One day out of every week, I get to spend with Dayna Cole Wong of Naupaka Events & Weddings She is also a small business owner, so the time we share is invaluable on many levels. Each day I’m usually left with the gift of a lesson in business. Today was one of those days.

As with anyone who has cut their professional teeth working in hospitality, ours revolved around food plans.

We had planned on grabbing breakfast treats at our favorite food truck, but they were closed. Heartbroken, we pivoted and upgraded our standard coffee order at Starbucks to include some pastries.

Then, it was time for lunch. We had planned on our standard burrito order at the local taco joint, but heartbroken at the unseasonably warm temperature, we pivoted and ordered take-out salads instead.

Before we knew it, the afternoon was yawning in front of us. We thought it would be nice to get a sweet treat at McDonald’s since the local DQ had closed (talk about heartbreak…that’s another story for another day). After waiting in a long line, I turned away after being told their ice cream machine was down. Heartbroken, I called Dayna to inform her that I was coming back “a failure” when just then, I spied Burger King, “do you think they have ice cream?” I asked Dayna “go find out!” she said.

This post is not a lesson on where to get the best food in town, nor is it a poster child for healthy eating choices. What this IS, is a beautiful lesson learned in having the flexibility, the willingness, and the stamina to be able to pivot on a moment’s notice (and on an empty stomach, too!).

Cheers to all of you small business owners who are out there giving it their all every single day. May you enjoy the sweet soft serve helping of success like we did today!