[Natasha]

OH, that is a bigger question than you realize!

One of the things that is really bugging me right now is that, a couple of times, some women have complained that there aren't enough people on the forum... but do they tell people about it? No. ( And one or two friends doesn't count.)

And while I KNEW that there were women like this, I didn't realize how few people in the world are like me. I help people and pass on information just because I like to help. Most people won't do so unless there's something in it for them. And even then, they're too shy or worry what people think about their motivations.

I realized a long time ago that even if I do everything I possibly can to have people think the best of me, women, especially, will FIND WAYS to think what they want to think. And so, I just live the way I want to live and for the most part I don't worry about it.

Then, occassionally, I second guess myself. But for the most part, I'm confident and happy. And so, I continue on my merry way, plugging mom businesses and products, whether or not my friends find it annoying that I'm always doling out these tips.

There are some people who are happy to suck up every bit of free help I offer and who gush at me for helping them, but then send no love my way.

For me to spend a whack of money on advertising wouldn't be very smart because advertising, in general, only gets a 1-5% response rate, on average. And even when moms do find the website and appreciate it, they don't have time to really delve into it and find out how good it is.

Too many moms who run businesses don't have the time to put into improving their business practices and strategies or they just don't have the inclination.

I knew all of this from the get-go, but not to the extent I understand now.

And there are these women online with businesses whom I really think are lying about their business stats, I have reason to believe. And it gets me riled up for so many reasons, namely because I don't believe in the philosophy "Fake it 'til you make it." That is touted by some people as smart business but I think it's cowardly, dishonest, and sets up a standard that sabatoges other women businesses.

There's this excellent quote by Madeleine Albright that my friend Cathy passed onto me:

“There’s a special place in hell reserved for women who don’t help other women.”

(Cathy has some interesting things to say about it here.)

I BELIEVE THAT. (Okay, well, not literally, but you know what I mean.)

But women are so insecure, for deep-seated historical reasons, and for reasons very current, that they don't know how to give what hasn't been given to them.

I could go on and on, but I'll save it for my blog and other discussion venues I'm planning on hatching.

Did you mean that you would like another category, another forum on this message board where we can just vent and complain, if we want? I can add that.

By the way, another issue affecting participation on the message board is that a lot of people are more involved in Facebook and other social networking activities. There's talk about message boards going out of fashion and that people won't use them anymore but a phpBB board, like this one, is better organized and more functional than any venue that Facebook has created thus far.

I have other answers to your questions but they're better suited for private conversation.
_________________
Warmly,

[UrbanLisa]

But I feel more comfortable with a PM. Nope not really for venting but to problem solve and attack challenges but I agree about the being too busy sometimes to work in a forum. I do speak faster than I type and I am essentially a verbal communicator.
_________________
Lisa J. Sierra
CEO, The Urban Treehouse Playcentres Inc.
Airdrie, Alberta
403.945.0676
lisa@theurbantreehouse.com
Winner Calgary's Child Parent's Choice Awards " Best Place to have a Children's Party" and Honorable Mention "Best Place to take your kids on a Crummy Day"

[Natasha]

Sorry, I don't follow. "PM" means private message on here. And only two people can talk in a PM.
_________________
Warmly,

[UrbanLisa]

thinking faster than I type - I just re read my previous post and unless you were in my head you wouldn't have followed - I answered all your questions in order, in short form, in one sentence!

The PM was to talk about something offline from the topic.
_________________
Lisa J. Sierra
CEO, The Urban Treehouse Playcentres Inc.
Airdrie, Alberta
403.945.0676
lisa@theurbantreehouse.com
Winner Calgary's Child Parent's Choice Awards " Best Place to have a Children's Party" and Honorable Mention "Best Place to take your kids on a Crummy Day"

[Natasha]

That's what I thought, but then you used the word "But" and that confused me because you saying that you prefer a PM didn't disagree with my suggesting a private conversation! No problem. I think I get it now. I assume people are in my head when I write ALL THE TIME.
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Warmly,