First off – I need to express my gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive response to the launch of LittleBox Social! Between my regular blog readers, Facebook friends, LinkedIn connections and Twitter followers, I feel like I have a whole stadium of folks cheering me on – and I can’t begin to tell you how motivating that is! I’ve experienced moments of isolation and doubt in the last few weeks, but if I ever need a boost – I look back at your comments and know that you are there.  Even if you are skeptical or just curious, I know you are watching, and that accountability helps drive me towards success!

The other thing that has made this week (and it’s only Wednesday) amazing  – I’ve had some client meetings – yes – real live potential clients!  People that actually need this

service I’m offering; people that reached out to me to ask how the whole process works and to find out how I can help them! While it’s way too early to call these deals signed, sealed and delivered, the validation of this Big Idea gives me confidence that I’m on the right track! Cue the Obvious and overused Sally Field Oscars Gif:
Even more important than that boost of confidence is that I’m meeting some talented business owners with some truly compelling stories. One of the reasons I departed “cubeville” is that I felt I was too far removed from impacting the customer experience. Like so far removed I could barely even see the customer in my work. And in the end – I know that’s what motivates me. The opportunity to help people tell their stories to the world – that’s a gift! It’s too early in the process for me to divulge any details – but I can’t wait to help them shout their stories from the rooftop!

Here’s what’s so striking – while the people I met yesterday had somewhat traditional titles – Jewelry Designer and Financial Advisor; in just a brief conversation, I learned their backstories and more about WHY they are small business owners. Both opened up about their “journey” in a way that inspired me to help them. In these conversations, I started creating solutions for them that I had never thought of – on the spot and in real time. Ways to use Social Media platforms not just to drive more business, but also to help them establish their reputation as a business and community leader. You ever have a meeting where you felt more energized than when you started? Oh so rare for me in my Cubeville Days. While I was taking down notes about the “to do’s” ahead of me, it didn’t drain my energy, it sparked it!

Bottom line:  These conversations and that process is helping me clarify the “Why?” for me creating LittleBox Social! Not an epiphany or a ta-da moment, but instead as I listened to myself in these conversations, I gained an appreciation for my own passion. I heard myself describe creative ways of marketing their story, of creating new views of their product and of focusing on what really excites them. And even though I was asking for their business, it felt like I was offering to be their partner. That, my friends, is the absolute sweet spot for me. The Raison D’Etre – Making a difference for others, adding value to a community, fostering innovation and inspiration, getting work done for others so that they may have a better life.  LittleBox Social gives me the opportunity to do this every day with people in my neighborhood. I can’t ever forget it or take it for granted!