Success - Blogs - Black Business Women Online

SUCCESS MATTERS

Posted by Andrea Fields on September 8, 2008 at 5:28am

I once heard it said that success has a myriad of meanings. Success is something that each person must define for themselves based on what their personal, financial, educational. . . goals are. Hence we can be perfectly successful as parents while being abject failures aesthetically.Personally I've achieved a measure of success with respect to entrepreneurship several times. Now that I'm seriously preparing for my twilight years and introspectively looking at those years that have gone before me. I realize more than ever that those who have stayed the course of their goals, in spite of all of the obstacles they've come face to face with, are people who have achieved success in more areas of life than "average" people can imagine. For success breeds success while complacency breeds futility.Looking at models of the type of success I aspire to achieve, I know that age, circumstances, education or lack thereof . . . are only legitimate reasons if we allow them to be. Marianne Williamson said it best:Our Greatest Fear - Marianne WilliamsonOur greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,but that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.We ask ourselves,Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.Your playing small does not serve the world.There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.It is not just in some, it is in everyone.And, as we let our own light shine,we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.Let us take courage, move forward in life confidently. Let us purposely and diligently work toward living the lives of our dreams. Let us be the embodiment of the success we desire.Peace & blessings to you and everyone who loves you.

Be Prepared

Posted by DawnKA on August 7, 2008 at 4:08pm

Whose motto was Be Prepared? Who knew that this motto would be effective for the rest of my life. As a young girl, I was a part of the Girls Scout and that was our motto. These two simple yet powerful words have made an impact in all areas of my life. Being prepared is something that is necessary to handle sudden changes, challenges and everyday issues.We are now offering training workshops to various businesses. Our initial target audience was to the health care facilities. The workshops are targeted to improve relations with the internal and external clients as this makes a marked difference in the success of one’s business.In sharing the growth and development at a networking event, I was asked to present the workshop for a corporate company. I accepted the opportunity as it occurred to me that the training would be beneficial for anyone in business. It was well received and now we are receiving more requests that are outside of the market we thought would best benefit from our service. Now we are traveling to cities/towns across the country.This is to encourage you to not only network but be ready to adjust to the requests that may assist you in the growth of your business. Remember you should always Be Prepared!

How to Build a Successful On-line Business - The Basics

Posted by Teresa on July 30, 2008 at 4:01pm

So you think you want to build a business on-line? That’s great, but do you know how to go about selecting the kind of business that will succeed on the Internet? And, do you know where and how to start?I now have a successful business on-line, but when I got started I knew nothing about how to begin. I floundered for a while until I found the right way to go about it.The first thing I learned was that the most important principle you need to understand is WHAT DRIVES THE INTERNET. You may think you know, after all you have searched a ton of successful sites and it all looks fairly simple. But building a business on the Internet has its own set of rules and principles.What then is the best way to build the kind of business that will succeed on-line? Well, success on the Internet all begins with a critical mind-set shift. This means replacing that well known off-line strategy of location, location, location with.....INFORMATION, INFORMATION, INFORMATION.That’s right, Information. Most of us use the Internet as a searching tool. We search for credible, high value information or solutions, anything that can fulfill a wish that we hold dear or solve a troublesome problem that we are experiencing. So, then, it is clear that we are all searching the Internet for information and solutions. Well, guess what, that is exactly what you are going to give them!With that in mind, here is your first guiding principle: “GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT” How do you go about fulfilling this principle? Simple. You will accomplish this by building a THEME-BASED CONTENT WEB SITE. What does that mean? It means building a simple site that contains information based upon a MAIN SUBJECT. Where each page focuses upon a single topic that is related to the overall theme or subject.By providing your visitors with high-value content, over delivering on the information they were seeking, visitors start to like and trust you. Your content-rich site builds trust and credibility.......which leads to an OPEN-TO-BUY MINDSET. Good content encourages your visitor to think about you as a friend or expert rather than as a stranger. People buy from those they know and like. They resist sales efforts from everyone else.So it's clear that by creating a relationship with your readers and giving them the solutions or information they are seeking leads to MONETIZATION opportunities, which of course translates to MONEY!Easy enough to understand, but what type of web site should YOU build? What will be PROFITABLE to YOU and how do YOU get started?Good Questions.... Download Ken Evoy's Free e-book, Make Your Site Sell. It will provide you with the basic principles and steps that will help guide you to your goal of building a successful business on-line.Produced by Bluetribe

Holding On To Your Day Job While Pursuing Your Venture

Posted by Kamilah Campbell on July 14, 2008 at 2:57pm

As entrepreneurs we all know that balancing your day job with your new startup is never easy. Sitting and waiting for the day that one can fire their employer to pursue their business fulltime is an entrepreneur’s dream. There are days I come home from work just exhausted and tired, but I push myself to go work on a new jewelry design or create that new marketing campaign for an upcoming jewelry line.I was talking to one of my childhood friends the other day, who happens to be a new author, and we discussed trying “find time” to complete tasks for our businesses after coming from a long day at work. I told her my motivation is that I am so focused that I try to find the time everyday to do something for The Pink Locket, even if it means going to sleep past midnight. Everyday when I get up and go to my 9 to 5, it’s a reminder that I need to stay focused because I made the decision that this venture is going to work for me, not that I “hope” it works, but it’s “going” to work.We’ve all heard the saying “Birds of a feather flock together.” I believe that this is especially true when starting up your business that by keeping other successful and determined entrepreneurs in your circle will help you to achieve the objectives and goals of your very own business. I was once told people need to have 3 sets of friends, your regular circle of friends, your work friends and friends who are more successful than you. With that being said I’m definitely working on the later.

MLM Online Success-Keyword Research - Using Google Keyword Tool For Free

Posted by Monique Hawkins on July 13, 2008 at 3:50pm

When it comes to mlm online success, one of the first things you need to do before doing anything online is to do your keyword research. Actually, this applies to any online endeavor and not just mlm.In this video, my friend and coach, Lasse, shows how you can use Google's keyword tool, for free, to find the perfect keyword to use for whatever type of marketing campaign you have going online.Here is the video. I know you will find it helpful!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20QdWiy101EMoniquementormonique@gmail.comSkype: Monique371Are you struggling in mlm and just can't seem to make it work? If so, grab this free ebook today and have your questions answered:http://mentormonique.bigmlmtruths.com/?mad=20994

Divas By Design Radio- Thursdays 11:30am est.

Posted by Dawn Martin on June 25, 2008 at 4:30pm

Listen to Dazzlind on internet talk radio

Join Us: We are discussing topics about YOU DIVA!Want to Be a Guest? We are looking for YOU DIVA!

3 Steps You Can Use Developing Leaders In Your Company

Posted by The Black Business Cafe on June 18, 2008 at 8:20pm

With the economy bordering on a recession, every company is looking for ways to increase revenues while decreasing costs. Some companies believe one of the easiest ways to do this is to cut their employee training budget. However, businesses interested in long-term viability recognize that to be successful they must continually develop their people, especially their leaders.According to recent research, companies with regular employee training consistently outperform companies who do not train their people.There are many books, seminars and prepackaged programs that claim to help you do this more effectively and efficiently. Most have varying success because they are not customized to meet your company's specific needs. Canned approaches have little lasting effect.Leadership development is not about reading a book or attending a seminar. Sustained development of leaders is a process. It must be tailored to meet your company's specific needs and goals to be successful. Research indicates there are some common criteria among successful leadership development programs. The best ones promote leadership in three phases:Plan for Leadership Development.The first part of planning a leadership program is to examine what you currently have in place.In order to gauge your efforts, answer the following five questions:Does your company have a comprehensive plan for developing people?What are the benefits you would receive from having an effective leadership development program?What are the estimated costs in turnover, lower productivity, and lower morale to not having one now?What would a successful leadership development program look like for your company?How much time, energy, and money are you willing to invest to develop one?The next planning step is to begin identifying characteristics of people who are already successful leaders in your company. Every company has a unique corporate structure and culture that rewards particular characteristics. The key to building a successful program begins with looking at successful people. Think about the people who are or have been most successful at your company and ask:What kind of training experiences have they had?What kind of educational background do your most successful people have?How many years of experience in your line of work do they have?How do they fit in with your corporate culture?How would you describe their personality style?What best motivates them?Practice Leadership Development.Once you have formed an outline of how you want to develop your leaders and what "success" looks like, you must start implementing the program. Start small, with one or two people. This will allow you to work out the bugs inconspicuously. There are different ways to begin the program, but nearly all successful ones have at least two clear parts: specific leadership training and coaching/mentoring. The training can include elements of:Effective business communicationConflict resolution skillsTeam buildingRelating to different personality stylesTime managementDelegation skillsGoal settingCritical coaching skillsOther areas specific to your businessThe second part is coaching or mentoring. All of the top professional and Olympic athletes recognize the importance of a personal coach to help them reach peak performance. A mentor or coach can provide your leaders with the one-on-one attention needed to help take them to the next level quickly.Most organizations use some form of sales to drive their product or services. In many of these businesses the sales team leader is the one who does the coaching or mentoring. The majority of these sales leaders are in a position of leadership because they were good at selling. Unfortunately, there is not a direct correlation between being a good salesman and being a good coach or leader. Many leaders have some natural tendencies: they train others how they were trained, they try to motivate other according to how they are motivated, and they tend to miss-focus their energies.Even the best intentioned sales leaders often display a subtle tendency to focus on two groups of people: the employees who are top performers and those who are under performing. The average performers are usually left to fend for themselves. If sales leaders are aware of this natural tendency, they can usually self-correct it. With some additional coaching, it is easier to help the average performer become a top performer than it is to transform the under performer. When you have developed a comprehensive training program you can strategize about where your investment of time will result in the best ROI.An effective mentor or coach can help decrease learning curves. Many businesses have a learning curve in which people at the front of the curve significantly under perform the people at the top of the curve. For example, if you realize that it takes a new sales associate 12 to 18 months to start really performing, how much would it be worth to your company to dedicate a leader to spending one-on-one time coaching with new sales associates if that coaching could decrease their time to optimal performance from 12-18 months to 6-8 months?Promote Leadership Development.Once you have refined your program by working with a couple of leaders it's time to start promoting the program.Start by making it known during the interview process with potential employees. Many small company's use their leadership development program to draw in high-potential applicants that otherwise would go to larger organizations.Sell your leadership training program to applicants by telling them (and showing them) how invested you are in helping them develop as a leader. The kind of people who do well in small to medium-sized businesses are keenly aware of the importance of self-development. These people will be impressed that you want to make an investment in them.Start highlighting successful characteristics to your current employees and draw attention to the employees that are doing well. Be careful to point out that your goal is for every employee to be their best.Work hard not to create an atmosphere of cut-throat competition where one person can win only when another loses. Show every employee how they can succeed.Use your leaders to coach others and consider bringing in an outside coach to help your leaders coach their employees more effectively.SummaryLeadership training is absolutely critical to the success of business, especially small to medium sized companies. One of the mantras of the 1990's human potential movement was "people are our most valuable asset." There was a lot of verbal acknowledgement of this truth, but not a lot of companies acted on it. Smart companies are beginning to recognize that leadership development and people training is a process, not an event and this process has bottom line results.For companies looking to increase their revenues and cut their costs, leadership development is a must. Over the long run companies who develop their leaders and train their people significantly outperform companies who do not.Trust what you've trainedBy Coach Kevin Faulkner @ The BBC

Ladies Night Out: Pampering 2 Success

Posted by Morgan Nichole Scott on June 25, 2008 at 1:35pm

Greetings Ladies!!!!I am proud to announce this much anticipatedLadies Night Out: Pampering 2 SuccessThe Ultimate Event Place6641 Hwy 42 Suite 42Rex, GA 30273Friday, July 11, 20087:00-10:00pmLeave the kids and hubbies at home and come enjoy a night filled with good food and music. Come network and pamper yourself to be refreshed and relaxed and build your business to success!There are a few vendor spaces available for $100 in the following categories:AestheticiansBeauty and Makeup ArtistsIntimate ApparelFashionMassage TherapistsManicurists and Nail Technicians...and more!Contact info@enviconsulting.com or 678-558-6052 for more information.Admission is $25/person or $40/two....includes food and drinks, music, and networking!

The Top 10 Commandments of Business

Posted by The Black Business Cafe on July 3, 2008 at 3:15pm

In the recent business book entitled "Jesus CEO," author Laurie Beth Jones presents Jesus not as a religious messiah but rather as an executive leader. The book is a kind of how-to manual for succeeding as corporate officers. It got me wondering what if a modern-day executive received a Divine Memo? It would probably be a guide that combines spiritual and professional advice, and it might read like the following:1. Thou shalt listen twice as much as thou shalt speaketh.You have two ears and one mouth--so listen twice as much as you speak. Good judgment comes from careful listening. Sometimes the greatest successes come not from generating new ideas, but rather from applying a great idea borrowed from somewhere else.2. Thou shalt slay thy dragons.When you solve business problems, make sure that you solve them permanently. Temporarily fixing a problem is akin to chasing a dragon away or merely hurting it, and a wounded dragon can come back to wreak havoc another day. Slay your dragon once and for all, and then move on to the next one.3. Thou shalt thinketh, "What can go wrong?"Winning in business often means taking nothing for granted. In order to be successful, assume that things will go wrong unless you prevent them from doing otherwise. Eliminate what can go wrong, and things will start going right.4. Thou shalt knoweth that authority comes first to those who seize it.It you want more, then do more. Authority comes quickly to those who take responsibility and assume ownership. If you want a job, then do it.5. Thou shalt remember the 30-second rule, and make it thine own.You have 30 seconds to get your point across to a busy executive. This rule is the same whether it's a memo, a chart, or a conversation. If you can't say it in 30 seconds, then it's probably not simple enough to pass this test.6. Thou shalt prepare thy homework.No meeting should be held if participants have not done their homework in advance. Poor preparation wastes time; if you're not ready, then it's better to reschedule the meeting.7. Thou shalt rely on thy gut.A hunch is your creativity trying to tell you something. Your first gut instinct often proves to be right. Learn to recognize it and to act on it.8. Thou shalt admit thy mistakes.Since we all make mistakes, only a fool doesn't admit them. Learn how to say, "I made a mistake." It's only after you've learned how to admit your mistakes that you'll learn how to correct them.9. Thou shalt walketh from Point A to Point B.When you start working on a new project, first assess where you are (Point A) and then where you are going (Point B). In order to finish the project, focus on how to get from Point A to Point B.10. Thou shalt remember that it will take 20 percent longer to do it right.Whenever setting a deadline, remember that it usually takes 20 percent more time to do it right. Tasks almost always take longer than you think they will, and having extra time in the schedule will help when you encounter these unknown challenges along the way.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------About the SubmitterThis piece was originally submitted by Keith Herrmann, Director of Finance, Exide ElectronicsEdited: June 28, 2008 06:20PM

The Business of Y-O-U: It's Not Just About What You Sell

Posted by Donna Maria Coles Johnson on May 28, 2008 at 5:40pm

During a consultation this morning, my client who sells bath and body products told me that she did not want to include her photo at her website. She said she had spoken with numerous African American woman business owners who said she should omit her photo from her website because it would hurt sales.Based on my experience working with thousand of businesses, and my own for a decade, I feel strongly that anyone with an online business must include their photo at their website. Not only that, they should include audio, video and anything else that informs and entertains their customers and potential customers. The only exception is when such photos would be too personal or would compromise the safety of the entrepreneur and her family.My opinion is based on the simple fact that people want to know who they are doing business with. Otherwise, why not just go to Wal-Mart?If I can buy sugar scrub from 50 million companies online, then what do I have to base my purchasing decision on? Price? Maybe, but most sugar scrubs of equal amount and quality are priced similarly.What about quality? Sure, but how can I judge quality from a website? A clear, attractive product photo and inviting product description and marketing copy are helpful, but at the end of the day, I still don't know what I'm getting until it arrives in my mailbox.Now, consider that I can buy sugar scrub from someone who has a little bit of a higher price point and good quality ingredients with nice product photos -- plus a photo of her bright smile with beautiful dimples and lovely natural locs. She is a naturalist who plants herbs and vegetables in her back yard. Her blog teaches me about natural living and she includes recipes for freshly made organic salads in her monthly newsletter. She also includes pictures of her and her 5-year old home schooled daughter picking lavender in the back yard and harvesting it for the organic lavender sugar scrub they sell in the family business.Every now and then, her husband holds the video camera while she makes a healthful vegetarian pasta salad. She puts these videos at her blog with the recipe.She's not just selling me sugar scrub. She's enhancing my life. I will buy sugar scrub from her.I know this is an oversimplification, but it's true. You can't just sell sugar scrub. You have to sell yourself, a way of life and everything informative and brilliant about who you are. You interest me far more than sugar, almond oil, shea butter and fragrance -- which I can buy everywhere and even make myself.I challenge you to put a nice photo of you at your website and start marketing your products using the single most valuable asset you have -- Y-O-U.

June Is Marketing Success Month

Posted by Tammy Freeman on May 18, 2008 at 7:07pm

Join us this June for an awesome month full of information to help you achieve marketing success!Brand University: The Marketing Success Conference for Women Entrepreneurs has something for everyone! Starting at just $29.95 you can learn about the following topics:REGISTER AT WWW.MARKETINGSUCCESS2008.EVENTBRITE.COMYou - The Superstar!Using New Media and Social Networking Strategies To Build Your Most Important Brand - YOU!Cynthia de Lorenzi, Founder Success In The City andCEO of the Patriot GroupThe Solopreneurs Guide To Strategic Marketing:(MBA Not Required)!Tammy Freeman, The Lifestyle EntrepreneurFounder and CEO, Synergi Group, LLCDo It Yourself MarketingKirsten FullerFounder and Editor-in-Chief, Reservations MagazineSelf-Publishing Secrets:Stop Making Excuses and Publish Your Book Now!Sanyika Calloway Boyce, The Financial Fitness CoachClient Building 101: Know Your Niche!Francina Harrison, The Career EngineerHow To Tell Your StoryAfter The Elevator PitchRebekah Pierce, Average Girl Magazine, LLCOne Hour Marketing Plan BootcampNikki Woods, Full Circle MarketingDirect Mail BasicsGail Diggs, GCD Writing and MarketingCreating Newsworthy Press ReleasesJill Watkins, Write On Target Communications, LLCBuild A PR MachineCinnamon Bowser, Nail TaxiHarnessing the Power of Television PublicitySanyika Calloway Boyce, The Financial Fitness CoachPre-Conference Teleseminar Topics:(Even if you can't make the conference, you can get access to these great teleseminars!)How To Increase Sales ThroughPower PartnershipsDenise Trifiletti - Women's CommunityIt's Not Who YOU Know ButWho KNOWS YOU!Francina Harrison, The Career EngineerPassion Marketing:Wear Your Heart On Your SleeveTo Generate Bigger and More Sales!Tammy Freeman, The Information BrokerFounder and CEO, Synergi Group, LLC8 Key Ingredients To BuildCustomer LoyaltyNikki Woods, Full Circle MarketingYou've Built Your Website, Now What?Gail Diggs, GCD Writing and MarketingCreating Powerful and Compelling TaglinesJill Watkins, Write On Target Communications, LLCAttend Brand University Marketing Success Conference For Women Entrepreneurs...Your Business Will Never Be The Same!REGISTER AT WWW.MARKETINGSUCCESS2008.EVENTBRITE.COM

Alive Incorporated’s Pay It Forward Program Highlights Courtney R. Franklin, CEO, Moving Young Ladies Forward

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on May 5, 2008 at 1:39am

During the month of April, Alive Incorporated launched its Pay It Forward Program. The mission of this program is to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in making their dreams a reality, providing our clients with the tools necessary to earn the financial independence they always dreamed of.For a six month period, the team at Alive Incorporated will work with clients for 1 -2 hours a week. This is time will be used to advise clients on their business plan, marketing strategy, and goal development. Coaching is provided to clients as they complete the tasks necessary to achieve their goals.Our first client to take advantage of our new program is Courtney R. Franklin, CEO of Moving Young Ladies Forward (“MYLF”). The Alive Incorporated team will be working with Courtney to position her organization for continued success.To learn more about Moving Young Ladies Forward, visit http://guideourgirls.ning.com/.To learn more about our Pay It Forward Program, please email us at coach@aliveincorporated.com.

3 Necessary Tools for the High Rolling Affiliate Marketer

Posted by Lisa Simpkins on May 21, 2008 at 6:43pm

What does it take to become a successful Affiliate Marketer? What are the ingredients of an affiliate marketing success story? Is there a shortcut to Affiliate Marketing glory? All these questions play around in the minds of affiliate marketers who want to make it big in this business.Although affiliate marketing is touted as one of the easiest and most effective ways to earn money online, it is not as easy as it sounds. The wise affiliate marketer plans every action and executes it the best way he can. He should also maximize the potential to earn by utilizing the right tools necessary for a successful Affiliate Marketing business. We have consulted some of the most successful affiliate marketers in the business and below are the top three necessary tools for a successful affiliate marketing business.Important Tool #1: Your Own WebsiteThe most important and indispensable tool in Affiliate Marketing is your own website. The first step in any successful affiliate marketing business is building a good, credible and professional looking website. Your website is the jump off point of all your marketing efforts. Thus, you must first build a user-friendly website, which will appeal to your prospects and encourage them to click on the links to the products and service you are promoting and make a purchase. Therefore, you must first concentrate your efforts in building a website that will cater to what your prospects need.The most important thing you should consider is that almost all web users go online to look for information, not necessarily to go and buy something. Above all else, make your website full of original, relevant and useful content. People will love articles that are appealing and helpful. Keep in mind that, in the internet, content is still king and good quality content will not only build your credibility, it can also help you achieve a higher search engine ranking. By posting relevant and useful articles, you establish yourself as a credible expert in the field, making you a more trustworthy endorser of the product or service you promote. Establishing a good reputation is a good step in building up a loyal consumer base.Important Tool #2: IncentivesCompetition is extremely tight in the internet world. You must always be one-step ahead of your rivals to ensure that you capture a significant share of your target market. Therefore, you must use every possible means to encourage people not only to visit your site but also to click and proceed to the websites of the products and services you are promoting. Building an opt-in email list is one of the best ways to gather prospects. Offer a newsletter or an e-zine. Better yet, offer incentives to your prospects to encourage them to subscribe to your newsletters. You can present free softwares, access to exclusive services and other freebies that will be helpful to your prospects.Important Tool #3: Link PopularityThe importance of driving highly targeted traffic to your website cannot be emphasized enough. The all-important web traffic is at the top of the list of the most important entities in the internet world. Attracting people to your site should be the first step you should carry out. Do everything to achieve a high search engine ranking. Link Popularity is one of the factors that search engines use to determine search engine rankings. Therefore, to enhance your link popularity, you must launch an aggressive reciprocal link campaign.One of the best ways to do this – at no cost at all – is by submitting articles, with your website's link at the resource box, to e-zines and free article sites. You will not only gain exposure, you will also have the opportunity to advertise for free, just include a link back to your site. The more sites you submit your articles to, the better your link popularity is. Make your articles original, relevant and useful so that more websites will pick it up and post it.These are but three of the many tools that an affiliate marketer can use to maximize earning potential. The possibilities are endless and are limited only by your imagination, creativity, resourcefulness and determination. You can always explore other ideas and adapt other strategies, which you think might help you become a high rolling affiliate marketer.Lisa SimpkinsLisaSimpkins~BBS Global

What’s with MLM home based business?

Posted by Lisa Simpkins on May 21, 2008 at 6:41pm

Considering an MLM home based business?If so, it could be a very lucrative home based business option for you. But you should also know exactly whether or not what you are getting into is truly an MLM home based business or something else. It may be a scam waiting to pounce on you.Plus, you need to weigh out the positives and negatives of an MLM home based business before you decide that if it is the right business for you.Making sure you are actually getting involved in a legitimate MLM home based business is important to save yourself some difficulties later on.An MLM home based business involves the direct selling of products or services through the recommendations or endorsements of independent representatives.If you are the representative, you receive a commission on any sales that came from your endorsements.Understand that most products sold through an MLM home-based business are not necessarily advertised through mainstream media or in stores.The confusing part of determining if your MLM home based business is genuine can be quite difficult because of there are a number of pyramid schemes out there that are dangerously similar to a legitimate MLM home based business concepts.Remember, a pyramid scheme is illegal, and getting involved in one can cause you more trouble than you can possibly imagine.You will need to do your research into the MLM home based business that you are considering so that you are sure that the kind of MLM home based business you are going to run is valid and legal.Usually if your investment is proportioned to the product or service you are selling, your MLM home based business is valid.There are a number of advantages to having an MLM home based business.First of all, you will be working from home where you can virtually set your own hours, which is probably why you are considering an MLM home based business in the first place.Also, you will not have to manufacture any products, because you are usually selling things that are already made. The MLM home based business will usually come with a pre-determined marketing plan.Many people suffer through the process of determining the most effective methods for marketing their products, but with an MLM home based business, you are relieved of that stress.The disadvantage of having your own MLM home based business, though, depends on your personality.If you have good leadership skills and is a self-starter, then an MLM home based business will pose a little hardship to you.However, if recruiting and selling gives you hives, then starting and maintaining an MLM home based business may be more of a challenge, since your success depends on your ability to create a downline of recruits.But then, having your own MLM home based business means that you can live out your dream of being your own boss and having flexibility in your work schedule.You do not need any prior experience, and you can rely on your personality to recruit and maintain your downline. You only have to hard working and consistent in getting downlines.Do your research to make sure your MLM home based business is a legal business. This way, you can truly enjoy the freedom and the profits that the MLM home based business offers.Lisa SimpkinsVeretekk Marketing System

THE GOAL - Part of a Motivational Series

Posted by Brenda Farrar-Ejemai on April 29, 2008 at 11:20pm

THE GOALIt’s like reaching for something far away. If you keep on reaching and running without stopping, you will obtain what you are reaching for. Persevering, not quitting, but going after it with all your might, as though you have to have it; that’s the driving force. Don’t look at time as a barrier. Look at it this way, the years are going to pass anyway, so why not accomplish what you wish.The battle starts in your mind, that’s where it is. It is a war between your spirit and your mind. (Your mind being your common sense) Once your mind is working in cooperation with your spirit, the struggle ceases.It is almost like going down a long tunnel. You don’t see anything on your right or on your left. You only focus on what’s straight ahead.You are determined to get to the end of the tunnel because at the end of the tunnel the light appears. The sun looks like the dawning of a new day, with new opportunities. Nothing distracts you; you are staying on course.The word procrastination is not a part of your vocabulary. Most of the time that is the problem, people don’t act. Whatever needs to be done should be completed and taken care of in a timely manner. As a matter of fact, it should be done before the required time to make sure there are no slip-ups.Some people would say, “I’ll start when the kids grow-up, or when I attain a certain amount of money”. “I’m too old, or I will wait 2,5,10 years from now”. Well, those years are going to come and go and then you will think about the things that you could have accomplished but didn’t. Why not look back and be able to say you have attained your goal and dream.Another way is to go at it one day at a time. Instead of looking at it as a long haul, look at it as taking little leaps. You will be surprised at how, in time, you will be closer to your goal.You must understand that no one else controls your destiny. A lot of times people confide in others and ask their opinion on what they should do. The person or persons they confide in may not have any ambition to succeed, and jealousy steps in. They discourage and cause them to remain immobile. Stay away from those types of people. As soon as discouragement is thrown at you, throw it back. Don’t allow it to seep into your thinking and bring back the battle in your mind.Success is determined by your actions not anyone else’s.Brenda Farrar-Ejemai(c) 1998www.TheFamilyInTheCar.comwww.ebookstand.com/books.grp/BR2191.htmlISBN 978-1-58909-485-7No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the publisher.

Your Money Mindset: Is It Making or Breaking Your Business?

Posted by Donna Maria Coles Johnson on May 15, 2008 at 11:58am

A Frugal Mindset Is Money In the BankFor Indies, financial success is about stretching every penny to cover as much as possible, both on the home front and the business front. Frugal principles are not complicated, but because they intersect with our emotional connection to money, they can be difficult to implement.Growing up, my parents taught me very little about money. In my years as a corporate attorney, money flowed freely from my employer's account to mine, and then on to fabulous vacations, expensive dinners out, trendy clothes and extravagant gifts. Until I became a small business owner, I was never really concerned with the fact that, at some point, money actually runs out.Fast forward to 2000, when I started this business and officially enrolled in my first semester at the School of Financial Hard Knocks. Since then, I have taken small steps every year to keep more of the money I make. I do this by minimizing credit card use, couponing like nobody's business and keeping track of every penny.Every time I get a dollar, I do one of four specific things with it: spend it, save it, invest it or donate it. Whatever I do, I have to fit it into one of those categories and I am very intentional about doing so. I make it a point to improve my financial habits every day so I never return to my oblivious days of spending without thinking.Since I work with lots of people who are trying to make a success of small business, but who have not developed a frugal mindset, I turned to personal financial representative and fellow Indie Chris Buford to tell me 3 things Indie Business owners must do in order to turn from their spendthrift ways.1. Squeeze Out Every Tax Deduction. Chris says that the corporate tax rate is one of the highest tax rates there is, considering that income, property and capital gains are all heavily taxed. "The best way to offset these taxes is to squeeze out every possible business deduction you can find," say Chris.My accountant, Robin Herrick, CPA, PA, agrees. She makes sure every single business expense is properly identified and accounted for. In this way, not even a small deduction slips through the cracks.2. Ditch "Extra Money" Thinking. It's human nature to think that, when we come into some unexpected cash, it's "extra money," and we are free to run out and spend it on some short term fulfillment. This mindset is encouraged by the messages we get daily now, to take our tax rebate checks to the nearest department or home improvement store and spend spend spend.Chris says that's a decidedly bad idea. "Whether it's a stimulus check or a tax refund, any unexpected cash should be used to get a long term return, either by investing the money or using it to pay down debt." This is especially true if the money is a tax refund. "It's already your money, which the government kept all year long and interest free," he says. Debt directly inhibits the creation of wealth, says Chris, so it's especially important to eliminate it.3. Cut Costs. With fuel and food costs rising, people are spending less. "This means that small business owners must cut back without compromising the integrity of goods and services," says Chris.Of course saving wherever and whenever you can should be the goal all year every year, not just in a down economy. "Outsourcing things you don't have to do yourself, cutting down on overnight shipments, cutting down on hours of operation and anything to save resources must be implemented," says Chris.So there you have it, a sort of Indie Business Mantra. Every day, repeat after me.What are my tax deductions today?There's no such thing as "extra money."How can I accomplish this goal for less?What about you?Do you have some savvy small business financial advice to offer, or a money mantra that works for you? If so, please share it in the comments section below.About ChrisChris Buford is a personal financial representative with Allstate. He is a husband, father of 3 and seasoned real estate investor who helps families and small businesses expand their personal and business portfolios by implementing specific strategies to achieve their financial goals.For more small business money tips, subscribe to Indie Business Blog today.Related PostsThe Best Credit CardFive Ways to Recession-Proof Your BusinessAsk Not What the Economy Can Do For You

It's Worth It

Posted by DawnKA on April 17, 2008 at 6:48pm

Your vision is plain. You get excited and you are fired up - ready to go............... Then somewhere along the path of following your business goals, you become disheartened. You question your ability to be successful, you wonder why things are not falling into place, you begin to question yourself. The paperwork, the licenses, permits, finances, etc. - one thing after the other - and on and on................ You ask yourself is it worth it?I strongly believe that you must remain resilient. Challenges will come - they always do. Although the moments during the challenge can be overwhelming, it is how you were able to come through the challenge that prepares you for handling the business. I can't tell you how many times I have had to face one challenge after another - it was as though there was a challenge line - with each one waiting for the other to be over so that the next one can present itself. I can tell you that once you've worked through it, you will see that it was not so bad after all - it's worth it.Your business is always a work in progress. Why? Well, you should always be in the frame of mind where you think of ways to improve. Even if your business idea is just in the head, add your ideas to your plans - write it down. Plan to be great at what you do and know that the challenges are going to happen - work through them - seek guidance - push on - in the end you will realize - it's worth it.................

Monday - Monday...................

Posted by DawnKA on April 21, 2008 at 1:34pm

It's a new day. This is the day that begins a new week of goals. My goal is to gain 3 new clients. A challenge that I am ready to meet head on - I know that this is no easy feat.The target list is out and I am preparing to make the necessary calls and make it happen. In addition, I have some research - to further look into another great idea I have. Research is essential for me in making some decisions although there are those times when I work with my intuitive/spiritual guide. My spiritual guide is not by going to a specialist who can guide me through the use of cards or with closed eyes and candles. My spiritual guide is my own inner voice/conversational moments where thoughts and ideas run rampant through my mind guiding me to fulfill my purpose.I listen to my thoughts, I flush through the ideas and do my own pros and cons of how I can make it work. I have learned not to say too much to others as they like to give the worst case scenario in their own efforts to protect me from failure. However, my focus is on success. Therefore, I am going to do what I do best and make it happen.In addition, I am scheduled to speak at a Public Hearing to address the legislators on Access to Health Care, contact various clergy regarding addressing health concerns to their church members/attendees, review a new medical study, etc.It's Monday and I have a lot to do and by Friday I will have reached my goals.

Online Networking What's All the Fuss? - Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:00 pm CT - 8:00 pm CT

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on April 5, 2008 at 4:00pm

Online Networking What's All the Fuss?Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:00 pm CT - 8:00 pm CTOnline networking is taking over!Are you joining the millions of individuals utilizing online social networks like MYSPACE, YAHOO GROUPS, GOOGLE GROUPS, FACE BOOK, and Ning?This seminar shows participants how to build a huge online network in a relatively short period of time.Want to start a business?Want to grow your business?Have a new book, product or service you want to share with others?Bring pen and paper and join us for this teleseminar!Space is limited so reserve your seat today.Upon confirmation of payment, you will receive conference log in information.To order tickets, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/108435333.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.