Real Deal “Road” Trip No. 19: Boston Harbor’s Epic Winter
Since moving to an apartment on Boston Harbor I start and end most business trips with a water taxi ride to and from the airport or…
Small town + startups = some surprises
I’m flying back from my second foray as a mentor at the Telluride Venture Accelerator. I always feel right at home as soon as I walk…
Real Deal Road Trip No. 18: Sewing & Vacuum Center
How many stores will back up a product you bought over 20 years ago, no questions asked? I had that experience, just this week, when I…
Three tips for handling the dreaded annual reviews
One day, at my son’s nursery school, I saw that his mail pouch contained his teacher’s mid-year assessment. I read it eagerly. “Expresses ideas clearly.” Check.…
Does entrepreneurship make women unhappy?
I once had this really disconcerting experience of getting rated for a talk I gave. The audience was a group of 60 women in an exec ed course…
2014 in Five Words
This Tweet is the perfect cap to a wonderful year at The Grommet.
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Playing the Long Game
I am posting in its entirety a piece from the Harvard Business School student publication, The Harbus. I wish I spoke as succinctly, in real…
Thanking our “insiders”
Joanne and I sent a special email out to 17,000 of our top customers to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. I am loving the responses people are sending…
Product Design Fail: Cuisinart
So I’m making coffee in a hotel room and the little brewing machine has clear instructions printed right on top. I sail along until I get to the instruction…
Owner or Employee: Which One Are You?
Speaking at the recent Goldman Sachs Builders + Innovators event Kevin Plank, the founder and CEO of Under Armor, relayed a bit of wisdom that still sticks with me. Plank explained…
Jules Pieri 