EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

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. I then discovered I was pregnant and balanced growing a business as my belly grew.

Fast forward 2 1/2 years to building my second company, Cubes&Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com). With two daughters in tow this time and the nature of this company being so different, the importance of a strong staff and valuable network of support has been crucial. It has been an unexpected surprise to receive an outpouring of support from people I have yet to meet. From contacts asking about franchising to a network of entrepreneurs, parents, and professionals who just believe in our concept, I have been buoyed even as we work hard to get people in to fill every reservation.

The women, especially, I have met over the past couple of weeks since we opened our doors have been amazing resources. One is working on marketing for us now in exchange for use of our office space. Others are helping to form partnerships or combine our talents to hold workshops (http://www.cubesandcrayons.com/workshops_events.jsp) YourOnRamp is participating in 2 workshops, Discover What Awaits You and From Seed to StartUp. While I have worked hard to contact several people, others have literally walked in off the street having heard about us from friends, the newspaper, or Gentry magazine. People want to see what we are about and that is exciting. I have been invited to blog for sites, participate in workshops, and speak at events.

But when I started Cubes&Crayons, I expected none of this. In focusing on the ins and outs of the business, I never thought about the networking that would occur, the support from people I had yet to meet, and the shared knowledge that would be acquired. And I am thrilled every moment for it. Who knows what to expect next? I will keep you posted...