Last week we took a day to reflect and recharge. Its hard to find a day, to find the time, and a location that sparks creativity and reflection but on October 13th, magic happened. Here are the top lessons learned (in no particular order).

1) You get out what you put in. The days (and weeks) of prep were worth it.

2) Our team is amazing and all good at their jobs. It takes asking someone who does the job to know how to improve it. The ideas were smart and insightful.

3) Its so easy to get bogged down in day-to-day that you can forget to look forward. Looking forward keeps us moving.

4) Inspiration comes from everywhere: from a beautiful house, a beautiful coast and even a rainy day.

5) Team building comes from a meal, a project, or a car-pool and does not have to be a planned event.

6) I love my life, my job, my state and my co-workers.

7) I can never say thanks enough. Its always in my head but it wouldn't hurt me to say it aloud more.

We often are asked why we believe in doing business in Maine. The reasons are many. Besides being one of the greatest places ever to live, we love that this is a place where we know our neighbors. We can collaborate and help and be helped. So when Tourism shared that Maine was sponsoring a fashion show during NY Fashion Week we were eager to participate!

The designer, Indashio produced a line inspired by Maine. How forward thinking our State is to take part in this. So for us, to be a gift bag was fun. And there started a domino effect. Soon we were speaking with Thos. Moser to bring their scrap leather from their amazing furniture into our bags. We heard Cold River Vodka was participating and loved to bring in the Maine Summers Cookbook -- bookmarked to a great fresh berry martini recipe of course! Tourism added the blueberries and then Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. and chocolate to the mix.

The result looked like a fun night and the benefits much further than NY.

I recently read an article titled: Momma's Got a Brand New Bag (That's Full of Lead) The article stated that disturbing information is beginning to emerge about dangers from the reusable grocery bags. They credited a report in the Tampa Tribune, that said that many of the reusable grocery bags, (most of which are imported from China), may contain excessive levels of lead. Excessive exposure to lead may cause neurological damage in children and infertility among adults.

The article then went on to say that heavy metals aren’t the only thing weighing down your bags: "There’s a good chance that they’re full of dangerous bacteria as well: A study out of the University of Arizona shows that your shopping bag is probably loaded with bacteria including E. Coli. 97 percent of grocery shoppers told researchers that they never wash or bleach their reusable bags, nor do they worry about germs. According to the study, they should. Unwashed reusable bags, it says, are E. Coli magnets and breeding farms. … The study looked at grocery bags in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Tucson, and found that half of them contain the deadly bacteria. Think about it: Lead and bacteria are rubbing up against your fresh fruits and veggies (and books, and clothes, and whatever else your reusable bags hold)".

So what's a green girl to do?

1. Be an informed consumer: Know where your products are made and what they are made from. 
2. Use bags that can be re-used and washed. From the multiple hands touching groceries and placing products into your bags to the juices and byproducts of your groceries in your bag, you and your bags are germ targets.  Wash your bags!
3. Support your neighbors: buy US made. While the article didn't cover Fair Trade practices, you can help take a stand to support US made products.

Got a Sea Bag? machine wash with detergent and/or bleach and hang to dry. 

I was inspired by the interview in the NY Times with Julie Greenwald, Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Records. When asked about handling the transition into management she replied that she out-worked and outhustled everyone. A number one lesson for all of us. 

My biggest inspiration in this article however, was from her boss. Old fashioned hard work and determination helped Julie excel at the job and justify the opportunity but he took the initial risk. He said, "you've earned it and I know you've never done this before but I think you deserve a shot." it was a calculated risk I'm sure, but a risk none-the-less. 

The article states that when she was promoted to marketing and expressed fear in not knowing about marketing, she was told to "learn it". Same held true when she was transitioned to video. In a different life, I was in purchasing. My boss thought I could handle the a whole new market of high tech data. I expressed fear of not knowing and he replied, "you better figure it out, because that's where we are heading--I know you can get us there." I've had two opportunities like that in my career. Like Julie, I worked my ass off and made sure no one would ever regret giving me a shot, and as a result more opportunities opened up. 

Do you remember who gave you your first shot? I do, and it's never left me. At Sea Bags, we now have a team of amazing talent. Amy, our Wholesale Manager started with us cutting sails. A single mom, supporting her children she's smart, organized and efficient. It quickly became apparent she could excel in other areas- experienced or not. Carrie, fresh from a mid-eastern stint with the National Guard serving our Country, came to us to sew. Independent and living on her boat, she's a great relationship manager and negotiator. She's also now our Sails Acquisition Manager. Sokunthy, our Finance Manager from Cambodia, was an administrative assistant. Armed with an undergraduate degree in finance and mostly through her MBA, she couldn't get a job in finance. She deserved the shot and is great at her job.  Who gave you your first shot? Pay it forward.