My Entrepreneurial Journey

 This week I was inspired by a talk given by President Monson, Attitude of Gratitude. He shared the following quote:     "  If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues"     One of my biggest pet peeves in life is people being ungrateful, especially when we are so blessed!  When you really stop and think about how blessed we are in this country and all the things we take for granted it can almost feel shameful.  At least that is how I feel when I complain about my problems and then I observe another brother or sister going through such tumultuous tragedy, I cannot comprehend how they feel.  It is then, I realize my problems aren't problems at all.  Life has a funny way of teaching us those lessons sometimes.       President Monson encourages us to show gratitude toward our mothers, fathers, teachers, friend, country, and most of all our Lord and Savior ...

 11/30/2022          This week I learned about becoming a change-maker.  In order to become a change-maker We must first ask the questions: What changes need to be made?  Where do they need to be made?  How can I become a contributor to the change?     One problematic issue that needs drastic change worldwide is Poverty.  I personally believe poverty could be resolved if "we" as a people, would resolve issues surrounding it.  One such issue was addressed in Charles Handy's review, "What's a Business For"?     Handy points out the importance of integrity, virtue, and honesty in business; three concepts that are missing from many corporate and successful companies.  The issue becomes vital to the economy because "businesses have no purpose other than themselves" according to Handy.  Corporations become greedy and will lie, cheat, and treat employees as property rather than assets.  This inhumane...

 11/24/22 This week I was given many perspectives on money, the love of, and how it can be used for good and evil.  Money itself is neither good or evil.  It is our attitude toward it that can make or break us.  We were asked to answer the following question: What is your attitude toward money?  I believe money is necessary to sustain life.  We must have it to eat, clothe, support our families, and provide shelter for them and ourselves.  I also know we are to become self reliant and through our diligent labors the Lord blesses us.  He has promised us if we use our time, talents, and skills to serve our fellow man, not only will we become more Christlike, but we will have sufficient for our needs and plenty left over to share.  I testify this to be true in my own life's journey.  I have witnessed many miracles.  I might add, paying an honest tithe to the Lord signifies gratitude to him, trust in him, and requires faith.  The tr...

 11/19/22     This week was challenging for me as my Dad is in the hospital and we had to travel to Ky, 600 miles, to come be with him.  I have been trying to complete my online degree since 2006 and life has a funny way of throwing us off course sometimes.  With that being said, I am grateful for technology and the ability to have access to so much learning.  This class has given me the drive I have needed to persevere and push through the challenges but not without my Savior of course.     Sitting in the hospital with my Father this week, I pondered his life.  Talking with him and watching him lay there bedbound and not able to ride his Harley, come home for Thanksgiving, spending more time with family, and many other dreams I know he wished he had more time for, really broke my heart.  Time is something we think we have so much of until we don't.  However, I find peace in knowing the good things my Dad has done in his life and th...

                                                 November 10, 2022   "  A disciple of Christ is one who is following and learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act as He does. He or she is striving to gain “. . . the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His ways are the most demanding learning objectives we can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares with His curriculum in either requirements or rewards. Discipleship demands the total transformation of a person by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). A disciple is one who loves the Lord and serves Him with all of his or her heart, might, mind, and strength."                ...

                                                                                                                                                  11/05/22 This week we talked about overcoming challenges.  One of the most inspirational talks by Elder Holland "However Long and Hard The Road" gives many examples of hardships and how each challenge was overcome through perseverance, faith, determination, and purpose.  The objective is that we are all faced with challenges in our lives but it is our choice to "act" or "react".  If we understand chall...

 10/29/2022     So week 7 has come to an end and I am starting to feel like I have taken 7 straight weeks of therapy.  All that I have learned thus far has taken me on a journey of redefining myself.  Pursuing my education has forced to do a lot of soul searching, reflection, and establish new goals and  gain new insights.  All of these things have been beneficial to me as I seemed to have lost myself along the way and sometimes felt as if there were no way out.  I found myself pondering three questions: "Have I done any good in my life?" "Is this all there is?" "What now?"  Surprisingly, I am learning that I have done much good, continue to do good, and look forward to doing more good!  I have learned that this is not all there is and it is what I choose to make it!  There are things I can control and things I cannot control.  So I will focus on the things I can control and continue on this journey with the Lord and Savior as ...

 10/21/2022     So I just finished up week 6 in my Entrepreneur class.  This week's lesson was an eyeopener to say the least!  There is always so much to study in our reading assignments it's difficult for me to narrow down what I learned.  I want to share it all!       This week's lessons taught me that there is not ONE particular way to become an entrepreneur, but there are SEVERAL ways.  For instance, the three areas of knowledge for starting a successful business are industry knowledge, running a business, and capital (raising money).  Now that may seem simple, but wait!  How one acquires these three assets for success can vary tremendously.     Let's start with industry knowledge  There are two general categories which are the competitive structure of the industry and personal contacts with trusted experts.  The industry I was in for 20+ years was Cosmetology, an industry that changes as much as ha...

  10/15/2022   "The hero’s journey is all about you, but it’s not about you at all."  This was the main point that stuck out to me this week in my studies. What this means to me is our journey in this life is what we make of it. When we decide who we want to become and discover our calling, we must have the courage and faith to pursue it. However, "good intentions" is not enough. It requires action! This is the part that is "all about you", shaping, defining, and becoming who you want to become. Now! The part of the paradox that is "NOT" about you at all, is service. What that means is having the love and passion toward your fellowman enough to "give back". It has been my experience in life, that when I personally suffer grief, hurt, anger, or any other trial I encounter, I find solace in serving others. When we serve others, we will soon realize that our lives may not be as bad as we thought. We understand that every person on this ear...