This is Just the Beginning
October 27th, 2008
As this week wraps up the most challenging but rewarding time of my life, I don’t look at it as the end. No, this is just the beginning! Many thoughts and emotions have come across my mind as I think about this program ending. Here are just a few: sadness, relief, anxiety, worry, joy, peace and thankfulness. The one that sticks with me more than the others is THANKFULNESS. I began Head 2 Toe Publications right before the contest, but we were not a functioning company until we won the Seeds for Success grant. I know we would not be where we are today if it weren’t for the help of Yahoo! and fwm. I truly know of no other grant that actually helps businesses grow. I know Dana, Tamar and Abby also feel great appreciation for this grant. We all have accomplished great things because of this program, and I know all of us will continue to do great things because of what we have been given and taught.
The last couple of weeks have been a little stressful because of the voting, but all in all, I have learned to just focus on the business and not the polls. My brother called me recently and said, “Hey, don’t worry about the numbers, look at the great things that are before you.” I have received so many notes from old and new friends that have been faithful to vote every day. I believe what I have enjoyed the most from the voting process is the encouragement I have received. I have been given some great opportunities to keep moving forward after the program ends. I have been asked to be a member of the Early Head Start Advisory Council Board in Birmingham and I have been asked to write an article for a company called businessfromscratch.com. All 3 finalists will be on a podcast for Women Entrepreneur and Head 2 Toe will be featured in Southern Living magazine in February. We are excited about these opportunities to grow our business even more.
I would like to feature a company that I just learned about through the voting process. Someone forwarded their blog to me because they are recommending Head 2 Toe. In fact, they were supporting my company and what we stand for and asking their readers to vote for us. I had no idea who they were. Again, this was a great encouragement to me and Amy. After looking at their website, I was so impressed by who they are and what they are doing for babies through 5 years old. Their website is full of great information about products that are developmentally appropriate for ALL children including special needs children. I have already contacted them about working out a way to promote them at any of the conferences I attend and vice versa since we are not marketing to the same groups. I believe this will be the beginning of a great friendship. Please check out Wigglegigglelearn.com. I highly recommend them! The amazing thing is that they were also in the running for the Seeds for Success program. Unfortunately, they did not win, but I am so thankful that they encourage us to keep moving forward and I am encouraging them to keep moving forward also.
Here are few tips that I would give women and/or men on starting their own company:
1. Set goals-short and long term
2. Schedule your day
3. Work on your company every day
4. Focus on the small parts of the company (eg. marketing, accounting, legal, conferences, website, etc)
5. Surround yourself with those who are experts in the areas you need to make your business grow (attorney, accountant, marketing, etc)
6. Keep a 3 ring binder with tabs of all areas of company so that it is at your fingertips
7. Communicate, communicate, communicate
I hope this helps. These are just a few of the top bits of advice I received that helped me the most. I wish I could meet all of you who have voted for me. Even though the program ends, you can keep up with us long after. We will still have a blog and you should be seeing new things added to the website. Thanks again!! May God bless you and your endeavors!!
Blessings!
Karla and Amy
