Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

With Mother`s Day coming up, I just wanted to say cheers to all the SUN mamas - stonesledge, jillybeans, entreprenerd, storybookstudio, smurph05, GrillCharmer, and all of the rest I`m probably not remembering right now ... Keep up the good fight because you`re setting an amazing example for your children by doing everything you do.

I was reminded again today of the sterotypes against us - at the Apple Store of all places! I went in there with the whole computer thing, and the guy told me I needed a new powercord but that they didn`t have any in stock. I said, you have them on the shelf. No, he said - those were retail stock and not for warranty issues. I asked him how long it would take to get me a new cord, and he gave me that look. (And I KNOW all of you have seen that look before, because I recognized it instantly!) It was that look of "why is this chick bothering me, it`s not like she has anything important to do besides upload pictures of that kid or chat online", followed by THAT SIGH, and the answer of "1 to 2 days".

So I did what any self-respecting mom with a giggling toddler on her back would do - I looked that guy straight in the eyes and said "Look, I`ve got 2 projects due and I`m losing money every second here - because whether or not the BRAND NEW cord is working, I still have to pay my employees. So why don`t you scoot on in to the back room and tell your manager you want to swap out a retail cord with my broken cord so I can go home and get some work done. OK?"

He was humbled ... and I walked out with a brand new cord.

There`s a lot of people trying to silence women out there - just look at the recent example of Kathy Sierra. But we have to work together and stay strong. So this Mother`s Day, just remember you have a little (but very important reason!) to keep up the good fight. I want to be the best I can be because I want my daughter to know her mom never settled for less!

Thanks Nikole - how sweet. I hope you have a fantastic Mother`s Day as well!

 I`m oh so proud of my fellow SUN mama for standing your ground and walking out of there with that powercord! It`s so sad that we still have to face this kind of subtle bigotry in these times. This type of thing happens to me alot more than I care for. There I am, going about my business just doing my thing and then I am met with an indignant salesperson who somehow already has it in for me, even before I open my mouth!

It`s not always the men that are the `perps` either! I`ve had plenty of women give me that `look` and sigh - like they are just barely tolerating me. I`ve recently come to realize that I have an issue with being assertive. I don`t know why, but I have this fear of seeming bitchy. I know it sounds crazy, but I have to actually practice being assertive because I`m so timid at times when it comes to speaking up for myself. I know that this is a major flaw for an entrepreneur and I am trying to correct it ASAP! I am the person that rushes to cram crumpled up bills and receipts in my purse in the food store checkout, just so I don`t inconvenience the the exasperated, sighing, eye-rolling person behind me!!

 

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Melissa Yamello
Owner/Designer
Storybook Studio
www.storybookstudio.net

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Thanks Nikole,

Happy Mothers Day to you too! You , yourself are such an awesome role model for your little one. I think you are such a talented person with so much to offer. And what a great Mom you must be!Way to go on that power cord. I have "been there" and always stand my ground too. Go Girl!!

Enjoy your day......I "requested" from my husband since Halla is only 4, a family hammock and a copy of a tape that my old tapeplayer ate up from a hypnotist, friend of mine..... usually not my thing but I have the worst time being able to shut off work at night and this tape helps me to go right to sleep. It`s all about destressing and reaching your goals, so i like to use it. Si I plan on relaxing in my hammock, reading a book on Sunday. What are you planning to do to celebrate?

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals

storybookstudio -

Yes, I have that "everyone like me!" problem with clients sometimes. (It`s one of my bad habits and I mention it in today`s article about finding ideal clients - the article that was supposed to go up Wednesday until the cord issue came up!)

I also find that a lot of mommies are pretty judgmental as well ... like if I`m struggling, why not just quit my job? (As if it was that easy!) All the mom`s groups around here that meet during the day are SAHMs with wealthy husbands, so they never understand when I can`t make it to an outing or why unreliable childcare is such a huge problem for me.

Erin - I told my husband I want a day of "free childcare" to get some projects finished. So his job is to take baby and leave me alone for 5-6 hours!

To go along with what we`re talking about ... I just found this e-card online.

Thanks Nicole!! Great Ecard!! Have fun with your projects. I totally understand the way women can be when I can`t be at this function or that group. Sometimes, I wonder why is it so hard to understand that I actually have work to do. I think b/c I work out of an office on my property and my daughter stays with me some of the weekdays and some at daycare, that I am just "playing"????????? I must of mentioned that I have a business, i don`t know...50 times...anyway...they still call and call and call...asking me to be everywhere. I try to let them know, if I can attend I will be there, if not I am usually working. It is almost like an in between of a stay at home mom life and a business life...i don`t quite fit itnto either or. I like my situation, it works for me and my family, sometimes i wish that others would understand. I know, everytime I go by a neighbor`s home in my neighborhood, who is a stay at home Mom, she looks at me...like "thanks for not stopping by to chit chat", Then I will get a call..."i see you are around, come on over for a play date". So then I either have to explain or just ignore the call. Now I even avoid waving...b/c the signal for me to pull in...then 2 hours can go by and then I am behind in work. I get ..."what do you do again?? " alot. Oh Well. Thanks for the venting opportunity!! Happy Mothers day!

 

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals