This week was an exciting week as a start up company.  We had a very large order that we delivered to Neumann University (www.neumann.edu).  They were very excited and appreciative about it and I believe that will go a long way in forming a lasting partnership there.  We also sent shirts to the president of United Airlines and although we have no idea where that may lead, it is still funto plant that seed.  For any of you who did not hear that story, I recently met Glenn Tilton (Chairman and CEO of United) on my way out to Portland for a cousin’s wedding.  I was supposed to fly through Denver but missed my early morning flight and ended up flying stand by through O’hare.  I had EBtees for every city I would be stopping in and each airline that I would be flying on so I could make the most of my travels.  Since I was flying United I had on a shirt that said “Everything’s Better on United Airlines.”  (www.united.com) Since O’hare happens to be United’s hub it was a hit there with flight attendants, gate attendants and passengers.  When I arrive at O’hare I was not even sure I would make it to Portland that day as flights were overbooked and delayed due to bad weather all across the country.  Here is where I have to give a special thanks to Kris and Michaeleen, two United employees at the customer service desk who helped me reach my destination in time for my cousins wedding…thank you!  Long story short they got me on a plane to Portland that afternoon and when I went to check in at my new gate one of the gate attendants knew that Mr. Tilton was in the airport and she thought he should see the shirts.  After going to another gate and finding someone who confirmed the story they escorted me to a very nice waiting area inside O’hare where Mr. Tilton was enjoying that day’s paper.  I have to admit that I was nervous as I approached.  I grew up flying this airline while my mom was a flight attendant and he was the CEO so it felt like a very big deal to me.  He was very gracious and said that he liked the shirt and appreciated the support of his company.  He also gave me his card and said it would be alright if I sent him some samples.  I don’t know what if anything will come of this but I do know if felt like everything happened for a reason that day.  The lesson I learned for being a start up that day reminds me of a quote I have heard. “Luck is what happened when preparedness meets opportunity.”  In this case, I could see that playing out, but honestly….I still felt pretty lucky.  To all the budding entrepreneurs out there, make sure that you are prepared to get a little lucky now and then!  “Everything’s Better with a little luck.”  Have a great weekend!