We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gina Sachs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gina , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I think the best business advice that has kept me resilient was actually breastfeeding advice I found in the comment section of a Leaky B@@B post 12 years ago. The comment simply read “give up next week”. Basically whatever problem you’re currently facing will likely resolve itself within a week or at least not feel like quite the catastrophe it felt like the week before. That’s not to say you won’t be faced with a new challenge next week, it just buys you more time to work things out before throwing in the towel. I’ve failed forward from many “catastrophes” like a label printer that wouldn’t print my shipping labels when I first launched my Kindness Cards, my payments being held for 30 days, a customs issue in Canada, a low quality print job on a high quantity order, a flopped new product launch and I’m sure there will be many more to come! but so far every time I think “is this it? is this where I pack up shop and quit?” it always works itself out for the better and I gain a lot more knowledge and experience for the next hurdle.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I realize referring to myself as the Creator of Kindness at tinyacts.co could sound a little woo woo, like I’m living in my own fantasy world of ladybugs and sparkles, but I actively choose to be kind (and many days I fail miserably). On the days I’m not failing I realized I had the power to change situations and people with tiny acts of kindness. One time I grabbed a fountain soda for the guy running the cell phone store all by himself with a long line of unhappy customers and another time I grabbed dollar bin coloring books and crayons to not only help the mama whose babysitter couldn’t watch her kids that day but to also help her customers enjoy a quieter lunch break. It really was a simple choice. I could have chosen to join the grumpfest or think of an act of kindness to completely change the situation. and if Gina Sachs a profound user of the f-word can unlock her power of kindness so can everyone else! That’s why I created tinyacts.co. My original launch included 4 themed decks; Compliments, Woman•kind, Keep it Going and Free and Easy, each with 53 action cards. I recently expanded the line up with a Kiddos deck and a really fun children’s book called Ellie and Hip Share Kindness about an elephant and hippo who share kindness cards through out their day. I truly believe we all have the power to make our days and others better with everyday tiny acts of kindness.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Like I said in the beginning “give up next week” has helped me overcome so many obstacles throughout my business. I also think being too stubborn to quit but never to stubborn to ask for help keeps me going. I often compare my business journey to the GPS in my vehicle. I even hear the voice “rerouting, rerouting” in my mind when I’m facing a new obstacle. There are many routes to my destination. Every route has its own pros and cons, expect short cuts to be dusty with rough terrain. There are lots of ups and downs on the backroads, you’ll have to take them a little slower. On the major highways you’ll find lots of people headed in the same direction. This can create smooth sailing or major traffic jams. No matter which path you currently find yourself on know you’re always headed in the right direction and don’t forget to wait until next week to give up!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I absolutely love collaborating with other small businesses and people making an impact in their community. My Kindness Cards are the perfect addition to subscription boxes or boutiques and gift stores. I’d love to join you on your podcast to discuss anything about being a mom, business owner, kindness or writing a children’s book. I’d also love to connect with libraries, book clubs and book exchanges. If you have an idea, I am up for it!
You can email me at [email protected] or on Facebook and Instagram @tinyacts.co
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tinyacts.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyacts.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinyacts.co
