I've been traveling so much for either work or personal business that I'm getting close to MVP status. I can't wait until I get to stand in that 'other line'

I just returned from San Jose for a brief trip to visit one of my clients. I'll be going to Utah next month to visit a call center and then back in San Jose in November. I'll be going to Portland sometime between now and mid-September for a project from another client that I'm starting next week.

Last week, I finished a French version of one of my modules (oooh- la la!), so now I can say I'm international!

Additionally, I learned this week that one of my vendors sold two of my 'off the shelf' training modules, with another one pending. He's giving a seminar next week to discuss how important front-line training is and he's featuring my product and is asking for another line of product from me. I'm on it, dude! Another Information Security company found my company information on a forum I joined a couple of weeks ago and is asking about selling my product as well.

This self-employed stuff sure was a good idea!

I've learned recently that I might have an opportunity for another contract with a company out of San Francisco. That means another opportunity to work at home in my monkey slippers and visit cool places. What the WHAT? It wasn't even two years ago when I was worried about getting another job after being laid off.

I think the most rewarding part is that I truly feel appreciated by my customers. One of them said, "you're the best. I bet you get tired of hearing that", to which I replied, "I do get tired of hearing that, which is why I now require being told in different languages." Another one of my clients heard that story so she wrote to me today, "Thanks Lori!! you're the best! Since you need to hear it in a different language (aap bohat aache ho - in Hindi)"

I think I like the idea of requiring compliments in different languages. I might make it part of my Statement of Work (the contract between me and the folks hiring my services.)

On the downside, I had to purchase a new training program for just over $1,000.00- but it's something I've needed to take my training to the next level. Now I have it and I'll get to use it on the Portland customer, which will be fun.

Oh, did I mention that the National Association of Professional Women has named me Business Woman of the Year for the state of Washington? Yep. If you want to see, go to their site and put *my name in the search box. Once it pulls up my picture, click on it and you'll see the little ribbon showing my award. I get a plaque for my wall, even!

I guess this post is just a bunch of sentences reiterating how glad I am that I was brave enough to start my own company. I'm also thankful for the people (and you know who you are) who nudged me in that direction.

*if you don't know my full name, you'll just have to imagine it!