Getting rid of the emotional clutter – Lessons learned from NAWBO National Conference in San Diego 2011

Submitted by: Lynne Fischer Seidner

http://www.lifemadeeasyinc.com/

The experience of the NAWBO conference and getting to meet so many successful women business owners was very inspiring and beneficial. After listening to all the speakers and breakout sessions, my to-do list began to grow rather quickly because they sparked so many fresh ideas for my business and it’s future.

The tip that stood out to me the most was by one of the keynote speakers Gail Blanke, who recommends throwing away 50 things and to write down each item as you’re throwing them away. She stated that when you throw away the clutter around you like the old batteries in the back of your kitchen drawer or the old keys that after 10 years you still can’t figure out what they open, you begin to let go and start to chip away at “life’s plaque” the nonsense that is just weighing us down. As you get rid of each thing you will spark the energy, momentum and courage inside of you that will motivate you to get rid of the rest of your clutter, not necessarily the actual junk, but the emotional clutter like our doubts, fear and negative thoughts. Her words really resonated with me because I see this all the time with my own clients. As they throw things away they begin to feel like a weight has been lifted because they are actively letting go of the things around them that have been distracting and consuming them for so long. My hope is that everyone begins with 50 things and continues to get rid of their own “life plaque”!

Stepping into your Power – Lesson learned from San Diego NAWBO National Conference

Submitted by: Lisa Marie Platske

www.UpsideThinking.com

www.LeadershipSuccessSummit.com

One of the keynote presenters at the NAWBO national conference spoke about stepping into your power. One of the 5 ½ steps she shared was developing your own personal brand. So often when we hear people speak about branding, they advise us about our business brand and the power of having a logo, using consistent colors, and having a themed-website that matches all of our collateral material. A personal brand starts with us. In my book, Designing Your Destiny, I ask the questions, “Who are you? What do you do? And, why does it matter?” because we need to answer these questions before we can build our business brand. Gail spoke about knowing who you are, who you aren’t, and being clear about what you stand for. The challenge is often being willing (whether we’re comfortable or not) to stand out and claim our brilliance. The world belongs to the person who is willing to stand out, not the one who fits in.

 

Who Comes First? – Upside Thought of the Week – August 15, 2011

Written by: Lisa Marie Platske

Work/Life Balance. The 21st century buzz word that wreaks havoc on our idea of whether we’re doing enough.

Many people think that their ability to find this elusive “Work/Life Balance” means they have to “do it all” and that it is contingent on their ability to manage their time.

While it’s true that we must be good stewards of this important commodity, I believe that finding balance has more to do with the clarity of one’s values and priorities.

After all, time is finite. We all get the same 24 hours a day. What we do with that time differentiates those who are stressed out, tired and broke from those who are happy, healthy, and wealthy.

One of Upside Thinking’s three foundational principles of excellence has to do with getting clear on your values and priorities. My formula is Self/Health first, Family second, and Work third.

Most individuals have a very strong knee-jerk reaction to this order because they’ve been raised to put the needs and desires of others before their own.

I understand the intention of such instruction, but it is not conducive to living a life of balance. And, by balance, I don’t mean even.

How can you meet the needs in your family if you are not taking care of your own?  How can you properly give to your work if there are unmet needs in your family?  The answer?  You can’t…and if you think you can, you won’t think so for long.

If you’re running tired and stressed, take a deep breath and then take inventory of your priorities.

Decide to care for yourself first and then your family and let go of those projects and pursuits that are standing between you and balance.

You’ll be surprised at how much energy and focus you’ll have left for your work!

And, if you don’t think you can do it by yourself, hire a coach to help you. Do-It-Yourself projects rarely work.

Remember, Life is Change. Growth is Optional Choose Wisely. Choose Upside.

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Business grants and loans for Women Business Owners in Miami, Florida

I am trying to find reliable information on grants or loans for a woman run business in Miami district. Would you happen to know any resources or people could contact regarding this?

Rewarding NAWBO member that sends the most referrals

Yes! We want to send you business!

Do you use referral key?

Yes. It’s another FREE and EASY social media tool. However, to add value for our NAWBO members we are incorporating a referral incentive program for our members and found this platform is the perfect fit to help keep track of referrals we’ve sent to each other.

As a way of saying thank you, our chapter will pay for your membership renewal (minimum of 5 referrals to qualify and 1 converted as a client)!

If you are not a member, please visit: http://nawbomiami.org/why_join.html

First step is to accept Valeska, a NAWBO member, referral key invitation below:

https://www.referralkey.com/accept.php?i=0O3597151O663b64&t=1312220888

In creating a profile, it will ask you “who” is your ideal client.

With that information, I can copy and paste the text you enter into our next eblast to our members this way everyone understands “who” is the ideal person we should introduce you to! to make introductions to. It helps tremendously to add the “job titles” as well.

We then will be able to track referrals as shown below.

We hope to see you at our upcoming events so we can get started on those referrals!!

Are you part of the NAWBO Circle? The Google + circle, I mean.

Have you checked out Google + yet? There are two particular features in Google Plus NAWBO plans to use to reach out to members. They are known as Circles and Hangouts.

We plan to create a NAWBO “circle” and send everyone an invitation to be part of this circle as a way to stay in touch with each other.

We are planning an online networking event so we can talk to each other via the “Hang out” feature of Google Plus.

So, please request an invitation today so you can get acclimated with this tool so by the time we start promoting the NAWBO “Hang out” event – you know where to go!

We suggest you check out this quick fun video trivia on Google Plus which breaks down the 4 features Google + has so you understand more what the buzz is about regarding Google +

Please visit this link to learn more:

http://www.rivvid.com/quizzes/play/206-how-does-google-plus-work

Email valeska@rivvid.com if you wish to receive a Google Plus invitation.

Need a Vacation? 5 Weekend Escapes for Women Business Owners

Written by Stephanie Saline

Give Me a Long Weekend and I’ll Give You Luxurious Travel Ideas To Match Your Personality, Theme, and Budget, says Lindsay Motta of Dadeland Travel

It goes without saying: when you run your own business, vacations are a rare—and necessary—indulgence. So when you find a long weekend to sneak away, you want to make it count. Here’s my handpicked collection of favorite spots for 3-day getaways (all with flights under 3 hours) that will refresh and inspire you, whatever your personality:

 

* The Connoisseur – Travel back in time to Puerto Rico, and stroll the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the historic El Morro fort. Relax and unwind among the more modern pleasures of the Hilton’s Conrad San Juan Condad Plaza Resort & Casino, complete with white sand beaches and the succulent Puerto Rican BBQ perfected by Chef Wilo.

 

* The Explorer – Ripe for adventure? Look no further than the Dominican Republic, where you have your pick of white water rafting, exploring canyons, horseback riding, or an exhilarating hike to the summit of Pico Duarte, the highest point in the Caribbean. Hotel Pinar Dorado is your basecamp, with a continental breakfast and buffet featuring local, mountain-grown veggies.

* The Sensualist – Ahhh…. For you, my dear, an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, DR complete with a stay at the luxurious Paradisus Palma Real Resort, so you can sink your toes into the sand of one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Luxuriate on one of the resort’s exotic Bali beds by the pool, or play golf, tennis, or go snorkeling along the island’s longest coral reef on the island.

* The Party Girl – Viva Las Vegas! Sin City is yours for the weekend. We’ll book show tickets and reservations in advance, so you won’t miss a thing. For you, I recommend the Haze night club, with a smart design trick located in the Aria Casino, and Mandalay Bay’s exquisite Fleur de Lys… where I insist you sample chef Hubert Keller’s crab & avocado watermelon gazpacho, which alone is worth the flight!

* The Ultimate in Relaxation – Three words: Bahamas Summer Cruise. Norwegian offers a 3- day cruise onboard the regal Norwegian Sky, with 3 ports-of-call: Miami, Great Stirrup Cay, and Nassau. Your choice of the Endless Buffet, or dine in at Le Bistro. Bonus: the onboard Stardust Lounge delivers some of the best floating entertainment in the world, and is not to be missed.

For more than 26 years, Dadeland Travel has served as a travel concierge to business owners, corporations, executives, families and newlyweds. Based in Doral, mother-daughter team Yulieth and Lindsay Motta offer a high-tough, full service alternative to online discount travel websites, and have a habit of helping clients save up to 30% on travel costs. To book your weekend getaway, or to inquire about their full range of travel services, contact Dadeland Travel at 305.717.6720 or lindsay@dadelandtravel.com. Yulieth Motta is a member of NAWBO’s Greater Miami Chapter.

Question from a business owner: How to work with other contractors?

Question from a business owner found below. Feel free to leave a comment to help out!

Although I have been quite busy and booked with regular clients, I am somewhat bothered by the percentage of my revenue that each of three large clients represents, so I have vowed to take on new clients and diversify my revenue stream, without giving up my large existing clients. While that certainly means marketing myself and cultivating new clients, that is the easier part for me. The more difficult part is to figure out how I can work with other contractors, because my current workload actually has me at full capacity. I will continue to cultivate other freelance writers and editors with whom I can collaborate. I will also be trying to find ways to work more with my excellent paid student intern – which means figuring out which parts of a project I can pull him in on, how he can help me with everything from organizing notes to locating and scheduling interviews with sources to fact-checking stories. I have to find the right balance, where the hours of work he saves me, minus the time I spend explaining to him what I need, answering his questions, monitoring his work and incorporating his work back into mine, equals a net gain in time for me to do other work. Or to sleep, as sleep is what I’ve been missing out on lately as I try to handle an increased workload.

NAWBO Member Business Profile: Valeska I. Jacques, Managing Partner of Rivvid

How are you thriving in this market?

We used bootstrapping techniques to create a first-of-its-kind consumer entertainment website and a viable social media marketing platform for small to large companies. 

Investor Money vs. Do it yourself

With so many social media tools out there, we knew it was a matter of time someone was going to come out with a video trivia platform. There wasn’t enough time to wait for venture capital to get this going, so we rolled up our sleeves and got this done.

How to make this make money

We need to build a brand so the fastest way to do so is by teaming up with agencies and businesses who are looking for an extension of their marketing efforts. Rivvid is a place where consumers play games for free and businesses may integrate their brand messaging through video trivia questions and populate their “trivia quizzes” inside of their own personal/dedicated business channel. It creates a place for  consumers to directly interact and engage with the business brand. If extra features are needed, the monthly subscription starts at $30/month. This way we generate income as we continue to improve upon this strategic internet marketing tool.

Teamwork

We can’t thank enough all the work, Topeka Tomlin, our first intern who has a Masters in Business Entertainment, to help us with video trivia questions and execute our Facebook Social Media Communication/Promotion Strategy. Rather than hire at a full time or part time basis, we teamed up with independent contractors to execute on what’s needed, when it’s needed. We have experienced much more productivity in this structure, accountability, and alleviates the pressure of making payroll every month.

Message from NAWBO President: February 2011

Dear NAWBO Members, Colleagues, and Friends.

I am convinced that 2011 has great things in store for us all. Why?

1) Our Semi-Annual Chapter Retreat on January 18 was an incredible success. There was amazing energy around the table, including a shared willingness to brainstorm and volunteer to handle the details of our incredible lineup of programs and events in the year ahead. My personal thanks to all 13 of you who drove to Aventura to participate in 4 hours of planning. THAT is dedication!

2) This year, our chapter’s theme is: Success By Design: Make a Plan, Grow Your Business. As you know, success takes planning. As always, NAWBO is committed to helping you expand your skills, network, and support system-and this year, it’s all about putting a plan in place to keep you moving forward, with confidence and consistency. To that end…

3) We are adding events to our monthly calendar that will help you make 2011 your best year ever. Friday Breakfast is already going strong in 3 locations, so we are adding #4 in Doral.

As always, Friday Breakfast is a great way to end your week with more connections, more good ideas to keep your projects moving ahead, and more support from other well-connected female decision makers in the greater Miami area. If you’ve attended a Friday Breakfast, you know that NAWBO is famous for our mini-mastermind, where you ask for ideas or support on one “hot button” issue… and get it!

If it’s been awhile, I invite you back to a Friday Breakfast near you. (See below for locations & dates).

4) Mark your calendars — the 2nd Thursday of every month is NAWBO Night!

Please join us on Thursday, February 10^th for our NAWBO Mixer of 2011- where we’ll meet, greet & network at Meditteraneo in Brickell. 5:30-7:30pm. Appetizers  and one drink included. Free for NAWBO Members, Non- members $10. Bring a friend!

5) And finally, one of the reasons I know that this in going to be a fabulous year is because of NAWBO.  I am honored by the involvement, integrity, and leadership of all our members. This is an organization of powerful, upbeat and generous women-and one I’m proud to be a part of.  If you’re not a member yet, we would love for you to join NAWBO! www.nawbo.orgThere’s a place for you among us-and we’d love your help, too!

We wish outgoing intern Danielle Cohen the very best in her new job– thank you for all you have done for this organization. And to incoming intern Alva Langelier…we welcome you with open arms.

Best wishes for 2011,

Gladys Mezrahi

NAWBO President

(305) 931-2370