Be The Boss Magazine November
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Be The Boss Magazine was created to inspire people to become their own boss and to inform business professionals on ways to start a business, improve a business and to grow a business. Also, this magazine is about connecting business professionals. Our live, directory is a great way to grow your network, instantly!
Transcript of Be The Boss Magazine November
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INSPIRING YOU! INFORMING YOU! CONNECTING YOU!
Margie Baxley: Margie@BeTheBossMagazineShelly Rice: Shelly@BeTheBossMagazine
Inspiring You!Informing You!Connecting You!
Be The Boss MagazinePractical Advice for Business Success
Personal Stories of SuccessBusiness Opportunities
AndThe Preferred Business Directory
With Live Links to Grow Your Network Instantly
Margie Baxley: Margie@BeTheBossMagazineShelly Rice: Shelly@BeTheBossMagazine
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BE THE BOSS MAGAZINE TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 Do I Really Need a Business Plan
8 Holding Employees Accountable But Still Promoting Inovation
9 Dressing for Success in Todays Business Climate
10 Dr. Kelly Martin
11 Killuminati Foundation
12 Seven Deadly Sins of Self Published Authors
13 Missing Piece of the Publishing Puzzle
16 We Fight Like a Girl
21 Thanks for Giving
22 Thoughts Before Coffee- Five Steps to Believe in your Success
24 Streamlining for Business Success
26 Your Business Card is a Reflection of You
46 Things to Consider Before You Go Into Business for Yourself
53 Are You Living Your Passion?
54 Using Virtual Mentors to Boost Success
55 Software Starters
Cover Story
v.A.S.t.28
FeAture ArtiCleS
4 Be the Boss Blue Ribbon Awards
5 Advertise With Us
14 Great Places to Network
20 Chocolate Blues and Networking Festivals ™
33 Mommy First
40 Facebook
49 Business Book of the Month
56 Preferred Business Directory
DepArtmentS
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Worldwide, the blue ribbon is a symbol of ‘the best’. When we think of blue ribbons, we think of winners!
We would like to acknowledge Julia Hull and Peter Biadasz for being winners in the business community.
All of your hard work and efforts to help others find greater success is not going unnoticed. You are connectors. You are inspiring. You are truly making a difference and that’s why we think you’re the BEST!
“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed” -Napoleon Hill
Peter BiadaszTulsa, Oklahoma
Click for Peters Website
Join Peter’s Fan Page
Julia HullModesto, California
Click for Julias Website
Join Julia’s Fan Page
Be the BossBlue RibbonAwards
BE THE BOSS BLUE RIBBON AWARDS
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Tune in.Get Informed.Get ConnectedAccomplish Radio
NetworkingCEO Radio/TVShow
CelebrityURadio/TV Show
Tough Talk Radio Network
Excellence Worx Radio
Women Behind the Wheel Radio
The Robert J Russell Radio Show
Business Strategies That Work Radio
The Terri Craig Show Real Women Real Results
BUSINESS RADIOSHOWS ADVERTISE WITH US
Full Page Ad
1 Full Page Ad: $100.00(Pages can be ads, articles, stories, business opportunities or other promotions. Includes two live links per page)
Listing in Preferred Business Directory for 1 year
(Includes photo, name, company name, one live link, tagline, phone)
Preferred Business Directory Listing $60 $5 per month-one yearcommitment (Includes photo, name, company name, one live link, tagline, phone)
To advertise call, email or sign up on our website at:
803.673.1487
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Q. I’m ready to open my own business. I’ve always heard that I should have a business plan for financial reasons, but I have capital for start-up costs and won’t need investors or a loan. Do I really need a business plan?
A. The short answer is “Yes.” I’ll use one of my favorite analogies in describing why: A business plan is like a road map. When you determine a road trip to an unknown location, even with the common usage of GPS audio, you’ll most likely take a look at a map before embarking on your trip. You’ll also check the map or rely on the anonymous voice of your GPS throughout your trip. These specify your roadways and note landmarks along the most direct route. A business plan functions in the same manner as a map or GPS.
A business plan doesn’t have to be a complex document. It does need
to specify the basics of how your business will be structured, who your customers will be, how you’ll connect with them, and the fundamentals of how you’ll handle income and expenses.
How will your business be structured? Who will assist you with the daily responsibilities of operating your business? These responsibilities include invoicing, paying bills, connecting with vendors and customers, sales, marketing, tax planning and form preparations, answering phones and emails, and the list goes on. Have you formed your advisory team? Your advisory team will be comprised of mentors in the traditional areas of business such as attorneys and accountants, as well as leaders in your industry.
Who is your target market? With a defined target market, you’re better able to communicate with them
effectively and in a cost efficient manner. Some questions that help you define your target market include: Who will use my product/service? This includes demographic information such as gender, age, source and amount of income, geographic location, and level of education. Where do they get information? What information, tangential to your business, are they interested in?
How will you market your business? Once you’ve identified your target market you’re better able to determine how best to communicate with them. Which marketing methods will reach them most effectively? Do they utilize social media on a regular basis? Will impulse buying triggers snag them? Do they regularly use coupons or does a ‘gift with purchase’ hold more appeal?
What’s your budget?
Planning for expenditures and forecasting income helps you maintain positive cash flow. Preparing a budget requires research. Don’t hesitate to ask utility companies for previous averages for your business address. Shop vendors for maintenance and lease contracts, service arrangements and insurance that will be most beneficial and cost effective for your business.
The uses of a business plan are varied, but the need for one is definite. With a business plan you know what your business is, where it’s going, and how it’s going to get there.
DO I REALLY NEED A BUSINESS PLAN?
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US SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE EXPO
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To hold employees accountable and promote innovation, you need to create that culture. Words are not enough. Employees need to feel safe to take risks, and feel safe in admitting when those risks don’t pay off.
Creating the culture requires excellent communication, appropriate appreciation and recognition, and clear expectations and measurements.
Communication is a two way street. As the leader, you need to communicate expectations, yet also listen to their challenges and concerns. Meet with your people in a one-on-one setting at least once a month. Use those meetings to communicate project changes and other relevant information to them, but most importantly use this time to focus on them. How are they doing? How is the project going? What are the challenges? What successes have you had? What’s on your mind? What do you need from me? Give them the safe space to discuss the risks they’re taking, and the ones that don’t pan out. Give them the opportunity to discuss their professional development as well.
One of the best ways to create that communication culture is to set the example yourself. Share your experiences with them and be transparent. Share a time when you’ve taken a risk and it didn’t pan out. Own it; explain how you owned it, how you learned from it, and how you moved on. This should be an ongoing discussion since risk taking is continuous in business.
Taking accountability requires admission of responsibility and establishing a plan to correct the situation, move forward and prevent the error from occurring again. Work with your employee to walk through this process and empower them to fix the problem. This will help build their credibility and improve work processes for your team.
Develop some kind of recognition program or acknowledgement for innovation and risk taking. Show your employees how risk taking is rewarded and appreciated, but also that accountability is highly valued as well. Definitely, do not reprimand or call out an employee in a public setting, whether in e-mail or in person. If a reprimand is needed, it should be done in a one-on-one setting. Public punishment for lack of accountability will just tell your employees to hide in the future. Make sure you give your employees positive feedback, not just
the negative. Having those monthly meetings gives you the vehicle to offer ongoing feedback and course corrections as needed.
Make sure each employee has clear goals and your expectations are very clear to them. Establish measurements, which clearly determine when success has been achieved for each goal. Allow your employees to have some autonomy in how they accomplish those goals. This may be where their creativity and innovation come into play.
LifeAction Coaching, Inc. is a full service coaching firm which offers team building workshops, professional and personal development workshops, assessments and coaching for business teams and individuals, and one to one coaching for executives, small business owners and professionals. LifeAction Coaching also offers a specialized coaching curriculum for professionals and managers which includes Attorneys, CPA’s and other continuing education required professions. Lynn developed and initiated corporate programs such as Your Personal Brand (and e-book) to help executives and professionals better package their experience and expertise to accelerate their career to new levels. www.lifeaction-coaching.com
HOLDING EMPLOYEES ACCOUNTABLE BUT STILL PROMOTING INNOVATION
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We’ve all heard it before – you never get a second chance at a good first impression. In the business world, this is not only true, but an important reminder that how you present yourself dramatically influences the way others perceive not only you, but your abilities.
On average, it takes only 3 seconds for a person to evaluate and rank others. That’s right – you only have 3 seconds to make a first impression.
“If you absolutely must make a lasting impression, you need to pack the best of you into those 3 seconds,” said Kathy Friend, image consultant and speaker. “If you don’t do it within the first three seconds, it’s going to take an enormous amount of effort to move past that initial impression.”
Walking in to an interview, the person sitting on the other side of the desk is likely to assess almost instantly whether the interviewee is right for the job. Clients or business contacts might decide at a glance whether or not they’ll do business with you.
“This is an important lesson,” said Friend, “for job seekers and those hoping to move up the corporate ladder. Image is a huge factor in how confident, prepared and competent others see you.”
“If your objective is to get the job, get the client – you need a leg up on the competition,” said Friend. “If you’re dressing the part – fitting the image that your perspective employer or client has in their mind as the ideal for the job you’re already one step ahead.”
So what are employers and potential employers looking for?
“Reasons number one, two, and three often listed for passing up qualified candidates have to do with appearance – someone had a piercing, she didn’t wear hose, his tie was too flashy,” said Friend. “The best approach is always air on the side of being too conservative. We’re in an environment where people are scared to spend money, and employers are scared the money they are giving you isn’t going to be spent wisely –and the way you dress, reflects that.”
Whether looking to advance your career or land a new job, remember, the person making that decision
is considering who will represent the company best to clients and the public.
“Your boss has to choose who is going to represent the company – are you the best one in your visual image? Everyone can learn a new skill, but not everyone puts their best foot forward,” said Friend. “If you are thinking about your image, opportunities to expand your horizons will follow. Project that visual confidence that you are confident and capable and there is no reason you should be passed up.”
Kathy Friend - wardrobe coach, image consultant, fashion stylist, fashion writer, fashion speaker and personal shopper. For over 15 years Kathy has been helping women redefine beauty. She has a knack for defining style and fit while focusing on real-women’s fashion issues. Her passion lies in mixing amazing designer labels with great thrift store finds. www.kathyfriend.com
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS IN TODAYS BUSINESS CLIMATE
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Dr. Molly Ramsey is paving the way for the next generation of female business owners in southwest Missouri. Dr. Ramsey has the only female owned veterinary practice in Nixa, Missouri and is the only one under thirty years of age as well.
Dr. Ramsey graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to opening Nixa Animal Hospital, Dr. Ramsey was an associate veterinarian in Springfield, MO in both day and emergency practice. In 2010, Dr. Ramsey was named to 417 Magazine’s 20 Under 30 honors as well as a recipient of the American Animal Hospital Association Award for Excellence in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery.
Through obtaining a $250,000 BancorpSouth loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and its 504 loan program, Nixa Animal Hospital has fulfilled Dr. Ramsey’s dream of providing top medical treatment with this state of the art facility.
Opening Nixa Animal Hospital in the summer of 2010 meant Dr. Ramsey could set her own standards for veterinary care. “A lot in veterinary medicine is about being able to practice the way you want,” said Dr. Ramsey. “By opening my own clinic, I was able to set the quality of medicine, equipment, and the flexibility of hours. Providing personal attention to each patient
and client is very important to me.”
If opening her own practice wasn’t enough, Dr. Ramsey also gave birth to her first child just weeks within the clinic doors opening. To say Dr. Ramsey is a driven professional committed to paving the way for female business owners in southwest Missouri would be an understatement. Her commitment to excellence shines through her dedication to clients, her community through philanthropic efforts, and to her thriving veterinary practice.
Nixa Animal Hospital is a full service companion animal hospital providing veterinary care to pets in Nixa, Springfield, Ozark, Clever, Republic and surrounding areas. It is our commitment to provide quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. Our services and facilities are designed to assist in routine preventive care for young, healthy pets; early detection and treatment of disease as your pet ages; and complete medical and surgical care as necessary during his or her lifetime.
We understand the special role your pet plays in your family and are dedicated to becoming your partner in your pet’s health care. Our veterinarian, Dr. Molly Ramsey, will treat your pet as she would her own. Our goal is to practice the highest quality medicine and surgery with compassion and an emphasis on client education. Our entire healthcare team is committed to providing personal attention to the unique concerns of each individual pet owner.
DR. MOLLY RAMSEY
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wanted to start a dog rescue, but until I won the lottery or found a rich husband, a rescue wouldn’t pay that bills. So I had the idea to start the Killuminati Foundation to offer financial vet assistance to families whose dog suffers a serious medical condition. After launching the 501c3 in 2008, Killuminati has gone on to save nearly 200 dogs providing care for treatments ranging from Cancer, parvo, heartworm, knee surgery, re-routing ear canals, etc. Right now, Killuminati offers financial vet assistance to dogs in Missouri, and our hope is to open that up as donations/funding grows. Killuminati works with rescue groups to help promote
death row dogs in need of forever homes through adoption. A large focus for Killuminati is educating the community. We have several programs where we partner with the Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts, and local schools to share proper pet care, approaching animals, etc. We also have reading workshops where kids can read out loud to dogs which helps grow the confidence with a non-judgmental canine listener. The Killuminati Foundation is funded solely on donations and fundraising events. Some of our most popular events are PacMan for Pups, Woof ‘N Wash, Improv Comedy Night, and we’re looking forward to adding a Murder Mystery Dinner event in 2012. Our biggest fundraiser of the year is Project Puppy – a dinner, dance, silent auction, and doggie fashion show that features local rescued dogs available for adoption rockin’ the runway in custom designed outfits by local fashion students. It’s Project Runway meets Killuminati. Project Puppy is held in the fall and provides nearly 300 guests with an elegant and entertaining evening unlike any other charity event in town. For more information on the Killuminati Foundation and how you can help save lives, check out our website at www.projectpuppy.org or email us at [email protected].
Contact – Jeanna CallahanPresident & FounderKilluminati FoundationPhone: 417-830-1855Email: [email protected]
KILLUMINATI FOUNDATIONJust six months after graduating college, Payton, my german shepherd ruptured a ligament and broke a bone in his leg requiring a $4,000 surgery. Needless to
say, I was just barely out of my ramen noodle days at the dorms, so $4,000 was daunting. I was amazed how many people told me to “just euthanize him” and get another dog. Payton was my best friend, my one constant. After a devastating break up – through my Mom’s battle with Cancer – graduating college and being on my own in the real world for the first time – Payton was my companion
providing unconditional love and support. How could I just “put him down” and get another one? Payton wasn’t disposable! There wasn’t a question in my mind to find a way to get Payton’s surgery.When I started googling resources to find help for vet care, I realized there really aren’t any. I had joked that I
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The list below contains common editing and marketing mistakes made by self-published authors. Self-published authors have the onerous task of writing, editing and marketing their books. From a business perspective, we are the Production/Operations department, the Sales/Marketing Department and of course the Finance Department. Few entrepreneurs can bring all that to the table, and as a self-published author, you are most definitely an entrepreneur.
SIN ONE: Unrealistic expectations of revenue and expenses. The cliché it takes money to make money remains true with self-publishing. The list of expenses you receive from self-publishing companies is a good start. However, even if it includes some promotional items such as business cards and mailers, there is so much more to promoting your book.
SIN TWO: Editing your own manuscript or having a “friend” do it for you. Punctuation issues, grammar errors, tense jumps and POV shifts are distracting to a reader. You and your mom may think your novel is ready for print, but if you haven’t had it professionally edited, you’re wrong.
SIN THREE: Having a lousy website or no website at all. For self-published authors, your website is likely the stop your potential readers make before buying your book. A lousy website is as bad or worse than no website at all. Would you take a fitness class from an out of shape aerobics instructor? If the image on your website isn’t one of a professional writer, get back to the drawing board. Or better yet, hire a professional.
SIN FOUR: Winging your book’s marketing and promotion. For many authors, marketing is the big black hole because we don’t know what we don’t know. Should you promote your book using traditional marketing or social media? Consult a writer’s guide. Even traditionally published authors are doing a lot of marketing themselves these days.
SIN FIVE: Spinning your wheels in the Social Media circuit. I was the over-achiever in this particular sin. If you are going to use social media, there is a myriad of information on how to do it right—and how to do it wrong. Invest a few dollars in doing it right.
SIN SIX: Information overload. When you are asked about your book, do you oblige by giving the never-ending answer leaving your listener with bleeding ears and no desire to ask a follow-up question? Create a short answer about your book that would appeal to an audience in general.
SIN SEVEN: Not enough time or energy left to promote your book once it is completed.Have a plan. Gain some knowledge. Be prepared to invest time, energy and finances in the success of your book. If you are waiting around to be discovered, it will be a long wait.
Darby Rae currently resides in Indiana with her four children, dog, cat, ferret and litany of reptiles. A graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a minor in interpersonal communication, she has become a successful business woman and investor. Darby now adds the title of author to her list of successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Funny, witty and infectious, Darby Rae will capture your heart with her first novel. www.darbyrae.com
SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS
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MISSING PIECE OF THE PUBLISHING PUZZLE
Eventually during the writing of a book the thought appears – Who will read my book? How will I tell them about it? Why am I writing this book? These thoughts begin the sometimes missing piece of the publishing puzzle called marketing.
Marketing is “the act of getting a product from manufacturer to consumer.” The author or publisher are the manufacturer and the reader that you have not yet met is the consumer. Who is this “consumer” that you have not yet met? Where is this person – or hopefully group of people – located? How do you find them?
From the beginning of the creative process you should begin thinking about the marketing piece of the puzzle. If you are writing a diary or family story designed specifically for your family, as a legacy with no other audience, you know your consumers ̶ you have identified them and the marketing piece of the puzzle is complete. Otherwise you must define your market and develop a plan to reach them.
To identify these marketing puzzle pieces you ask yourself, “What are my internal, external, and commercial writing goals?” You don’t need to share these goals with anyone else, yet you must determine their importance to you. There are no wrong answers or wrong reasons for writing a book, but you must determine:
Internal Goals –• Am I expressing some truth that no one else sees? Do I have a need to express myself? Why am I driving myself through such a difficult process? Internal goals are things such as fulfillment, joy, or peace of mind. For example, a diary carries very high internal importance while a technical manual carries little to none. On a scale of 1-10, how important are your internal goals for this book?
External Goals –• How do I wish to influence my reader? What response am I trying to create in my audience? External goals are what others give you, such as praise, fame, and awards. Usually a diary has little external importance while a novel may have more. Note that this does not necessarily have any commercial implications. Many authors have written exceptional books about social ills and have not received heavy financial compensation. On a scale of 1-10, how important are your external goals for this book?
Financial Goals–• Commercial goals are the financial compensation you want to get from your writing. This can be royalties, advances, selling rights, or other forms of compensation. Everyone wants to get rich, and the possibility of lightning striking with any book is there, but realistically determining your financial goals will help you to determine how much of your own money and time you are willing to invest. On a scale of 1-10, how important are your commercial goals for this book?
Thisarticleisthefirstinaseriesofputtingthatfinalpiece,calledmarketing,intothepublishingpuzzle.Sandy Lawrence
www.perceptivemarketing.com
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Looking for new business connections? Check out these
these great networking groups!
My Referral NetworkHouston
Ask for James Dutton
AWIIndianapolis, Tulsa
Nashville, Louisville And cities around the U.S.
Ask for Linda Fitzgerald
St. Louis Business ClubSt. Louis
Ask for Darlene Willman
Hot Pink MamasDallas
Ask for Patty Farmer SacramentoHispanic ChamberAsk for Ruby Maciel
Indianapolis, TulsaNashville, San Antonio& cities around the U.S.
Ask for Beth Davis
eWomen NetworkHouston
Ask for Terri Craig
Bixby,OKAsk for Dollie Mitchell
Nixa, MOAsk for Sharon
DallasThe Joy of ConnectingAsk for Stacy Sheffield
Dallas & OtherCities around the U.S.
Ask for Laura Wells
GREAT PLACES TO NETWORK
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DallasAsk for Patty Farmer
IndianaChristian Business
Network AssociationAsk for Mark or Greg
HoustonAsk for R.D. Yoder Dallas
Ask for Dolores Bedova
HoustonCoffee and CollaborationAsk for Bonnie Karpay
Goodlettsville, TNGoodlettsville ChamberAsk for Steve Shoulders
WorldwideAsk for Any Local Director
Tulsa, Dallas& Other U.S. Cities
Ask for Joe Sting
Plano, TXAsk for Lindsey Kleinhans
SacramentoAll over the U.S.
NashvilleAsk for Tom Burns
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We Fight Like A Girl, a Texas non-profit corporation, was co-founded by Ruth Helton, a stage IV ovarian cancer patient and her best friend of nearly 30 years, Theda Foster. While Ruth was undergoing her third round of chemotherapy in 5 years, she decided she wanted to spread awareness about ovarian cancer. One of their goals is to educate women, their family members, and physicians about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and give
them a fighting chance to have it detected at stage I rather than stage III or IV.
Those vague, persistent, easily dismissed symptoms like bloating, pressure in the abdomen, difficulty eating, frequent urination, and/or constipation or diarrhea are easily dismissed or attributed to other illness making ovarian cancer challenging to diagnose.
We Fight Like A Girl is not about “ME” but
“WE”, because when a woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her friends and families are too. When the woman we love is stricken with a life threatening disease, it is our natural instinct to want to encourage, to offer comfort and nurturing, and to help them fight it. At some point we find ourselves saying “what next” and begin a journey to not only survive but thrive.
1 in 71 American women hear the dreaded
words, “you have ovarian cancer” in their lifetime. According to the American Cancer society, Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common cancer (other than skin cancer) in women; ranks fifth as the cause of cancer deaths in women; accounts for 3% of all cancers among US women, and is the second most common gynecologic cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about
21,880 new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States and about 13,850 women will die of the disease. Despite important advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer, it remains the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death in Us women. (ACS Cancer Facts & Figures, 2010).
Through annual events, educational programs, and fundraising efforts, We Fight Like A Girl’s mission is to increase ovarian cancer awareness so everyone is better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being. Knowledge is power, awareness helps us take action and information allows us to make better choices. By knowing your body and knowing symptoms of ovarian cancer you are taking the first step to prevention. We Fight Like A Girl organizes various events throughout the year.
Ridin’ for Teal came about because members and volunteers of We Fight Like A Girl love to get out on their motorcycles and ride. They’ve found that bikers hearts of gold, live with passion, and take care of their riding family members.
Racin’ for Teal is a group of dedicated dirt track racers that met Ruth at a swimming pool, heard her story and dedicated their cars and hearts to We Fight Like A Girl. Once that decision was made they completely re-painted their car with the We Fight Like A Girl logo, website, and teal ribbon on it and race each week in Willis, Texas.
Wrappin’ for Teal is their annual benefit to collect head covers, caps, scarves, wigs, and lap blankets to donate to cancer patients, of all ages, while they are undergoing cancer treatment. We Fight Like A Girl collects these items and donates them in December.
Look for We Fight Like A Girl members and volunteers, in their teal shirts, at motorcycle rallies, the race track, high schools, colleges, the next 5k, the swimming
WE FIGHT LIKE A GIRL
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pool, the grocery store, and just about anywhere people gather.
Visit their website www.WeFightLikeAGirl.com and donate to their cause, volunteer your time, and help We Fight Like A Girl shout the whispering symptoms of ovarian cancer. You can also find them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/WeFightLikeAGirlCan.
You never know whose life you’ll touch because you were aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
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SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS
TONI HARRIS
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SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS
CAROL SMITH
Imagine you started a business and generated over $1 million dollars in revenue the first year. Would you feel successful?Revenue more than triples over the next few years and international clients and potential partners are asking you to consider expanding. Can you smell sweet success?Profits skyrocket! Expect to see significant rewards for your incredible accomplishment? Alas, you’re an employee. You are rewarded by praise, a pat on the back, and continued but not guaranteed employment. Can you see yourself continuing to work for the company or do you want to….
be YoUR oWn boss
That’s my story. I loved the company and was proud of my team and our successes. But, I wanted more. Do you want more? More from your business? Your life? Save time, money and avoid common pitfalls by asking these simple questions:• Isyourtrustedadvisorsomeonewho’sbeensuccessfulintheirownbusiness?• Havetheyfoundedstartups,andaward-winningnationalandglobalcompanies?• Dotheyhave30yearsofexperiencedrivingrevenue,andgrowingorganizations?• Aretheyconsultingforstartups,entrepreneurstoFortune50executives?• Dotheyhavealargewellconnectednetworktohelpyouwithyournetworth?• Dotheyinspireyoutogreatness?Profit is critical to any business. But so are people. I help motivated business owners go to the next level and create a life where they have the flexibility to spend time with family while exploding income. Whether you are an executive, business owner, consultant or employee looking for the right opportunity, I help people create the ultimate freedom: the ability to....
cReate YoUR DReam LiFestYLe
I light fires under business owners and executives. If you want a trusted advisor, interim CXO or help on a project by a “been there done that’, multi million dollar business creator - Let’s talk.
Carol SmithDRIVING REVENUE AND SUCCESS
Strategy | Marketing | Leadership
SERVICES Revenue Generation Business Strategy Marketing Interim CXO Executive Advisor
What Customers Say About Carol
“ .. ultimate business connector and master strategist….uncanny ability to spend just a few minutes …before she creates a crystal clear vision for achiev-ing success. …She truly is the best of the best.” Michelle Ketterman, Founder, The Inventory Institute
“….laser focuses on objectives, quickly and accurately prioritizes, and drives game-changing results in very complex environments.,,, She is sought ..because she wastes no time, and she's fun!” Dr. Barbara Waugh, Fortune 50 Executive & Author
“Carol lives from the heart of leadership, empowering her clients to a higher level by leading from a higher level..”. Barbara Fittipaldi, CEO Center for New Futures
Carol Smith, MBA Millionaire Club & Founder before 40
www.CarolSmith.com
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EVENTS
Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festivals™
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THANKS FOR GIVINGAt this time of year, we hear and see lots of commercials on radio and TV reminding us of the upcoming holidays. However, how many of us really stop to think of the connectors in our lives that help grow our businesses each year? Too often, the Thanksgiving holiday garners minor attention before the commercialism of Christmas is ushered in. As business owners, do we truly take the time to stop and say a simple thank you to those vital connectors and irreplaceable business relationships which have formed as a result?
Here are a few simple ways to acknowledge those important people and truly show appreciation for their contributions to your business’ growth in 2011.
Say, “Thank you.” Practice it. It’s actually quite simple and when sincerely expressed, has the most impact on 1. those who spend their valuable time focusing on our growth.
Send a handwritten note, such as a letter or a card. A card received when one isn’t expected carries a great 2. deal of weight when showing appreciation. According to Danielle Mohr of Cards and Mohr, an independent distributor of Send Out Cards, also affectionately known as “The Gratitude Girl”, shared, “Business Fact: 62% of the reasons customers fail to continue business with you... Perceived Indifference.” The same things goes for our connectors and best supporters! Why would they continue supporting our business efforts if we do not take the time to properly thank and acknowledge their important contributions to our success?
Offer a public testimonial via LinkedIn, their website, or various other mediums. The power of a 3. testimonial from a truly thankful person should never be underestimated. In fact, the best thank you a business owner can possess is an earnest, honest testimonial from a trusted source. Be that trusted source to your connectors as we approach the close of 2011.
Work diligently to return the favor. If someone has blessed you with vital connections throughout the year, 4. give extra consideration to your own contact sphere in order to help them along to their own goals for growth in 2012.
These are just a few examples of how you can easily show appreciation to those whose endeavors have helped move you further toward the growth you desire in your own business. Be creative. But most important, be sincere.
Area Directors-Nashville, Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festivalswww.bizfestival.com www.chocolatebluesandbusiness.com/Nashville__TN.html
REGINA HOOVER AND JENNIFER MARTIN
Chocolate Blues™ National Area Director
Jennifer [email protected]
Regina [email protected]
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mROBERT CHRISTIANSEN, JR.
Chocolate Blues™ Long Island Area Director
thoUghts beFoRe coFFee- FiVe stePs to beLieVe in YoUR sUccess
Over the past thirty years, it has been a great privilege to support tens of thousands of men and women involved with sales and marketing, across a broad range of industries, and for a wide range of both products and services. At the end of the day, their success was not because they had a superior product or service, massive advertising budgets, or better color brochures than their competition. Their success was determined 100% by how high their beliefs were!
“a new idea is delicate. it can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow.” — charles brower
Being your own boss and creating a successful business is only difficult when you believe it is. At times, what you seek most may seem a thousand miles away, when actually; the greatest distance from where you are to your dreams is the six inches between your ears. You believing in you - and the benefits to others that your company provides – are what really matters. It is your personal level of belief that either stops you, slows you down, or drives you forward toward achieving whatever you want.
“there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.” — martha graham
Asking the right questions to the right people is a great start to raising your belief level.
The question then is; how do you boost your belief level?
1. Write Dreams & Goals on Paper!
“to live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” — Joseph chilton Pierce Quotes
This incredibly simple first step is extraordinarily important! The first time your dreams and goals become real is when the unseen thoughts from your mind transform into actual words on paper. Typing up your idea on a computer is not the same. You need to physically take pen, pencil, crayon, whatever, and write your ideas down on paper. Write your dreams and goals out as many times as you wish. Do not worry – nobody is grading you. Keep writing until the words match your thoughts. When you reach that point, grab hold of the paper with both hands and read aloud for the world to hear! Holding a sheet of paper in your own hands, with your own ideas on it, immediately raises your belief level!
2. Carry An Idea Notebook!
“held in the palms of thousands of disgruntled people over the centuries have been ideas worth millions – if they only had taken the first step and then followed through.” – Robert m. hayes
Successful people always carry an ‘idea notebook’ with them to capture inspired thoughts. Inspiration can happen in a moment and difficult to predict (unless you create an ‘inspirational environment’, but that is my next article). As fortune favors the prepared, always carry your idea notebook with you. Who does this? Industry leaders, business owners, decision-makers, event planners, entrepreneurs, authors, architects, bloggers, designers, chocolatiers, merchandisers, C-level executives, basically all members of the 3% Super Success Club. These 3% consistently receive the rewards and awards for their ideas and innovations. Letting an idea slip by you lowers your belief level – jotting your ‘sudden inspirations’ down into your idea notebook raises your belief level and enters you into the 3% Super Success Club!
3. Schedule Time with Your Mind!
“an idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an
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idea.” — edward de bono
Having your calendar full and always being on the go - networking, following up on e-mails, facebook, blogging, etc - is wonderful for your activity level, but the most important time you need to schedule is with yourself. Balance in your life is critically important. To raise your belief level 100-fold, schedule time in your calendar to be with your thoughts and reviewing your ideas notebook. Put an hour or two each week for this. Turn off your phone and computer, sit in your most comfortable chair and with pencil in hand, go through your ideas. Believing in your own ideas really fires up your belief level!
4. Plan Your Work – Work Your Plan
“the world is but a canvas to the imagination.” — henry David thoreau
Every successful idea has a plan. Nobody plans to fail, they just fail to plan. 97% of business owners wonder why their ideas do not work. Not the club you want to belong. Whether on scrapes of paper or laid out in storyboard fashion across your table, take your ideas out to where you can actually visualize a very happy client shaking your hand enthusiastically! Write to answer the questions “What?”, “By When?”, and “How Much?” Keep your focus on the results and the ‘How to do?” answers will appear. When you find yourself stuck for an answer, highlight it and continue working on what you can answer. Beating yourself up for not having all the answers is counter-productive. Keep your belief level up by referring to experts and mentors to create a fantastic game plan!
5. When in Doubt – Ask the Experts
“to be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.” –osho
Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people. Essentially, a mentor or coach is someone who has a stake in your success. More than an acquaintance, they are the friend whom you have given permission to provide advice, or kick your butt when you are spinning your wheels. Bring your ideas, plans, and questions to them for answers. Build a powerful circle of advisors to whom you can gain knowledge, direction and wisdom. The hallmark of a successful person is that they want others to succeed as well. There’s magic in having advisors that raises your belief level into the sky!
ChoColate Blues™ area DireCtor roBert ‘BoB’ Christiansen, Jr. is a Dreamer, imaginist, ConCeptualizer, DaBBler anD optimist; his greatest strength is inspiring others to Believe in their iDeas. a native of long islanD new York, BoB has traineD people arounD the worlD with effeCtive humorous interaCtion, while generating struCture anD integritY for their Dreams. whether leaDing Classrooms, BoarDrooms, or auDitoriums - on topiCs ranging from CommunitY proJeCts to Business leaDership - his simple Yet inspireD event management anD soCial marketing praCtiCes proDuCe real positive results. ConsistentlY raising the Bar anD Bringing it Crashing Down on stagnating anaChronisms, BoB personifies possiBilitY – “see something, Do something! whY? BeCause You Can!” BoB’s personal CreDo sums up his perspeCtive on life.
Maximum Celebratio - Vitam Diligere! (Maximum Celebration - Love Life!)Contact Robert Christiansen by E-mail at [email protected] or by phone 631-334-1766. Let’s Connect! Via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rchristiansenjr
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streamlining for business success
Greetings Fellow Entrepreneurs
This month’s topic has to do with streamlining your business to achieve optimum results with less capital outlay.
As a business owner/entrepreneur its important that you focus on doing your core business in order to achieve success but as a startup or small business, you are sometimes forced to wear multiple hats (owner, marketing person, salesperson, accountant, secretary, receptionist, HR, legal, etc…)
If your time doing your business is worth $100.00 an hr, but you spend 4 hrs a day performing these other functions, you can see how your losing half of your earnings potential (and this is just a round estimate for the sake of this example).
If you are not in a position to retain a full time staff to handle these functions for you, here are some great ways to still get these functions taken care of without that large of an expense:
Sales/Marketing – Use a combination of commissioned salespeople and/or (if you prefer to close sales yourself ) use a prospect appointment setting service that charges per appointment instead of by the hour. The less time you spend prospecting and chasing business, the more time you can spend actually doing it.
Administrative Functions – Depending on the daily task you need, some things can be automated. There are several extremely affordable voice services that can route calls, take messages and receive faxes. For task such as word processing and data entry, use a virtual assistant maybe once our twice a week. Compared to the cost of a full time employee, you can save hundreds and thousands of dollars and still get your required work done in a timely manner.
Accounting – Depending on your needs, if you do not want to invest in a full time bookkeeper or expensive software, use QuickBooks online service or use a QB certified bookkeeping service that charges a small monthly fee (or combine the two if you have the time to enter your financial information daily). The big advantage is being able to quickly enter and access your financial records (using the online service). Have you ever had to tell someone “I have to wait for my accountant to get back to me with my financial statements”? . If you are a small business owner, the faster you can access information, the better.
Legal – All small businesses need a business lawyer but most of them can not afford to just retain one. A great solution for this is enrollment in a prepaid legal program. You can access legal services both free and at great discounts. Comes in handy when you need agreements reviewed and drafted or making sure you are in compliance with state laws.
Human Resources – You can spend and waste a lot of time developing handbooks and contracts. Use software to cut this time. Most packages come with standardized forms that you can edit with your specific needs to comply with your states labor laws. You can find a lot of free resources on this as well to further cut expenses. Also, use a payroll service
to avoid the headaches of having to calculate payroll taxes, etc…which should be an option available through QuickBooks online
The more time and money you save as a start up or small business, the better. Your focus should be on providing a great product or service and you shouldn’t have to worry about anything else being done (are my phones being answered correctly, are the invoices going out on time or do I have to hit the pavement to drum up some business).
Contact us for referrals to some of the resources mentioned if you need them .Wishing you continued success and prosperity in your business.
ANTHONY JONES
Chocolate Blues™ Dallas Area Director
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to avoid the headaches of having to calculate payroll taxes, etc…which should be an option available through QuickBooks online
The more time and money you save as a start up or small business, the better. Your focus should be on providing a great product or service and you shouldn’t have to worry about anything else being done (are my phones being answered correctly, are the invoices going out on time or do I have to hit the pavement to drum up some business).
Contact us for referrals to some of the resources mentioned if you need them .Wishing you continued success and prosperity in your business.
ChoColate Blues™ Dallas area DireCtor anthonY Jones is the owner of the texas Business Centers anD aBC Consulting solutions. he has spent Years helping small Businesses to grow anD is ConsiDereD a leaDer in the Dallas Business CommunitY. anthonY plans on hosting several ChoColate Blues events in 2012 in Dallas, Denton anD Collins Counties anD we are exCiteD to have him as part of the ChoColate Blues team!
www.ab-consultingsolutions.com or www.texasbizcenters.com
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You’re at a business networking event and surrounding you on all sides are hundreds of poten-tial customers for your business! Its a wonderful opportunity to grow your sales, but for most of the people you meet you’ll only have a few minutes to tell them about your business. Naturally, you give them a business card and hope to hear back from them. Everyone at the event is in business, so naturally everyone will be handing out cards, and at the end of day all of those potential customers will go home with a stack of business cards. That card is now your little representative of both your business and yourself. However, there are a few all-too-common business card mistakes that could be costing you business!
One of the most important choices you can make when creating a business card is choosing a font. With literally thousands of wild varieties available on the internet, your choices are almost limitless. Unfortunately, one of the most common business card mistakes out there comes from choosing the wrong font. A lot of businesses prefer to use a highly stylized font to convey a message about their business, or to make their card stand out among all the others. Unfortu-nately, some people will write their whole card in a highly stylized font. That can make your name and email address difficult to read for some people; and potentially cost you business!
Having your card stand out among a sea of bland business cards is critical. One way some busi-nesses have attempted this is to make their card irregularly shapes. I’ve seen triangle cards, cir-cular cards, cards that are longer or skinnier than the regular kind and a variety of other twists on the classic card size and shape. The thought process behind this is simple; if everyone else is using the regular size a shape and you are not then naturally your card will be the odd man out. When your potential customer has a stack of business cards, literally standing out will insure your card is seen, right? This is actually a tricky subject. On the one hand, your card is guaran-teed to literally stand out but perhaps not in the way you hoped. If your potential customer has a whole stack of cards and yours does not fit easily into the stack, there may put your card somewhere on its own. That could mean they find your card faster – or just the opposite, they may miss it entirely when they sit down to go through the stack. While it is important to stand out from the competition, this could be an example of standing out too much.
So how do you stand out, if not with an irregularly shaped card? Why, with the colors you use
Your Business Card is a Reflection of You
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on your card, of course! The standard is still a plain white card with black font because it is guaranteed to be easy to read. A lot of businesses are moving away from the standard, how-ever, in hopes of becoming more eye-catching. Black cards can easily utilize white, gold or red fonts to give them a more unique look. Some people prefer to use a gold background – and some have gotten really creative and made business cards out of clear plastic. These varia-tions are often very eye catching, but can cost more than you standard white business card. A more cost-effective solution is to incorporate more colors onto your standard white card. A red stripe or using a different color for your name or the name of your business can still help you stand out at a lower cost.
Does your business have a custom logo? I hope so, because they are a great way of branding your business, and they look good on your business cards too! A custom logo on your card can help it to stand out by offering something to catch the eye besides the colors and shape of the card. If your business does not have a custom logo, or you want a little something more, a picture can be a great way to go. Some people put a small photo of themselves on the card, which is a great idea. It associates your business with you. At a networking event where your hopeful customer met hundreds of people, having a name to associate with a face can help them remember you and your business. If you would rather not use your own picture, there are a number of other pictures you can put on your card. If you are a realtor, use a picture from one of your listing on your card. If you are a chiropractor, a picture of your chair can make your potential customers imagine themselves in it. No matter what your business, some appealing picture related to it can help entice your potential customers to give you a call. If nothing else, a picture of the American flag is always a winner.
So you have your new eye-catching business card; what do people see when they pick it up and take a closer look? It’s the simplest answer in the world – and yet you might be surprised how many business cards I’ve seen that do not have all of the basic information. Your first and last names are a must. Some people like to use first names only to make your potential customer feel more like a friend; but some people do not feel comfortable calling someone by their first name until they know them well, and may be hesitant to call. Some cards have phone numbers but no email; while others have email but no phone numbers. I suppose the thought process is as long as they have some contact information they will use it, but some customers prefer a conversation over the phone and others prefer to talk by email. These days, you really need both for your card to maximize your returns. And yes, spam is always a potential when you include your email on your business card, but most would agree its worth getting a little spam if you also get emails from potential customers, or invites to other networking events.
In the end, a business card is a reflection of both your business and yourself and the ultimate choice of what your card will be is entirely up to you. Hopefully, with these tips, you can im-prove your odds of standing out from the crowd and having more business.
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While talking with a friend one afternoon, she mentioned they were not able to spend their entire sponsorship budget the previous year. Coming from corporate America (she works for a major computer company), I thought coming in under budget was a good thing. However, in this case, not using her entire budget actually caused her budget to be reduced the next year. This budget reduction forced her to layoff some of her team. Wow! I was stunned!Jobs were lost because the company wasn’t able to find enough projects to sponsor that matched their values and their market. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be responsible for someone losing their job. You see, corporate sponsorship coordinators have a budget they need to exhaust every year. Every year! Why shouldn’t some of those funds go to your organization or cause? If
you don’t ask, someone else will!
How can you secure corporate sponsorships for your event, cause or organization? The answer is a bit easier that you might think, and it costs little more than time. You need to develop lasting relationships. I teach my clients to use the acronym
V.A.S.T.: V – Values A – AttitudeS – ServiceT – Trust
Values: Choose to meet with potential sponsors that have the same core values as your organization. A great place to discover a company’s corporate values is by looking at their website or the websites of other non-profits they sponsor. While values may seem like limiting factors to some, conducting a screening exercise for
potential sponsors will save you time, money, and keep you from becoming discouraged. More importantly, it will help you to connect with sponsors that share your core values.
Attitude:When you approach potential sponsors, do so with a gracious, humble attitude. Be proud of the work your organization does, but be aware that the sponsorship coordinator you’re talking to does not owe you anything. Don’t go in with the attitude that they are under any obligation to you or that if they don’t sponsor this particular event, you should automatically cross them off the list.
Service: Think about service in terms of two very distinct
categories. First, the service an organization provides, and second, the leadership style of their teams. If your organization is service based, does it serve a clientele your potential sponsor is also interested in? If your potential sponsor is a business, are the people who attend your event or benefit from your organization the same category of people who are or may be customers of your potential sponsor? If they are, this may provide your potential sponsor with one more incentive to sponsor your function.
Second, does the leadership team of your potential sponsor exemplify the principles of servant leadership? Will your leadership team effectively reflect and represent their
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about how to secure corporate sponsorships is the power of a strong relationship. This simple lesson has helped my clients secure sponsorships from many well-known brands including: BMW, DELL Computers, Southwest Airlines and State Farm Insurance.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “sure he can do it, but no one will want to sponsor my event or organization!” However, let me tell you a story.
V.A.S.T
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brand? Does your leadership team serve on the front lines of your organization? Sponsors like to see your leadership team interwoven and involved with the day-to-day operations of your organization, and not just the boardroom.
Trust:The strongest glue that cements the relationship with your sponsors is trust. Be transparent and trustworthy with your sponsors, both before and after they have made a commitment. If they are sponsoring an event, they need to know that it will occur in the manner you have described and the funds raised will be spent for the stated purpose. Your organization has a legal and moral obligation to your donors. Trust is a two-way street. No relationship—personal or corporate—can exist if only one of the parties is trustworthy. Do your homework and vet your sponsors! Before you sign the agreement. Check with other organizations they sponsor to see if they have a history of honoring their commitments.
It can be tempting to accept any sponsor willing to write a check, particularly if you are feeling desperate. Unfortunately, like a marriage of convenience,
they often end with a messy divorce. You don’t need to be involved with a sponsor that can ruin your reputation before you’ve even had a chance to establish it.
You can find corporate sponsors who would be thrilled to support your event or organization. I guarantee it! There are companies out there in the marketplace just waiting to sponsor every type of event or organization you can possibly think of. Just remember: Values, Attitude, Service, Trust. These simple principles will allow you to build a solid foundation for a strong, long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with your corporate sponsors.
About Roberto C. Candelaria
Roberto C. Candelaria, creator of the definitive fundraising guide, Cash for Your Cause: How to Raise Five Figures in 30 Days and author of Relationships Raise Money: A Guide to Corporate Sponsorship, is President of Calidad Marketing LLC, a boutique consulting firm helping for-profit and non-profit organizations across the globe accomplish their mission. A long-time non-profit veteran, Roberto has learned the non-profit and corporate sponsorship world from the ground up.
After seeing first hand the impact a well-run organization can have on the community, Roberto dedicated his life to teaching organizations profitability, growth, and long-term sustainability. An inspiring leader and in-demand speaker, trainer and coach, Roberto has helped hundreds of leaders and organizations more effectively raise funds and execute their mission. Roberto’s products and presentations on: sponsorship, board development & governance, corporate sponsorships, online fundraising and event planning & management, have made him an in-demand, innovative expert. As one client recently said, “If you follow his plan, success is inevitable.” For more information, please visit: www.HumanReturns.com.
ROBERTO C. CANDELARIA
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60 day results with the Anti-age AMP MD™ micro-roller system & Reverse Regimen“The only thing that should age is wine & cheese” Rodan+Fields – Changing skin & Changing Lives!
Whatisthenameofyourcompany?Rodan + Fields Dermatologists
Tellusaboutyourproducts?The Drs. who created ProActiv® Solutions brings dermatology-based skincare treatment to everyone. They have the only anti-age skincare lines to contain “over the counter” strength medica-tion so there are no comparisons. They are redefining independent business ownership with brand presence, clinically proven products & the income potential to change lives.
WhydidyouchooseRodan+Fieldsoversomanyotherbusinessopportunityoptions?I chose to work for Rodin + Fields Dermatologists because I get to be one of the 1st to partner with 2 of the biggest names in the skincare industry in their “ground floor” company that will redefine the direct sales model. It’s not a party company and I believe it is the smartest, proven business model on the planet! This is a clinically proven product with no competition in an untapped market. I just couldn’t poke a hole in it no matter how I tried.
WhatdoyoulovemostaboutRodan+Fields?The generosity of the Drs. They created this company as an enduring legacy for independent consultants & employees. They did it because they wanted to not because they had to. They are truly changing skin & creating opportunities to change lives.
Whatadvisecanyougivefirsttimeentrepreneurs?Be coachable. Listen & learn as much as you can.
Doyoudoanythingspecialtosupportyourteamtogrowingtheirbusiness?I support my team 110%. Being the 1st consultant in Oklahoma,. I know that overwhelming feeling of where do I begin?
HowhasbeingwithRodan+Fieldschangedyourlife?This has been the mostincredible personal journey. I have been challenged & have conquered demons that I thought I never would. I have been touched by people that I would have never had the opportunity to connect with. Yes, R+F products are great, but it is simply the catalyst that leads me to such greater adventures. I want a life full of excitement! Each morning I ask God “where we going today” because his GPS is way better than mine!
Tellusalittleaboutyourbackground.Whatdidyoudobeforeventuringintothisbusinessandwhatmadeyoudecidetostartyourownbusiness?I taught English as a Second Language in Sapulpa, Ok schools. What caught my attention was being first in a ground floor company. When does that ever happen? I saw rare opportunity with a “real hope” for something better. It was exciting, but intimidating. I heard that little voice say “What are you waiting for? I now have the chance to not only chance my family’s life, but the lives of so many others.
Howcanpeoplereachyouformoreinformation? Email: [email protected] Website: Kwillis.myrandf.com
Kristi Willis, Independent ConsultantRodan + Fields [email protected]
RODAN + FIELDS DERMATOLOGISTS
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SENDOUTCARDS
Hi. Thank you for this interview. My name is Danielle Mohr and I am a Mompreneur with SendOutCards. SendOutCards is the #3 greeting card company behind the known storefronts and is affectionately considered the Netflix of the Greeting Card world. All joking aside, this six-year old company can lay claim to making the Inc 500 list of one of the fastest growing companies since 2009. SendOutCards has removed the inconvenience and expense from sending cards and gifts while creating an opportunity to immediately act on a thought or feeling for personal or business relationships. SendOutCards’ mission is to change lives…one card at time.
After an introduction like that you might be asking “how do we change lives and businesses?!” Our answer is usually visual as one of us would walk you thru the SendOutCards system on your computer via our website. Trying to put the details of SendOutCards in print is a challenge, however, I would have you ask yourself these questions: (1) “Do you buy greeting cards or gifts? (2) Do you know anyone who buys greeting cards or gifts? (3) “Would you like to make money on the cards and gifts you and others send?”
When we answered all these questions for my family, our answer was YES! When my husband & I signed up for SendOutCards, we joined with different intentions. I saw the relationship/care factor, while my husband saw the investment potential. In addition, we agreed that because SendOutCards had No Inventory, No Home Parties and No Monthly Quotas, it was a winning opportunity for our family. Speaking of family, we are blessed to have three boys who are the center of our world. Send Out Cards has given us that opportunity to be more focused on providing quality time & experiences together as a family and by changing our lives…one card at time.
When given the chance to walk you thru SendOutCards, you will see how easy it is to send personalized “real” cards in your handwriting, your signatures and your photos from your computer in minutes. SendOutCards then prints, stamps and sends it to a mailbox across town or across the country. SendOutCards is providing opportunities for our family that once were a dream; may we pay-it-forward to you.
Wishing you Mohr Possibilities!
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Written by: Marla Stoch
I am loving writing this column because it is helping me identify things for myself and how things can run more smoothly. A lot of people struggle with time management. When you have a large priority list and kids have their own agendas, sometimes structure falls the way side.
Having the tools in place and a check system is a must. Some kind of calendar to track everything, whether that is a compact one that travels with you, digital or paper or a gigantic one on your desk or on the computer, whatever it may be, if it is important document it in one place.
Having a running to do list is important too. For items around home, the kids and for work. Once everything is written down, that too can get
cluttered. Make sure that the lists are prioritized, and scheduled…you may have to say no to some things or ask or help or delegate…this can sometimes be difficult, but do it.
Do not over schedule yourself or your kids. Someone has to get them to the activities and supervise them. This is a HUGE struggle with families today.
Make sure that kids participate in routines around the home. In the evening get snacks and lunches organized. Also clothes for school the following day…you can not believe how many times 5 minutes of ciaos searching for
a pair of jeans can just ruin a day for everyone. Organization will reduce stress for the whole family, Even if it is not your strong point, as it is not mine, teaching your kids the skills will help in the long run.
Last but NOT least make sure there is time for
YOU! Whether that is a walk, gym, coffee with friends, do not forget to take care of yourself. We often get lost in the clutter but this is extremely important for our overall well being…and a happy parent is a happy home.
MOMMY FIRST
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TOP DALLAS NETWORKERS
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PATTY FARMER
Patty Farmer, “The Networking CEO™”, is a highly sought after public speaker, radio show host, author and marketing professional.
http://www.pattyfarmer.com
MICHAEL BATTAGLIA
Michael Battaglia specializes in Health and Life Insurance for self-employed, individuals, and their families. He uses a unique consultary approach for maximizing benefits by utilizing his experience in needs analysis and customizing products to meet those needs. http://www.InsureYouToo.com
MICHELLE KETTERMAN
A national initiative setting industry stan-dards for and credentialing Third Party Home and Business Inventory professionals while keeping the consumer well-informed and up-to-date.
http://www.TheInventoryInstitute.com
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KATHY HINES
CelebrityU Radio/TV Show is the brainchild of Dallas creator Kathy Hines and is broadcast every Thurs from 2-4PM at http://live.celebri-tyuradio.tv/ for an eclectic mix of fun and rel-evant topics with great co-hosts and guests.
http://www.celebrityuradio.tv
RACHEL LANE
Rachel Lane, Founder/CEO of Barcelona Bath & BodyDrawing on 20 years of sales and marketing experience, Rachel enjoys using Barcelona Bath & Body as her own personal marketing laboratory. She keeps a hand in the corporate marketing arena through marketing consulting and conducting branding workshops for small and micro businesses. Rachel is blessed with a satisfying combination of her passions for marketing, living the spa lifestyle and empowering people to set the mood for their lives.www.barcelonabathandbody.com 817-366-851
LAURA WELLS
Laura is the President of The Heart Link Wom-en’s Network, the Executive Vice President of Leadership for the TROVA Business Network, and a business coach for direct sellers & en-trepreneurs.
www.theheartlinknetwork.com www.trovabusinessnetwork.com
TOP DALLAS NETWORKERS
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DANIELLE MOHR
Time = Freedom. We are paying it forward and making a difference! We are entrepreneurs, Send Out Cards Online Website - Real Greeting Cards, Gourmet Treats, & Gifts. Packaged & mailed w/ your own photos, handwriting & signature.
http://www.cardsandmorhr.com
LISSA DUTY
Lissa Duty founded her social media consulting practice in 2009 afterdiscovering a passion for leveraging online social media platforms tobrand clients and small businesses. She uses her energy and marketing talents to assist her clients in growing their business and network viasocial networking websites, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
http://www.lissaduty.com
JENNIFER BAGLEY
Jennifer Bagley is the Founder and CEO of a multi-million dollar Business Strategy, Web Design, SEO and Social Media Marketing Agency, which she self-funded 6 years ago and has grown from the ground up – CI Web Group, a division of Compliments International, LLC.
http://www.ciwebgroup.com
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ANTHONY JONES
Anthony Jones is the owner of the Texas Business Centers and ABC Consulting Solutions. He has spent years helping small businesses to grow and is considered a leader in the Dallas business community.
http://www.buildabusinessworkshop.com
CHUCK BAUER
Engaging Chuck Bauer and his team to improve your bottom line guarantees exceptional service based on their years of experience in the business environment. With over twenty years in sales and communication related fields, speaking and coaching, and following two Vice President positions with two Dallas based corporations, Chuck brings his innovative and distinctive business insight to you and your company. His passionate commitment to excellence is illustrated in his chosen motto: “Set the example by exceeding the standards.”
http://www.chuckbauer.com
JOE BLAIR
Prime Premiere, Inc.-Owner · Plano, TexasSelling Printing and Promotional products. From Business cards and brochures to pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts and more. I am part of the Gadget Guys promotional products team. Also help and consult on media services such as marketing plans, ad buys (print, radio and TV), Press Releases and special marketing and promotional projects.
http://www.primepremiere.com
TOP DALLAS NETWORKERS
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Facebook fan pages are a great way to get informed and to make new, valuable business connections. We have found some great fan pages to inform you and to get you more connected!
The Referral Machine
Be The Boss Magazine
Virtual Assistance
Internet Security
Marketing, Branding & Networking Strategies
Marketing & Customer Appreciation
Fan Page Design & Social Media Tips
Weekly Facebook Networking Event
Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festivals
U.S. Small Business Conference
Networking for Women
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More info: [email protected]
Do you have a fun, interestingand/or informative fan page that you would like us to feature inBe The Boss Magazine?
Contact Margie for details:[email protected]
Mobile Media Technology
Logos and Design
Looking Good
Gold Valley Parties
Chocolate Lovers
Weight Loss
Let’s Make a Deal
Cup of Coffee Networkers
Get Published
YOUR FAN PAGE HERE-ASK US HOW!
Accomplish Magazine
HobNob Franklin
Your Business Needs Fans
Miracles Through Water
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Meet Sharon Rowley. Sharon lives outside of Nashville Tennessee and spent many years as a business owner of a western store and hari salon. In 2008, she left the traditional business world to start a new career as an Independent Contractor with Dove Chocolate Discoveries.
Sharon is now a Senior Manager with Dove Chocolate Discoveries and is having the time of her life growing her team throughout the U.S. Sharon calls her team “Chocolate Lovers” and seh loves the recruiting, training and mentoring process of helping her team to achieve Sweet Success as Independent Contractors with Dove.
If you’re looking for a home based business where you can make money and have a great time doing it, give Sharon a call and she will share the details about becoming a chocolateir with Dove Discoveries.
If you would like to try the delicious products or need a great gift, you can order prodducts from Sharon’s website:www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/chocolatelovers
Sharon Rowley is living the sweet life. She’s found business success and now spends her time helping others to find it too!
DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES
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Call for a FREE QUOTEon your projects!
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Vanessa Johnson has life within her, but has yet to determine who she is... Struggling with broken rela-
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At a young age, Ladie NiQue developed a passion for writing.Going into her Junior year of college, with a major in English,
enjoys creative writing and one day hopes to travel overseas to teach English. Besides having a love for writing and educa-tion, Ladie NiQue enjoys music, movies, and singing.
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GALAN GRAPHIX
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CHOCOLATE BLUES
What is chocolate blues? Chocolate Blues is one of the largest and most fun business events in the country. Attendees are: business owners, managers, department heads, directors, consultants, authors, coaches, trainers, marketing experts, designers, investors, realtors, publishers, CEO's, technology gurus, independent contractors, media, marketing experts, executives & community leaders. . the purpose of chocolate blues is... to bring decision makers together in a fun and productive environment. Our goal is to grow your professional network and to connect you with hundreds of like-minded professionals in one day! Chocolate Blues features a business expo, open networking, door prizes, on the spot appointment setting, ice breakers, networking games, round table workshops, a giant business card exchange, business coaching, brainstorming circles, book signings, blues music and chocolate galore!
Hundreds, sometimes thousands of people attend each of our events. The size of Chocolate Blues varies from city to city. Some of our events draw a crowd of 500-800 professionals. Others draw a larger crowd of 1,000-1,500 and some of our events have had more than 2,500 attendees! Our largest event to date we had 2,730 in attendance!
No matter what the size of the event, chocolate blues is neVeR LacKing in high-quality, soLiD business connections and you'll never be bored or without someone to talk to!
Tulsa, OKSpringfield, MOSt. Louis, MOIndianapolis, INFort Wayne, INSouth Bend, INCedar Rapids, IANashville, TNLouisville, KYLas Vegas, NVModesto, CASacramento, CALos Angeles, CAFresno, CAAnaheim, CAWest LA, CASan Diego, CAStockton, CAClovis, CASan Jose, CASan Francisco, CADallas, TXPlano, TXFarmers Branch, TXFort Worth, TXAustin, TXSan Antonio, TXStafford, TXHouston, TX
More cities addedall of the time!
BizFestival.com417.353.2610
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I am a 59 year old who has finally decided what I want to do when I grow up. I want to run a business that produces a product made in America by people who need to make some money but have a flexible schedule. That is because I need to make some money but I need a flexible schedule.
I started The Pillow Pantry because I love decorating and I love color and I can’t afford to spend a lot to do it. I could never chose a favorite color when I was a kid, I still can’t and I finally decided it is because I like combinations of color not just one and I love one combination madly until I see the next interesting combination.
Why pillow covers? Because decorators from Candice Olsen to Vern Yip tell you to spend your big money on neutral core furni-ture pieces that will last a long time then pop them with acces-sories like pillows because pillows are cheap. Well not in my world they are not. Trendy, interesting pillows are not cheap and I love seasonal decorating and who has the money or space to have several sets of pillows to use for a little while then store?
The Pillow Pantry gives people the opportunity to buy one set of naked forms then buy different outfits for different times of the year. And right now all individual pieces are under $20. I also offer a scent feature where you can add a herbal packet to a pillow so that you can receive the benefit of herbal scents such as lavender and lemon balm.
Right now I design then produce all the covers making them “American Made“, my pillow forms are vacuum packed hypo al-lergenic forms made in a factory in Kentucky and the herbs I use to fill the herb packets are organically grown on a small herb farm in Tennessee. If I could find a source for fabric actually made in America that would sell me small quantities it would be wonderful but so far I have not found such a source.
I am selling my products at home shows and events currently. I make small quantities because I use a lot of remnants to keep costs down so I can keep retails down but my goal is to also oper-ate an e-store. That is when my other goal will kick in and that will be to offer jobs to others so they might improve their quality of life without sacrificing what ever reason they have for needing a flexible schedule. I will continue to design and produce prototypes then provide my people with the fabric and supplies so they can reproduce my designs to have enough inventory to satisfy the e-sales.
I have worked for a number of multi-level marketing businesses and while these were good companies I do not enjoy trying to recruit others all the time so I want to offer an income opportunity to others like myself who are hard workers but do not want to depend on recruitment to have a reasonable income. I think the more we all buy American, sell American. and employ American the better the future will be for all.
THE PILLOW PANTRY
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Written by: mark Werner
1). health insurance:
So, you’ve had a corporate job all these years and have never bought your own health insurance. Maybe you’re married and can get on your spouse’s insurance. If you are…Good…do that. If not, let me tell you a few things. It is expensive. If you take high blood pressure medicine, anti-depressants, etc, you’re in for a rude awakening. First off, those drugs won’t be covered on your plan. They also won’t be covered when you go to your Doctor to see about them. Second, you will be rated at a higher rate than someone who takes no prescribed drugs. And you will pay out of pocket for the little things. Third, if you take too many prescriptions or weigh too much, you’ll be automatically declined. This isn’t a reason to not be self employed, just things to consider.
2). money:
I suggest you have a nice nest egg if you’re going into business for yourself. Yeah yeah yeah I know all the MLM companies talk about people making 6 figures with no sales experience. Guess what, that probably won’t be you your first year. I suggest you have at least a year’s worth of living expenses in the bank before you get started. Yes, you can deduct a lot when self employed, but you will be turning and burning your profits in the early days. Are you really prepared for that?
3). marketing Plan
It continues to astound me how many people go into business for themselves with no real marketing strategy. Do you have your own brand/identity/logo? I’m not talking about the company you represent. I’m talking about YOUR OWN brand. Brochures, business cards, flyers…should all have your own identity attached to them. How do you plan to market your business? Networking is great, but it’s only a piece of the puzzle. I suggest you think long and hard about how you will get your name out there.
If you’ve thought about the 3 things above, then yes, go ahead and take the plunge. It can be difficult at first, but the rewards are well worth it. Just don’t expect to make tons of money overnight as the people that got you into the business would have you expect.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF
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I got into this business by way of, what else, networking! I was working in sales at a print company, and unfortunately, my boss had the business sense of a sea lion and insisted on running things like it was 1995. I was frustrated and unhappy with the outdated and overpriced options I could offer to clients. However, part of MY marketing strategy to get new business was networking. I was a member of four area Chambers of Commerce, and two other business networking groups. It was there I met Larry, who represented a company making machines that produce alkaline antioxidant water.
Now, no offense to any other MLM or network marketing organization. However, as I’d been a sales professional for 10 years, I had been propositioned by anyone and everyone to sell their product/service: All of the health pills, all of the health drinks in a bottle, all of the legal services, all of the credit card processing systems, the list goes on and on. Something about this water business struck a nerve with me though. I had done some research about giving your body a more alkaline base to help fight off disease. When I found out that this company produces a medical grade, alkaline, anti-oxidant rich water, I was intrigued. I further discovered that these machines, made in Japan, are the only water iozner on the market actually listed as a medical device by Japan’s version of the FDA.
I have more belief in this product and what it can do for ones health, as well as income, than anything I have ever sold. We let our prospects try the water for FREE for 30 days. What other product lets you sample their goods for a month? Call our weekly conference calls to listen to the extraordinary health and wealth testimonials from people all over the country. We truly believe this to be the best water on the planet. And we do not want anyone to buy a machine that does not experience life altering results.
Our compensation plan is patented. There are no “binary” legs or anything else you have probably encountered upon a meeting with other MLM’s or network marketing. We do not ask you to make a list of 30 people who have thousands of dollars to invest in a “new business opportunity.” How do you get started? Buy a machine for yourself. Experience what it can do for you. And then, GIVE the water away, for FREE. We cannot, and will not, charge for this. Share this water with as many people as you can. Your results will come back to you ten fold.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU GO INTO BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF MIRACLES THROUGH WATER
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What an incredible journey this has been so far....and the best is yet to come! My background could not be any further from Network Marketing. For 17 years I worked with adults with acquired brain injuries. I loved my work, but it was extremely draining, all my patience was consumed during work hours, little time with my kids and husband, crazy commutes into the city, and overall not very happy. mY FamiLY is mY WhY!!!! Three years ago I was finishing up a maternity leave, and doing a comparison of the cost of child care vs. staying at home, plus I just wanted to be the one to raise my kids.
That is when I joined MXI. I was intrigued by the idea to work the business part-time from home, but still went back to work...Pregnancy for baby number #4 was exceptional since I was consuming healthy chocolate regularly. No pain or numbness that I had experienced previously. I had a strong personal testimonial, and was very passionate that I wanted to share this with every pregnant woman, and the rest of the world. I had decided to take a serious look at the business side since I would be in debt going back to work with the cost of child care, and then life got in the way. Roughly a year ago I started to focus on this. It was the best business decision I could have made for myself and my family, and have not looked back. There are many wonderful people in this business but I am very fortunate to have an incredible team by my side, who do this business with integrity and heart. When they say 90% of the people you will build your business with, you do not know yet...this is the absolute truth. Some of my closest friends I have met through my healthy chocolate business. I am very grateful everyday for all of the people who have touched my life and worked closely with me.
XOCAI - THE HEALTHY CHOCOLATE
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BUSINESS BOOK OF THE MONTH
www.relationshipsraisemoney.com/
“I’ve been waiting for someone to write this book for years. Finally, a step by step guide for small business-es and non-profits to acquire corporate sponsorship dollars. Brilliant! On behalf of event planners every-where, thank you, thank you, thank you!”— Shelly Rice, Founder, Chocolate Blues and Busi-ness
“The days of a donor ‘signing the check’ just to get your organization off their back are over. The donor is looking for a win, too! Relationships Raise Money will help every organization who is seeking sponsorship to develop lasting relationships with their donors, resulting in long- term viable organizations.” — Leslie Knight, Founder, Knight Performance ManagementAuthor, Powerful Women: They’re Not Men in Drag
“Roberto Candelaria is one of the most genuine, gifted and caring people I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and his extensive knowledge and understanding of both corporate sponsorships, the non-profit world as well as for profit are only exceeded by his generosity and service to others.”— Patty Farmer, Winner, Best Business Connector in Dallas (2010) Author, Make Your Connections Count
“As festival designers, we are always looking to develop new relationships with local and regional spon-sors. The guidance within Roberto’s book provides us with the tools to strengthen our existing sponsor programs and to develop new, professional relationships with corporate sponsors.”— Kathi Danielson, President, Performance & Event Management, LLC
“Your mind works in beautiful patterns and sees amazing possibilities, Roberto Candelaria! Thanks for be-ing who you are and sharing your talents with the world.”— Sheryl Sitts, Founder and CIO, Journey of Possibilities
“Roberto is a positive self initiative business partner, consistently thinking of how to improve services and customer relations. It’s always a pleasure dealing with Roberto.”— Elena Guajardo, Former Councilwoman, City of San Antonio
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Business to Business Vacation Benefits
Savvybusinessesrecognizethattheirbenefitspackageisimportantintoday’seconomy.OurcertifiedVacationBenefitConsultantsofferacorporatebenefitsolutionthatgivesyourcompanyawinningedgeinrecruitingandretaining.
Thebestcandidates,especiallythenextgenerationofemployeesareweighingbenefitsthatemphasizework/lifebalanceinadditiontosalary.OfferingaDreamTripsMembershipseparatesyoufromcompetitiveemployersanddemonstratesyourcommitmenttoyourmostvaluedasset,yourpeople.
OurVacationBenefitssolutionsisdesignedfortheworldofemployeeincentives,perksandbenefits.Aprovensolutionthatincreasesproductivitybyasmuchas40%,improvesretentionby35%,isanexcellentrecruitingtool,andhasa3to1ROIonthecompany’sbottomline.
JamesBoggusOwner,GenisisLifeTravelPhone:1877.534.5064Email:[email protected]
GENESIS LIFE TRAVEL
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Over the years my life has taken many twists and turns and I sometimes wonder how I’ve been able to hold it all together as a wife, mother, military widow, stepmother, business owner, community volunteer and now a Granma. By sharing my experiences I hope to touch others that feel they can’t move forward after life got in the way. At 32 years old I had to deal with the death of my first husband and father of our three children then two months later my baby daughter’s cancer diagnosis. Almost two years later I somehow managed to move across the country to Texas knowing no one. Open an Interior Design business, hold positions with multiple non-profits and run fundraisers. I remarried years later and moved to Germany where I created a school volunteer/fundraising program and ran the military community charity bazaar. After 6 years I abruptly returned to Texas for my daughter to receive a heart transplant. Eventually life once again had some normalcy and my husband and I were able to build a couple successful home based businesses. But then God obviously once again felt I could handle more when my daughter died unexpectedly at 22 years old and 4 years later my marriage ended.
After returning to designing and tinkering with a couple MLM’s I soon realized I was lacking my passion. But when
I saw a post by a Facebook friend about a new tool that would help any business using Social Media I knew I had to learn more.
After hearing what Social Outbreak can do for the person that is looking to brand themselves or expand a business I realized it was just what I was looking for. I’ve always enjoyed helping people and this allows me to offer products that will assist any business, entrepreneur, non-profit… to be successful with the power to promote their product or service through digital social networking on Facebook. I love Social Outbreak because it is a legitimate opportunity that will allow anyone to make money from the power of Facebook. ‘Social Outbreak’ opens worldwide in august 18 and it is Social Media at its finest. Consultants offer a brilliant application integrated in Facebook for any business. Total Social Media System includes Customized Sidebars, Fan Pages, Auto Responders, Lead generation, Video Email with industry templates, Video Conferencing with document download, Mobile App, QR... Networking and new technology will allow me to travel the world to educate people and businesses on the importance of Social Media and Social Outbreak. Knowing your “WHY” and having a passion for the products or services you’re offering can equal success.
www.KatieWegg.com ~ 317 517-5277 ~ [email protected] ~ Skype @katie.wegg
SOCIAL OUTBREAK
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THE INVENTORY INSTITUTE
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WRITTEN BY: MICHELLE KETTERMAN
Are you living your passion? If so, congratulations! You are part of a small and fortunate group. If you are like most people trying to figure out your true passion, don’t panic. It is never too late, and you are never too old to live your passion.
Before you can live your passion, you must define it. Easier said than done, right? Actually, it’s relatively simple. Send one basic question to at least 50 people and include a healthy mix of friends, family, co-workers, your mentors and mentees, committee and group members, etc. Send this sentence to people who know you in several different capacities:
Complete this sentence: _____________ (your name) would be great at ____________.
Compile responses in a spreadsheet so they can be easily sorted and viewed together. You will be amazed when people that don’t know each other have very similar answers about YOUR passion! We can’t see what’s obvious to others, but people that know us easily recognize the twinkle in our eye when we talk about things that charge our battery and fulfills us...our passion.
Start defining your passion NOW and kick off 2012 with a definite direction toward your passion! You will be so glad you did.
ARE YOU LIVING YOUR PASSION?
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USING VIRTUAL MENTORS TO BOOST SUCCESSStarting your own business can be exciting, scary , and lonely. It is important to connect with people who can provide advice and support. You will have questions, and will need a little motivation from time to time. We all need mentors.
Having someone you can connect with personally face-to-face or over the phone is ideal. Try to find someone who has been successful doing what you are looking to do – or even someone who is just a little further along building their business than you are.
Start asking people in your network if they know anyone who has started a … (consulting group, leadership coaching practice, personal training business). You may be surprised by who your friends know. You also can go to networking groups to find potential mentors. Ask the leader(s) of the networking group who might be a good connection for you and let them hook you up!
In addition, I highly recommend that you consider adding some virtual mentors to your list of advisors. As you are researching your business and industry, you will come across people whose work speaks to you. You may read a book or blog of theirs but may not know them personally. That’s fine. They can still be of great value to you.
Imagine that you do know them. Imagine that when you read their words or see their videos or listen to their podcasts that they are talking to you. Interact with them on social media if you can. And chances are if you like their work, you may also like the other people in their community since they like that person’s work too. Interact with the members of that community if you can.
Lots of thought leaders in the entrepreneur space have open calls that you can join. Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid , has one every Tuesday and Pamela Slim, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation, has one once a month. I love attending these calls because I get great advice and information for free. I also feel like they are speaking to me and mentoring me directly. When I am stuck I ask myself, “What would <insert name> do?” Or I imagine that they are kicking my butt to do the task that I need to do but am avoiding. You might want to try this.
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rise of netbooks, smartphones, and tablets. So cloud computing is high on my agenda. Making that transition can be challenging at times, but very rewarding when you travel.
There are two other pieces of software that are invaluable. Dropbox and Evernote. Dropbox is a service that allows you to share files and keep them updated across all your computers and most devices. I have Dropbox on all of mine. Basically you put a Dropbox folder on your device, drag a file into that folder, and it makes that file available on any of the devices. Remember though, if you drag an Excel spreadsheet into it and try to open it from your phone, you have to an app that will open spreadsheets. It only makes the file available. A free account will get you 2GB of space. You can check them out at www.dropbox.com.
Evernote may be the most important app I use. Evernote is more of a mobile file cabinet. You can check them out at www.evernote.com. Evernote lets you save documents, links to web pages, articles you want to save or read later, just about anything. It also lets you collaborate on projects with co-workers. I am finding new uses for Evernote almost daily.
I hope these help get you started. If you find another piece of software, drop me a line and let me check it out. I still have a couple of inches of space on my desktop for icons!
LINTON-COLESOFTWARE STARTERSLast month I wrote about opening a new office and some of the things to consider before you do. I had some good questions and comments from people on that. One common question was what some of the software packages I use are.
Wow, this could take volumes depending on the nature of your business. If you saw my monitor you would realize just how many different pieces of software are installed on my PC. Not that I use it all, but for a while when I did TechTalk with Chad Hembree on the radio, we were always trying new software so we could review it. I usually never uninstall it unless it interferes with something else. And when I fill up a hard drive, I just add another one. So I will go through a couple that is basic for any small business to get started with.
First is email. People ask me all the time what email platform do I use. For a long time I used Microsoft Outlook. But that required an exchange server and software installed on my PC. Now I use Gmail for all of my email. I actually have 7 email accounts that I check regularly, from my personal account to various business ones. It helps me keep my correspondence segregated. And if you have a domain name you want to use, such as [email protected], you can forward that to a Gmail account.
Another thing you need to consider is portability. I have a desktop PC, a laptop, a tablet, and my Android phone. With Gmail my email syncs across all those devices automatically. Portability is something right now that I am really promoting, especially with the
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The Preferred Business Directory is no ordinary directory. This is not just a list of businesses.
This directory is designed to help you to grow your professional network instantly. Everyone in our directory is a business owner who is a true ‘business connector’, dedicated to helping others succeed while they grow their own businesses.
Each listing features a live link that will take you directly to the person’s Facebook fan page or to their website. When you join their fan pages, be sure to leave a note and introduce yourself.
Building a strong network is vital to business today. Be sure toconnect with each person in our directory and start the process of building new friendships, alliances and referral partners.
If you’re a business connector who would like to bepart of our Preferred Business Directory, you canregister on our website or contact Margie for moreinformation. www.BeTheBossMagazine.com orMargie: 803.673.1487
PREFERRED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Jennifer Varnderhoff
Gold Valley Parties“Sell your gold and get a additional 10% - live to far? Use our Gold Crown Fedex Service and send your gold in!”
Connect with Jennifer 678-428-9747
Jennifer Varnderhoff
L’BEL“Order and receive a special gift from me!”
Connect with Jennifer 678-428-9747
Danielle Mohr
Cards and Mohr “Appreciate others with MOHR success”
Connect with Danielle
Dayna Offutt
Day of Designing“Let us help you with your print & web design needs.” Connect with Dayna
Mark Werner
Miracles Through Water “Discover the amazing benefits of drinking alkaline antioxidant water!”
Connect with Mark
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Carol Smith
CarolSmith.com “Improving Profitability and Success”
Connect with Carol
650-275-3817
Katie Wegg
Social Outbreak “Social Outbreak can build a unique, professional Facebook pres-ence in minutes.”
Connect with Katie
Marla Stoch
Xocai “EAT IT ~ SHARE IT ~ LIVE IT, Invigorate and Nourish your LIFE with Healthy Chocolate!”
Connect with Marla
Kristi Willis
Rodan and Fields Dermatologists “The only thing that should age is wine & cheese” Rodan+Fields – Changing skin & Changing Lives!
Connect with Kristi
Laurie Sullivan
Plexus Simply Pink “At last an Affordable Weight Loss System that does Work! Plex-us Slim is the Healthy Way to lose weight! ”
Connect with Laurie
PREFERRED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Alice Schmitt
Kara Vita“I help women STOP AGING. Pharmaceutical Grade Skin Care, results guaranteed in two weeks.” Connect with Alice
Ellyn Traub
High Performance Leadership, Inc. “High Performance Leadership, INC Coaching makes the Critical Differnce”
Connect with Ellyn
Ken Rochon
Perfect Publishing “Perfect Publishing....We Bring The Book Out of You
Connect with Ken
443.904.4545
Julia Hull
California Real Estate Mart “Your Real Estate Connector still believing in the American Dream...even in the toughtest times!”
Connect with Julia209.604.5028
Sabine Barnett
Living Well with Healing Essentioal Oils “Living Well, Wellness within Reach!”
Connect with Sabine
(615) 714-4269
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Patty Farmer
Patty Farmer & Associates Your Visibility, Referability, Marketability Expert… Helping you turn your ability into profitability!
Connect with Patty 972.603.8209
Catherine Morgan
Point A to Point B Transitions Inc. “Create clarity and confidence | Find focus | Move forward”
Connect with Catherine
Bonnie KarpayCEO Space Houston Connect with Bonnie
Shelly Rice
“If you’re looking for SOLID business connections, you’ve found the right gal, I’m a REFERRAL MACHINE!”
Connect with Shelly
417.353.2610
Dana Mazurek
SoZo LifeEmpowering People Worldwide Through Superior Wellness Prod-ucts! Be Healthy, Be Wealthy, Be Free!
Connect with Dana
PREFERRED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Bob New and Margie Baxley “Linton-Cole is there to help you manage your online presence”
Connect with Linton-Cole
859-905-0580
Linda Fitzgerald
Affiliated Women International “Enriching Women Worldwide”
Connect with Linda
Michelle Ketterman
The Inventory Institute “Educating Consumers. Setting the standard. Raising the bar. For the Industry.”
Connect with Michelle
Dale Little
Business Strategist“dale little Speaker... Business Strategist... Consultant” Connect with Dale
Angie Ryan
iZigg “I would rather be texting”
Connect with Angie
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James Boggus
Genesis Life Travel Connect with James
Sharon Rowley
Dove Chocolate Discoveries “ Eat, Share and Love Chocolate”
Connect with Sharon
Margie Baxley
Virtual Margie “Always only an IM Away”
Connect with Margie
803-673-1487
Darlene Willman
Accomplish Magazine
Connect with Darlene
PREFERRED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Lynn Zettler
Lifeaction Coaching“Driving Action to Success”
www.lifeaction-coaching.com
Connect with Lynn
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Dennis Hunter
Custom Print Products “Your Message Our Imagination Unlimited Possiblities”
Connect with Dennis
K. Andre Ankton
Innovarus “IDigital Security...Mobile Solutions”
Connect with K. Andre
Terry Taylor
Ignite“Turning Energy Into Income”
Connect with Terry
Debbie MurlinItWorks!
Connect with Debbie
Victoria Finch
Integrated Credit Specialists“Empowering You Financially Through Credit Education.”
Connect with Victoria
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Shelly Rice
Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festivals “Exclusively for Decision Makers”
Connect with Shelly
417.353.2610
Peggy LeNoue
Rodan + Fields “ Use it, Tell it, Get Paid, I will Train You!”
Connect with Peggy
Toni Harris
Tonia Harris Speaks Motivational Speaker and Sales Trainer
Connect with Toni
Purse Party Inc.“Fashion, Friends, Fun...YOU Deserve It!“
www.purseparty.com
Connect with Purse Party888-367-0416
Sandy Lawrence
Perceptive MarketingConnecting ~ Coaching ~ Collaborating
Connect with Sandy
PREFERRED BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Kathy Friend
Fashion Writer/ Speaker/Wardrobe Coach/Stylist
www.KathyFriend.com
Connect with Kathy
Darby Rae
Merciful Law
www.darbyrae.com
Connect with Darby
Amanda Parker
Collective Alternative“Whatever Your Dream, Whatever Your Purpose”
www.collectivealternative.com
Connect with Amanda
Lynn Zettler
Lifeaction Coaching“Driving Action to Success”
www.lifeaction-coaching.com
Connect with Lynn
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