I am a loyal and dedicated attendee to most events hosted by the local chamber of commerce. Once or twice a quarter, the chamber hosts an educational breakfast session with a local speaker who entertains the audience about everything from networking to sales to doing the books.
At last month’s event, an interesting phenomenon caught me off guard, turning my insides into a rather liberated – albeit it a little confused – pile of squishy mish-mash.
My inner introvert lost her first fight. Ever.
She NEVER loses a fight! She’s calculating and convincing and scrappy. She’s quick to remind me that I’m more comfortable laying low doing my own thing, not drawing too much attention to myself. She regularly points out that public recognition shoves me so far out of my comfort zone that I end up with a bruise.
But, I think she’s finally met her match. My inner business owner.
I wandered into last month’s breakfast event, pleasantly surprised to recognize a few faces and pleased to rekindle a few connections. I made my way into the standing-room-only, 60-person classroom, parked myself toward the back, and settled in for the presentation.
I noticed a woman I knew from a previous event up in the front of the room, helping the speaker set up. Then, loud enough for God and most of the room to hear, she pointed me out to one of her colleagues.
“Hey! That’s Rachel! The Rescue Desk lady I told you about! You should meet her!”
Not only did her colleague turn to look at me, but so did half the room. In fact, I’m pretty sure the cars driving by outside slowed down to rubberneck.
Here’s how the 5-second dialogue played out in my head.
Inner Introvert: Ohmigod, ohmigod…everyone’s looking at us! Wha’dowedo?! Wha’dowedo?!
Inner Business Owner: Dude, pipe down! This is AWESOME! Lookit all the people who just heard not only your name, but the name of your business! Wooo-hooo!!
Inner Introvert: Ohmigod, ohmigod…but EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT US! WHA’DOWEDO?!
Inner Business Owner: I’ll TELL you what we’re going to do. We’re going to stand up, smile, say hello, shake her hand, and tell her how nice it is to meet her. Then, just because you’re a pain in my ass, we’re going to smile at everyone else in the damn room.
Inner Introvert: Ohmigod, ohmigod…BUT…BUT…
Inner Business Owner: But nothing! If you don’t chill out RIGHT NOW, I swear I’ll bust out the business cards and start sending them down this row of strangers….
It’s about time my inner introvert got her tail-end handed to her on a platter. She was long overdue.
I think this is a lesson every introverted business owner eventually learns. In fact, no matter what your personality, I think everyone’s inner business owner needs to be a little feisty, willing to take whatever heat is necessary to protect a new and growing business. Introvert be damned.
Filed under: Lessons from the virtual playground, Life is weird
I love watching new introverted businesses come out of their shell. You have so much to offer you can’t keep it a secret! Way to go! Keep taking those baby steps right up to center stage. You are a rock star! Amy
I absolutely loved this post! Your inner introvert didn’t stand a chance, did she? (smile) As an introverted business owner myself, I could only chuckle at (and relate to) the scenario that played out through your words.
Keep on keeping it real, Rachel!
You remind me so much of myself at networking meetings…luckily people sometimes find awkward, rambling conversation endearing, otherwise I’d be broke and homeless
Great looking blog by the way! Glad to see you are doing so well – Go Rachel!