Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

Believe it or not, we’re getting lots of rain here in the desert. Of course, as such things go, we’re also having flash floods and people are loading up on sand bags (heh, at least we have plenty of sand). Then there are those geniuses that look at the flooding arroyo and think, “Gee, I think I’ll go for a walk down there!” (An arroyo is basically big ditch and you have to - like - work to get down into it.) And, yes, it’s Friday (funny how it just keeps rollin’ round.) So, let’s go for a ramble in my crazed and dazed brain. Maybe a business point here and there, maybe not.

Much Ado About Nothing #1: Yes, Kenneth Lay died. Yes, many people are disappointed that he “cheated” prison. But, good reminder that - no matter how much money we have, how “big” we think we are - as Orson Scott Card noted, “Everybody dies. What matters is what you do between now and when it happens to you.” Hmmm…methinks Mr. Lay should have read that quote a few years back.

Much Ado About Nothing #2: Any so-called “news” about stick-thin blondes with no discernible talent or depth. Speaking as a former stick-thin blonde, lemme tell ya girlies - one of these days your babe days will end and then where will you be? (Personally, I think if one so-called “babe” writer ate a decent meal, her whole perspective on liberals and such would dramatically change. The poor thing is hallucinating due to malnutrition.)

Much Ado About Nothing #3: The news/cyberchatter about the break-up over at Rocketboom. Folks, clash of egos, in my experience, is the number one reason why start-ups stall and die. So, no surprises there - and the company may well go on without Amanda.

Quick side note with biz point: Doing business with friends and “fun people” can be dicey (speaking from my own bone-headed experience.) I’ve actually said, “I care more about our friendship than the money.” An admirable (and sincere) sentiment, but guess what? I ended up with neither the friend nor the money. Morale of the story: Remember it’s a business, not a support group or charity. By all means, have fun, but act like grown-ups when it comes to little things like goals, results, finances, and customer service.

Related Post: Of Deals and Dices

Read More: For some perspective on the Rocketboom fizzle, check out Susan Getgood’s excellent post, R is for Rocket, P is for Perspective.

Much Ado About Something: Some of you may recall I asked folks to donate dinero to Habitat in lieu of gifts for my housewarming a couple of weeks ago. So far, we’ve raised over $500 (people are still handing me checks in my travels around the city.) That’s a long way from $75,000 (the cost of a house) - but it’s a start. In Albuquerque, bordered by pueblo lands, space for new homes is in very short supply. The president of Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity liked the idea so much, she’s started the “Schmidt Family Legacy Land Fund” The cats and I are so proud!

So, if you’ve enjoyed this post, pop on over to Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity and make a small donation. And, if so inclined - note that it’s for the “Schmidt Family Legacy Land Fund” in the comments section.

Or, find the Habitat in your community and send along a dime (or two).

More Friday Posts:
Finally! A Friday Post
Friday’s Food for Thought
Friday’s Irreverence & Irrelevance
Finally, It’s Friday!
Fried Friday Follies
Friday’s Martini Musings
Martinis with Mancini
‘Tooni Tunes Time!

Tags: rocketboom, Habitat for Humanity, entrepreneurs