Column Helga van Leur: fabulous fall

As the leaves begin to fall and the mercury gradually begins to drop, the season of letting go is dawning. If you think further about why that happens, it actually turns out to be the season of preparation. Nature, by letting go of the leaves, ensures that the trees secure their nutrients and get through the winter well. So it's just how you look at it.

The same is true for entrepreneurs. In the outdoor hospitality and tourism sectors, they switch from a busy summer to a quieter winter and can take a breather. This also brings back peace and space to think about the next year. So basically, you still have to get going in preparation. For many SMBs, autumn is actually the march to the madness surrounding the holiday season. It also feels quite contradictory: In the stores, the winter clothes are already ready, while it is still surprisingly tropical warm outside at the beginning of September.

But it can also go together. In autumn, the opposites of frost and warmth occur within 12 hours. On a clear, windless autumn day, it can start very chilly in the morning but be plenty of patio weather in the afternoon. So how do you make sure you are dressed comfortably in all conditions?

Layer upon layer

A golden tip I once received in New Zealand during my honeymoon: "dress in layers." That way you can -according to the type of weather- "unpeel" or "pack" during the day and you're always thermally comfortable. That's also how to tackle rapid change as an entrepreneur: make sure you can vary and stack with your product or service. Not that you end up with an all-or-nothing situation. Because like the weather, customers are never entirely predictable.

Choosing the right clothing is not just about thermal comfort, by the way. Appearance also determines what you put on. Arriving at a (potential) client in your everyday clothes creates a different impression than a well-groomed outfit. Of course, it has to be something that suits you. After all, as an entrepreneur, you don't have to pretend to be anything other than who you are; the customer should be able to know who he is doing business with. "Clothes make the man." Or woman, of course.

The proper dress code

But clothing can also set the mood at occasions. A summer party requires summer outfits, while attending an Andre Rieu concert in a Hawaii shirt is not so appreciated. At conferences, on the other hand, you can stand out. People remember you by that bright dress, a striking hair color, those special glasses or those flashy shoes.

But what do you do when the dress code doesn't suit you? I have that dilemma this fall. At a beautiful estate in southern Limburg, a family member is getting married. "Dress code: Fabulous Fall - dress to impress in the tones of fall." My stress rises as I look up the hues: warm earth tones and especially muted in color. Think of the leaves turning colors this transitional time before they fall: moss green, ochre yellow, burgundy, wine purple and fifty shades of brown.

I love the fall colors in nature, especially when the sun hits it. But not in my clothes. In my -though very extensive- closet there is mostly bright red and cobalt blue. So I have a big dilemma. Do you go for what the organization asks or do you look for something that does suit you? And not unimportant when it comes to sustainability; you want to be able to wear it more often. One-time use really doesn't fit these days.

Effort is rewarded

As an entrepreneur you will regularly run into this as well: the customer demands something different than what fits your vision and mission. Do you then go for the path with the least resistance and short-term solutions or do you really put effort into something to serve both the customer and your own mission and vision in the long run?

I guarantee you: putting effort into something pays off. Just like preparing a good weather report, it takes a lot of digging to think, yes, of course! What seems simple and obvious is often the most work behind it! And yes, sometimes you put hours into something where nothing comes out, but again you can learn from that. But often you get new (and unexpected) insights.

Accident

How did my choice of clothes at this Limburg autumn wedding turn out? In order to still combine the best of both worlds, I started looking hard. It took some time, but when I almost gave up hope, suddenly there it was: an emerald green taffeta dress printed with subtle black velvet figures. Upon closer inspection, I even recognize a sun, moon, clouds and graceful branches. That print is coincidental, as I initially fell for the sparkling green color.

Or would it not be a coincidence after all? By putting time and attention into something, it eventually comes your way. I comply with the organization's wishes, feel at home in my outfit and, of course, take care of the layers. Because even I don't know what the weather will do on such an autumn day. But: 'A smart girl (or entrepreneur), is prepared for her future!'