Business Building Basics, Part 1 -- The Acceptance of Your Calling

 So you want to start a home business or company. 

  What are your thoughts about such?  You probably know that AI could give you the rundown on how to begin.  But maybe this human can give a few mental ideas as a beginning on the subject, too, as there are a few years of experience under my belt.

   I have been "dealing" with my home business (pardon the pun) since 1994.   I closed the larger Montana Wheat and Grain sales in 2008 and let the Network Marketing division run itself with only a few years of intervention through the current day.  It's often sat for years as a side-gig and barely a hobby.  There were years of stopping to take on other tasks that seemed more important or times of "needing a break," or supposedly "being done with it."   For instance, I am currently completing an entire year of teaching Music Education Band and Chorus in the public school system.  Now that's a switch from sales. 

  Why is that?  I can only say that my deep desire to share my music skills with the next generation in an educational setting needed to be pacified.  The calling was sure for the year, and I am completing it.   And now?

Back to the home business.   I've seen it all over the years:  the highs of a big check, disappointments, misunderstandings with friends and family over selling, rejection and more.  Thank goodness very little, but they can loom larger than life.  Then I often had the misgivings of my own abilities to grow the dream.  What dream, really?

Let's get back to you.   What do you (and I again) first need?  There are two things to decide on initially before any action.

Trust not your feelings, my friend; you must DECIDE to accept and  become an ENTREPRENEUR. 

"Entrepreneur" definition:

1. A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture.  (Catch that: there is risk.)
   
2. One who takes the initiative to create a product or establish a business for profit; generally, whoever undertakes on his own account an enterprise in which others are employed and risks are taken.
3. A person who organizes and operates a business venture and assumes much of the associated risk.

Secondly, one must decide to develop INTENT before taking action. 

"Intent" definition:   

1. The act of turning the mind toward an object; hence, a design; a purpose; intention; meaning; drift; aim.

We must cultivate and develop our mental intent.  This will take a little work to find the purpose of the venture and what to aim for.   Goals will change;  the dream will shift. But we can still aim in a direction.   Let's call out our hearts in the beginning.   Eventually the business will call and dictate the proper pathways. 

Can you accept your own mission? 

 

BANKIE

 August 5, 2022    BANKIE

 I knew it. There had to be reasons I was carrying all that stuff. Thank goodness bankie was with me. 

 

I tried a third ticket agent at Chicago Midway to change me to an earlier flight home, but again, it was futile. I gave up and resigned to a 12-hour overnight at the airport, beginning at midnight. When asked, the attendant told me to go to the A4 area for a possible quiet experience. 

 

After zero sleep the night before I was dreading a night in the concourse chairs. 

 

Lo and behold there were several small sofas put together in a commons area. I had to walk around a while, but as soon as it cleared, I plopped right down. Out came my favorite travel companion: that SUPER-soft green blanket Tim and Karly had given me for Christmas. I had carried it wrapped around my carry-on and almost lost it a few times on this leg home from the Shaklee Convention in Kansas City. 

 

Soon I was snoozing the best one can under loud lighting and “Nuts On Clark” ads blaring from a store video nearby. Blankie made a GREAT pillow.

 

At one point I woke up and there were three other ladies asleep around me. I knew my stuff was safe, so it was off to the bathroom and back to bed. 

 

Around 4:30 AM I awoke and my ladies were gone, but right then a lovely young woman walked up and asked to sit down. She had seen me on our previous flight and was also delayed at Midway. With a good hour available, we chatted about family, her Yoga instruction career, etc, when suddenly I realized her baseball hat was a green Shaklee one! Between that, her 5 kids (one special needs!) I was blown at all the things we had in common, though she was a bit younger.

 

“Can I borrow your blanket?” She asked at one point, obviously cold. “Is it a Shaklee blanket?”

“No, but it should be!” I laughed. “It is green, isn’t it?” 

 

I wrapped her shoulders and we continued a wonderful convo that included mutual advice and prayers I was so blessed to have met her, and by 5:45 or so she was on her way to a flight out to Washington State, but not before we friended on FB and traded numbers. 

 

I managed to grab a quick breakfast at the nearby Bagel shop, and ran back to sweet sofa where I had 5 hours remaining before the flight to St. Louis. I got settled and just then, two little boys plopped down on some nearby chairs. I smiled at them, and a little conversation began. Brothers Matteon and Aeden (9 and 6) were on their way home to CA from a track meet in KY, by way of Chicago. Dad was nearby talking on a phone, and sister stood nearby with eyes on all of us at the same time, but they stayed out of our conversation.

 

I asked them lots of questions, while pulling my green blankie over my shoulder to stay warmer. Loved hearing about school and mom and more.

 

Just then I noticed their rolled-up blankets sitting nearby. "Are those your blankets?" I asked. Yes, they were.

 

"If your Dad and sister are ok with it, come on over and sit with me. Let's get a photo." They jumped over to the sofa, where Sister took our picture -- all three of us wrapped and warm in Greens.

 

Midway Airport, Concourse C, Mezzanine level. Airport C. You just need to go there sometime and spend the night.   Make sure you have a bankie.     You never know whom you will meet.

Heeding the signs and taking action - BG #1

BG #1

It was a quiet Saturday at home in early '21. Standing in the kitchen, I'd been grumbling that nobody ever says, "I'm sorry" about anything. Yah, it was blah blah blah. After a time of commiseration, I stepped into to the den. 

 

There was a book sitting on the fireplace hearth, which I thought was odd, so I picked it up.

"The Preacher and The Presidents - Billy Graham and the White House." It looked rather fascinating - should I tackle it? In meantime I should find a place for it other than the hearth. 

 

It struck me we had another book about BG that my Mom had given us years ago. After a 10-minute search, underneath memorabilia in a basket in the Living Room was "Billy Graham, God's Ambassador." I was really glad to find this for some reason. The two books should at least be together, so for the time being a table was home. 

 

That night a song search on YouTube had me busy. Suddenly an Ad ran across the top of the page: "Billy Graham Library Information." Interesting, that was a first.

 

The following afternoon, I opened a kitchen drawer for something. A small bright yellow box sat right in front. Seriously, I had no idea. “Ruth Graham’s Scripture Cards." When did we possibly get these? It had been forever since any of us had been to the BG Library. The cards went on the pile. 

 

While cooking the day following, there was yet another prompting to search. It was off to Sam’s bedroom, where I checked around for yet another BG book I thought I had seen at some point. There was nothing on the shelf. Just then my head was turned to the closet. 

 

Seriously? Just below the games LIFE and SORRY was nestled a green book. What in the world, we didn't keep books up there. I pulled down “Rebel With A Cause: Franklin Graham.” 

 

I heard The Lord clearly. "LIFE IS tough- I see your heart. I'm SORRY, too; I do understand, and I ACT.” It was a powerful moment —- I wondered who the "Rebel" really was. 

 

Wait, there was still Julianna's old room. I literally ran in there. After a dig in the busy bookshelf, I held Billy Graham's "The Holy Spirit."

 

Preacher, Ambassador, Library, Scripture, Rebel and finally The Holy Spirit gained a landing place. "Presidents," however, is back near the den hearth after 2 years to be read. By me.

Since God understands, and ACTS, I better heed the signs and take action myself. 

 

 Who knows what may come of it?

Monday Business: Dorcas' story from Acts 9

 It is Monday.   What do we have to think about this week?  Do not be disappointed!

 I'll tell you a story about a Biblical woman who had a business.  Dorcas in the Bible book of Acts.....

Dorcas, or Tabitha, lived in the city of Joppa on the Mediterranean seacoast around AD 1.  Her story is rather amazing. She lived during the period of the massive spreading of the new Gospel of Jesus after His death and resurrection.  She was very active in making things, especially clothing for the poor and needy.  She was beloved in Joppa.   (Acts 9:36)  

She became very ill and died, and the believers in Joppa that knew her immediately called for the apostle Peter to come to her deathbed.   At the scene, even the widows were showing Peter some of the lovely clothing she had made them in her lifetime. 

Reading the raising account might bring you more awareness of that, but I'd like to focus more on her purpose in earthly life.   Knowing Dorcas was in Paradise, Peter most likely prayed because of those who still needed her and her gifts in Joppa.  As it turns out, many came to faith in Jesus because of this, and afterwards many many were helped with her work.  God no doubt raised her up in an act of great mercy for the sake of others around her.

I would love to be like Dorcas.  Lord, rise me from the death of my complacency and let me move in your calling.   Giving to others and training them to give in business is my passion.  Let us sew a new garment on behalf of others in our work today.

Beginnings

Wheat field in Stanly County, NC. 

My fascination of wheat and grains came around 1994 and developed into a part-time business endeavor that spawned 14 years.  Without planning, I became an entrepreneur of sorts with young children and loved every minute of it.

We started this way:  I was involved in a Mom and Pop co-op group that was ordering all kinds of dry goods out of Michigan for our families, but some things were missing.  One day one of the ladies came to me and said, "Our co-op is looking for Montana White Wheat.  Do you think you could find us a source?"

The idea never came from me. I was asked.  So, is there someone asking you?

My husband and I had two little boys at the time.  I did some legwork on the subject of Montana White Wheat and came upon a local bakery that used it.  They wouldn't allow me to buy from them, so I called their supplier and worked out my own possible delivery.  

I realized I was on the cusp of a business.  That very night of news I stayed up late and lay prostrate across my bed with the Bible open, asking The Lord for His sign of what I was to do.  The Psalms seemed like a great place to start. 

The Good Book opened to Psalm 147:14 during my search.  "He brings peace to thy borders, and fills thee with the Finest of Wheat."  I knew it was right to proceed and FINEST OF WHEAT was born.

I inadvertently became the grain supplier for parts of VA, NC, SC and GA over several years and by 1998 Y2K time caused an explosion in sales which caused us to move things to two different warehouses.  By this point we had 4 children, 3 boys and a new baby girl.  I drug them to wheat deliveries and they helped greet customers and carry buckets where they could. 

Wheat people would often ask what supplements I would recommend, and I would send them off to find a Shaklee representative because my mom-in-law had told me they were super vitamins and someday I should sell them. Strangely enough, in 1999 I was presented also the Shaklee Business Opportunity by an old friend and I took her up on the offer just for fun and more adventure.  Plus I needed some supplements for my little girl.

HealthSource was a success: Shaklee grew very quickly and it turned out I had major health issues develop that same year that the supplements helped.   Wheat sales got smaller again after the turn of the century, but stayed steady right up until I retired wheat sales in 2008.  I kept Shaklee going, then took a break completely from business for a number of years.

But questions are again being asked.  "How is your business going?  Is network marketing viable?  What supplements do I take?  Do you still recommend Shaklee?"    Yes, forever and a day.

Enough on my history.  What about you?   Are you at a crossroads in life?  Are you working your passion in this time period?  Are you considering a change in career?

I'm asking!   

"WHEAT'S" Going On in the Food World?

Recently, I email-interviewed a man in the grain commodity field who is related to one of my current wheat customers. Interesting info.

Are we the #1 exporter of grain right now?

• America is the number #1 exporter of wheat, corn and soybeans. We also export a fair amount of rice.
• China and India produce more wheat and rice than us, but they virtually consume it all and import huge amounts from us. They are increasing their consumption dramatically. Think if they each consume 1 more chicken per year...2.5 billion more chickens who need a lot of corn and soy meal! China consumes 30% of world's rice and they import huge quantities of wheat and soybeans.

What's our current status of reserves in the US?

• We have roughly the same quantity of rice in the world as we had in the early 80's when we had 2 billion less people on earth. Now we have the least amount of rice and wheat per person than ever in history; and by the time we harvest the next corn crop we will have about 35 days of supply unless we have drought or disease in which case we could run flat out.

Which countries have people who live on $1 a day or less? How do grain prices affect them?

• Here are a few examples: Nigeria 70%, Central African Republic 66.6%, Rwanda 66.3%, Zambia 63.8%, Madagascar 61%, and in our hemisphere both Nicaragua and Haiti are over 50%. When the price of Wheat and Rice double in a short time...these people don't get enough to eat and 25,000 are dying each day!!

What's our biggest problem now?

• We have no storage program and we are trading a food producing system the works for one we know doesn't work...multi-national corporations. Every American who eats needs to sound the alarm.

 An old post kept up for posterity's sake!

Sept. of 06:  here to tell you about distinctive nutritional choices for you and your precious little ones. Especially those with children having special needs. Why give them vitamins? To start with, to build their immune system so that they can ward off the host of various germs and irritants that come their way. Let's help them all we can! Our son Samuel is five years old, and has Down Syndrome. He is the youngest of our five children, ranging 15 to 5. 

 We have chosen to use Shaklee products because they are pharmaceutical grade, coming from a 50-year-old company that has it together in the nutrition area. More on that later. I'm going to list the products that we use on Samuel and our other children. May the information be helpful. (As a note, I put them in plain yogurt or applesauce for Samuel and down they go. No messing around!) VITA LEA MULTI VITAMIN: Provides the daily balance of vitamins and minerals for all adults and children. As soon as Sam could swallow, I gave him the Adult Vita Lea. Forget the kids stuff. B-COMPLEX: 

Just great for mood, skin, hair and energy. Also helps the brain. OMEGA GUARD (Fish Oil): A good fat that improves brain function, cardio, etc. Omega 3. NUTRIFERON: Immune builder (patented) GLA COMPLEX: Another good fat of Omega 6. CAROTOMAX: An antioxidant for cells. VITA C SUSTAINED RELEASE: General immune builder VITA E COMPLEX: Wards off ear infections. THIS IS OUR SAMUEL THE DAY AFTER OPEN-HEART SURGERY ON NOVEMBER 9, 2005. What a terrific experience we had at Charlotte, NC's CMC Hospital. He came through with flying colors. His physicians and attendants were amazed at his fast recovery...we contribute his miraculous recovery to the many intensive prayers of our church family, and the extensive Shaklee products we gave him prior to surgery and while in the hospital. Here are our other four children with Samuel. Boy were they happy to see him safe after the big event.

From Our Family to Yours (Minus Greg)

Distinctive GRAIN Choices for Extraordinary Families

Welcome to our new Wheat Information Center! It's a little primitive right now, but it's a start. My name is Kelly Leimer, and I have been a part of wheeling and dealing high-quality Montana Grains for about twelve years. We are located in Charlotte, NC, and love what we do: receive four partial truckloads per year of the best bread-baking wheats in the country for local and out-of-state clientelle. As Healthsource (now LAUGHING DOVE NATURALS), we have also sold Shaklee products successfully for 7 years. I encourage you to examine my personal site for the BEST health items in the industry today. Check out the above pictures. TOP PHOTO: New Zealand wheat field. BOTTOM: Montana wheat field, taken by Nancy Arnold in the Spring of 2001. The current price list for this wheat run is at the top of the page. Sincerely, Kelly Leimer 704-535-3744