Last week NetBiz.com threw its annual Christmas party and it was so much fun. 300 people, including employees & and their significant others, showed up for a night of fun at Players in Lake Oswego, OR. We ate, drank, bowled, played pool and had a raffle. One of the most exciting things was the surprise announcement of our company’s charity gift to Open Arms International. John Anderson, the owner of NetBiz, and his wife, Angie, have been big supporters of Open Arms’ work with orphans in Kenya.

NetBiz created a fund for employees to contribute to Open Arms, without telling John & and Angie. They learned of our donations at the party, and were very overwhelmed. Like John and Angie, all of us at NetBiz are extremely excited about being able to give something back to the kids in Kenya.

This is Angie’s response that went out this morning to all NetBiz employees, with a brief forward from Larry Waggoner, the VP of Operations.

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Netbiz Family.

Hi!

I hope all of you who attended the Christmas party had a good time. We have much to be thankful for!!! I’m including in this email a “Thank You” from Angie Anderson. Angie is John Anderson’s wife (John is the owner and CEO of Netbiz). So that you know, in November till now, you who are giving to the effort in Kenya have given $1,685 and we as employees have committed to a monthly amount so far of $1,131.00.  I know that as we get more familiar with the needs, many more of you will join us in this great effort and some of you will increase the amount you are willing to give.

Again, if each of us gave $5.00/paycheck, that would be a contribution  of $1,500.00/pay period. This would result in an overall contribution of $36,000.00 for the year. Amazing how a little from a lot is a lot!!

Angie’s thank you is as follows:

*Dear Netbiz Family,*

*We are so blessed and overwhelmed by your amazing generosity and gift to us for Open Arms International. We had absolutely no idea all this was going on. We can’t thank you enough for joining our cause and helping us care for so many homeless, abandoned kids in Kenya. You have truly made me smile all day just thinking about it. We are grateful to have so many wonderful people working for our company. It was so exciting to call Rachel Gallagher **of Open Arms today, and tell her what is coming their way in 2010 from each of you. Thank you for all your hard work. We know it is not always easy to give, but we are also confident that as you do God will bless your giving and greater blessings will come from it for you personally. *

*Thank you also for a wonderful evening last night. It was fun to see you and celebrate the season together. Thank you to all who worked so hard to put the party together. I thank you for taking that out of my hands and hosting and planning it so much better than I would. You are greatly appreciated. *

*Blessings to you and your families over this Christmas Season, and a very Happy New Year.*

*Angie Anderson*

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If you are interested in finding out more about Open Arms International and donating to their cause, please check out the video below that talks about the Opens Arms Village in Kenya.

Image by Oddsock

Why are you in business?

The other day I was discussing entrepreneurship with a friend who owns her own business. During the course of our conversation I mentioned that people who are really happy “follow their bliss.” This simple comment, made in passing, prompted my friend to email me later that evening, asking where I had heard this quote.

To be honest, I was a little surprised that she hadn’t heard it before. I don’t remember where or when I first heard the quote, but I went looking and found that it is attributed to Joseph Campbell, an American writer, researcher, and lecturer.

It’s possible that being so focused on “making it” can consume your life. Many small-business owners I know are absolutely obsessed with their companies: they work long hours, rarely taking vacations or time off, and they pour their hearts and souls into their work. In fact, they are so dedicated to their businesses that they “talk shop” even when they’re at home, or out with family and friends. This way of life never becomes monotonous for them because they are so excited and passionate about what they do. Their work doesn’t just feed their wallets; it feeds their spirit.

Of course, it’s also possible for the opposite to happen. You can become so focused on “making it” that you forget why you got into business in the first place. You may get so caught up in the minutiae of balance sheets, HR issues, and finding your next client that you lose your passion and lose sight of your greater goals.

It is possible to strike that fine balance that keeps us happy, yet focused on results and growth. Those rare moments when we lose our equilibrium can be quite stressful, but they make life worth living and keep us on our toes. Let’s face it – business wouldn’t be quite so exciting without a challenge, right?

Do you think work/life balance makes you a better business owner, parent, or spouse? How do you achieve this precarious balance? What does it mean to “follow your bliss”? Let us know in the comments below!