Change Catalyst

Are You Really In The Business You Think You’re In? I think it’s interesting how you can be in one business, but in order to kill it in that business, you need to attain mastery in some other, seemingly unre

Reposting : ..
"I've got the worst summer cold and/or allergies known to man. I can barely see out of my swollen eyes.

Because I felt like ass and wanted to avoid real work, I paid a bunch of bills and then I decided that what I really needed to do was start an investment account.

I won't lie, initially I wanted to invest in Prosper or one of those other P2P accounts, because I've heard you can make like 12%. But then I found out you have to have a net worth of over a million to do that, so I gueeeeeeeess, I'll just go with a roboadvisor and get an index fund like you're supposed to.

This is a big step. It's the first time in 10 years of self-employment that I didn't have an immediate need for capital to either reinvest or pay the bills. And tbh, I don't feel like I'm quite there, really. But investing needs to start happening.

Want to do your own baby steps? 18 months ago I started an account with Acorns, which basically skims the change off all your transactions an invests them for you. Their fees are a little on the high side, but it gets you over the hump of that lump sum investment. Today, I closed that account and moved it over to Wealthfront and it feels a little like signing your first lease-- like you've had adulthood thrust upon you.

But I'm glad that's done. And I felt productive when I was sick.

"

Today was a day of unexpected help.

I had to be in the deep downtown of Wilmington, DE. I could park no closer than three blocks to my destination, and to be honest, I thought that was a minor miracle itself.

After an hour waiting at these imposing doors, I decamped to a coffee shop around the corner. The owner and I, a man named Ben, struck up one of those instant rapports you sometimes get. We chatted of the vagaries of business in a new location and the best way to organize the new menu.

But get this! I mentioned that I was hoping that one of the metered parking spaces in front of the library would open up, because otherwise I really wasn't sure how I would load up my loot. It's not really feasible to hoof multiple 50-lb boxes three city blocks.

I didn't know at that point, but Ben comes from a family of restaurateurs. I knew he was bone deep in the philosophy of hospitality, though, because he immediately offered to let me drop off my books in his store, then showed me a little-known loading zone in an adjacent side street.

Toting boxes 1/2 a block is way better than toting them for three, and I gladly accepted the offer. 5 hours later, I darkened his threshold. then again. And again. And again. Four trips in all, and then I had to go for the car.

Afterwards, more than a little winded and ready to eat a horse, he recommended a great sandwich at the deli next door. Then he offered to parallel park my car in a tiny, tiny spot so I didn't get ticketed in the loading zone.

Over my Korean BBQ sandwich and red birch tree, we talked of the vagaries of ecommerce, of breaking into potential customer's routines, and of selecting for the right sorts of customers. I left feeling like I'd made a fast friend, although I don't know when I'll be in Wilmington again.

My goodness, what a difference that made to my day! Instead of being a massive hassle, it was downright fun. It's great to find those 'kindred spirits'. It reminds you that the hustle isn't just worthwhile, it's a grand adventure to those who are called to it.

Instagram post by Shanna • Apr 25, 2017 at 1:03am UTC 43 Likes, 2 Comments - Shanna () on Instagram: “Today was a day of unexpected help. I had to be in the deep downtown of Wilmington, DE. I could…”