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Celebrating, Connecting, and Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

Hashtags; Networking in Quarantine by @lorisica #launchandfounders

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by Lori Sica

Hashtags; Networking in Quarantine by @lorisica #launchandfounders

The Quarantine Trend

Most folks in the United States indicate the month of  March as a turning point in the Covid19 pandemic. Other countries were already locked down in quarantine. Schools were closing. Public parks and beaches were off limits.  Some states went into full lockdown, some were in partial lockdown. In the absence of social gathering, women who connect and inspire always find a way to shine.

Enter Twitter

Seeing a need, an insightful and fully caffeinated entrepreneur connected a diverse group of women on Twitter. Tweets among the group were posted daily, sharing ideas and creative strategies. Some posts offered gardening and baking tips. Others included at-home work out routines and recipe shares. The twitter stream filled with supportive messages for a mom awaiting the birth of her child. Some even asked for advice to improve content for a new website. The views from windows, local neighborhoods and landscapes in participants’ home towns, provided a “local” backdrop. Posting photos of newly crafted work spaces inspired new ideas. The tweets became a 24 hour, daily check in across several time zones. It was amazing.

Real Connections

This was a time of hardship and real people get real about their feelings. Many folks were facing difficult issues, and needed a place to chat about it. Everybody was uncomfortable with the level of uncertainty of the future. Folks opened up about loved ones suffering from the virus, or businesses facing bankruptcy. Moms tweeted about the stress of having children at home, and on computers all day. In the same vein, people living alone, shared about the lack of contact and connection in quarantine.  In what felt like vast hopelessness, this thread provided good company, with  listening ears. It was a healthy outlet to share and express real feelings.

After three months of daily engagement, Jen Vallina, a photographer who possesses great branding skills, suggested creating a unique hashtag. After that, content marketer, Canva expert, and creative super star,  Nicky Pasquier drafted a logo to brand the hashtag. And just like that, a network of brilliance was born. Welcome to social media, #launchandfounders.

 

All Are Welcome

On any given Friday, multiple tweets and retweets invite people to follow folks. For example, one particular #FridayFollow challenge was to mention five people worth following. The tweet thread lasted six days, encompassing hundreds of tweets. Pretty powerful. It is not a members only club. Anyone can tweet and respond, using the hashtag.

Join The Conversation

In an era where social media is spreading fear and exclusion, #launchandfounders is spreading hope and inclusion. It is a hub of creativity and inspiration. There is no judgement. Thereby, it is safe place to share what matters. Also,  participants  support each other by engaging in twitter chats and live events, hosted by #launchandfounders. They are actively commenting on each other’s blog posts and subscribing to their podcasts.  The support is gracious and inclusive. Networking is happening every day. In conclusion, hashtags can be everything, or just one thing that brings the world a little closer together. Much like a great cup of coffee.

 

Why Farmers Markets Matter to Entrepreneurs More Than Ever by @DeborahSweeney

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by  | Featured Contributor

Happy National Farmers Market Week! This year, the week-long event falls between August 2nd through August 8th.

Farmers markets, particularly amid the pandemic, are playing an extra-special role in the lives of people everywhere. During the early months of COVID-19, grocery store chains struggled to keep fresh produce and essential items in stock. Consumers quickly turned to their neighborhood farmers market for essentials. State governments recognized farmers markets for their essential services. They allowed stalls to remain open, provided that all visitors practice social distancing guidelines and wore masks, and farmers markets remained in abundance as essential businesses.

Loyal customers are grateful for the chance to buy local, fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, eggs, milk, and other goods provided by vendors. In return, vendors are thankful for their growing customer base. For food producers, the farmers market presents the opportunity to embrace entrepreneurship by starting a business that can help feed and champion local communities.

In celebration of this week, let’s highlight a few interesting facts about farmers markets you might not know about.

1. $9 billion of the U.S. economy comes from farmers markets.

In a recent blog post from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), it was revealed that farmers market contributions are no small potatoes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports farmers markets contribute $9 billion to the United States economy every year.

2. Farmers markets are quickly expanding — and creating more jobs in their respective communities.

In 1994, the Farmers Market Coalition (FMC) reported a little under 2,000 farmers markets were in existence in the United States. As of 2020, there are over 8,600 U.S. farmers markets.

The more farmers markets are established, the more opportunities grow for job creation. According to the Farmers Market Coalition, a 2011 Economic Research Service report noted that fruit and vegetable farms that sell to local markets employ 13 full-time workers for every $1 million earned in revenue. In comparison are fruit and vegetable farms that do not sell locally. For every $1 million earned in revenue by these farms, only three full-time workers are employed.

Not only do farmers markets help create jobs for local communities and neighboring areas, but spending money at the farmers market ensures the preservation of said jobs. Spending money at grocery store chains, however convenient they may be with longer hours and larger inventory, ultimately takes sales out of the community. Putting money towards sales at the local farmers market helps create income for the region. It keeps local economic activity strong and allows farmers, ranchers, and agricultural entrepreneurs to continue to do business.

3. Farmers markets may be recession-proof businesses.

It’s difficult to make the declaration that any one business is truly recession-proof. This is why I added in a tentative “may be” in the paragraph header.

Despite the present economic downturn, sales at farmers markets are thriving. A great deal of credit goes to the business model for farmers markets. Successful business models are defined by four factors, including pricing and differentiation, marketing and sales, production and delivery methods, and customer satisfaction. Farmers markets have flexibility in their business structure that allows for both price and production adjustment to meet the needs of customers.

Beyond meeting essential food needs and adjusting price points, farmers markets continue to grow in popularity thanks to our world’s changing relationship with food. According to the Food Marketing Institute, local and sustainable foods have been a top buying trend with consumers for the past eight years. We care about what the nature of the food we are eating and where it is sourced.

The farmers market is also quickly becoming a valuable space to network. Only this type of networking is a little more focused on breaking bread together. Connections and friendships may be established between vendors, sellers, and customers. This type of invaluable support can lead to incredible opportunities, lifelong friendships, and even plant the seed for more individuals to embrace the potential found in becoming an entrepreneur at a farmers market.

3 Steps To Call In Your Superstar Clients Using Your TV Interview by @Luana_Ribeira

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by Luana Ribeira

 

Even in the age of powerful, competing media, you’re still not considered “mainstream successful” until you’ve appeared on TV. Having a lot of subscribers is great, getting a lot of clicks and views is fabulous, but being on TV is still the rubber stamp that marks you out as being “real” – at least in the eyes of the public. The benefits of appearing on TV are enormous – you’re suddenly seen as an authority, you become familiar to viewers, you gain a huge new audience, and it all amounts to the equivalent of thousands of dollars of free advertising.

The secret to sustaining your career however, is seeing your TV appearance as a beginning, rather than as an end goal in itself. There is so much you can do to maximise the effect of your TV appearance, sometimes for a lifetime.

 

Here are three simple steps to help you to achieve this:

 

Create a pre-show buzz

Create a buzz with your existing audience. Use your lists and platforms to tell everybody all about it! Invite comments, invite people to watch the segment and leave their thoughts on your Facebook page, ask people what they think of the topic you plan on discussing – anything and everything to get people engaged. People watch TV on their devices all the time now, so it’s highly likely that some of your existing audience will tune in, especially if they’re already highly motivated by your message. This in itself can be enough to convert enthusiastic lurkers into real-life clients.
Get that footage too! Ask the producers if you can use your segment of the show for marketing purposes.

 

Shine brightest to the right people

To focus on gaining superstar clients, the best thing you can do is to imagine yourself talking directly to them. Visualise your ideal client, and when you’re speaking in your interview, imagine that you are speaking to them. The best way to come across well on TV is to feel comfortable, as if you’re chatting to an old friend. Avoid the temptation to hide behind a mask of professionalism, which will hide your personality and uniqueness. Dare to be less filtered, and to let your true personality shine through.

Finally, to spin out the magic of your TV appearance long after the show is over, seek the producer’s permission to take behind the scenes footage or photos of the show to share with your audience.

 

Beyond the show

Once you have taken part in a TV show, you have a powerful marketing tool at your fingertips. There are many ways that you can use this, but here are some suggestions:
• Use your show segment as part of your marketing funnels
• Use a Facebook advert showing your clip, and include it with your chat bot sequences
• Use the logo of the show on your marketing materials for credibility
• Take screen captures and use them with your marketing
• Create images with quotes from the show
• Write a blog post to share your experience

Finally, remember that media leads to more media. Adding your segment to your media kit will help you with further TV pitches, as well as radio, podcast, magazine and newspaper pitches.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to using TV to land your superstar clients. Leave a question or comment below!

 

Luana Ribeira is a book & media coach. She helps entrepreneurs to skyrocket their business with a bestselling book, and by helping them get media publicity elevating them into celebrity status in their niche. Since she became a bestselling author, she has been featured multiple times on FOX TV, become one of FORBES top 21 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2018, developed relationships with media outlets including Huffington Post, NBC, ABC, Miami Herald and many more; been booked for speaking gigs internationally and rapidly grown her audience taking her business to new levels. Luana currently resides in rural Portugal where she is setting up a fully sustainable, eco friendly animal sanctuary. She is also a black belt in kickboxing and has 2 homeschooled girls.

Angel Investors In America: 3 Facts Entrepreneurs Should Know About These Financers by @DeborahSweeney

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by  | Featured Contributor

You may already know the definition of an angel investor. This is an individual who invests in a startup using a portion of their existing finances. Chances are you may also be familiar with an angel investor’s involvement with a business, too. Most investors, once they have provided a startup with funding, require a stake in the company in exchange. Typically, this stake translates to shares or an equity position.

What you may not realize — or even think about — are the angel investors themselves. Who are these people? According to the Angel Capital Association’s initiative The American Angel Campaign, angel investors invest an estimated $25 Billion in 71,000 startup deals every year. Yet we know very little about these existing angels, or emerging angels. Luckily, research has been conducted and provided through The American Angel Campaign. Their first in-depth report explores what it means to be an angel investor in the United States. Let’s take a look at some of its key findings.

30% of new angels are women.

It’s not exactly a shock to find out that the vast majority of angel investors are men. More women, however, are taking on investor roles. Today, 22.1% of angels are female. 30% of new angels are also women.

While this number may be small for now, it is mighty. Angel investors are more diverse than venture capitalists where studies have shown only 9% of decision-makers at VCs are women. Furthermore, 38% of women entrepreneurs that raised outside capital have specifically wanted to work with women investors. It’s not likely that female angel investors will explode in expansion overnight, but it is likely that as time progresses more women will assume this role and invest in businesses.

Angels are educated, and tend to come from entrepreneurial backgrounds.

Naturally, most entrepreneurs reach out to angel investors for financing purposes. It also helps that the angel has an entrepreneurial background — or at least an understanding of business. 72.8% of the angel investors surveyed in report revealed they hold more than a Bachelor’s Degree. 51% have achieved a Master’s or MBA. At a whopping 57%, business is also stated to be their primary area of study.

Beyond school, the vast majority of angels have also held prominent leadership roles. The five most common careers included CEO of a startup (55%), for-profit company executive (55%), consultant (48%), for-profit company board member (46%), and middle management roles (38%).

There is a lovely line in the report that the angels surveyed are, essentially, “founders funding founders.” They might hail from various industries, but they understand the fundamentals of business and have held leadership roles. This makes them all the more valuable to work alongside bright-eyed startup business owners. Over time, they may even be able to build up a mentor-mentee relationship with their investor. For now, startups have the peace of mind in knowing they are working with accomplished individuals.

Many angels do not live in major cities.

We often assume that in order to get an angel investor’s attention, one needs to live or have a business in New York or California. However, 63% of angels surveyed in the study don’t live in New York City, San Francisco, or Boston. The greatest percentage of angel investors, 16.2% surveyed, reside in one of the Great Lakes states. These include Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, as noted in their infographic.

Location may play a role in the size of checks written, too. The report reveals that angels outside of New York, California, and New England actually write larger checks compared to angels residing in these states. The median size check for New York, California, and New England is $32,432. Other geographic areas enjoy a bit of a bump — $36,920 — with their checks.

What does this mean for entrepreneurs? The report suggests that it may be beneficial to startups to seek funding beyond states traditionally associated with angel investments. However, it also states that the median check size is $25,000 across the United States. Angel investors, unlike venture capitalists, cannot invest millions into a small business. It’s important that you determine your financing needs and thoroughly understand where the money will go before approaching an angel investor. If you know you need more than what they can provide, a venture capitalist, or perhaps even a small business loan, may be a better fit.

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Deborah Sweeney – Legal Expert, CEO, MyCorporation.com – Calabasas, CA

As CEO of MyCorporation Business Services, Inc., Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With her experience in the fields of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah has evolved from lawyer to business owner. She has extensive experience in the start-up and entrepreneurial industry as she has been involved in the formation of hundreds of thousands of businesses for MyCorporation.com’s customers.

Ms. Sweeney received her JD & MBA degrees from Pepperdine University. She is active in the community and loves working with students and aspiring entrepreneurs. She serves on the Board of Regents at California Lutheran University and is a founding member of Partners of Pepperdine. Deborah has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in the areas of corporate and intellectual property law. Ms. Sweeney is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites.  She is a regular contributor on Forbes, American Express, Social Media Today, and BlogHer among many others.

In her ‘free’ time, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin (8) and Christopher (6). Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Follow her on Twitter @deborahsweeney and @mycorporation.

12 Reasons Why Women Make Better Entrepreneurs by Monika Beck @SuccessHarbor

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12 Reasons Why Women Make Better Entrepreneurs

by Monika Beck | Featured Contributor

If you look at many of today’s businesses, you’ll find that many (although not enough) of them are run by women. Luckily, many women today are starting and running their own companies. Women start businesses in some of the most unexpected places. Some women might start their own alarm companies in Palm Desert. If you’re looking for a San Diego divorce lawyer you’ll find that many of them are women who started their own firm. Also, some women start their own reserve study companies. No matter what line of business women entrepreneurs are in, they see that there are many changes that need to happen in that specific field. Women entrepreneurs strive to bring those needed and refreshing changes to it. Because women tend to bring a brand new perspective, attitude, and skill set toward business like multitasking and organizational skills, it often helps make them better entrepreneurs.

Below are 12 reasons that you can read to see why this is true.

Why Women Make Better Entrepreneurs

1. They Can Do More Things At Once

Many women tend to have great multitasking abilities. They don’t just have to continuously focus on one thing at a time. Because of this, many women can work on various parts of the job at once. This multitasking ability helps them to constantly be on the move and work to keep their company running smoothly.

2. They Show More Empathy

One reason why women make better entrepreneurs is that they are inclined to show more empathy. You’ll find that many of them aren’t just working to make money, but to build relationships as well. They are often more in tune with the feelings and thoughts of their employees and customers.

3. Women Have More Connections and Relationships in Their Work

As mentioned above, women have the tendency to show more empathy. This enables them to make more connections and form stronger relationships in their work. You’ll find that quite a few women aren’t just working for the financial aspect of their ventures, but to help others as well. Due to this, many women entrepreneurs have the ability to make more connections and lasting relationships in their business. This can also help them in the long run because they can have some contacts available if they end up needing help in some aspect of their business.

4. They Make Sure the Job’s Done Right

In many businesses today, jobs are sometimes rushed due to high demand which often can lead to mediocre results. You’ll find that many women entrepreneurs work to make sure that the job’s done right and take their time so they can produce high-quality results.

5. They’re Hard Workers

Women entrepreneurs are used to working harder. You’ll quickly find that they don’t sit around and wait for things to get done. Women entrepreneurs are always on the move and even if a task is difficult, many of them push themselves to complete it. You’ll find that many women entrepreneurs will work tirelessly until problems are resolved.

6. Women Work to Involve Everyone

A majority of women entrepreneurs often try to make sure that everyone in the business is included. If you look at some businesses run by women, you’ll more than likely find that many of the employees are somehow included and encouraged in it. This in return can inspire employees and end up leading to a better business.

7. They Constantly Ask Questions

Many entrepreneurs shy away from asking tough questions with answers that might not benefit them. However, you’ll find that a majority of women entrepreneurs often ask questions, even if the answers might not be what they want. Many women entrepreneurs continuously ask questions to find what is and isn’t working in their business. Customers are the beneficiaries of this because these questions will more than likely give them better services and products.

8. They Ask For Assistance When Needed

Women entrepreneurs are not afraid to ask for help when they need it. This ends up helping to prevent numerous problems from occurring because help was asked for. Because they ask for assistance, it can help women entrepreneurs to learn more. This ends up helping many of them get the job done right because they weren’t afraid to ask for help.

9. Women Plan Things Out More

While living in the present is good you have to look into the future occasionally, especially if you run a business. You’ll find that many women entrepreneurs tend to look more into the future to see how what is being done now will impact it. They also work to schedule things better so everything in the business is organized, like the budget. This helps to prevent unexpected financial and other business issues from occurring.

10. They Have To Go Through More Challenges

Women tend to make great entrepreneurs because of the challenges they have to go through. Many women entrepreneurs often have to do with less money, less time, and more challenges, but that tends to strengthen them. These challenges usually end up motivating them to work to improve things.

11. Women are Creative

Many of the amazing companies and unique products we have today are due to the creativity of women. You’ll find that women often think outside of the box to create things that will help to provide better services and make spectacular products.

12. They Understand the Importance of Family

Many women entrepreneurs believe that family is one of the most important things in life. You’ll find that women more likely to build their business around their family than the other way around. Because of this, many women entrepreneurs usually strive to help give you more time to spend with your family and even encourage it.

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Do Post-Grad Millennials Have What It Takes to Become Entrepreneurs? by @DeborahSweeney

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by  | Featured Contributor

All throughout the month of May, college seniors everywhere flung their mortarboards into the air and celebrated their graduation into the real world. For many post-grads, that means opting to become an entrepreneur and fulfilling their dream of becoming their own boss.

However, despite more than 2,100 U.S. colleges and universities boasting entrepreneurship curriculums, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation revealed that more than half of the students offered these classes don’t feel that the course work fully prepared them to start a business. What does this mean for grads today? Do they still have what it takes to become entrepreneurs? My answer is yes. Entrepreneurship may be a road less travelled and filled with more obstacles than a traditional 9 to 5 position, but millennials have more than enough talent and essential traits needed to navigate it successfully.

They’re tech savvy — but it’s about more than just being on Facebook.

Perhaps one of the first, and typically most correct, assumptions about millennials is that their relationship with technology is practically second nature. Being “on” has allowed them to establish relationships with brands via social media. Trust between the brand and consumer is built here through conversations and mutual following. If the brand gets caught in a scandal or does something to hurt the millennial, the trust is broken. Just like a relationship in the real world, it takes time to repair which is why millennial entrepreneurs understand that it’s critical for brands, particularly their own, to establish and maintain positive relationships with their consumers and beyond.

However, the one aspect of being tech savvy that might prep millennials most for entrepreneurship is personal branding. Early on, millennials are taught to think before they tweet because the space they’re in is a highly public one. It’s also one where you can mold yourself to become an expert in your field through contributed written and visual content on topics you’re passionate about. Personal branding is hard work to set yourself apart from the pack, but it’s worth doing before starting a business to generate buzz and showcase your credentials.

Families are on their side for extra support.

One of the greatest challenges facing millennial entrepreneurs is juggling student loan debt with funding a small business. While a study from Wells Fargo revealed that many young entrepreneurs use personal credit to fund their businesses, 82% seek assistance from their friends and families to ensure financial success.

For many millennials, this is just as second nature as growing up with technology. They’ve been encouraged by their parents to reach for the stars and fulfill their dreams, often with plenty of parental advice provided along the journey. Because of this, it has even been suggested that entrepreneurship is considered to be a “way of life” and one that millennials feel more than prepared to take on because of all the support they received along the way.

Entrepreneur or not, they’re (already) reshaping the traditional workplace.

The more millennials enter the workforce, whether they’re entrepreneurs or not, the more they’re reshaping it as the most diverse generation yet. Here, work/life balance comes first along with a workload that challenges and excites. Feedback for both the boss and employee is a must, along with knowing what the brand’s values are and how team members can advance upward within the company. Oh, and they’ve got one other invaluable asset too — positivity and optimism which carries startups further than one might think. Go on and draft your business plan, incorporate your company, and get the word of mouth going on your business, Class of 2017. You’ve got this.

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Deborah Sweeney – Legal Expert, CEO, MyCorporation.com – Calabasas, CA

Deborah Sweeney HeadshotAs CEO of MyCorporation Business Services, Inc. (MyCorporation.com), Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With her experience in the fields of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah has evolved from lawyer to business owner. She has extensive experience in the start-up and entrepreneurial industry as she has been involved in the formation of hundreds of thousands of businesses for MyCorporation.com’s customers.

Ms. Sweeney received her JD & MBA degrees from Pepperdine University. She is active in the community and loves working with students and aspiring entrepreneurs. She serves on the Board of Regents at California Lutheran University and is a founding member of Partners of Pepperdine. Deborah has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in the areas of corporate and intellectual property law. Ms. Sweeney is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites.  She is a regular contributor on Forbes, American Express, Social Media Today, and BlogHer among many others.

In her ‘free’ time, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin (8) and Christopher (6). Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Follow her on Twitter @deborahsweeney and @mycorporation.

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When Spouses Are Business Partners: A Survival Guide by @marriagedotcom

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Married to an entrepreneur

by Malini Bhatia

Being in a marriage and being business partners are two of the most intense types of relationships you can have. Both require time and energy, both need strong communication and compromise to thrive, and both face many conflicts and challenges on the path to long-term success. Navigating one on its own is hard enough.

So what happens when you’re married to your business partner?

Let’s look at the bright side first. Only certain types of people want to be entrepreneurs, so for that mindset to occupy both halves of a marriage means that there are already a lot of overlapping traits. Enthusiasm, work ethic, creativity, and all the other wonderful traits of entrepreneurs are now on an equal playing field in the marriage. At the same time, both sides understand the challenges inherent to entrepreneurship, such as all-hours phone calls and fluctuating cash flow. While this is part of the adventure and can be a galvanizing force in the relationship, it also doubles the stakes of every decision.

Playing this dual role of spouse and business partner then means that every element is amplified and ripples out even further. No marriage is free of conflict and no entrepreneurship is totally smooth, so there’s no guidebook to achieving complete bliss on both sides. However, some practical words of wisdom can help minimize the bumps in the road and help both partners maintain some perspective. Here are four tips for anyone sharing their marriage and business with the same person:

#1: Keep your work-life balance

Entrepreneurship can be an all-consuming endeavor. The phone can ring in the middle of the night or during regular work hours. “Working late” can mean working all night or just taking a quick email break. Problems can arise from both partners using this approach to their day. It is simply not a sustainable pace for a marriage. That makes it extra important to ensure a work-life balance. It may be impossible to schedule regular down-time for the two of you. That doesn’t mean that you can’t plan ahead for schedule lulls in order to go on vacations. In addition, when there are moments of quiet, be sure to shut off completely: no phones, no emails, no business talk. It’s important to have this time away from the office, both mentally and physically.

#2: Divide up responsibilities

Entrepreneurs are natural go-getters. You give them a list of things to do and chances are they are already planning on how to achieve them. This is one of the benefits of entrepreneurs being in a marriage. On the domestic side of things, the smart approach is to divide up duties in ways that suit your strength. By applying your entrepreneurial and go-getter skills to the business of marriage, it allows you both to thrive while strengthening your relationship. Perhaps most importantly, it ensures that neither one of you will feel overwhelmed by the to-do list at home and instead feel like equal halves of a team.

#3: Stay in touch

In a fast-paced start-up world, it’s very easy to lose track of time, communication, and even your partner — whether it’s about business or your marriage. The best way to avoid this is to make plans and goals together, then schedule times to regularly check in on them. As entrepreneurs and business owners, this should feel like a natural extension of your approach, and you’ll be surprised that using modern scheduling tools and communication tools (cloud calendars, instant messaging, etc.) can get you in sync — and the more in sync you are, the less you’ll feel disconnected.

#4: Maintain respect

In any intimate relationship, arguments and conflict are inevitable. This is even more so when the dual-role of spouse and business partner are involved. Perhaps the most important thing for both partners to remember is the importance of maintaining respect. All of the usual communication rules apply: listen to your partner, don’t yell, acknowledge their feelings, and keep an open mind. Any show of disrespect on either the business or marital sides of the ledger will bleed into the other, possibly propagating toxicity into an already intense state. Maintain respect for each other, express your feelings properly, and remember that in the end, you’re in it together.

The Value of Your Relationship

When you mix business with pleasure, the stakes suddenly get bigger. Add in practical family elements such as children, mortgages, vacations, etc. and everything is multiplied many times over. However, remember the value of your relationship. The four tips above require time and energy; they are an investment. Because you are in this together, though, that means that the rewards are even greater. Give unconditional support to each other through thick and thin, remember that honesty and compromise apply in both marriage and business, and the journey together will be better than you ever imagined.

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maliniMalini Bhatia is the Founder & CEO of Marriage.com, an online hub for advice from vetted experts on all things marriage. Her passion for supporting people through the journey of building and sustaining positive, healthy relationships, combined with her business acumen, inspired the creation of Marriage.com. She has past experience in the PR and communications industries and has worked with companies in the tech, healthcare and non-profit sectors.

4 Reasons Why You Should Stop With the Comparisons by @karen_doniere

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4 Reasons Why You Should Stop the Comparisons

by Karen Doniere | Featured Contributor

I have a confession to make and I’m not proud of it. In the past, I’ve been guilty of comparing my life, and my circumstances to someone else’s. Usually, only one of two things happen when we compare ourselves to others: either we’re inspired or we become envious. Wait a minute, what is envy? In an article published by Psychology Today, Dr. Mary Lamia states that our “envy is directed at others, wanting their qualities, success, or possessions.” Envy involves comparisons, contrasts, and differences. It’s the contrasts and differences that lead to feeling ashamed and unworthy because you have mentally classified yourself as lacking a quality or trait that someone else has.

It’s not hard to become envious when you see another woman who seems to have it all together, has exceeded everyone’s expectations, and achieved a measure of success much faster than you. I think it’s normal to make comparisons at some point. Although it may be normal, is it a healthy practice? How do you feel afterwards? Frustrated, envious, or maybe even hopeless? Is that envy inspiring you to work harder and smarter, or is it making you sick?

Can I ask you something? Why do we even bother to compare ourselves to others when we know exactly what the end result is? We’ll be left feeling short, with an unfair, envious attitude toward someone who doesn’t deserve it. And, we’re wasting valuable time and energy reveling in someone else’s successes, when we should be focused on taking better care of ourselves. Here are four reasons why you should stop comparing yourself to other women.

1). It’s Unhealthy
Anytime there’s internal conflict coupled with stressful feelings, or something happens that causes you to question your self-worth, something is wrong. There’s also an extra strain on your mind, body and energy. Instead of allowing those envious feelings to overwhelm you, try this instead:

  • acknowledge your feelings
  • make a list of things you do really well, including your successes
  • celebrate your talents and accomplishments

2). The Results are Sketchy
Ask yourself this question: what am I gaining by making this comparison when I’m left feeling depleted, exhausted, and frustrated? Rather than comparing your results to another woman’s, it may be equally satisfying to research her background to learn more about her journey. Then, decide what you would like to implement in your life. Comparing yourself to another is not worth the remaining self-defeating thoughts of inadequacy. Just stop it.

3). It’s Unfair
Comparing yourself to anyone other than you is unfair. You don’t know the challenges behind their success, their inner struggles, setbacks, and the time it took for them to reach their goals. Therefore, it’s unfair for you to so easily compare yourself to that person, and then immediately discredit your journey as a result. It’s also unfair to have an envious attitude toward someone over something as trivial as their achievements.

4) Comparison Is a Thief
Comparing yourself to someone successful isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you’re really searching for inspiration. But, comparison is a thief because it steals your confidence and your joy. In other words, it steals your greatness and replaces it with negative thoughts. Therefore, whenever you catch yourself comparing your journey to someone else’s, be careful. Just stop it. You have to realize that you’re only responsible for you, and needlessly worrying about another person’s experiences is a big time waster. Instead, learn to celebrate your successes: both great and small.

It’s Time to Take Action:
How will you manage your comparisons and envious thoughts from this moment on? Here are two suggestions that will help you win every time.

Find a Mentor
Use the time that you would normally spend worrying about someone else’s life and accomplishments to find a mentor. Be clear and selective about what you’re looking for, and about whom you choose to mentor you. Selecting a mentor can boost your confidence and provide the additional support you may need to help you achieve your goals.

Ask questions such as these to help you with your decision:

  • have you mentored anyone before
  • how do you prefer to communicate: via email, phone, or chat
  • how often would you like to check-in

Celebrate Your Achievements
To help you reject unfair comparisons and envious thoughts, start a gratitude jar. First, get multi-color construction paper, index cards or sticky notes. Then, write down everything you appreciate about yourself, including your achievements. Next, fold the paper in half and place it in the jar. Whenever you’re feeling envious, unaccomplished, or hopeless, read a note from your gratitude jar as a reminder of how great you are and how far you’ve ventured on your own journey. And, don’t forget to regularly replenish the jar.

References Used:
Lamia, M. (2013). Jealousy and envy: the emotions of comparison and contrast. Psychology Today.

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Karen DoniereKaren Doniere is the author of the NEW Baby Bear Children’s Book series and Motivational Speaker, inspiring mommypreneurs to take better care of themselves. She’s also the creator of the Forgiveness Project. Karen is a wife and mom to three young adults. She enjoys reading, loves green tea, and lives for dancing and peanut butter.

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10 Things Business Coaches Can Do to Help Repair the Industry’s Image by @NowWithNicole

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by Nicole Huffman Hollins  | Featured ContributorSame Song and Dance

Never Make Your Sales Funnel More Important Than Your Clients

As an entrepreneur, I am often privy to conversations regarding the benefits of hiring a business coach. I have heard many stories from fellow entrepreneurs regarding unpleasant experiences with coaches. Based upon these discussions, the following is a list of ten suggestions for business coaches to help repair the industry’s image.

1.) Say “No.”

All money is not good money. You must learn when saying “No” is in the best interest of you and the entrepreneur. You do not have to take on every client. If you cannot say ‘No” to money, pick a new profession.

2.) Say “I Don’t Know.”

If you don’t have the answer to a question, don’t pretend that you do. Tell your client, or potential client, that you cannot answer the question, but you will get back with him after researching the answer.

3.) Know when someone needs to be benched.

As a coach, part of your job is to determine whether someone is ready for your services. Have a system in place that helps in this determination. Before throwing an entrepreneur into a long-term program because it suits your financial needs, make an honest pre-assessment about her coaching needs and if you are the right person to provide them. Even when an entrepreneur thinks he is ready, if you want to be the coach, you have to be able to recognize when he is not. Michael Jordan thought he was ready in high school. The coach knew that he wasn’t. Michael Jordan did not play until he proved that he was ready. Take a note from Jordan’s coach and bench someone who is not ready to play or who is simply not a good fit for your team.

4.) Fulfill the terms of the agreement.

Do what you say you are going to do. If you can’t do it, tell your client. If you don’t want to do it, tell your client and return his money. Do not half-foot around the issue. You either can or you can’t. You will, or you won’t. You must pick a side. Do not take the entrepreneur’s money and not fulfill your end of the agreement.

5.) It is not your vision.

When an entrepreneur comes to you for coaching, respect the vision. If you are not able to see the vision, if you do not agree with the vision, or if you want to turn her vision into your vision, you need to decline the work. Furthermore, consider performing a self-check to make sure that you don’t have ulterior motives for wanting to steer someone in a certain direction. Ego has no place in service. Although you may have information the entrepreneur wants, there are other fish in the sea, and she may decide to go fishing in another area.

 

If you are too busy for your clients, you are too busy for business.

 

6.) Your sales funnel should not be more important than your clients.

If an entrepreneur signs-up for a long-term program, but you see that it is not working for him, consider ending the agreement and refunding monies paid or cancelling future payments. Additionally, if you are in business to serve people and not just your funnel- I detest that word- consider giving them an opt-out option. For instance, if your program is 6 months, give the entrepreneur the option to opt-out after month three if he decides it is not working. You are not running a sweatshop. If it is not working, release them. This is not Egypt. You are not Pharaoh. So, let the people go.

7.) Practice what you preach.

If you are not living the life that you are trying to motivate other people to live, you will not be successful. It is difficult for entrepreneurs to take you seriously if you have no experience doing what you are trying to teach them to do. How can you teach someone how to quit her job, but you are sitting on a 6-figure salary with no intention of ever leaving your corporate position? Furthermore, not only will you not quit your current job, you have never left a job in order to become an entrepreneur. Don’t teach what you don’t know.

8.) Be professional.

Your client is not your friend or your child. Do not become so familiar in the relationship that you don’t establish boundaries. Be professional in all of your communication. This is especially important if there is a difference of opinion over services.

9.) Do not treat your clients like an inconvenience.

If you are too busy for your clients, you are too busy for business. There should be some process in place where they are able to communicate with you regarding questions and concerns. Even if you are not always reachable by phone, there should be some system available that allows your clients the opportunity to communicate with you about business matters.

10.) Do. Not. Lie.

Do not, do not, lie to clients or potential clients about your background, skills, connections, past results, results you can achieve for the entrepreneur, or work that you have done on her behalf. Don’t. Do not.

In summary, business coaches need to act with integrity.

Connect with Nicole on Twitter at NowWithNicole.

photo credit: Same Song and Dance via photopin (license)

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Attorney Nicole Huffman Hollins from Money Fit Kids Houston, Texas

Hi! I’m Nicole. My life’s purpose is to help children, women, and families bring align their faith, family, and finances so that they may live in freedom. Part of my mission is to help people recognize their worth, own who they are, and succeed in life by being true to self. I am the founder of Now With Nicole where I have had the opportunity to author self-help books such as The Girlfriend Code and Peaceful Pain and appear as a contributing writer for many on-line and print publications. I am also the creator and host of Now With Nicole Radio where I discuss topics regarding your Faith, Family, and Finances.” In addition to my own show, I enjoy appearing as a guest on Internet and network radio shows.

As a former family law attorney, I spent countless hours with fighting couples. Trying to find a more productive way to help these fractured families, I decided that mediation was a better route. While working with women and couples, I found that communication about money was a huge sore spot. After years of helping couples master mindfulness in their marriage and money, I saw a pressing need to educate and empower financial literacy from an early age. As a result, Money Fit Kids was created to encourage children from an early age to align the core values of faith, family, and financial fitness.

I am a lover of the written and spoken word who holds a journalism degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin. I make my home in Houston, Texas with my husband and son.

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Corporate America v. Entrepreneurship? Which path is Right for you? by @DrRKayGreen

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by Dr. R. Kay Green | Featured Contributor

…And we’re off! The New Year has officially begun and now its time to make some very important decisions in your professional life. Where do you see yourself in say 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now? Have you taken the time to analyze your current career? That is, where you are v. where you aspire to be.

While you have achieved some of the goals you set last year, are you still on the fence about your current profession? Have you considered leaving the corporate arena for entrepreneurship? Have you considered saying “Good-Bye” to entrepreneurship and “Hello” to Corporate America?

As we all know, some of us excel in corporate environments; while others excel in the entrepreneurial arena. Climbing the corporate ladder is not an easy task. On the corporate side, 70% of US workers do not feel engaged or inspired at their jobs and feel that they are not reaching their full potential (CBS News, 2013). This statistic indicates that 7 out of 10 employees are not “satisfied” with their current career in the corporate arena. Entrepreneurship is certainly not the easiest task either. On the entrepreneurial side, an entrepreneur’s life may be riddled with ambiguity, long hours, sacrifice, and setbacks (Forbes, 2013).

While there is no “perfect” environment, rather corporate or entrepreneurial, we must be honest with ourselves when selecting the path that works for us. In order to survive, in either arena, you must possess, or at a minimum, develop the relevant survival skills on a corporate or entrepreneurial level.

For many of us, our careers, whether corporate or entrepreneurial, imposes a chain-link effect on our personal lives as it relates to family, relationships, friends, social groups, etc. Selecting the right path for you cannot be taken lightly. Rather, this decision dictates your own personal fulfillment, pursuit of happiness, and overall satisfaction. Let’s consider the following seven questions to ask yourself as you analyze your profession and select the path that works for you:

  1.  Are you more focused on “Who do you know?” (Corporate) or “What you know?” (Entrepreneurial)
  2.  Do you step up when appropriate? (Corporate) or Do you step up at all times? (Entrepreneurial)
  3. Are you most concerned with achieving the Work-Life Balance? (Corporate) or Are you willing to sacrifice the Work-Life  Balance? (Entrepreneurial)
  4.  Are you Planning-oriented? (Corporate) or Are you Action-oriented? (Entrepreneurial)
  5.  Do you prefer External Motivation? (Corporate) or Do you prefer Internal Motivation? (Entrepreneurial)
  6.  Do Play the “Game”? (Corporate) or Do you Create the “Game”?
  7.  Are your more focused on doing your part? (Corporate) or Are you more focused on doing all parts? (Entrepreneurial)

If you selected most or all of the first choice for each question, chances are, the corporate arena is right for you. Oppositely, if you selected most or all of the second choice for each question; entrepreneurship maybe your niche. Corporate America or Entrepreneurship are both choices; that is, you have the right to choose which path serves your best interest.

Always remember, choosing your path, whether corporate or entrepreneurial, is not a popularity contest. It is instead, a life-long decision that has a significant effect on both your personal and professional lives. In brief, think logically, strategically, and choose your path wisely.

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Marketing Expert – Dr. R. Kay Green 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.

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