Unexpected ROI (return on investment)

11.20.08 It all starts with thanks – and when you get way more than you ever imagined all I can say is THANK YOU!

November 14, 15 and 16 was the unveiling, birthing, launching of the ninaclocks website and product line.Those of you who came to efest to wish us well – it’s difficult to explain how a familiar face at the crossroads of the unknown can mean so much.

Those who couldn’t be there and offered their good wishes – ditto!

My book finally arrived on the 14th and after some technical difficulty, the website went up that evening while we were frantically preparing for our first show ever. Although I have done many trade shows, there’s never so much on the line as when it’s your baby, your business!Heaps of gratitude to Sarah and Bridget for helping us at the booth, and to Stephanie, sending us lightning bolts of positive energy from Denver.

One woman came, looked and gushed, “This is the best booth in the whole place!”

We sold some items and spread a message: Now is the time. Most people seemed to understand it better when we said, “There’s no time like the present.” (That’s what I heard growing up.)

We invited people to start a ‘bucket list’ and write down one thing they’ve always wanted to do, see or be.
Entries ranged from ‘heal the world with music’ to ‘jump out of a plane and live.



Travel destinations varied, with Italy being the most popular. Having been there in ’05 and planning to go again in ’09, I resonated with that!
But the best part was the unexpected ROI: Everyone who wrote something was having fun. They got a sticker to wear as a reminder and if they wanted, we took their picture and sent it to them as another reminder.

They left the booth with smiles and for just a few minutes, began to dream again instead of fretting about gas, groceries, and unemployment. We filled six pages over the weekend.
Writing things down is the first step to success. It turns dreams into goals.

Watching the faces of all those smiling people brought me more joy than making a profit. That will come, I expect it. But it’s the unexpected that warms your heart. Every time I think of all the happy visitors that left our booth, I smile.
The money will come and go, as it should, but that memory will be with me forever.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2008

Welcome to our blog! I look forward to getting to know and grow with you. This is my first attempt at blogging, so your patience and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!


A few years ago I lost a dear friend, E.J. Burgay, to breast cancer. She was an extraordinary woman and I wanted to honor her in an extraordinary way. Soon after, I heard about the 3Day. In the years that followed, more friends were lost and friends of friends. In 2007 I became part of the Susan G. Komen 3Day Event. We raised a lot of money and walked 60 miles toward a cure for breast cancer. I walked in honor of friends and friendships – past and present. I pushed myself physically beyond what I’d ever done before – and literally walked right out of my comfort zone!
Teammates became friends and my team, “Walking in Sunshine” became a family. Weekend distance training in the dark of early morning became an opportunity to bond, learn and grow.

My intent was to give tribute to incredible people who had triumphed, like my dear Aunt Jean, and honor those who had moved on or were in the midst of this dreaded disease.
I must say I was rather pleased with accomplishment and patted myself on the back. Then I got the news:

My great-niece was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumors.

What do you do when your baby is diagnosed with cancer?

My nephew and his wife are the proud parents of Sydney, who was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumors on her first birthday. Lives were turned upside down, and even with insurance, you can imagine the expenses.
Money raised from ninaclocks helped with expenses, but more importantly the love of strangers helped sustain this young family during their crisis.

Sydney is now 2 ½, her tumors have almost disappeared and she’s doing great!
But in giving I received, as is often the case, and I learned that our work is never done. It was then I decided that part of our proceeds will always go to help those in need.
We’re kicking off our website by splitting part of our proceeds to benefit two organizations:
The Heart Gallery:
Imagine growing up without parents. The Heart Gallery pairs older, hard-to place children with adoptive parents. These are children with special needs, or siblings that need to stay together. To learn more please visit their website at:
www.theheartgallery.org



The Literacy Council of Sarasota:
For thirty years, LCS has been helping adults in our community to read and write. One-on-one tutoring is provided free of charge, helping people to get better jobs, read safety instructions, read to their children. I currently serve as Vice President and board member.
Please visit their website: www.sarasotaliteracy.org