She Owns It

Celebrating, Connecting, and Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

Getting Ahead Before the Holidays: 5 Ways to Prep Your Business for the Busy Holiday Season by @CorpNetNellie

by Leave a Comment

by Nellie Akalp

Happy holidays! Too soon? Not really, especially because the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates 2019 holiday retail sales will grow between 3.8% and 4.2% over last year. In dollars, that means between $727.9 billion and $730.7 billion. With numbers like those, your business had better be well-organized for the frenetic holiday season ahead. Here are five ways to make sure your business is positioned to take the holidays by the reins!

1)—Get Your House in Order

I don’t know about you, but I can always think clearer with a clean office and ample supplies. The holidays are busy enough without having to run out for copier paper or spend half an hour trying to find an expense report. Obviously, year-end is on the horizon, so you want to be ahead of schedule when it comes to organizing financial documents for taxes, finalizing annual reports and more. 

You don’t want to be experimenting with new software when things get busy, so if you’re considering buying any new technology, do it now, or wait until next year. Check with your  suppliers to make sure your orders will be delivered on time. 

2)—Big Holiday Sales Celebrations

All types of businesses can benefit from the masses of consumers shopping on the big advertised sales days like Black Friday (Nov. 29), Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), and Cyber Monday (Dec. 2). Even if you’re not in the retail business, you can still offer holiday discounts and specials to attract customers and clients. 

If you are a retailer, according to a survey from Shopkick about half of shoppers plan to buy in-store this year, so make sure your brick-and-mortar location and your website are in tip-top shape. 

Finally, during this season of giving, be sure to offer a way for your customers to participate in Giving Tuesday—an important day set aside to give back to our communities. Your business can hold a raffle for a local charity, collect toys, clothes or food for kids in need, or come up with your own idea by brainstorming with your employees.

3)—Key in on Your Website

According to the Shopkick survey, 84% of shoppers will use their smartphones to “research, compare prices, find inspiration, read reviews and more.” To make sure consumers can find your website, tune-up your SEO by using the best keywords for your industry. Use a free tool like Wordtracker to research keywords or pay for a more sophisticated version, such as Alexa, which can tell you which keywords are working best for your competitors. For holiday advice from the SEO experts that control your ranking, check out the Holiday Retail Playbook from Google Services.

4)—Social Media Plan of Attack

Social media is a powerful sales tool but can also be an immense time suck. The holidays are definitely not the time to try and master the ins and outs of the social networking world. If you don’t already know how to best utilize social media, outsource it to a trusted employee or a freelance expert. The more you can plan ahead, the better. Once you get your social media posts written and scheduled, you’ll be free to actually interact with customers—in person and on social media. 

Make sure you answer questions posted on your social platforms. Even setting up an autoresponder to direct customers where to find answers is better than letting the customer think you don’t care enough to respond.

You can increase social media engagement by running fun holiday contests, posting coupons or even capturing, then sharing your fun holiday promotions and events. Create a social media calendar to ensure you are making the most of the holiday season and staying active across all your channels.

5)—Hire Temporary Staff

If you’re a retailer, it’s likely your store will be open for more hours, so you’ll  definitely need to make sure you’re not short-staffed. Other businesses may need to plan around employees who want time off to celebrate the holidays with their families. 

To ensure you’re covered, plan ahead by hiring temporary staff. Ask employees to request their days off now; then look for holiday help (no, it’s not too early). In addition to using job search websites, ask your employees if they know anyone looking for holiday employment.  

The holidays should be a time of thanks and celebration, so don’t forget to plan a party for your employees and shop for meaningful gifts for clients. By planning ahead, you can reduce holiday stress and your business will benefit, too.

Nellie Akalp is a passionate entrepreneur, small business expert and mother of four. She is the CEO of CorpNet.com, a trusted resource for Business Incorporation, LLC Filings, and Corporate Compliance Services in all 50 states. Nellie and her team recently launched a partner program for accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs, and other professionals to help them streamline the business incorporation and compliance process for their clients. More info at: CorpNet.com/partners.

How to Prospect for New Clients by @DONNAAMOS

by Leave a Comment

How to Prospect for New Clients

by Donna Amos | Featured Contributor 

Prospecting for new clients can be a difficult task for solopreneurs or small businesses, especially when your company is brand new. But even old hands mostly admit to struggling with getting new clients. While no business or solopreneur ever admitted to having enough or “too many” clients, most still struggle to prospect for new clients and avoid salesy marketing ploys.

But prospecting for clients effectively is something you can learn and incorporate into your regular business routine. Indeed, it should be something you always strive to improve, since your business depends on a steady supply of needy clients. Prospecting for clients takes time, but it needs to be one of the regular, systematic functions of your business. And since many potential customers or clients won’t buy or book a service on the first contact, you also need to develop a plan for staying in touch until they need what you have to offer.

Identify Your Target Market

It’s a no-brainer that you’ll save time and money by marketing to people who not only want what you’ve got, but also are willing and able to pay for it. And so, the first step in prospecting for new clients is to define the most likely buyer of your product or service. How old are they? What gender? What is their socio-economic background? Knowing who your market is, makes it easier to find them and deliver messages that entice them to check out your product or service.

Take the time to understand who your target market is so you don’t waste your time or money finding and selling to the wrong customers and clients. The best way to do this is to perform the necessary research and create buyer personas that represent each type of person in your target audience. Then you can tailor your prospecting and marketing messages to specific types of clients.

Begin Building a Potential Client List

Do you plan a party without a guest list? Likewise, you can’t start or run a business without making a list of potential clients. Listing people you know is a good place to start as you can make a quick sale and get referrals. But there are other sources from which to start your potential customer list. Here are some great places to start:

Personal Contacts: Your friends and family are the most likely to purchase something from you, even if they’re not your target market. Or, maybe they don’t need your product or service, but know someone who does or would be willing to tell others about it.

Existing Customers: If you’ve already made a few sales, call upon your existing customers to see if they need more of your product or service. Selling to an existing happy customer is easier than generating a new one. Also, ask these clients for referrals. Offer an incentive for clients to provide referrals. Word of mouth is still a great marketing tool.

Trades Shows or Local Events: Shows and events are great ways to network with other businesses that may fit your market (in B2B) or generate new customers and prospects through an exhibit if you sell to the end consumer (B2C). Even if you don’t make a sale, events can allow you to build your contact list. Ask show or event participants to register for a drawing and be sure to give away a spectacular prize as an enticement.

Social Media: Many service-based businesses find social media one of the best places to connect and build relationships with potential clients. Do you have social media followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or LinkedIn? Interact and converse with them to build a relationship. Seek to establish a reputation as an intelligent and thoughtful friend. With this foundation, you can offer advice from your expertise and even share the occasional sales message.

Contact Prospects

Once you have a list of prospects, it’s time to reach out and make connections. There are many ways to do this, and each one requires something a bit different. One thing remains the same – be genuine and kind in every mode of contact. Respect people’s time and attention and don’t be pushy if they aren’t interested. Popular methods of contacting prospects include:

Phone: Use an easy flowing, conversational script to introduce your product or purpose for calling. Asking questions and presenting your product or services’ benefits turns the focus of the call onto them instead of you. Be sure to ask for something: a sale, an email for more info, or a referral.

Email: Email is less scary and often a great way to introduce yourself. And email marketing works. The trick is to not simply send a “buy” email, but instead, offer something of value. Give a brief explanation of who you are, then provide a coupon or a free article on a relevant topic. Remember to only send a one-time communication unless you have permission to send repeat emails, such as to a list where the recipient has subscribed to receive emails from you.

Text Messaging: It is said that 98% of text messages are read within 2 minutes. The availability of text messaging is part of its power. Most folks with a cell phone are within arms reach of their phone 24 hours a day. Although texting is convenient, you can’t conduct entire prospect conversations via text. But it does pave the way for phone calls and sales meetings. Texting is a great follow-up option once you have the prospect in your pipeline.

Direct Mail: Direct mail is still effective, which is why we all still receive so much of it. Create the piece you plan to send and be sure it doesn’t appear to be junk mail. Bulk mailing services can save you time, and even a percentage off postage.

Social Media: This can be a great place to build relationships so that you can move prospects on to your calendar or to purchase your widgets. Requires effort such as identifying prospects, commenting on their posts, share content of value with them, tag them in posts when appropriate and share their content all before trying to sell them anything.

Continue Your Follow-Up Efforts

The fortune is in the follow-up. Research demonstrates that 80% of sales are not made on the first, second, or even a third contact! It can take five or more contacts to achieve a sale. The trick is to have a non-annoying system of follow-ups, such as a regular email list or an agreement to call again in six months. Solopreneurs and small businesses can keep track of various leads and prospects by using some sort of CRM software tool and database. Many have free options and calendar reminders that signal you when to follow-up with different classes of prospects.

How do you prospect for new clients? Which method has been the most successful? Share your tips and experiences with our readers in the comments below!

 

The Magic of Delegating and How to Start Today by @JThiefels

by Leave a Comment

magic of delegating

by Jessica Thiefels | Featured Contributor

Delegating work to other people sounds great in theory. You spend less time doing the nitty gritty and get more time to focus on the big picture details you actually care about.

Despite the obvious benefits, when it comes to giving work to other people, we business owners struggle to hire help. Not only do you have to trust someone else to do the work as well as you, but it takes time to send out assignments and onboard someone. Plus, paying a contractor or virtual assistant means less money in your pocket.

I get it—I struggled at first too. Both onboarding and paying people to work for me was a hurdle I didn’t want to deal with. I’m particular about my writers because they ghostwrite for me. What’s more, as a writer and editor myself, I know that you get what you pay for and letting go of a couple thousand dollars each month seemed absurd. 

Despite my resistance, it came to a head. I’d reached a point where I could no longer do the work myself, and still make time for rest and growing my business. My business was running me, and I had to ask for help if I still wanted to maintain my client load and enjoy my life. I branched out to my network to bring on writing and marketing support and haven’t looked back since. My best months, financially and mentally, are when I delegate more work to my writers and marketing coordinator.

Having help not only allows me to get more done every month, but it gives me greater freedom in my day. With less work on my plate, I can take an afternoon off if I’m exhausted or take a full day to work on my book instead of being stressed about client work. I now rely on my writers and marketing coordinator and am grateful to have them on board. 

If I can do it, you can do it too. So, if you’re ready to build your business and take some of your time back too, use the following tips to delegate your tedious tasks. 

Start Small

magic of delegating

You don’t need to delegate $5,000 dollars in work right now. Start small to ensure that you find the right people or person. I always start new writers with a test assignment. If it’s something I can work with, I pay them and use it. If not, I’m upfront that they won’t get paid for the work. 

This allows me to get a feel for their writing as well as their work style. Do they communicate well via email? Do they submit the piece on time? Do they need a lot of handholding?

You can do the same, no matter what line of work you’re in. For example, if you want to hire a virtual assistant, start with a simple project. See how they do on that one project and assess their work style based on your own criteria, like I do with writers. From there, you can add more work to their plate or try someone new. You can also look for someone more specialized via sites like UpWork. I have five writers that I pay because I do a lot of content work. To me, that’s a lot more valuable to me than a VA. 

Make a list of where someone could feasibly provide support and then consider the best way to accomplish those tasks. Once you find someone, document the onboarding process so you have a record for the next person you bring on.

Follow the 70 Percent Rule

One of the greatest challenges with delegating is knowing that someone else won’t do it as well as you. That’s where the 70 percent rule comes into play, which says: if the person in question can do the job 70 percent as well as you can, you should delegate it. While this may still be a challenging concept to accept, Jim Schleckser, CEO of Inc. CEO Project makes a great point:

“To let go of perfection, you need to decide what’s more important to you: having the work completed to ‘perfection’ (the way you would do it), or having it completed successfully in a different way. You may even be surprised to find that when you give your team members [contractors] a little leeway, they discover new—and better—ways to do things.”

My writers are always coming up with angles I wouldn’t have thought of and digging up research I wouldn’t have looked for. I’ve come to prefer delegating as much as possible to them because my definition of perfect has evolved. My way isn’t always the best way and letting go of the need to have something a certain way has made my life much less stressful.

Give Feedback

If you don’t want to get subpar work, give feedback. I’ve been working with some of my writers for a few years now and they know what I like. They’ve turned my feedback into even better writing, which makes my job easier. Plus, feedback makes their lives easier because they spend less time guessing and more time producing great work.

Make this part of the process. Give feedback in real-time or do it in chunks, like one feedback email at the end of each month. If I need to do heavy edits on an  article, I’ll simply send the final article to the writer and ask them to compare their version to mine to see where they can do better next time.

Delegate What Someone Can Do Better

delegate to experts

This is so important as a business owner with a growing business. There’s a lot that you do better than the people you delegate to. There’s also a lot that you don’t do better, and that work should also be delegated. For me, that’s accounting and bookkeeping. Hiring a CPA and bookkeeper is the best money I’ve spent in my business because financials are not my forte. 

Looking at Profit and Loss statements and dealing with invoices is just not something I want to deal with. Plus, experts are experts for a reason. If I do it, I’m more likely to make a mistake. When they do it, I have the added peace of mind that everything is taken care of. This allows me to focus on what I do well, which is growing my business.

Start Delegating Now

It may be hard to spend the money or release control, but you’ll quickly find it’s worth it. Not only can you focus on bigger picture work by delegating small, tedious tasks, but you can also find more time to rest, which is crucial if you want to run a business long-term.  

National Women’s Small Business Month: 3 Ways To Be a Better Leader by @DeborahSweeney

by Leave a Comment

by  | Featured Contributor

Did you know that there are more than 11 million woman-owned businesses in the United States? October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and in celebration the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) created a new infographic showing the impact female entrepreneurs have in business.

According to the infographic, these 11.3 million woman-owned businesses collectively generate $1.6 trillion in annual revenues and support nearly 9 million jobs. The best news is that woman-owned companies continue to grow. In fact, 1,071 woman-owned businesses are started every day.

As more women start businesses, they are stepping into entrepreneurial roles. Becoming a business owner or CEO automatically positions you as a leader. The general rule of thumb is to lead by example. Essentially, this means others will mirror your actions and behavior in the workplace. People take notice of hard working, positive leaders which is (hopefully!) the type of leader most business owners aspire to be.

That being said, women business owners must continually finesse their leadership skills with all stakeholders. Over time, you may discover that evolving your leadership style is ultimately key for the growth of your business. Let’s take a look at the small improvements you can make today that will make a big impact on your startup’s future.

1. Be present and observant.

Our office is on an open floor layout plan. Everyone sits out together on the same floor, grouped in desk “pods” of three. I also sit out on the floor with my team. I prefer it over being in an office for a few reasons. Sitting out on the floor shows that I am available and physically present to the team. If anyone has a question, I’m easy to reach (literally steps away) with an answer. Being present also allows me to be observant. Granted, I’m not whipping out a pair of binoculars to examine who really works the hardest or anything like that. I do, however, have a good understanding of what my team is up to and how they interact with one another. It’s all thanks to the vantage point of being out on the floor with everyone.

Look for ways to be present and observant of what’s happening at your business. Move out to the floor with your team, ask to be BCC’d on specific emails, and note how team members find ways to take initiative and contribute. If you practice this behavior every day, you’ll always be in the loop. You’ll continually learn more about the company and its team and be a key part of the growth conversation.

2. Encourage feedback.

This is a tough leadership skill to practice regularly because feedback, whether it comes from customers or employees, isn’t always positive. Negative feedback can sometimes feel like an “Ouch!” moment, especially for small businesses. You may be convinced you have been doing everything right only to find out that not everyone agrees.

Are you ready to receive feedback? The best advice I have for accepting feedback is to leave your ego out of it. It’s not personal, it’s business. Your business needs feedback of all kinds to make changes that will keep it growing and thriving. Ask for feedback and listen to what is said, positive and negative items alike. Once you have discovered a common thread of issues or successes, work on strategies that can improve the company’s overall ROI. Do more of what has been proven to work for you, and come up with solutions to fix what flops. Overall, the impact of feedback is about more than encouraging communication. It’s showing that you are listening to what everyone has to say. Everyone wants to feel like they have been heard, and it is exciting to see a business make changes based on how you spoke up.

3. Keep yourself on track.

Here are a few basic aspects of your business you will continually revise and revamp as time progresses:

  • Business plan. If you haven’t met certain goals that you set months ago, sync up your timeline so that you’re able to get back on track towards reaching them.
  • Mission statement. Is everything your business does still aligned with its purpose? You may revise the mission statement if there has been significant change or find ways to get back to your roots.
  • Company culture. As you welcome new generations and talent into the workplace, it’s important to keep reexamining your existing company culture. Focus on how you can continue to foster collaboration and inclusivity across all levels of the business.

Finally, don’t forget about yourself. Many leaders fall into a trap where work/life balance is prioritized late in the game. An effective leader is not one that is constantly exhausted or burned out. Know when to take a break. Find and practice self-care methods that allow you to recharge and ensure you’re at your most productive every day.

 

Deborah Sweeney is the CEO of MyCorporation.com which provides online legal filing services for entrepreneurs and businesses, startup bundles that include corporation and LLC formation, registered agent services, DBAs, and trademark and copyright filing services. You can find MyCorporation on Twitter at @MyCorporation.

Bookkeeping checklist-What do I need and when? by Danielle Hayden of @KickstartAcct

by Leave a Comment

by Danielle Hayden | Featured Contributor

Congratulations you are finally running the business of your dreams! As you may have realized by now as a business owner you have to learn how to understand your financials and how to use them. I know you didn’t go to school for accounting and that this can be very confusing for most business owners so we are here to help. We are asked by clients every day what needs to be done? How do I improve my bookkeeping processes?

No matter your stage here is your checklist for you: 

New Business-No Bookkeeper

  • Separate business and personal expenses
  • Ensure you are set up as a business with your state
  • Establish your EIN
  • Open Business checking account
  • Set up Accounting Software
  • Choose the right point of sale system
    • Sync your point of sale (where you are collecting payments) to your accounting software
  • Keep track of your inventory and costs by product-Choose the right system for tracking.
  • Determine your goals for this year and spend your business dollars strategically in order to grow revenue and increase profitability

 

 

You finally hired a bookkeeper so you can focus on your business. Remember you need to communicate with them, what do they need to know?

What do you need to communicate to your bookkeeper?

  • What are your goals for the next quarter and the next year?
  • What information do you need in order to help you determine if you hit your goals? 
  • Do you have any new revenue streams?
  • How will you be accepting payments for any new revenue streams?
  • Example: You are a business coach who offers private coaching, this year you launched a new group coaching program and an online course. Next quarter you will be launching in a live in-person event. Determine how you will be accepting payments, make sure they can be differentiated and communicate this information with your bookkeeper
  • Report any new business credit cards
  • Congratulations on your new funding, this needs to be reported to your bookkeeper to be accurately tracked
  • Did you accidentally use your business credit card for any personal expenses? List those items so that they can be categorized correctly.
  • Do you have any large expenses or deposits that have occurred that are out of the ordinary?
  •  Are you accurately tracking your inventory?
  • Are you ready to calculate your cost of goods sold within your accounting software

 

 

Do you need additional assistance? Consider taking your business to the next level with the following exercises: 

  • Create an annual budget
  • Outsource invoicing and collecting from clients to increase efficiency
  • Improve your cash management
  • Use a weekly cash dashboard

I know accounting can be confusing and overwhelming for most people so please know I am here to help you. Let’s learn from each other and grow together.  

I want to see you succeed and I cannot wait to see what you and your business do as you get a better understanding of your accounting and how that can grow your business.

Are you one of the Three “P’s: Posers, Puffers, and Pretenders

by Leave a Comment

by Ann Zuraw | Featured Contributor

What drives our desire to keep up with “the Jones’s”? You know the family that lives a few doors down and seems to be living the best life ever. They’re attractive, popular and affluent.  Their house and yard are pure perfection, and their children are “seemingly” perfect in every way. They throw the best parties, have all the latest technology, go on amazing vacations, and share this perfect life on social media.

But the question is, are they the three “P’s”- Poser, Puffer, and Pretender?

Can they afford the show they are performing or are they drowning in debt because of this show? If we knew the truth behind the scenes, would we choose their “seemingly” perfect life, probably not.

People will often pad their lives with material surroundings posing, puffing, and pretending to be something they are not. Why? Because it temporarily makes them feel better. However, living beyond our means will eventually wreak havoc in life. It always comes down to the numbers, and numbers tell the truth.

Is your focus on having a secure future and a full life, or are you living the life of the P’s?

Your numbers should reflect who you are. Are you paying attention to your debt to income ratio? Is your retirement future in the forefront of your financial thoughts? Are your credit card debts low or non-existent? Can you pay off your credit card bills? Are your student loans paid off? Is your home equity line tapped out? Are you spending beyond your means?

Can you and do you hold in honor those who are working hard to minimize their life debt?

Be the person that respects the neighbor that drives a ten-year-old car versus getting a new one every few years. Admire those that repair their own roof, clean their own homes or mow their own lawns.  Hold in high regard those who work at the local market, sandwich shop or drive for Uber, as they are doing whatever it takes to bring extra income to their lives. It doesn’t mean they don’t have money, what it does mean is they are certainly not a poser, puffer or pretender.

There are three positive P’s that we should all pursue – Proud, Perseverance, and Productive.

So, let’s stop wanting to be something we are not and focus on our own situation. Keeping up with the Jones’s is really not worth the stress it creates, and there’s no joy in “posing” to be something you are not. Emotional and financial freedom is acquired through the three positive P’s.

What We Can Learn from These Innovative Women by @DrRKayGreen

by Leave a Comment

by Dr. R. Kay Green | Featured Contributor

Women in business have a lot to learn from each other. That is why companies like Inc. Magazine compile lists like the Female Founders 100. This list celebrates the female entrepreneurs that have made strides in their respective industries.

And while a lot of what they have learned is specific to their industry, there is always a universal lesson that we can take away. Here are just five:

Lesson 1: Always be expanding.

Polina Veksler, Universal Standard

Veksler started strong with Universal Standard, setting up shop with a friend in 2015 to create one-of-a-kind fashion for plus-sized bodies. But she did not stop there. In fact, she has been able to grow Universal Standard at a rate of 200 percent, all while growing her family and herself.

Her story is one that all business owners can take a lesson from. Your business can always be bigger, and you can always take the “next step” to grow, both professionally and personally. A growth mindset will always be more beneficial than a fixed mindset.

Lesson 2: There is never a perfect time.

Nichole Mustard, Credit Karma

Anyone who wants to start a business but is waiting for the right time should take note of Nichole Mustard’s journey. In the early days of Credit Karma, she spent more than a third of the year on the road. This was despite having a child already. And she did not slow down in her desire to have a family, either—she went on to have three more children.

“We didn’t want to slow down the family and we didn’t want to slow down with the work,” she recalls. “There’s never a perfect time, right?”

As you begin to grow your business, there will be a million reasons to quit. And you should not neglect what is important to you, whether that be your family, your relationship, or something else. But if you work hard, you can have it all. Make sure that you are not using obligations as an excuse to avoid chasing your dreams.

Lesson 3: Do not be afraid to say no.

Brené Brown, Brené Brown Education and Research Group

Sometimes, the lessons that we can take from someone are the lessons that they are still trying to learn.

This is the case in what we can learn from Brené Brown, who is focusing her attention on saying no and being more selective with her time. “When I first started, I didn’t say no to anything, because I wanted to prove I could do it,” she says. Now she is ready to “say no to a lot of things, and get really clear on who I want to be.”

Lesson 4: Stand out.

Jessica O. Matthews, Uncharted Power

From the time she was 22 and founding her own business, Matthews has been dedicated to making a splash. Whether it is her advanced energy-producing technology or her impressive achievements — raising $7 million in financing, for example — she has never been afraid to push the boundary of what it means to be in business, particularly as a black woman business founder.

Women in business can learn a lot from Matthews. So often, we are afraid of taking a risk, or failing, or looking foolish. But if we dare to stand out, we will be remembered.

Lesson 5: Take the first step.

Katonya Breaux, Unsun Cosmetics

Anyone can have an idea. But it takes a real visionary to put it into action. Katonya Breaux is one of those visionaries. Her idea came when she realized that most of the safer sunscreens she came across only came in one color: white. As a black woman, Breaux thought this was not ideal. Most people would have simply left the thought at that, but Breaux took it a step further.

“I learned something by happenstance that affected my beauty and, I learned, that also affected my health,” says Breaux. “So I said, why not me?” So she created the cosmetics line that now caters to people of all skin tones.

“Why not me” is a powerful thought for anyone in business. Every day, business ventures die without ever being verbalized, simply because the person with the initial thought is not bold enough to act on it. If you want to succeed in business, especially as a woman, Breaux’s boldness is something you should strive to emulate.

———————————————————————-

Dr. R. Kay Green – Marketing Expert from RKG Marketing Solutions Inc. from Atlanta, GA.

Dr. KayDr. R. Kay Green is the CEO/President of RKG Marketing Solutions Inc. With over 190,000+ Twitter followers, 35,000+ Facebook Likes, and the Top 1% LinkedIn profile designation, Dr. Kay, a self-motivated trailblazer, is the Quintessential “New-Age” Professional Woman, and PhD Marketing Pro. She earned a Doctorate of Business Administration in Marketing, and has completed PhD coursework in Leadership and Organization Change. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Management, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, and an Associate of Arts in Marketing Management.

She is affiliated with several prestigious universities and has instructed over 350 courses online. A popular speaker on Marketing and Business topics, Dr. Green is currently featured on Huffington Post, Black Enterprise, Black News, The Network Journal, Business Review USA, Digital Journal, College View, Business New Hampshire Magazine, Bay State Banner, Reader’s Circle, North Dallas Gazette, Harlem News, Top News Today, One News Page, NE Informer, Women in Business PR News, Consumer News Today, Women PR News, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Chicago Daily Herald, The Miami Herald, and Book News Articles.

Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn

Make space for Beautiful things to happen! by Sue Perez of @Beautyphonics

by Leave a Comment

by Sue Perez | Featured Contributor

 

September is the month of going back to school and it reminds us that soon, yet again the hawk of winter will be swooping back in. I always cherish my memories of renewal this time of year. I also take stock and make changes where needed. It’s late summer and some warm days are left but it’s time to open the closets and start shaking out the sweaters and jackets for the cooler temperatures to come. This year my husband and I did a bit of re-organizing and he purchased a new makeup vanity for me with matching white chair and mini table (which I use to store my hair tools). It’s really lovely and he upgraded the closet with a PAX wardrobe from Ikea for me too! Yes Yes, I know. He’s a keeper. But seriously, there is something harmonious that happens when you can find all your possessions nicely hung up or laid out in pull out drawers. You feel brand new! This month is all about renewal and letting go of the old. It’s time to refresh yourself and wrap yourself in all that is new.

 

Tranquility and Harmony = Balance

My entire apartment follows the principles of Feng Shui. It’s the pseudoscience that originated in China and uses natural energy forces in the environment to bring harmony within the home. Well placed colors, plants, flowers, chimes, mirrors, water fountains, fish bowls and photographs can enhance the various corners of your Bagua or the energy map of your space. It shows you which areas of your home are connected to specific areas of your life. For example the Southeast corner energizes Fame and Luck and in my bedroom that’s where I keep my Emmy Award, right on top of my vanity. The gorgeous roses my husband bought me don’t hurt either.

 

 

 

 

Create an Oasis for yourself

Think about it. Besides work, being at home is your favorite place. It’s where you binge watch your favorite shows and keep all your cool stuff. Make time to review your closets and donate clothing and shoes you know you are not going to use anymore. Pick up some new workout clothes. Update your fragrance and hair shampoo. In the bathroom, replace the shower liner and curtain, enhance the lighting, add new floor carpets and delicious smelling hand washing soap. Just buying new towels and linens can add a new design element.  Stock your kitchen with warming foods you can make quickly like butternut squash soup, fresh baked breads and your favorite pancake mix. And buy a new bathrobe. I practically live in mine.

 

Beauty Rituals

I recently gave a talk at The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences NY-NATAS. All of the women had beauty questions and skincare concerns. I did two makeup demos and sold copies of my book. It was a fabulous night. But when I mentioned that I believe in performing beauty rituals every day on my skin you could hear a pin drop. This link takes you to the video tutorial where a model demonstrates daily self care Beautyphonics beauty rituals the best. It’s the step by step after cleanse massage technique that I use in my practice as an Aesthetician, and on myself to keep my skin looking youthful.

 

 

 

 

Meditate and Radiate

Okay, maybe your not going to Namaste sashay away, but your thoughts are powerful things. Your attitude will attract the right people to you so give away grins! Reflect on yourself filling your cup and make that your central energy. Finding balance and what’s right for you means dialing in self-care, routine and balance. Once you create that structure trust that things are happening behind the scenes in your favor. Does that seem weird to you? Give it a shot, it can be magical!

 

Go back to basics

Goal setting and getting caught up or started on a project is always a good idea. Fear is based on the assumption of failure. If you start to get suspicious you may want to protect yourself, but the illusion doesn’t need to be bought into. You can make a choice. Sit down and outline what you want. Dream a little. Sit in nature and absorb the beauty around you. Expand your beautiful heart and mind. Everything in life that is good and brings us success is based on a heart centered energy so let that energy surround you! Your beauty is unlimited! Let me know how it goes.

 

 

Why Are You Promoting Other People by @ChristyALaverty

by Leave a Comment

by Christy A Laverty | Featured ContributorT

Seriously, why are you promoting other people on social media?

Wondering what I am talking about?

OK, here is the thing. I have been seeing a lot of people using links in their social media bios to drive traffic to other peoples websites rather than their own. This is particularly perplexing to me when you take into account that platforms like Instagram only give you one link to share in your bio. That’s prime real estate and to see people using that one link to drive their community to someone else’s website has me scratching my head in wonder. I wonder…why would anyone want to drive traffic to someone else’s website rather than their own?

Where are you driving your traffic?

Where are you directing your community to go?

It is important to spread the word any time you earn media mentions, attention or features and, of course, that includes guest posts, podcasts, and even social media videos and shares. You want to promote and leverage all the media you are earning BUT do you want to be promoting you or them?

I hope your answer is you and them!

What I want you to start doing it promoting your media mentions, press, and publicity through your own website and links. That means you should be share links that drive traffic to your media page or your blog page. Posting your media features, guest posts and interviews on your own site allows you to share your good news, spread the news and promote you and the person/journalist/site who/that featured you.

Your Media Page

Creating a media page allows you to post all the things that help promote you and your business. This is where you are working to create a narrative for you and your business. Once you create a media page you can use this link to share with your community and share all the earned media.

Here is just a shortlist of things you could include in your media page

  • Previous Media
    • Post all links to previous interviews you have done on television, radio or podcasts. You should post links to articles and guest posts. This is a great link to share on social media, in blog posts, and in your newsletter. This is also the link you should post in your Instagram bio and Twitter bio. Be sure to keep your previous media appearances up to date.
  • Talking Points/Topics
    • This is a great place to list all the topics you can talk about when being interviewed by the media. Think outside the box here. You can talk about issues and concerns involved in your business and industry but you should also think about other things outside of how you service your customers. Think about your entrepreneurial journey, or being a parent and business owner. Don’t forget to look toward your hobbies and interests.
  • Contact Information
    • Be sure to include all contact information, including phone number and email address. You should also include the name of the contact person –  if it is you then say so!
  • High-Resolution Photos
    • Creating a gallery of high-resolution product or team photos will help media outlets easily put together all the elements they need for a feature.

Remember, a media page is a place for you to toot your own horn and then spread the word of all your good works with your community and more!

Mompreneurs Educating Kids by @SBSLEducSoltns

by Leave a Comment

 

So, you’re a mom with a business …  

… & you want them to understand your why . 

 

Aspirations

 

You’re already the CEO, COO, & CFO of your household. Yet, you desire to create a legacy, being remembered as more than just a mom-preneur who provides a product/s, service/s, or specialized knowledge to the marketplace.

So you resume the role of primary educator; you’re on a mission to educate your kids on why you don’t have to go to “work” like their friends’ moms do.

Yet, the school that you’ve entrusted to prepare them for adulthood isn’t cutting it when it comes to discussing business principles & your value system; so, what should you do?

 

Values & principles 

 

How would you answer?

“What values and principles led you to become a mom-preneur?”

 

  • Autonomy ( I like to make my own hours, pick my own clients )

  • Mastery ( my prior experience in “Y” industry is enough to be confident in my abilities )

  • Purpose ( I am driven to be a difference maker on “Z” ; I am ‘called’ to serve “X” )

  • Maximizer ( I’m not paid enough by a 3rd party to do all that my family wants  )

  • Independent ( my personality & social style align with owning a business )

  • Quality time ( I needed to spend more hours w/ family )

 

Family Culture 

As someone who embraces entrepreneurship & leadership/professional development, you might be familiar with the late Peter Drucker’s attributed quote about culture.

Having defined culture, you can better explain your decision to be an entrepreneur as not only best for yourself, but one made in the best interests of the family; including your child(ren) will enable them to buy in 

Congratulations!! You’ve taken a huge step in ensuring that they will better understand if a client calls on you at an inopportune time or if you have to adjust the family’s budget due to ups & downs in your income.

 

Family Vision

Many entrepreneurs choose to start a business based on where they see themselves going after leaving the nest of an employer = a wise step!

While Stephen R. Covey has passed, the shadow left by his legacy is so large, he’ll always be remembered for his 8 habits

 

Of them, Habit 2 [ ‘Begin with the End in Mind’ ] is foundational.

 

“Covey says that all things are created twice: first, the mental conceptualization & visualization and a second physical, actual creation.

Becoming your own creator means to plan & visualize what you’re going to do and what you’re setting out to accomplish & then go out and creating it.”

 

Apply this truth to your household; then answer these Success Law questions …

 

Why are you in business?

Do you have multiple income streams?

What dreams have you put on the shelf due to a previous decision to trade time for money from an employer?

 

Insightful Infographic 

 

How mompreneurs balance …

–  h/t to @99designs for this –

 

Visuals tell more of a story than words alone, so your impressions gleaned after studying this one will further aid in self-educating your kids.

 

School falls Short

I often advise mompreneurs of this fact; it’s a somewhat inconvenient truth:

When you send you kid(s) to a conventional school, private (secular or faith based), or public (default option), the curricula, testing, mindset, & counseling offered for ‘careers’ almost always fails to include entrepreneurship.

 

Fill in the [Swiss Cheese] Holes

Think of a “C.A.R” when it comes to addressing the above …

 

C = Complement

 

Find mentor(s), online curricula, &/or teach your kids from your own experience about business to parallel what schooling doesn’t include.

 

A = Add on

 

If your kids are in their late teens & about to/or have graduated from HS, please discuss all 12 options besides college with them.

Or, if you truly want her to get a degree, ask pointed questions of the university re: if they teach about the “E” pathway

 

Bypass the holes; find or carve a clear path

The final letter in the acronym is a bypass …

 

R = Replace

 

Creating an end-around to conventional school can be done through a co-op w/ other parents ( your own school startup ) , or personalizing your kid(s) education by home schooling.

Both of these offer far more flex to include business concepts rarely, if ever, taught in default classrooms.

 

Dealing with Doubters

 

As Rocky passionately shared, the world [of entrepreneurship] certainly isn’t all ‘sunshine & rainbows’ …

… so for those fellow moms in your neighborhood who still “go to work” for a paycheck, for a spouse who isn’t quite on board with your business, or maybe you haven’t yet ‘closed the deal’ with your kid/s …

What do you do to quell cynics & critics?

There are many answers; I’d first encourage you, as someone who has built thousands of business relationships, to be the best version of yourself.

Simplistic? Yes, however, true leadership isn’t complex; it begins w/self.  Remind yourself of this by reading the inscription on the tomb of the Bishop at Westminster Abbey.

 

Suggested Follows 

 

The MomPreneur

 

majestapatterson

 

Mompreneurs in Heels

 

Mompreneur Show

 

Inspiring Mompreneurs

 

Top 40 Mompreneurs

 

In the pursuit of knowledge 

I encourage you to review the additional resources below. A blog of this length leaves the door slightly ajar; please empower yourself to kick it wide open!

 

10 Mompreneurs Who Are Crushing It

 

Mompreneur Magazine

 

The 25 Best Business Ideas …

 

Mompreneur $

 

10 Inspiring Tips …

 

Mompreneur Media

 

In short

  • Moms with businesses & kids are trailblazers
  • Your values & principles
  • Culture into Vision
  • School needs supplements …
  • … or choose a parallel path
  • Staying the course
  • Add’t resources for you, Mrs. Mom-Preneur

 

Thank YOU for reading!

____________________________________________