This morning I went into my daughters' playroom and watched my three year old arrange blocks in a checkerboard pattern.  I asked her what she was up to and got no response.  Then I asked her if she was focused, and she replied "I can't talk right now, I am focused."  Just like all of us, when she is focused on her task or project, she can accomplish a great deal in a concentrated time.

I went to a great conference yesterday hosted by Flexperience on Flexibility in the work place.   They had some smart, articulate speakers from major corporations who are doing the flexibility thing.  I turned to my friend Catherine, from YourOnRamp, and said they get it, almost.  And she nodded.

What they know:  There is value to flexibility to an employer

A great opportunity to learn about careers, opportunities and sitting on a board in a nonprofit

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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 - Active in Nonprofits: Giving Back to Get

7:00 - 7:30pm Cocktails and Networking
7:30 - 9:00pm Workshop
Where? Cubes & Crayons, 1122 Crane Street, Menlo Park, ca

Launching my second company, Cubes&Crayons, I have been delighted by the unexpected people and networking that has been a part of our unveiling. My first company, Innovative Spaces, Inc. (www.ispacesinc.com), was a very solo activity. Initially, I had no other staff. I was doing it all from finance to marketing to visiting clients to actual design work. It was an amazing, difficult, and valuable learning experience. At the time, it worked for me. I moved myself and company from Pasadena to the Bay Area three months after the company launched.

The other day I was driving my two daughters with me to Cubes & Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com), when my older one, a proud 2 1/2 year old, said to me "I love Cubes & Crayons." My heart melted. I built this endeavor, flexible office space in tandem with childcare, with parents like me in mind, but also for my children. While my daughter has been able to spout that the "cubes are for mommies and daddies and the crayons are for the kids," for months now, it has been a tough transition for everyone. Being a mom is the most important thing to me.

Recently, I was interviewed about my new company, Cubes & Crayons, by a local newspaper reporter. We offer flexible childcare in tandem with office space for parents and freelance workers. After several questions on the nature of our services, she asked me if this was a "feminist" business. A surprising question for which initially I had no answer. The question has gnawed in the back of my head for days now.

Yesterday, much to my joy, we had our highly successful open house for Cubes & Crayons, www.cubesandcrayons.com. The day before, in addition to responding to all of my employees last minute needs and emergencies, I shopped for our second campus. It is unbelievable to me how this one idea I had over 2 years ago has become a reality. Not only a reality but one that is growing.

Less than two weeks to go until our open house at Cubes & Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com) and I am on a feverish adrenaline rush. Each time I check something off my to do list of things completed, I add three more things. Even as I sometimes find it overwhelming, I am energized and excited by the upcoming opening. My business plan was written last June and now 6 months later, I am less than 2 weeks away from it becoming a reality.

What do you do? Mother, teacher, student, designer, professional volunteer, business owner...??? My answer has varied over my short career years as I have searched for what it is I do. Always confident in my personal life, I have struggled for years with the career aspect through a series of bad choices, lack of self promotion and listening to bad advice.

With 48 days until Cubes & Crayons officially opens it doors and 41 days until our preview party, the pressure is on. I would be nowhere without my to do lists. Each day starts with one, often with many items from the previous day. The goal is not necessarily to get through every item each day, but to always have a picture of all the items that need to get done.