Your 2ndChance at a First Impression: Don't Rain On My Parade...The Entrepreneur's Mantra

The Funny Girl is clearly belting the tune of our collective entrepreneurial hearts. People in their well meaning ways try to keep you from taking the leap. They want to provide your safety net but instead weave a net of negativity.

On this rainy day my reflections seem to revolve around my first parade. We practiced for weeks until the day but, since I was an orchestra gal rather than band, I'd never done a parade before. So, there in the midst of my early twenties I joined my fellow steppers to be on display for thousands upon thousands of people and those at home watching the tv broadcast.

All of the work finally led up to the day and the sky was overcast. The news predicted rain and I assumed that the parade would be canceled but, like a dutiful soldier, I showed up just to wait for the word to go home. Well I arrived to a bustle of activity. I located my group and waited for the word...that never came.

We were given basic instructions and placed in our order. Did no one else feel the cold in the air? Did no one else know that people wouldn't come out in the rain? Did no one else realize the safety hazards? What was wrong with these people?

I asked a lot of internal questions but surely went along with the program. We assumed our positions and before we had walked two steps the heavens opened and do you know what happened. The parade captain said move out...not go to our cars but "GET GOING." No one cared that it was raining. No one worried about the hazards. This was the opportunity. This was an honor. This was our moment. It was to be taken or to be lost and so we took it.

Years after I still received accolades and comments from people who saw me as they were OUT IN THE RAIN or who watched the live broadcast or rebroadcast of that Richmond Christmas Parade over two decades ago. Logic says that when rain falls that our activities have to cease or be downgraded. Logic says that no one will participate or care about your activities when it's inconvenient.

But Life says that you work hard for your moments and no matter what the temperamental weather brings you are to TAKE YOUR MOMENT. Your business is not your fair weather friend and you can not be a fair weather friend to your business. If THIS is what you are truly about then it is what you must be about at all times. Rain or not this parade is going down!