(0:49) "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and dramatist, born 4 BC.
(0:45) My husband quit his job when we started our first company. We took out a second mortgage on our home. Eventually, I quit my job at Apple Computer to take on the sales and marketing for our medical imaging software. We worked 7 days a week, 12-16 hours a day for 7 years before we became "an overnight success."
(0:37) When our small business was acquired by a pharmaceutical company we repeatedly heard, "You guys are so lucky!" I used to reply with the above quote until I realized it didn't really matter how others perceived our success.
(0:32) I also realized that most people believe in "luck" and therefore spend their careers and lives waiting for luck to find them. Meanwhile opportunities continue to pass by.
(0:28) We worked hard, we sometimes failed, we listened to our customers, provided exceptional service, and we constantly sought ways to be better. Most of our successes were small but incremental. When other pieces in our industry fell into place, we were able take advantage of them and win. Were we lucky when the pieces fell into place? Maybe. Are you ready?
(0:20) Yes, there are things that you cannot control. The economy, fuel prices, and the weather. But there are far more things you can impact. Affect the things you can, always. Use the downtimes to prepare for the next opportunity.
(0:14) Maintain and improve your facilities, hone your staff, add new amenities, seek out the attractions around you, and ask for boater reviews. Use every opportunity to better understand your customers. Study your past reviews, study those of your competitors, talk to boaters in your marina, and learn what you need to be successful.
(0:06) Ensure you are primed and ready for that next big opportunity. Then sit back and listen to others tell you how lucky you were.
(0:02) And that's the marina minute.
