Month: April 2012

Book Reviews

Think Like An Entrepreneur

Impower You

Today I want to share a great book for entrepreneurs.  It is called “Think Like An Entrepreneur: What You Need To Consider Before You Write A Business Plan” by Deborah A. Bailey.  This book contains practical advice from  seventeen successful business owners. Read this book so you “know where to start, gain control over how you think about money so that you can create a profitable business, decide what type of business is right for you, become an entrepreneur at any age or stage of your life.”

The author Deborah A. Bailey is a celebrated author and coach who has been a career expert on many tv and raio shows throughout her career. She earned two degrees and worked in the corporate world for several years before starting her own coaching business. In 2011 she was named one f the  25 Career and Women Bloggers Worth Reading by BlogHer.

I contributed advice in the book from what I learned with my first high end clothing business that I successfully operated for 5 years before taking the leap to follow my passion in art and empowerment. You can read part of what I shared in the book below. Then go buy the book on Amazon, at just $3.39, it is a great deal.

What is your advice for someone considering entrepreneurship today?
Go for it, but only if you can create a business around a product or service that you love. Don’t jump into it without research and planning. You will feel more confident and be less stressed if you are knowledgeable about what it takes to
start, grow and maintain a business.

In your opinion, what are the three most important things to do before starting a business?
If I had to pick just three important aspects of starting a business they would be:
1. Have a business plan.
2. Take a course on marketing or read as many books as possible.
3. Find a mentor.
Your business plan doesn’t have to perfect, but writing out your goals and how you will achieve those goals will keep you on track. You may have the best business ever, but if you don’t have a way to reach new customers, you won’t make any money. There are thousands of ways to market a business, but what works for one won’t work for yours. Learn how to create a marketing plan that attracts customers who actually want what you offer. You can learn as much from a book as you can from a class.

What can I say to explain how important it is to have a mentor? I was blessed with a mother who is an entrepreneur. When I actually listed to her, I succeeded. Her advice has been invaluable. Find a mentor that wants you to succeed. Don’t take advice from just anyone. Your mentor should be interested in your business, have experience in that industry and genuinely care whether you succeed or fail. Ask the people you already know if they can recommend a mentor, otherwise you can check with SCORE or your local chamber of commerce to find a mentor.

🙂

Book Reviews

Book Review: Red Flags

Impower You

The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags

I LOVED reading this book. It is funny and spot on. If you are in a relationship read this NOW!   If you not in a relationship,but might want one someday read this NOW!

There’s so many great flags, that I cannot remember them all.  I also love the funny stories that people have shared.

  • If they mess with your mind, they are an asshole.
  • If someone says they are not ready to settle down, don’t waste your time. They may never be.
  • If someone is part of a family that treat each other like shit, they will treat you like shit.
  • If you have a one night stand/hookup/ sex with someone you don’t already know or barely know they are not looking for anything serious. Do not stick around in the morning.
  • If someone is a jerk, you are not going to be the one to change them. That is an inside job.
Do any of those points sound like your relationships? If so read the darn book and read it NOW!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Black-Book-Flags/dp/1440512655

WHAT IS A RED FLAG THAT YOU CAN SHARE? Leave a comment below.

Empowering Discussions

From Pajamas to Documentaries

Impower You

Jaz Gray has been actively making  a difference in the world from a young age. She has done this wile also excelling at school, graduating from college and having 32 surgeries since she was a child.  Jaz is a survivor of AVM, Arteriovenous Malformation. This birth defect affects hundreds of thousand of people around the world. It causes health problems ranging from disfigurement to death. But this has only inspired Jaz to work harder and move past being a victim to being a survivor.

There is no cure yet for AVM and Jaz looks different than most people because of her deformations.  But what you will notice and love about Jaz is her spirit. In high school she started pajama drives for other children who spend an unreasonable amount of time in hospitals. She expanded to give pajamas to children in homeless shelters as well. Today she is creating a documentary to bring awareness about AVM. Her ultimate goal is to fund a cure and rid the world of this debilitating disease once and for all.

Her pajama drive video

Her documentary film teaser:

It starts with one person, one idea, one passion for change.  You can be the next person to change the world. You don’t have to be a president, an actor or a billionaire to make positive change.  You are powerful, intelligent, compassionate and important. Let these people inspire you to create positive change in your community. It all starts with you taking action.

Empowering Discussions

Women Making Change

Impower You

I have read several articles stating that women were the driving force behind the middle east protests in 2011. This makes sense to me, since the civil rights movement in the USA was started by women(african american).

hwhtw's avatarHelping Women Helps the World

Dalia Mogahed reminds us that “30 percent of those who braved the tanks in the Arab Spring were women.”

20120419-190629.jpg

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I Am More Than Just a Girl Book

Collaborating with Youth Mentoring

Impower You

More Than Just a Girl is featured on the website Youth Mentoring Ideas, http://youthmentorideas.com/working-with-youth-in-other-ways-a-starter-list/

We are collaborating together and so I have featured them on my website:  http://morethanagirl.webs.com/moretoshare.htm

I want to support  young women more resources so they can be strong independent individuals AND support other businesses at the same time.  Years ago I read a book titled, Blue Ocean Strategy, and the main point of this book was that there is enough room for everyone to be success. It doesn’t say competition is wrong, but shows that there are other ways to succeed.  Since I am naturally not competitive, but love to play, this is the best way for me to grow my own business.

When was the last time you collaborated with stellar results?

Empowering Discussions

god and gender don’t mix

Impower You

God and Gender don’t mix!  For me this is just like the saying “Drinking and Driving don’t mix! ” How can you have a peaceful equal world where only one gender is considered powerful or holy?  No wonder women have a history such low self esteem. No wonder we have to fight so hard every day for a right to have power over ourselves!

If I had been raised in a church where there was a holy, all powerful, all knowing father and son, but no holy, powerful, all knowing mother or daughter I would think that women were pretty lame and not powerful. I suppose this is what really bothers me about organized religions.  Actually the whole “don’t think for yourself because I am right and you are wrong” part bugs me a lot too. Why is the only mother a virgin and what does she do other than give birth to a son? This is a rhetorical question.  For me this whole ” obey your heavenly father” line has always seemed like a pathetic excuse to control women.

This is not an “anti-male” post, it is a “pro-equality” post. I was inspired to write this by my friend and mentor Jane Claypool. Read her blog post about women and new thought here:  http://janeclaypool.com/2012/04/19/women-and-new-thought/

Believe what makes YOU happy, but don’t let your beliefs put you down.  Do you think you are worthy of being loved and supported?

Empowering Discussions

Looking at Aging With Stars in My Eyes

Impower You

I love this article about menopause in Ode magazine. It brings up a good point about how we as a society tend to look at youth as the goal and getting older as last place.  The writer shares how we have become so vain about our “packaging” and how we forget that age is a wonderful part of life because we learn and grow and appreciate life more.

Two of my favorite parts of this article are these: “All the while, we’re missing out on an enlightening journey, one that’s vital for anyone who wants to grow as a human being. Let’s talk about this side of the story: getting older as an experience that can be personally valuable to each and every one of us.” and “I didn’t fear the physical aging; I come from a family of strong women who look good well into old age. I also try to keep myself healthy through vitamins, walking, strength training and nutrition.”

Enjoy the full article by Hanny Roskamp at http://odewire.com/234079/the-meaning-of-menopause.html

Personally I look forward to no longer having a period each month or worrying about birth control. If I could choose to start menopause now I would.

Book Reviews

Weird Fiction: Decaying Canvas

Impower You

I just really enjoyed this short short story. It was quick, colorful clever and enjoyable. I smiled at the end.

Weird Fiction: Decaying Canvas.

Book Reviews, I Am More Than Just a Girl Book

Books a Plenty

Impower You

I delivered 10 books to a group of lovely young women that I used to work with.  They were very receptive and excited to get the book. I can hardly wait to hear their opinions of it.

I have a box of envelopes stuffed with books and curriculum that will head out to various youth organizations from San Francisco to Pennsylvania.   I have another smaller box of envelopes stuffed with books that will be going to various magazines, including Ms. Magazine.  I talked to an associate editor at Ms. and am very anxious to hear their opinion of the book. My goal is to have I Am More Than Just a Girl featured in a popular national magazine or 10.

I also have one for the Ellen show. I want to talk about my book on her show. I love Ellen. She is such a positive person and of course hilarious.

I even sold a book. It will be going to a young woman whose aunt really wants her to have this book.  Things are looking up and I am in a great mood as I have been since writing my book.

Soon the only book in my room will be my personal copy.

 DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD USE A COPY?

Art

Artwednesday

Impower You

I was going to call it wartsday, but didn’t want to have people think I was celebrating wart day. Is there a wart day?  There probably should be. Anyway…. I drew these this week. I have been on a face-profile-crazy-hair kick for a while and am loving it.

I am mailing signed cards to fans on my Facebook page.

🙂