Have you seen the famous Ted talk by Simon Sinek? It’s my all time favorite. His simple and powerful lecture was given in 2009 to a group of Seattle educators and remains a top Ted pick for leaders and entrepreneurs. I’ve chalked up at least of a couple of the nearly 38k views. (I’ve included the link below) This one got me thinking. He poses the big question of “Why” we do what we do. That question gets right down to the core of everything. It’s essential for every solo small business owner just the same as it is for big boys like Apple and Walmart. I’ve been working on finding an answer to this head-scratcher. What is my why?

My Big WHY

After listening to Simon’s speech, I purchased Simon’s book Start with Why, settled in on my patio with the book in one hand and my journal in the other.

The questions he posed were so simple, but so hard to answer. The following are my own top 10 honest answers.

Why do I want to teach, train and share with the framing community?

To make my parents proud by living the example they set by giving more than you get.
To make a positive impact in the world
To help other small business owners
Strengthen business practices of framers and retailers
Prepare for future market changes
Help retailers avoid the expensive mistakes I made
Make their businesses more profitable
Help make personal careers more rewarding
Find satisfaction in their job
Find happiness at home

I believe small business owners are the strength of this country and are the essential links in the chain that makes communities strong.

I have a vision of a retail world where framers find strength in community, have the knowledge and skills to compete in the marketplace and build a thriving business filled with personal satisfaction.

If you’re retailer making sweatshop wages, I can help.

I’ve seen retailers struggle. I’ve struggled. I’ve worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I’ve napped on the shop floor when I was sick with the flu and couldn’t close the shop. I’ve started over three times, moved my shop twice. I’ve had a crappy boss and employees that drove me nuts. I’ve had one husband that never supported me and the second that encourages me in every way. I’ve survived economic disasters, recessions, business-killing road construction and a variety of personal crisis, and I’m still here.

I get why you do this.

I have the same fire that has to burn. It’s the entrepreneurial spirit fueling the fire. It’s the love of the craft. It’s believing you can build it better than the next guy. It’s knowing you will do anything to make the next project happen. The problem is… that limiting belief is what’s killing your business. Focus on the craft instead of the customer and you’ll be left behind.

The market has changed. Not is changing… it HAS changed. You’re on a sinking ship and if you don’t stop bailing and look for a lifeboat, you’ll be gone.

The marketplace is a rough place to operate. By natural selection only the strong survive, and by strong, I don’t mean big; I mean smart; the kind of street smarts and savvy entrepreneurship that drive the economy. Businesses cannot survive doing what they did five or ten years ago. The market has changed. Customer needs have changed. We must evolve or die.

My Manifesto

I have a vision of a picture framing industry revolution that embraces entrepreneurial spirit, leads in design, and utilizes the tools of technology to improve the customer experience.

I am on a mission to transform the framing industry. I am committed to helping framing retailers to find the tools they need to be the successful. I embrace my ability to be a creative problem solver. I want to be so good they can’t ignore me. I want to ignite enthusiasm in framers. I want to learn and share what I can to help others. I do not try. I only do. I am not perfect. I embrace challenges. Difficult times build character. The greatest lessons in life come from failure. Move forward. Don’t look back. I make no excuses. Fear won’t stop me. I thrive under pressure. Pressure creates diamonds and I love to shine!

Now it’s time to get to work. There is more to come, so stay tuned… MG

P.S. As promised, here’s the link to Simon’s Ted Talk