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“History will be kind to me because I intend to write it.” ~Unknown

What do you want your legacy to be? Never thought about it before? Women today are far busier than our grandmothers or even our mothers ever were. From being a mother to wife to student to now being an entrepreneur, our legacy - that which you will leave behind you - is in jeopardy. That fact of the matter is that when it comes to talking about legacy, women hesitate because it seems too self-centered. But I argue that we, as women of today, need to start preparing and designing our own legacy. It is not a matter of self-centeredness, but of creating a roadmap or blueprint for future generations

What is a legacy?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, a legacy is “A gift left in a will or a thing handed down by a predecessor.” It can give and be created while you are still alive. It can also be public or private (we’ll talk about this more later). In other words, it is not for the rich only – a very common myth that no one talks about, especially women.

So, what is it that you want to leave behind for those you love when you pass? A legacy of obesity? A legacy of drug abuse? Or a legacy of service to others? I remember my mother once slamming her car into a tree because she fell asleep at the wheel while driving home from her third job. She survived, thankfully, but for many people, this is their life’s story and it does not often end with a happy ending. My mother has given me a legacy of hard work, dedication, tenacity, integrity and the importance of education.

Leadership, Purpose and Vision: A roadmap to building your legacy

When it comes right down to it, building a legacy is about being a leader. Leadership is positive behavior and/or influence on the community and/or family (this is a personal choice that can impact your legacy). Therefore, before you can build your legacy, you must know your purpose. How do you know what it is?

First, you must be open to it – listen to other’s ideas about what they see you as being good at. For example, if people are always saying to you “Girl, you make the meanest chocolate chip macaroon cookies! You should sell these,” they are confirming something the universe has been trying to tell you all along. Women, especially, tend to fend off these compliments by downplaying it: “Oh! This is nothing.” Don’t do that! You are essentially telling the universe (God, for some) that it/He made a mistake.

Your purpose can also come through tragedy: Average Girl was created in response to the murder of my cousin (a victim of domestic violence, she left behind 7 children). My writing experience prepared me for this in that I learned how to write and tell a good story as an English major and now teacher of literature and composition. When it came time to put together the editorial content and style of Average Girl, I was ready for it. Therefore, your purpose is directly related to what kind of legacy you want to leave behind for your business or family/community.

More important than you could ever imagine is Vision; how do you define it and get others to follow it? Tell your story when given the chance; how does it relate to your purpose? You will talk about it if you believe in it. Sadly, women tend to second guess their products/services and themselves. For example, I used to tell myself that ‘no one would buy my magazine because it didn’t look like other magazines on the newsstands and I was “a nobody.” No one knew my name and I had no money to bring to the table.’ It took years of encouraging self-talk (and the loss of a lot of potential sales) to downplay that horrible tape playing around in my head every time I tried to bring to life my vision.

Your vision must connect or resonate with others. We, as women, share a common bond: being a woman. I use this to speak about and promote Average Girl. We may come from different ethnicities or socioeconomic backgrounds, but we all experience joy, pain and heartache as women. We all have dreams that are sometimes crushed or deferred because of society’s pressure to make us conform to its standards of femininity (i.e., housewife, wife, and businesswoman).

You must also have a workable plan – this is where you need to spend a lot of time in development once you have hashed out clearly your willingness to be a leader and follow your purpose. You can’t ask people to follow you or to invest in your vision if you have no idea what it is or how it works, looks, smells, taste, etc. As a leader, you are responsible for not only your word and actions, but the well-being of others.

How can networking help to establish a legacy?

Networking is about building relationships, so you must select networking events that you are truly interested in attending and are in line with your business objectives/market. Time is money and once it’s gone, you cannot get it back. So, do some research first before attending any networking events. When you get there, talk to people about their business; ask them how can you be of service to them? Don’t just stand in a dark corner and cower or worse, stick to the click. Engage people. Be an active listener as it is not always about you and you only.

Use your gut instinct when choosing people to talk to people at these networking events. Truth be told, some people are just there to make money and will use whomever they can to do it: women are good with their instincts, so listen to your gut. Also understand that you cannot help everyone and everyone cannot help you – that’s why referrals are VERY important to not only your business, but in creating a legacy – but be careful about referring the wrong people. If someone has not paid you for your services, do not refer them to another business they could stiff. It will look bad on you, not them. Use those instincts!

Most people forget this vital part of networking: the follow up. Follow up the connections made at these networking meetings with lunch or breakfast or tea just to chat. While there, share your story here if asked to – don’t go into a diatribe: keep it short, sweet, simple and to the point. Discuss your products/services (don’t second guess their response) – you are building connections. Follow up this meeting with frequent communications via email or phone. This is simply confirming connections and building a strong network.

Once people know who you are and what you are about, they will remember you when they hear things “in the wind.” For example, when I was an executive assistant, I used to tell my co-workers that I was studying to be an English teacher. One of them heard about a teaching job expo and told me about it. I went and was hired on the spot. So began my career in education and eventually the birth of Average Girl Magazine.

Forging Business and Community Alliances

Work with people who are doing what you are doing, but perhaps with a different angle. Sponsor an event for a potential alliance to introduce their company to the community. This shows that you are willing and able to work with others. You can also host an event to introduce your company and your goals for the community. For example, I host a tea party every December for Average Girl, but I always donate proceeds from the silent auction to a local woman’s charity or non-profit. I announce this on all of the flyers and marketing material – message: not everything is about just my business. Invite some of your local competitors to be your guest.

If you are thinking about forging an alliance with an organization, research the company first before preparing to establish an alliance. Make an appointment to speak with key persons/decision makers. Before you go, however, prepare an informal plan of action – again, this is a chance to tell your story. At the meeting, establish how you can be of service to them and visa versa (ask questions to establish this further). Perhaps you could offer services such as, free products, time, space, PR, etc. Whatever you offer, do not let it severely impact your bottom line. This is about building alliances wisely that will benefit both businesses’ bottom line in the long run.

Market your business or persons as a community centered entity. Begin to establish yourself as having integrity, flexibility and service. Here is where private vs. publish exposure comes into play. Whatever you release to the media, make sure it is what you want released and that all parties mentioned are in agreement. Some things you may not want the public to know because you just wanted to do it (be aware of your motives). Sources of media to release information to if you choose to go public include: books, website, articles, public speaking engagements, e-newsletters, public service announcements (PSAs). In the end, your reputation will slowly begin to build as your alliances become solid and fruitful. Remember, people remember good deeds and spread the word – but they also remember bad deeds and spread the word.

How can community involvement add to the bottom line of your business?

It can, but is this your ultimate goal? Getting your business involved in community activities/activism is a move that should be carefully considered. It can bring more loyal customers/clients to your business. The company can grow financially and in size due to exposure increase. Your reputation for integrity, loyalty, vision will attract all of the above as well. But beware! People can smell greed and selfishness…and that can ruin more than just your bottom line.

Ultimately, we are here to serve others – if we keep this in focus, your business and/or personal life will prosper for it and your legacy will be the benchmark for others to emulate and prosper from. Remember! Your gifts/talent = purpose = vision = services = legacy = connection to God (or Higher Power).

So what do you want your legacy to be for yourself and your business? Write it down: make it plain, according to scripture. That’s the first thing. The rest is up to you.

~Copyright © 2008 Rebekah L. Pierce. Mrs. Pierce is the CEO/Editor in Chief of Average Girl Magazine LLC, now The Girlfriend Connection. She is also a playwright, former radio talk show host, motivational speaker, teacher, wife and mother. Visit www.thegirlfriendconnection.yolasite.com for more information.

Special Thanks!

As we head into the holiday weekend, I just wanted to send a note of thanks for all of your continued support to the National Business Women Enterprise Network Family. We established our organization in March 2005 to a small group of local WomenPreneurs. There were only about 12 of us! In March 2008, we created our online network in order to expand our support of WomenPreneurs to a larger audience. As you can see we've grown to over 1200 members and still growing - thank you, Lord! So, in celebration of this and the holiday weekend, if you're a member of our network (www.nbwen.org), I'd like to ask each of you to update your profile, answering each question thoroughly, specifically noting the full name of the person who referred you. This will help us calculate the number of referrals per member, since our inception, per month, and per year so we can feature and reward members for the various contributions to the network. It is our goal to be an overflowing vessel of blessings to you through the resources God has blessed us with. We ask that each member choose to also bless another person whenever and whereever you can! Support and encourage on another on this journey!

Classifieds

Sheila Whiteley had the privilege of working with Terry Allen and the Real Men Cook Team in June. She wanted to share information about Companies looking to Hire African Americans. For those in search of employment, connect with Mr. Terry Allen at terryallenpr@aol.com for info on the most recent career opportunities posted on Real Men Cook!

Free Gifts!

CLICK HERE to purchase the EBook: Social Networking for Business: Navigating Your Way Through and receive these FREE Gifts!

The 7 Great Lies of Network Marketing
30 Ways to Promote Your Website on a Shoestring Budget

This Month's Featured WomenPreneurs
The following two ladies are Champion Bloggers on NBWEN! If you've not done so, be sure to visit their pages to get to know them and read all of the great information they've contributed to our network.

Beryl Powell Julia - The Transcription Lady

Be sure to track with me via:

Blessings & Happy Networking Always!
Shellye aka Paradise

I have definitely defied the odds and can speak from experience that “it’s not about where you’ve been, but where you’re going! Growing up poor in Stockton, CA with limited resources, I fought hard for the opportunity to attend college and become somebody. I barely escaped the hands of death at the age of eighteen when I attempted to take my own life to flee the harsh road and lies that were whispered into my spirit about my self-worth. But my mother’s hard work and struggle to give my siblings and me better opportunities superseded those lies and gave me the strength to press on and become the women I am today.

As an African-American military veteran and prevailing entrepreneur, I know that my purpose is to give a voice to women from all walks of life through the pages of my publication, Average Girl Magazine, now The Girlfriend Connection, and through the sharing of my story. I know that stepping out on faith when the odds are stacked against has set me on a path that only God knew I could handle.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have had many a days that every first stage entrepreneur who steps out on faith dreads: hearing that your idea is great, but because you have no resources (i.e., money), you'll never make it happen. In the past four years, I have heard every excuse from high powered business persons to those just starting that there’s no way I will be able to grow this company because I don’t have those thousands of dollars behind me. If I had a quarter for every time I heard that, I'd be able to buy a condominium...in the Hamptons.

So, when does one "give up"? Or in business jargon, "when do you start executing your exit strategy?" When every door closes in your face? When you turn off your cell phone to avoid the bill collectors? When your spouse starts to give you that "this is bull*&^%" look? When you run out of faith? My entire life has been about battling the odds and taking the road least traveled. There’s something in me that just has to march to a different drum beat.

The day that I tried to take my life was the actual beginning of my journey through faith. I let my doubt about who I was and what I could be cloud my vision and distort my faith. As I swallowed those pills, though, something whispered to my spirit that I was worthy…that my family needed me more than I knew. God told me that I would always be somebody to him…if only I would believe and have faith. He told me that he had a gift in me that needed to come out…if only I would believe. I have been moving and walking in faith since that day.

I will admit, though, that there are days when I do feel like giving up on everything. What human being doesn’t? I think aloud everyday about giving up this “foolish” idea of entrepreneurship and going back to work for someone else because at least then I'd have a steady paycheck, health insurance and the coveted 401 (k). But then my spirit would die and that scares me more than not having a paycheck. Sometimes, I think that I must be an alien. Why else would I risk my security to save my spirit?

This past Christmas, I was sitting in a Christmas play called “The Gift” when I heard a character say something that gave me an “Ah hah!” moment. The character said: “God’s gift to you is potential. Your gift to God is what you do with that potential.” How profound for me that statement was because what I realized was that my potential is my purpose, and my purpose is my gift to God, but only when I move in it. The blessings don’t come until you MOVE.

One of my favorite inspirational quotes is by Maya Angelou: “I can be changed by what happens to me. I refuse to be reduced by it.” What this means to me is that no matter what happens with my business or in my life’s purposeful journey, I will not let it change the essence that is me. I am a child of God and He has given me my purpose…no matter the odds, I have to fulfill it. I can see it, feel it, touch it and even smell it. That’s purpose!

So what’s yours? What steps have you taken to pursue your purpose? There’s an ancient Chinese proverb that says: “Ambition knows no obstacles.” I think now is the best time to be ambitious and purposeful. Whatever you call the Divine Being, know that He has blessed you with potential, purpose - a gift. Use your faith to guide and move you towards fulfilling your purpose.

Know that this is the year of your completion…whatever that may be for you. Believe in your gift; work on your gift; and share your gift. But more importantly, write it down on a piece of paper and carry it with you in your wallet or purse, and when you have a moment when you feel as if the world is coming down on you – and it will because that is life – take it out and repeat it to yourself until you feel calm enough to put it away again and go on with your day.

Remember! Life isn’t easy. If it were, we wouldn’t have the chance to show God, the Divine Being, what we can do with his gift to us. Your purpose is waiting for you. Get started on your purpose plan today and don’t let your past be the roadblock to your purpose-driven life. MOVE! It’s time to step out on faith.

~ Copyright © 2009 Rebekah L. Pierce. Rebekah L. Pierce is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Average Girl Magazine, a motivational magazine for women in searc h of change, purpose and prosperity. For more information, visit www.thegirlfriendconnection.yolasite.com or call (804) 274-8976.

Imagine.... You EMPOWERED to finally live your best life ever!

Dear friend,

My family and I just experienced the most frightening crisis of our life. Our oldest daughter on Life Support. We almost lost her not once but
twice. How did we persevere, remain focused and resist the temptation
to succumb to fear? We are now experiencing victory and an amazing
surge of EMPOWERMENT! She is off life support, was moved from ICU and is regaining strength daily. The Doctor's gave us another report, however, we held on to the report of our God! It wasn't easy but it was possible.

We tapped into possibility. We tapped into Empowerment through our union with Him. We stepped boldly with courage and confidence that it was DONE!

You can experience the same empowerment , courage and confidence to stay focused because you have learned life skills, become faith-full and are mastering your mindset!
This is the only way you will send out the energy to create an
atmosphere for God's miraculous intervention in your life and the lives
of others.

Feel like you're working hard but getting nowhere?
Are you frustrated by the day to day tasks of managing your personal and business life?
Want to play a bigger game but can't due to a lack of confidence and/or entertaining your limiting beliefs? Or maybe you don't know what's holding you back.

"Give me 40 minutes and I'll share keys to maximizing your
EMPOWERMENT and realizing mindset breakthroughs so you can finally live life on your terms while increasing your client/customer base and revenue."

Join me for The Women's Empowerment and Mindset Breakthrough Teleseminar series

This week's Topic: 4 Surefire ways to Blast through your fears to COURAGE, CONFIDENCE and Maximum EMPOWERMENT!

When: Bi-Weekly The next call is July 8
Time: 11:00 AM PST, 2:00 PM EST
Cost: Free

These teleseminars will sell for a minimum of $147
Get your free access today!

From A Writer's POV Magazine is celebrating it's birthday all month. We are four years old in Online Publication and are pushing forward strong.

We've just opened advertisement on our network and prices start as low as $5. These $5 ads can be placed on our network for up to a week. It's only $5!

We also give ad space in our Print Magazine and Newsletter. Newsletter prices starting at $5 as well and Print Magazine prices starting at $10! How good is that?

We work with you to make sure your ad gets the exposure it needs and is in our rotation for as long as you need.

Sound interesting? Please check out our ad space details here: http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/july-2010-edition/section/paid-advertisements

We also give GREAT deals to authors with books coming out in the near feature who want to advertise their book before it hits stores. Just check out Interviews/Ads!

Also, purchase a copy of our print edition for only $8. You can read all the articles including bonus material inthe comfort of your own home. We'd truly appreciate the support!

Get your copy today www.fromawriterspovmagazine.com

Thanks for allowing us to Support YOU!!!

Dominique

I wanted to share this awesome NEWS with my Sisters and fellow business owners. I know we all take pride in our hair and it can cost alot each month to really maintain and care for our hair, especially in thesehard financial times, saving money has become a priority in order to survive!

I must say that from I was a young girl I could not manage my hair... I have thick, long blackHair...I am African American So, as soonas I was out of High school I got my hair relaxed. I had to use Revlon SUPER toreally get a nice straight perm, every 6-8 weeks.

I was no good with my hair, not even to flat iron, so I had to visit the hair salon and fork out at least $30-$80 each trip religiously foralmost 25 years. Let’s do the Math, minimally every two weeks for a wash at$25-$30, and every six to eight weeks a perm at least $50-$80 for twenty fiveyears. Using the lowest figures for wash & set of $25 per year (26 weeks)26 x $25 = $650 yearly times 25 years equal $16,250.00. The cost for relaxingat least 7 times per year at $50 = $350 times 25 years = $8750.00 both totalfor all those years is $25,000, an average $1000 per year minimally. WOW! Mindblowing!

This money could have been used to produce some asset. Let’s see what can I show for it today? My hair has fallen out a lot over the last 10years, so I am using more treatment and costing me even more money.

I have always wanted to stop relaxing my hair and go back natural but the fear of how am I going to look and manage my hair was my majorconcern. Then my miracle came, and it NOT Mr. Miracle. My path crossed with agentleman from Atlantarecently and he told me that he manufactures hair products, his own hairproducts! I was amazed, a man of my kind, African American business minded man!So I paid keen attention, and I purchase the professional kit which was thesame price as a regular wash ($50), but with this kit I can get at least 6-8washes. I was so excited to use the Kit,and I was extremely pleased and amazed at how my hair feels after the cleansingand restoring product was used. The first thing I noticed is that after rinsingand combing through my hair, there was little hair falling out. Normally Iwould have a handful of hair falling out after combing through, this time therewas barely any. Then my hair was so soft, light and moist, I decided to justtowel try my hair and I could comb it through without any knots andtangling. I am so happy; I am finallyable to manage my own hair, and now my daughter’s hair.

Finally a product that does what it should. Straightening Black Hair - FOR PRODUCTS AND MAKING MONEY

See my website www.successmoneysystems.com. CLICK ON THE LINK Straightening Black Hair - FOR PRODUCTS AND MAKING MONEY

Save yourself TIME, MONEY & EFFORT!

Michelle Crawford

AV Security Suite is a scareware and ransomware program from the same family as Antivirus Soft and AntiSpyware Soft. The developers of this program are distributing AV Security Suite through the use of hacked sites, spam, and Trojans that install it onto your computer without your permission. Once installed AV Security Suite will be configured to start automatically when your computer starts. Once started it will scan your computer and state that there are numerous infections, but will not let you remove any of them until you purchase the program. All of these scan results are fake and are only being shown to trick you into purchasing the program, which you should obviously not do.

One of my favorite websites for business and entrepreneurship is Inc.com (if you haven't been to this site and you're in business check it out!) Today I got the perfect I mean PERFECT alert regarding business and taxes and I want to share with you the highlights!

The article discusses planning for the next tax season now by being PROACTIVE. In essence, what this means is not waiting UNTIL January 2011 or April 14th for that matter to giving attention to your businesses finances. It means taking small steps through out the year to manage and organize your books, ask questions to your Tax Preparer or Tax Advisors, knowing and understanding the new tax law changes and how they affect your business today and so on. Several tax professionals offer their advice and tips on this and have formulated it into an acroymn: P.L.A.N.

P. Preparing your Records

L. Listing Issues and Questions

A. Analyizing for Accuracy

N. Noting Changes in Tax Laws

Do you P.L.A.N for your taxes? As a Bookkeeper and Small Business consultant, I realize that most if not ALL of these steps can be time consuming or frustrating when you don't know where to begin. Especially noting changes in Tax Laws. Unless you're like me and receive IRS updates and alerts daily most businesses find navigating through the text to find relevant information they can apply today elusive, confusing and just a waste of precious money producing time. I get it!

Some small businesses do hire Bookkeepers to take on this task which is highly recommended, but small businesses are made up of roughly 78% Micro businesses who most simply cannot afford to do this! While I LOVE this article, it does very little in directing business owners on where to begin to Plan for tax time. I consult with or talk to many business owners weekly who have this very issue, "where do I begin, and where do I find the time, how can I afford a bookkeeper?" When you don't feel you can afford a bookkeeper, what do you do?

No this isn't a sales pitch, but there are ways you can get the help of a qualified bookkeeper to get your records and books in order before tax time. Some will help you and provide you with tools if you choose to do it yourself completely free or for a nominal monthly fee. Depending on your budget you may be able to afford an outsourced bookkeeper to help you manage your books. Affordable BOOKKEEPING for your business DOES EXIST if you know where to look! I urge all businesses micro or small to take the time to consult a Bookkeeper at the minimum or CPA to request a review of your books and recommendations for how to P.L.A.N. for tax time. In my blog about Proactive Accounting, I talk about how planning in advance can actually SAVE you money at tax time, and save your business!

Take the time to call your local bookkeeper or CPA, invest a couple hundred dollars and request a review, be Proactive about your business! If you are having difficulty in finding a bookkeeper, give me a call, inbox me. Even better become a fan of YourSimple Bookkeeper, Inc. on Facebook and I'll put you on my priority list for the launch of my YourSimple Bookkeeper -in-a-Box Download on Effective Recordkeeping which is available for Free download Tuesday July 6th (and forever and ever and ever after that)! Information is free in my mind.

Remember: Making Money is EASY, Keeping it is where the Challenge comes.

To check out the full Inc.com article click here.

To become a fan of YourSimple Bookkeeper to be one of the first to receive a FREE download click here.

How do you renew yourself when you cannot take a vacation? Read my latest blog, RENEWAL, and newsletter for suggestions.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1103025183710/archive/1103527471238.html

Dr. Ethel Drayton-Craig