12,045 Days Later I Know Things
Thirty-three years ago today, I started my marketing business on April Fool’s Day. I remember confidently pulling my red Mustang convertible into my new office complex and promptly running into a concrete parking block in front of me. Bad omen. That first year on my own was brutal. But I lived to tell the tale and I thought this would be a good day to share some of my hard earned wisdom. Think of it as my Anniversary gift to you.
I have never regretted the decision to go rogue.
I like knowing that I built something from the ground up and have had the opportunity to create a business culture in sync with my values, passions, and work ethic.
And starting my own business taught me the secret to success of any kind: Hard Work (sorry, that’s it).
In this 33 year journey, I’ve met the most wonderful, creative, intelligent, inspiring, awesome people. Many have become cherished friends and trusted advisors.
And my encounters with them and the experiences along the way have made me smarter by the day (all 12, 045 of them!).
Here are some of the things I’ve learned:
• Let people get to know you gradually. A little mystery makes you so much more interesting.
• The one (bad) habit you can never change in a person is chronic lateness.
• Humility is far more intriguing than power.
• Be nice. You get more makeup samples, choice hotel rooms and better pricing when you are.
• Be aware that there are people who wake up every morning with only one agenda: to make everyone’s day miserable.
• Nothing says confidence like a firm handshake.
• You can tell a lot about people by the way they handle snow days.
• When your flight is cancelled, don’t freak out on the staff person who is re-issuing your ticket. They have the power to seat you in the back row, outside the restrooms (been there, done that).
• People make a lot of promises they don’t keep; just be sure to keep yours.
• Be generous with your compliments; it can change someone’s day.
• People who finish your sentences (like me) are annoying.
• When you’re feeling down, dress up.
• If you want people to enjoy your company, ask them about themselves.
• The expression, “I’m doing the best I can” has a whiney quality to it. Use it sparingly.
• You can always find the money.
• Making fast work of things is usually very inefficient in the long run.
• Selfishness is an unattractive trait in adults. Leave it to the kids.
• To end each work day on a high, mentally tick off the things that went right that day.
• If you want to differentiate your business, try customer service. It’s shockingly rare.
• Bad times will pass. Really.
• Never quit. Just hang on a little bit longer or change the specs.
• Everything’s negotiable.
And most importantly, you don’t really need any friends, family, dedicated co-workers, loyal customers, big breaks, loans, second chances, cash flow, extended deadlines, Divine intervention, thriving economies or professional advisors to be successful in business.
April Fool’s…!
Anita Alvare (bio)/Alvare Associates/610-520-6140
