On the first “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” in 1993, I took my step-daughter to work at UPS. I had to get special permission from my manager; the company wanted to wait and see if the program would last. (It has and it’s grown.) My step-daughter took one look at Corporate America and has never set foot inside it’s doors since.
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to hear Nell Melino speak twice about founding the event. She’s been promoting her new book: Stepping Out of Line. Nell is inspirational, funny and real. As a fellow “Jersey Girl,” I recognize the accent and the energy. And I would see her again and again, even if the story never changes, just to feel that energy and inspiration.
We all need inspiration in our lives. There are days when the world closes in and you feel that you’ve never made a good decision in your entire life — never mind a good business decision. The bills pile up; someone quits; or you lose a big client. We’re all in this boat as business owners.
What Nell Merlino exemplifies is the difference a woman makes to the job. Women promote community. We are all aware at some level of the web of life and how we are all related. Sometimes we forget and get caught up in the weeds. We feel fear. Our inner bag-lady takes over. Desparation and competitiveness come to the fore. It isn’t a pretty picture.
That’s when people like Nell Merlino are so important. She reminds us of the bigger picture. We can succeed AND help each other at the same time.
Not one to sit on her laurels, Nell launched “Count Me In” in 1999. It’s mission is “…to promote economic independence and the growth of women owned businesses.” Check it out and see if you are ready to make yours a million-dollar business!
