We’re All Heart-Driven Entrepreneurs
Yesterday I had the honor to meet Heidi Brown, one of the owner/operators of a local Santa Cruz company, Ashes to Glass. We met around noon, at a relatively-quiet
coffee shop. That next hour was spent talking about our passions, discussing ways to build our organizations, and sharing our personal stories. Our conversation was
lively, and fully-energized our surroundings. There’s nothing like two women on a mission!
She and her sister, Debbe, are the founders of their company, and I am the founder of the Association of Women Funeral Directors. But, we have much more than that in common. All three of us are acting on our passions: the passion to connect with others, and to forge connections on behalf of others; the passion to heal sorrow, and bring comfort, and the passion to educate and manifest change in both lives and perceptions.
They create with glass and ash; I create with words. We intuitively know we’re more together than we are apart, so we join forces, as co-creators. She is now a strategic partner of the Association, and I am her ally in building their business.
Heidi is just one example of the women I’ve met recently; entrepreneurs all, with innovative ideas, and a whole lot of heart. Opening the virtual doors of the AWFD has brought so many wonderful women into my life. More than that, so many people, both women and men – have stepped into the foreground to help build the association
into what we all know it can be, and should be. Every night I go to sleep completely grateful for everyone who has offered their best thinking on our behalf.
Other women-owned businesses have come to light, and I hope to showcase each of them in future columns. Each deserves the spotlight, and each deserves our
attention. Why? Because these women are risk-takers; forging ahead in the face of all odds. We believe in the value of what we’re doing, and we will not be dissuaded.
And, in that, you can rejoice. After all, we’re role models for other women in the field, and in looking at us; you should be able to see a clear reflection of yourselves.
The funeral service profession – and I use that phrase because I hate to call it an ‘industry’ – is replete right now with those of the entrepreneurial mindset. I believe it
simply has to be that way, in the face of two change-agents. What is commonly called the “economic downturn,” combines forces with the socio-cultural changes around
the rites, rituals and disposition of those in our lives who have died. What we wish to give them is often at odds with what we can afford to do, and in the space between,
new ideas are born and new actions taken.
The many funeral directors I speak with each week are keenly feeling these forces of change, and they’re choosing to meet the challenge, with innovation and
out-of-the-box thinking: adopting new products and services, or new ways of marketing; but always with the same commitment to care.
There’s a whole lot of heart in this field. Every day I’m inspired; every day, I’m enriched. As someone who considers her work to be truly heart-driven, I consider myself to
be in great company. Thanks, everybody, for all you do, and all you are. And may 2011 grace us all.
About Ashes to Glass
Heidi and Debbe have developed beautiful ways to blend cremains into beautiful tribute glass. Their pendant creations are truly affordable, and uniquely-designed. Their goal is to make it possible for all family members to have a keepsake that can be held, worn, or displayed; their price point is low, and their partner commissions high.
Adding Ashes to Glass creations to your firm’s offerings is easy, and can be very profitable –especially for the small family-owned firm looking for unique ways to provide value for their client families. I think it’s especially appropriate for those firms which have added pet cremation services to their offerings. Visit Ashes to Glass at their
website or call Heidi directly at 1-888-418-9888.
Kim Stacey is proud to be the force behind the development of the Association of Women Funeral Directors. You can learn more about the organization at www.wfdconnect.com, or contact her directly via email, at kim@wfdconnect.com.
Copyright 2011