Client Tell is a guest-post series from clients who have worked with me and want to share their process. The first series is a 5-part story from Alison Turner, Brownie Boss of Signature Bites, a small-batch, handmade and all natural gourmet brownie company. Let us know what you think of her story–and her brownies!
The “brownie blockade”
– by Alison Turner
I have been baking decadent, delicious brownie “bites” since 2003 – and since those first batches came out of the oven, friends and family have urged me to start a business selling them.
But as good as I am at baking, cooking, and taking care of myself both financially and mentally, I am even better at coming up with self-imposed road blocks for not starting my brownie business. As each Thanksgiving and Christmas merged into Valentine’s Day I would declare, “That’s it, next year I’m going to be in operation and taking orders.” But it hasn’t happened. I am at an impasse – a brownie blockade.
I consider myself a smart woman, accomplished even. I put myself through college, earned a MBA from a leading English university, have lived in countries on both sides of the Atlantic, am debt free, have worked for global corporations, and have an extensive and valued network of friends. My first career was as a business journalist – I’ve interviewed hundreds of small business owners as well as CEO’s of huge companies. I’ve studied business management, and even entrepreneurship. I know the scary facts. Added to that, I spent my second corporate career in the marketing, advertising /branding and communications arena. I know how to promote.
I turned 40 a few months ago –and I think my best years are still in front of me. I’m confident I have a handle on what does and does not contribute to success. I’m ready.
So why do I return to my “this time next year…” speech? Why does each year close and my countless batches have only gone as far as my workplace, friends, or family functions? While others around me search for an idea, a concept they can be passionate about and turn into a business, I have something laying at my feet, but I can’t bend down and pick it up.
One of my dearest friends, Cat, has listened to my brownie banter for quite a few years now. I tortured her recently when trying to select a company name for my brownies – and then finalize the branding color scheme. Cat is very much like me, and also completely nothing like me. However, one of our commonalities is that we are active “connectors” – putting people in touch with each other when we feel or see that they can help each other in some small or big way. That’s how I met Dyana – Cat connected me to her – as they both worked together some years ago and have remained friends.
As soon as I read Dyana’s tag-line on her LinkedIn page: “Helping self-starters learn to self-finish: one project at a time.” – I could identify! I was immediately hopeful that someone was out there that could decipher my subconscious inability to turn my ‘bites’ into a viable business – one that operated outside of my mind!
Dyana considers herself an instigator – I consider Dyana my business therapist. I am looking for and expecting analysis of my reservations, my hang-ups, my preconceptions about having one’s own business, plus a lot more! But most importantly, I’m open to her help – I am here to embrace it.
I want my business to launch and to succeed. I want to break free of the confines and security blanket of my former ‘Corporate America’ jobs. I want as many people out there as possible to experience the joy of eating my creation. I am at my brownie breaking point.
Give Alison some feedback, add your own story and add your own blockades or blockade-busters below.
Find out more about Alison and order some brownies!
