I’ve been thinking a lot about the meaning of “success” lately. 

Why is “success” mainly based on dollars earned? Is it because it’s physically measurable?

If success and money are no longer related, then what is the new measure of success? How are we reframing the new definition of success?

To me, today, the new measure of success is “taking action” and “moving forward in a positive direction”. Success is being able to reframe and replace the word “problem” with “opportunity” - an opportunity to solve a problem. 

I went to see President Clinton and Chelsea speak last night and they both talked about making plenty of mistakes at the Clinton Foundation - they have millions of dollars to work with, top academics and philanthropists supporting them and yet, they make BIG, costly mistakes. And rather than lamenting about it, President, in his typical optimistic way, said “The comeback effort is exhilarating.”

We need to continue to reframe things positively in our minds in order to keep moving in a positive direction (successfully).

If we can always focus on the desired outcome, and not on the day-to-day “problems” (opportunities), then we will find the strength to get through it all. 

So. It’s mid February, my favorite kind of snow is falling serenely down from the sky and I finally have a moment to pause and reflect on what’s happened this year so far.
“Intense” is the likely the most relevant word to describe what has transpired already in 2013.

The story goes:

I went to Panama for New Years on a surprise trip from Andrew and Nick (love you guys) and spent it on an island with 30 amazing movers and shakers who are officially friends for life (#yomfy).

The day I came back from Panama, I turned around and headed to China to visit our manufacturing partners for my latest social enterprise called THINX (shethinx.com - check it out and please support the project!) and while I was there, I participated in a unique Chinese tea ceremony that gave me clarity on a few very important business decisions.

The day I arrived from China, I restructured my entire staff at the restaurant and finally was able to start anew, clean slate and I brought on an amazing hospitality branding consultant (Zach, you are my hero) to help take the restaurant to the next level. We are even soon changing the name to Wild (so that we can really embody farm-to-table) and we are completely redoing the menu which is so exciting!

We hired a new chef and a whole new back of house team, and a fantastic seasoned new front of house team that is now being properly trained to talk about our food and drinks in the way they deserve to be talked about (we use the very best ingredients and our guests need to know this!)

We are still ironing out the kinks but I feel great about the progress. 

I am so grateful to have amazing people around me who have supported me through this transition.

In other news, my book manuscript is officially complete! I finally submitted 298 pages plus Tony Hsieh’s foreword (he’s the CEO of Zappos!) to Harper Collins and they were thrilled! Book should be on the shelves in mid June, assuming no meteor hits New York.

Also, our THINX Kickstarter campaign is also really coming along so please check it out and support the campaign! We need all the help we could get! www.shethinx.com (make sure you watch both videos!)

So much going on and so much to be thankful for. Thanks for reading.

Xo

Testing out new wild pizzas

About to meet the leader of all women leaders-Frances Hesselbein (former CEO of Girl Scouts)

With one of my entrepreneurial heroes :-) he is looking forward to reading my book!!

Miki n Radha

So. Harper Collins bought my book in August entitled “Do Cool Sh*t”. I have less than two months left before I have to submit the full manuscript. 

The book’s subtitle is “Quit Your Day Job, Start Your Own Business, And Live Happily Ever After”.

I must say though, the book is about more than that.

It’s about understanding how to embrace the most authentic version of yourself in business and in life. It’s also the guide that will get you from Step O to Step 1 in business if you have an idea brewing in your mind but don’t know how to launch it or execute it. Most books don’t explain how to get your foot jammed in the door before you can pry it open. This book will show you how. 

My authentic experience, stories and lessons span from growing up in a Japanese/Indian household in Montreal, Canada, attending Cornell University, studying abroad in London, missing 9/11 when I was working on Wall Street, playing soccer for the NY Magic in the W-USA league, starting my own business (www.sliceperfect.com) with a total of ZERO experience and figuring out how to actually run a small business in New York City (pretty much the most competitive city in the whole world).

The book will break down exactly how I raised money from investors, how I got press without knowing anyone (like how I got the Food Network to follow me for four months), how I fought back after making huge mistakes, and then the book goes into more personal stuff like how to find love when you’re really busy, how to build “your tribe” (ie. your community of friends and supporters who inspire you and not deplete you) and how to very easily stay in shape while you’re busy. 

I am excited to share more as the book progresses!

xo

Miki