Blogs

The bad news is relentless. Recession. Downward spiral. Climbing unemployment rates. Pandemics. Fraud. The headlines shout at us. They have crept into our lives and seem to weasel their way into everyday conversations, thoughts, and fears.

There are some voices that stand out amongst the dark clouds singing of optimism and opportunity. Jane Wurwand, owner and founder of Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute (IDI), addressed VICA’s (Valley Industry & Commerce Association) 21st Annual Business Forecast Conference recently in Los Angeles. Her refreshing take on the seemingly glass-half-empty economic situation was immensely appreciated by the 500 business leaders in the audience.

Preceding her standing ovation, her inspiring words urged business leaders to recognize that opportunities still exist, but that we must be willing to “change the world with our own bare hands” to see them. We don’t need to be reminded that the economy is not going to fix itself; however, we might need a swift kick in the behind occasionally to remind ourselves that pessimism and idleness aren’t going to improve the situation either. Wurwand’s positive take was a glimmer of hope in a world ever ready to throw in the towel when the game gets tough.

While many of us didn’t like to hear it as a kid (and to be frank, who likes to hear it now?) we must not forget the wisdom offered by Thomas Edison: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” New business opportunities, markets, and demographics may be right at our fingertips for the taking, but we cannot be afraid or unwilling to get our hands a little dirty in order to grab them.