Net Max = Catapulting.

It was in 2001 when my Mom and I started a gift basket business.  We were sitting at a train crossing talking about how it would be nice to own a gift basket business.  That turned into a U-turn into Pier One Imports where we bought our first supplies.  The problem was that we were so excited about the creative part, we didn't do anything else.  No business plan, no thought around who is going to do what - not even a lot of research on supplies.  Although we had immediate success with orders, our profit margins weren't proper and we were buying supplies that we probably could have waiting to buy.  Since then, the business has grown immensely and so have the profit margins.  It took years of trial and error, risk taking, marketing tests and I can now tell you that Gourmet Gifts is successful.  In October, it will be officially ten years with a company; over 20 years making gift baskets.

A huge turning point for me with Gourmet Gifts was the realization that my family and friends weren't going to be my number one supporters (except my favorite Aunt Diane - she supports everything I do!).  I was so disappointed to see the lack of support and quickly realized that I need to put my concentration on the people that had already stepped up to help me.  I also realized that I spend money with a lot of people so expecting a little reciprocal support isn't a bad thing.  And then, I joined a networking organization thinking that I'd get even more support - not so much.  That's how The Women's Networking Alliance got started but that's another story.

This Turning Point for me developed into a theory I call NetMax.  It's a chapter in my book Avance and I've written a few articles about it in Trends and Tips Gift Basket Magazine.  It's how I catapulted my business and ultimately grew it from a small little hobby to a full on corporation.