Community: Della Rosenthal, Sunshine Dixon, Yvonne Payne, Terry Burkett, Anita R. Smith
“The heart of a servant is the heart of an entrepreneur”. This month’s thematic message pretty much says it all. Remember when you were young and wondered how you would or could ever make friends? Maybe you had just moved to a new school or neighborhood. You were shy, nervous, and self-conscious. You asked your mom for advice on making friends. Probably the best advice ever delivered on making friends was the following: “If you want to make a friend, then learn to be a friend.” Likewise, if you want others to serve your business needs, then learn to serve them first. Strive to be the best. Stand out and be a leader by serving others.
It is in our service to others that we grow our businesses. Think about it. Whatever it is that you sell, represent, manufacture or deliver depends on the service you provide. Businesses live and die on the service/s they provide. The best products in the world will sit on a shelf until you find a way to deliver them to a customer. That’s service. If the service is pompous, empty, vacuous, insincere, dishonest or rude, it won’t be long before the business fails. (Remember Enron?)
This month’s Forum really had a lot to say about serving others. Our keynote speaker, Della Rosenthal, introduced us to “Sisters of the Community”, a non-profit organization dedicated to standing in the gap for our community’s poor.
Our next speaker was Sunshine Dixon representing “United Way of the Columbia-Willamette” and specifically speaking on behalf of “The Art of Change Gallery” hosted by United Way. But she wowed the house with one of her poems, entertaining us all.
Yvonne Payne from “EBONYNOTES” spoke on behalf of the service she provides “massaging our minds and warming our hearts through music”. Whether it’s classical, jazz or pop, Yvonne delights in bringing music into the hearts of our community.
We had our hearts and minds uplifted through the evening. Surely someone would address the rest of our bodies. Terry Burkett from GT Services (get the serving connection?) spoke to us all about a healthier body. Her products, “Pop-A-Green” and “Pop-A-Purple” were the topic of discussion.
Finally, Miss Anita R. Smith from Hannah Bea’s & More rounded out the speakers for the evening. Always refreshing she left us with words of encouragement.
1. Sister’s of the Community www.sistersofthecommunity.org EMAIL: deborah@sistersofthecommunity.org See Video
2. United Way of the Columbia-Willamette www.unitedway-pdx.org EMAIL: SunshineD@Unitedwaypdx.org See Video
3. EBONYNOTES - Yvonne Payne www.ebonynotes.com EMAIL: yvonne@ebonynotes.com See Video
4. GT Services - Terry Burkett thrive@gtwin.com See Video
5. Hannah Bea’s Poundcake & More www.hannahbeas.com EMAIL: HannaBea@aol.com See Video
