Unexpected.

I received lots of encouragement following my "Wiped" post and, I must share that, while very grateful, I am not accustomed to that.

When my husband and I had our IT franchise, the support we received there was primarily geared toward generating revenue for the franchise. We shared ideas and encouraged each other toward continuous improvement, but it seemed it was often with the unspoken goal of making enough money to keep paying our ever increasing franchise fees.

We ultimately sold that business and went back to work in the "real" world. I do say that tongue-in-cheek because it's truly not real at all. Anyone who has owned, operated and supported themselves and others with their own business knows exactly what I mean. Although it was a necessary change, it was a difficult adjustment to say the least. Once you've experienced the beginning, middle and end of a complete business, you don't look at that corporate hierarchy quite the same. Further, despite what they might have told you when you were hired, they don't really care what experience you bring to the table, only that you subordinate that experience to their hierarchy.

Which brings me back to my opening statement, and why I made it. I, we, are so used to doing everything on our own and figuring things out for ourselves, that I am finding this community overwhelming in its generosity. I haven't even begun to explore the wealth of information here, as my experiences have conditioned me to leave other people's work alone, "look, but don't touch." So far, I have not found that to be the case here. I'm still a bit timid to venture outside the basic training offerings, but I am learning, re-learning, that it is okay to share (and be shared).

Baby steps...thank you for making them possible. Even if I don't make a dime here, I am getting so much more than I bargained for.

Blessings,

Leslie

JustBlackPearls.com