This year, I discovered when and how I’d been bitten by the entrepreneurship bug. You hear people say you’re born that way. I always thought I was strange. Friends and even family members called me lazy. They told me to “get a real job”. I used to be depressed about it. Why didn’t I love working hard for someone else? What was wrong with me?
I know it’s late, but hey, the answers show up when you need them and when you’re ready to see them.
My parents realized I had artistic talent the moment they put crayons in my hand. I remember drawing clothing, animals and houses like other 2-year-olds. It was fun! By the time I was 5, I was always designing something or constructing various “projects”.
One day, I wanted to make something special. My parents bought me cardboard – yellow and orange. I drew a moon on the orange one and a sun on the yellow. After cutting them out, I drew a face on each one with an ink pen. In my mother’s sewing basket, I found some white cotton thread. I poked a hole in the bottom of each shape, put the thread in and fastened it with a knot.
I was ready to try them out. My kites. My cardboard kites.
(Insert that screeching halt noise)
“Uh, Rhonda, kites aren’t made of cardboard. They won’t fly.”
I would agree with you, but you see, no one told me this. No one said it couldn’t be done. My parents never put limits on my imagination or my ideas. I am forever grateful to them! (Remember: Nurture a child’s imagination by keeping your limitations to yourself)
THE BIRTH OF AN ENTREPRENEUR
The yellow kite whispered to me,
“I’m bright and sunny. I’m prettier than the orange moon. Take me out first!’
- The Yellow Cardboard Sun
He enchanted me and I took him out. I ran across the lawn and down the street. The yellow cardboard sun fluttering in the wind behind me, hitting the green grass from time to time.
Yipeeee! I had my kite and I was having fun.
My enthusiasm must have attracted some of the neighborhood kids because before I knew it, I was being followed by a small group of them.
I stopped. They asked to see the kite. I let them. (My parents taught me to share. LOL!)
One little boy, well little compared to me now, asked if he could buy the kite. Now I won’t take credit for the sale. I would have gone home and made him one free of charge if he had only asked. Anyway, I told him he could buy it.
He ran home and came back minutes later. He handed me $3.67. He must have emptied his piggy bank.
Wow! I was thrilled. This was the first time I earned anything. However, as I walked home, a sinking feeling came over me. I spent 10 minutes making a kite and someone gave me $3.67?! I must have done something wrong! That was way too easy!
So what did I do? I went home and hid the money under the sofa. Never to touch it again. I never told my parents what happened. I forgot it even happened.
Years later, when I was an adult, my mom asked us who put the $3.67 under the sofa. I fessed up and we all laughed. Not even then did I realize how important it was. It changed the direction of my life forever. This year, the story hit home.
My only regret? I didn’t go out immediately and sell the orange moon! 
WHAT I REALIZED
Whenever I feel like I can’t go on… Whenever I question my choices… Whenever I feel like giving up…
I remember the little 5-year-old girl with the cardboard kite. I remember it vividly, a yellow sun with a pen-drawn smiley face and white thread string. I remember running around my neighborhood near Boston with a huge grin on my face. I remember how proud I felt when the kids flocked around me. I remember the 3 crisp dollar bills in my hand. I remember the clanking noise the 67 cents made in my pocket as I skipped home…
My heart knows I was born to be an entrepreneur. No one and nothing can change that…EVER!
YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION
Reflect. Reflect deeply about what compelled you to become an entrepreneur or business owner. When did it all start? I am not talking about the fact that you want to spend more time with your children. As a single mom I know that is a major factor, but there is something deeper you are overlooking. I guarantee it.
It is something huge, something important that defines WHO YOU TRULY ARE. Trust me when I say that this will give you the inspiration to move on — from failure to SUCCESS!
I support and believe in you!
Much love,
Rhonda
“Your Presence, Power and Connection Specialist(TM)”
P.S. I love writing for you, but my posts are never complete without you sharing the love. Take a moment to share your thoughts or perhaps your own kite story. It’s not me – the grown-up Rhonda – asking. It’s the brown-eyed 5-year-old girl asking you to share… Now how can you resist her?
March 23rd, 2010 on
Great post, Rhonda. I’m glad you shared something from deep in your childhood. Great insights into entrepreneurship!
March 23rd, 2010 on
Rhonda,
Love this post and the way you’ve shared! Thank you for reminding me of what entrepreneurship is all about.
I will spend more time meditating tonight.
March 23rd, 2010 on
@Jeff – You’re welcome! It feels great to open up and share how our life experience has affected us, even though it may not be until years later. I would love to hear yours too.
@Inez – Inez, glad you’re taking it to heart. Let us know what thoughts or breakthroughs you have regarding the REAL reason you became an entrepreneur. You know your hidden “kite story”. Thanks for sharing!
March 23rd, 2010 on
I just Tweeted you’re column! Thank you for the Mojo!
March 24th, 2010 on
Hello,I love reading through your blog, I wanted to leave a little comment to support you and wish you a good continuation. Wishing you the best of luck for all your blogging efforts.
March 24th, 2010 on
Very nice blog and inspirational. Enjoyed reading. Well done and keep it up.
March 26th, 2010 on
Great post, Rhonda.
I’m so glad you shared this story and letting others know that it’s OK to be different, be an entrepreneur, and profit from your natural talents! When I was growing up I never quite fit in. From an early age I was always “wheeling and dealing”. My parents always had to put up with me showing up at home with a rabbit, a goat, a dog, or another animal that I ended up “trading” or “buying” somehow from other local kids and ADULTS! Somehow, finding ways to make money was easy, but for years I felt guilty about it. Needless to say, it took me years to figure out that there was nothing wrong with me – I was simply an entrepreneur!
Adam
http://facebook.com/adamsfans
March 31st, 2010 on
Thanks for giving me a heads up on Twitter and sending me hear to read your inspiring story.
My path to entrepreneurship came later in life…like 8 years ago when I was 43! But I was always, always conflicted about staying in the “steady” job yet being afraid to take a step into my own business in a creative field. It was getting involved with my entrepreneurial, creative husband (Serendipity? Yes!) and now business partner that made metake the leap and wow! why did I wait so long? In fact it is more frightening to me now to think I used to rely on 100% of my income coming from one source versus now when it comes from many multiple streams and is reliant on my ideas, endeavors and work.
Kim
http://howtosellyourvideos.com
April 3rd, 2010 on
How do you know you are an Entrepreneur?
Vision: You have a business idea and it unfolds before you and is constantly on your mind.
Never quit: If the vision or business idea is strong you won’t quit. “It’s not that you have a dream. It’s that the dream has you!”
Study: You will spend a great deal of time investing in information. Google it, google it!
It’s not money: I started my first business with $13.68 and did millions in sales. “It the idea is good enough the money will find it’s way to you.”
Fact: A business is opened to provide income the Entrepreneur. The development of that business is a very up and down journey and is exciting but also loaded with stress. The business is not your life. It is the device that provides you a life. In short: The business is your source of income to provide what you really want in life. Family time, travel, vacations and play, play, play. Please do not let the business become your life. After all is said and done there are only two things you can do with a business.
1. Sell it.
2. Close it
I hope these few words have given you a view to build on.
Ask, Belove, Receive,
Timothy Michael Ricke
Entrepreneur of the Year and Florida Business Person of the Year
April 3rd, 2010 on
@Adam Urbanski – Thanks Adam! I agree, one of my desires is to let others know the things that make them different are what I have coined UMAs (Unique Magnetic Assets). Those assets are at the core of every entrepreneur and business owner. I would love to hear more about your “farm animal” story. Sounds fascinating! Do drop by again as I know you have a ton of wisdom and experience we can all learn from.
April 3rd, 2010 on
@Kim Miller – You’re welcome Kim! Thanks for sharing the love, your story and playing along with me. I can tell you’re an action-taker just from the simple fact you come over from Twitter and commented. I love the fact that we all have stories of blooming early, late and everything in between. I relate 100% to your thoughts about relying on someone else for your income and “security”. Love the header with you and your hubby. You will be seeing me around your site… You rock!
April 6th, 2010 on
What a fantastic story. Very touching and personable. It motivates anyone who ever had a dream or aspiration to keep pushing forward. Thanks for sharing, you’re a blessing.
JosieJane
April 6th, 2010 on
@JosieJane – Thanks JosieJane! I would love to hear your entrepreneurial stories or dreams you have. Don’t be a stranger
May 13th, 2010 on
I love stories and this was a good one.
It definately shares the elements of entrepreneurship.
Go girl!