As you read this issue, think about these insightful words from Paul Hawken:

Your business must be an extension of who you are and what you are trying to learn and achieve. You know know that you want to replace, improve or change. Begin where the tool breaks, the service slips, or the shoe pinches.

"My venture confirmed for my parents that their second-born was a failure, and I thereby fulfilled the promise I had shown since early childhood. I thought of them often as I swept the sidewalk outside my store.

"They weren't the only people who flinched at my decision to enter business. Former teachers struggled to maintain a calm expression when I told them I was a storekeeper, friends expressed concern about my 'direction in life,' and old girlfriends didn't return my calls.

"All my friends were antibusiness. My sense of isolation became so acute that I almost joined the Rotary Club."

Hawken is writing about a business he started in the sixties, a time notable for a fair amount of civil unrest and distrust. Consider, then, what Sir Richard Branson declared a year or so ago: "The world is a massively more hospitable place for entrepreneurs than it was twenty years ago."

It's not just more hospitable because of attitudes. The amount of resources and tools available for running a successful operation expands every day. Here's some evidence i uncovered in just the past few days. I urge you to set aside a bit of time to explore them for yourself.

The oh-so-entrepreneurial Naomi Dunford, aka IttyBiz, shared this insightful article with us. 7 Creative Ways To Meet Your Goals

Another generous and smart expert is Joan Stewart of Publicity Hound fame. Here was her gift to entrepreneurs this week: 19+ story ideas to generate publicity, PR for your business

Although this one is more about kids, it's also a terrific reminder of being an innovator in everyday life. Love this video on the power of tinkering.

CNN wants to see your World Headquarters. Deadline is 3/1. You can submit photos or videos.

A terrific true story. from Etsy about a woman's transition from employee to entrepreneur. Quit Your Day Job:

If you haven't paid a visit to my blog, Buon Viaggio, stop by. This month's theme is Power Tools and it's getting a lot of positive response.

Roddick's not the only entrepreneur to discover that the Joyfully Jobless life is about more than just making a living. In fact, there's been a great deal of discussion about social entrepreneurship, creating a values-driven business and making purpose and meaning central to enterprises large and small. The challenge, too often, has been figuring out how to turn such lofty intentions into practical realities.

Are ready join the ranks of 21st Century Entrepreneurs who are creating businesses that improve the lives of individuals, families, communities and countries by using their passions and creativity to solve local and global problems and create social change, but aren't sure how to get started?

If so, make plans to join Alice Barry, Terri Belford and me at Inspired Livelihood in beautiful Sedona, Arizona on April 16 &17. Whether you want to transform your business or simply add another dimension to what you're already doing, we'll help you find more clarity and commitment to do just that.

Inspired Livelihood

Whether it's the Red Cross, Direct Relief or another aid organization, there are an abundance of ways to share our abundance with people whose need is enormous.

Barbara