Back in the day (waaay back) when I would go out with friends to clubs and bars in the city, we were always confronted by the velvet rope. The bouncer stands on one side of the velvet rope and decides who gets into the club and who does not. I’m not exactly sure how these decisions were made, but it was clear that some people got in and others were out of luck.
Your business needs a velvet rope too. There are some clients you should work with, and some you should not. Only the right people should be able to get by your velvet rope, all others need to stand outside. [ And, of course, you will offer them some sort of referral to find a more appropriate person to help them.]
The Velvet Rope of World Changing
My new velvet rope is the perception that you and your business can change the world for the better.
Specifically, if you believe your business and contribution can change the world, we will work well together.
If you think your business is just a business, or if you are cynical about world changing we will not work well together.
That is all there is to it.
I listened to cynics
About a year ago I had the idea of building a coaching/consulting business around the idea of mentoring people who want to change the world.
Many people told me this was a bad idea.
They told me that world changing is too idealistic, people don’t want to work that hard, it’s naive and childish.
Now a year later, I am listening to myself and my right clients and to the cynics I say, “You are wrong!”
In my way of thinking, if you are going to build a business that doesn’t initiate any change, you are giving away your power, dismissing your gifts, letting down those that could really use your genius. What a sad waste.
And I don’t want to work with you if you won’t do the work it takes to make the world a better place.
My gift is passion and optimism combined with sassy hard core business advice.
If you don’t want that mix of cheerleader and bootcamp coach, I’m not for you.
And I am 100% ok with the fact that some people will choose to stand outside of my velvet ropes.
World Changing = 1
Some people get freaked out when I ask them if they want to change the world. It sounds too big.
But if you help 1 person to live a better, happier, healthier life today, you are changing the world.
If you help a child learn to read, climb a tree, enjoy a good orange you are changing the world.
If you grow healthy food, treat animals humanely, keep pesticides out of our drinking water, you are changing the world.
If your art hangs in a school, makes people think, creates smiles and giggles, you are changing the world.
See where I’m going here?
If not us, who?
The world is changing, whether we consciously join in that process or not.
For everything that irks you about the ‘way things are,’ you have some power to influence it one way or another.
I’m rooting for everyone doing positive stuff. Bringing on good change. Making the world a better place.
If you want to grow your business and change the world, come on in!
Tell me in the comments–how are YOU and your business changing the world?
Photo credit: New York Nights
