A vision statement in the making

A great philosopher of our time once wrote "Night and day, dream of what you intend to do and what you intend to be, and those dreams will interpret your intentions. Let no doubt in. Just as the visible world is sustained by the invisible, so too do the manifestations of man find nourishment in the visions of our solitary dreamers. Be one of those dreamers." (Dr. W. Dyer, The Power of Intention)

And so, in the practice of my daily dreaming, which is a sort of meditation, I began to ask some questions which, if answered, may become a reality for the business and for my life in it. These questions are: What kind of business is this? What would make it a place where people want to contribute their time, energy, creativity and skills so that it becomes a rewarding endeavor for all involved? How will it grow? How will it become a place that produces a well loved product, but also a place that inspires and gives? Can a business change what it means to work so that work feels like play?

When I decided to leave a steady, full time job with benefits to invent and create a children's product, I took a blind leap. The reason that this act appealed to me was that it allowed me to contribute something from the extremely familiar and comfortable surroundings of my home. I wanted to work in a place where I could go out walking for an hour or two in the mornings, immerse myself in creative work, be self directed in my experiential learning, and be home when the bus arrives at 2:30.

Being available to my son is something that I'm not willing to sacrifice in the name of success. The memory I have of children drooling on themselves while staring into space, trying to get comfortable on plastic stools at the after school program is one motivation. Another is the reality of every working mother: the balancing act one plays in the attempt to provide loving care for one's children when you can't be there. When I worked for a local private college, my boss would not tolerate the presence of my children for any reason and at any time during my work schedule. Never mind that it was a learning institution! Thus, the company Knees and Paws has as it's first policy: CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED HERE.