Lessons learned from our first year

BY TIM CONN Guest Columnist

fecting service, Image One can provide it all. Two of the local franchise owners are second generation in the business. Having worked in and around the business their entire lives, it was a simple transition to franchising in SW Florida.

Brothers Anthony and Nikko Conn service from Naples to Downtown Fort Myers and have been operating in the area for almost seven years. New to the Image One family are Pat and Maria Rossi covering the Cape Coral area with eyes on expanding further north as they grow their franchise.

Tim Conn is the founder and President of Image One USA, a commercial cleaning service franchise. Visit ImageOneUSA.com of call (800) 223-1985. For the local franchisee, visit ImageOneUSA.com/fort-myers or call (239) 789-2267.

After several years in leadership positions within senior care businesses, my partner and I took the entrepreneurial plunge to start our own event planning and catering firm, One and Done With Cookie. We recently celebrated our first business anniversary, and when we looked back, here are the lessons we’ve learned.

Lesson 1: “Use your story”

We didn’t think our stories were interesting or dramatic enough to share with our customers. One of us (myself) was a Division 1 basketball coach; the other (Cookie) owned a restaurant in Virginia. But we were too close to those stories. Soon, we realized that talking about our backgrounds and families made us unique and different—and it gave a “behind-the-scenes” look that our clients have loved.

Lesson 2: “Wherever you go, there you are.”

As small business owner, we discovered that we’ve got to take care of ourselves while we take care of our clients. If we’re not happy and joyful on the inside, getting hired for a fabulous party in a luxury condo or special family dinner in the backyard wasn’t going to matter. When that inner world is chaotic, it trickles into our outer world, so we learned to stay in tune to our stress levels —and take time off when we needed to rest.

Lesson 3: “Don’t cry over spilled wine.”

Even if you’re pouring a vintage Dom Perignon, spilled wine does happen. But when you’re starting a new business, mistakes are inevitable. Focus on progress, not perfection. While we’ve gained valuable experience, learning often comes from trial and error.

BY DANA EIKENBERG Guest Columnist

As we move through year two, we will continue to set ourselves apart by building trusted relationships, creating special experiences, and of course, sharing amazing food. We’re grateful for the opportunity to start a business in Southwest Florida.

Dana Eikenberg is the co-owner of One and Done With Cookie (OneandDoneWithCookie.com) with personal chef Cookie Lam Flack. The company specializes in private parties, special dinners and memorable family events. Contact Dana@ OneandDoneWithCookie.com or (401) 480-5775.