The “New” Business Model

When we created a business strategy for FlyGirls Media, Brigetta and I brainstormed over a large piece of wax paper and a colorful array of Sharpie markers. It was a Beautiful Creation.

A Work of Art.

A Business Plan – our way.

We still refer to our wax paper artwork when we seek business direction. Does this fit our criteria for projects? Are prospective clients we can creatively work with? Will the project be fun?

One of the first books that inspired me to own my own business was The Fire Starter Sessions – by Danielle LaPorte.

Here is one of her sayings that kinda shake up the traditional business model.

holistic: The place where conscious meets cash, and ambition meets inner peace; the space in which all beings and ecologies are considered by asking questions like, How will this make them feel? Who will profit? Who pays? Where does this come from? Where do my thoughts go?; The bridling of intense desire with intelligent strategy; ruthless compassion.

Recently she sent out the following:

17 Declarations on Business Life

Nothing is a sure thing. No matter what they said, no matter how well the meeting went, no matter how much you rocked it. Until the check clears, or the doors open, or the curtain lifts, you’re actually operating on faith. (And faith is essentially awesome and necessary — but until the check clears …)

If you chase goals that are meaningless, you will do things that you don’t really want to do — and it will feel gross. And you’ll get headaches. And your creativity will suffer.

This paradox will set you free: Be zealously determined to feel exactly what you want to feel, and then let go of your expectations of how it shows up.

Conformity sucks.

It’s all about relationships. Every victory, every stressor, every laugh, every breakthrough, and almost everything you appreciate about your work and life will be about the relationships you have.

If you work to earn the respect of the people you work with, everything else takes care of itself. See it as concentric circles of love: you, those nearest to you, the rest of the world. On a related note:

Take care of the people who work with you. It’s easy to get focused on the customer, or the stakeholders, or everyone beyond your work walls, but if you can actively serve the people on your team, you will not only learn and give and receive in profound ways, you will burn some karma.

It’s never about the money.

It’s always about the money.

It’s easy to say you’re not in it for the money when you have some money.

Show up as yourself. So many people are dying inside because they’re not really showing up. So if you’re You — at the meeting, at the club, on the bus, in love — well, then that would make you automatically exceptional (not to mention freer, fulfilled, and closer to self-actualization. And sexy. Of course.).

Meaningful work + a fun time doing it = Bliss.

Everybody talks about everybody. No exceptions. Keep it positive and hopeful.

Lying is bad news.

Ignorance is a choice. Wisdom is earned. People do stupid stuff when they’re scared.

Kindness. It all gets down to kindness — and it always will.

Generosity is the next frontier.

• YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE POSTER-  HERE. (I DID)

My favorite: Meaningful work + a fun time doing it = Bliss.

Now this is a business model I can work with. I love my job, my clients, my family, friends and life.

♥ jj