Entrepreneurs are puzzle-solvers. We take what’s visible and invisible and ponder, plan and experiment. Sometimes the plans work out fabulously..other times, not so much. Here’s a classic example of one of them.

Riding up the elevator to the management office of the John Hancock Center, they had agreed to meet with me over an idea I had for a holiday party for their building. It was to be a full-on experience.

The idea was born out of a need to promote my first book.

Parties with Panache (don’t laugh and definitely don’t read it) was about to be published and the best way I could think of to bring it to market was to host a party with panache.

This was a time in my career before I was a writer or a marketer.

As the wheels of imagination turned, I thought of hosting an elevator party in the John Hancock Center during evening rush hour with a cart of appetizers, chilled Champagne, a waiter, a strolling violinist and singers.

When the ordinary elevator doors swung open people would be surprised, served and serenaded.  Those who caught the magic elevator would be treated to the biggest party in the smallest space.  It would spark delight and ignite good cheer.

We’d keep the appetizer cart on wheels and race it from bank to bank so no one could catch us, even if they tried.  I’d buy a new dress, a formal gown. It’s just what exhausted professionals needed at the end of their busy day.

I outlined every detail of the party logistics down to my choice for caterer and when I finished with the presentation the management was silent…

“We have a problem with this.”

Of course you have a problem with this! I’m crazy! But at the time I made this up it seemed reasonable. 

“We’d like to use our own caterer.”

“Oh!” I said.

“And we’d like to extend it to the lobby where there is more music, food, drinks and a table to sell your books so that everyone in the building can participate.”

“Terrific.” I said, ” I love your ideas. I’d be happy to make all the arrangements.”

And that’s when they hit me with the Big One.

“We’ve been looking for a new idea for our holiday party and this one fits the bill… which is on us.”

To recap, I made up a party that had never been executed with a pitch to strangers who did not know me, to debut a book they’d never read, in a suit that was just SLIGHTLY out of character, with a background career as a Mom.

And not only did they say yes, but they paid for it.

It was a fabulous party and went off just as I’d imagined.  People had a blast.

So if you are reading this and you have an idea, I implore you to take it out for a run.  It may be crazy or it just might be brilliant.

Isn’t better to say to yourself, “I can’t believe I just did that!” instead of ” I could have been a contender”?

Go forth and be the puzzle-solving entrepreneur you were meant to be! If you don’t invent it, it may never happen.

The world needs your genius just like it needed the elevator party.

And the funny thing is, 20 years later, one of the singers found Big Ooga online not knowing it was me..and joined.