This is a little lengthy, because the story it tells is not a sound-bite, although it has rich learnings about business and truth. It also is a bit of a confessional, of my own mistakes and learnings.
The Short Story Version
Kate resigned. We went into emotional turmoil. Big insights and learnings. We’re reconfiguring Opening the Moneyflow slightly, including beefing up the DIY program. I’ve also pushed the early-bird deadline to next Monday to allow for the emotional reality of being feeling disoriented and emotionally “all circuits busy” for a full week.
And I’m asking for a do-over of the November 18 call on You’ve Got Six Months: Go! I was way gummed up emotionally, and it wasn’t my most inspired call. So I’m adding content and redoing it this Thursday.
What Really Happened
Monday, November 15 was one of Heart of Business’ quarterly full-day strategic review meetings, where we look at everything, question what we’re doing and connect in with guidance about moving forward.
One of the big realities we were facing is that despite our growth and development, Heart of Business isn’t large or complex enough to warrant a full-time operations person plus a part-time virtual assistant. Although for the past two years we’ve had record revenue and many big months in a row, we haven’t had record profitability. In fact, we’ve had some interesting cash flow situations because we did that thing growing companies do–grow our costs along with our revenue.
The operations position, a role Kate Williams has filled the last two and half years, has been an incredible boon on many levels, implementing systems and oversight and consciousness at levels of the business we hadn’t looked at before. It’s been amazing. And with her help we’ve broken through revenue ceilings, and implemented all kinds of things I never did on my own, such as adding practitioners, bringing in legal help to clarify our relationships with people, and many other critical things to running a more complex business.
And, with all of that in place, it was now time to shift our attention elsewhere. We asked Kate to shift half of her hours from operations to running a new project we want to dig into.
And she resigned.
Not Exactly Like That
It was a long meeting. We talked about many things. The resignation came late in the day in a surprise announcement. Even Kate was surprised, saying she did not come to the meeting with any intention of resigning. (Although my wife Holly admitted to a quiet intuition over the last two days, “Kate is leaving. Huh?”)
Her announcement came in a moment when Presence filled the room and she just felt she had to speak the truth as it came to her. As she said what she had to say, there was the shock of the announcement, coupled with a big exhaled breath from all of us as the truth was recognized.
It was a courageous thing for her to speak her truth, and courageous for us all to accept it.
It wasn’t totally out of the blue. There had been a thread over the last two years of Kate questioning whether this was really her work, as she had spent previous years in various positions supporting other people. She is such a tremendous facilitator, teacher, coach and councilor, that she really needs to be doing her work, and not just supporting someone else, like yours truly, in doing their work.
Also, I’ve had a steep learning curve as a team leader over the last three years, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes. I’ve noticed that my key weakness in leadership is my desire for harmony and to be liked over truth and productive conflict. So my desire to be liked by Kate, and others on the team, as well as my desire to have everyone “taken care of” had me miss several key decision points and instead just “going with the flow.”
Through my work in my masters program I’ve been reclaiming my sovereignty in this new environment, as has Kate in her own heart-work, and truth just becomes much easier to see when everyone is committed to seeing it.
Oh My God–The Emotional Storm
As you might imagine there has been a rollercoaster of different emotions for all of us. I’ll talk about mine, since that’s who I am. 🙂
I told Kate that the first feeling was one of relief, of a truth recognized. There was also the relief of recognizing all the ways I had given myself away, a feeling of freedom regained. It’s not an entirely fair way to describe it, because no one took my freedom away, but I had abandoned it in my desire to copy some unknown ideal of how I should be as a leader.
Then came the sadness and grief, of course. Kate and I have a daily relationship of working collaboration. That’s going to stop suddenly in about two weeks. It’s like a relationship break-up, especially since we continue to be on such good terms with each other. It’s not like anyone did anyone else wrong. Just the truth emerged, it’s time for her to go and it’s very sad.
Anger. You can’t have the grief process without anger, and it’s definitely my least favorite emotion to express. But, yes, anger. “You’re quitting at the end of the year, in the middle of enrolling our six-month course, and we have to spend all this time and energy on the transition? And you didn’t do it before now, so I could’ve reconfigured Opening the Moneyflow to account for the reality of our team now?” (I did make changes–I detail them below.)
Ahh… anger… By definition it’s not rational. Now was the perfect timing, and it’s what had to happen. And anger came up. It doesn’t stay for very long, but little bits of it waft around. Fun.
Withdrawal. Although it’s not an emotion, I notice that I’m preparing for the transition and have withdrawn some. I’ve been consulting with Kate much less about the business.
I’m withdrawing partly out of respect for her and not wanting to involve her with something she’s not going to be around for. It’s also partly for me an exercise in regaining my own sovereignty.
One thing that happens as a business gets more complex is that decisions become harder to make, because there is so much more information and so many more people to consider.
In my attempts to be a collaborative, open-door leader, I notice that there are many places where I’ve abdicated my responsibility to make decisions. I’m taking that back, and the result is spending less time in meetings and discussions.
Don’t get me wrong. I will continue to collaborate with Jason, Yollana, Susan and other team members of Heart of Business. I love the working relationship that Kate and I developed. And I notice the difference between that and just avoiding decisions.
The best way for me to do that right now is to reduce how many things I bring to consult with Kate or anyone else.
The Lightning of the Business
Another piece of relief was related to the lightness of the business. As I said, we’ve had ten straight years of growth, and we busted through some big revenue ceilings this year. But the business had come to feel heavy, and I believe it’s because we took on an infrastructure model for a business that is much larger than ours, and doesn’t fit what we’re doing.
We needed to focus on infrastructure and systems for a time, and Kate did an amazing job with it, but to create a permanent position focused entirely on that called “operations” means that we missed the timing to change focus to other strategic areas. A permanent titled operations position means I went on autopilot and stopped asking when the time was to shift.
My friend, the best-selling author of Predictable Success and consultant Les McKeown, who has personally been involved in 42 different startups, nailed it perfectly in the chapter on Whitewater. He specifically warns against creating an “operations” position separate from everything else at the stage of business growth we’re in. Although I had read the chapter, it didn’t sink in. I re-read that chapter last week, all the while slapping myself in the forehead repeatedly.
To be kind, Les did say that often businesses have to make that mistake for the founders/leaders to develop the muscle and skills to lead a more sustainable organization later. And that’s evidently what I did. Check out these bulging leadership muscles.
What Happens Now?
Kate is staying with us through the middle of December to support the current Opening the Moneyflow course with which she has been so intimately involved, as well as to help set up next year’s Moneyflow. And, of course, to help effectively transfer all of what she does.
Of course a tremendous boon is that Kate is superb at creating systems and training people on them, so we’re in a great position. Susan is going to easily and without any bumps pick up the majority of what Kate was doing, and I have just a few additional bits and bobs for other people to pick up, and even one or two that I really need to pick up myself.
We are not going to rehire for her position, so please don’t send us resumes. We have all the team members we need in place right now.
Do-Over? Changes to Opening the Moneyflow 2011
With Kate no longer with us for next year, I want to make some changes to the Moneyflow program starting in January. These are not major changes, except for the DIY program (which is getting beefed up), but have more to do with how to handle capacity so we can take care of everyone really well.
First, I want to re-do the You’ve Got Six Months: Go! call I held November 18. Although I covered the material I wanted to, it was one of my least inspired teaching moments in a long time. I held the class just a few days after Kate announced her resignation, and I was gummed up with all kinds of emotions. Because I wasn’t in the position to make a public announcement–all three of us were still reeling and trying to figure out the details of what it really meant–I couldn’t talk about it with you.
This meant I wasn’t really that was present. I got off the call and said to Holly, my wife, “Well, I botched that one.”
You deserve better than that. So I’m going to re-do the call, but change the content. Not entirely, but there are some teachings I want to share from my learnings these past three years that have to do with teams, leadership, and developing a truly sustainable business at a higher-level. By a higher level, I mean one that brings five figures a month in consistently for years on end.
Click here to join us for the call. If you registered for the previous call, you’re still registered. You probably already have the new call-in information, time and date to you in the “already registered” email.
Other Changes to Moneyflow
There will be no changes to the Core program with Jason and Yollana, since all the structures and support remain in place for them to hold the groups they have. Their groups continue to fill up.
The Premium program is changing simply in terms of numbers. I’m limiting the number of participants to an absolute maximum of five, and I might cut it off at four, rather than eight. Which means there’s really only one spot left (maybe two, if you really are the right person for it and I can’t say no.)
The DIY program has the most substantial changes to it. First of all, I want to acknowledge the term “Do It Yourself” can sound inspiring to some, and daunting to others. Because of that, we’re actually adding more support to the DIY level, without changing the price.
Three changes to the DIY:
- We’re accepting no more than 20 people into the program, instead of thirty-six. I know the team we have can support that many people.
- The DIY participants will have a chance to write a check-in each month, and get a written response from us here at Heart of Business. You will report on your progress with your personal business development plan, challenges you are facing, successes you’re having, things you want feedback on and other questions you have.While the program is such that we can’t give in-depth line-editing or feedback on writing, what we will be able to do is review things like websites and sales copy and give you our impressions of what’s working, and our top 1-3 recommendations of what you can do to improve it.
- The check-ins will be scheduled to be due before the monthly DIY Q&A call. This is so you can write your check-in, get written feedback, and then ask follow-up questions on the call for clarity.
Because of all this, we’re pushing the early-bird deadline back. It was supposed to be today, but oh boy way too much was going on emotionally. So I’m pushing it back to December 6, a week from today.
Get your applications in, and we’ll get you moving in the new year.
What’s Next?
Through the grief of losing an amazing team member, I’m feeling re-inspired. I’m excited by all the possibilities that are coming up.
I do know some projects that I’m very inspired about: a year-long Remembrance Challenge, including virtual retreats. The Paradox class, that’s been itching to be born. A redesign of our look.
I’m also feeling vulnerable. I know there are a lot of learnings and realizations that will be bubbling up. I’m going to be showing you behind the curtain as much as possible.
77 Responses
I learn so much from you, Mark. Thanks for sharing all of this behind-the-scenes stuff. Especially the emotions behind it. Withdrawal? Yep. I’ve definitely been there (and go back to that place quite often, in fact).
Looking forward to the growth that this new phase will bring you guys.
i learn so much from you too.
and i’m sending virtual hugs to all of you at heart of business.
Mark,
Your honest, transparency and willingness to share is so powerful. Your courage to be vulnerable is worth modeling.
And, I so appreciate the way you reach out to make sure folks are in the loop and receiving original value.
Wishing you strength and peace during this transition. May your vulnerability prove your biggest, and most profitable, asset.
Namaste’
Karen
Wow Mark! I honor your honesty and your vulnerability. I too look forward to see what this new phase brings to Heart of Business. With all your insight, care and compassion, it can only bring great stuff :-).
I’ve had a difficult year and have been very hesitant to write about it in the blog. Your post has inspired me to finally do it. It’ll be good…
Hi Andrea- I’m so glad and hope it does inspire you to finally do it. It’s an amazing thing to get support from people and be witnessed for what’s difficult.
Hi Mark
Thanks for including us in this part of the journey.
It is so helpful to read your interpretations of how this took place. I SO recognize myself in the “key weakness in leadership is my desire for harmony and to be liked, over truth and productive conflict”. Ah yes! Thanks so much for putting it into words. And also for the referral to Les McKeown’s work.
May blessings and peaceful joy inhabit the transitions ahead for HoB and Kate too
Gyllian
I took that from “The Five Temptations of a CEO” by Patrick Lencioni. Lencioni is such an amazing guru for these kinds of things. Anyone stepping into leadership would do well to read at least that book.
I honor your loss, Mark and Kate and the rest of the HoB crew – and am honored myself to be here to witness the abundant love, even through the other muddy emotions.
Brave, brave post, Mark.
I know that what you are growing through feels weird and disruptive (and of course, on one level it is), but it is also the flowering of your business into what it now needs to be. Think caterpillar and butterfly.
The rest of us are privileged that you chose to share this with us.
Be well,
Les
Mark,
Thanks so much for sharing this. These kinds of “big” mistakes can be so challenging to go through –so it’s great that it sounds like you have worked through most of this and are moving on. I hope you didn’t slap yourself in the head too hard.
We need your brains. 🙂
Mark,
As always, thanks for your courage in sharing your deepest, most profound learnings. It helps us all to grow by witnessing others and their process.
What you said about revealing the Truth is so true. I find whenever the Truth of a situation reveals itself, everything has an opportunity to come back into realignment and balance in a new way.
Bravo and thank you for your bravery and honesty on this post.
Elizabeth
Mark, wishing you and Heart of Business love, faith, strength and sovereignty through this time of upheaval and transformation. May the gifts of this time come with ease and grace.
ALWAYS better to share. We ALL learn from each other. Thank you for doing this and I honor you for doing this. Namo Namo (I bow to you and your divinity)
Blessings, love and light,
Elizabeth in Eugene
Mark,
Wow. It really take a courageous leader to be so open, honest, and reflective about such a sensitive subject. And some guts to share it with the world!
When I saw “I botched the call” in my email, I thought about how I react when I don’t do ‘perform’ to my own expectations. You have really given me some things to ponder.
Then after reading about Kate leaving in “Losing a team member” I am amazed — amazed because you are acknowledging not only how this change in circumstance is affecting your business, but also your role in it and your reaction to it — from a tactical level AND an emotional level. That’s one helluva heart opener.
From a business perspective, I really appreciate what you’ve shared and how you have shared it to further facilitate a heart-centered connection with ‘us’.
Really, a long way to say thank you for sharing yourself with us. And that I’m taking a moment to hold you, Kate, and your team in my heart as you make this transition. You are a model of what you teach.
Thanks for explaining this transition in such a honest and loving way.
Kate has been your operations person for two plus years – but really she developed into so much more – offering her keen insight, gentle pushes forward in process, and stable presence.
Yay to Kate for all that she has contributed to Heart of Business! Yay to Mark for stepping further into his leadership!
It’s so true, Meg. It’s so true. Yay to Kate indeed!
Mark–
Thank you so much for your willingness to be vulnerable and intimately share the changes at HofB. This is so helpful in remembering that its a journey and to listen when truth comes present.
Kate–
It has been such a pleasure getting to know you and receiving much knowledge, wisdom and compassion from you. I wish you the best in your new pursuits.
Love to you both and all at HofB~
Diane
Thanks, Diane! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you as well this past year.
Mark,
Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. My heart goes out to you. I so get it (I made a similar operations hire/mistake years ago and lost much of my power in my business). Today I am so grateful for not only that learning but this post which helps me to even better understand all that happened for me back then.
In the meantime, your post is rich and nurturing: I had sort of “fallen off” the Heart of Business vibe the last 6 months or so. I kept opening posts and stuff but had a hard time “feeling into you”, “sticking around” (whereas in the past it was easy to). I think I could feel the heaviness you were talking about. That and I think I was hungry for something I didn’t even know I was hungry for. Your post today just fed me completely.
The level of depth and courage and vulnerability, from learning to mistakes, from structural to emotional- are all so much of what I’ve been hungry for from you- thank you for giving it to me/us. Your courage is a gift.
May this transition and coming out transform your business in ways you never imagined. You are a blessing.
Much love,
regina
Hi Regina- thanks for that honest feedback. I’m back. 🙂 This has happened before, and no doubt will happen again. I count on you all to keep me honest.
I really admire the graceful way you’ve laid out the transition for HOB and Kate, Mark. Transitions/separations are a bit sticky for me, so I really cherish examples of people (especially people I admire ;-)) handling them with respect and trust. Thank you for sharing so many aspects of this with us.
Thanks for reminding us that we are not born with leadership muscles. 🙂
Sonia- believe me, that was one of the most disappointing learnings of the entire three years. 🙂
Hey Mark,
Every once in a while I write a post that makes me hesitate before hitting publish. I’m guessing you may have experienced that before sending this one out into the either, too.
But, I’m so glad you chose to share it. We’re happy to share our triumphs, but far more cloistered when it comes to our “learnings” even though those are often the most powerful moments in life and business.
Thanks for getting naked, look forward to seeing where you go with new energy moving in.
Hey Jonathan- I definitely paused. I actually wrote most of it last week, and let it sit over the Thanksgiving holiday. I couldn’t not share it, and I’m so grateful for helping to shine a light on my nakedness. Hmmm… maybe that didn’t come out quite right?
Thank you, Mark, for your vulnerability.
While “authentic” and “transparent” have been bantered around and overused in the past couple of years to the point of being meaningless, and even annoying, you have truly exemplified the beauty of both!
Lots of love to you in your transition,
Ann
It is a fine line, isn’t it? What is authenticity, Ann? I’m so glad this was something you liked- it’s big gift to me.
Wow, Mark, I feel for what you are facing, and I honor your wonderful honesty and transparency. It took guts to share all, and isn’t that part of the very opening? I think of 12 step groups.
“What doesn’t kill you….” I know you are getting stronger and more on beam as an ever-emerging business owner and leader. You will get through it, better for it, and you will share the gems. I do think you did your best at the time.
And, to quote AR Keeley, “Awww, that must feel horrible!”
Thank you, for everything, Mark; not the least your great compassion, wisdom and humility.
A p.s.- My book “Cooperative, Collaborative Construction” is nearing publication, and you are in there. You have played an important role in my emergence, too.
God bless,
Stuart Baker
Woo-hoo! I can’t wait to see your book, Stuart. Congrats! You’ve been on quite a long road with this. So excited for you!
Mark: I’m new to the internet marketing “space,” having come from Silicon Valley’s startup world. So glad that someone – you 🙂 – are talking about the real challenges of growing a business. There is so much talk about finding our purpose and building million dollar business (all good things), but I don’t see much about how to handle the actual business part of things. With my backgroudn, maybe it’s something I should think about doing? 🙂
Thanks for being so open as you work out those muscles!
Marie-Jeanne
Marie-Jeanne, Ummm… yes? please? 🙂
Hi, Mark…
Thanks for sharing so openly. ?
I wanted to let you know that I really get it… on all levels, as this quarter–while I’ve been on sabbatical–has brought fundamental changes to my business model, and the ending of working relationships with four key members of my team.
A bit further down the road than you are, I can report that, from here, things are much sweeter than they felt to me when this journey began. And part of that is that I allowed things, in part, to really unfold rather than driving them in any certain direction (had I driven in the original direction I was considering, team mates might still be with me on the journey, but the journey wouldn’t have been the right one for any of us).
The rightness and lightness of all of this fills me with such amazing gratitude.
However things unfold for you, I trust that the result will be most beautiful.
With love and great respect,
Anastacia
Yah! I so hear you Anastacia- that’s what it looks like from here, too. Glad to have the validation.
Mark –
You wrote: “…the first feeling was one of relief, of a truth recognized.” With that sense of relief, with breath flowing in and out with ease again, Truth certainly can emerge and Right Action be taken. Exciting things can come about with this fluidity!
Your transparency, vulnerability, and allowing us to see “behind the curtain” model for me to breath relaxed breaths as I courageously acknowledge and embrace my Truth and prompt me to leap into my next Right Action
Mark-
You put eloquent voice to what happens when we are blown off course by some event. Having been a member of several of your courses, having spoken with Kate just before Thanksgiving, and having brought Remembrance into my personal practices, I’m witness to you walking your talk.
That so little time
Hi Mary- so little time? Wow- felt like for-evah. Such a relief to finally be able to talk about it openly, two weeks later. 🙂
Thanks for walking us through the issues you’ve been facing, Mark — lots to learn here. It’s helpful to watch you and the Heart of Business team meeting challenges with openness and presence. Wishing you continued inspiration balanced with grounding… and whatever you are needing during the next phase 🙂
Janet
Wow, folks. I’m so blown away by the support. This feels crazy good to hear from all of you. I can’t keep up with replying to all the comments, but I will sprinkle some thoughts in as I’m moved.
Just know that I’ve read each and every comment and it’s gone straight to my heart. I cherish each of you.
Wow, that’s big!
Best wishes to Kate in her next adventure, and support to you as you adjust.
Thanks for sharing,
Susan
That sound you hear is me standing here, clapping.
Or possibly me, wheezing. Some fakakta idiot showed up at Thanksgiving with free colds for everyone.
Really wonderful, Mark. Brave and fine, the way you’ve handled it all. Thank you.
Wow, now i understand a bit more clearly the heartache and challenges you had hinted about in the twittersphere…
Well I can reiterate my feeling that it was all for the best, as I can already sense the lightness clicking more in tune with what you teach…. Operating lean can be such a blessing.
Although I can’t say at the moment i get that huge sigh of ahhh i generally sense when just thinking about you and your business, I feel like this post is a big step in that direction (and i’m sure it’s just a matter of catching the new flow in the next few weeks once the transition and year-end dust settles 🙂
Well, you have my best wishes in re-visioning, re-structuring and re-building an even stronger heart of (Mark) business!
Dear Mark,
What a journey. Thank you for sharing with enough detail to learn with you. Really great leaders are willing to make mistakes, get up, share them and move on. You are a great leader.
Letting go of a wonderful working partner is a sort of death. Kate has brought lots to HOB–and you. She is a wise woman who knows there’s a new path now.
Praying for peace, grace and a spirit of curiosity as your move into this next phase of HOB–and you!
Way to go, Mark. Bless you for sharing with such integrity and honesty.
Lee
Telling the truth is beautiful, scary, freeing. Sharing the “hard” stuff is also so, so helpful… I know for my own process. It’s why I share my personal stuff. I totally dig hearing how success is gained/working for others, however, a big gap for awhile has been where it’s hard, and where we fall or stumble and how we get back up. Reading about how others treat themselves during the hard, how we help ourselves accept it, make friends with it, and discover it’s gifts is real & honest. Thank you for putting it out there Mark and telling it from your unique perspective.
Kudos to you for giving it your best (and most heartfelt) shot, and then moving on. I admire that and you.
Our tendency is to judge the situation as bad or undesireable, and you’ve done a good job of avoiding that, I think. By staying open and being aware of what is changing or wants to, you can appreciate the true value of Kate, I think.
And the same must go for her, and for all of us – remembering that it’s all good, and being OK with whatever happens.
Thank you for sharing this side, which is so rarely seen from the outside. I will remember it, as I remember all the gifts you’ve given me over the years.
Be extra well!
Mark, knowing you and Holly, the depth of your spiritual practice as a couple, is what brought me to Heart of Business when my need arose for business support.
Reading how “[Kate’s] announcement came in a moment when Presence filled the room” affirms the heart-led connection she shares with you both, and the grace guiding you all towards your next steps.
Much love to you all in the continuing process. I look forward to seeing what learning you each offer us as the transition unfolds.
I’m thinking of you during the transition. Sending lots of support + good vibes.
And I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate the way you do what you do Mark. There’s a realness here that is powerful + sweet.
I hope Kate leaves a legacy of gentle, caring, heartfelt calm. I experienced this in my dealings with her and this endeared me most of all to Heart of Business. It’s a generous essence which takes time to distill. I picture the distillation reaching out to the connections she makes in the manner a YoungLiving essential oil home diffuser works. A few drops go a long way.Blessings Kate.
Hi, Mark,
Along with everyone else, I’d like to offer you my Thanks for sharing such a tender process here with your characteristic authenticity and transparent introspection. I consider you a beacon of what it means to live a truly heart-centered life, and an example of how one can embody ‘spiritual’ principles in the world and in business.
Though I’ve been hunkered down for a while doing my own work, I continue to appreciate everything you’re up to and feel grateful for all the support HoB has given me. And I look forward to seeing how your and Kate’s paths unfold as you each listen to and follow your Truths.
Here’s to that!
Mark
Mark, I’m honored and grateful that you would share such a difficult passage with us. May each of you at HoB receive the Divine qualities you most need as you move ahead.
Kate, I’ll miss your friendly messages and willingness to jump in to help with a practical problem, whether it was a subscription question or a messed-up CD for a course. Wishing you happiness and many blessings along your new path.
Anne
Wow, where to begin?
To Mark: thank you for sharing your learning so transparently. This sort of genuine, heartfelt communication is what drew me to Heart of Business in the first place, and it
Mandy- I so appreciated your input today in class, and I will definitely take you up on that convo. You rock!
Hey my friend,
My Heart goes out to you in your time of need.
Your authentic vulnerability and willingness to share in such and open and public way is a breath of fresh air in today’s often inhuman business world.
Jenny and I will add you to our daily “Heart blessing” list of people we send blessings to every morning – unless you don’t want this. In which case do let me know.
with loving kindness
Leo ?
Thank you, Leo!
As pro bono proofreader, let me highlight this:
I think the last word was supposed to be “five,” no?
Aside from that, I love the bit about wanting to see the truth. That’s such an obstacle for almost everyone. It’s so easy to avoid seeing things that might shock, upset, annoy, disadvantage, or trouble us.
Actually, what I was thinking, Extra Crispy, was that people would remember that the group was originally going to be cut off at 8 people. So it’s just poorly constructed. I should’ve let Kate edit it. Ah well.
And thanks for your kind words. You rock.
Dear Mark,
Your transparency about your growing pains / transitions / mistakes-learnings is truly a gift for us all.
What comes up for me is this – the mind may ‘know’ that mistakes are growth / learning experiences and that we don’t know in advance how to navigate business or other transitions. And yet, how often do our fears tell us that we have to have it all figured out, perfect, and couldn’t bear to make a mistake in public…
And how often does that all stop us from just getting out there and following our heart’s calling… complete with all the glorious mis-steps?
Thanks for clearing the path for more honesty, courage and self-compassion in the marketplace.
Blessings to you and the Heart of Business,
Marilyn
Great article.
I recently hired a web developer and it’s created a lot of business because all my clients strategy and training clients need websites and don’t usually have someone they trust.
It’s really increased what I can offer people and how I can serve them, but it’s also left me feeling vulnerable if he leaves.
I definitely need to put in systems so I can replace him when it happens.
Thanks for sharing Mark!
You are so welcome, Jaime. It’s so worth becoming vulnerable- and yet it is worth creating back-up plans.
Mark – Thank you so much for your transparency – both in good times and hard places like these.
I believe that the heart-focused INTENTIONs we bring to our lives, our work and our teachings more than make up for any falterings of human nature that may occur – and help insure that we continue to grow, contribute and prosper.
Wow! I feel the sadness, yet the celebration of you both, as your paths become yet even more authentic.
Thank you so much for sharing all the gory details. While this is a bit tongue-in-cheek, you’ve provided me with an example for my self-protection arsenal of someone I actually know making the difficult decision to become more true to themselves, and living to brilliantly tell the tale. Kate’s decision seems to me to illustrate beautifully something Seth might share in The Dip; knowing when to quit in order to become more true and ultimately of more service and success.
The day when I find the courage to take action on some of my own truths will arrive a bit faster, thanks to you both.
Namaste,
Sherrill
Thank you for what you continue to demonstrate as a owner who has included spiritual practice as part of business.
I just shared this quote this morning with two other colleagues facing challenges and then I see your email. Here is the quote ….
“We’re in a free fall into future. We don’t know where we’re going. Things are changing so fast. And always when you’re going through a long tunnel, anxiety comes along. But all you have to do to transform your hell into a paradise is to turn your fall into a voluntary act. It’s a very interesting shift in perspective … Joyfully participate in the sorrows of the world and everything changes.” ~ Joseph Campbell
Mark,
It’s truly the “getting naked” as Jonathan put it, that allows others to do the same and brings us together. I have always felt that certain people come into our lives when we need them and vice versa and many of them, and/or us, move on after that purpose is served. This never lessens their impact nor mars the beauty of the relationship however brief. You have shown how acceptance and faith leaves you free, thankful and open to whatever comes next. Hugs from VT,
Lisa
Dear Kate,
I already wrote a comment last night, touched as I was by Mark’s process, and this morning it occurred to me that I would be sorely remiss were I not also to celebrate you here on this forum. So, here goes…
What can I say? I’m sure there must be a multitude of emotions still percolating for you and for the whole team at HoB. I just want you to know that you’re perhaps one of the most courageous people I know, and someone who’s got an incredible heart and ability to communicate.
I admire your skills and the tremendous integrity with which you move through the world, and I’d like to thank you, too, for all the support you’ve offered me in my journey, personally and in business. Truly, I don’t think I could begin to say how much it’s meant to me.
I’m wishing you so well, and knowing that we’ll stay connected.
With love,
Mark
Wow, Mark. I really appreciate your honesty here. I did listen to the call though not live and got a lot out of it, so much so that I recommended it to a friend. But I am going to listen to the next one too.
I learn so much from you and am appreciative of everything that you and your team offer.
Still working through things on my own. But eventually I will be in a place to sign up for one of these classes. I particularly appreciate your acknowledgement of the time it takes to learn.
And I have to thank you for your interview with Lisa Sonora Beam and her “Creative Entrepreneur” approach. I have been working through her book. So helpful for an artist to have this approach.
love,
Erika
That’s great to hear that the call wasn’t completely botched. 🙂 Thanks for your kind words. And I hope you do join us some day. And doesn’t Lisa just rock the house?
Dear Mark,
light of the world,
t h a n k y o u .
blessings of This day,
Richard
It’s a little way to pay back the beauty you put into my home through your music.
Mark,
I so appreciate your willingness to share some of your process with us. I learn so much from you.
I’m excited to witness where this big transition takes you. I also want to thank Kate for her role with Heart of Business over these past couple years.
Wishing you smooth transitions.
Hi Mark, Kate and everyone else at HOB
blessings and thank you for being “out there” doing what you do and with such integrity and demonstrating the best qualities of our shared humanity. I read all the posts and am amazed as well at the people HOB has drawn to itself – full of love and compassion and RECOGNITION, my most favorite word! When one recognizes Light, truth, humility, honesty, respect, love etc all the great qualities we all know in our heart of hearts, it moves us … I cried while reading your post because I could resonate with all the stages you are going through though for me its in the realm of personal relationship.
there really is only One of us – thank you for expanding our experience of that.
Blessings to all of you, our journey is perfectly where it needs to be right now, Bindu … peace be with you.
Ah, Bindu- thank you. There is only One.
Hello Mark,
It is said that: “access to invulnerability is through vulnerability!” In this regard – you have made a very bold step, and, have thus inspired me, and, a lot of other people as well.
Being as open, and, real as you were here in this situation, and, being authentic about your own in-authenticity has secured you one new client: and, that client is me!
Although, I have only spoken with Kate a few times, I will miss her “presence” there at The Heart of Business as well. However, from your artful representation of how things evolved, in that, she had a simmering “truth” that had to be given birth, I have a profound sense that a lovely “completion” on a universal level has occurred there.
As such, in the larger scheme of things, I do have an abiding sense that it will all work together for good for “everyone” in the end!
In the meantime, I will include you in my consciousness during my daily Remembrance Challenge!
Fond regards,
Sherlock
Thanks for the congrats, Mark. I’ll send you a copy.
God bless,
Stuart
I’ve lit a few scented candles here in my quiet room for both you and Kate, Mark. The air currents are making them dance to and fro, and I like to think that they’re burning off any bad feelings or problems that might be associated with this stressful time for you. I wish both of you nothing but inner growth and the beauty of the Goddess as you move forward on your paths.
I’m so impressed with the fact that you’re free to share your financial success with us, as well! When you say your business is now in six figures of profit, do you mean in gross profit or is that before you deduct your expenses?
Someday I hope my tiny cottage can be feeling that king of love!
Just catching up on my reading…thanks so much Mark, now and always, for your honesty and vulnerability. It inspires and challenges me to do the same.
And wow, more transitions on top of transitions. While the nature of the universe is change, it’s sometimes painful to be reminded of that over and over again. Though I know you’ve got the sense of center and groundedness to ride these waves of turbulence, I’m wishing for you joy and comfort through the changes. Much love.
Like Julie, I am cleaning my inbox and catching up on reading.
I feel the pain your team must have gone through, and I so appreciate the honesty with which you tell your side of the story. It surely must not have been easy for Kate to resign, but it sounds like in the end it is the best for all of you.
Thanks for sharing this. It comes at a time when I am struggling with defining (and staying within) my own role in an organization to which I have given quite a bit in the past year. Hearing your story has helped.
Sincerely,
Leslie M
Hi Mark:
Thank you so much for sharing this transition with us – wishing all of you a smooth transition.
Kate –
I just wanted to thank you so many years ago for helping me while I was in Mark’s class – your willingness to attend to details really impressed me. Wishing you luck in the future.
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