Having been a very observant person since I was the child who blurted out 50 questions in a minute, I tend to turn into a business detective on a regular basis.While someone else at a restaurant may just sit and enjoy the food, I sit and observe everything. And when I say everything, I mean all the little details that probably don't matter to most people. For instance, if I'm at an award-winning restaurant, I may look at the color schemes and decorations, the product presentation, the demeanor of the service staff, the way the menu is laid out,... Continue Reading »

Seeing as how this has been a recurring theme within my conversations this week, I couldn't wait any longer to talk with you ladies about this.How painful is it when you feel the weight of someone else's agenda thrown upon you? How does that make you feel? A little used . . . maybe?This is how inconsistency makes a person feel.Truth is, people tend to rely upon your small business for a certain product, service or expertise after they trust your consistency. The temporary businesswoman only shows up to push her products. The temporary businesswoman does not... Continue Reading »

"Do you know what's the best way to make your dream come true? You wake up!" I heard this quote from the movie Excess Baggage, and I was immediately inspired to create a blog post around it. It's true. You can choose to wake up and start planning your own business.One great tool that could help wake us up is our acceptance of the theory that we inspire one another! If this one reason was our alarm clock, it would wake us up screaming, Grow and accomplish great things because you, too, can inspire the next woman to do the same! Think... Continue Reading »

While having your spouse as a business partner may seem scary, it has its advantages as well. The fact is, family-owned businesses are appealing to a lot of people, including potential clients. While there are cons, there are noteworthy pros as well.I say this from personal experience. Although we each own separate businesses, my spouse and I are co-founders of one business venture, and we've also shared office space for years.Sharing both a business and life partnership can be a challenge, but it can also add some excitement to what could otherwise be a routine lifestyle. A... Continue Reading »

I love New York City! It's vibrant, exciting, in-your-face, and one big game of tug of war that forces you to keep up. To be truthful, I also like the city because it's home for me. When I'm there, I get a home-cooked meal from mom, take an excursion with my friends, and enjoy fun times with my family and 6-year-old niece. I was in New York City this weekend and in the middle of all the fun I was having, I kept noticing the trends in business in New York.   I first noticed that it seemed likely that some retail businesses were struggling to... Continue Reading »

I met with a former client this week to discuss the possibility of helping with her new service launch. After we talked for a while, I sensed her hesitancy. So I asked her, "Are you sure about this?"She responds, "I don't think I'm there yet." "Take some quiet time to think about the direction you want to go with, and let me know if/when you're on board," was my reply.I think this happens to everybody. You get this amazing idea, but sometimes it all comes down to timing and instincts. YOU have to be ready.I'll admit I... Continue Reading »

Here's the multiple-answer question that always gets asked by business startups: "What is the best way to get clients?" The answers to this question are often displayed with various tools encompassing sales and marketing strategies. I wish someone had told me this earlier in my business-- you get more clients by telling people how you can help them. That's the icing that will make a huge difference with your business planning cake.You start telling people how you can help them in your business plan, your marketing plan, your sales plan, your web plan, etc. Then you work on new ways... Continue Reading »

Think about when you first meet someone. You may have similar energy that connects the both of you, yet there is still some form of hesitancy. After all, there are still some things you don't know about this person.Well, some people feel the same way about doing business with you. They may like you at first, but may still hesitate to buy from you. I attended a teleseminar about a month ago with Elinor Stutz, Author of Nice Girls Do Get The Sale. She said, "People get to know you first before they get your more expensive strategies."... Continue Reading »

"You're too nice to run a team" was what someone once said to me when I worked in corporate America. Last year, I was reading Jacqueline Novogratz's memoir, The Blue Sweater, where someone told her she wouldn't make it in the corporate world because she was too "friendly" and had a different way of laughing. Just yesterday, a young lady told me to forgive the fact that she came across as "mean" and "angry" but that she was really a nice person. She went on to explain that she worked in a male-dominated field, and she needed to carry herself... Continue Reading »

You can't quit your job just yet. You're still in school or obtaining your certification. You don't have the money you need. What do you do?Well the one thing you don't do is just sit and wait. Remember, it's all about planning your business with pizazz. Plan your new business in your own way, to fit your style. Forget about formalities; just start with what makes you comfortable.For example, the famous Liquid Paper--or correction fluid, as we know it--began with a secretary--Bette Nesmith Graham. The mixes were done in Graham's kitchen and bottled in her garage. She sold her... Continue Reading »