Entrepreneurial Tightrope: Taking a cue from Kwanzaa

— -- Last week while having a meal in a restaurant after nonstop store hopping for Christmas gifts with my daughter, Sharon, she suggested that we celebrate Kwanzaa this year.

Although I was aware of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa I knew very little about it. The one thing I did know is that it's a celebration that takes place for seven consecutive days beginning the day after Christmas.

My aching back, tired feet and over-used credit card told me that I didn't want to add an additional celebration to this busy time, and particularly one that called for seven days of activity.

Before I could complete my list of reasons for not adding to our already over-scheduled holiday, she pulled a paper from her purse giving the details of Kwanzaa and she asked me to read it before I made a decision.

As I read the principles of Kwanzaa I realized they encompass the same philosophies that help to create and sustain successful entrepreneurs.

Here is a list of those principles, and my impression of how they can be used by entrepreneurs to gain and maintain success.

•Unity. When company leaders foster a sense of togetherness among themselves and employees, along with the customers the companies serve and their families, then the whole community is affected.

•Self-determination. Success requires a sense of direction. This includes having the ability to create the kind of forms and structures that enhance you and your company's ability to improve the quality of life for your employees, families and the community.

•Collective work and responsibility. This is a reminder of the importance of the role an entrepreneur has in society. In other words, our problems are not solved until everyone's problems are solved.

•Cooperative economics. There is strength in numbers. Look at similar businesses as colleagues, not competitors. Don't hesitate to include them in creating programs and pooling resources to improve the human condition. Another aspect of this principle affects entrepreneurs themselves. I often say that entrepreneurs breed entrepreneurs. That is, help other people strengthen and build their businesses.

•Purpose. Make plans and take actions backed by spiritual values. Honor and celebrate those values.

•Creativity. There is no "one size fits all" that applies to business. Use your creative imagination to grow and develop your company.

•Faith. Much has been written and said about the importance of having faith. For me, I keep a little card taped to my desk that says, "Faith is not being sure, but betting with your last cent." Find you technique for maintaining faith.

These principles are best remembered daily as we move through our business and personal activities.

There are many diverse and unique ways for celebrating the true meaning of the holiday season. We should feel free to create or include any new holiday tradition that allows us to get in touch with what is important for living. And, we must each do what we feel driven to do to place emphasis on the spirit of celebration, togetherness and enjoyment.

My final agreement with Sharon is that we will give each young family member a principle to recite and how to best put that principle to use, to be included along with the Christmas dinner blessing.

Take this time to CELEBRATE, REJOICE and RENEW.

Gladys Edmunds' Entrepreneurial Tightrope column appears Wednesdays. As a single, teen-age mom, Gladys made money doing laundry, cooking dinners for taxi drivers and selling fire extinguishers and Bibles door-to-door. Today, Edmunds, founder of Edmunds Travel Consultants in Pittsburgh, is a private coach/consultant in business development and author of There's No Business Like Your Own Business, published by Viking. See an index of Edmunds' columns. Her website is www.gladysedmunds.com. You can e-mail her at gladys@gladysedmunds.com.