Welcome to the latest Nitty Gritty Heart interview dealing with the intersection of heart and spirituality and the world of business..
The intention is to help people integrate their sense of spirit and the business world, and to do it in a way that honors the details and numbers that businesses need to function, and honoring the non-linearity and non-logical wisdom that sometimes comes through the Divine. Here are the other Nitty Gritty Heart interviews.
Interview Number Five: Naomi Dunford
Naomi Dunford, who helps a lot of micro-business owners over at Ittybiz, has been a fast-rising star in the realm of marketing for the self-employed.
She has a well-deserved reputation for swearing like a sailor, for presenting things in a very down-to-earth, get’r-done, no-bullhonky way.
And yet, she is a shining example of someone who is very heart-centered, very connected to spirit, but without being all mealy-mouthed and ethereal.
She surprised me with some really piercing insights into the relationship between heart and marketing. I think you’ll enjoy the heck out of what she has to say. I did.
[audio:http://heartofbusiness.com/Audio/ngh-naomidunford.mp3]
Option- or Right-click to download.
I’ve come to be friends with Naomi over the last year or so, and I really cherish her the sincerity and sweetness that she carries, and the deep sense of caring and wanting to help.
Naomi has a way of really helping people with marketing. Really, really smart. Very entertaining. You won’t be bored, and you will come away having learned something, every time. I do. Read her blog.
Did Naomi’s perspective challenge your thinking about heart and business?
11 Responses
oh my goodness that was amazing, inspiring and educational.
i admit that was the first interview i’ve listened to – and now i am going to go back and listen to the others.
thank you, both of you, so much for this gift.
.-= ABCcreativity’s lastest post: planting seeds paper doll =-.
Wow! Just WOW! I’m about to listen to this again because there’s so much in those 28 minutes.
Right now this stands out about connecting with your authentic self whether selling services or widgets is hard.
The fact that it’s hard is kinda good. And remember that nobody who has it got it easy. Go easy on yourself.
“Go easy on yourself.”
Thank you Naomi and Mark. Thank you.
Holy Moly! This was such a gift. I am a huge fan of both of you, Mark & Naomi, and your vastly different styles of communicating about business. I realize how not-that-different-at-all you are from each other as well. How cool to listen to the two of you have a conversation. Naomi, your candor about the struggle -even now, as you run a highly successful business – was comforting (oh, so it’s not just me that’s on this freaking roller coaster!) As I turn the corner on two years in business and start to feel the benefits of sticking with it, I am settling into the realization that this *whole thing* is an exciting ride – not just the start-up part. Thanks for affirming that – and demonstrating how you can be at this for a while, riding the crazy roller coaster, and still be crazy in love with the content of it all. I really dig that. Thank you both.
A huge part of my work involves helping people separate ‘what’ I do form ‘how’ I do. Understanding what brings flow into your work brings clarity about how to bring heart as well.
How do I know that? Well…I’m still my best customer!
.-= Charley Hampton’s lastest post: Got stress? =-.
Thank you, Mark and Naomi, for such a thought-provoking recording of your conversation. Balance is sort of a Holy Grail, especially these days when there are so many demands and people are so freaked out about the economy. But, without balance, we’re sliding around – and not in “the good way.”
.-= RhondaL’s lastest post: The color no one in racing likes to see =-.
This is wonderful, thank you! In today’s world, this kind of information is so important. As a parent, I love how she and you were raised as an entrepreneurs!
“she is a shining example of someone who is very heart-centered, very connected to spirit, but without being all mealy-mouthed and ethereal.”
Love it!
.-= soultravelers3’s lastest post: Family Travel Photo – Poland =-.
Wow. I had to stop this 5 minutes in and just sit here and breath. It just hit way too close to home.
It’s good and not so pleasant reminder of what started me on this path that I’m on.
.-= Andy Fogarty’s lastest post: Blog Building For Your Ecommerce Site
I typed so many notes from this interview, I *almost* PDF’d ’em to give Mark as a gift of transcription. Not because fast-typing is the legacy I want to be known for, but because the content/convo here is just THAT rich.
MARK – Thanks for nit-grit. Like sandpaper, it refines, and shows the beauty of your guests’ grain. Thanks, also, for asking the question of one’s historical relationship to business. Whether you come from a lineage of entrepreneurs or W2 worker-bees, it is a powerful orientation to consider. Finally, thanks for your non-hurried pace. Your pauses after/between Naomi’s answers were full of Presence and Honor. I love precious pauses like that. They show the kind of deep engagement and connection you two spoke of.
NAOMI – I used to work with hospice patients and, to this day, they are the single greatest Teachers I’ve ever had. Dying people don’t have time or energy for B.S., for everything they say is incredibly meaningful and candid. They are clear like water. And they spoiled me. They left me craving that kind of urgent interaction — honest and savory. You remind me of their candor and clarity (minus the terminal part). So, to be able to glean spot-on business advice through your raw, uncensored filter… it is dynamic spirituality that commands my highest respect.
Much love to you both.
I’m so glad you all loved the interview so much- I certainly loved having the conversation.
I have to say, this is the interview in the series that has gotten the most comments so far… and every Nitty Gritty Heart interview has been really, really rich. Don’t miss the others!
And I’ve got a real treat coming up next week- a combo Rabbi/commercial real estate general manager. Amazing guy, Alan Lurie, and we had an amazing convo.
Thank You! I’ve been a fan of Naomi’s for what seems like ages but has only been a few months, and then Mark showed up in my in-box twice in one day. Since I pay attention to coincidences, here I am.
Great interview – I am encouraged to hear someone say that pendulum is ok. Just like the elephant theory of spirituality is ok. (A trunk, a leg, a tail, and a bunch of blind guys.)
Now I have to go back and listen to the rest of the interviews.
Thank you, Mark and Naomi. And Naomi, you didn’t cry!
She didn’t- I didn’t work hard enough at it, evidently. 🙂