Doing business

You know, I'm getting to learn some things from watching some of these reality shows like "Miami Ink" and "Ace of Cakes". Who da thunk?

The thing about these shows is that it's an interesting snapshot of how other people choose to run their business. Sure it's all editted for tv entertainment, you don't get to see the boring stuff these business owners do like accounting and legal paperwork, but you still get an idea of their general work ethic and culture.

Ultimately I like how these guys make a point to do things their way, in a way that's how they set themselves apart from others. It's not necessarily true that they create the world's best tattoos or bake the coolest cakes (although a tattoo shop with cakes might make a cool business), but they show passion for thier work, they take time to have fun....

So I've been practicing some of that lately. I notice where I sometimes trip myself up in my business is by acting TOO formal and business-like. I'm still in my "downtown" work ethic, where everything happens to a standard....aloha shirts (ok this is Hawaii), formal proposals, lunch meetings, etc.

I've been doing all of this...dressing up nice, doing all this spit and polish contract and proposal work, etc., but when I look across all my regular clients, the ones I have the most fun and connection with are those that are the most informal. Some of these clients knew me from when I walked around with blue hair and ripped jeans and they tell me "When are you going to do that again....where's the Raph we knew?" They tell me they originally came to me because I wasn't like the rest....I was a "free spirit" one of my clients said.

And you know what? I think they're on to something. I could work my ass off all day to make a thousand websites that dissapear within a few months, but what makes a lasting impression is me and how I conduct my business either just like everyone else....OR, doing it my way.

I like it. The realization of this suits me. It feels so natural. From now on my proposals will be looser and friendlier, my email responses will be lighter and maybe a lot more relaxed and fun. Screw this downtown mentality. It's time to do it my way. *cue the Aretha Franklin song* R-E-S-P-E-C-T

If I suddenly turn up in my wedding with blue hair will my fiancee disown me?