Ruth Catney for enSpire Coaching

I have just had the privilege of meeting a brilliant woman that you MUST meet!  Her name is Lynn and she has developed a product that I believe will revolutionalize the self-help industry.  Her product is truly the crystallized reflection of our current collective consciousness and it’s THE tool that could help countless people keep their focus and realize their lifelong dreams.  You will remember this article not just because Lynn’s story and concept are so innovative, but because in the months to come when she is catapulted into the stratosphere of enormous success, you will recall where you first heard about her.  I introduce you to Lynn Petruskavich, founder of Thoughtspots.ca.

Ruth Catney for enSpire Coaching:  First off, Lynn, thanks so much for doing this with us.  What’s so exciting about this for me is it’s not often you get to sit down with someone who has had a business idea and has been able to successfully see that vision come to fruition.  We’re eager to hear the details of your journey and we think our readers will benefit from your story. Please tell us the origin of your business idea.

Lynn:  I “happened upon” attending  a workshop held by Grace Attard called “The Secret” where I listened to Grace discuss how our thoughts can become our reality and the importance of keeping our thoughts positive.  As I sat there listening, I just kept asking myself, “How am I going to remember to do all this and make it a habit?  How am I going to remind myself to be positive and grateful? How can I create a tool that will help me keep important things in sight and top of mind?”

That night, after the workshop, the ideas began pouring out of me – so much so that I had accumulated quite a large pile of sticky notes on my nightstand, despite my best attempts to go to sleep!  Within a couple of weeks, I had written out enough information to create a 10 page document called  Reflections in the Mirror; a conceptual  brief for my product idea - motivational reminders posted on our mirrors to help us meet our goals and live with intention.  I mentioned the idea to my husband  plus a few friends and they all thought I might be on to something.  Then, I put the document on a shelf for almost a year! 

enSpire Coaching:  A year?  So, what happened?

Lynn:  Well, life happened.  I became the ‘general contractor’ for a bunch of work we were having done to our home, my 18-month-old needed a lot more of my time, and we did a lot of traveling that year .  I just needed time for life.  When things settled down after the holiday season, something started nagging at me.  I had been stalling on making a decision to pursue or not purse this product idea and it was time to choose.  So, I re-read my document and I was so moved by its promise that I knew I had to take the next step.  But I was stuck – what was the next step?.  I decided that the best person to call was Grace, since it was her session that prompted this whole thing in the first place.  I  set up a ‘Discovery Session’ and after reviewing the business concept together, Grace started to work her coaching magic to get me ‘unstuck’.  She asked me quite pointedly, “How would youfeel if you did not explore this product idea that had the potential to help people live healthier and happier lives?” I knew that I would regret not trying – and that  was the thrust that got things going!

enSpire Coaching:  Describe to us the numerous challenges you faced to get this concept to where it is now?  What was the biggest challenge?

Lynn:  You know, the biggest challenge for me was the fear of going public and facing people’s judgement.  It’s scary to put yourself out there.  I had to constantly stay positive.  The other big challenge was stepping into uncharted territory and accepting the unknown.  So I willed myself  to forge ahead and see it through.  Also, the amount of work involved in getting something from concept to packaged product is enormous!  The attention to detail, research,perseverance and discipline was constant.  The best part was that I actually needed my product to help me through this challenge!! What great reinforcement that was!  I held focus groups with family and friends where I would share my thoughts and then hear their response.  I wanted HONEST and anonymous feedback so I asked them to visit surveymonkey.com right after the meeting to answer a series of questions I had posted .  T feedback I received from those sessions  and the survey was invaluable.  From there I revisited my plan and started building a brand that I could be proud of. I was very deliberate about taking the time to do this part just right because I knew this would be the foundation for my legacy!  I was really focused on ensuring that it came across as a high quality,  high impact product.  Even choosing to go with a circle design to represent a ‘spot’ was deliberate and finding just the right name for the product was crucial.   After a lot of thinking, Winnie-The-Pooh’s “Thoughtful Spot” came to mind, and since the product resonated with the many definitions of the word these two words,  that’s how the name Thought Spots came to be!  Even writing my company vision required a lot of effort to get just right,  yet I was very satisfied with the final statement;  “To improve the way people think and communicate in order to bring more joy and fulfillment into their lives.”

Then I moved into the “doing stage” - I had to find a graphic designer, web designer, I even had my children help me to sort through hundreds of Benjamin Moore paint swatches and glue them together to see what colour schemes worked best!  I had to research all of the potential package themes,  (motivational, positive parenting, stuff for kids and teens, etc.) write the thoughts, and then select an appealing design for each.  It really was a very involved process.

enSpire Coaching:  Looking back at all you have been through to see this concept through, what has been your greatest learning?

Lynn:  My biggest business learning has been to trust your gut and have the faith that every thing happens for a reason, even the obstacles are there to make you rethink things in a way that will serve you well.  My biggest personal learning is that I can do anything I set my mind to and indeed, anyone can do anything!

enSpire Coaching:  Did you have a moment when you realized your idea could become a feasible business? 

Lynn:  Well the focus groups were a big help but a couple other things happened too. 

The first thing was what I like to refer to as my “Speers Rd. epiphany” (for all you Oakville dwellers!).  I was driving along and noticed all of these company signs and it dawned on me that every one of these businesses started somewhere.  One person like myself decided they had a vision, they thought it through and took all the steps to make it a reality.  If they could do it, so could I!  That was a great moment for me.

The second one was more recent.  My sister occasionally has to have client meetings from her home and during one meeting her client noticed a Thought Spot in the room, “Choose your mood” .  The client wanted to know where my sister got the Thought Spot, what it was and if she could buy one right NOW because she had woken up in a very bad mood and when she saw that reminder it resonated and her mood improved!!  It was the first time someone that didn’t know me or this project had a genuine reaction to the product – it was very exciting!

enSpire Coaching:  What types of resources were available to you and what resources did you learn about through this experience (i.e. professional friends/acquaintances who did pro bono work, government programs we should know about and share with our readers, on-line resources, etc.)?

Lynn:  Referrals were a great resource but make sure you still do your homework!  The internet really was a huge resource for me for the research and development component of seeing this through.  And again, the focus groups were an amazing resource – the insights I received from those sessions were enormously helpful  and allowed me to see things that weren’t on my radar.  Using surveymonkey.com was really positive because people didn’t have to worry about hurting my feelings since their responses were anonymous! 

It’s also so important to know where your expertise ends and another’s begins.  Pulling together a team of professionals (trademark lawyer, business lawyer, graphic & web designers, a good printer, a packaging company) is essential!  And of course, my network of family and friends were a tremendous support!

enSpire Coaching:  What insights do you have for any entrepreneur or individual trying to realize a dream?

Lynn:  Get clear on what you want to do, find out through exhaustive research what you need to do to make it happen and then DO IT!  And of course, it wouldn’t hurt to use the Thought Spots – Motivation! Thought Pack or I can. I will! Big Thought to help you stay focused along the way!

enSpire Coaching:  Very nice Lynn.   Thank you for this and we wish you every success.

View all Thought Spots creations at www.thoughtspots.ca

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