Gettin' ready for an open water ocean swim today...

Dec 19

On Sunday, Wilder hosted a pop-up shop in our driveway to sell her originally designed canvas bags and totes.

"It's so great you're doing this," one dad said to her. "You're learning early on that you can create any kind of success you want." He was someone who worked in corporate for 25 years, couldn't believe how long he stayed, then recently retired.

"Do you homeschool your daughter?" a mom asked me. "Because she's a super cool kid."

Wilder's sales techniques were on point — she came up with her own chant highlighting the benefits of buying one of her bags.

She thought of her own marketing ads to post around.

She definitely made a profit.

Then, as we were brushing our teeth before bed, I mentioned that several people sent me IG messages to ask if they could order her bags online because they weren't able to come to the shop. We talked about posting her products on Etsy for others to buy. I explained to her about expanding her reach, cost of goods, gross versus net profit, and how to calculate labor costs.

She asked about her friend who lives in Orange County.

"I could hire her," Wilder said. "I could mail her my bags and ask her to sell them there. Even though I'll make a little less, it'll help grow my business."

I smiled — truly, an entrepreneur in the making.

But it's not all fun and games.

Parenting a 9-year-old is... a test of patience.

My friend and fellow mom realized the other day that our daughters will be starting their cycles as we start menopause. 😲 The mood swings are unpredictable. It's easy to say "the wrong thing" and get a whole lot of feedback. I have to constantly take deep breaths and practice a healthy inner dialogue.

In a lot of ways, it's like building a business.

The cycles and swings of growth, new business development, closed contracts, building your personal and professional brand, managing a team, learning how to be a better leader.

Last week, I was around hundreds of new people — startup happy hours, Entrepreneurs Organization networking, Zoom meet-and-greets, and more. For an introvert, these can be taxing. But, I also understand that the growth of my business has always been rooted in meaningful connections. At each event, I always meet at least one person who I want to get to know better.

My daughter saw me in action. She also saw me commit.

Because I didn't want to go.

She dropped me off at one event with her aunt who was visiting. I asked them to stay in the car and wait for me so I could scope the scene. I got back into the car, still unsure. I asked what she thought I should do.

"You should stay," Wilder told me. She waved at me as she went to dinner with my sister.

They finished before I was done, so she popped her head over the fence and saw me networking.

"Do you want a ride home, Mom?" she asked.

"It's okay," I told her. "I'll walk."

Because the night turned out much better than expected.

These little moments. Small decisions that lead to big impact.

These little bits of watching one another. Compounded into examples and memories.

This afternoon, I'll be paddling out with Wilder in an open-water ocean swim. She's currently in Junior Lifeguards, a popular summer camp for North County San Diego, and during this second week, the kids swim to a farther buoy and back.

"Parents and friends can come join the swim," one of the lifeguards told me.

Wilder didn't want to do it.

I told her we'd do it together.

She's afraid of what's under the water.

Truth be told, so am I.

But, we'll be there together and sometimes, that's what you need most — in life and in business.

You need someone there with you.

Witnessing.

Championing.

Being patient.

Breathing through the fear.

Swimming through the unknown.