My Entrepreneur Blog

President Thomas S. Monson, in his talk An Attitude of Gratitude (April 1992), encourages us to lift ourselves and others, refuse to stay in a negative thought, cultivate an attitude of gratitude. He said, "If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. I have long felt that gratitude is a mind-set of nobility. When we choose to see the good in our lives, choose to see the Lord's hand in our lives, the Lord showers more blessings upon us. It has been interesting to me that, even if I wake up with terrible energy. If I spend time first thing in the morning saying prayers of gratitude, I find that the very vibratory state in which my body resides is raised to a higher frequency. In other words, my spirit is lifted to a happier place and my body's cells feel as if they begin to heal and regenerate. Finding all the ways the Lord blesses me creates a deeper level of gratitude which brings my soul into harmony w...

In the article, "What's a Business For?" by Chales Handy, the author discusses the importance of having integrity and virtue in business. He shows that trust is crucial, even foundational of a healthy economic market. Investors lose confidence in the company if the owners are not honest or ethical. Customers may not want to purchase products or services from a company who deals dishonestly. Employees will likely feel disgruntled if they feel they must also be shady to keep their jobs or if their employer is not ethical. Good people generally do not want to work for unethical businesses. In general, people can sense when someone is either being deceiptful, or when a company is self-serving. Investors may pull out, consumers will stop purchasing, and workers will not stick around. It reminds me of an idea that Stephen R. Covey said in "The Speed of Trust". He taught that when employers don't trust employees, the employees tend to slack off, take more time off ...

Everyone has an attidude about money. Some people feel money is the "root of all evil". Some believe money can buy happiness. Some believe it is fleating, never lasting. Others believe that money is elusive, while still others treat money as an old friend. Personally, I have a unique take on money; well, more unique than most, but shared with a few. I don't fear money, nor do I seek it. It cannot be evil, for it cannot choose what humans do with it. Money can bring a sense of security. It can provide food, shelter, and clothing. Money is my very welcome friend, and though it does get me nice things, and work for me, I believe money is beautifully fluid; like the ocean, it ebbs and flows, comes and goes, rather rythmically. I know that sounds strange, its just that I have learned not to worry about money. Years ago, I was a single mom with six children. My husband changed all the accounts and took all the money. He forced me to refinance the house we had paid for in fu...

I have a plaque on my wall that says, "God gave us dreams too big so we can grow into them". Years ago, while out on a morning run, in midstride, a vision opened in my mind's eye and I saw a grand white colonial house with tall pillars that held up the balcony on the second floor. There was a fountain in front of the circular driveway. To the side was an atrium. It appeared to have about six to eight bedrooms upstairs. I knew it was old, but beautiful. I stopped running and asked the Lord what that was. I heard the Spirit whisper, "what would you do if I gave that to you"? I was astonished, and responded with, "whatever you want me to do, Lord". This is where my too big dream began. I prayed and prayed about it. But no direction came. I began looking for it everywhere. That was about fourteen years ago. Since that time, my life has been topsy turvey. I have made it through several jobs, earned an Associates of Science degree, went back to school again ...

As I studied Elder David A. Bednar's speech about the foundation of BYU-Idaho as a DPC-Disciple Preparation Center; comparative to the MTCs throughout the world, I began to wonder how I could make my business a DPC. The first requirement is that is "rather isolated geographically". The old Victorian home I'm about to close on definitely fits this requirement. It is about two miles from anything other than a few small farmhouses. It sits up on a hill, where it is visible, and accessible, but the road it is down is moderately used and quite rural. The next requirement is that people reside or study there for relatively short periods of time. That is perfect because the property will be rented out as an "AirBnB" or family retreat for weddings, family reunions, wellness conferences, or preparedness conferences, and trainings. In difficult times, it can be used as a hospital or refuge. It will also house a small herb shop, a community garden, aquaponics, and ...

I have never been a quitter. I am a finisher. But in starting this business, and in many aspects of my life, I have met with so many obstacles that the pace at which success comes has seemed unbarably slow. The shifts and changes, the twists and turns, and the start-agains have been discouraging at best. At times, I felt I would neer see the day when I would actually get past the set-up stage of my business. President Holland's words brought tears of encouragement and reflection when he said, "Don't you quit! You keep walking! You keep trying!There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon and some blessings come late. And some don't come till heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end." My events center and herbshop has been on my heart for fifteen years. My journey has been long and difficult. I have been through a divorce, a marriage, raising of seven children, four moves with two more to ...