A Desk, a Phone, a Prayer , and a “Me” Now that you know a bit about my life, let me tell you about my business. What does a woman who started her work with a desk, a phone, a prayer, and a “me” have to say about a businesswoman’s life? I want to show you how the combination of hope, tenacity, hard work, and that sprinkling of good luck will take you to a level of success you never though t you could accomplish. In order to open the doors of my business, I had to take a state-mandated test from the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. In preparation, I decided to go to my mother’s house for a day of study, which was also an opportunity to take her to dinner and catch up, anticipating I would pass the test and start my business journey. When I got out of the shower the next morning at my mother’s home, my hair dryer was dead. My mom was one of those ladies who had her hair done once a week or used pink sponge rollers in her hair, so there was no backup dryer. Not wanting to jeopardize any good test karma by having a bad hair day, I jumped into the clothes I had arrived in the evening before and headed to the drugstore to buy a new hair dryer. I parked my car and dashed for the door of the store when I saw a couple standing in front of their car looking at me and laughing helplessly. I knew my hair was wet, that I was not looking too cool, but I thought they were very rude and could not imagine my wet hair was that funny. But then they approached me and said, “We are so sorry to laugh at you, but we have to warn you there is something hanging out of the back of your slacks.” They broke into gales of laughter as they apologized again and tried to control themselves. When I had undressed the night before, my pantyhose stuck to the inside of my black slacks. In my rush to get to the drugstore, I hadn’t noticed. Now the crotch and one leg of the pantyhose were trailing behind me! I reeled in my pantyhose (and my dignity as I tried to get ahold of all that stretching nylon) and went in to get the hair dryer. Each time I spied the couple down an aisle, they were still laughing. The good news was I was ready to take the test. I did get my hair dry, took the test, and passed it with flying colors. I often wonder if the disaster at the drugstore didn’t actually improve my performance on that test. It took my mind off my test anxiety and gave me a laugh as I faced the long arduous task. The important lesson for me was that bad luck isn’t always bad and that laughter is important, even in those anxious times when failure is not an option. As you begin your entrepreneurial journey you need to develop and follow a system that fits your business model. Alice, when she became lost in Wonderland, asked the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat told her, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” I would like to encourage you to decide where you want to go. Although I am speaking to my own business, I believe any business can put a model similar to this one together to achieve results from staff for both your clients and, in our case, the candidates. A first step for your business and your staff is to be able to define your mission for others, to show them who you are. Tell clients your history, why you wanted to own a business, and what you hope to accomplish. Too often as you hire staff, they see you where you are today: successful, strong – not during the times when you have been through challenges, strife, and struggles. We actually had each staff member write a personal resume and share his or her background as an exercise to get to know each other better. And I did it too. (expand) I f you do not know your business history, find out. If you know but have never recorded it, write it down . The foundation of every business is its history, and th at foundation give you a place from which to build. In the small town of Bend, we forged our place in business as an employment agency by strategically positioning ourselves to be a full placement office, a one - stop shop. We used the slogan, “If it is to be, it’s up to me locally.” When building our own house of brick, we were always grateful our franchisor continued to have our back. We recognize that maintaining a competitive edge requires steadfast dedication to provide the highest quality product, with the highest level of service, and to offer it at a price the market recognizes as fair. The success of our local Express team showcases our ability to achieve both quality and service , and to do so with an unmatched dedication to our office values. Just as a biography of your owner is important for you and your staff to be able to tell your story to clients, be confident and knowledgeable about what they say. Remember, there are several key components to get into place for each business. A business is ever -evolving. Adjustments and change can bring out the very best in your business and industry. That means your evaluation of your business should change, too. Just as with your life, when there are vast changes in your journey from marriage to children to passings, that press you to grow and learn and evolve, that can give you new insights into what your life can be, the ups and downs of your community’s economy can be challenging but ultimately rewarding. Look carefully, and open yourself up to those changes. Owning your own business is hard work. It’s “not for sissies,” as they say. If you’re in it for the long haul, and I’ve owned by business for 35 years, you will go through recessions, growth spurts, setbacks, and successes. The key to landing on the success side is to use the lessons from each of those challenges to move forward, regroup, adjust, and learn from experiences both good and bad. It’s true that the only constant in life is change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Connie start her business with nothing?
Connie started with four things: a desk, a phone, a prayer, and herself. No investors, no bank loan, no safety net. Forty-three years later, she was proven right.
What does 'a desk, a phone, a prayer, and a me' mean?
It's Connie's shorthand for starting with absolutely nothing except faith and determination. Every woman who's launched something with more courage than capital understands this phrase.
Can you start a business with no money as a woman?
Connie did, in an era when it was even harder. She couldn't get a bank loan because she was a woman. So she started with what she had.
What is the origin story of Doing Business with a Pink Pen?
It started in Bend, Oregon, with a single mother who needed to support her children. A desk, a phone, a prayer, and herself. She built it into a forty-three-year career.
