Happy Birthday to “The Optimistic BA
Happy First Birthday to “The Optimistic BA.” What a first year it has been. I had started my business by creating my own website, and I confirmed that I was not a website developer. I got a referral to Biaka at Biaka Works, a website design company. In my first virtual meeting, I thought Biaka and Avery were going to jump through the screen. I made them smile and laugh; I realize that is not news. In early July, I issued them a challenge; I wanted to reveal “The Optimistic BA” and my new website on August 13, 2020. I was only asking for the website home page.
Why the random date? In my volunteer work for IIBA, I work closely with three people. Jared Gorai, Terri Lynn Rodrigues, and Danelkis Serra are all more like siblings than colleagues. After I retired, Danelkis kept asking me to do a member webinar for IIBA documenting my career journey from a Sr. BA to an entrepreneur. I said I would do it right before I met Biaka and Avery.
My plan was hatched, and I knew when I was going to do the big reveal. I confided in Danelkis so that Jared & Terri Lynn could be surprised. My webinar went very well, but toward the end, Danelkis got Terri Lynn and Jared to unmute so I could talk to all of them. I showed them the five slides that revealed “The Optimistic BA” and some of my new assets. Biaka and Avery were publishing my website to be live during my webinar. I could not have scripted the scenario any better.
Like any business, the first eighteen months have been a bit of a roller coaster. I tried tools and things that didn’t work and hosted webinars where no one showed up. The successes have outweighed the failures, but you use the failures as a First Attempt in Learning. I have been optimistic, and I have entertained people on social media during the pandemic. Sometimes the littlest items make a big difference in someone’s life. When people explain to me what a silly or serious image or post means to them, that is why I do what I do.
The speaker side of my business has been great, even though it has all been virtual up to this point. I hope to travel over the next few months while also remaining safe and healthy. I will be making my in-person speaking debut on August 27 in Columbus, OH. The IIBA Columbus Chapter is holding their Business Analysis Conference in an AMC Theater that has dining.
I have expanded my network and met many great people over the last eighteen months. I can’t call out everyone, but first and foremost, my husband Terry Alter of 30 years has been a great supporter. Being an IIBA widower, he is used to me hanging out in my home office. Many of my childhood friends and family members have been supportive but many of them don’t understand what a Business Analyst does.
Another person who I need to recognize is Danelkis Serra, my BA partner in crime. She is always supportive, but she also tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear! A solopreneur appreciates someone to bounce ideas off of, and if I talk too much to myself, Terry may have me locked up. Danelkis and I can laugh, scream, and become serious within 5 minutes. One thing everyone agrees on is that I have failed “retirement.” I am pursuing my passions, and my future is bright. Until next time, please keep your glass at least half-full. These days my glass is full!