Business Plans & Having Babies

As the holiday weekend approaches and signs of summer start to pop up, it is a great time to reflect on business so far for the year.  At almost the half-way point through the year, it is an excellent time to re-evaluate goals and expectations.  As you know, I went from being a stay-at-home mom, volunteer, and basically the mastermind behind my house to launching two separate mompreneur driven projects.  I began with taking my idea and developing the Braducts…. this led to the beginnings of Back’nGrooveMom.  Both are very much in the early stages, but nonetheless, it is still great to re-evaluate at this point.

When looking at goals, etc for biz, you need to reference your biz plan.  I was having a little chat about business plans with Brian Moran, Executive Director, Sales Development for the Wall Street Journal, earlier today.  I loved what Brian said to me, “Your biz plan is your GPS system. It tells you where to go and how to get there. It’s a living, breathing document.”  To me, it most certainly is a virtual map that is living and changing…..it is not like the paper maps of “yesteryear,” but one that can change directions and make quick changes due to accidents and construction on the road ahead.  Of course, I divulged that the biz plan was a challenge for me.  My biz plan is very much what I would say a “working document.”

I started to think a little bit deeper about this and how it could relate to my life in order to give it some perspective.  Which started me thinking about why I even launched these ventures.  It was my older son reaching double digits (10 years old) that really lit the fire for me…..life was evolving, and I needed to evolve along with it.  I really did not know which direction to take….but, here I am way involved with this biz undertaking.

Today being my younger son’s 8th birthday, all of a sudden EVERYTHING hit me!  This whole biz plan thing is like having a baby for the first time for me.

When I had my first son, my daily life plan was daunting.  I may be smiling in this picture, but really – I was so scared inside….

It was really impossible to map anything out because I had NEVER done anything like this before.  Long term plans and goals seemed almost impossible…I was just happy to be able to get the diaper bag packed and leave the house.  Of course, over time, little tasks became easier and more predictable AND by the time I had my younger son, guess what?  Planning became so much easier!  I knew what I was doing this time around from changing a boy’s diaper to easily being able to make longer range plans.

Business Plan #1 is scary, daunting, and down right – makes you want to quit!  BUT, if you look at it the way Brian speaks about it – a living document – then, you know that it changes, transforms, and matures as time goes on.  So, I guess my planning for biz is going along pretty well.  It is in toddler stage, but we are heading towards grade school.  I also have to imagine that Business Plan #2 will flow more seamlessly just like life after baby #2.  Believe me – I am way more relaxed in this photo…..

There you have it, and now I plan on enjoying my holiday weekend, celebrating my son’s birthday, going to a family wedding, and a pool party with friends.  When Tuesday comes, I am ready to tackle my goals and infuse some new energy into my biz plan and mapping out the next 6 months.

If you have any great techniques for evaluating progress, looking at goals, or biz plan writing…share below!

Wishing all of you an amazing, fun and safe holiday weekend — RB