This past May I went through some health stuff that took me out of commission completely for a week and then had to be on limited activity for 2 more weeks. Anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that it felt like an eternity. I am not good at "sitting back". It's one of the reasons I do believe I am as good as I think I am...or at the very least I think I am based on our Google Reviews which I am proud to say we have maintained a 5-star rating since relaunching and rebranding a few years ago.
And while we don't have a lot of reviews on Google (lots more on Thumbtack since that is still where we get the vast majority of our clients), I know they are still worth a lot to our street credibility and reputation. And thanks in large part to my incredible marketing expert, Susan Mann of Local Herbert Agency, our Google ranking is remaining pretty darn high without paying Google anything. Sure I am paying Susan but trust me, it's worth every penny as she manages so much more for It's Just Stuff than keeping up with Google SEO.
Anyway, being temporarily incapacitated to some degree was very difficult for me. I had The Beatles song, HELP, playing in my head over and over again. Yeah, that may not have been the most productive use of my brain cells, but the lyrics did speak to me in the moment.
My team and I help so many clients with permanent physical and mental limitations so my self-pity party didn't last long I promise. I am fully aware of how lucky I am to be able to get up and go every morning without hesitation. But it still gave me a chance to pause and think about what if something more catastrophic does happen to me.
How will I support myself? HELP I Need Somebody
And what will happen to this business that I've put so much blood, sweat and tears into and I mean that literally as well as figuratively because I have bled (hazard of the job), sweated (we hustle hard!) and cried (usually because a client starts crying and the emotions will sometimes get the best of me too) on many a job?
So despite previous attempts to merge this business with a few others that provide the same service which is a very difficult process that requires a lot of things to align well but ultimately didn't and that's ok...everything happens for a reason...I am now working towards creating a partnership with one of my team members. She has proven to be extremely dedicated to our mission and our clients and I am looking forward to all of the very real possibilities this will create for both of us.
In addition, I'm part of a local networking group for our industry and have gotten to know so many of my so-called competitors in the past year. But there's really no competition. We simply want to help one another on projects when needed.
It has helped me tremendously so I can actually schedule more jobs knowing there will always be enough people to help. And it is nice to know that if someone else wants help and I'm not available to pitch in for them I can always refer some of my team members without the fear of any "poaching" per se.
All of the above is going to ultimately lead to my ability to work less in the business and more on it but more importantly on advocacy that will help any clients that truly need our services yet may not be able to afford them.
I recently was introduced to the Director of the Colorado chapter of Twilight Wishes, a non-profit that helps fulfill the needs and wishes of seniors across the US. They aren't set up to provide the funds for our services. However, it still is opening doors to other possibilities and I look forward to offering our senior clients more financial assistance through the new connections I am making.
For more information, please feel free to reach out so I can help you navigate the options that you or your senior loved ones may not know by filling out our contact form HERE.
Other senior resources you may want to tap into could be found through your local Agency On Aging by clicking HERE. One other resource you may want to check out is Lotsa Helping Hands. It helps seniors and families schedule and coordinate all of the various things to keep track of as we age, but also coordinates volunteers to help as well. I was recently introduced to it by one of the local senior care networking groups. (They also try to help new parents with limited family and friends in the area which is definitely something I wish I had access to when my first child was born.)
If you aren't a senior but still need financial assistance please be aware there are programs out there that you may be able to tap into. Start by Googling the Adult Financial Programs available in your state.
If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury and it has affected your executive functioning, click HERE.
I know the hoops that so many of our clients have had to jump through to get financial assistance is overwhelming but I do believe it is still worth the effort. Everyone is entitled to live a happy and productive life...in my opinion. If you disagree, then I would recommend that you find someone other than It's Just Stuff to help you...#sorrynotsorry. We are committed to the belief that this is not a luxury but a necessity for so many people to survive and thrive, but if you are still of the survival of the fittest instead of survival of the kindest mindest, then we will never be a good match for you.
And that's ok.
You be you, but we be we.
Seems to be the mantra anyway in this country these days so everyone really does need to figure out a way to respect one another regardless of our differences and stop trying to prevent those who want and need our help from getting it.
Be well and, remember, always be kind,
Beth
Chief of Chaos to Calm
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