First, welcome to 2010!  May it be more than we could hope for and may we give much more than we take from each other and the planet.

Okay, with a title like "Ask It Five Times" you might think I'm going to write about my kids and their persistence with asking something over and over until they get the answer that they want.  Well, that is no where near what I'm thinking about tonight.

I met with a wonderful business associate who is helping me to make a difference in how I approach business.  He asked me why I want to be in business.  I of course replied with the usual starry-eyed answer...."I want to save the planet".  He asked why I want to be in business....I answered "to encourage people to choose healthier products that aren't full of chemicals".  He asked again, why I want to be in business....I felt kind of on the spot, like I was expected to give the "right" answer....but again spoke from the heart, "I want to make a difference"  He asked again, why I want to be in business..."I want to help the children who don't get to decide what products are used on them....by educating their parents and caregivers and providing better products to choose."  Finally, with all of my passion pouring out and my pulse quickening, thinking I'd missed something somewhere he pointed out to me that in order to keep doing the things that I am doing I needed to want to be in business to make money.  Then he asked me why I needed to make money....I understood immediately:  "to keep doing it."

For so long I had been ignoring that factor.  Not wanting it to be the reason for being on my noble quest...but, in all honesty, it is the thing that will enable me to do much more.  Surprisingly, I started to think about what amazing other ventures I could take on once What's In Store dot ca really blossomed!  The ways I could make changes that were truly significant!  The opportunities to teach my children and all the people around me that we can make so many differences that improve things for many if we really let our passions be led with purpose.  When you take a moment to look at your passion, take a moment to dream about where it could lead you...  It's exhilarating!  It's exciting!  It's possible!  Then I realized that there was nothing wrong with my business becoming successful financially because that would lead to being a greater part of the solution.....which, of course, is my favourite reason for wanting to be in business.

So, thank you to those who choose to actively support companies, like www.whatsinstore.ca in the effort to do more about the problems our planet faces.  Cheers to you!