Trusting Yourself_ The First Step to Entrepreneurial Success
A few days ago you were invited to join Reboundog member Beth Miller, Founder Wagtown 501(c)(3) & Award-Winning Author in conversation on the Reboundog Sofa to discover how you can participate in their 2024 Giving Tuesday for Dogs Wagtown Collaborative Campaign.
This was the first time Reboundog had tried creating a live event on LinkedIn. Yes, we suffered the inevitable tech issues syncing everything at the start; hence the later than planned kick off. When we, despite the snow storms in the US, settled down thanks to Ben Phoenix's tech skills, then the golden nuggets that flowed in the sofa chinwag between Beth & myself were awesome.
Two of the most significant takeaways were:
Believe
All too often we're told we can't achieve 'what does a chic in Ohio know about writing a book?
From Struggles to Success_ How I Wrote My First Book
And I'm thinking, I've never written a book. I struggle with reading. It's like, how could I possibly do something like that? But I kind of got under my skin. And I thought, well, I've worked in publishing services before. And because of my ad agency background, I knew I could do design and writing. And I had resources and a network of people who could probably help me get over the pieces that I didn't know about.
And so I thought, well, it's for dogs, right? So OK, we'll go ahead and do that. So between that conversation and some collaboration with Kim and Diane, I was able to create this story. Beth Miller
Succeed
We're led to believe that to be successful & I'm not referring to zillions in your bank account, that we should follow our original idea & a strict business plan without deviation. You can easily search the myriad of businesses from American Express to Play Doh who don't now do what they originally started out doing.
Unlocking Collaboration_ Inspiring Sofa Conversations for Change
How do you create those collaborations? And that's what this is all about. That's what these sofa conversations are all about. It's inspiring people to think, how do I take, what you've taken your words, how to take what I have, whether it's a book or my networking skills or whatever it is, and use it for the benefit of mankind or womankind, dog kind, humankind, whatever. Spencer B. Hodgetts
Trusting Yourself_ The First Step to Entrepreneurial Success
But it's also this thing you've touched on about Beth is not only the belief in yourself of what you can do, but it's so often in business as an entrepreneur or even as a nonprofit. We're so, we think we have to achieve so much by such a date we have to do. X, Y, Z, whatever, by a certain timeline.
And we don't trust ourselves. We don't have the 'in' here in ourselves to actually go and start something and it's that there's an old Zen saying is it's a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step and it's the same with a project whether it's a non profit, it's the same with an entrepreneurial one whether it's a social entrepreneurial one or not and it's the same thing. You're a wonderful example of what can be achieved, because you've done something! I don't write books I can't write books I failed all my English qualifications in school twice. I don't write, I write newsletters, but I can't write essays.
So it's taking that trust in yourself. I trusted myself I could do something as a global network host. You've trusted yourself that you can do something with a book for pet advocacy in schools or with children. But, you didn't know that that guy in Mexico is going to do something with it and translate it, once it's translated..... It's that unseen scalability for want of a word that we don't know it's going to happen and until we keep sowing those seeds, showing my horticultural background. We don't know which one is going to blossom! Spencer B. Hodgetts
For the full conversation between Beth & myself please view here
2024 Giving Tuesday for Dogs
Wagtown Collaborative Campaign
I’m reaching out with a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of rescue dogs, young readers, and animal advocates this Giving Tuesday. As someone who knows and values my work with Wagtown, I thought you’d love to join me in spreading the word about an initiative that combines education, compassion, and support for shelters.
This year, our Giving Tuesday focus is on Tucker Finds His Forever Home—a heartfelt story about love, resilience, and finding family. But this book is more than just a story; it’s a tool that creates a ripple effect of positive impact, reaching children, families, shelters, and the animals waiting for their forever homes.
A Story with Heart and Purpose Tucker Finds His Forever Home follows Tucker, a brave pup navigating the challenges of being left behind and learning the power of hope and kindness. Young readers connect deeply with Tucker’s journey, discovering important messages about empathy, inclusion, and standing up for those who are different. This isn’t just a book—it’s a way for families and classrooms to start conversations that lead to real change, and it was named AKC Family Dog Book of the Year, awarded by the Dog Writers Association of America.
For Every Book Sold: Every purchase supports shelters and advocates directly. For each book bought, we will donate a K-4 Wagtown curriculum and a Tucker to the Rescue support kit—absolutely free—to animal heroes working tirelessly to give dogs like Tucker a second chance. These resources empower educators and advocates with a week long curriculum for young learners, activities that instill compassion, and materials to assist shelters in their lifesaving work.
To join Beth's Campaign please contact: Beth Miller LinkedIn or Wagtown
In collaboration with Reboundog
Other News
Member News
Parnita Senjit sent me this news yesterday
Happy to let you know that BBC Berkshire has invited me for an interview at their studio in Reading on 25th November. Please tune in to the link below at 8.15pm as I will be on air. You can listen live on BBC Radio Surrey, Sussex, Oxford, Solent, Kent or Berkshire. Or live on BBC Sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0c97kbx
Reboundog Global Networking West
Imagine a world where collaboration replaces competition, and trust anchors every interaction, this vision becomes reality when like-minded individuals unite. We invite you to join our networking event—a space where ideas start to flourish, and change makers like you connect to solve society's wicked problems.
Reboundog Sofa Meet-up December
Please note final change of Date & Time
Reboundog Sofa Meet-up Cultivating Harmony with Debra Hamilton
"Transform the way you handle pet advocacy challenges. In this breakthrough workshop, you'll master four essential techniques that revolutionize how you manage conflicts, streamline operations, and amplify your impact.
Please plan to join Reboundog member Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton as she walks you through
'Weeding the Garden: Cultivating Harmony'.
Her program delivers practical strategies that work immediately - no more band-aid solutions or temporary fixes.
Leave with a customized action plan and proven tools to nurture sustainable growth.
Ready to tend your garden of success?
Join Debra for 'Weeding the Garden-Cultivating Harmony' - where pet advocates learn to grow peace, nurture relationships, and harvest lasting impact.
Because when your garden thrives, more animals flourish.
Reboundog Coaching Black Friday Sale
Are you a pet business owner/founder in the $259 billion global pet care market?
BUT you're struggling to attract & retain great talent either with direct employees or freelance team members? Are you losing out to your competition?
Then I can help you grow in 2025
Reboundog Coaching BLACK FRIDAY SALE!
Unlock your business potential for social change in 2025 by saving 30% on a choice of 3 programmes.
Offer expires Dec 3rd 7pm UK.
Reboundog is proud to support Every Life Matters
From the very beginning Reboundog has been focused on both marginalised dogs & disenfranchised people.
For those readers in the UK, Christmas has come early!
Posted on behalf of Ben Phoenix Reboundog's Sofa Meet-up Producer in reciprocation.
2nd to 24th December 2024
An unforgettable 90-minute feature-length pantomime experience!
Join Santa, Nanny, Gloria and friends as they battle against the clock to stop Beatrix the Bad and her dreaded sidekick Awful Agnes from spoiling Christmas Day!
LIVE & ONLINE
- Join 1000’s of families this Christmas for Santa Live, the Online, Live, Interactive Panto!
- Access on-demand for 30 days with one ticket.
- Save £100+ vs traditional family Pantomime trips.
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