Supernatural Botanicals

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  Maya Angelou, in her great wisdom, on leaving a lasting impression.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. “ Maya Angelou on leaving a lasting impression on others.

Quote:  “When you know better, you do better.”  Maya Angelou

   Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top five hazards to human health.  Paints and finishes are thought to be among the leading causes. 

Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application.  The source of these toxic emissions are from volatile organic compunds (VOCs).

VOCs have been known to cause mouth and nose irritation, headaches, loss of concentration, nausea, and damage to liver, kidneys and central nervous system.  Even cancers. 

Luckily, paint makers have rose to the challenge and are now producing paints that are VOC-free.  The next tine your purchase paint, make sure you are purchasing VOC-free paints for the health of your family. 

When you know better, you do better….Maya Angelou. 

     Barbara Turf is the first woman CEO of Crate and Barrel.  In an economic time when Linens n’ Things filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and other high end cookware retailers, like Williams-Sonoma, has revised its revenue guidance downward, Crate and Barrel seems to be forging straight ahead, largely due to Turf’s leadership.

Turf’s career has certainly been a Cinderella story, or sorts.  After all, she went from walking through Crate and Barrel’s doors in Chicago 40 years ago to interview for a part-time sales clerk position, and landed the job.   Today, she is their first women CEO.

Although women in business leadership were a rarity at that time, Turf displayed incredible courage when she found she was making less money than one of her colleagues.  She brought it to the owner’s attention, and got a raise on the spot.  (We hope to see less and less of this thanks to the Fair Pay Bill that President Obama just passed.)

Via Pink Magazine, Turf shares with us 5 Success Secrets:

1. Work a little harder, get a little tougher, and you’ll reap rewards. Women are such a powerful and important group of decision-makers and consumers, and it’s more important than ever that we make our voices heard as leaders.

2. Life/Work balance can be achieved, but you must have the desire and be very energetic, because you have to put a lot of effort into work and also have energy left over.

3. As leaders and business owners, it’s always a good time to look to the future. We at Crate and Barrel believe that the best ideas often come from the next generation.

4. Success isn’t about money or the power you have. It’s about staying true to who you are, to your gut, and being happy.

5. Do what you love and the successes you achieve will just be the icing on the cake.

Mondays are a perfect time to reconnect with your inner positive self, and to look at your goals.  Instead of typical Monday Mayhem, perhaps we should look Monday straight in the eye and feel confident because (A) we are learning to be fearless leaders and (B) creating a plan for your life and career makes the walk through the corporate lipstick jungle far less fearful.   Be inspired by women like Barbara Turf.  Learn from their trial and tribulations.  One of my favorite quotes, by another fearless woman leader is, “When you know better, you do better.”  Maya Angelou.