Happy 2010: Ring in the New Year with a Splash of Entrepreneurship!

Happy New Year! It would not feel like a new year unless I headed over to my neighborhood Polar Bear Swim New Years Day at Pratt Avenue and the lake in Rogers Park, Illinois. And that I did with hubby along (after he finished a 5K race earlier in the day in Lincoln Park -- man it was cold -- but he finished in impressive record time).

Let me set the stage for these photos. I wrote about this tradition a year ago today here and today's weather was no less challenging than last year: 10 degrees with a wind chill of 3 degrees below zero (a little bit of a wind so if you look closely at the photos, you'll see the waves).

All I can say is no guts, no glory and that applies not only to these folks jumping into icy cold waters who want that glorious feeling but to all of you who keep thinking about starting a business but don't do it.

This year, muster up your guts so you can have your glory too in 2010! Start that business. Surprise yourself and everyone else around you. You can do it. We're counting on it.

As you review these photos,
smile :-),
DREAM big,
be bold,
TAKE THE SPLASH into entrepreneurship!

Wishing you a new year, a new YOU, a new decade -- all filled with promise and opportunity that includes a new business start up!








Photo credit: Laurel J. Delaney, the official Escape From Corporate America blog!

Happy 2008: Dive Into Entrepreneurship!

On new year's day and very much predicated on the weather, I go for either a jog or nice long walk by the lakefront which is only about a block or two from where I live. I stop along the way to photograph notable moments, especially ones that strike up powerful emotions.

Well, what a surprise I had today! It's Polar Bear Plunge Day -- or how about Polar People Plunge Day -- in Rogers Park, Illinois where folks on the first day of the new year strip off their clothes and jump into the lake. How wild is that?! And to think they do this when it's 22 degrees F. (need we mention there was a wind chill factor ... why just look at the waves in the water). What uncommon valor these people have.

It reminds me of the toughness (and a certain sort of craziness) that is required to start a business. Doesn't it look like everyone shown below (click on photo to enlarge) is in it for the escape and excitement? Enjoy.

Dare. Dream big. Be inspired in 2008.


Another amazing surprise: In case you missed it, these photos were featured on NBC5.com (WMAQ TV Chicago) at about 10:18 p.m. CDT! Checking to see if we can get the link. Stay-tuned.