Every year on this day exactly (told you my lucky number is 13), reflection is in the air. About what you say? Let me share:
- Being In Business. My years as a solopreneur, agency owner, freelancer, dog walker and kid/house sitter have been the most rewarding for healthy spirit. I was working for myself. It was and is up to me how much money I can make and how hard I can work. Being accountable to yourself and whom you hire in business is heady stuff. It requires constant attention, thinking and action. Along the way, there are peeps to meet and relationships to build; there are even folks to care for. That’s what drives me, this being in business stuff. It doesn’t matter how one defines me; if I’m the one determining how money rolls in the door and buying my own health insurance and dropping pennies into a retirement plan, then I’m in business; bona fide.
- Being A Single Mom By Choice (In Business). The path I took to motherhood is unlike most other women. It is rewarding and stressful and puts perspective on money-making like you wouldn’t believe. I’m no longer able to squeak by on a dog-walker wage; I have to earn the beau coup bucks for the kidlet. She lends a wonderful purpose to why I get up every day and work to the bone to rinse and repeat. There’s no other way to select the single-mother-by-choice (not without nice $$ luggage, mind you) than to be in business for self. Yet, I have never defined myself as “mother of kidlet;” my identity remains “Jayme Soulati and this is my daughter.”
- Social Media. In 2008, I was a single mom in business in a dreary basement not in Chicago with zero friends and negative zero ability to go find them. I was seriously depressed with my place and then along came Twitter where I began to meet some astonishing new friends who Mark W. Schaefer summarized nicely about in his 1000 post yesterday. He and Jon Buscall and Jenn Whinnem were the earliest of my social media friends, soon followed by Erica Allison, Gini Dietrich, Danny Brown, and a boatload of others from the early Twitter banter days. Yes, Twitter was a nightly festival; it rocked with banter and #RockHot snark. I did 140 with peeps around the world, and I was whole again. Last year on this day I sat for hours in the morning thanking well wishers on Facebook; this year (just 365 later), I’m having to do that on Google+, text messages, Twitter, LinkedIn AND Facebook. It’s heady, celebratory and so amazing how Twitter (and social) changed my life.
- Values. Twice in business in the last five months I made the choice to walk away from a client and leave money on the table. Prior, that was unheard of; I would take it on the chin, buck up and carry forth to earn the almighty dollar. Today, not so much. If it feels bad; if I find a lack of respect (the value that has risen to the top of late to my surprise), then I need to move along and overturn the stone elsewhere for the buried treasure. I thank you Peg Fitzpatrick for your gift Monday. The smiles that created on this face were day-long.
- Opportunity. I kid you not when I tell you I feel like a kid…in a candy store! From a lowly PR peep in Chicago who got a chance at Manning, Selvage & Lee because I had researched the name of the managing director, James O. Ahtes, and the hiring VP, Dutton Morehouse, had never met a corn detassler, to a marketer, social media upstart (I can’t be an expert), professional blogger, and now digital marketer and self-published author to be…OMGosh…may I tell you the sky is the limit, please? And, will you believe me? It takes gumption, passion, and a zest for learning to keep on. Some made fun of me when I wrote this post on 50 Shades of Wiser as I had used that darn book title everyone loves to hate. Had anyone stopped to really read it, the theme there was about aging gracefully in this social media sector where maturity is a benefit and seasoned doesn’t mean salt.
- Celebration. Today, I celebrate you. Each of you in this community and beyond who take time to comment and let me know you’re not lurking every day push me to excel and strive for the next innovation. You can see it happening, I know, and your patience as I churned through the steps to get here today is appreciated. Never one to jump in first, it takes me time to look at all the angles and find a way to carpe diem (the one thing I took away from advertising class at the University of Wisconsin) and DIY (which I’m trying not to do as much!). For all of you here who have contributed to where I’m at today, thank you. My wish is for many more with you, right here.
Reflect AND Celebrate!
Happy birthday my #RockHot friend: we celebrate you! Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough I am tickled with your BD present, too! If I were there, we’d be snug in front of the snap and crackle with that celebratory beverage flowing. Your ‘raderie is what kicks me in to gear, Kaarina. Thank you!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing I’m toasting you as I write:)
Best wishes for a happy and successful year ahead. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings for you. I hope that your 2013 is fab!
You rock, sistah! <3
@PegFitzpatrick Thanks, Peggy. Your smile, spirit and generosity are what rock, too. So glad we’re becoming more acquainted; really.
Woohooo!! You go girl!! May I just say that I completely agree with you on how wonderful Twitter is? I have also met some life changing people there. Can I also tell you something? Never change your cover photo on your website….I love it. Your smile is truly contagious…and it’s not one of those pasted-on-for-the-camera smiles, either. It’s infectious. Just sayin’ 🙂 Have a great day and all the best to you!
@SandyAppleyard Sandy! Nothing like a poolside candid to hit the limelight on a website banner. I do love that, and cropped out next to me in her goggles and suit is kidlet! Thanks for coming over and being such a strong part of Bloggers Unite! It’s been great getting to know you!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing The pleasure is all mine Jayme!
Happy Birthday, Superstar!
This post is about as inspiring as they come, Jayme. As you’ve shared here, social media has changed the entire landscape of business by creating opportunities we never had before. For people like you, there’s no limit to what’s possible. It’s been an exciting journey watching you grow and discover gifts you didn’t even know you had.
And your smile says it all! You’re living the life, and you deserve it!!
@New England Multimedia I always think of you when I look back and forward, Michelle. One of my most fervent (that word sounds right) supporters chock full of encouragement for me to push the envelope. Now you two are tag teaming me, too! Thanks for being Friend.
Happy birthday!
@Shonali Thanks so much, Friend, and right on time! 😉
Positivity, purpose and a healthy perspective on life. I like it a lot. Happy birthday and may 2013 continue in the same vain.
@HughAnderson Thanks, Hugh!! I thought I’d sneak this post out quietly without much fanfaire, but all you guys came to the party! Means a lot!
Here’s to an even more successful (however you want to define that) year. Hope we’ll have a chance to meet in person sometime soon.
@Shelley Pringle Shelley, thanks so much! I would really like to meet in person; how about a Skype in the interim?
What a great idea! A coffee over Skype. I’ve got a big project ending next week so any time in March works for me.
Always love what you do Jayme! You are an inspiration. Truly. Happy birthday xx
@jon1 Thanks, dear Friend. We will continue to make hay on the ‘sphere. It’s so much fun!
The happiest of birthdays to you, friend! Thanks for taking to take time to share you’re journey – it’s definitely worth celebrating! 🙂
@lauraclick And, you are a gem twice over for the very timely card you send TODAY!! What a lovely touch! Thank you! And, you live in Nashville? OMGosh! I thought I didn’t know anyone there; kidlet and I are planning the Ville trip from Centerville to Asheville to Nashville and back to Knoxville for #SoSlam.
Would love some pointers!!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing So glad you got the card! I wondered if it would make it in time. Glad it did! 🙂
And yes, I live in Nashville! I would be thrilled to give you recommendations. I’m practically an unofficial tour guide! 😉 Let me know what you want to see / do and I’ll send you some ideas. Glad to hear you’ll be at #SoSlam! I’ll see you there!
I wish I was right there to celebrate your day, Jayme. Happiest of Birthdays, my friend. You have always been a good person and fantastic teacher/mentor to me. I am so proud to know more and more about you, with each post, each chat. “Daughter” is one lucky soul to have been chosen for you. Three cheers for the Lady of the day.
@AlaskaChickBlog Thanks, Amber-Lee. We’re each on a journey and when we can share a tributary or two, it’s golden.
Lifting my virtual COLD BEER to you and this community, miss – CHEERS! Our birthdays are only 3 days apart! : )
A little late here, but I did give you a shout on Skype : )
@Mark_Harai I tasted that beer; I truly did! Thanks, Lovey! Now, shoot, I missed yours on Feb. 16; darn it; was traveling and not connected! I’m so sorry! Happy belated, Mark!!
@Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing It’s all good, miss… still big love for you : )
Happy Belated, my sweet friend! So glad to be among those you call friend and with whom you hold such fond memories of the Twitter stream. I have those as well and miss them from time to time. Thankfully, we’ve gone beyond the 140 to the full monty via phone, skype and the occasional face to face.
You deserve all that awaits you! Go get it!
@EricaAllison Hey, Girlfriend! We’ve journeyed together and it’s been so rewarding. Fast friendships blossom stronger as we go and grow! Love you!
I feel like an imposter reading this – makes me wish we had connected earlier than just last week! Happy Birthday to you! – John
@basebot Hey, John; all good people finally connect at some point or another!! Thanks for reading this, and also for not being a lurker!! You’re no longer an imposter!
You’re my hero. Seriously!
@profkrg Uhmm, humbled. Really, thank you.