27
Call Me Ishmael
Rock me on the water
Sister, will you soothe my fevered brow?
Yeah, rock me on the water, maybe I'll remember
Maybe I'll remember how
The blue green water of Oahu is incredible to behold, dramatically different shades, depending on where you go. Like a pool in some places, certain death in others. In Waikiki, you can swim any time of year, day or night, except for the sharks, they say. I never experienced the sharks, though I used to go out in the water every night. The Pacific back home in So Cal was a huge disappointment after that. Too cold, murky brown, and I was on to other things by then. Canyons. Desert. But the ocean is the original final frontier. Even when the earth was flat, it dared us to venture forth and sail to the edge of the unknown, and to keep going where there be monsters, and worse. Better not do that! Stay home, play safe. Keep your feet on the ground. Hide.
Ah, but the thrill! Most of us never sailed the seven seas, or ventured into deep space. Instead, we climb rocks or build buildings, glide through the air on fabric wings, twist through canyons on an iron horse, try out a story on a strange, new crowd. We start businesses and sail off the edge of the world, never to turn back.
I didn’t run off and join the circus, or go on a whaling voyage, or attempt feats of strength or daring. Yes, I’ve been up in a Blackhawk three times, but somebody else was flying, and I knew to do what the crew chief says (thank you for that, Matt Jackson!). Roller coasters? No way. Or those droppy rides? Uh uh. Change career at the age of forty, starting a business a few weeks after the baby was born? Sure, what the heck.
A harbor boat ride with new friends, fellow business owners from the Alignable Alliance, organized by networking superstar, Sue Brooke. After meeting and greeting at the bar, we made our way down to the dock and clambered aboard (the act of awkwardly getting onto a boat). For the next couple of hours, we got to know each other’s stories, learn about everyone’s business, figure out who, if anyone, was a great referral partner, and enjoy perfect seafaring weather. No sea serpents or monsters, not even choppy waves. Nobody fell overboard or got seasick. Capt. Stuart Bird-Wilson, SAS (Ret.), an aptly named guest, regaled us with stories of his father, Air Vice-Marshal Harold A C BIRD-WILSON CBE DSO DFC* AFC*, and a last minute invitation that brought him just two seats away from the Queen. There were, of course, accountants and insurance brokers, along with real estate agents, makeup artists, and skin care specialists. Even a fellow photographer, who specializes in real estate and has a drone license. If you’re willing to drive down a long dirt road, you can even meet a couple who run an animal boarding facility that will host your skunk, goat, or other exotic pet. Would they turn away your alligator or ferret? Would they turn you in? These are some of my follow up questions as I get to know their business a little bit better.
I sometimes wonder if I’m playing the networking game right. It’s easy to put a lot of time into these activities, to make new friends, to become a connector for everyone else. It’s not always easy to ask for referrals for yourself. You don’t want to be salesy, that’s for sure. But it doesn’t hurt to remind people of what you do, why you do it, to ask them to think of people who are experiencing the kind of business pain that you can resolve. Me, I’m on the lookout for people who work with small businesses, like CPAs, lawyers, and property managers. They run into others who are seeking IT peace of mind. I’ve also got my ear to the ground for event planners, because I’m Louie the Lens, your personal paparazzi!
We live in an ocean of opportunity. And you’re the captain of your destiny. Who have you brought on board to help you sail off into the sunset?
Musical Moment
No matter which way you go, you’ll eventually run out of land.
