You won’t have any trouble at all finding someone who can tell you how to fit in.

Almost anyone can tell you what to wear to that restaurant or this show or that event. Smart, dressy, smart casual, all black, cocktail dress, black tie optional, you get the picture…

It’s not that difficult to figure out how to fit in – If of course, fitting in is your goal. You should be able to get great advice on how to do that.

Standing out, of course, is trickier. Stand out too much and you’re an idiot, or a troublemaker, or a fool. Putting yourself above the parapet is dangerous – Lets face it you’re going to get shot at ! There’s always someone who loves to question your intentions, or tell you how you’re doing it wrong…!

Clothing is not the issue. But choice is. You have this choice to make in everything you do, from your career, your business, your window displays, to the wording of a sales letter.

I understand this concern. I realise that I can come across as flippant, or a know it all, when in fact the reverse is true, I started this project when I realised that there just wasn’t a resource for independent retailers out there… I started it because I like to learn, I wanted to expand who I was, and meet some new people, learn some new stuff and move out of my comfort zone, in short I wanted a challenge.

Of course, as soon as I’d started it (and publicised it, so I couldn’t back out of it) that by the way is the best way to ensure that you’ll carry something through – tell everyone you know what you’re going to do and by when !!! Where was I? – Yes, as soon as I’d started it, I wondered what on earth I thought I was doing, who was I to take this on, and what was I thinking….?

But I’d already committed myself to it, designed the website, talked to the right people – and had some stickers made, even (although that does sound like a ridiculous reason to continue - even to me)– so I carried on, of course, and now I’m amazed by the phone calls and positive response I get and I have a different idea of who I am and what I can do.

So what’s my point? – Its simply this – Choose !

Are you doing this to fit in or stand out? What’s going to be best for you and for your business? So make that call today, call the local newspaper editor, come up with a marketing campaign, buy a sales book and learn something new, expand your idea of who you are and what you can do…..

In short and in the words of a brilliant movie – Choose something, choose anything, choose a challenge !