It’s time to expand our thinking. What IS possible. If we only believed, or knew our own power, every hint of worry would dissolve like a puddle in the sun.
Remind me I said that.
I have a vision for my land behind Carl House.
Drawings by Precision Planning
Stay tuned! This or better God, this or better….follow the leader!
BB Webb
I feel as though I’ve given birth.
Awwww…..that’s not fair. I’ve never given birth and I’m sure this process was MUCH more arduous.
(Okay, I’m being a rascal).
Our new website is live. Our Carl House website.
I especially like the property tour page and the event services link. You might visit our Carl House You Tube link as well….I’ve uploaded some winners.
But everyone likes their children best!
Kristi Odom Photography: Please visit virtually and in person when you can! I've always got a hot pot of great coffee brewing!
i can begin on other projects….this one has taken up oodles and scootles of my time.
But, it’s important as are all the other social media connections.
I popped a Heineken.
And I don’t even drink beer.
But I am.
And I toast the good work of the folks who had my back and made it happen, my team at Carl House and Junction Creative Services.
Thank you.
Damn, I think I have a buzz, light headed from having this huge endeavor off my chest, heart, mind…..wherever it seems to have ‘lain’??? well over a year.
Onward ho….but no driving, one beer and I’m under my soda.
Happy New Year to me!
And to you….to all good things!
BB Webb
During my several moons of travail over the last several years….I have for about a year and a half envisioned a new website for my Carl House business. Sadly, I had not only NOT found the right person or business to help unfold the vision inside my head, I wasted money attempting to FIND that right person or business.
It’s all a part of the journey, so they say. (And who IS ‘they’)???
And what women DOESN’T like a new look? We women don’t ‘dye’ our hair, that suggests covering something unwanted…..we instead ‘color’ it….as a fashion statement. Who said anything about GRAY???
I have found though, in Junction Creative, a team of savvy business folks who GET what customer service, creativity and communication is all about. Led by savvy business woman Julie Cropp Gareleck, her team of able bodied men and women have exceeded my expectations in so many ways.
And, this new iteration of the Carl House site, is only the beginning!!
Waiting for the birth of a new website is like waiting for (I’m guessing here), a child to be born. But damn, this incubation (well over a year) seems like foreeever! There are sooo many details that MUST be perfect, representative of who we are as a company, as a team, highlighting the RIGHT details to be effective to our readers and folks interested in our venue!
This wait I’ll say is worth it as (for those who know me), I don’t like doing much of ANYTHING half way. With over 125 photos, easy navigation and descriptions of what we offer that we HOPE will tease and entice you and many others to come visit, we’re giddy with girlish excitement!
And our Carl House blog, (Carl House Unveiled), has an outfit to match. And if you’re not COMPLETELY enthralled, our new corporate site will be making a reappearance again soon, soon!
Life does have its glorious moments, doesn’t it. Oooh, the varied things which bring us pleasure!!
The truth is, I, WE (my team and me), LOVE to put on a party! In fact, it makes us JUMP for joy! Stay tuned. Next week is our due date….and that stork seems to be as excited as we are …..
We're all jumping for joy about our new look! Photo by John Campbell Photography!
Thanks Savvy Web Team, we are most grateful for your hard and smart work!! Thank you one and all!
BB Webb
I’m working on a new talk which I’m eager to get out and about throughout not just my neck of the woods, in and around Atlanta, but globally somehow. And yes, in PERSON, not just over the Internet Super Highway!
I believe in FACE to FACE communications! With that, I’ll be speaking about how we relate to one another in this day in age….how things have changed with the advent of the internet. There have been positive changes and I feel there have been LESS than positive changes afoot.
I’m embroiled in a not so favorable result of such ‘non face-to-face’ communication despite my efforts. It’s all so absolutely unnecessary but none-the-less, where I sit TODAY.
My talk will speak on keeping things personable, but not taking things so PERSONALLY. Having taken an enormous financial risk beginning my business seven and a half years ago, and having put in a copious number of hours of unimaginable sweat equity, and doing so even these seven and a half years later, it’s challenging at times for me to NOT take things personally. My business in a sense is ‘my baby’.
I revel most in the lessons learned and give thanks to each and every lesson which comes my way….and I’ll say ‘lucky me’ as they come nearly daily if I am paying attention. I endeavor to be part of good SOLUTIONS, not contribute more to heady, unnecessary PROBLEMS!
I personally have experienced (lately), the assault of internet communication and thrashing over Facebook and other wedding websites by a client. This particular (now former) client, has never met me in person, has never taken the time to set an appointment with me or answer my email or offer through her mother to call me, (as suggested) so I might PERSONALLY handle any disruption or miscommunication. Instead, this person who contracted with me has banned with her family and made the choice to bad mouth me, my company and my hard working team on FACEBOOK.
I’ve said it before and will repeat, I (as my team) are far from perfect, but anyone with an ounce of reasonable-ness will know very quickly that our intent is to serve and to exceed expectations.
I wonder if I were to sit with this young person, to look into her eyes, to understand her needs, fears, concerns and challenges in life, I wonder if I might be able to speak with her woman to woman to gain a mutual respect and compassion.
I wonder too if she might better ‘GET’ that my working on average 12-15 hours a day, often 7 days a week, that I am serious about doing good business. I wonder if she might better realize that borrowing LARGE amounts of money to start a company, that as a single woman who has a passion for serving people, I’m not out to do anyone a disservice, but much to the contrary, I have put everything at risk to do right by people!
I am concerned that this group of much younger people, accustomed to online communication and not the face-to-face sort I grew up with, do not consider the good manners of communication and how careless rants and thrashings of an individual or business can impact many lives. I’m uncertain why people choose to judge and hate, to wallow in the negative, unwilling to work toward positive resolution, especially when a conversation and willingness is offered them.
I feel they use their power recklessly and that sadly it won’t serve them well as they move forward in life. This saddens me deeply.
I consider too the people I’ll reach from this incident now that I have been impacted. The positive changes I might make now that I am personally aware of the hurt and damage this cowardice, you might call it, can do, instead of choosing to engage instead in respectable, courteous communication, one-on-one.
I am thankful to know who I am, strengths and weaknesses and to feel the rally of my colleagues, mentors, community leaders, clients and team.
I don’t and won’t play at that level, though I promise those whose livings, whose future events, the banks and service providers who I support through my business, (and rely on), that I will not sit quietly when the host of people I support is challenged.
Would this person act more considerately, kindly, professionally, respectably if they knew the heart of my intent and good will? Perhaps if she’d had the wherewithal to contact me personally, she might, but sadly that opportunity was forfeited and her comments directed to bad mouth me and my good name and that of my company was her choice.
I regret her unwillingness to work toward positive resolution. In the end I send only healing thoughts and a heightened consciousness to someone filled with such hatefulness and anger. It’s ironic to me as well, when people come to me with their entitlement and anger and then seem compelled to mention that they are ‘good Christians’.
This is perhaps one of the reasons I’m not much of a ‘joiner’. I’d rather someone walk with me throughout a day or week or month and THEN, then, when they have seen better who I am, feel free to judge, but kindly do me the respect to at least sit with me first in conversation, look into my eyes, find out a little who I am.
Good will to the world! We certainly need it. And Facebook….about Face to you….might you be used to create friends and alliances, not to destroy the potential for humanity to come together in good ways.
As a side note…I was asked by a National Magazine, ‘Perfect Wedding Guide’ to speak on this very topic in March. I’m so very HONORED to do so. Stay tuned as there is more, more and even MORE to come.
And thank you for these tormenters for prompting this initiative in me. I will ALWAYS find a silver lining. And I’m WELL aware, that it’s a choice to do so!
BB Webb
“Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.” Kahil Gibran
He had it right. Simple, true.
I will remember that as I face the ‘entitled’ this day, the ones who push beyond fair measure. I will remember instead to lovingly stand my ground, say no where it is appropriate and give thanks that the original blog I wrote, stayed neatly in my pocket.
May we all have a day full of loving surprises and give thanks for the distractors and tormentors who seem lately to abound. They are indeed mirrors from which to learn.
BB Webb
I have just a moment this evening as I’ve been on a tear….probably not uncharacteristic, but a tear for sure.
When I see what needs to be done…with utter clarity, damn if I’m not unstoppable. I feel a bit like a canon in those moments…once shot from my chambers I’m unstoppable. My team knows this, my friends maybe a bit too….it’s just how I work best.
So, when a cold threatened this week to muck up my targeted aim…I had a talk with it.
‘Cold,’ I squarely stated. ‘You need to take a hike. I’m in overdrive and putting a pause on this motor just now ain’t gonna work. Skeedattle please and pick on someone who really WANTS to slow down.’
Because this week I didn’t want to. I consider that I bolted up and down the three flights at Carl House with one mission or another at least 24 times. And it felt good, purposeful…..the physical parts of the week especially good.
As there are things that need to be done. And now, not tomorrow.
So, my cold and it’s threatening, sneezy, sniffly, headache-y, snotty self left me in a speedy day and a half.
(We are all powerful beyond what we might ever realize)!
And as I entered this week my pretty Carl House grounds I was reminded of the choices I have, of the abundance I can tap into moment to moment, the people who support me and rally my various causes. As I network throughout the city, today in Atlanta, then a quick scoot through traffic to a soiree in Athens, I meet people who I’m glad to see, who care about me as I do them. New connections are made and initiatives created as I sort through the many business cards from a week of business play and negotiation.
My options increase and my vision more clear.
And I realize how I enjoy the challenge of a challenge, the mix of emotion in a week, my own energies and vision and the people who come in and out of my life on a daily, monthly, yearly basis.
And most of all, I am thankful to be past a year of disappointment with people, my own choices and the emotional tumult which worked to threaten my resolve and my heart.
I found that I’m so much bigger than that.
And THAT….is a VERY good thing.
I sit tonight in awe of the miracles I’ve experienced and will moving forward. And frankly, it’s all a choice. So, I choose, big, expanded and abundant.
Life IS stranger than fiction, as it should be….because what I can manifest is so much larger and magical than I might ever dream up!!
Here’s to expansion, love, abundance, luck and joy.
BB Webb
Such a title….but it rings true. The sound of the railroad lulls me in the office at Carl House as the calls come in, as I navigate personalities, work to keep everyone and myself on target, in line, clear of my vision and moving forward with support and clarity. There are hills, there are indeed valleys, and lately, new rooms and such!
I sat last evening at 8:30pm on the third floor of my Carl House, deeply satisfied with the sound of a party below,
(a commitment ceremony)!! We’re all entitled to live as we choose says I.
…the 8th redecorated or vastly reorganized and cleaned room in either my home or Carl House, a glass of Rodney Strong Knotty Vine Red Zinfandel, (a fav of mine) and some brie and bleu cheese with figs, apple slices and grapes prepared by my favorite of chefs, Chef Derek. Debbie, my Operations gal and I reminisced the busy week which I entered with a keen focus and crystal clear intent….I had plans….I could feel my team gasp as they drew close against their respective walls as I issued THIS weeks mission.
Having recently had a resignation and shifting among the ranks, (always the right decision)….I could feel the energies shift and I was ready to move forward….MOVE FORWARD indeed!
When I am clear, I am a whippet, or tasmanian devil, tsunami I’ve been called, though endeavor or have learned, (ummmm, am learning) to be less harsh as my intensity is inborn, it is me, tempered only through living in a world which I must negotiate at every turn, while not splashing frigid water on my flame. I must guard carefully myself from the doom and gloom sayers, the influences which don’t bolster me in positive ways. Similarly, I am picking up new ways of being which work to manage my energies, my direction, this mission I was somehow born to unfold!
I rearranged our offices on Monday and on short notice had a room renovated to accomodate our new photo booth. Anticipating a call from the 18 wheeler driver of the company with whom I bought this expensive but valuable addition to my offerings, we were prepared to assemble a ready team to lift it from the large truck. Finding Miguel, the driver with the two gold front teeth, (a lovely chap…from the Bronx)!…with Debbie’s help we assembled in short order our team of hearty and muscled men to move the thing. With Miguel outside my house, stirring the passing cars atop his 18 wheeler…we had no time to waste.
‘I’m here with a 450 pound photo booth….who’s moving it’.
Traffic was intense so quickly….on the phone with the local police to help direct traffic until our movers appeared! Roger, my beloved handyman, along with our newer team member Mike, scurried to finish the renovations of the room to receive this MONSTER of a welcomed ‘profit center’ to my business. Roger suggested pulling my 1984 Ford Truck behind the 18 wheeler to lower it first there, then closer to our back steps to haul this heavy pup inside.
One, two, three, things were flying….flying…..
Then on Tuesday, after giving an 8am talk to the local Chamber of Commerce at my place, ‘Building a Business the Thrives Beyond YOU’….my lessons learned in a talk now….humor and angst both!!!…..the team and I prepped for our Bridal Event with about 20 vendors showcasing their wares….me in my element as hostess, welcoming our 100 or so guests, giving out prizes, assuring each detail was tended and person welcomed.
A late night misunderstanding between and a client and staff member, (normal daily sorting), soon remedied, minimal drama and OOOOOh the food, Chef Derek outdid himself with the FOOD! (My favorite a chicken, lavender something infused sauce with brussel sprouts that made my eyes shut while chewing). I adore culinary treats, the creativity, the textures, tastes, the colors, the way it is presented. I grew up with a father who taught me the love of fine dining and it’s worth every penny when I do decide to indulge. And fortunately, I have a chef who treats me to luscious items on a regular basis to satisfy this passion, for it IS a passion and one I will NOT deny nor sacrifice!
Wednesday, a travesty in trying to find the right workman to assemble a floral cooler, one lame worker after the next, unbelievable quotes and me having to say good-bye to more than one ‘offer’. My favorite ill suited gent the one who asked if I’d give him money for gas and cigarettes! Debbie my operations person stood nearby waiting to hear my response, getting ready to flee if sparks flew. Oooooh, they did, they did and she flew….so did he.
We had some theft last week within the ranks and security measures have been increased. We suspect some new arrivals into our fold. After much hallabaloo, adding soon security cameras, better processes to assure there is no theft….the bottles of missing wine mysteriously reappeared. There is magic happening within my business. I feel it as surely as I know my forward growth and positive solutions are imminent.
I had a good talk, heart to heart really, with a key advisor, someone very close to me and she (that higher part of me) had some good thoughts…things I was gleaning as true. I’m on it. I’m here, I’m on track and ready for all good and the expansions that are afoot. Long in the waiting maybe, but maybe not.
Life is good.
And yesterday, the shed which can’t seem to stay organized….it and my dear Operations person, Debbie, were subject to a loving hurricane of BB organization and new processes.
Stand back’, I alerted, the dust will fly and, you will be so HAPPY it did.
We all were. And the energy within is changing, the right people are appearing and I’m clear, on point!
Of key importance, I AM clear….on MANY things in my world just now.
And that….ooooh, that is good, VERY good.
Love being the singular intent with all that THAT means to me.
BB Webb
Ahhhh….transition of the most effective kind….pulling out weeds from my garden, which (unless they are edible), do little to enhance the scenery, my garden, or in this case, my business. I feel full of purpose this morning.
Fuel and Movement....let it flow.
I worked a momumental 34 hours in 2 and a half days, not unusual, but the type of work was….back on the front line of my business for a spell, on my feet racing around, up, down and around for hours and hours, training side by side my new folks, coaching the older ones to new structures and order. I prefer writing if I am to work those hours, or managing details from my laptop…..organizing and creating new ‘stuff’….but, sometimes this I find is called for….all to a determined and resolute end.I am cleaning house….and I find I’m quite good at that when I apply myself. And applying I am. I am taking no prisoners. I know how ‘things’ must fit, it is not unlike fashioning a puzzle. The process full of tornado energy fueled by great lightning impulses for change and movement. Ooooh, I feel it, I am unstoppable!
I have preferences, everyone knows it. I’m a bully for close to perfection and in the same way which I’ll protect an employee if bullied by a rude and uncaring client, I protect my clients and guests so they are served to the nth degree. (I don’t know what the ‘nth’ degree is, but it portends magnitude….my meaning here for sure)!
And this weekend, with newness afoot and much enthusiasm….there was indeed a lot to pay attention to and some near falls caught by me, as I know these ropes. So, I played every role I know except financial wizard, (that’s Lois’ job…and she performs it well, thus, she’s named, ‘The Hammer’ as she knows how to protect my business (and me) from financial sabotage).
An Expanding Universe as Are We!
And I am learning that as well. Pull the weeds of non-fit or ineptitude. Hurry them along on their way but not to play in my garden. There is enough to do in organizing and manifesting desires in the day-to-day operations of a growing business I find.So, I am focused like a laser beam, playful still to a degree, but I am taking big, determined steps. And please, be careful not to step in front of me as I might inadvertently walk over you or worse, step on you. Sorry about that…I don’t mean to….I just know myself. When determined, I have a KEEN sense of direction and certainly drive.
I know what needs to be done and though this is not a role I can play at all times, (the doing part or even this arranging, as I’m eager soon to have a team who is as clear and adept), I know this is my job.
And the places we’ll go. And are. It’s exciting. Check lists, processes being designed, procedures to be followed. Ooooh, the harping by mentors past I hear. I am in full force, doing as instructed and they would no doubt be proud. I on the other hand am thankful to see the necessary path for where I’m headed. Once I am clear, I’m like a Sherman Tank….onward ho.
And, I’m for sure weary, but in a good way as things are moving forward….’as if’ as if ANYTHING were and IS possible.
As surely as ‘thoughts are things’ (was it Norman Vincent Peale who rallied those words), so too are my ideas…..taking form and shape as I write…
There is time to rest another day….and to play….and to look back with a smile to all the chaos and angst of these last years. The people who have come and gone, the ones still in my heart because that’s just the way it is with some folks, there is a connection of sorts that’s unexplainable….whether they to me matters not…some people just appear on my radar for a spell….some longer.With others, a thank you for most of all the lessons learned, how they have served me in ways. And yes, some I’m most happy to see gone, lessons learned perhaps, but urgh, some people leave a vile taste in my mouth even after they’ve been gone a long time.
(it’s then I bring out my sage stick and burn away….I have no room for funky, sour energy, it’s not compatible with my spirit).
Though I let the certain ones go who seem no longer to have an interest in my particular world, I welcome them to do as they please, (of course), but hold a lovely place in my heart, for only a few, to return should they choose.
But, I will be changed somewhat….as that is what I do, and might I add, I do it well. I grow and change and unfold like a flower, tree, cat with an apparent 9 lives…..dying periodically to only blossom again…..as it should be.
I don’t like Facebook, as I don’t particularly care to ‘re-connect’ to my past much. I am a ship sailing forward, not inclined to spend any time in reverse.
And, I was reminded today, by our very Universe,
‘For the earnest student, BB, taking responsibility means never forgetting to have fun.’
Seriously, The UniverseWell, surely!
And when this journey hits a finishing point, on this particular plain, might I be a dogwood tree or at least my ashes put beneath one when I die.
BB Webb
I had a ‘first’ yesterday. I had the fine opportunity to speak in a BREWERY,THE RED BRICK BREWERY in fact. Yes, a first indeed and loads of fun.
Cnetics, an Atlanta software company, hired me to come speak to a group of entrepreneurs. I shared my talk, ‘How to Build a Business That Thrives Beyond You’ to a group of friendly, hard working business folks while we sipped the lovely brew of the Red Brick Brewery, yes, sips amongst tales of ups, downs and arounds of business.
And should you want to sip a most luscious beer or have a tour of a divine brewery, I suggest you take a visit just off Howell Mill Drive and you’ll be glad you did!
Brew, a fine thing! Hops and all!!
BB Webb
I believe in entreprenurialism. I believe in creating and manifesting whatever you can! I believe in hard work and passion.
I’d like to believe that this is all possible to do in America, with a good measure of support.
And I soooooooooo wonder. At times I soooooooooo wonder.
Did you know that entrepreneurs make up 75% of the businesses in American. We are America.
Somewhat Recent Statistics about Self-Employment
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
According to the most recent Non-Employer Statistics published the U.S. Census Bureau, on average 2,356 people go into business for themselves every day. Their firms account for 78 percent of U.S. businesses and $951 billion in receipts.
“Among the fastest-growing industries are Web search portals (41.2 percent), Internet service providers (16.6 percent), nail salons (18 percent), electronic shopping and mail-order houses (12 percent), recreational vehicle dealers (12.1 percent) and landscaping services (11.1 percent).” The top five states in terms of growth in small businesses between 2004 and 2005 were the District of Columbia (9.6 percent), Nevada (7.7 percent), Florida (7.6 percent), Georgia (7.6 percent) and Utah (7.2 percent).
If the video below is true….I’m dumbfounded. Though I have had my own brushes with government this past year which have left me MOST underwhelmed and poised to take action. And I am.
And then, I ran across an interesting school and site called Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship. Though an all male staff, (with the high stats on female entrepreneurs, that surprised me) but found a great interview with a most savvy woman named Judy Estrin who I INTEND to interview some day soon.
I like her thoughts below on entrepreneurialship and her full interview, all the more compelling:
Kaizen: Your experience and successes also led to your joining the boards of directors of FedEx, along with CEO Fred Smith, and Disney, along with CEO Bob Iger and Steve Jobs. Everyone on those boards is extremely accomplished—what complementary expertise do you bring to those boards?
Estrin: I’ve been on the board of FedEx for 20 years and Disney now for a little over ten. I like to think that I contribute in a variety of says, but three main areas are my entrepreneurial experience, my different perspective as a woman, and my understanding of technology and the Internet.
Kaizen: Looking back on your extensive entrepreneurial experience, what was the most exciting aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Estrin: I don’t know that I can pick just one. One of the most exciting aspects of entrepreneurship is identifying an unmet need and developing a new approach to address that need and then actually seeing it happen. Creating a new market and seeing people use the products and figuring out how you need to adapt it to bring that to market.
The second part is the part I miss the most — teambuilding; when you build a company, you get to create the culture bottom-up, which is very special. People used to joke that I used to talk about my companies as kids. I actually give a presentation where I compare great leadership to great parenting. Ethics and values, whether you’re raising kids or building cultures and companies, are not dictated by little notes on a card — they’re set by example. There are behaviors that you reward, what you tolerate, how you treat different things. It’s built into the fabric. There’s something to me just really wonderful about bringing teams of people together and watching them grow. Individuals that I remember starting working for us right out of school — now I see them off starting companies of their own. So the people part of it is probably the most special aspect that I think back on.
Kaizen: What has been the most challenging aspect of being an entrepreneur? Anything that caused sleepless nights?
Estrin: First of all, being an entrepreneur is really, really, really, really, really hard work. It’s all-consuming. The great entrepreneurs are consumed by passion. It takes a lot of time. It’s a really big commitment. And so you have to realize there are compromises that you give up by throwing yourself into something.
And then — not true in the early years — but one of the reasons why I’m no longer running a company is that, today, the venture-entrepreneurial ecosystem is broken. And so raising money and having to deal with venture capitalists today is an unbelievable frustrating experience. Not across the board, but for the most part. They’ve become very risk-averse. It’s become more adversarial. Now I also think entrepreneurs today are feeling too entitled. They don’t realize that there’s risk involved and how much work is required and often expect returns too quickly. So I would say the venture-entrepreneurial dynamic to me is the most frustrating part.
It’s time to take action, to intend some varied results. Embrace your power….make a positive difference. You can!
BB Webb
This blog is frankly for me to somewhere land the many crashing thoughts, ideas, musings in my head… things I see, absorb, process though, lessons learned, in business, through relating to others in this quixotically changing playground of life. Having someone bare witness to my experience (or yours), I feel somehow gives existence greater depth and color. We all need to be heard and seen, challenged, encouraged, and well, as you’ll soon learn through my world view, loved.
