Friendship
There is no better title
By Pardee
My name is Pardee. I am the publisher of Alternative Trends, but more than that I am a daughter, a sister, a proud auntie to four nieces and three nephews, a dog owner, a chamber member, a Rotarian, a volunteer, a supporter of the arts, a speaker, a sales trainer, and most importantly a friend to anyone who crosses my path. Friend is the best title I can give you and be given in return, and that is how I want to be known – as your friend.
I am proud to announce that Alternative Trends will celebrate its five-year anniversary on January 16, 2010. Alternative Trends is 100% independently owned and operated and supported by you, our readers and advertisers. Thank you to all our investors and partners and most importantly my team – my friends and family who have helped me along the way – for all your continued support. Today I share our best issue yet, as we try to make each one even better than the last.
Creating a business is easier than you think. I’m not saying it’s easy, but money shouldn’t prevent you from living your dreams. If you have talent, an idea, a true passion for something, then money will only be a small obstacle. How many times have you heard someone say, “I could never be a...” or “I don’t think I can...”? If you start sentences like this, then what you say next might be true. But if you truly believe you will do it, you will.
Honestly, we are our own worst critics. No one cares as much as we think they do. Once I was walking with my friend Justin in Calgary when my heel broke. I didn’t know what to do – I knew people would stare as I limped down the street with my broken heel. At least I believed they would.
Justin quickly snapped me back to reality: “You’re not that important!”
What? Whaaaaaaat? I thought to myself.
My initial reaction of insult and anger subsided to patience and understanding as he continued.
“It’s not like you are the Queen of England or Madonna. People may stare for a second and then they will forget about it.”
I learned this lesson almost ten years ago.
The best thing that can happen to a business is that it run out of money. I know, this sounds crazy. But talk to today’s successful entrepreneurs who created something out of nothing: when the money runs out, you make better decisions.
I started my business with limited funds, and the money ran out faster than I thought possible. There were discouraging people around every corner; many told me I was crazy to support the arts. I found out how hard it is to get financing as a small business owner. But I believed in myself and never gave up. And as a result, a complete stranger – who is now a friend – believed in me too and I was able to secure a loan I would never have otherwise received. I was fortunate to run out of money and survive. It is friends and family I could never afford to run out of. Where I am today is where I have worked hard to be.
Be in business because you believe in your idea and are passionate about it, not because you think you have an idea that will make you money. Be in business because you have an idea that will help others. Call me when the money runs out and I will remind you that money is not your obstacle. You are your obstacle!
Please continue to share your lessons with me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I believe no one is perfect and everyone has something they can teach and something they can learn. Life should be experienced.
Enjoy these lessons:
Believe in yourself – because no one else knows what you are capable of.
Never give up.
Live your life like you are rich and you will be.
Don’t live beyond your means but instead live a rich life.
A goal is just a dream with a deadline.
Remember who your friends are.
Stay true to your values.
Celebrate every accolade and accomplishment – they are all important.
There is no land of the free, and the grass only seems greener on the other side. Be happy with what you have and don’t worry about anything else.
If you’re willing to enjoy the process, you can go anywhere in life.
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances. If there is any reaction both are transformed.” – Carl Jung