Have It Your Way

So I admit, I don't really understand the words "you can't have it" or "we don't do it that way.". Not in a spoiled child kind of way but in a why not? I mean truly we shape the world we want for ourselves and hopefully the community around us.

Burger king used to run a marketing campaign with the slogan "have it your way", meaning you could have the order the way you wanted. Starbucks built entire brand around this. I mean, how many people do you know who just walk into Starbucks and have a coffee? No, it's tall triple shot half calf soy extra hot mocha or a decaf nonfat Carmel Machiatto with whip. Charm City Cakes (see photo) is highly skilled at creating the cake you want the way you want. In fact, they epitomize "you can have your cake and eat it, too."

So, when I am balancing work, life, kids, me, it never even occurs to me that I can't have it my way. Why can't I be successful in career and mommydom? Why aren't there more resources for me? Obviously, that's why I created Cubes&Crayons, but it goes beyond that. I love to hear of these innovative solutions from people who say "yes, you can have it your way". Among my favorites, not counting Cubes&Crayons are (in no particular order):

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The mommy and me cafe - having coffee with friends is a much harder task during that window when kids are born to when they are going to school. Enter the cafe + play space where you can have coffee or lunch while your kids play. there are several people who have played with this model across the nation. In Oakland, check out Sadie days cafe or FamilyGrounds Cafe in Chicago.

Mommy & me workout - admittedly there aren't too many of these once your kid gets out of stroller age, but the basic gist is that you toss the kid in the stroller while you workout with a group of parents, using the stroller in your routine. A good, healthy and social solution to squeezing in that workout with baby in tow. One of my favorites: Stroller Strides founded by Lisa Druxman.

Coworking spaces: this is the flexible office space solution that is emerging across the globe. Basically, people drop in to the spaces or pay for a desk and have the water cooler effect of a community with the freedom to shape their work world the way they like. Check out the coworking wiki for a space in your neighborhood

And finally, I was saddened to hear of the Mani+Nanny business closing in San Francisco (where, yes, I could spoil myself for an afternoon while my kids played with staff and SomaVida Wellness center in Austin who recently closed their childcare. I definitely would have used that if there were one near me.

What's your favorite business that is letting consumers have it their way? Please share.