Article in Black Enterprise Magazine March 2010

This will probably be the first of many blogs about the article in Black Enterprise Magazine due to hit the news stands any day now. I am using a variety of social media and social networking tools to build my business and the article will focus on how that is helping me to build Salome's Simply Delightful Creations.

First, let me lay down the emotions that are present for me right now.

I am absolutely ecstatic about this. I am too excited for words, really. I cannot believe what a wonderful opportunity I have been given. Just thinking about this just puts a smile on my face. I am like "Wow! This is phenomenal!" I am reminded of a saying my friend's dad used to say: "When success knocks, open the door and put her to work!"

The success of the business thus far has been nothing short of awesome! I have grown as an entrepreneur and the response from my customers has been outstanding! I love making quality products and love even more when people enjoy them!

I am also feeling a mixture of feelings, anxiety, being the main one: Am I ready? What's next? are a couple of the questions that run through my mind on a daily basis. I am learning to engage that anxiety and make it work for me. I am reading A Praying Life by Paul Miller and he has expressed how I choose to handle this anxiety this way:
"Instead of fighting anxiety, we can use it as a springboard to bending our hearts to God. Instead of trying to suppress anxiety, manage it, or smother it with pleasure, we can turn our anxiety to God...Anxiety wants to be God but lacks God's wisdom, power, and knowledge. A godlike stance without godlike character and ability is pure tension. Because anxiety is self on its own, (emphasis mine) it tries to get control. It is unable to relax in the face of [the unknown]."

The future is the unknown: How will I manage the growing success of the business? How will I bring others along? ... and on and on. Yet, with this new understanding of the place and role of anxiety in my life, I look toward the future with an under-girded and renewed sense of hope for the possibilities that lie ahead.

So, it is with excitement, purposeful anxiety, and hope that I lean into this gift and say, "Thank you! I'm ready!"

Happy New Year

I just wanted to drop you a note to wish you a New Year filled with the grace of God - Grace to Enjoy, Grace to Endure, and grace to Enact the plans that God has for you.

I am really excited about what the new year holds. I love this time of year, not because it is imbued with magical powers that give us the ability to dream, make plans, and follow through on our commitments beyond what is available any other time of the year. Rather, this time of year gives us the opportunity to rise to the potential of our calling and commitments because we take the time to give attention to them.

May your full year be like the New Year in this sense - you look forward with joyful expectation to the things God has in store for you and that you are looking for ways to be a blessing as a result.

Peace.

Interconnectedness

This weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by Laura and Anwar Allen on Lose Weight With Laura, a radio program that promotes wellness and community (check out the interview here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/loseweightwithlaura). One thing that really became apparent to me as we talked during the interview is how interconnected out inner and outer worlds are. What I mean is that there is so much wisdom at our fingertips when we just pay attention.

God has taught me so much about His care for me and His plan for me within the lessons of fitness and entrepreneurship. He has taught me that it is okay to care for myself. He has taught me that it is okay to care for others. He has taught me that the journey is more fun when you share it with others. He has taught me to try, fail, grow, and listen.

Over the next few weeks, I will continue to explore these and other lessons and how they all come together in the Simply Delightful Creation that He made when He made me. I look forward to our dialogue.

That's what I'm up to. What about you?

Welcome to a Simply Delightful Adventure

I am amazed that Salome's Simply Delightful Creations has enjoyed such growth and interest. When I started this company more than a year ago, I was so excited to just make soap and share it with others. I had a vision of using the simple necessity of cleanliness as a vehicle for giving folks permission to take care of themselves in small ways that could lead to big changes in self care and, by extension, care for others. The dream is big and exciting. I love making the products but, like a good cook, I love making them available for others to enjoy all the more.

Recently, a friend ordered a care package for a friend of hers, Jenn, who was facing chemo treatments for a second time. It was my honor to prepare the gift set for Jenn, the strong beautiful mother of four happy, energetic, lovely children. I was honored to know that my products were going on a healing mission. Not that the products are marketed for medicinal properties, but I believe the fact that my friend chose to love on her friend, Jenn, with this gift was a part of her healing process. My friend has since shared with me how much the care package meant to Jenn and how much my friend enjoyed giving the gift.

I share this as a small picture of what I have in mind for the business - making quality products that touch peoples lives. That's what I'm up to - what about you?