Sue Aquila – FeWoman

  • The Power of the Loop: How a Small Team Built a Lasting Business

    Building a business is about building a community. When I started my business, my focus at first was only about building a community of customers. And it was easy. On the third day of business, we blew out the third year projections of my business plan.

    Success can destroy an unprepared business and owner. I was in trouble and I knew it. I didn’t have enough staff and I was young and untested. I had to learn through trial and error, to “win” I needed to create a team. In my previous post, “Coaching, Building a Team, and the Beauty of the Loop,” I outlined what it took to build a running team. Similar principles apply in business.

    The hardest part was finding my first follower. I made it harder because I was young enough that I hadn’t found myself yet. I kept trying to fit round pegs in square holes. Finding myself meant acknowledging the talents I lacked. As I did, I opened my eyes to the people that had those talents.

    Once I found that person, I needed her to find her first follower (or my second). And she did.

    I applied the rule of loops by keeping our “loop” small. I had too many people that wanted to join the team. Some in exchange for equity (don’t get me started on that red flag!). I said no a lot. And I did everything possible to keep our loop small even as I expanded our physical footprint.

    I kept the loop small by using technology. Everything, and I mean everything, went into Basecamp (a cloud based project manager). Anyone could add anything; contracts, after action reports, holiday notes. Creating institutional knowledge empowers the team to make the right choices. It also creates accountability and trust in the organization. We supported each other and our purpose.

    I also invested in our relationships long term. I worked with our COO for 25 years and was proud to sell the business to her. I kept vendors in place for 28 years. I used the business to make Bloomington a better community by making a difference.

    I am proud of what I created and even prouder that the values and team we created lives on. Team work does make the dream work.

    No easy way!

    Like what you read? Caffeinate me: here.

  • Coaching, Building a Team, and the Beauty of the Loop

    I run in circles. When I was competing in triathlon, I ran the half mile loop around our collegiate football stadium – sometimes for hours. When construction started, I moved my running to another half mile loop that had a bit more variety.

    I started to invite others to join me. I got my first follower, soon followed by my second follower. Today, fourteen people showed up despite it being 22 degrees with a windchill in the lower teens.

    The team is free and our participants vary. We have walkers to elite runners. People in their 20’s to people approaching retirement. Beginner to someone that qualified for the Olympic Marathon trials. I start our program at 6:10am but most of the team warms up earlier. We gather at the start and I attempt to impart some training wisdom and a bit of humor. After those nuggets, I present the training session. Each session for specific for different goals and abilities.

    This team has made me a better coach. A handful of the athletes pay me for individual coaching (discounted for local folks). I love having the opportunity to look each of these athletes in the eye before our training sessions. If any red flags pop up, I change their session.

    Believe it or not, high achievers in life and sport, will fake it until they make it. In person coaching allows me to see where they are on a given day.

    I am so grateful to coach in person. It is a privilege to share the joys, the struggles, the failures and the triumphs together. I get to experience years of athletes development rather than a season. And I love it.

    I *often* get my training done at the same time. The exceptions are key interval sessions when I know the observer effect makes a difference.

    One of the things that has been remarkable to me is that we have developed a very strong men’s team. They are Dad’s first. They love training together while forming lifetime friendships. They push each other during practice and support each other off of it.

    If you need some motivation and/or some people time consider starting a team. Pick a short half mile loop! I know it seems redundant but no one gets lost and everyone is supported regardless of their speed. Find something lit and safe for the women on the team. And be patient. Find your first follower. Then your second. In time you will have a community.

    No easy way!

    Like what you read? Caffeinate me: here.

  • Cancer

    Like most of us, cancer has touched my life in innumerable ways. Fear of it, treatment for it and death. I have been a caretaker, a supportive family member and the grieving.

    Cancer is the reminder that we all die. Sometimes well and often horribly. What amazes me in these many journeys are the physicians. They are very smart, kind and willing to serve you on the journey where you are. And with some prodding, on the journey you should consider to be on.

    I reflect on there doctors do they meet our mortality every day and do their damn jobs in the best way possible. And sometimes, the best way is to help a patient acknowledge the end. I have sat in those conversations multiple times, and it is the most intimate interaction one has with another person. A moment of humanity and finality. We should all be privileged to have those moments.

    I don’t know if I will get cancer and I don’t know that I won’t get cancer. I do know that I will die. Maybe well but probably horribly. I remind myself frequently that today may be my last day. And in doing so, I remind myself to make the most of it. No easy way.

    Like what you read? Caffeinate me: here.

  • Choosing Well

    I start every day with a win by completing a training session. I don’t win or lose based on how the session went. My success depends upon FOLLOWING THE PLAN – including a rest day if required.

    And the days I wake up feeling sub-optimal? I remind myself that I have an opportunity to be great today. I know if I still feel like crap after 10′, I can call it for the day. It never happens, but I know I have a choice.

    Choosing well is a muscle. Strengthening the choice muscle takes practice. And eventually the practice of choice will become a habit. Habits are much harder to break. Opportunities to practice choosing well are everywhere – your marriage, your work, your health, etc.

    Surround yourself with others that have proven that they have chosen well over and over. Choices and habits are contagious.

    No easy way.

    Like what you read? Caffeinate me: here.