People Buy When They Like Your Story

Does your business have a story? Do you have any sort of personal "hook" to connect you with your target market?

It doesn't matter how big or small a company is.

It doesn't matter if it's a product or a service.

It doesn't matter if it's a corporate decision or an individual decision.

Here's what matters....

People buy when they feel connected
to your product, service, or people.

I'm shopping for a motorcycle helmet right now. A few years ago I had a mishap with a motorcycle & I haven't been on a bike since that day. I made a decision that IF I ever got on the back of someone's bike, I'd wear my own helmet.

You would not believe how many motorcycle helmets exist! Earlier this year a friend suggested Shoei. When my brother visited me in March, we went shopping together. Nothing felt right, and I didn't buy anything.

Tonight while I was researching helmets, I found my connection. Other people may choose Arai because of the 10-year JD Power Customer Satisfaction award. For now, I'm choosing Arai because I connected with their story of comfortable quality, craftsmanship, and adventure.

I reserve the right to change my mind. I'm still not quite ready to buy because I still have to try on helmets, discuss the styles and the colors.... and I still have to find someone willing to give me a ride on the back of his bike.

Friday Fun: Photos from my trip

I love being cool Aunt Lucinda!

I'm putting lipgloss on Callie (my cousin's daughter)

at my grandma's 90th birthday dinner in Kentucky

Pictures of Callie & Carson at the condo & the restaurant

Here are pictures from Wisconsin

when I visited Ferelith, Jason, Anna, & Lucas

What Memories do you Cherish?

This week is going to be hectic & busy because I'm traveling to visit family & friends. Here's the quick synopsis....

• Tuesday (today) is my plane/train/automobile adventure to Illinois
• Thursday I'm traveling to Kentucky for my grandmother's 90th birthday on Friday
• Saturday I'm catching a 7 a.m. flight to Green Bay, Wisconsin to see my closest friends and play with their kids (my niece & nephew)
  
• Sunday I'm attending a college friend's wedding
  
• Next Tuesday is my train/plane/automobile adventure back to Arizona

Now ask me what I'm REALLY doing this week....

I'm making memories. I'm spending time with people who love me. I'm talking and listening to people I love.

I am going to eat at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with my parents and chat with whoever is there at the same time. It's a small town. We're social. We talk with our neighbors and other friendly people.

I will reassure my grandma that it's her birthday, she does know the people who are with her, we are her family, and we love her. I will probably cry when I leave her because I don't know how much longer she'll be with us.

I will play with children, read to them, laugh at their jokes, and give them my undivided attention. I am probably going to be tired from the piggyback rides. Then, I'm going to stay up way too late chatting with my dearest sister/friend.

When something goes wrong at my friend's wedding, I will remind her that the wedding is the party. What matters is the marriage.

This week I am creating magical moments that I will remember when my loved ones are no longer with me.

Take a minute and consider what memories you cherish. What memories are so precious to you that when you're on your deathbed, you will smile when you remember those moments?

What matters in our lives are those moments from those memories with those loved ones....

There's always another task to do, but there may not be another moment to play catch in the yard. There's always another crisis at work, but there may not be an opportunity to share your heart with someone special.

Sometime this week set aside some play time and make some memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

Yes, I'm still blogging

I know, I know..... you might have wondered what is going on with me.

Here's a brief synopsis of what's been happening in the last six weeks....

• Started a new contract with a new client - I'm working in a technical environment related to networks, servers, infrastructure, virtual hosting, and all sort of techie stuff. Quite frankly, I'm working with engineers and I tell them periodically that they are speaking German or Latin (I don't know much about either language)
• Of course, I've seen Sex & The City movie three times (loved the story, most of the clothes, the movie's theme, and the friendships!)
  
• Over-scheduled myself in a ton of meetup group events - if you haven't checked out meetup.com, you'll be amazed at how many people share your interests!
• Started a joint venture with Intentional Achievements to provide consulting & training activities for corporate clients - intrigued? interested? Leave a comment & I'll contact you
• Participated in Ladies Who Launch intensive incubator program
  
• Started dating again - it's amazing to me how you can go out with one guy & then three more guys suddenly appear in your life (truth is I'm partial to one and guarding my heart)
• Visited Sedona - every time I visit Sedona, I wonder what it would be like to live there all the time because I love those red rocks & I love how energized I feel when I'm there
• Went to Wine Down Wednesday & ended up on 95.5 KYOT Jazz radio station's website (photo posted below)
• Joined Club E Network - fascinating new organization for entrepreneurs & networking with lots of high energy, go-getter, positive, focused people
• Bowled a 174 and 194 during my first visit to a bowling alley in years! I have not felt that relaxed and had that much fun in ages! I felt like I was a kid again!
  
• Participated in MRA certification training program
• Joined Ladies Who Launch ongoing incubator
• Planned an upcoming trip to the Midwest for my grandmother's 90th birthday & a college friend's wedding

Wow! No wonder I haven't had time to blog....

I've got more info to share so I hope you continue to visit. You can bet that any one of these bullet points might become a future post on the blog (okay, I'm probably not going to mention the dating stuff too often)