The following is an email I sent to a number of women business owners who have been gathering monthly.

Hello Girls!

During our last Biz Chicks gathering in November, I was wondering what the unifying drive was for our gathering besides the fact that we are women business owners. I felt that there was a purpose that had yet to be identified and/or articulated. Keeping in mind that I’m in the business of supporting businesses and am committed to businesses lead with integrity, I wrote the following as my wish:

We are aware that the Feminine is taking hold in domains, like business, that have been dominated by the Masculine for too long. Speaking in terms of the Masculine and the Feminine in this way refers to Archetypes, i.e. extremes. So whereas the Masculine allows for the ends to justify the means at almost any cost (where has this led us? exploitation of natural resources, pollution, job insecurity, Enron/WorldCom/Arthur Anderson fiascos) the Feminine respects the Process & fosters Communication and Cooperation…and Beauty has a place at the table right there next to Practicality.

People are not extremes. In fact, the women that have been coming to Biz Chicks gatherings have quite a bit of the Masculine developed (charge on, Manifestors!). How do we then, consciously, get our Masculine and Feminine to work together in a tag team relationship rather than a combative one for successful endeavors? How do we more easily navigate this new terrain in spite of the “norm” and those people who have our “best interests” at heart (but really don’t get what we are doing)? How does this play out in the running of our businesses, our practices, and decision-making?

This is what we get to talk about. We get to share what works and what doesn’t work. We get to be sounding boards for each other. We get to support and be supported by each other.

Format: none unless we all find some aspect of structure to be helpful. My thought is that if “the Feminine in Business” is our Theme, this will be enough to invite ideas supporting this intention. Relevant articles, resources & books may pop up for us to bring to our gatherings and share with each other.

I personally would love to explore the Feminine in business

1. For all of our development and benefit, and
2. so that I can share more specifics and experiences with others through Project Simplify.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, i.e., are you game to try this focus?

Our next gathering (last Monday of each month) is January 30th, 6:30pm. I’m looking forward to getting together!

Let it be easy,
Shawn

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Earlier this week I was asked about my “30-second elevator speech” by Executive Coach Gary Yeatts. Gulp. What could I do but ‘fess up to the fact that I don’t currently have one to roll out?

[the 30-second elevator speech concept: a compelling statement encompassing the essence of your business]

“What will it take for you to do one?” Ahhh, talking with a Coach just hurts so good.

Of course I should have one! Instead, every time someone asks me about Project Simplify, I struggle for the words to convey my message. While spontaneity and keeping my message fresh is important, a strong, clear, descriptive message is super important. and… what’s my motto? Let it be easy! The 30-second elevator speech is a core tool that makes communication easy. When that 30-seconds strikes a cord with someone, then flow into spontaneous mode and speak directly to that person’s concerns, questions, and interests.

Several years ago, around 1996 I think, I enjoyed the pleasure of hearing Wendell Berry speak at The Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens near Santa Barbara, CA. Wikipedia’s first line about Mr. Berry reads: “Wendell Berry (born August 5, 1934) is an American, novelist, essayist, poet, teacher, cultural critic and farmer.” My experience of him that day was soothing and inspiring.

Unlike many speakers trapped in “We need to do this… We need to do that…” delivery, he was calmly aware of the abuse we commit daily on the earth and each other, and yet sure that a good, virtuous, sustainable life was available for any truly desiring it. He had the patience of a man at peace with the natural forces that can just as easily grow delicious crops as ruin them.

He had a deceptively simple energy about him. I say deceptive because a snap judgement might proclaim him a simple rural farmer doing his thing. To that I respond, take a look at the books, poems, and essays he has written and you’ll find an incredibly well-read, well-rounded scholar with a global perspective.

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