Transformation
Posted Tuesday, June 8, 2010 in Professional
Transformation….through challenge…through inspiration….through reaching forward and from retreating for rest.
This page ~ debleroux.ca ~ today becomes transformed to reflect who I am, how I create and interact in the world as of now.
Evolution will be part of this page as well, as new experiences bring new challenges, and new talents emerge, or enlarge from their present state.
This is written on the eve of the last day of my 45th year. I am happy. Solid in creating this offering, and courageous in sending it forward into the world.
I recognize that it will be received well, encouraged also, and that some will use it as a target, will belittle its offerings.
That’s fine.
That’s dynamic.
That can and will lead to great and stimulating discussions, will embolden someone else, perhaps, who is considering bringing their talents into the light.
This will temper and hone the essence of what this site is made of, and what I bring into the world through it.
My words *entrepreneur *writer *advocate are each descriptors with large potentials, which is exactly why I chose them. They are accurate at this moment in my evolution, and they create large and delicious possibilities as they each drop from my tongue, or speak in my mind.
What are your words? Have you found them? Labels or descriptors are sometimes placed onto us by others, reinforced over time, but are not the words we feel ourselves worthy of, that speak from our inner understanding.
Have you found your words? Your calling? Your voice?
Come, share, exchange, learn and enhance others by your contribution, drink deep, take big bites… this is only the beginning.
Deb Leroux
entrepreneur * writer * advocate
Big, Bold, Brave
Posted Friday, June 4, 2010 in Professional
To place your work, attached firmly to your name, into the world evokes a sense of exhilaration, attached to a bit of nervousness for good measure. Not an attempt to attain perfection, but the willingness to aim high, or to fall, but to have committed and to have tried.
This quality, of striving, is something that always moves me when I witness it, or experience it for myself. I am moved to tears by anyone who honestly digs deep and offers their work to the world, whether it is a business, a piece of art, or public service. Commendable actions are a joy to acknowledge, and also deserving of encouragement.
I am inherently a person who receives payment from participating in the success of another. This success may manifest itself in an outcome large or small, the sensation of watching, encouraging, being a witness to success, is often the catalyst to my sense of service and success also.
I have heard many stories, sharings, and tales of facing and overcoming challenges. Within them I often hear the keys, the pieces that will transform the situation to another level of success. These keys, are often within the words being spoken, and I have found my ability to help to translate them.
The ‘why’ of what we each choose to do, how we each bring our gifts, our work, into the world, is far more integral to our successes, than the delivery mechanism itself. In one version of my life, I create and deliver flowers, that is the ‘what’ that I do in my daily work. The true magic of my floral business though, is the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of our work.
On this site, you will see links to two of my current businesses. one of which is Harris Flowers, and one of which is Layc. Layc is a ‘mentoring alliance’ designed to allow a visible network to develop, to allow for referrals and encouragement to flow easily, designed to grow in tiers of service, designed to adapt to the flow of people, of content, and of challenges that will arise.
Challenges are like food for me, and perhaps for you also. They force you to shine, to bring all of your talents to bear, they test you, they temper you, they prepare you to be even stronger and wiser than you were, before the challenge arose. Through my role within Layc I am challenging myself.
My ability to ‘wow’ you at every posting, every offering, every suggestion is not something that I will achieve each time, but it will be my intention each time.
We are creating community here, within Layc there is the capacity for each of you to find and to enhance each other. There is the capacity for great discussion, dialogue and the building of a mentoring network unlike any other.
My role here is to create the atmosphere, to provide the food, to excel at hearing and responding to the innate wisdom that each of you have, to translate it if necessary, to nurture Layc as it is offered here, and to expand its size and abilities as your needs are expressed within it.
There are 2 initial level offerings within Layc, the outline is ultimately 4 levels. Each one, an expansion on the last. Higher, or alternately, deeper we go in anticipation of the boundaries that we expand.
As a business woman, as a citizen and an ever evolving human, I have designed the outlines for the levels as I anticipate them to be desired. You may change all of that, by your interactions, by your request, by contributing your brilliance to this entity.
I am here because there was no way not to answer this ‘call’. I am here because your success inspires me, I am here because I could here the calling, and did not see or find another who could answer it quite like I am able.
I am here.
What Is Your Question
Posted Tuesday, April 13, 2010 in Professional
Knowing your desired outcome can be an inspiring exercise,
The things that drive us forward in our endeavours and in our lives are often fueled by the following: achievement, acquisition, arrival.
I have found a clarifying question. It guides my actions, as well as helps me to measure success. It serves me well and perhaps it will for you also.
The question is personally based, and although I will accept that you may choose to take it as your own, perhaps another phrase, or visual/auditory selection will suit you more appropriately.
If you are a musician, perhaps your goal is Carnegie Hall, or at least American Idol.
If you are an artist, a large gallery may be the goal, you can visualize your pieces placed into this space, suggesting success and acknowledgment.
If you are an entrepreneur, do you see yourself clapping as your IPO hits the TSE, or do you see your charity work being fueled by the success that you generate in your business?
For each of these scenarios, and the many more you can imagine, a visual clue or trigger can be created, and from it, YOUR perfect question.
My guiding question is ‘Does this get me to the Beach?’
For me, the beach is a visualization and a physical goal.
If I am considering a project, I ask myself ‘my question’ and the reasons for taking the project on either clarify for me as a leader to the beach, or I turn away, understanding clearly that although the project may be stimulating, or otherwise worthwhile, it will not lead to my ultimate goal, which is always kept in the front of my mind.
“My Beach” is a physically reality, but it also a state of my mind, my emotions, and my body responses. When I take a deep sigh of pleasure or release, when I complete a task that opens up my time and energy for another pursuit, when I set aside an endeavour that is in fact NOT leading to the beach, I have arrived, or at least moved a little closer.
So I ask, suggest, encourage you, to formulate your own question.
To determine for yourself, what your goal is, to name it, and in doing so, to claim it.
Encourage another in turn.
And we will each ‘Lift As We Climb’
The driving force and ideal behind ‘Layc’
Deb Leroux
Founder of Layc ~ A Mentoring Alliance
Lift As You Climb
Power of the Posse
Posted Friday, February 19, 2010 in Professional
Who’s got your back?
Who can, and do you, call on when you hit a rough spot?
Who do you call when you want to exhalt and celebrate?
This, in one term possible, is ‘Your Posse’.
And ‘The Posse’ is a powerful tool.
As a brain trust, your ‘Posse’ may assist you with processing information or making a choice.
As a support group, your ‘Posse’ may assist you with peer discussion, or input of a financial manner.
As a sounding board, your ‘Posse’ will likely have no trouble telling you that your idea is a winner, or a loser!
As a comfort when you are low, a ‘Posse’ is a valuable asset.
At a time of great achievement, a ‘Posse’ cheers the loudest.
Have you identified ‘Your Posse’?
Have you acknowledged them, by your interaction or by enlisting their help?
The ‘Power of the Posse’ is multi-faceted.
Here is a recent example: A fundraising drive was not going as well as expected. The framework for the previous donators seemed to have adapted, and there was not much time to reframe the offering, to make it more palatable to those being approached. Our chances of success were slim in this traditional approach anyway.
So, another stimulus was created, BUT the spearhead of the fundraising campaign, was still flying solo as to approaching vendors and getting the word out. This was exhausting, and time was running short.
So, she enlisted the help of her ‘Posse’ and the event smoothed out in both the workload and also in the process of the evening. A large success was created, but the work had been distributed to ease the burden for all.
How can your ‘Posse’ help you?
Have you advised them of your passion, your project, your goal?
Have you asked for their opinions, suggestions, guidance?
If your project is completed, have you thanked them WELL?
Your Posse is an effective and priceless collection of talent that has been attracted into your life and work for a reason. You are also an integral part of each of the Posses that your participants has as well.
A glowing example of sharing the work and the reward, of creating a larger space to generate success, and of the rewards of working with others.
No person is an island.
Who is in ‘Your Posse’?
Deb Leroux
Founder Layc
‘Lift As You Climb’
Your Wedding Floral Budget
Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2010 in Professional
Flowers are an integral part of the ritual that is a wedding. This custom has only changed moderately over time, as styles change. The floral component of your celebration is central to your enjoyment of the day, to the overall theme of the event, and to the impact of your photography when your wedding day has passed.
We consider three factors in the creation of your bridal floral components. Colour, theme and cost. We imagine the content of your bouquet as a component during your day, and also for the way in which the photos of your bouquets will be captured.
Your floral budget should be separated into two categories, your bridal party, and your event components.
Your bridal party will consist of your attendants and yourselves, as well as any special people you choose to distinguish with a corsage or bouttonierre. The size of this second group is subjective, but normally the parents of the bride and groom are acknowledged, as well as the MC for the event. Grandparents may also be distinguished, if you choose. We advise that you consider where to ‘cut off’ this acknowledgment, as it can greatly impact your cost.
The average cost for either a fresh or silk bouquet for the bride is $110, with the bridesmaids pieces being slightly less, due to the smaller size normally requested for these items. A bridal party of 3 attendants per side, therefore, would average at 490.00 with additional taxes.
Your venue, or centerpieces, have a wider range of possible costs. It is important that your florist is familiar with the venue you have chosen, as they are likely to have created items for this space before, and to have ideas of what will work well. Flowers are only one option for your centerpieces, as are candles, or candy dishes, or photos.
Delivery of your items to your venue of choice is an additional amount for most florists, as there are often multiple items to be sent to the location. Oftentimes a family member can be encouraged to pick up your items. Please ask your florist how these items will be packaged so that the risk of damage is alleviated.
On site floral services are also an option. Large pieces for the celebration space, as well as centerpieces are often created on site. This is money well spent, as table pieces often will shift in design while being moved, and will not appear as the florist has intended. Larger pieces increase this risk during delivery, and the onsite work allows for the perfect piece to be ready for the event as it begins.
Speaking with your florist up to 6 months before your event is acceptable. It is best to assure your preferred date with a deposit in advance, and to not be concerned about last minute changes in the schedule of your preferred florist.
Seasonal changes in product can be addresses by a qualified florist at any time of the year. You can discuss in the fall, the items available in the spring as an example.
Packages are difficult to create for florists, as there are so many variables in the sizes of the bridal parties, and the prices of flowers adjust over the course of a year, due to the flowers being a commodity item.
Please consider the level of integrity and skill of your florist, as carefully as you consider who will be creating your menu, and who will be composing your dessert, the theme of your event and your photography.
Your florist is a great resource to also assist you with finding other vendors who will serve you well.
This very special day is a once in a lifetime event for you, but your florist has been through this many many times, and has great ideas and insights to share that will enhance your entire experience.