As we near the end of May, school is almost over and many of you are anticipating the beginning of summer activities, holidays and vacations – the kick-off being this Memorial Day weekend. What’s on your barbeque and picnic menu for the three-day holiday?

Here at Big Picture Connections we are honoring the seasonal changes and taking a one-week break as everyone gets ready to move into the summer months. My VA, Tara and her family are off on a week long vacation. Things don’t really slow down, but it’s an opportunity to shift gears, enjoy a bit of meandering, integrate all that’s happened the first 5 months of 2013 (five months OMG!) and re-evaluate new things that are brewing.

Get your PDF CAREER and BUSINESS BUILDING TOOLKIT checklist at the end of this article….

Whether you have own business or work independently—running a group, accounts or project within a company—long-term career success requires a well-stocked toolkit you can count on.

Essential Tool #1: Strap on Your Safety Belt

No matter what they say, for the small business owner, building and running your own business is an adventure. It’s not for the faint of heart! But if you have an entrepreneurial bone in your body, if you prefer to be your own boss, if you have a vision, want the freedom and love the adventure of starting and running your own thing, strap on your safety belt, get some great guidance and enjoy the ride!