Networking: Stop Hiding Behind Your Computer
About six months ago, I moved my home office from a little tucked away alcove on my first floor to a room with a door on the second floor. While it has been great to have the added privacy, quiet, and physical boundaries of a door, I notice how easily I can hide up in...
Dream Big as Small Biz People
I had the pleasure of hearing Kevin Harrington, a pioneer in the infomercial business, selling products on TV and on the ABC hit show Shark Tank, speak this week at The Inpex Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. Harrington imparted the crowd with a boat load of information on the best practices of inventing and getting a...
The Heat is On: Summer Scheduling
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us which means Summer Is Here. Summer is difficult for many parents in small business. Schools let out, Camps are pricey, Babysitters take vacations, Schedules change, and well, let’s face it - we want to be outside sharing time with our kids (myself included). On the flip side, the 2nd...
Conference Survival Tactics
I just returned home from a few days away at a conference. As always, getting back in the groove is difficult when returning from being away whether for pleasure or business. That is not what I am going to write about though. Rather, I am going to address the leaving for a trip instead. When...
And you thought marketing to women was simple…
Yesterday I was invited to attend a speaker series at the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship featuring Mary Lou Quinlan on the topic of Marketing to Women. At first, I thought, well, I know everything on thinking like a woman because I am a woman. Boy, I was wrong, and I gained some huge insight into...
Blogging for your brand
Recently I read an article on Social Media Today by Steve Olenski entitled ‘Why Women Are the Most Powerful Brand Ambassadors in the World.’ It caught my attention because A) part of my business is representing useful brands that I endorse to multi-tasking, busy moms and B) it is simply true. The article sites a...
Setting Limits with Commitments
Across most of the country, summer, I mean spring has arrived. After an unseasonably mild winter for many, like me, it seems as though summer is here bright and early. While I don't doubt that we may still get some spring rain-filled and cooler days, the heat and sun is prompting an early summeritus season. This week...
Blogging is the New First Impression
In recent weeks, I have been using examples of dating and attending a party in my writing. Keeping up with the same social theme, today, I am going to talk about first impressions. First impressions are considered crucial, if not critical in both life and business. Whenever, one meets someone new in biz or anywhere...
Welcome to the Party: Blogging
By now, You have probably heard that you NEED a blog. Blogging for business is not only crucial to keep your website fresh, but to show your customers and potential audience who you are, what you do, and what you know BEST. Right now, you may be saying that sounds easier than it really is....
Setting up for Success in Your Home Office
Last week I moved my home office. I am still at home, but just in a new place. When I first started my business, I took over an alcove on the first floor. For a little over a year, I called this tiny space home. Recently, I outgrew my alcove. That coupled with my kids’...
The Rules of Networking
I know you may find this surprising since I am always chatting about connecting on the Internet, but I am a big believer in face-to-face networking. In fact, if you spend all your time being social on social media, it is my belief that you will get nowhere fast. The main idea behind using social...
Leading Moms in Business: What a collective!
I was planning on a different topic for this week, and then I had a change of heart. This week marked the beginning of the 3rd annual StartUpNation Leading Moms in Biz Competition. Yes, I do realize that you are on the StartUpNation site, but I really want to call your attention to this unique...
Are you Pinterest-ed?
Last summer, I was working with a client and she was bubbling over with excitement about Pinterest. While 6 months ago, Pinterest was relatively unknown to many people, as of last month it is now a TOP 10 social media network. That’s right - TOP 10. Are you Pinterest-ed yet? Pinterest is basically a visual...
Start-Up & The Net: A Love Affair
I feel as though I am always writing about social media and the rapid changes of that thing we affectionately call the ‘Internet’ here at StartUpNation. There must be a reason why I feel as though both you and I should stay up to date with this rapidly changing area. No, it is not to stay...
Where’s the Accountability?
Happy 2012 StartUpNation! As I wrap up Week #1 of this fabulous brand new year, I thought I would check in with all of you.... Have you set your Main Goal(s) for 2012? More important, How do you plan to hold yourself accountable to your Goal(s)? That is the kicker with goals. You can make...
Take a Networking Leap of Faith in 2012
Today I was interviewed for a local magazine that happened through someone reaching out to me. I did not pitch this reporter, but rather he found me and thought that I would provide an interesting twist on his topic. He went out on a leap and emailed me. This got me thinking back to yesterday...
To Automate this Season or Not?
As always, I never sugar coat my blog posts, so I am not going to start today. I promised a backstage pass to my adventure, and that is what you get all the time. Not sure if you remember, but last spring - I unplugged! That is right, I unplugged for a week with my...
Approach Results with Abundance
Last week, I wrote about Lessening Holiday Stress, so it seems only fitting that this week I discuss the upcoming New Year. The start of the New Year is always filled with bucket lists and LONG lists of resolutions. If you think about these two lists, they are essentially polar opposites. One is a list...
5 Ways to Lighten Holiday Season Stress
December is here. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are all behind us. My inbox is jammed with sales and specials from Vista Print to Saks Fifth Avenue and everything in between. The Holidays and the New Year are quickly approaching. Is your blood pressure rising just reading this? The holiday season...
The Business of MOM and Entrepreneur
This week an article on CNN Money about Jack Dorsey caught my eye, and I could not help but to be fascinated with it. Jack Dorsey, Twitter Co-founder and CEO of Square, works TWO 8-hour shifts every day. Dorsey works 8 hours for Twitter and then 8 hours for Square (his latest startup in mobile...