It’s Monday, January 24th— and if you’ve read a couple of my blogs, you know I write about what’s top of mind right now.
And what’s at the top of the list right now is … SNOW. The cold, white stuff. And what I am listening to now is slushy snow and cars spinning their wheels trying to navigate the drifts piled up in gutters and city alleys.
Last week, I watched incredulously as the incomparable Simone Biles did something many of us haven’t seen before.
Struggle.
As a fan, it was confusing.
It’s Monday, January 24th— and if you’ve read a couple of my blogs, you know I write about what’s top of mind right now.
And what’s at the top of the list right now is … SNOW. The cold, white stuff. And what I am listening to now is slushy snow and cars spinning their wheels trying to navigate the drifts piled up in gutters and city alleys.
A couple of days ago, I shared some pictures of my beloved Chicago, more specifically, my neighborhood, Bucktown.
Things have been calmer the last 48 hours in Bucktown, but the difference between rest and unrest can be a fine line in a city. I took my first walk around since the weekend, and I saw a lot of pain, remnants of destruction, countless tributes to George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, but also beauty, hope and helpers.
They say Chicago is a tale of two cities— North and South, but it is really 77 cities woven into one.
I still hold my breath when I hear of a protest, hoping it won’t turn violent and that cooler heads will prevail. The only thing I can hope for is progress. Incremental steps forward everyday.
I know a lot of organizations are looking for answers, actions, a new playbook. It’s ok not to have one just yet- the commitment to change and to do something different is more important right now. The issues of systemic racism and bias have been so deeply entrenched for centuries- fight to urge to “fix”.
Declare your intent.
Then look, listen and learn.
Sharing some new pictures — some might see spray paint and boards. I saw inspiration and hope.
Be well & stay well,
J
I have to be honest; I was not going to write today.
School in Illinois was cancelled the rest of the year and I was hearing stories on how difficult it was for small businesses to secure PPP funds, if they were able to at all.
I don’t think there is any business owner, big or small, that WANTS to take money; they’d rather be open, hustling, and serving their customers. But they have to SURVIVE.
Then I heard on the news today— the average restaurant has enough cash to remain viable for ~16 days. The margins are so thin.
I froze.
We’ve been shut down for more than 33. Maybe more. #lostcount
I worked in Corporate America for nearly 20 years. By contrast, my father has been an entrepreneur his whole life.
He owns a restaurant in the suburbs, D&J Bistro, in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Here he is in action.
My Dad.
His place has outlasted pretty much everyone, through disasters, crisis, even through the Cubs World Series Championship year when no one was going out to eat at a French bistro!
My parents are immigrants to this country. They came to Chicago from Japan more than four decades ago, as the story goes, just for a little trip— and then they stayed.
I can’t imagine life in the early days was easy. They had to learn English. I never really saw credit cards growing up; everything was paid for by cash. Only what we could afford. My dad worked crazy hours— because that’s what the industry demands.
My mom stayed at home and shouldered the majority of the parenting for me and brother. I always say it’s a damn miracle that both of us went to college, post-grad, and are tax-paying, law-abiding citizens. As are my parents, who became naturalized citizens almost 20 years ago.
This is not a political post. But I did come to a realization today. (Probably a little late to the punch, but better late than never)
The Government cannot save everyone. There are many businesses, big and small, that will not make it. If we rely on funds or programs to help our friends and businesses out— they will not make it.
When everything was shut down— like every other small business owner, my dad and his business partner had HOURS to make a decision.
Do they close?
Try carry out/ delivery?
Would people order?
French food— while delicious— is not really known as carry out fare.
Let me make this clear— I never wanted to be in the restaurant industry. It’s a really hard life. It’s hard on families, because when everyone else is celebrating— you are in a kitchen. I kind of resented it, to be honest. But as I grew older— of course, I started to understand the sacrifice, the hours, the drive.
But the restaurant has been part of the foundation that has made me who I am today, even if I didn’t work there. It’s paid for my education, it put food on our table, clothes on our backs. Essentially, the American Dream.
D&J had a website, but it was static and couldn’t take online payments. Since I had been tinkering around with my own business website— we got a new one up within a day in order to take online payments.
I’ve been *busting* into suburban mom Facebook groups to spread the word via social media. I share so many posts with my own FB friends that I am sure everyone is getting sick of it— but if people are selling makeup, oils, supplements— well, then I figure I can too. The support has been incredible.
My youngest daughter takes a toddler music class. Her teacher’s name is Ann Torralba, and she is known as Little Miss Ann!
Little Miss Ann
She’s really awesome— a former CPS teacher, mom, a full time musician— and she not only teaches at the Old Town School of Music (a Chicagoland mainstay), but plays gigs all over the place…even Lollapalooza and SXSW. She’s on Spotify!
I mean, if I was on Spotify, the whole world would know about it.
Since the shutdown, Ann has turned to FB and Instagram to host virtual concerts. They are everyday at 10am and she alternates the platforms. Musicians, performers— we know they are hurting too. No more concerts, at least not for now. And no more classes.
Her virtual concerts are free, but she takes donations, and we tune in at least 3-4 times a week to jam. My littlest rocks out and dances up a storm.
Another friend was hosting a virtual concert with a popular kids musician— so I thought.. hey— no reason why we couldn’t do the same? So we set it up for Sunday (4/19/2020)— a little pre-Earth Day Jam for the kids.
Just a $10 donation, and we thought it would be so cool to have a little show with all of our friends and family on, right?
D&J decided to join forces with a local hospital, Advocate Good Shepherd— for their “Meals for Heroes” program. People could “donate” a meal for the frontliners— and his team would prepare and take all of the donated meals over.
We put up the link last Friday.
Pick UP!
Getting ready!
Wouldn’t you be BEYOND HAPPY to eat that after your shift?
The even better news is that they’re doing it again next Friday— and already have donations for 150+ and counting.
Today, Ann reached out to me and said she wanted to donate half of her proceeds from Sunday’s virtual jam to my dad’s program.
Talk about paying it forward. And I realized— all we can do to help these small businesses and our friends, is we need to help OURSELVES. We need to take it into our own hands to get it done.
I am not an award-winning musician, nor am I an award-winning chef.
What am I good at? Powerpoint. Storytelling. 18 years in Corporate America and 2 years as a journalist, remember?
So I decided to write this blog and create this powerpoint graphic— just look at the chain of goodness that results from one act.
Look at how far than $10 donation takes us.
If you have money— this is how you can amplify it!
If you don’t have money— you can write a kind note of encouragement. You can write a Yelp review. You can “share” a post on Facebook and spread the word. You can put up signs in your windows and sing for the frontliners. You can say, “thank you.”
So today was my realization that while everyday might not feel productive— we can, and SHOULD all contribute.
Do it your own way. You do you.
My deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out and donated. Not enough words for me to express what is in my heart.
Be well, stay well,
Jean
You’ve probably heard of a concept called the “personal board of directors”. PBOD for short.
It has been around for awhile and even if you haven’t given it formal think time, you probably have your PBOD and use them already.
But given that we’re in some times, it’s probably worth reassessing— it’s a new day, and you should know who is on your Corona Contingency Council.
Corporate Board of Directors refresh members all the time, adding capability and perspective where they need guidance— and upgrading where it’s not enough. They count on Boards to keep them honest. There is no doubt that some organizations have better BOD’s than others. Quality matters.
So in no particular order, here are some of the folks I have in my circle.
The Sage … they have experiences upon experiences. They’ve LIVED with the decisions they’ve made and learned some tough lessons— Lessons that they will share with you, and that you will benefit from. Part storyteller, part magic 8 ball— they’ll give you the real deal.
The Ass Kicker … they are the ones who will not let you off the hook and make excuses. They know how to pivot, think on their feet and they will do the same for you. When you say, “I don’t think that will work because of XYZ”— they will give you an alternative and make you rethink it why you’re not stepping up. They evaluate and make decisions.
They are the person who is not afraid to say, “I won’t”, but you’ll never hear, “I can’t.” Because they CAN.
The Guru … they may not KNOW the answers to everything, but they help you ASK YOURSELF the right questions so you uncover the answers. They don’t have the precise directions, but they’ll help you uncover the road map! The path to enlightenment— if you will!
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The Cheerleader … for me, this is my best girlfriend who will tell me how pretty I look, even if I just tried to give myself some DIY highlights which resulted in orange hair. They are unending in their support and love. They make you feel great and tell you you’re doing to crush it ALL THE TIME.
(Even when your hair is orange.)
The One Who Knows Stuff You Don’t (but don’t feel dumb asking) … this person is a safe space. It’s the person who is potentially the exact opposite of who you are and what you know, but you can ask then ANYTHING and they will explain patiently will never poke fun. The beauty about this relationship? It’s highly likely that you return the favor for them!
E.g. My nemesis is math. Literally, I am not good with numbers. Do I have a phone-a-friend when it comes to understanding a financial statement or an accounting principle? You bet I do.
I used to love Columbo.
The Expert … they are steeped in domain. They know how things work— not at a 10,000 ft level, but zoomed ALL THE WAY IN. They understand the tiniest details that seem relatively insignificant to the lay person, and they know ALL the show stoppers.
They may even annoy you at times because you just want to go-go-go, but they’ll save you because they look at the fine print.
The One Who Talks You Off the Ledge … they are one of the lines of defense to preserve your mental health & sanity. When you are frustrated, they let you vent. When you are sad, they listen with empathy. They hold your hand (virtually, in a socially distant way). They make you feel heard. And when you need help, they will encourage you to see out the professionals.
The One Who Makes You Laugh … this is the one that reminds you not to take yourself so seriously. It’s not brain surgery. (unless it is) … then they are the one who puts things in the proper perspective and context. And they will do it in a way that doesn’t minimize the situation— just helps remind you in their own way, that “this too shall pass".
If you don’t have someone who’d text you this below….well, you just need them in your life.
Things are going to be different when we get back to the “new normal”. Your business will change, your team dynamics will have shifted, your job may be different.
YOU may be different. You might be already.
So make sure that your Board is at the ready. You never know when you’re going to call on them.
Be well, stay well!
Jean
