Work is challenging these days, a lot to do on all fronts and waring all the hats. I met our new accountant, and got one year of income tax pretty much out of the way. I have two years to file (woops), so one more to go. One of the things I have to include is an assessment of the business portion of my Family Escapade to Mexico. It turns out that I can claim some of it as research and development expenses, and I have to figure out the fair amount - with receipts to support the claim. Good!
The Yucatan trip is about 8 weeks away now, and with all the work I have until then weeks will go by in a jiffy. I still have to get my passport renewed, can't let that fall between the cracks! I'm thinking about all the things I want to do in my 10 days there, such a short time after our three month escapade of last year... but I also have to keep myself from over planning. Keeping it simple will make it all manageable, and that means more relaxing.
I miss the ranch (Kalax-Wayak ranch, Sudzal, Yucatan). That's the part of our escapade that I enjoyed the most. I always thought that the sea was a serene environment, until we spent one month in a Caribbean beach house and 3 weeks in a Gulf of Mexico beach house. The sea is a very temperamental companion to live with, and for all the sweet, quiet and tranquil days, there are many loud windy and stormy outbursts. The wind is king by the sea, and we have experienced many nights where pretty much everything around us was merrily whistling.
But inland, far into farm land, it's as quiet as quiet can be. Well, there are some noises from time to time of course... but some dogs barking or the roosters are good sounds to me. The cows, the sheep, it's all good. I discovered that the country side is my cup of tea, and I want more of it. I will go back to Sudzal some day, maybe a quick visit this time around if it seems to work - but some day I will go back for a nice long stay.
I'm meeting with Jeanne-Marie on Friday night, we will put the final touch to the plans - car rentals and such. It will be a nice change from my enormous work load!
Somewhere between Izamal and Sudzal, Yucatan.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
On a roll
Had a very busy week, replaced one of my teachers who was not well and gave 7 classes on Wednesday. I had 9 on my schedule but decided to postpone the last two... a wise move. I did a nice little Orff orchestration with a couple of Grade 4 classes on that day, and they were brilliant. I love to see them pulling together and make music, it's pure joy for all of us.
My schedule is filled solid until my departure on April 28, so the trip will be a refreshing hiatus from work. It's good to have that candy dangling ahead of me. Keeps me focused, with just the right dose of day dreaming. It will be a 12 day journey, and that's the most difficult part for me. It will be hard to do everything I would like to do... that means difficult choices. I'm not the type of traveler to rush from one place to another, I like to drop the anchor and settle in as much as possible. Fill the dresser and put my empty suitcase in the storage room. But it won't be that kind of trip this time around. Still... it will be deeply soothing to be in Yucatan, as usual.
This weekend will be all about income tax. I have an appointment with my new accountant on Tuesday, and it has to be all sorted and ready. Oddly, I am very much looking forward to it - not the sorting part... but the meeting. It will hopefully clarify a few things and help me settle the plans for the next few years. It's easier to have fun when you know you're on solid grounds!
In the meantime spring is growing stronger here in Toronto, and I like it!
My schedule is filled solid until my departure on April 28, so the trip will be a refreshing hiatus from work. It's good to have that candy dangling ahead of me. Keeps me focused, with just the right dose of day dreaming. It will be a 12 day journey, and that's the most difficult part for me. It will be hard to do everything I would like to do... that means difficult choices. I'm not the type of traveler to rush from one place to another, I like to drop the anchor and settle in as much as possible. Fill the dresser and put my empty suitcase in the storage room. But it won't be that kind of trip this time around. Still... it will be deeply soothing to be in Yucatan, as usual.
This weekend will be all about income tax. I have an appointment with my new accountant on Tuesday, and it has to be all sorted and ready. Oddly, I am very much looking forward to it - not the sorting part... but the meeting. It will hopefully clarify a few things and help me settle the plans for the next few years. It's easier to have fun when you know you're on solid grounds!
In the meantime spring is growing stronger here in Toronto, and I like it!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Foresight
I once heard that foresight is what distinguishes mankind from the rest of the animal kingdom. I think that vision is equally important - closely related to foresight, like the chicken and the egg. Which came first?
I made a few timid steps towards business growth. The beginning of the deployment of yet another phase leading to the full vision of my business - Le Petit Atelier. It comes much later then what I originally planned when I launched the business, but I'm not too concerned with that. I believe in nurturing the natural growth curve of my business, and not push things through only for the sake of fast growth. I kept at it patiently, and this school year is providing me with all the signs I was waiting for.
Made contact with a new accountant who was highly recommended by a friend. Booked formal meetings with my two pillar teachers, where I will present them with the first draft of their service contract. Ready to fire off a fair size marketing effort beginning this week, which will hopefully translate into a couple of new clients this spring, and strong leads for the fall. Other upcoming tasks on my 'to do' list include merging the English and French operations, with one logo, one website, one bank account. I don't particularly enjoy this type of admin work... the web stuff is fine but banks nearly make my hair curl from resentment whenever I have to go in. In short, I think they could save the world many folds but those sleazy blood suckers are way too greedy, and way too busy finding new ways to rob us with a smile. If they keep up with their ever evolving little tricks, soon we will pay a fee to walk into a bank.
Oh yeah... surprise surprise - we have snow on the ground in Toronto! A very unusual winter so far. An average of +2 celcius in January, and +4 in the first 10 days of February... usually this is the coldest part of the winter - we call it the 'dead of winter'. We've been at least 10 degrees above normal - that's a lot!
Sitting in my dining room, looking out to the park covered with white snow, and thinking about... my next trip to Yucatan! Another thing to add to my 'to do' list : Passport renewal. Yesss!!!
I made a few timid steps towards business growth. The beginning of the deployment of yet another phase leading to the full vision of my business - Le Petit Atelier. It comes much later then what I originally planned when I launched the business, but I'm not too concerned with that. I believe in nurturing the natural growth curve of my business, and not push things through only for the sake of fast growth. I kept at it patiently, and this school year is providing me with all the signs I was waiting for.
Made contact with a new accountant who was highly recommended by a friend. Booked formal meetings with my two pillar teachers, where I will present them with the first draft of their service contract. Ready to fire off a fair size marketing effort beginning this week, which will hopefully translate into a couple of new clients this spring, and strong leads for the fall. Other upcoming tasks on my 'to do' list include merging the English and French operations, with one logo, one website, one bank account. I don't particularly enjoy this type of admin work... the web stuff is fine but banks nearly make my hair curl from resentment whenever I have to go in. In short, I think they could save the world many folds but those sleazy blood suckers are way too greedy, and way too busy finding new ways to rob us with a smile. If they keep up with their ever evolving little tricks, soon we will pay a fee to walk into a bank.
Oh yeah... surprise surprise - we have snow on the ground in Toronto! A very unusual winter so far. An average of +2 celcius in January, and +4 in the first 10 days of February... usually this is the coldest part of the winter - we call it the 'dead of winter'. We've been at least 10 degrees above normal - that's a lot!
Sitting in my dining room, looking out to the park covered with white snow, and thinking about... my next trip to Yucatan! Another thing to add to my 'to do' list : Passport renewal. Yesss!!!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Seatbelt required!
Did I mention that running a business feels like driving through the Rockies at times? Well, it pretty much sums-up my week.
I had a couple of rough patches, slippery slopes and sharp turns, but I was able to get through with all my team and all my clients on board. The road ahead is smoother, but I suspect that there are still some bumps coming-up not too far.
One aspect of my job that I enjoy very much is the fact that I go in a school, teach my classes, and get to leave with a smile as soon as I'm done. I'm not part of the core team, not involved in the cultural drama or the political games of the place, and I LOVE it. I've had my fair share of corporate life in my previous career, and this sort of detachment is a real joy.
As an outsider, it's very interesting to work in many different schools. In most schools, one can feel the culture of the place fairly quickly. Well managed schools are mostly filled with happy adults and children, and there is a clear sense of mutual respect. The atmosphere is positive and the adults in the place are focused on the solutions - not the problems. But it's a fragile balance and a change of management style can destroy it within a few weeks.
Badly managed schools - very few schools around here thankfully - foster frustrations and reluctance to cooperate. This is reflected in the adults attitude towards the children, and the children's attitude towards the adults - and ultimately everyone in the place is resenting authority. It takes a strong leader and a very long time to turn that around.
This week reminded me that although I want to bring music education to as many children as I can, some schools are just best to stay away from... at least for awhile. I'm dealing with one of those right now, trying to navigate through with much diplomacy, and get out of there as gracefully as possible - and with my so far spotless reputation left undamaged. No fun, but excellent training in communication etiquette. Clear and confident but suave, very effective but never imposing, and all wrapped in a pleasant and friendly disposition. It does require occasional tongue biting... my own of course : )
Okay, moving forward with the glass half full! Time to tackle the growing pain.
I had a couple of rough patches, slippery slopes and sharp turns, but I was able to get through with all my team and all my clients on board. The road ahead is smoother, but I suspect that there are still some bumps coming-up not too far.
One aspect of my job that I enjoy very much is the fact that I go in a school, teach my classes, and get to leave with a smile as soon as I'm done. I'm not part of the core team, not involved in the cultural drama or the political games of the place, and I LOVE it. I've had my fair share of corporate life in my previous career, and this sort of detachment is a real joy.
As an outsider, it's very interesting to work in many different schools. In most schools, one can feel the culture of the place fairly quickly. Well managed schools are mostly filled with happy adults and children, and there is a clear sense of mutual respect. The atmosphere is positive and the adults in the place are focused on the solutions - not the problems. But it's a fragile balance and a change of management style can destroy it within a few weeks.
Badly managed schools - very few schools around here thankfully - foster frustrations and reluctance to cooperate. This is reflected in the adults attitude towards the children, and the children's attitude towards the adults - and ultimately everyone in the place is resenting authority. It takes a strong leader and a very long time to turn that around.
This week reminded me that although I want to bring music education to as many children as I can, some schools are just best to stay away from... at least for awhile. I'm dealing with one of those right now, trying to navigate through with much diplomacy, and get out of there as gracefully as possible - and with my so far spotless reputation left undamaged. No fun, but excellent training in communication etiquette. Clear and confident but suave, very effective but never imposing, and all wrapped in a pleasant and friendly disposition. It does require occasional tongue biting... my own of course : )
Okay, moving forward with the glass half full! Time to tackle the growing pain.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Click!
Pretty amazing how we create our own monsters, ghosts, insecurities, and obstacles. I had an enlightening conversation last night, with the right person and at the right time it seems - and something clicked big time. It triggered a clarity that I have not experienced in awhile.
About three years ago I had an episode of what I label as 'deep mid-life confusion and doubt', and I have been trying to retrieve my usual pre-confusion energy ever since. Something had shifted, and up to now I was convinced that I was not going to find my old self again. I felt slightly damaged, and could not put my finger on what needed to be fixed.
Now I see that most of that state of mind is of my own fabrication. I let it happen, and fostered the idea that part of me was broken forever. Dwelling on my loss of clarity over the past couple of years, I was pretty good at convincing myself that it was a change I had to accept. Self sabotage. I find this fascinating... people are such complicated creatures!
So yesterday, the person I was conversing with said exactly what I needed to hear to make me sort of stand back and see this personal hurdle in a slightly different light and angle. It was just enough to reveal what I needed to see... and it feels tremendously empowering.
I am back. Thank you for your good words of wisdom dear Tanya!
About three years ago I had an episode of what I label as 'deep mid-life confusion and doubt', and I have been trying to retrieve my usual pre-confusion energy ever since. Something had shifted, and up to now I was convinced that I was not going to find my old self again. I felt slightly damaged, and could not put my finger on what needed to be fixed.
Now I see that most of that state of mind is of my own fabrication. I let it happen, and fostered the idea that part of me was broken forever. Dwelling on my loss of clarity over the past couple of years, I was pretty good at convincing myself that it was a change I had to accept. Self sabotage. I find this fascinating... people are such complicated creatures!
So yesterday, the person I was conversing with said exactly what I needed to hear to make me sort of stand back and see this personal hurdle in a slightly different light and angle. It was just enough to reveal what I needed to see... and it feels tremendously empowering.
I am back. Thank you for your good words of wisdom dear Tanya!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Business is business
Learning from my mistakes, but learning. One of my employees is a good friend, and it's difficult to draw the line between business and friendship sometimes. I must keep things clearly separate, and it's up to me to set the boundaries. This is a sign - The time has come to formalise my relationship with all my teachers, with a service contract. Everything is in place in terms of structure, but ironically it's not written down formally.
I have found a few good service agreement samples online, and the best one is by an online service providing legal forms of all sorts - customising contracts and agreements in fairly detailed terms. I have decided to purchase a two week license ($15) to design and generate the contracts that I need. This will secure my team for awhile, and protect my client base and zone of operations by the same token.
I don't foresee any problems in completing this important (and overdue) step, but I do expect that my friend will be reluctant in making this type of commitment. She is a free spirit! But there can be no exception - I can't move forward without a clear agreement from all parties. I invest in my team's training and professional growth, I put my clients in their capable hands, and I need to know that they are on board for the long run. My business is about to grow, and it makes sense to solidify the base before undertaking more business.
Oh boy... such serious stuff!!! Lighten-up already : )
I have found a few good service agreement samples online, and the best one is by an online service providing legal forms of all sorts - customising contracts and agreements in fairly detailed terms. I have decided to purchase a two week license ($15) to design and generate the contracts that I need. This will secure my team for awhile, and protect my client base and zone of operations by the same token.
I don't foresee any problems in completing this important (and overdue) step, but I do expect that my friend will be reluctant in making this type of commitment. She is a free spirit! But there can be no exception - I can't move forward without a clear agreement from all parties. I invest in my team's training and professional growth, I put my clients in their capable hands, and I need to know that they are on board for the long run. My business is about to grow, and it makes sense to solidify the base before undertaking more business.
Oh boy... such serious stuff!!! Lighten-up already : )
Friday, January 27, 2012
Growing Pains
Building a business is not a straight road leading steadily upward. Occasional roadblocks or obstacles to navigate around, some sharper turns, and at times it feels like zig-zagging in the Rockies. But the point I have reached with my business - www.lepetitatlier.ca - has more to do with increasing the size of the vehicle than the road it travels on right now.
The plan? Zero in on specific types of music workshops, expand the zone of operations, and increase market shares of the downtown Toronto area - in the next 12 months. Zappidi Boo! Oh how I wish I had a magic wand...
A sales sweep is in order - I had great results with telemarketing before, so I will go that route again. I have hired a new teacher too, she will begin her paid training next Thursday in one of the after school series for Kindergarten kids. She will be assisting the teacher, and learn a lot of repertoire by the same token. I am planning on adding some training in daycares for younger children as well, and if all goes well she will be ready to teach on her own by Easter. I'm very happy to work with her, I think that she will be a great fit. I had hired her last fall, but she ended-up accepting a three month gig on a cruise ship with her trio. I can't blame her... I would have done the same. So now that she's back and ready to commit, I will do some tweeking with the upcoming spring trimester and bring her up to speed - and she will be ready and solid for the fall of 2012.
By the fall I will have four teachers working in downtown daycares, I will be teaching in schools downtown and occasionally in the suburbs, and I'll be working out of town for some school series and teacher training workshops - with one other teacher in my team to cover early childhood teacher training. The plan may seem like a straight arrow shooting upward right now, but it won't be long before the waves and the swirls kick in. It's the nature of the beast, and the beast is growing... ouch!
The plan? Zero in on specific types of music workshops, expand the zone of operations, and increase market shares of the downtown Toronto area - in the next 12 months. Zappidi Boo! Oh how I wish I had a magic wand...
A sales sweep is in order - I had great results with telemarketing before, so I will go that route again. I have hired a new teacher too, she will begin her paid training next Thursday in one of the after school series for Kindergarten kids. She will be assisting the teacher, and learn a lot of repertoire by the same token. I am planning on adding some training in daycares for younger children as well, and if all goes well she will be ready to teach on her own by Easter. I'm very happy to work with her, I think that she will be a great fit. I had hired her last fall, but she ended-up accepting a three month gig on a cruise ship with her trio. I can't blame her... I would have done the same. So now that she's back and ready to commit, I will do some tweeking with the upcoming spring trimester and bring her up to speed - and she will be ready and solid for the fall of 2012.
By the fall I will have four teachers working in downtown daycares, I will be teaching in schools downtown and occasionally in the suburbs, and I'll be working out of town for some school series and teacher training workshops - with one other teacher in my team to cover early childhood teacher training. The plan may seem like a straight arrow shooting upward right now, but it won't be long before the waves and the swirls kick in. It's the nature of the beast, and the beast is growing... ouch!
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