Entrepreneurial Couples Share the Same Concerns

I just got back from a presentation in New York. It was freezing cold. It seems wherever I travel I see that Family Businesses, no matter where they’re located or what industry they’re in, all deal with similar challenges. This is true in Florida, Texas, Kansas and a host of other states I’ve visited. I was reminded of this once again during my presentation in New York on “Handling Stress in a Family Business” which was hosted by Niagara University.

The entrepreneurial couples I talked to love their lifestyle but sometimes they wish they had better tools to address the challenges of working with loved ones. I was happy to share with them what I’ve learned by coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs. I must say that Niagara University’s Family Business Center is definitely committed to strengthening family owned businesses through the exchange of knowledge.

If you’re looking for more tools check out my website designed specifically for entrepreneurs – www.entrepreneurialcouplescom.

Entrepreneurial Couples Highlighted in Inc. Magazine

The increase in the number of women choosing an entrepreneurial path is playing a role in the growth of husband-wife teams. Take a look at the article 'Til Death Do Us Part in the January 2008 issue of Inc. magazine that I was recently interviewed for -http://www.inc.com/articles/2008/01/couples.html.

Statistics support that conclusion. According to the Census Bureau, from 1997 to 2006, the number of women-owned businesses increased 42.3 percent. In the article I explain how times have changed, "In the past, men tended to open a business and often a wife is helping, but he doesn't always see her as his partner. Now, women are more entrepreneurial and recognizing that more in themselves than they used to."

Remember to check out my site http://www.executivecouples.com/ if you're looking for advice for entrepreneurial couples.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Well I am a little late I suppose. But I do wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year. As for me, this year portends of many new adventures. My book, "A Sliver in My Mind" should finally be published. This is a tender story of loving those with Asperger' Syndrome.

In fact I attended an event that my Aspie daughter would have loved, "Walking With Dinosaurs." What a spectacular performance. My daughter fell in love with Paleontology when she was preschooler. Not dinosaurs mind you, but paleontology. She was very upset when Disney's "Dinosaur" movie showed grasses at a time period they had not yet emerged! Even though the audience was filled with young families, I enjoyed the performance because it brought back many a memory of sharing the love of paleontology and paleobiology and paleobotany with my daughter. Now she is all grown up and onto other things. . . though I suspect paleontology is still a favorite.

One of my friends sent me a lovely email with an attachment, "An Interveiw With God." The sentiment is very sweet and a good message for the New Year. Please enjoy the moment and fill your heart with love and forgiveness. It might just make your life . . . and the world a better place.

Asperger's Syndrome In the News

It's been interesting watching all the news coverage on Heather Kuzmich. Heather has Asperger's Syndrome and for the past 11 weeks, her struggle to cope with her disability has played out on national television. She has been selected to compete on the popular reality television show “America’s Next Top Model.”

I regularly post news stories related to AS on my website. You can check it out at - http://www.kmarshack.com/news/related_news.html.

My very own online store

I wanted to let everyone know that I have a new online store on my website - www.kmarshack.com/store.html. Now you can purchase my books directly from me. My book “ENTREPRENEURIAL COUPLES: Making It Work at Work and at Home” is available as well as the book “Sixty Things To Do When You Turn Sixty.” I was honored to be asked to contribute one of the essays for the book especially since the proceeds go to support cancer research. It makes a great gift for any baby boomers in your life.

I’m also excited about my new digital workbook - "Do You Have What It Takes To Work With Your Spouse?" You can learn if you and your spouse have what it takes by working through the exercises in this interactive workbook. Since it’s a digital product you can print out two copies and get started!

Sliver in My Mind

So many of you have asked for the publication date of my new book, SLIVER IN MY MIND: Loving Those With Asperger's Syndrome. Well it is getting close. The book is finished and off to editing and all of those book kind of things that precede the bookstore. It has been so rewarding to hear from so many who have the courage to live these lives and shared their stories with me. I hope the book is worthy of your support.

As for other news, I am very excited about an upcoming speaking engagement with my local state psychology organization. I'll tell you more about that later. But the opportunity to share one of my professional passions with my local colleagues is a real honor. I will be presenting in Tacoma Washington October 13, 2007.

Finally with this transition to Fall weather you might be noticing a change in your energy. While I love the Fall, Halloween, crisp and cool sunny days, the winding down of summer and shorter days do have an unpleasant effect on many people. Even if you are not diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder you might want to consider getting supplemental light to keep your energy up and running through the longer winter days . . . at least here in the northwest . . . the land of tall trees, rain and long gray winters.

Thank you all again for your support and encouragement.

Backtracking a bit, I thought I would update you all on a wonderful trip I had to Long Beach California where I presented to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. What on earth does coffee have to do with psychology?

Did you know that coffee is one of the largest commodities traded throughout the world? And much of that coffee comes from small independent growers, some of whom have only a half acre of trees. At least that is where the organic community gets its coffee.

And many of these growers are women, single moms in countries like Peru.

This is my second year presenting to SCAA on the subject of families in business. I learned a lot from these business owners, roasters, retailers, growers, importers. Coffee is a fascinating business. And the women involved are even more fascinating.

Cafe Feminino is one of the organizations founded by Gay and Garth Smith, owners of OPTCO (Organic Products Trading Company). Gay and Garth were the gracious hosts who invited me to speak at SCAA this year. And Cafe Feminino is a foundation to provide grants to women coffee growers to help them expand and diversify their businesses. It sure seems to me that one way to share the wealth throughout the world is to help independent business people become . . . well . . . more independent.