Date: April 2012

If one more person has the conversation with me this week, that I need to stop working hard, I will SCREAM.

This built up emotion from people with all the good intentions of the world, opting to tell me that I should not be working so hard. I am frustrated, confronted and in desperate need of explaining myself so that hopefully good natured people understand that some things require work.

John Gray has written quite a few books on relationships and millions of women around the world have read them avidly. No wonder women tend to be better leaders statistically when they actually reach the top jobs, then their male counterparts.

Gray has a book, Mars and Venus on a Date which basically is a guide to navigating the 5 stages of dating to create lasting relationships.

If you bare with me, you will see how this can relate to relationships with employees that are looking for the perfect job. Particularly essential reading for small business owners.

Most entrepreneurs know when they can 'turn it on' and become an inspirational leader, but for many, there are a select few employees that actually get to see you 'live' telling your story. Afterall, your entire team often do not accompany you to a public speaking events and usually only management get to know your new ideas when its raw and at its most exciting point - you know when haven't been battered down by reality like financials or ability to execute.

Do you have someone or something that is a benchmark to you?

I have a couple; personal and professional.

A wake up call for me wasn't so dramatic. In fact it was something that I hold dear to my heart and appreciate more than the words that were written.

It's a statement that has finality but how much of it is true?

Today, I am reminded yet again why start-ups fail.

I met with a lovely couple a few weeks ago who wanted to open a retail store. They have a dream to work for themselves and the wife wanted to be in fashion.

They are new to the market and have never owned a fashion outlet, but they both have passion and are determined to do it.

I asked all the normal questions;

A couple of year's ago, I had the privilege to meet the owners of a Swedish company, Bolon. They design the most magnificent floor coverings and recently did a co-branded range for Missoni that is stunning.

This picture is of an office space in New Dehli, that was put together with Bolon's Indian resellers Spacebiz.

Imagine if your staff came to work each day in an office just like this. How inspiring. Immediately, no matter how their day was going, they would come to life and be more creative than ever. What do you think?

Do you remember where you were sitting when you decided a particular drink was your favourite? I bet you do! Favourite drinks often are the biggest way venues can promote their wears because if you like a particular drink at a said club, bar, restaurant - chances are that you will talk about it for years to come.

Mine = Apple Martini @ FOG, Prahran, Melbourne, Australia.

What's yours?

We think we have it all - a good business, people who follow us and even some who say they are inspired by us, yet have we really got it all sorted?

Entrepreneurs are unique. They have drive that comes from an inner place that very few people understand. Instead of laying in front of the television every night, entrepreneurs usually pick up their ipads or a good book and learn about how other entrepreneur became successful. Coffee on the go is essential and sitting still for too long usually means that there is something going wrong - or at least entrepreneurs think this is the case.