Driven Entrepreneur

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Thursday was my last day at my job, so I've been working tirelessly on my last task of the job -- report cards. I stayed an hour late on Thursday and with the help of my sister (who works at the school place) wheeled out the bookshelf I donated to the classroom, books, storage boxes (from IKEA), and numerous other things.

And of course, the things I hear from my mom are: you need to start looking for a job! It's so typical of parents who don't understand the entrepreneur gene to prod their kids to get a secure, safe, job with a regular salary - when when you have the entrepreneurial spirit -- they are well-meant, but, sadly, wasted words on a person like me! I nod and smile, but I just can't seem to do it :)

I'm currently planning my first venture -- but also working with a youth organization which is a faith-based not-for-profit which provides recreational, spiritual, and educational activities for youth. In the upcoming days, you'll find out why I'm working with another organization, but planning my own at the same time.

Because I have worked with several non-profit organizations and have a lot of experience in leadership -- I'm planning on launching a series of articles about leadership. In the next few days, look for articles on passion, purpose, working with others, marketing, and management.

Thank you for reading!

The Day I Quit my Job!

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:36:00 +0000

Today I typed up and handed in my resignation letter. After almost 5 years of working at the same place -- it was hard, and it was emotional. I had spoken about it with a co-worker of mine, and she suggested I could patch things up with my boss -- even though I considered it, I realize that this is not the place I want to be. Why?

I spend extra hours outside of work grading tests, essays, and making lesson plans -- but I don't get paid for it
I'm forced to teach people who don't want to be in there -- so they kick chairs, body slam their classmates, and today sit on their classmates' leg (accidentally!) in the reading corner
I'm constantly interrupted by a child who does nothing but sing, babble, murmur under his breath while I'm teaching a lesson
I don't have time to tutor the subjects I like
I have to teach religious studies when the kids are making fun of holy words (personally, I don't believe anyone should be forced to taking religious/spiritual classes, it should be a choice)
We're being forced to use out-dated material for education -- today it should be kindles, iPods, electronic quizzes all the way. What's with this paper and pencil deal? It's not working.

Hence, I don't agree with way they're delivering their product -- which is to teach, and I have new ideas as to how it can be done. Currently I teach 21 kids -- honestly I feel like I can teach more, better with my ideas for how education should be done. So, I guess that's why I left, huh?

Hmmm, but it's still sad....and scary. I hesitated for a good 15 minutes before dropping that resignation letter off -- and I thought, wow, I'm really leaving this place -- the place where I've walked in for 5 years, the place which has paid my salary for 5 years -- into what? I have currently no job, no form of income -- nothing. And I expect to make money out of what?! How am I going to support myself and my family? Was this really the right risk, leap of faith to take?

Isn't it funny how these things to through your mind, and yet, you know, that you'd never stay at that place?

I still have two weeks of work left where I need to prep the kids for their final tests and finish the 3rd period report cards, which will already require hours of out of school time -- the time I was supposed to use for networking and getting my business off the ground, but I guess I'm glad I left.

The future, though, holds a lot of mystery, and dare I say, adventure?

Will keep you posted!

Gone, but not far

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:35:00 +0000

If you've seen my homepage, you'll notice I've decided to close it down. After two years of attempting a few entrepreneurial endeavors, I've decided I don't want to be an entrepreneur right now. The only venture I ever officially undertook was running my Dad's tax and accounting company, and I learned that I hate not only accounting, but dealing with customers. So that, as well as several other failed business ideas that never even became a legal reality, failed. And you know what? I'm okay with that.

It took me two years to learn that I'm not ready to be an entrepreneur, nor do I even want to be one right now. Instead, I've decided to devote my energies and talents to school. I'd never really left school. I graduated in 2006 with my Bachelors in English Education, a teaching degree, and I continued my studies as a post-bac student for a year focusing on accounting, as my parents suggested, to get into a Master's program in accounting. That worked until December of last year, but because I was never passionate about accounting, I didn't do well. in my International Business class this semester, I got a really low grade, because I just didn't care about what I was studying. And am now teaching middle school at small, private, Islamic school. I enjoy the heck out of it, but I don't want to make it my permanent career. I'm taking a literature class this summer (Chaucer), so I can improve my reading skills and eventually get into some grad program I actually want to be in.

I've enjoyed writing about the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. I thank David Askaripour for allowing to be a part of Mind Petals, a group of young and ambitious entrepreneurs and for everyone who read my blog, and left comments. I will miss you all, but I won't be far. You can drop me a line at http://perfecshunist.livejournal.com. More power to the young people who are making a difference in this world! Keep it up guys :)

- Mari (short for Mariam)

Bad communication

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 02:49:00 +0000

I haven't been communicating very well with my clients -- I'm surprised I still have them! Tomorrow's the deadline for three major business reports:

Annual Report
941 - Employee Tax return
UCT-6 State Unemployment Tax Return

And I just informed several clients that they must pay hundreds of dollars for employee taxes etc, by Monday -- some don't have enough money in their accounts and others were caught off guard. I had all of this week to get my business act together since my final final exam was on Tuesday, but I chose leisurely to complete these three major returns -- and I still have a list of UCT-6s to do tomorrow. May God be with me, because I'm not sure I can complete them all by 5. Nothing will happen without His will. I shall pray that everything works out. I can't run the business like my Dad does, whose been doing this son long, he's bored, worn out and knows how to get things done last minute if necessary while I am just learning -- I need to stay on top of deadlines otherwise how am I going to get more clients?!

I've also been bad about keeping my word with my friends, saying I'd call her back after work when I called her back at 9 pm (she gets off at 5)-- this is very un-Muslim like of me, and I should ask forgiveness. I have certainly erred. If you're reading this, I'm sorry for not calling you back earlier, it was all my fault, and I do apologize. I have some improvements to do in my business relations, and personal relationships.

Dealing with clients

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:27:00 +0000

Newsflash: My Dad is in the hospital and I'm attempting to take over all operations of his tax & accounting company but getting money from clients is one of the more difficult parts. My Dad isn't exactly a businessman, so he takes what he can get, and does what he does best: tax and accounting, I'm a bit more organize then he, but when I don't know whether clients have paid their monthly fee since January how am I supposed to begin to collect - especially if they argue and I have no records?! Or missing records, since some just pay cash?! It's not easy, but I'm trying. I learned a few months ago that Islam has provisions for doing business, and here is a link to obtain money before the good are delivered:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/035.sbt.html

Which states that one should take the money from the client if and when the goods have been estimatedly weighted and have a date range from when it will be delivered, insha Allah (God willing). Cool, I say. Less thinking for me since God has apparently already outlined the proper way to handle business. The hadith (stories of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) also states that one should take what one is due, no more and no less, here:

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/034.sbt.html

Which is what I've been doing for corporate tax returns and other related documents/preperations. Did you know that in the Prophet's time women owned businesses? Like Khadija (as) the Prophet Muhammad's wife who was attracted to the prophet because of his great business skills. It was not until the 1920s that women were allowed to vote here in America. And race determined if one could own property

Anyway, as Islam calls man to think, I invite you to do the same, because when I thought of entrepreneurship in light of my corporate America thinking, business sounded kind of evil - taking advantage of other people, which is why I initially went into teaching, but knew in my heart I was more of an entrepreneur. I always thought business was trying to get people's money for goods they didn't need. Then, as I learned more about American business theory, I learned it was about getting people what they need at a fair price, which is why I started liking business. Besides, I was an accouting major, how could I not?! Anyway, I love the freedom being an entrepreneur allows me, but when it comes to making decisions and extra responsibility, I become taxed, stressed, etc and want to give it all up! My source of peace in decision making are the hadith, which I was surprised to see, deleinate how one should do business. Awesome! I don't have to worry about asking for money, since by God's laws, a fair price is owed to me. If they don't pay, I find another customer without worries or a jolt to my pride. Since all that happens is God's will.

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:13:00 +0000

I have several pending tasks on my desk here at this moment, I'm waiting on a bowl full of rice and meatballs to heat up, and am yet again persisting in my lately regular habits of odd eating, odd hours, and incessant busy-ness. I get some time to rest at night when I am there memorizing Quran (holy book for humanity) and checking my email and facebook (college networking site) account. For the first time this semester I skipped my class to stay at home and work at "my" business. I've claimed it as mine since August but didn't put enough effort into it until my Dad went to the hospital a few weeks ago and the tasks were all on me. While family friends and my aunt are cooking meals for us, God's helping me pass my classes and making everything go round, I'm getting offers to do people's payrolls and income taxes. It's amazing. I feel as though I'm giving up my education to run this business, and, you know what, I'm liking it, but I have little to no time for my classes. Does this mean I have to make a choice? School or business? I hope now. But I'll see what happens as things progress. God willing, I'll keep you updated!

Running around as an accounting company owner

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:48:00 +0000

A short update is due....

I haven't been writing much online, because I've been doing so much offline. Attending my auditing class (upper level undergrad accounting course), working 19 hours a week at a CPA firm, and running around town to see clients, make deposits, and do tax returns at home with the help of my Dad over the phone. I've also been memorizing the
Quran, our holy book. I have had to run the company for him since he's been in the hospital for a little over two weeks, only necessity pushed me full force into the role. Without my being at the helm, our household will not run, so with the help of God, I've been doing as much book keeping, financial statement prep, and tax returns as possible to keep the clients happy, even though we're already behind this tax season. But which CPA/accountant isn't?! Wish me luck, and pray for me! I'll be back soon!

Tax season has me swamped

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:25:00 +0000

Tax season has got me swamped at work and at my home office. My father is sadly ill, bed-ridden, but due to this unfortunate event I've been given the blessing to learn all I can from him about sales tax, 941s, and tax returns both corporate and individual. He's well enough to talk and guide me in my completing the work he normally does for the business, so I take it as a blessing. During this Spring Break I've been working hard at my job as a bookkeeper and working hard at home to complete tax returns for [my] clients. It's certainly an interesting experience, so I'm taking more control of the business than I'd initially envisioned, but we'll see how it goes. God willing, I'll keep you updated!

Where have I been?

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:17:00 +0000

An interesting turn of events came with the coming and ending of Winter Break. Saldy, the weather does not change enough in Florida for me to register a seasonal change, but psychologically, I've experienced a great change which I believe is due for exploration!

I teeter between the responsibilities of an entrepreneur this tax season and a student, and friend. I've been enjoying working and socializing this winter break, but as I re enter a school semester, I must consider where my priorities lie. I know I barely passed last semester due to God's will, but what of this semester? Shall I pretend I can take the challenge of being an entrepreneur and student and neglect my new found social life or devote my efforts to being more of an entrepreneur and less of a friend? More interesting and challenging would be trying to be an entrepreneur and student, since my social life will likely follow my ambitious endeavors, but why do I feel a sense of neglect to my friends if I do such? Perhaps instead of devoting myself to my friends, I should continue to learn from them and do what I do best: Be an independent young person. Why would I want to get caught up in social drama anyway?

Adulthood calls for a less varied lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 11:54:00 +0000

Until the age of 21, before earning my bachelors degree and legally be an independent, I did as many crazy, exciting, and interesting things I could think of to enjoy my life and make a career for myself. Today, the weekend before final exams, I realize I simply cannot keep flailing in the wind like this. Jumping from one exciting thing to another, the adult lifestyle has imposed its unsung restrictions upon me: there's only so much time in a day and I need to choose one field to stick to -- at least for the time being. I've been spending 18-20 hours at the CPA firm bookkeeping over the past week, and then coming home to spend another hour or two bookkeeping for my own company, and spending the remainder of the time keeping the family entertained: playing Super Nintendo with my 13-year-old brother, watching 20 minutes of a movie with my older sister, playing cards with my 10-year-old sister, helping my father by bringing him the phone, being excited about the creative dinners my mom cooks -- if I can't evade them, might as well join them! Ulhumdu lillah (praise be to God), they're fun, lively, and enjoyable when I don't have to study to do work at the home-based office.

No more attempting to establish two businesses, I already have an accounting business, I don't need to add a success business to it for the time being, it shall, for now, remain only a hobby while I concentrate making a fortune with my current business venture, job, and student lifestyle. God willing, it'll all work out well. My final exams, on the other hand? Only God knows....

Keeping it all in my head

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 14:00:00 +0000

Accepting the fact that I don't know everything.

We've grown up in a century with information is readily available. We've seen, read, and experienced so much through television, movies, school, and other media that we young people think we know everything. That has been my latest failing as an entrepreneur and as an adult.

I study for my tests upon the notion that I know more than the professor about how to learn, and what to learn - I end up getting Cs and Ds on my exams. I run my business as if I know more than my father (the accountant) and I plan my own success coaching business singularly without the help of anyone. Result: slow progression, many errors made along the way. While my sister is laughing hysterically at the latest Indian movie, I'm trying to keep all my self-improvement, business, and academic goals in my head, at once, so as not to fail in life or make an error which will cause me much hardship. I always call upon God for help, but I still must live my own life. The only way to keep track of it all is to keep excellent written records, and enlist in others help. Delegate, and keep working at it.

An accountant analyzes, I create

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 17:31:00 +0000

As an accountant, I analyze a company's financial position, but as an entrepreneur I need to know everything launching and running a small business, and what it entails: marketing, manufacturing, management, finance, etc. The problem that currently plagues me is managing two companies, studying for the CPA exam, managing my life, and passing my classes. I've already decided that I know enough about MBTI psychological type to begin counseling people (my success coaching business) but I still need to fit into the shoes of operating the accounting business for which I did about 15 minutes worth of work this morning, and pass my classes. The intellectual within me is rebelling conforming to the demands of professors who think they know how and what to teach. I'm glad to see more artistic people as entrepreneur. Last night my CEO Knights president Brandon added me to his Facebook account. I was thrilled to see another entrepreneur describe himself as an "artist:" one who creates. It's often difficult for me to explain myself to anyone since my ideas are of my own conception and context, and when I get into lengthy explanations they turn away in boredom. Thankfully blogs are here to allow me to freely express.

The artist within me is living a very creative life, but the real world constantly interferes. The real world being: friends, academic institutions, and family. Those my are greatest hurdles to jump. Right now, I've replaced the Thanksgiving lunch initially planned by my group of family friends due to a death (of of my friend's mother's brother-in-law died -- her sister's husband) with making outlines for finance. I tried had to study to the professor's tests, but I can't. I'm an intellectual. If I'm not learning for my own understanding and only for the sake of some transitory test, I'd rather not study at all. I'm not on this earth to waste my time bowing to the demands of instiutions who do not know what's best for me. I'm here to serve God and follow His path. That means, living a meaningful life.

Anyway, the battle continues today as I try to seek solitude to study finance, update my event calendar, rework my priorities, not neglect my friends, and just trying to reconcile it all to my dreams and goals.

Not an easy task, but it's the life I want to live.

Powerful executive

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:21:00 +0000

I'm loving the life of an executive. I walk in to almost bare parking lot at the community college at which my university has booked classes for this semester to attend my finance class in a black velvet skirt, with silver traces of roses, and large pink red roses printed patterned throughout. On Florida's second cold day in Winter, the day before Thanksgiving, I see a few students laboring over the finance problems our professor has assigned while I type this entry away on my laptop ready to begin my Thanksgiving Break early shortly after this class, forgoing my management class due to being fed too much. Yes, indeed, fed. I've led myself into a lifestyle that leaves enough control over my life, since I am, after all, nothing less than an entrepreneur, but with the goals I've set for myself I feel almost trapped at times. I spent 100 unnecessary dollars on the Mary Kay starter kit, which devoured two days, and more worth of paychecks at my workplace, and have been going to another financial crisis at home, but I know I don't need great financing sources to do what I do, as of yet, besides, I'm still largely in the planning phase, but I also notice that I'm trying to enjoy my life by buying Chocolate Parfaits at the university, eating Teddy Bear cookies at work, making a regular expense at Panera for tea, since I've over caffeinated myself. I even slept only 2.5 hours in a 30 hour period the past two days. Sad part is, I know now how people are living their lives at mediocre jobs. I don't hate my job, nor do I love it, but I know at heart I'm an entrepreneur. Now I know how people tolerate a comfortable, not a better lifestyle. They eat, party, enjoy friends, and family, and buy thngs to please themselves. I've almost gotten lost in the trap, since after four weeks of following my lifestyle: classes, work, family, fun I find it difficult to create since it requires more thought and energy than following the rules institutions (school) and groups (famiy) place upon us. Especially since they're fun enough to give us sufficiently joyful lives. My co-workers are like characters out of the 70s sitcom Mary Tyler Moore. My family is hilarious. I walked into the kitchen this morning and said "Just throw me into the snow" which, of course, was a joke since it does not normally snow in Florida, but I was dressed in black stretch pants, a skirt over it to protect me from the cold, a long blue sweater, a large fluffy pink sweater, and a blue short sweater-like robe on top. My Dad, like a child, didn't want to get up to drop my younger siblings off to work, and I ran out of the house after my sister asked why I was not going ice skating: "No one's going to help me reach my goals but me." I claimed. "Follow the ocean...I'll be sailing ahead of you on my own path." I slipped on my backpack not knowing if I had all the materials I needed for the one class I plan to attend, and said "See you at the finish line." With that, I drove off in my luxury beige Honda Accord off into the horizon to chase my dreams. All I need now is to get my artist's brush out and start painting the corporate structure I started drawing out for my company in October. May God be with me.

Wii is in my house

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 14:58:00 +0000

I've been so detached form pop culture, since I've been focused on developing my art and craft, my individualiy, rather then being moved by the masses to buy popular items such as the iPod, but today I was out shopping for a Wii with my 13-year-old brother and mom.

We stood in line at Target and were the 24th individuals to buy the Wii at 8:25 this morning, the new Nintendo gaming system. The hype made the situation exciting. I Was waiting to see when hair would be pulled or someone would be tackled. Last night one man bought a system and was robbed in the parking lot!

I talked about heaven, my animator cousin's inability to concentrate due to the rapid fire picture, sound, experience in entertainment today which causes one to lose control of one's faculties which affects us all amongst dozens of other things. I even noticed a dad and daughter team troop from the nearby K-mart which had only 6 systems, down to the Target which had 42 in store. Not to mention a young girl who was there buying a Wii for her brother in law, in the phone with her husband who was a Super Target buying himself his own. They seemed to be excited to play the old NES and Super NES games.

I was caught up in the hype standing there in line so I talked a great deal and made my brother laugh accordingly to jokes such as [ones I don't remember] but when I saw him play Wii baseball, I was unenchanted by the poor graphics and boring nature of the system. After all, they're only games. I'm more excited about the super Nintendo games, like Yoshi's cookies we can download. InshaAllah (God willing), soon. Returning to my youth, that is valuable. Not game play. The new zune, media player looks interesting, but its just like the iPod video, I suppose.

Potential Industries

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:38:00 +0000

Since I'm so adamant about creating my own brand name, I fail to see the present industries in existence that can rocket launch my business, but with Y&S new research page, where I can organize all my industry research I'm thinking about what industry I should research to consider launching my business in. Truth is, I don't which industry, as long as I'm living my desired life and following my values. Yes, I know, that's so vague that it'll be difficult to pigeonhole any industry for my business. Let's take a look at my list...

Beauty - cosmetics: Interested in it ever since I was 10
Coaching - Success/Career: Though teaching I learned I had a talent to help individuals grow
Information Technology: My life since 13 has partially been on the internet, ever since then I've been a web designer, but I find IT is a means to an end, not the end in and of itself for me.
Accounting & Finance - Since my graduate degree will be in this, and I currently own a company in this field, perhaps I should be interested in its industry news?

Blogs: My Marketing Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:05:00 +0000

Blogs and websites are my greatest marketing tools since people must know the 'real me' to put their trust in me as a comptent success coach. Not only blogs and websites, but me, myself, and I. The image I present to the world, through my daily interactions with people, co-workers, classamtes, people whom I stand in line with at Target. Because of this, I though I'd be a superb Mary Kay consultant, since I'd use the skin care products, dress like a sophisticated Mary Kay consultant, and speak of my values: God, family, career, self improvement, which include talking about my products quite naturally. Naturally and enthusiasitcally like my wonderful co-worker, who roped me into the Mary Kay deal. That is what will/would sell my product. But even a business person knows, personality alone does not make a profit, nor grow a business. Clearly, there would have to be move involved. But I'd start with personal selling to explore my natural skill, then incorporating more useful and practical selling strategies never deviating from my values.

Perpetual bliss through doing what you love

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 07:17:00 +0000

Read another "Do What you love"-type article tonight by Yolanda O'Bannon I reminirate that I could enjoy nothing less than what I'm doing now: entrepreneur, student, family member, employee. If I were to graduate with my MBA/MSA/MST, quit taking classes, move to my own apartment, quit my job as a bookkeeper, stop planning my success coaching firm right now, I'm be extremely unhappy. I love what I'm doing in all its encompassment. I wouldn't be happy if I worked more hours at my job or took more classes -- in fact after a few years (2-3) graduating college and working full-time as an entreprneur is probably what I'll love doing. No longer taking classes for my CPA, but for plain and simple intellectual stimulation. It's all a process of growth. Enjoying one stage of life after another, leading to perpetual bliss. In this life and the hereafter. But each has its own unique struggles including spiritual, personal growth, external demands and decisions.

Panera Bread, Starbucks, or Barnie's

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 05:18:00 +0000

Never in my 21 years of living have I eaten out as much as this. Tonight I sip Panera Bread's Hazelnut bright and balanced coffee, last night I devoured Barnie's Vanilla Creme coffee, and about a year ago during this time of the year I was experiencing Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice latte. Not particularly enchanted by Starbucks, but I adore the taste of Barnie's Vanilla Creme. I prefer light coffee to the nerve-frying coffee of Starbucks. Therefore, Barnie's wins my heart for coffee. Did I hear it's being bought out by Starbucks? What a pity! Shall I buy up a stock of their secretly delicious flavors before corporate comes in and changes their entire line?

I dined at Panera tonight with a tuna sandwich and Mango Ceylon tea. A cafe which, for me, creates an atmosphere for intellectuals. People who speak of intelligent things, and similarly do the same. Educated individuals who have high ambitions in life to succeed and reach their goals. That is why I chose it as my after-work retreat tonight to escape the family and find solitude for myself. I enjoyed myself there, and even asked two men sitting at a table beside me if they were gay. Not at all, one replied. I wondered about them, since I'm a religious person and felt the need to teach them that there's only one initiamate relationship: between male and female, and no deviation therefrom. I found that one of the guys actually graduated from a Catholic school but generally does not care for religion, even though he was brought up on it. An electrical engineering graduate student, similarly like his friend. I feel as though gay people are only gay because society confirms them, instead of tries to reform them. This being gay naturally arises from coming from single parent households where one does not have a similar sex role model, as I've seen and heard, one from a Virginia resident friend of mine who is a manager at Starbucks -- go figure!

When my laptop tonight, connected to a keyboard, optical mouse, and 19-inch monitor betrayed me by running slowly I turned on the two other computers in the den after saving a draft of this entry and ran to the one which started AOL and firefox the fasted, and therefore used it to finish typing this entry. Can you believe it was a father's computer? At 12:20 in the morning/night, however you look at it, he's not using it anyway, but what a shame that his computer works faster that mine does. Perhaps I rely too much on my computer with Sim City, AOL, Firefox, and dozens of other programs on it, I wonder if I'm overexerting it, and/or if I need a new computer to be as productive as I try to be regularly.

After a semester of practically pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors, I return to my intellectual self because I find myself slowly being pulled away from the self who can read anything and decipher its meaning quickly, and then mold it into my frame of knowledge. Without this power/control of the intake of knowledge I shall not succeed in life as an independent enterprise-creator (entrepreneur). I will be subject to my environment, my surroudings, and people who give me information rather than seeking it myself. My Mary Kay consultant co-worker is not at all an avid reader, and constantly needs music or some noise around -- silence is a vice to her, and yet if I let too much talking, sounds, or television in eventually I deteriorate in productivity. Like tonight, when I sat at the Panera near my university and wore soft green ear plugs to dim out the sound of chatter and classical music so that I might concentrate. This week I was wrought with frustration that I was constantly being moved by my environment: submit those car registrations to the office today, check my bank account status, transfer money from my personal account to my business account, talk to me (said by my siblings), teach me something, give me some secretarial work to do, clean up that room, complete that account by the end of the day, do the homework, order your 200 dollars worth of Mary Kay products soon -- all demands from my family, coworkers, and professors over the course of the past two weeks. What a general waste of time trying to comply with their demands. It's my life, and with the help of God, I know I can do what's best for me. I don't your interference, I said. Truth underlying all this is:

The semester is 3 weeks to a close
My father went to the hospital on Tuesday and returned today
I'm a constant role model to my siblings
After two months at my current employer, CPA firm, I'm naturally being given more responsibility
I joined Mary Kay last week and am likely quitting before the end of the month because I have my own goals to reach that may involve Mary Kay later, but not now

Not only that, but I'm reminded of my June 2006 manager who was overweight, though well kempt, beacuse he worked in an office job, and I sat in front of him at the interview dressed in a blazer and skirt, thin as bones not thinking a few months from then I'd be gaining weight -- especially on my stomach because I sit for the majority of my day. I was extremely uncomfortable tonight at Panera after I eat that tuna sandwich on whole grain with tea and could not stand up to walk around to let it digest. My stomach had been accumulating fat since lunch where I dined on Triscuit and coke at 9 AM. Due to the inactivity of office work, I've been noticing a tummy form for two months now. I'm very unhappy about this especially since when I return from work, I have blog entries to write, and some planning to do for my success coaching company, or enterting data on the computer for my accounting company -- OR studying while sitting down on the coach for my classes. Sitting, sitting, sitting. Unusual for an active person like me. Can't you tell I peridodically get up to walk around even while writing this entry?!

Anyway, caio for now. Much work is to be done tonight, if I don't fall asleep by 4 AM! I already got two hours of sleep from 9PM to 12PM. That should be enough, darn it!

Thanks for reading, loyals!

A closer look at you

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:24:00 +0000

Popular culture is such a waste of time, but people consume it like its their livlihood. It gives us false perceptions of our desires, since we become entranced with a TV show or celebrity due to its beauty and creativity not what it inherently is. Truth be told, this is due to the fact that the majority of the world are sensors. People who take things for what they are, not step back an see it in full view, even down to its depths. I write this tonight because I've just had a pop culture fest, talk, with my sister, since I am ill with some kind of infection, and it seemed like the easiest thing to do. Regardless, it's taken me away from my goals lately. I need to remind myself tonight what the core of my goals are, so I can do the hard work necessary to achieve them. God willing, I shall do just that tonight. For those who understand what I mean; I appreciate it. For those who don't, take a closer look at why you're enticed by certain aspects of popular culture -- are they reflective of you, or just ways to kill time?

The curse of an Empath and TV

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 06:36:00 +0000

My entire perception of the word "empath" originated with Charmed's episode Primrose Empath where Prue became mentally incapacitated upon the gaining of an empath's powers to feel the pain of the world. She was not only debilitated, but running onto the edge of insane when her power to feel grew. She was so strongly inflicted that she could only retreat and recluse into the depths of a basement to escape from people. All people. So she could escape the pain, the heartache, the overwhelming emotions that emanated from anyone around her. That's me.

I'm sure it's difficult to believe that someone as strong-minded, seemingly heartless, and so well-adjusted as me would feel people's emotions so strongly. Being an INFJ I've been cursed and blessed with this power to feel and understand people. Only 1 percent of the population has such a capacity to feel. Maybe that's why I never made it as a teacher. I felt so much that I couldn't meet the needs of everyone and so I was tired out by the end of the day. Watch Prue on this episode and you might know how I often feel when I have too much extraverted energy around me. Like today. I walked through the university campus with my head down, only glancing a few times to my right or left so as not to run over by a car, because I could feel every word people spoke, the way they acted toward their best friend, their classmate, their professor, their significant other.... I couldn't stand it. I needed time for me, since I'd given too much time for my family lately.

Anyway, it's nice that a popular show has depicted the reality of empaths. People really must understand what we go through on a daily basis. I feel as though Charmed has shaped my ambitions and goals. Independent, single girls of the 21st century, they are, and they've influenced me since 1998, when I was in 8th grade. That is one heck of an influential stage. It's not unusual that they have, in part, made me who I am today: a leader. Ulhumdu lillah (praise be to God). This is what my enneagram results came out to be today when I took the personality test (Type 8 - Leader). From this I understand why people might have a difficult time to understanding why I'm so weak, and yet seem so strong outwardly. I know I've been blessed with such capacity to feel, but I will tell you, it's not easy, but it makes me who I am.

Regardless, let's take an objective look at one piece of pop culture I actually (used to) consume: Charmed. Unimpressive in terms of dialogue "Hey, stop that." said Phoebe childishly when Prue said "Why help me when you really want to be with Cole?" Since Prue could feel what was in her heart. Up until season 4 it was fast-paced, well-written, and impressively produced since it actually kept my attention. Me, a person who is not easily amused, nor one who can be passive for too long. After season 5 I was inflicted with weak story lines, childish mannerisms and weak talk between the three sisters. After season 5, I gave up on the show I grew up with, and stopped watching one of the only shows I watched regularly. It failed to be entertaining and educative.

Aside from all the witchcraft, I learned a great deal about life in the 21st century: career women who were strong, independent, successful, and empathic within their small family circle. Unlike sensors, I have the ability to separate the witchcraft from the practical daily live of the witches, so I received a great education of life in the 21sy century. It was the Mary Tyler Moore of the 90s and 2000s. Sorry guys, if you can't see what practicality I see in that show, I guess you're just not INFJ empaths. Brian, my INTP friend would probably ridicule me for thinking that show as educative, but he's often fascinated with the insight me, the INFJ, can offer his rational thinking. It's very interesting when we get together and talk in our Junto Intellectual group. Anyway, as I close this entry entering the title "The Empath" in the title line I see that word as invigorating and damning because I know well what it feels like to be an empath. To feel the emotions of everyone in the room, all at the same time. Whether it be large party where people feel insecure about talking to others, shy as wallflower, powerful as the center or attention, and or insufficient as a social humane being I feel it all. I even feel the even stronger dimensions of the emotions wrought within a family. My brother's feeling that he is misunderstood (he's 13), my Dad's feeling that he should give as much as he has to his children, my mother's need to care for her family by maintaining a clean home after 8 long hours of work, my sister's insecurity that her friends don't like her for her. Unbelievable the amount of emotion running through every situation. Can you understand now why I need more than 6 hours at night to re-cooperate?

Though I have a sound, individually derived perception of the word empath, I can't deny much of that perception is instinctively drawn from Charmed's depiction of such a creature. Interesting how television has shaped our ideas about life, huh? Especially our generation...what a great symbol to include in my novel.

True Aspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 01:25:00 +0000

I spent hours this past weekend working on an assignment for my accounting company and since then have become caught up in being fully responsible for every task this company entails even when my father is responsible for the majority of the tasks, since he is so obviously an expert. He went to the hospital at 3 AM today, which is another reason why I felt the need to take full control, but it back fired against my values and goals. I realized that I was struggling to mentally own up to the responsibilities of the business, when other goals and desires started clashing with my mind space: My Mary Kay/success coaching business and my academic interests in becoming a CPA. I feel like the CPA I work for. He accounts for doctors and dentists, and even owned a medical practice once, but failed since he knew nothing about the medical field. I intend to learn all I can to make my accounting business succeed, but another entrepreneurial desire pokes at me constantly, desiring my attention. I've put it on the back burner, mentally, lately, because of fear of failure when it comes to exams, but in reality, I'd rather spend all night planning and scheming to enrich the lives of others by launching my success coaching business and learning accounting, rather than devoting all my efforts to maintaining my accounting company. Sad, but true. I'm not going to give either up, but I really need to determine my priorities. One reason why is there is a convicting distinction between an entrepreneur and student. An entrepreneur is ruled by deadlines of clients, while a student's schedule is ruled by exam and project deadlines. I came into this fall semester as a part-time entrepreneur and 3/4-time student, but over the course of the semester it's become 3/4 entrepreneur, and pt-time student. Clearly depicts my values, huh? I need to get real. I need to concentrate on what is the core of my desire, since there is where I shall be most successful.

Read more about my angst in my other blog

Gaining legitimate and expert power on the road to becoming a leader

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 06:12:00 +0000

I started the day by changing the life perspective of an Egyptian classmate, and ended it at midnight with solitude - a necessary retreat for this Driven Entrepreneur to ensure she's on track with her life goals, and also time to catch up with office work.

In management today we learned about the five sources of power leaders must have to be leaders: legtimate, reward, coercive, expert, and referent. I've determined that in my two businesses, I have a few and need to work to gain a few. As the owner of an accounting company, I have legtimate power since I am titled the "managing member" and I have the coercive power (the power to puinsh) since I can refuse to do the work my father requests of me. He is a leader since he has the expert power, while I seek greatly to gain it. Once I gain expert power, I'll have much more control over my company.

In terms of the Mary Kay business, which I'm planning on merging with my success coaching business, for now, I have some expert knowledge in the field since I've spent at least 2 years studying cosmetics and cosmetic chemistry to some extent, I already own a business, and I have had a passion for cosmetics in the near past. I have also had teaching/leadership experience and I can use that as knowledge to gain recruits to sell Mary Kay with/for me. Being a Mary Kay consultant, I also have legitimate power to "hire" recruits. With Mary Kay, I've also been given the power to reward, by giving my recruits free products to motivate them, and I believe I have referent power as well; power gained through one's employees respecting their manager.

Aside from my two businesses, I'm also thinking about revising my completed manuscript (novel) to become a publishable by involving literary devices so that it can stand alone as the voice of my generation. A reflection of culture, upbringing, and the way we we Net-genners are today. I was fascinated when a classmate sitting next to me in class today, wearing an orange shirt began drumming on his knee following my example of jittering my own legs underneath the desk to show impatience with the professor. His drumming and my jittering is only a reflection of our music-influenced culture. Immediacy, impatience, urgency are all a part of our generation's adolescence. Amazing. I must write this book, and hey, I already have 60 thousand some words written. Praise be to God! How terribly exciting. I didn't think that novel would amount to anything, until my collaborator taught me that profound insight was contained within it. She herself said "I can't believe how complex you were back then" referring to my being only 15 when I wrote the majority of the novel.

Anyway, as I continue in my many entrepreneurial endeavors tonight, including establishing my own personal brand name, I shall think of others who are working as hard as I am on their life goals. God willing, we shall achieve them all. The journey can often just be cumbersome. I leave you with the words of Jennifer Kushell, co-founder of Young and Successful Media Corp: "Be extraordinary."

---

PS: I just found out at 1:30 AM tonight that Y&S is finally up and running again. Founded by my inspiration to be an inspiration: Jennifer Kushell.

My Inspiration: Jennifer Kushell
My Drive: Me
The Implementor: God

Entrepreneurs are practical artists

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 10:43:00 +0000

I was convinced that I'd forever be an intellectual from 2004 to 2005, then again, I thought I'd forever be a teacher and or writer, but look at where I am now. After 6 years of working hard to become one of those artistic professionals who am I? I've had plenty of other intermediary careers such as make-up artist, music artist (God forbid), a dermatologist, an IT specialist, etc. But today, I've mixed the practical with the artistic to be: an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs are artists because they

rebel against the norm
innovate, think outside the box, create
strongly independent
unlike all the others
paint the life they want to live

And they are doubtlessly practical, otherwise they'd be starving artists. They utilize people, places, information, and things to make their business dreams a reality.

I am fearful of this change coming within me that desires to extravert now more than ever. I feel as though the more I release my ideas into the public, the faster I'll lose them an they will no longer become my own. Once, as an intellectual and creator of the knowledge put into my mind, I could read a text and analyze it like a medical student must scrutinize a cadaver. I could understand all its intricacies and make meaning of it: whether it be a business book, a biochemistry textbook, or a novel. I was, ulhumdu lillah (praise be to God), very intelligent -- but as an entrepreneur I find that I must give up that control over my mind and instead turn my mind onto the outside world and call people to my product instead of just writing about it, or leisurely talking about it with my friends so they'll be interested.

If I continue to be contented with where I am now: bookkeeper/employee, minorly involved in my own accounting company, letting my Dad handle most of the work, student, and developer of a success program (my project Probe), I will never be moved to change, to pursue my business any further. I must admit, classes are my greatest barrier because they must be attended to at certain times (exams and such) but I cannot give up my education otherwise, my business will never grows since I'll never get the CPA qualification. The question is: my accounting business or my success coaching business? I know my accounting business takes priority since it's family-related and I'll be more successful in such a business, but my passion is success coaching? I was thinking about combining it with my Avon or Mary Kay business somehow, but I told my recruiter yesterday morning I could not do Mary Kay due to the costs incurring upon me regularly, but then I reconsidered when she gave me an entire skin care set worth 200 dollars to start using, and explained the flexibility involved in having Mary Kay business. I seize too many opportunities, but with some introspection this week, God willing, I'll find my path.

I also just remembered, I have a meeting with my friend today at 11 am: an interview for my management class....ay yi yi, too many things to do. So little time for myself...

Stifled by the workplace

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:25:00 +0000

I feel stifled by my workplace. That's why I'm awake at 4 am reconcilling bank statements for clients at my own company. The issue that stands with my own company is profits. I'm attending the university as a full-time student, working from home at my accounting company, working at a CPA firm for 20 hours a week in order to save enough money for my classes next semester, and laying the foundations for my success coaching company. Recently I signed up to work with Mary Kay as a beauty consultant, as you may have read. I feel as though I've learned enough at my workplace about accounting, but the truth is that I've only gotten better at bankl reconcilliations. I don't yet know the inctricaties of profit sharing plans, or pensions, retirement funds, equipment leasing statements, etc. Perhaps I can learn more at my own company by taking in new clients? Possibly, the greater the challenge the better I learn -- usually, God willing...

I suppose the issue here is devotion. I must make some decisions: quit sometime and devote more of my time to that which I love most. Sadly, I enjoy it all. I'm so thankful that I'm in such a position, but I usually make situations enjoyable for myself. When one does not have limitations, one is confused and indecisive, and therefore less successful.

I still have goals to become more involved in politics. I missed voting day on Tuesday. I even saw my boss and co-worker enter with an "I Voted" sticker stuck to their collared shirts, and didn't make it to the polls because I was at a Mary Kay rally. Now, the question is, which shall I devote my entrepreneurial endeavors to since I know quite well, that I am nothing less than an entrepreneur: Mary Kay, Avon, my accounting company, or employment in a bigger CPA firm from which I can learn a great deal before venturing out on my own. If all opportunities are open, I shall likely be perpetually indecisive. Is it time for a pro/con list? It's time to turn to my management book and read the chapter on decision-making to make my final decision. Here I go...

Can introverts be entrepreneurs?

noreply@blogger.com (Mari Skylar) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:35:00 +0000

Read all four of today's entries:

Why is takes to long to make the entrepreneurial leap
Mobile Office and caring for your introvert
The New Mary Kay Consultant

I'm highly an introvert, but as with my INFJ profile, you'll find that I often do not seem like one who gains energy from herself versus other people. I have a few close friends, and many acqaintances (praise be to God!). Which is what is normal with many introverts. That's why I can stay awake the majority of nights and attend to paperwork at the office, but often I haven't wanted to take a leap and tell someone about my product for fear of rejection. In fact, that is why I haven't been a very successful Avon Representative. I've only sold to my friends, family, and 1 or two individuals I've met in my ventures out into the real world: my brother's basketball game and my attending a job search workshop at the university. Some days I'd much rather sit home and write about my minor entrepreneurial endeavors to care for my introvert, but what makes me an extravert is my passion for what I do. Being myself, learning about human psychology through personality type, and helping others grow. What has driven me all of my life, are my goals, if that required extraversion versus my sitting at home writing, then I'd do whatever necessary to meet those goals. I know I could be nothing but an entrepreneur, and that requires me to be extraverted - and for those goals, I'm happy to be so at a level I can tolerate and enjoy. I love people, especially meeting new people ,but unless I gain fruitful "me" time, I can hate the world (God forgive me).

My answer then, is yes, introverts can indeed be successful entrepreneurs. Many times, they simply need to ensure what they do is inline with their value system.