The theme of the week is go back to basics and slow down. In today’s fast paced market everyone wants instant gratification.  Businesses do NOT grow and thrive by trying to do things at lightning speed.  Plant your seed, fertilize your business, nurture your customers and allow your roots to take hold.  A business that takes its time grows strong roots in the community.  It takes a lot of hard work and time (I am up by 5 a.m. every day working on PinellasLife.com & our clients Websites) to build a successful business. Weeds grow fast but do not withstand a storm. Trees provide protection, feed the environment, and beautify the world.  A tree can weather a (economic) storm.  Be a Tree … a tree doesn’t grow over night. Think in five year blocks of time instead of 24 hours!

Repeat after me:  The Tampa Bay Economy is Strong and Our Businesses are Booming! Spread the word and tell everyone you know so we stop this doom and gloom talk. Crisis is change trying to take place so jump up, put on your gloves, and knock the negative thoughts right out of your life.  Turn off your T.V. and STOP listening to the media.  Did you know, the media predicted something like 13 of our last 2 recessions?  Mind viruses are spreading faster than ever with the growth of the Internet.  Stay out of the blogs, delete negative emails, and be very careful who you listen and talk to … keep it positive. Yes things are a little tough for some of you so step up your game, get out in your community, touch your customers lives (read some Guerrilla Marketing Books). In the long run I see a very bright future for all of us. We all need to get out of debt, stop charging everything (there is nothing worse than throwing something away before you have even paid for it), and focus on our core (self, friends, family, customers).  I want to do business with locals more than ever because many big businesses are out of touch.  This gives each and every one of you an opportunity to shine brightly.  Let’s GO Local Tampa Bay!  The Rays, the Superbowl, our beautiful beaches, opportunity is knocking … are you there?  Make “good” changes and start growing now. We are “ALL” hard working, smart, strong Entrepreneurs.  You can’t take us down … we are resilient!  14 years ago I was a single mom on food stamps with 2 years of college left.  When the going got tough, I moved!  Cheers to YOUR success … it’s right around the corner!