Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat.

So Fans of Harmony, I took a much needed break over the last few days. I did not think about Harmony Cupcakes or about trying to start a business. I really needed to get my head focused again and remember that when starting a business, patience, planning and perseverance really wins the game.

Lessons Learned: Humility and Diligence

I have always been a driven woman who conceived ideas and put them into action in a timely matter. By nature I am an overachiever with a classic type A personality. This is why I climbed the corporate ladder so quickly (maybe too quickly). In my less than 10 years in corporate America I achieved more than some do in an entire career. I have closed million dollar deals, developed products for several major food companies (that I pass by on the grocery store shelves every time I food shop), developed items for some major fast food chains and worn those golden corporate handcuffs. But none of this really matters now that I am starting a business. I was so used to hearing the phrase, "Claire, no problem, we will get right on that", but over the past 6 months I have been told no more than an infant learning to explore the world. No from the bank, no from management companies and no from contractors. I have to say that this has been really HARD on my ego and sometimes my family. But these "NO's" have also motivated me to keep going and keep fighting. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Harmony is my baby!!! I have dreamt about owning a bakery since I was a little girl tagging along with my mom to pick up danish and donuts on a Sunday morning in Philly. When you dream about something this long, it has to come true, RIGHT???

So, I share all this to say that I am still fighting, it isn't easy (but who said starting a business would be). The ego may be bruised and I may have no idea where we are going to open but I do know that we will be open by April of 2008. That is my target that I set back in May and I am working to make it happen, so please say tuned.

I also want to say Thank you to 2 of my biggest cheerleader (Sexy Man(don't worry, that is what I call Chaka) and Sista Rita). If I did not have the 2 of you to talk to EVERY day, I would have called all the recruiters back by now.

I am out for now...........
Mark your calender to Bring Harmony into your Life (April 2008)