Do Something About It

This week I heard two people at the gas station lamenting that the CEO has done nothing about the messy break room and disorganized cubicles.  One woman said that if she were a leader in the company, she would have it whipped into shape long ago.  As she walked back to her car she listed several other customer-related things she would change about the company’s operations.

The first thought that popped into my head was a quote by Lily Tomlin. She said, “Somebody should do something about that.” Then I realized I am somebody.”

It’s a perfect opportunity for these two ladies to demonstrate leadership now.  There is no Government Bureau of the Office of Leadership Certificates and Appointments.  If you wait to be appointed before leading, you will not get anointed.  Lead now.  Act before you are asked.  Anticipate.  For more on this topic, check out Speaking of Anne’s post on thoughts driving actions.

Next time you catch yourself wishing that something was different, lead the change.

Life As An Entrepreneur

The International Association of MBAs is committed to bringing you interviews from experts and authors who bring unique perspectives. Tanisha Roebuck, the President of Treasure Enterprises, offers us a transparent look at life as an entrepreneur. Her background is full of discovery and achievement. She’s an attorney, an entrepreneur, and a visionary.

 

LISA: Many of our MBA members dream of starting a business. What type of strategic planning is important to do to get the ‘life ducks’ in a row before writing a business plan?

TANISHA: Another lesson I learned the hard way when I was looking to start a business was developing a plan first and then moving carefully. If there were three top points that I would convey to the next entrepreneur it would be:

1. Do your homework;

2. Build a solid team; and

3. Make sure you can handle your own finances before you try to handle a business financial statement.

 

LISA: What is your favorite thing about life as a consultant?

TANISHA: My favorite thing about life as a consultant is being in control of my own time and the ability to help another person’s dreams come to fruition. After reading Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, I realized that my purpose and gift was helping others. I enjoy doing for other people. Now a lot of people have mistaken my kindness for weakness, and to those who try to cause harm to the purpose in which I was created there is a song that goes, “I’m stronger, wiser and so much better”.

 

LISA: Many professionals are concerned about this economic rut. How can we position ourselves to find the opportunities that lie hidden?

TANISHA: Well, Lisa when I first started and wanted to be in business for myself, it was during the last economic downfall we had in 1999-2000, when I was laid off at Polaroid. I started examining my “Plan B”. I was introduced to network marketing and through the various trainings and opportunities that were presented; I saw a whole new way of doing things and learned the term “profit centers.”

 

Take your typical service station where you get your gas. These days you can get more than gas for your car, you can get a car wash, candy bar, cappuccino and lottery ticket. Each one of those products/services represents a “profit center”. Not every one is going to get a car wash, but they most likely will get gas and a beverage. That service station has now capitalized on the consumer’s dollar by offering more by not leaving money or in this case, opportunity on the table by satisfying a need.

 

So to answer your question. In order to compete in this economy and position yourself for opportunities that lie hidden, you have to become a “one-stop shop” resource tool. Offer services and products related to your field by partnering with those who were once specialized. A prime example is Pizza Hut. Most Pizza Huts merged facilities with KFC. For Treasure Enterprises, we offer consulting and management to music artists, professional athletes and small to mid sized businesses. Since I have my jurist doctorate and over 17 years of legal experience, I am able to consult with my clients as to the various types of business entities and objectives they are seeking to achieve. I can consult with them on the liabilities they expose themselves to wanting to do XY and Z and with what items that fall outside of my scope, I have relationships with a host of attorneys capable of providing those services. Some of Treasure’s services include preparing and implementing marketing and business plan, or just being a liaison to a resource desperately needed in their business initiatives.

 

LISA: tough times tend to bring soul searching. You have a background with wide ranging experiences from law to entertainment to volunteering for Big Sisters. How do you pull it all together to live a passionate life while not feeling overwhelmed with commitments?

TANISHA: One word: Balance. Over the last few years, I have had to learn to live with some health issues. I never use to listen to my body before just worked all the time, but now I know my limits before my health starts acting up again. I honestly think that God has a way of slowing us down so you can smell the roses. There are three things that are important to me and that I have in common with the clients I decide to take on: 1) A relationship with God, 2) Family 3) Giving back to the Community. My family is very important to me so I spend as much time as possible with them because they allow me to be the big kid I am inside and not think about work.

 

As for not feeling overwhelmed with commitments: the most valuable lessons I’ve learned over the last seven years is to assess who you are and whether you are worth my time to “sow” into. When you make an investment, you want to make sure that your investment is a wise decision and will produce the types of results you anticipate. When you decide to work with a person, business or get into partnership with someone, you have to make a proper assessment of their strengths and weaknesses to determine whether it’s worth sowing into in order to yield the proper return. I’ve learned the hard way that you cannot work or do for everyone because not everyone will appreciate your time and effort. Time is a valued commodity and something you do not get back.

 

LISA: What’s your philosophy on personal achievement? What inspires you to do so many great things?

TANISHA: Passion! Everything that I am involved in has had some direct impact on this journey we call life. I love music, I play the piano and sing and when I can’t find the words to express exactly how I feel, I find a song that passionately expresses my feelings. So, I respect artists and their craft and enjoy discovering, developing and promoting talent. Treasure Enterprises encompasses all of the things I am passionate about in my own life and because it is important for me to be “selfless” vs. “selfish” with the talents I have been blessed with, I seek to share my knowledge with others and make things happen for them without all of the mistakes I have made along the way. Treasure Enterprises will be the conduit for artists, professional athletes and businesses owners for PURPOSE DRIVEN RESULTS.

 

After my divorce and vehicle accident, I lost everything I had worked many years for and my credit is still in recovery, I met my business partner Brooke Lindsay and she was already helping and educating people on cleaning up their credit and making better financial decisions. If I only knew then what I know now, I would be further along in the preparation process for the economic times we are experiencing right now. I have a new found respect for money and how to handle it. I believe it is important to share knowledge with other people to help them from making the same mistakes I made. Alpha Financial Solutions, LLC helps repair your credit and teaches you how to make better financial decisions for the long haul. For more information on our corporate seminars, employee benefits or personal evaluation, contact Brooke Lindsay at 877-239-9820.

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