Mega Millions Hits $330 Million. Would I Keep Working If I Won?

Happy New Year to everyone who reads my little blog. Wishing you great success with all of your ventures in the coming year.

Now, on with the daily grind… Today, I read that tonight’s Mega Millions lottery jackpot has hit $330 million. And, like everyone else, I certainly wouldn’t balk at winning such a windfall. Just the thought of it makes me daydream of leisurely days at the Four Seasons Resort in Bali or perhaps strolling in the Faubourg Saint- Honoré district of Paris snapping up haute couture without a thought of family budgets and how I’m going to pay my Visa bill.

Back to reality, I wonder what would happen if I really did win. Would I keep the business in which I’ve invested so much of my time? Could I say bye-bye to clients who I’ve come to really care about because I no longer needed the dinero?

At this point, I don’t think I would give up my work. No, I wouldn’t be one of those lunatic lottery winners who wants to keep working a mundane civil servant job after winning hundreds of millions because they don’t know what else to do with their time.

Naah, that’s not me. I could come up with plenty of things to do. I love travel, hotels, restaurants, good wine, and shopping. Spending the money wouldn’t be my problem. Rather, I enjoy my work and clients so much that I don’t think I would ever want to let them go.

I think I’ve hit the point that I actually enjoy what I do so much that there is nothing else that I would rather be doing. Because of this, I think I’m incredibly fortunate. I’ve seen way too many friends and family members who have simply counted down the days to retirement. They weren’t passionate about what they were doing and couldn’t or wouldn’t get off the treadmill of working in these jobs.

When you’re one of the lucky few who really enjoy what they do, the concept of retirement doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Sure, there will be a day when I can no longer write because of physical or mental limitations, but I don’t feel the need to plan stopping at some specific age simply so that I can cease working. I don’t want to stop – even if I get that $330 million.

Yep, I’m still going to go buy a few Mega Millions tickets for this evenings drawing. And, if I do happen to be the 1 in 756 million who wins, you might find me in Paris. But, I’ll probably be sitting at a café table writing for one of my clients.

Goodbye Teena Marie

Some of you might have heard that Teena Marie passed away yesterday.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with her music, she was a protégée of Rick James, and the first white person to be signed to Motown back in 1979. She was unique, funky, and an incredibly talented woman. Many a night out dancing in the City, I boogied to Teena Marie singing Lovergirl. She was cool.

As I am a huge fan of all genres of music, I thought it was apropos to celebrate the life of Teena Marie on my blog today.  Unlike many singers, she was also a songwriter and producer. She played guitar, keyboards, and congas and was an all-around tough broad (and I say this with absolute appreciation) who exuded confidence in her performances and most certainly did things her way. She even fought Motown in a legal battle over her contract which resulted in “the Brockert Initiative” which made it illegal for a record company to keep an artist under contract without releasing new material from that artist. This change in the law that she fought for subsequently helped many, many other recording artists.

I’m always inspired by those off-beat celebrities who are a little bit different and who march to the beat of their own drum. In the case of Teena Marie, she literally belted out tunes to her own drum and did so in a way that was totally unique.  You just have to love that!

So, I say goodbye sadly to Teena Marie. Your life serves as an inspiration to do your own thing and fight for what is right. So, crank up the volume on your PC and enjoy one of her classic tunes.

A Belated Merry Christmas from a Mom/Business Owner Who Needed Some Downtime

I’d like to start this blog off with a big apology to all those who expect regular posts from me. I’ve taken a bit of time off from writing. Here’s what happened. A major family situation, a bad case of the flu, multiple holidays, a 4^th birthday party for Judd, a backlog of projects, and an overwhelming feeling of needing to rest for a bit. It’s making me tired just rattling off this list. Basically, life has hit hard over the last month or so, and I needed a break.

Unlike my husband who can call out sick from his more traditional job, I have no boss to call. I have no accumulated sick leave. I have no set rules for what to do when I don’t feel like or simply can’t work. I just simply stop, and this absence is visible to all who read this blog or work with me.

It’s all a little vague when you’re a small business owner as to what you should do in these situations. We all tend to be slightly workaholic, and sometimes the need to slowdown can hit us like a brick wall after too many months of burning the candle at both ends.

So, I’m gearing back up this week and excited about the New Year. I will definitely be continuing to write about my trials and tribulations as a mom and business owner here at The Entrepreneurial Mom, and I’m majorly enthused about my new blog “One Local Family” that will chronicle 365 days of our family only buying from local businesses. Yes, it’s a little nutty but we’re up for the challenge and looking forward to shedding light on the need for consumers to buy from local businesses to support their communities’ economies. I’ll be incorporating video, good music, photos, etc. in both blogs too so that you don’t get bored with my written words.

Anyway, I’m back in the swing of things and ready to go. I’m thinking that 2011 is going to be a great year! I hope you’ll follow along.

Lessons from the Boy with the Green Hair

One of the movies that my mom always mentioned as I was growing up was “The Boy with the Green Hair”. It’s a rather obscure movie from 1948 that starred 12 year old Dean Stockwell. Yep, the same Dean Stockwell that grew up to star in movies like Blue Velvet and Married to the Mob, as well as the TV show Quantum Leap.

Anyway, The Boy with the Green Hair is certainly about having a really bad hair day. But, it’s also about the intolerance of people who are different, as well as about self-discovery and making a difference. Although, this movie is over 60 years old, it has some pretty modern-day themes.

This week, I was recognized by the Huffington Post because of the challenges that I overcame several years ago, and what I’ve been able to accomplish since then. I’m doing my best to make a difference in my community and to help others. Our family went through a series of life-altering situations in a really short span of time, but we made it through them. These were the types of problems that could have hit any family.

So, after the story was published, I began to think about the people in my life – who supported us during this tough time and who bailed. And yes, there were a number of so-called friends who bailed. Although I didn’t chat openly about what was happening to us at the time, it was impossible to hide the fact that we were hit with a layoff, a child in the hospital, and my need to return to work. Those who bailed on us weren’t the individuals with whom I shared a strong bond or much in common. No, it was the neighborhood group of moms who turned out to be the fair weather friends. Three years later, I can’t say I miss their friendships. However, I do miss the opportunity for my boys to be in a cohesive community.

That being said, I am extremely grateful for the friends who stuck with us through the difficulties and for the many new friends who we have met since. I see former friends every day as some live nearby. With some, I can share pleasantries, and with others, it’s more of a cold stare. Yet, I look at them now and feel no anger. Rather, I am sad that they have such limited acceptance of others. I was apparently worthy when I was a stay-at-home mom who didn’t work, but when our situation changed, I didn’t meet their qualifications.

So, like the boy with the green hair, I had to accept being different in a community where diversity isn’t particularly appreciated. Now, the irony is that I’m being given publicity because of it. So, I’m happy to be free of the fair weather friends. Like us, they too will have times in their lives when they are challenged and could use the support of friends. And when this does happen, they might have a change of heart about tolerance.

And now the theme song from The Boy with the Green Hair – Nature Boy. Sung by Nat King Cole for the movie, this version is by Pomplamoose -  a duo from the Bay Area. Take a listen.

Unemployment Benefits May Be Extended But the Problem Isn’t Solved

It’s been difficult to turn on the TV lately and not hear about the plight of the nearly 2 million Americans who were set to lose their unemployment benefits during the holidays. Fortunately for those out of work, Federal unemployment insurance may be extended an additional 13 months as part of the new tax cut deal.

I’ve certainly expressed my opinion about the high unemployment rate in past posts such as the one I wrote about the 99ers in Silicon Valley who were featured on 60 Minutes. I truly feel sorry for those who cannot find work. I know firsthand the stress that the situation can cause on an individual and a family.

But, I truly believe that this extension of benefits is simply putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. It’s not going to help too much.

Sure, the government can kick the problem down the road for a few months, but the overriding reality that there are simply fewer jobs out there needs to be addressed by more than just morning news reporters.

Why are there fewer jobs? I’ve stated before my theory. Improved technology + companies using more freelance/contract help + higher healthcare costs = Fewer Jobs.

Here’s what I mean.

Technology
Technologies, such as Cloud computing and VoIP which have both taken off since the recession, now make it easy for teams of people to collaborate and communicate in multiple locations from anywhere in the world. This means that both onsite and offsite employees can work together seamlessly. So, a lot of companies are doing just this and hiring outside of the U.S. where labor is cheaper.

Freelance/Contract Work
Many companies that laid off workers are now hiring freelancers and hourly contractors. I know this for a fact because more than a few of these companies have hired me for projects. Sites like Elance, Guru, and oDesk make it easy for businesses to find qualified people who are willing to work without benefits and guaranteed employment.

Higher Healthcare Costs
Here’s the component of the current unemployment rate that I don’t think gets considered enough. Many businesses are not hiring because they can’t or don’t want to pay for employee health insurance. And, many individuals are scared to start businesses, to leave bad jobs, or to become freelancers because they’ll be without health insurance if they do so.

In my opinion, our healthcare system is holding this country hostage. It’s hindering would-be entrepreneurs. It’s bankrupting families, and it’s stopping existing businesses from hiring.

The healthcare issue is a huge problem and is something that our family has faced firsthand when my husband was laid off. We were dropped from his former employer’s insurance three weeks after the lay off. We were denied private insurance because of pre-existing conditions, and we couldn’t afford COBRA on what we received in unemployment compensation. After this happened, Judd was hospitalized with pneumonia and a collapsed lung. Yes, after experiencing a layoff, the last thing we needed was a huge hospital bill that we couldn’t pay for. Does this seem right? No, it’s not.

Yes, we were lucky. I was able to start a business because I had some marketable skills. And, my husband was able to find work. We were able to pay off our hospital bill, and we now have health insurance! But, you know what?  If my husband didn’t get these benefits from his employer, our family would be without healthcare coverage. I would then have to look for a job with benefits and would be forced to close my business. As well, I probably wouldn’t be able to be a stay-at-home mom to our boys. Our situation isn’t unique. And, everyday families across the United States are making decisions about work and life based upon keeping health insurance coverage because the stakes are too high. Very, very few individuals actually have enough money to pay for a major illness or injury if they didn’t have insurance.

So, I truly believe that health insurance is the big silent problem that is creating the high unemployment rate and hurting the economy as a whole.

I frankly don’t know if a government healthcare system is the right solution or if there just needs to be less expensive private options. But, I absolutely believe that it’s insanely ridiculous that healthcare is politicized since both Democrats and Republicans get sick. And, I do know that the current system doesn’t work, and I’m not seeing any impact from the healthcare reforms that were passed earlier this year. So, I don’t think our country can wait until 2014 to find relief, and if improvements don’t happen soon, the government will need to extend out those unemployment benefits a whole lot longer.

 

Skating with the Stars Is a Dud – How About Gymnastics with the Stars Instead?

I’m in a generous mood pre-holiday, and I thought I could make a suggestion to my friends at ABC. The other night’s premier episode of Skating with the Stars kind of sucked. I had high hopes for this Dancing with the Stars spin-off because I love figure skating and Bethany from the NY Housewives (one of the “stars”)  And I, of course, have had a life-long, sick fascination with Dick Button. Maybe it’s just the name.  But, the show was boring, other than the banter between Dick and his fellow judge Johnny Weir, the unapologetically flamboyant skater who loves vibrant Spandex, feathers, and sequins.

So, here’s my suggestion. I say pull the cord on Skating with the Stars, and give “Gymnastics with the Stars” a chance. I can see it now – the judges could be the lovable Romanian coach Bela Karolyi, Nadia Comaneci, and maybe someone a little bit boozy and entertaining like Paula Abdul who could discuss choreography and toe point technique while slurring her words.

I would love to see D-List stars learning their routines with famous gymnasts from the past. Bring back Mary Lou Retton, Cathy Rigby, and Bart Connor.  Perhaps, even some Soviet block friends like Ludmilla Tourischeva and Olga Korbut could join the cast to whip some flabby stars into shape quickly by making them practice their round-off flip-flop until they got it just right.

Who could be the stars? I would like to see the same sort of line up as DWTS. A couple of youngsters, an aging football player, a saucy over 50 lady, and definitely one really good-looking Italian, French, or Latino guy to add some visual interest.

Back in the 1980s, I remember a crazy show called Circus of the Stars which had a similar theme but didn’t quite take off. No one was really that interested in seeing Loni Anderson on the trapeze, and I don’t think the stars were competing against each other. So, perhaps, it’s time for “Gymnastics with the Stars”.  I want to see Heidi Montag and Snooki vying to ace their floor exercise routines while battling their hair extensions and “enhancements”. I would tune in to watch Bret Favre and Justin Bieber struggle on the pommel horse. The visuals for this show could be amazing. I think I smell an Emmy!

Ok, it’s back to reality. I have silver to polish and pies to make on this day before Thanksgiving. Why I am daydreaming about new reality shows instead? Hmmmm……

So Much to Give Thanks for on Thanksgiving

Ok, I promise an amusing post about Skating with the Stars probably later today if I get my pre-holiday chores done. I’m still so amazed by Johnny Weir’s sequined costume with the enormous heart-shaped collar and his interpretive skating routing to Lady GaGa’s Poker Face that I’ve had to take a couple of days to digest the entertainment overload. Lest we forget Dick Button – a true national treasure.

But, with Thanksgiving nearly here and as I pull out the Wedgwood, Waterford, and sterling flatware for my feast I’m whipping up, I thought it would be a good time to ponder what I’m thankful for. …And, there’s a lot.

Of course, I’m ever so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life who put up with me and my never-ending pursuit to be a good mom, business owner, blogger, and media star (ok, maybe not a media star, but you can’t deny my 15 minutes of fame after I was mentioned in an MSNBC article about itchy ears).

And, I’m also thankful for so many little things that make my life wonderful. Here are just a few of them in no particular order:

75 cent refills of iced tea at A.J.s. with my reusable insulated cup

The amazingly funny things that my two boys say all of the time

The trail behind my subdivision that allows me to run fast and clear my brain

The DVR button on my remote that lets me catch up on all my favorites like Beverly Hills Housewives and Top Chef

My husband doing the dishes after I cook dinner

The new, faster mailman who now delivers the mail at 11AM instead of 6:30PM

Starbucks drive-thru

Chatting with Mom about Dancing with the Stars

The incredibly low produce prices at Sprouts (I can even overlook the world’s most irritating drivers who seem to continuously circle this grocery store’s parking lot)

My iPod and record collection

How the Captain cuddles in bed with me in the morning

The upcoming royal wedding

Youtube so that I can play 1980s new wave videos for the boys

The shoe department at Marshalls

Swiffers

Chipotle when I am too tired to cook (No, it’s not a good California taqueria, but it works in a pinch)

The 2 lb bag of still warm yellow corn tortillas at Ranch Market on Roosevelt

My beat-up Adidas running shoes that I just can’t throw out

The greeter at Fry’s who always asks how my kids are doing

The English muffins at Oakville Grocery

Arizona sunrises, sunsets, puffy clouds, and that neat smell after it rains

Facebook as I have connected with lots of old friends and have even made some new ones on there

Omega 3 chewable supplements that don’t gag me every time I take them

My high speed Internet connection

Real Simple, In Style, Elle, Sunset, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and yes, even People

The 70s, 80s, First Wave, Bridge, Jazz, Left, Bluegrass, Reggae, and NPR channels on Sirius Radio

The bunnies on our front lawn

The renegade fire engine red cardinal who enjoys the bird seed in the back yard

My asthma puffer that saves me when I start to wheeze

Tillamook extra sharp cheddar cheese, salami, and pretzel goldfish

A hot shower in the morning

And, a glass of wine in my favorite glass after a long day

So much to give thanks for and for these things I am grateful. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Social Media Brings Down the Last of the Soup Nazis

If you read my last blog post, you know that I had a falling out with the owner of Uncle Sam’s in Scottsdale. To recap, my son was burned by an outdoor flood light, and the owner basically said “tough sh**, it’s not my problem.” I’m paraphrasing what he said, but this was the gist of it.

After writing about the incident on my blog, I posted it on Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, and a variety of other places. I also went to the restaurant’s Facebook page and encouraged their “fans” to read my blog and provided the link to it. In less than 12 hours, I’ve had over 100 people read this post. I know because I have the stats to prove it. Some of my friends have even offered to retweet and repost my story. Thanks guys!

This got me thinking… Did the owner of Uncle Sam’s in Scottsdale (yes, I’m incorporating this name for SEO purposes) think for a hot second (no pun intended) that I would tell anyone about this situation? How stupid is this guy? If you value your business, you just can’t afford to be a jerk anymore. The days are over that you can get away with this. Now, every customer has a global forum to express their opinion.

Before social media, you could complain about a problem, and if you were lucky, you got to speak to a manager. If the person was nice, you’d be lucky to get a free meal. That was the end of the dialogue. Now, the conversation can be continued and shared with countless others.  Literally, one customer can bring down a business.

Bad food will be discussed on Yelp and crappy behavior will be pointed out on blogs and Facebook. You just can’t get away with dismissing a customer anymore. This brings me to the point of this post. Perhaps, we are seeing the dawn of a new age when it is simply impossible to get away with poor customer service.

Perhaps, Elaine on Seinfield needed to put up with the Soup Nazi’s crap back in the 1990s if she wanted her bowl. But, the Soup Nazi can no longer exist in 2010 where he will be tattled on across multiple social media platforms.

To Uncle Sam’s Restaurant – You can spend thousands of dollars sending out coupons in Money Mailers hoping to attract new business. However, all will be lost if you can’t manage your reputation by delivering decent service and a safe dining environment.

Really? This Is How You Treat Customers?

As a family, we have a tradition of eating out on Friday night. We mix it up in terms of where we go, and it’s always the night that our two boys look forward to the most. Sometimes, we’ll go to Bandera’s in Old Town Scottsdale because the boys love drinking Shirley Temples and eating the delicious grilled artichokes. Other times, it’s a little more “budget oriented”. We love the Four Peaks Brewery, La Piazza Al Forno in Gilbert, and the Blue Adobe in North Scottsdale.

However, last Friday, we succumbed to using a coupon from our Money Mailer. It was for Uncle Sam’s – a local pizza and sandwich place nearby that offered $10.00 off any bill over $35.00. That should have triggered our sense not to go there.

Our meal was uneventful at best. The waitress got my husband’s order wrong. Our food was so-so, and we left feeling like we ate mediocre quality food that was at least reasonably priced. But, little did we know what was going to happen.

We exited the restaurant and headed to our car which was parked literally in front of the entrance. As I buckled our older son into his car seat, my husband called to Judd who was lagging behind us. Before he could stop him, Judd reached down and placed his hand on a flood light that is illuminating the restaurant. Now, this floodlight is literally on the walkway of the restaurant. It’s not covered by shrubbery, and there was no protective covering for it.

What happened? Well, Judd instantly screamed, and we both rushed over to help him. His hand was hot to the touch, and he began to cry uncontrollably. My husband rushed into the restaurant to get some ice, and I comforted Judd and got him into his car seat.

By the time we arrived home (less than 5 minutes away), the palm of his hand was blistering. He continued to cry. The decision was quickly made that I needed to take him to the Emergency Room at Scottsdale Healthcare.

The staff at the hospital was quick and efficient, and they were able to take away his intense pain with a good dose of Vicodin. The doctor referred us to the  Arizona Burn Center at Maricopa County Hospital for follow up care the next day.

As the doctor explained, burns on the palm of the hand can be difficult to treat because scar tissue can form – resulting in long-term or even permanent lack of mobility.

The next morning, Judd was seen by the Burn Center, and he will now be bandaged for the next several weeks. The doctor there thinks he will probably be permanently scarred, but will not lose any function of his hand.

So, today, I phoned the restaurant to let them know what had happened. I left a message for the owner/manager of the three-restaurant chain. I received a call back at about 5pm from the owner. He started the conversation by asking “Why did you call me?” So, politely, I went into the story of what occured. He then said, “Yeah, well that’s too bad. Not much I can do about it, is there? You should teach your kid to not touch lights.

As I listened to his blasé tone and absolutely unsympathetic words, I thought to myself. He has a prime opportunity to provide good customer service or to stir up a hornets’ nest with this situation. He chose the latter, and obviously didn’t know he was talking to a blogger who has a penchant for exposing bad behavior. He could care less.

Well, we’ve now racked up thousands of dollars of medical bills because of this injury. And, the owner of the business didn’t even offer to reimburse us for our meal. He didn’t invite us back, and he never apologized for the situation. He even admitted that the light that my son had touched had recently been kicked by another patron, was wrapped in duct tape, and had exposed wiring. Hmmmm! I guess we were lucky he wasn’t also electrocuted.

So, I did my civic duty by telling this absolute jerk that he had a hazard at his restaurant, and all that I received in return was a rotten attitude and no desire to improve our customer experience. For now, I’ll be changing the bandages on my son’s hand several times a day for the next few weeks and hoping that he doesn’t have long-term consequences of this accident. But, trust me, I will make it my personal mission to let everyone I possibly know that Uncle Sam’s is a restaurant that should be avoided. Will I take legal action? Well, I don’t really know yet, but I’m pondering it, and if it would actually prevent someone else from being injured, I might just do so.

To reiterate, please avoid Uncle Sam’s on Shea and 90^th in Scottsdale. If they have such blatant disregard for building safety issues at their restaurant, they probably are neglecting other important things such as food safety and/or sanitation.

I’ll be updating readers on what happens with this one. Hell Hath No Fury Like an Angry Mom!!!!!

Congrats to William and Kate!

I remember Charles and Diana’s wedding like it was yesterday. I was 12 at the time, and I was mesmorized by the pomp and circumstance of this amazing event that was aired live worldwide. Thirty years earlier my mom had been just as enthralled with watching the coronation of Charles’ mother Queen Elizabeth.  And, today the big announcement was made that Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middeleton are going to marry in the spring or summer of next year! I’m so excited, and I’m going to find a way to get there for their big day.

This is a huge event for us collectors of British royalty commemorative china. History is being made, and I’m going to snap up tea cups, decorative spoons, and plates that have the likeness of this future king and queen. Ok, I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to the British royal family, but I can’t help myself.

Congratulations to the happy couple! They’ll be more royal blog posts leading up to the event. And, wish me luck in my desire to get to the church (or Westminster Abbey as the case may be) on time!