reflections on public candor

One of the cardinal rules of blogging is to be consistent. Going a week between posts probably doesn't qualify.

I will warn you that the following post will primarily be personal reflection on the nature of blogging -- so if it that doesn't strike you as interesting, feel free to move along. :)

I know exactly why I didn't post before now. I knew when I started this blog that any attempt to write publicly about Greater Goods was going to be a challenge for me -- I guess that I didn't expect to run into obstacles quite so immediately.

By nature I am a very open person, prone to candor about myself and my inner workings very easily. As I mentioned earlier, I've kept an on-line journal for years -- though I have limited its access to a reasonably small circle of [2 dozen or so] trusted confidantes. [I told you I was open by nature.] And, to some degree, the only reason I am not generally even more open about my journaling [many, many people blog more publicly about their personal life than I have, to be sure] was because I felt so much of what I write about is not mine to discuss publicly. Things about my children, for example.

This blog represents an interesting dilemma for me. On one hand, I am trying to build a successful business. And that requires a certain amount of "marketing" and "salesmanship" and "promotion." Especially as I am in need of customers, investment, resources, support, networking, positive "buzz," etc. If Greater Goods is to stay open and viable, I need to attract more of all of those things. And, obviously, people want to support something -- and someone -- that they think is going to be successful. Someone that inspires confidence.

So what do I do about the inevitable times when I feel dispirited? When I feel a bit pessimistic about or daunted by this venture? [As everyone does about anything at some point, I imagine.] What do I do when I disappoint myself? How candid and transparent and open am I willing to be with the world about my efforts to build this business? And if I am candid about what is difficult, will that negatively impact what I am trying to achieve. Will it become "bad" buzz?

Maybe. Maybe some people will use my self-reflection and candor as evidence that this business will not be successful. Maybe I am breaking all kinds of marketing rules and conventional wisdom about growing a successful business. But, maybe, I am willing to take that risk. Maybe I just want to be able to be honest about what we are trying to do and how we are doing. And even the mistakes I make. Because, when it comes down to it, I am very proud of what Michal and I have achieved so far. I am very proud of the products we've chosen to sell and I am proud of the way we have chosen to interact with the community and our customers. And I'm proud of the vision behind it. So maybe I should trust that those things will speak for themselves -- to the good. And if I choose to peel back the curtain to give people a glimpse behind it -- in all its messiness -- that won't undercut the rest.

Here's hoping, anyway ...