Make Your Mess Your Message

Make your mess your message…

These words were spoken by Robin Roberts as she received the Arthur Ashe Courage Awards at this years ESPYS.  Quietly, Roberts is a personal hero of mine, who has overcome battles with breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), spoke with the eloquence and humility she’s shown since joining the staff of ESPN’s Sportscenter in 1990.  Her journey is one for all of us to study and her courage and determination is something we should all consider emulating.

Make your mess your message…

Last month I discovered that my Mom actually reads my blog.  Yes, this shocked me. Honestly I never assumed she’d ever click the link. She proceeded to tell me it was good, that she enjoyed my writing, but didn’t understand why so many of my blogs are so personal. I told her that I sometimes use this as a platform of my own self-therapy. To reiterate what I have learned as a person and a small business owner – to not only help others but myself. It’s my personal online therapy but if it helps someone else out…well then I’m happy.

Make your mess your message…

As an adult, as a professional, but especially as a small business owner we have the pressure of trying to appear that we have it all together. Show no worries, show no fear, and keep any and all struggles to ourselves. But this can also derail your path towards success.  Your story – your compelling story – is what drives you down that road to success in a Range instead of a Tercel.

Lets take Oprah Winfery for example.  Oprah was someone who was not supposed to “make it” based off her looks alone. African American female, overweight, not the most gorgeous Halle Berry-esque woman (and don’t tell me I’m lying because we all remember what Oprah looked like before she became OPRAH).  But, because she exposed herself, pulled back that veil, and allowed the world to see her everything – the world responded and she is where she is today.  She exposed her vulnerability and a nation of households and housewives took her in each and every afternoon.  And look at where she is now!

Make your mess your message…

I’ve said it time and time again in private, amongst friends and family, that this has been a tough year both personally and professionally. If you read the post before this one you’ll get a hint into my mind in 2013.  But I’ve also allowed my friends and family into my personal even more – exposing myself for them to know what is really going on.  This is something I generally do not do in that I am that person who always wants everyone to assume that everything is fine and to not worry about me.  Instead I’ve learned that my actions do the exact opposite and to stop responding to questions regarding how I’m doing with “I’m cool. I’m always cool”.

Make your mess your message… 

It may sound strange, weird or even crazy but the things you try to keep quiet about are the things that are critical to your success as an entrepreneur or a professional as a whole.  Your compelling story is a key to your success.  People love the “started from the bottom now I’m here” type stories (shout out to Wheelchair Jimmy).  Hell, people love a good struggle – though they don’t think you’re struggling – and how you fought hard, kicked ass and made it to where you are now.

Make your mess you message…

So what should you do now? Write a blog. Share your story in 500 characters or less. Share your journey. But write it out so that when you are talking to clients, or when someone comes across your site or blog they can learn more about who you are and become even more compelled to hire you because they see you as not only a professional but also as a human being – someone they can relate to and someone they don’t mind doing business with.

Thoughts?

#BOOM

website(s): http://www.NOLA-Ice.com and http://www.CaulfieldHoldings.com and          www.TheNOLATruck.com

Twitter: @NOLAIce @NOLAIceNOLA @TheNOLATruck

DARN IT…I LIKE STEDMAN GRAHAM…

Nothing to this post really.  It’s just that I was watching OWN Saturday morning while getting ready for my day (Quiznos, errands…the usual Saturday) and the show “Season 25: Behind The Scenes” was on.  This particular one focused on her last “Oprah’s Favorite Things” episode.  It seems that Stedman has only gone to maybe 3 of the tapping of the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and he showed up at this one.  The words that he spoke about her – how proud of her he is, how they support each other, and how normal their relationship actually is made me smile.  We hardly ever see this man or hear from him.  So to just see that was nice.

They say behind every good man their is an even better woman.  Well this is reverse – in a way.  But I am sure Oprah stands behind Stedman just as much as he stands behind her.  And let us not forget, although his dollars are not as large as hers (hell, who’s are?) he still “got his own”.

They don’t talk much about their love for each other but probably have the longest standing public relationship out there – and that’s probably why.  When it comes to relationships you can learn a lot from failed and strong marriages, committed relationships that are in the public eye.  Please know, it is ok to talk to friends and family members about what is going on in your life – but even better to remember it is between you and that other person.  Seek advice from one, not some.  Trust me, it pays off in the end.

ANYWAY….In a December 2010 interview with Barbara Walters, Oprah opened up saying that despite rarely being seen in public together, Stedman is still  “the love … the lover … the man … the partner … the mate” of her life.  Oprah adds that she doesn’t know of another man that could have lived this life with her “and still hold his own and be his own.”

Now, I like that.  She’s got her OWN, he’s got his O, and they have each OTHER…but most of all, they are happy…

Website: www.CaulfieldHoldings.com

BlogTalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/entreprenegro/2010/10/24/welcome-to-the-dark-side —- First episode airs…One Day…

Quiznos Sub – Hoover, AL: 1678 Montgomery Highway/205-979-4101 (Also known as Hoover, Alabama’s ONLY Quiznos Sub)

OPRAH’s BIGGEST GAMBLE YET: SHE’S GOT HER “OWN”

There are many reasons why  Oprah Winfrey can be seen as an inspiration – her bank account being just one factor.  (I kid, I kid – somewhat)  But January 1, 2011 she did what no other Black woman has done before – launched her own cable network.

Oprah is a brand above all brands.  But because of who she is, an Black American woman, many say that Oprah has turned her back on her own.  I could not disagree more.

I have never really seen Oprah as one of the most important figures in television, as many have labeled her.  The Oprah Winfrey Show was always just a foundation for what was to come.  One of the things that I love most about Oprah is how she branded herself.  White America LOVES her and has made her what she is today because of her compelling and compassionate talk show.  It was through this show that she truly branded herself as “Oprah” and nothing more.  Even her upstart magazine, “O”, because the most successful new magazine upon its inception eclipsing the likes of Fortune, Martha Stewart and Vogue in terms of paid subscribers.

The thing I admire about Oprah Winfrey, besides her compelling and compassionate talk shows, is the way she has branded herself. One only has to mention the name Oprah and people instantly know whom you are talking about. Even her upstart magazine, O, when branded to her, became the most successful new magazine eclipsing even the likes of Fortune, Martha Stewart Living and Vogue in terms of paid subscribers.

When Oprah Winfrey negotiated a lucrative deal with KingWorld, her show’s distributor, she proved that content is king. Winfrey walked away with the rights to produce and host The Oprah Winfrey Show. That was just the beginning for the television pioneer.  Winfrey is in the business of building equity in the Oprah brand. She heads an entertainment kingdom composed of publishing and television and film production worth $1 billion, according to Forbes’ 2005 list of the richest people in the world. From O, The Oprah Magazine to the Oxygen network, Winfrey’s accomplishments lie in sticking to her core competency: challenging millions of viewers to live their best lives.

Determined to own what she knows, Winfrey, 51, set out to build Harpo Inc. (No. 14 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with $275 million in sales) into a powerhouse. The company includes Harpo Video; Harpo Productions Inc., which produces the show; Harpo Print L.L.C.; and Harpo Films, the maker of big-screen films such as Beloved and made-for-TV movies through a long-term deal with ABC.

But Winfrey’s brawn doesn’t stop there. Whenever she recommends a book on her show, it becomes a best seller, and when she brings an expert on the show, the audience responds in kind (Dr. Phil, anyone?). Dick Parsons, CEO of Time Warner, says once Winfrey makes an endorsement sales increase tenfold. And thanks to ad sales, Disney, which owns ABC, revels in the profits Winfrey’s show contributes to its bottom line.

What’s more, Winfrey’s philanthropic efforts are amazing. It was hard not to shed a tear in 2002 as we watched Winfrey give 50,000 South African children wardrobes, shoes, and books during a mission she termed Christmas Kindness South Africa 2002. And when she sounded the trumpet to her audience to help those less fortunate, Oprah’s Angel Network was born. The charity has raised more than $27 million since its inception in 1998.

AND that is just the beginning.  On January 1, 2011 Oprah Winfrey launched her own network, cleverly entitled “OWN”.  Like most of America, I sat glued to my television for a few hours that day watching many of the various programs OWN had to provide.  Through Twitter and Facebook I learned that this station was being enjoyed by all – with most of the men loving the “Master Class” series profiling rapper, businessman, and all around mogul – Shawn “Jay-Z” Cater.  The show I really enjoyed was “All Access Pass Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes”.  One thing I did notice is that not to many Black Americans are employed by the daytime Queen and began to wonder why, until I looked back on my OWN experience and realized it’s not about race but work ethic for many employers.

Last week Shelia Johnson pretty much ripped Oprah a new one on NPR’s “Tell Me More”.

“The only advice that I say, let’s open up your circle a little bit more. You know, we love the Dr. Phils. We love the Suze Ormans. Let’s open up. There are other people. And there’s also African-American experts out there that I think she should start bringing on her show that can reach even a wider audience.”

Host, Michel Martin commented that the whiteness on the programming and lack of diversity is a bit confusing to some.

“No. Yes,” replied Johnson. “And I think she really should do that and not be afraid to do it. There’s really a lot of great experts out there that really know the businesses at hand. And I’d like to see her open up her circle to do that.”

In the meantime, Oprah announced to her OWN team that she’s proud of the new venture and says this is “revelatory for her.”

“We couldn’t ask for more – we built it and they came,” Winfrey told Multichannel News Thursday night during an OWN dinner party. “My dream is that they continue to come. It’s a long process – it’s not about this weekend. It’s about sustainability long term, but I’m pleased with the start.”

In my little experience as an entrepreneur, I have learned that it’s not always about race but about peoples work ethic.  I used to strive to hire Black owned businesses and employees but was constantly let down by their services – especially in terms of customer service.  In my experience, I have had to deal with a lot of Black males.  They see me as young and female and think I have more because of what I may drive and the business I am in.  So they try to do less for more.  Then cry wolf when I call them on it and refuse to not only hire them again but also will report them to the Better Business Bureau.  When hiring employees I look for a strong work ethic and the ability to take direction.  It’s not about race but about how one fits into my company and what they can do to help me to achieve my business goals (plus many other factors).  So it’s not always about race.

Point blank, I am proud of Oprah and all of her success thus far.  It’s not about her billions (well, maybe a little) that makes me love her so but instead of how she carries herself, what she has done to overcome personal tragedies and be the woman she is today.

Cheers to you O!  I am but a student sitting diligently, taking in your every move so that there will truly be another Oprah, Harpo, O, etc., down the line.  Side Note – it is predicted that OWN will turn a profit by the end of 2011.  Oprah, keep doing your thang.  That is quite an accomplishment in itself.

Thoughts?

Happy New Year!

Twitter: @KCaulfield or @QuiznosHoover

Website: www.CaulfieldHoldings.com

BlogTalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/entreprenegro/2010/10/24/welcome-to-the-dark-side —- First episode airs…One Day…

Quiznos Sub – Hoover, AL: 1678 Montgomery Highway/205-979-4101 (Also known as Hoover, Alabama’s ONLY Quiznos Sub)