“I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare” ~ Maya Angelou

Stunningly simple.  I love this quote because it reflects what has been true for me for most of my life.  To succeed, you must be willing

to dare- dare to be different.  Dare to speak up.  Dare to change your mind.

I was a maverick before that word earned a less than positive association.  My colleagues in the conflict world were often shocked,

confused, bemused and sometimes I think a little angry about how I approached my work as a mediator and Ombuds.  I dared.

Oh, I dared a lot.

When most mediators stuck close to family issues and the courthouse, I turned my attention to large corporations, knowing

instinctively that someone inside those businesses would be progressive enough to see the value of collaborating  and negotiating better.

After all, misunderstandings and mis-communication are the last pieces that  savvy businesses can eliminate to save money and time.

Happily, as a result I had the pleasure of working with some of our nations leading companies. Brand names you use on a daily basis.

I dared to be different and was rewarded not only with a thriving practice but with recognition and satisfaction.   I won’t lie.

It was very nice to be recognized by national magazines like Inc and Entrepreneur, to be honored as one of Boston’s 40 top business leaders, to be asked to lecture at

Harvard Law (truly, a dream).    But what’s been most meaningful is that I dared to be myself, to think my different thoughts and to take action that changed lives, when

others thought it couldn’t be done. I mention all that not to brag but rather to say: Good things await those who dare to dare!

Take a Dare!

Some of you may know that Positively Wed started off as a resource for brides.  My friend, Pat, reminded me today that  less than a year ago we were debating names for this site!    Over the months of reading, research and networking, I realized I had the wrong focus.  Brides had enormous resources to draw from, but who was helping you- the wedding professional?   I dared to take on the role of wedding business coach and to be your support.

Sure, I could’ve joined the ranks of talented wedding marketing coaches like Natalie Bradley, Ciara Daykin, and Chris Jaeger, to name a few.  (And

I do bring some of my online marketing juice to the blog from time to time.) However, I dared to do more.  I want to  compliment their work and increase your  likelihood of success

for your wedding business- coaching you to be a more confident, compassionate leader.  A very big dare.

And, it’s paying off.  With your comments and emails, you tell me that you appreciate this blog and that these skills and insights are going to raise the wedding profession to an entirely new level.  I couldn’t be prouder.  Nothing is more satisfying than knowing you’ve made a difference in the world, right?

So, my question to you is: What will you dare to do with your wedding business?

PS I have an idea.  Why hasn’t anyone niched a wedding planning business as a lifestages or milestone planner?    You know, wedding, then 1st anniversary dinner party, then baby shower, birthday parties, milestone anniversaries, high school/college graduations, childrens weddings, retirement party, memorial service.  From cradle to grave- talk about a great referral engine and increased lifetime value of a customer!  It’s almost irresistible.