Dad’s Legacy – A Defective Gene or A Positive Obsession to Start My Own Business
Yes, the handsome man at the camera is Tommie Walker, my father. My dad was a 20th Century Black Renaissance man. He had a wall full of amateur tennis trophies, was a photographer, TV camera man, electrician, and finally a teacher. But, his unfulfilled dream was to start his own business. He tried a few times but had to sacrifice his dream to raise my three older brothers and our younger sister. Unfortunately, I wasn’t raised by my dad. I am the only child of Tommie Walker and Ann E. Glenn. Mama kept me with her. But, that’s another story.
Today, I want to talk about that entrepreneurial drive I received from my dad. Some day, scientists may discover a genetic sequence that makes a person want to start a business. This obsession can possess you for a lifetime and lead to bouncing from one job to the next, one career to the next. Until finally, that light shines through and you take the jump. Along the way are attempts that don’t succeed and I’ve had many.
But, this spring, in my quest to find creative ways to market my e-book, I found The Complete Guide to Pay What You Want by Tom Morkes, a young vet and entrepreneur. Through him I was introduced to Jason Spencer, creator of Tribe.ly and Asher Leigh. These three facilitated The Flight Formula 4, an on-line heart-centered business incubator I joined.
Limiting Beliefs
One of the things we learned and explored were limiting beliefs. These nagging thoughts and comments we all grow up with that keep us going in circles. Work has to be hard. You can’t do anything on your own. No one will be interested in what you have to offer. Who are you anyway? What do you know that someone should pay you?
And yes, some mornings I wake up simply overwhelmed by limiting beliefs. But, I’m not the only one in my family with this obsession. My oldest brother, Tom Walker, continues with his own business efforts. And since I’m obviously obsessed, I can not give up. Now I do have the support of a diverse tribe of talented individuals sharing the same obsession I do, to start our own heart centered businesses.
Heart Centered Business
When I searched for a heart centered business definition, I didn’t find one. I did find a couple of entrepreneurs who took umbrage with the term. But I like it. I don’t think it’s a concept that was taught in MBA programs before this century (if it’s even taught now). As Ann Evans pointed out, one could say that anyone who is an entrepreneur is starting a heart based business.
It takes heart to step out on this world stage and say, “I have knowledge, talent, insight, skills, services, and products that will help make your life better. But you have to pay me for it.” Flight Formula described heart centered business as the “gift, purpose, and power of our heart being directed toward opening the hearts of our clients and customers.”
So a heart centered business offers personal attention with direct one-on-one communication. It’s easily accessible and affordable. A heart centered business is generous and consistently offers free useful information. Most importantly, a heart centered business provides value laden services and products that empower clients and customers.
Overcoming My Limited Beliefs
In this 21st century physicists and spiritual teachers have proven all that exists is made of spacious, pulsating energy. Knowing this true reality is the base of the business I created. We are all, in essence, energy, without beginning or end. We are sacred. We can realize this sacredness in our everyday life. I have, so can you. See you next week. Be whole.
Skywalker Payne is Skywalker Storyteller and Rigzen Chomo. I am the founder of SACRED. You can learn more about SACRED here and more about Skywalker Storyteller here. I also wrote The Ultimate Wonder, World Stories Illuminating Death.
Skywalker Storyteller Works 
Go for it! I’m sure self-doubt has an evolutionary benefit, but nowadays it seems like a curse. Being a writer like you, I’m sure we are both familiar with the “why would anyone want to pay for my stuff” sensation, at least when it comes to our creative endeavors. Gotta kick that demon to the curb.
Thanks, Jeff.
Thanks, Eric.
You definitely have the heart and talent to step out onto the world stage, Skywalker. It seems like you’ve found a business model that is especially suited to your beliefs and artistic temperament. I hope you are beyond successful in your endeavors.
Skywalker – thanks you for this beautiful, inspirational post. I’m exactly on the same journey. I read this “This obsession can possess you for a lifetime and lead to bouncing from one job to the next, one career to the next. Until finally, that light shines through and you take the jump. Along the way are attempts that don’t succeed and I’ve had many” and thought – this is me! I encourage you to go for it, keep on trying and you’ll get there eventually, as I know I will. This is one post I will reblog.
Thanks, Shery. By the way, I have a sister named Sherri and my step-father’s last name and mine when growing up was Alexander. So in a way we’re related. Here’s my e-mail address, skywalkerstoryteller@gmail.com – tell me about your business, if you’d like.
Reblogged this on Living Your Wholefullness™ and commented:
This is such a wonderful post demonstrating the importance of having the courage and determination to follow your heart, your dreams and your business!
Thanks, Shery.