Values & Principles
I’ve had my own business 21 years. Below I share some of the core values & principles I hold dear. They apply both in my life and in my business. They embody who I am.
When I show up from that place.
It’s easy to say yes or no.
Family First
I started my business in 2004 to be there for my children. Go back read my backstory. Having a successful corporate career didn’t match my life, once I had children.
Yes, I left a high paid corporate job, but money is not everything. I couldn’t bear my children wouldn’t see me daily. That’s not why I wanted children in the first place. I’m a mum first. Then I’m a business owner.
When my children were small and needed me most. I built my business around them first. Many times I said no to things. I didn’t have time to see girlfriends, nor take calls from friends while I worked. I couldn’t afford to waste time.
My work schedule is very tight, still is. When I work. I work. It’s my only focus. I know I’m super effective, once I work. And I like it that way.
It gives me free time to do other stuff. After work.
Boundaries
I have my business from home. I have a separate building, where I work. It takes me 10 sec. then I’m at work.
When my children were home from school I never worked in front of them. I’ve been conscious I was present in the afternoons. I showed up as a mum, we played and did all sorts of creative stuff together.
They’ve always known. Mum works “over there”. I’ve kept my private life and my business separate.
Sometimes in the evenings, after they went to bed, I went back to my desk. Never happened a lot, few times. I’ve kept those boundaries, between my private life and my business.
I prioritize my weekends with my family. I never work weekends. This is possible. It means saying no to other things. You can’t do it all.
Later I’ll explain how that’s possible.
Serve First
I know my customers. I’ve spoken to each and every one. I built them one by one.
I still have customers from 21 years ago. I never push stuff on my customers. I always have their best interest in mind.
In business play the long game. When you don’t fall for short term tricks, people trust you.
I’m clear on how I serve first.
I do what I say
This is important and dear to my heart.
When I promise a customer something, I always deliver. I have never promised a customer something and not delivered on my promise.
This is so important. I can’t emphasize that enough.
Working corporate, I felt terrible. Once I couldn’t give an answer back to my most important key-account. She was head buyer. I was waiting on New York lawyers to sort out the new contract.
I felt so embarrassed. I called the head buyer three times. “Sorry, I haven’t forgotten you but…”
I realized it was out of my control, and I didn’t want to lose her trust.
Trust and honesty in business and life is about delivering on what you say you do. Never lose it.
I never play bigger than I am. I’m proud to have built a one-women-band-business, since 21 years. I’m responsible towards myself and my customers. Not shareholders.
It sounds simple, but there is freedom in that. I deliver on my promise. Always will.
Curiosity & Courage
I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it wasn’t for my curiosity and courage. They go hand in hand. The worst thing happened when I lost my mum at 11. I felt powerless and frozen.
But…
My courage made me leave my abusive controlling dad, at 19. I had to get away. I was never scared or afraid. My home was. I knew there was something better out there.
My curiosity and courage guided me.
I ran away from Denmark. Lived abroad for 10 years. I learned so many things. I was open and not afraid to meet the unknown.
I trusted people I met along. Today my best friends go back 35-37 years. All people I met abroad. I have friends all over the world.
I took huge risks due to my courage. Even without money in my hand. I hitchhiked to Paris from Denmark by lorries down Europe. I wanted to live in Paris. I arrived with nothing in Paris.
Also how I built my business. I question the status quo. Initially, as a mum, I searched better “green healthy” products for babies and children. I started to talk about parabens in cosmetics and why mothers should avoid. Today, a cosmetic brand can’t launch a product with parabens. That was my first niche and how I started my company.
Even today…
My curiosity takes me forward. I’m a lifelong learner. I love to discover new things and learn along.
Thanks for stopping by and reading this page. I will expand this page further.
Reach out anytime. I read every email.