The First Month as an Entrepreneur – My “Martha” Calendar

If you’ve read Martha Stewart Living magazine, you know that one of the most prominently placed items that appears in the publication is Martha’s own monthly calendar. I read through it every month, even though I don’t even so much as glance at the Letter from the Editor or the Table of Contents. Frankly, it’s really interesting to see some of the ways she spends her time. And impressive that she has so much scheduled months ahead of time (since, after all, the magazines must go to the printer well before the next month actually approaches). And, on occasion, I read it to scoff and to become insanely jealous. (“Catch polar bear migration before enjoying Northern Lights” is an upcoming entry for Nov., for example.) It’s a great motivator, if nothing else.

So, here’s my “Martha” calendar, detailing some of the things I spent my first month as a business owner on. You’ll note that at least once a week, I’ve gone to a local coffee shop. Besides being a fun thing to do, it’s also been very good for business. I’ve gotten contact information from each shop I’ve visited for the buyer for the establishment, scoped out products, and learned a lot about the Austin recreational food-and-drink scene.

BONUS: Can you spot the item I put on the calendar that was actually from Martha’s this month? The girl knows how to party!

SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
					1 Scout: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf	2 Yard saling
3	4 Check out commercial space at Urban Picnic	5 Refinishing estimate for machinery	6 Millwork estimate; Entrepreneurship class with Gary Hoover	7 Meeting re: die estimates	8 Scout: Mozart’s; Ingrid’s Retirement Brunch	9
10	11 Trademark paperwork; set up focus groups	12 NICK’S BIRTHDAY; Submit patent info to attorney	13 Entrepreneurship class with Gary Hoover	14 Check out Wall St. space; call Zoning contact	15 Scout: Steeping Room	16 Move Airstream (thanks to Nosy Neighbor who alerted City of Austin that we had it in our driveway)
17	18 Web site	19 Scout: Cherrywood Cafe	20 Sweet Leaf’s Clayton Christopher at MBC; Entrepreneurship class with Gary Hoover	21 Focus group reminders; Facebook page	22 Scout: Texenza Coffee; Research labeling regulations	23 Go yard saling; Focus group
24 Focus group	25 Marketing plan	26 Register for DID event in NYC	27 Meet with Gary re: business plan in afternoon; Entrepreneurship class with Gary Hoover	28 Dog grooming and vet checkup?	29 Scout: Dominican Joe Coffee Shop	30 Sugar Skulls workshop at Central Market
31 HALLOWEEN				Stock liquor cabinet for entertaining–this one was actually Martha’s!