Search For Existing Research

The hobbyist with an entrepreneurial spirit will eventually come around to the idea of turning the hobby into profits.  What often stops them are the words "I don't know." Why not find out by getting the facts from credible research often available online?  Are you curious about the costs and realities of starting up a winery?  I did a little research and here is a quick easy snapshot posted to my website: 
    www.divinitatis.com/wineryinvestment.pdf
Notice that wineries small and large turn a profit within 3 years.  Research like this can be used when presenting your dream to investors.  Use existing research and jump start your hobby turn business dream.  Use your answers to "I don't know" into a profit.

Turning A Gamble Into Certainty

What do a future restaurateur, human resource consultant and a wine maker have in common? They all asked the question “Should I start my own business?” The one question they all had an answer for was, “Do I want to continue doing what I am doing?” That answer “no” was the key motivator for starting their business. In these difficult financial times starting a new business seems like a gamble but it does not have to be.

A good start would be to reduce the risks by confronting reality. That does not mean giving in to fears and coming to a full stop. It means research the means to creating a successful business. Gain certainty with real answers for making sound decisions. Reduce risks by changing any gamble to a specific known. Allow yourself to make S.M.A.R.T. decisions.

 On September 11, 2001 Jim Waters was a New York City firefighter faced one of the most tragic experiences of his life. Not long after he made a career and life changing decision to turn a hobby into a dream. To meet him you need only visit his now family owned and operated Waters Crest Winery in Long Island’s North Fork wine region. He’ll forever be remembered as one of America’s heroes. He also made it on to my list of favorite winemakers.

 In both careers there is risk. Both careers require you to make very important decisions; some life threatening others financially distressing. So when it comes to the transition it is simply a matter of how to make the change. There are always tough choices in life – so gamble with it? Live life knowing, with certainty, it is the right life for you.

Dictate Your Own Schedule, Business & Life

You dictate your schedule, your business and life. This is the powerful mindset you need to successfully be a leader. I caution anyone that sees it the other way around. If you WANT to give your control and passion to someone or something else this is not the blog for you.

Yesterday the sun was shining and was the warmest day of 2010. I had planned to be in the office all day. Tuesday coaching sessions start at 6am and wrap up by around 11. I develop new business the rest of the day. That can mean a networking luncheon, follow-up calls, writing this blog or my ezine. Sometimes I schedule my own personal development.

Given the beauty of the day and the call of the convertible I made some adjustments to my plan. Why couldn’t I write, network and research in the wine country? I checked in with my boss (that would be me) and declared it an excellent idea!

I ventured to Bucks County Wine Trail, PA. This was a work day and I planned to do it my way. The beauty of a vineyard is my place of inspiration. As I sat in the sun and sipped wine I focused on all the same tasks I would have in the office.

The people I met either worked at the winery or were business owners in search of a release. It gave me a chance to connect within my niche. Everyone we meet can use your expertise or services someday. Who knows maybe you need there’s, right?

Don’t be afraid to change up your business day. Resentment, longing and frustration are clear indicators you need attitude adjustment. Talk to your boss (that’s you) and get a new perspective on how to get a handle on your schedule, business and life.

WINE ENTHUSIAST RECOMMENDATION:

If you ever get to Bucks County, PA, be sure to visit Crossing Vinyards & Winery. The property is majestic, they have award winning wines, and Mary is absolutely delightful.

If all this sounds unachievable consider giving me a call for Life Coaching.

If you would like to inspire others with your own success stories use this blog to COMMENT!

Do you value your leadership quality like an exquisite rare wine?

"There are things whose value depends upon only their rarity, such as...exquisite wines.  Since we can only procure things from particular territories of very small scale, it follows that their quanity be very limited: no amount of hard work is able to increase their quanity."  Ricardo, English economist

There is only one you so you'll need to value the quality of your leadership.  Be sure to invest in yourself.  Be your personal best.  No matter how hard you work there is only one you - so be the best and reap the rewards of earning top dollar for your value. 

Value depends on rarity. Economics is quite simple- right?

Reflections of A Leader

Observe the maneuvers of your critical mind (as well as your critics) and decide what role they will play in your Leadership Success.

Rather than working against your inner-critics consider observing them. Meditation is considered a powerful method for turning-in for clarity. However, in our ordinary (or extraordinary) waking moments the pointing finger, angry and doubtful voices cry out for attention.

By observing their manoeuvres, you can “distance from your (my) own inner condemning, critical voices, literally encouraging you (me) to "watch" these voices as if they had no more importance than other thoughts passing through your mind.” To be able to regard these critical voices as the "antics" of the mind, to train yourself to simply observe their maneuvers, you achieve greater peace of mind and leadership Success.

The wine enthusiast may want to venture out to Artesa Winery in Napa California to begin just such a journey.

Aretsa is one of the most architecturally stunning wineries in Northern America. Sitting on 350 acres, this ultra-modern winery offers panoramic views of Napa Valley, the Carneros growing region, and San Francisco Bay. Steeped in the property’s modernistic, minimalist look and surrounded by contemporary sculptures, fountains, and reflecting pools, the Visitor Center and Tasting Room are a delight to behold.

They are known for their sparkling wines, but the winery has since found its niche in still wines, especially their Estate Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – according to Barbara Scott-Goodman author and fellow wine enthusiast.

Observe the maneuvers of your critical mind (as well as your critics) and decide what role they will play in your Leadership Success.

Winemakers: Entrepreneurs, Artists, Leaders

Most of the winemakers I know started making wine in their garage or basement. Some inherited the family business which was also started in a basement or barn. All have the hearts of a true entrepreneur as they forge on to develop great wines.

Hobbyists beware of the words “you should sell this stuff.” BAM! The entrepreneur inside turns its creative mind to large quantity production and cool labels. But if they ever want to get it in your hands they have to do much more than create and bottle the wine.

While researching the newest winery in the region I met Lance and Valerie owners of Black Walnut Winery. I should add that they do have partners in crime (wine), Jack and Karen. These four are the classic wine enthusiasts turned hobbyists turned entrepreneur and soon to be leaders recognized for their award winning wines. I can not describe how much I enjoyed their wines and YES, their story.

[read Rob Kallessa's article bacause I could not have written it better: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091006/SPARK0302/910070304/1129/rss06]
http://www.blackwalnutwinery.com/about.html

For the purpose of this blog I continue…

You see, we all have something great within us that we want to share. In each story there is a pivotal moment when they sought advice and expertise of other entrepreneurs they consider leaders. The spirit that drove them to ask for advice also encouraged them to act. About that time they totally become paralyzed. 

One winemaker I know said he got great advice and did do what he needed to trademark and begin selling the wine. When he finally had everything in place he freaked out! When the license to sell was in his hands reality hit; his dream had come true. Up ‘till then he was so busy following instructions and DOING.

I don’t know that we always see the shift from artist to entrepreneur when its happening. We experience the challenges and feel the anxiety about a particular task – but only after we allowed the internal leader to take charge. Its being a leader that helps us to get the do done.

So my fellow artisans I encourage you now to look back at what happened in your life just before you started DOING – that was your first defining moment. That is when you unleashed the leader in you. My bet is 50% of you were laughing over a glass of wine when it happened.

Am I right? Comment!

Location, Location, Location - for the love of wine!

I find my expectations around the taste and quality of wine vary depending on my surroundings or the location. Location can mean any number of places: countries, regions, large or small wineries, family-owned wineries, in a restaurant or at home.

Some of my favorite and most memorable experiences are those visits to small family-owned wineries in the middle of nowhere in foreign countries. Not to say I don’t have a fondness from family-owned here in the United States. It’s quite different… read on and you might agree.

While driving through Franconia, Germany, and we saw a small sign near a driveway that read “Wein.” We made a right turn and parked in front of a simple house with a typical wooden swing set near the house and a heavy wooden door with a doorbell, which we pushed. An old woman (OMA or Grandma) opened the door. Her face and hands were weathered from years in the fields. Her hands looked strong, a finger was missing and there was plenty of earth under her nails. She spoke German with a regional accent so strong we could hardly understand her. However we all spoke “WINEeese” without strain.

When we asked if we could taste her wine her face lit up! She was cute as she wobbled back inside gesturing for us to follow her. She opened a little refrigerator and pulled out bottle after bottle of wine, all sorts of wine. If I remember correctly the bottles were already open and few had labels. She poured wine for each of us including herself.

Our expectation for the wine’s taste and quality was low. We were CORRECT; it was drinkable and nothing we would buy in a store. BUT we were having a fabulous time just soaking up the old woman’s joy of sharing wine with strangers. We stayed for at least an hour. She doted over our daughter pouring her glasses of varying grape juices: red, purple, white. Hayden eventually went to play on the swing and we bought wine.

I can’t say whether or not we ever drank the bottles we bought. It doesn’t matter – it was a memorable experience.

Insight, I believe, refers to the depth of understanding that comes by setting experiences, yours and mine, familiar and exotic, new and old, side by side, learning by letting them speak to one another.

Leadership Speaks in Tones

Leadership has a tone of voice that is heard even in whispers.

An inherent change leaders experience as they develop confidence is in their tone of voice. A truly self-confident leader drives projects with precision. Clear thoughts result in verbal clarity and a fervent tone. The natural change is subtle to immediate co-workers creating greater performance synergy overall.

“I’m saying the same thing I always have only now my team is listening.”

Remember, how you say something is as important as what you say. Clear and respectful tones overshadow any former need to inflect authoritarian tones: pitchy, heavy-handed or dominant. Relaxed intelligence encourages leaders to literally speak up. It’s no wonder others listen more.

Leadership is a human experience. INSTEAD of concentrating on what you’re going to say, concentrate on developing greater self confidence and let nature take its course.