Week 3 Day 5

I thought a long time about the past two days. Had I learned anything from my efforts, or were they a write off? I am a visual person so I had to close my eyes and try to picture myself following up with a business owner. Every time I did, it was face to face, then the words came. Maybe the phone is not the way for me? I need to read body language to be able to adjust my conversations. Could it be that simple? Yes, it's so convenient to call or email, but am I looking for convenience or results?
I am working on a simple handout about the Business Partnership Program, cut and pasted from stuff Ginny already prepared. Next week, I'll venture into the Old Port, a really cool section of Portland with hundreds of local vendors. I'll go store to store and develop relationships.
I also contacted BNI. I looked them up online and found a local chapter in Portland. Everyone who attends the meetings is looking for referrals. Do I still own business suit? Yikes! Will I still fit in it?

Yes, my positive energy is back. We had an ice storm here last night and woke up to no power. The kid love it when there's no power because we all sit together on the couches and talk with lots of candles on. I was telling them how I was strugglng but not giving up. Boy, did I get my own words back at me! "Never give up Mom, you can do anything you set your mind to!", "Did anyone EVER promise you life would be easy, Mom?" And my favorite," This isn't about YOU, Mom. Remember why you are doing this."

Well, it IS nice to know some stuff I say actually sinks in!

Week 3 Day 4

I spent yesterday and today doing follow up and contacting businesses. Not good days for me! This is definitely my weak point, I just feel like I'm bothering people when I call them back. I know I have something very positive to offer, but it doesn't translate in my conversation.
Contacting businesses is also not my cup of tea. I understand that it may be easier for some, but I have to feel a real connection to the cause. It's just too much like sales. I had to take an aptitude test once when I worked for a Fortune 100 company. They were looking for female managers in sales. I scored so low on that test that they must have thought I was dead.
I am going back to focusing on non profits and local people. I need to get my positive energy flowing again! I'll find a way.

Week 3 Day 3

I looked up the local Chamber of Commerce website today and contacted the first ten retail clothing businesses. I decided to focus tomorrow on lobster/seafood companies because they're really struggling right now. It amazes me that when I take the focus off my own needs, it suddenly becomes very clear who I have to help. I have learned in my 45 years to follow my gut instincts. There has been a name floating around in my head for a few days, my son's teacher from 11 years ago. This man is now the principal of a parochial high school in Maine. I sat down and wrote a letter to him asking specifically for his help in getting My PowerMall off the ground in Maine. Eleven years ago, I was the local manager for a large grant making foundation. I knew he would remember the work I did in the area. I also had a gut feeling to check an online community chat forum on Oprah. Now, my kids will tell you, I am not a chat room person, I had never done it before this one. But several weeks ago, I got onto Oprah's Angel Network forum under Making a Difference. You can't list web sites but I put:

Ginny Dye's idea for perpetual funding for all non profits!
ajcorbett Posted on Dec 2, 2008 2:26 PM
The CEO/Founder of Together We Can Change The World is on a mission to create perpetual funding for all non profits, schools, charities and the people who support them. She created MyPowerMall as the vehicle. Please take a look! This company deserves the spotlight!

Well, there was a response today! Someone asked for more information! I had not even thought about the entry I made until today. Always trust your gut instinct, and that little voice inside that's directing you!

Week 3 Day 2

Every day that I'm in on the bootcamp call, I learn something new. Yesterday, Linda told us about how small businesses could benefit greatly from the online advertising for only $16 a month. That's the amazing thing about My PowerMall, there are many facets on one beautiful gem! Today, I contacted 2 B&Bs, The Kenniston Hill Inn and the Lazy Dog Inn, where my husband and I stayed last year. In New England, this is down time for them. Wouldn't it be amazing for the innkeepers to maintain a steady income year round with My PowerMall?

I also contacted Carrabassett Coffee, another Maine company with the best dark roasted coffee in the world! I said "I am contacting businesses that I do business with to tell you about an amazing advertising opportunity with My PowerMall."
I contacted Mary Ann Saxby, the realtor who sold us our house 10 years ago and the woman who took beautiful B & W pictures of our family by the beach last fall, Kelly Mank. All of these local business people would LOVE to have their business out there on the web for such a low price! What other advertising ALSO gives you a secondary income stream?

www.BusinessPartnershipProgram.com

Thanks Linda for the great idea!

Week 3 Day1

Today was follow up day. I called the principal from a private girls High School, the campus minister and chair of another private school's Habitat for Humanity Club, and a principal from a private elementary. I had written letters to all 3 last week. The letters are being passed around to the appropriate people in each school! They did not hit the round file! I was even THANKED for a follow up call! Thanks for thinking of our school, one woman said!
I also did some calculations for still another private school principal, showing how 500 students becoming World Changers, contacting 5 alumni each, and those alum contacting 5 would generate over $78,000/month for the school from the 3 sources of income. I sent this to him in an email saying I would be calling him tomorrow. Sometimes you just gotta get to the bottom line quickly.

I also sent a letter to the local football boosters. the local HS won the state championships again this year. I'll be going to their monthly meeting in January, and I will follow up with the president on Friday. Right now, the football team sells cards for $20 with discounts for local pizza and sandwich shops as a fund raiser. I think the local merchant mall will sound very good to them!
I also called a woman referred to me by one of my husband's coworkers. Her son is also a police officer.Isent her an email with the MyPowerMall details last Friday. She will call me back tonight after her daycare closes.

Week 2 day 5

Today, I hopped on the kid's buses in the morning to give my card to each driver. I have a note attached that starts out 'Please read this, it's so important to people right here in Buxton', and goes on to explain the bootcamp. I followed up on yesterday's contacts, but got all voicemails, so I will try again Monday. I am taking Ginny's advice and moving on from the public schools. However, number one on my to-do list for Monday is to contact the boosters in this area. I will continue to pursue private schools. This is really a revolutionary concept that needs to be in the spotlight. My sons go to Cheverus High School. The school challenges the entire Cheverus community to seek the “greater good” and to embody this vision by becoming men and women for others. I have written letters to the principal and the faculty member in charge of their Habitat for Humanity Club. Follow up will be on Monday. I believe that when these school leaders realize that My PowerMall could provide perpetual, increasing funding for the school itself, local Habitat for Humanity, as well as enable each student to select his/her own charity to support, My PowerMall will soar.
One of the bootcampers said it well, maybe it was Herb, when he said to go to people who already have the spirit of giving.

Week 2, Day 4

After the bootcamp call this morning, I thought about who I could follow up with from the past. In October, I spoke with the Buxton PTO about My PowerMall. It didn't go well. I think they were afraid to take a chance that it wasn't legit. I can understand that, but I was frustrated because I KNEW it was the fundraiser to end all fundraisers. So today, I went in to see the principal. I know the secretary, so I gave her Ginny's NPO information letter with my World Changer Reality BootCamp card attached. The principal wasn't there, but I asked her to give it to him. I also explained that the superintendent received a similar letter in the mail today. I think it's fiscally responsible to explore every opportunity to generate and save money in a school district. I also think it's just as much a responsibility for a caring person in low income community to offer hope. My PowerMall offers hope and so much more. I will call the principal tomorrow to follow up.