to build. If you are a big business or a big shell, you have to withstand a lot of turbulence to make it on to the shore in one piece. The ocean tides, storms and mother nature are not unlike business competition today.  Many big businesses are broken with poor quality and bad press like  Lu Lu Lemon.  Or they are crumbling under their own weight and are filing Chapter 11, like the parent company of Eastern Mountain Sports.  Some times, too big isn't, too good. Lu Lu Lemon and Eastern Mountain Sports, at one time were at their peak, today there are some cracks in those shells. Businesses can change owners, management, location and more..but they are never the same.

The smaller shells, can easily glide over the rocks, catching the wave to make it to shore successfully.  I was able to collect many beautiful little shells. Just as their are many  successful smaller businesses that are thriving and growing, providing excellent products and services.  I'm sure you can think of a local restaurant you love, where the food is perfect every time.  A local car dealer that goes out of their way for you with service, providing you a loaner every time.  Small shells, beautifully perfect!

Beach Morale: 

If your business is a small, perfect shell be proud.  Know you have the swiftness to ride the waves of change easier than your bigger competition. If you are a large business, and have not been beaten by the sea, be grateful. Take care of your customers and employees they will help you weather a storm.  For any business, be ready for any storm and catch the wave of success Mother Nature provides.