My toughest client yet
I did this to myself.
Literally. I did this to myself.
I had a daughter 5 years ago. A smart, curious, energetic daughter. And I signed her and me up to host a lemonade stand and bake sale in front of a local kids’ store (thanks for the opportunity, Little Bird!).
Our big launch is in a couple weeks, and it’s so tempting to just handle everything myself. See, she and I share this quality called “perfectionism.”
My daughter has got BIG ideas: multiple lemonade flavors, mini muffins (homemade, of course) in a plethora of varieties (gluten-free included, of course), an elaborate sign, and she’s already invited all her friends, all our neighbors, and everyone she meets when we’re out and about.
She came up with the name: “Yummy Scrummy” then changed her mind. It’s now “Leslie and Emmy’s Yummy Scrummy.” I mean, can you even?
I LOVE her ambition. Her excitement. I’m also fully aware how much time and energy her big ideas will take to execute — and it would be so much easier if I just handled it all and let her help out when convenient (and efficient).
But dammit, if this isn’t the absolute perfect time to flex my coaching muscle — to lead by example, demonstrate patience, and harness the entrepreneurial spirit my own kid is showing — then I don’t know what is. Blah blah blah.
DAMMIT.
So I’ll have to sacrifice some things:
Some of my daily to-dos in my business won’t get done.
Some social posts or podcast episodes won’t be polished to my usual standard.
I’ll turn down a few networking meetings to shop for ingredients, test recipes, clean up the egg that will inevitably spill onto the floor, and answer 400 questions along the way.
But it also means I get to show my daughter what teamwork looks like. It means her razor-sharp memory will file this away and ask me to do it again next year. And it definitely means I’ll practice delegation, collaboration, and accepting that this will not go perfectly... and that’s okay (for us both)
What, in your business, are you gripping too tightly right now? And, what would it take to let it go?
P.S. If you're in Denver on July 19th , come support Leslie and Emmy's Yummy Scrummy. Follow us on Instagram for more details!
Leslie, let me know when Emmy is doing her lemonade stand. Little Bird is so close to my house! I'll come to cheer them on and buy some treats from them. What a great location!! A corner on a busy shopping strip.
And I see a lot of mom's entrepreneurial and creativity in Emmy.
Sounds like an awesome opportunity for both of you! And can't wait to see you.