All Posts (9530)

Sort by

StartupNation Competition

Home-Based 100 CompetitionHeroes of home-based business, welcome! If you run a business from home and you’re proud of what you do, here’s your chance to brag about it and just maybe be selected as a finalist.It’s your opportunity to be put in the spotlight, and just maybe, take your business to the next level through unprecedented exposure when StartupNation publishes the results in NovemberSo with this said...Please vote for ME for My businesshttp://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/1422/index.php
Read more…

ARIZONA BLACK PAGES NEWSLETTER

Here is the linkto view the current ARIZONA BLACK PAGES IN THE BLACK NEWSLETTERhttp://www.azbp.com/newsletter/AZBP%20Newsletter%2009-01-08.pdf#Have a great day,The Cell Phone Revolution Guywww.juniques.net
Read more…
Greetings Family,(Contact Information At The Bottom Of The Page)It's your friendly neighborhood "Digital Drummer" again...smileAs the Executive Producer of Fresh Faces2u, one of my primary missions is to expose new talent to the entertainment industry. This is why a majority of my readers, subscribers, and friends are involved in the entertainment industry.I'm a strong advocate of traditional education, such as a degree from a top rated college, but I realize that college is not for everyone. Therefore as a technologist, I'm always promoting the advantages of the Internet, as a tool for personal empowerment and expanding opportunities.So for those that can't partake of a formal education, the Internet provides a wealth of information, programs, and possibilities for you take advantage of. All you have to do is look...Below is just a small example of the jewels of knowledge that exist in this treasure chest of information, we call the Internet.Remember, We Must Share The Knowledge (Network)... To Share The Dollars!!!***************(Advertisement)*********************Need some great ideas for corporate or personal gift-giving?Then go to City Lights Software(http://www.citylightssoftware.com )and see some of the most unique afrocentric gifts available online!We Deliver ONLINE - Direct To Your Desktop for just $14.95Please take the time to purchase one our afrocentric screen savers TODAY!Don't Just Talk the Talk...Let Your Dollars Walk the WalkIf you have any problems with purchasing online contact me direct at sales@citylightssoftware.com or call (213) 944-4176****************************************************** Entertainment Industry, Diversity Programs And Fellowships,Cosby Writing Fellowship:http://www.CosbyProgram.comEstablished by Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby in 1993, at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. The fifteen-week intensive workshop was designed with a two-fold purpose: To assist writers in the completion of a film or television script and to deepen the participants appreciation for and comprehension of African American history and culture.Disney Writing Fellowshiphttp://abctalentdevelopment.com/programs_writers.htmBegun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry’s best known and most respected writing fellowships. Fellows receive a weekly salary for a one-year period (currently amounting to $50,000/year plus benefits). The program is an intensive, hands-on experience that involves workshops, seminars and mentorships with creative executives from ABC, ABC Television Studio, Disney Channel, ABC Family, Lifetime and Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group.Fox Diversity Programhttp://www.fox.com/diversity/creative/writer_submission.htmThe Fox Entertainment Group again invite submission of original television pilot scripts in the multi-camera comedy, single-camera comedy, animated and drama formats. Writers selected this year will be invited to attend a six week session at Writer's Boot Camp and subsequent consultation with WBC mentors during which their scripts will be rewritten and improved. The goal is to achieve scripts at a level of professional execution that may be submitted to Fox programming executives.CBS Television Programhttp://www.cbscorporation.com/diversity/cbs_network/institute/index.phpThis program links aspiring writers with mentors from the ranks of CBS Network and CBS Paramount Studio executives. Also, writers are mentored by producer mentors from series airing on CBS. Additionally, there are weekly sessions with successful writers, producers and show runners examining in very specific and practical terms many aspects of the experience of being a television writer in Hollywood.the Nickelodeon Writers' Programhttp://www.nickwriting.com/Developed to broaden Nickelodeon's outreach efforts, the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship is designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network productions. Operating in a three-phased structure, the Fellowship provides a salaried position for up to one year and offers hands-on experience writing spec scripts and pitching story ideas in both live action and animation television.Warner Brothers Comedy and Drama Writing Programhttp://www2.warnerbros.com/writersworkshop/For over 30 years, Warner Bros. TV has committed to fostering new talent and providing opportunity for aspiring television writers. The Writers Workshop is the premier writing program for new writers looking to start and further their writing career. The Workshop teaches every aspect of spec script writing and features exposure to Warner Bros. TV's top television writers and executives, all with the goal of staffing graduates on a Warner Bros. TV show.NBC Diversity Initiative for Writershttp://www.nbcunicareers.com/entry_leadership/diversity_initiative_for_writers/NBC is proud of the existing diversity of the writers who pen its Primetime Series. In order to further encourage diversity among our writers, NBC provides funding for a minority staff writer position for all scripted NBC Primetime Series. These positions are filled with writers selected and hired by the showrunner/producers of each show, with the guidance of the network and studio(s). Scripts are accepted year-round for screening, however, positions are generally filled during the March - June staffing season.**Editors Note**(The WGA site below is one of the best list of online resources I know)The Writers Guild of Americahttp://www.wga.org/subpage_writersresources.aspx?id=1042The WGAW's Diversity department works with producers, studio and network executives, and writers to increase employment opportunities and to develop access/talent development programs and also hosts events, panels, and seminars to promote a more positive image of historically underemployed writers, to increase the industry's awareness of the unique obstacles often faced by these writers, and to encourage positive change in hiring practices.***************(Advertisement)*********************Looking For More Exposure, Want To Help A Good Cause, Need Money???Come on over to www.freshfaces2u.com and register to win $10,000 dollars CASH!At Fresh Faces2u it's NOT about how you look...But Who You Are!Join us in our mission to change the image of women in the mediaSign Up Today At Fresh Faces2u.com***************************************************This Online Journal was brought to you by InterServe Networks. Feel Free To Forward To Your Network Of Online FriendsWe Practice Responsible E-Commerce Marketing and Privacy Policies. We do not indulge in or encourage Spamming. We never send unsolicited emails. You are receiving this message as part of our opt-in subscriber mailing list or you are a member of an affiliated newsgroup.For comments or suggestions please contact us at the following;Jim Neusom (jneusom@yahoo.com)Executive Director/PublisherInterServe Networks/City Lights Software, Inc.www.citylightssoftware.comwww.freshfaces2u.comwww.myspace.com/jimneusomwww.myspace.com/freshfaces2uTo subscribe to our opt-in mailing list simply send an email to; The_City_Lights_Reporter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ( on Myspace go to http://blog.myspace.com/jimneusom )
Read more…

Making Love and Money

Before You Work With Your Spouse

As many of you know, I work with my spouse. He's my high school sweetheart, the father of my offspring, a photographer, a super quiet loner type guy and a rabid Washington Redskins and USC Trojans fan. We don't do everything together. In fact, we do a lot separately. And it's a good thing too since our road to Indie Business ownership has not been altogether smooth. But we share common goals. So whether together or separately, our activities generally support those goals, one of which is to have fun as we provide for ourselves and our two children. Emergency funds, college savings, dance costumes, mortgage, our daily bread. You know the drill.

Wedding_couple_hands

Most couples have the same goals as we do, and there are lots of ways to achieve those shared goals, the most common of which is via a traditional full-time job that matches your talents, educational background, skill sets and interests to a particular job description. If you land the job, you work for a third party, earn a regular pay check, make some new business friends and hopefully enjoy health benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. That's great, but for some of us, a regular job is not all it's cracked up to be. Long rush hour commutes, dwindling family time, day care hassles, latch key kids, sick kid nightmares, etc. So what do we do?

We create ways to make a living without the limitations so often imposed by a traditional job. We use technology. We resurrect talents and gifts we forgot we had. We wear many hats and make it up as we go along. This is easier said than done, but frankly, with the Internet, it's not nearly has difficult as it used to be.

The New Family Business

More and more, I'm meeting parents who want desperately to work from home, especially while their children are young. I'm also meeting married empty nesters who, after years of working a traditional job, want to make money together from home.

Single parents (dads and moms) are also demonstrating exceptional creativity when it comes to finding ways to generate income without having to rely solely on child support checks or secure jobs, which, these days are harder to find than a controversy-free Republican vice presidential candidate. (Sorry, couldn't help it.)

For those of you who are married (or similarly attached) with children, or married empty nesters, you may be seriously considering starting a business with your spouse. If so, you may think your biggest question is, "What can we do to make money?"

That's a good question, and one you obviously have to answer. But other questions are far more important. After all, you can always find a way to make money, even if it means having a job you hate.

No, before you go into business with your spouse, you have to ask a much bigger (and harder) question: "Can we successfully make love and money together without ripping each other and/or our business to shreds?" OK,maybe somewhat exaggerated (for some people, it's not), but you get the point.

I've been studying this issue for years, both up close and personal in my own family and by watching others. I've noticed that, time and time again, certain issues present themselves as the most challenging. They are also the most difficult to handle because they are not a lot of fun to address.

My goal with this post is to highlight some of the questions to ask and answer before going into business with your mate. I hope you avoid some of the same problems that I and others have dealt with.

1. Do I Trust Him*?

Kayla Fioravanti is co-owner of Essential Wholesale, an Oregon-based company with 30 employees and well over a million dollars in annual revenues. I asked Kayla why she said she "loved" working with her husband in their family business. I asked her to go beyond the obvious, that it's convenient, fun, great for the kids, etc.

Kayla answered, "Because I know I can trust my husband to lead the company in a direction that's good for our business and our family."

So there it is. Trust. Personal and business trust. It's at the core of everything, isn't it? You've got to be able to answer the question whether or not you trust your partner both personally and professionally before you go into business with him.

Be honest on this one because, frankly, if you don't trust on all levels, a business venture will be risky on all levels. Don't set yourself up for failure. You'll take enough risks in business. Don't make this one of them. If you don't trust him, work on the relationship and address business options when the timing is better.

2. Is She Responsible?

Look at her FICO score, all 3 credit reports, car payment history, college track record, etc. Are her bills paid on time? Did he graduate on time? Does he diligently work to complete work-related projects on time? No? Find out why. If the explanation satisfies you, great. But still insist on a plan to correct past mistakes and turn over a new leaf. Hold her accountable to stick with the plan for a significant period of time before starting a business together.

If the explanations don't satisfy you, keep your day job.

3. Is She Established Career-Wise?

If you and your spouse are already established career-wise, it is a plus. Whether it's as a fast food restaurant night manager or a stock broker with a fancy corner office, an established and consistent career path is a sign of a person's ability to thrive in the business world and will help both of you feel confident and empowered as you hang out your joint shingle.

It will also helps prevent feelings of inequality. If you have a long career as a corporate muckety muck and your spouse has a long career as an award winning street sweeper, that's one thing. But if you had the muckety muck career and your spouse has hated his job for years and was never recognized for his contributions, you may be headed for trouble.

Discuss how prior employment and business experiences may affect your ability to jointly approach a new business venture. Acknowledge baggage and put it in a proper context before moving forward with a business.

4. Is He Confident?

If your spouse walks with hunched shoulders, feels inferior because she can't lose the baby weight or is terrified of speaking a word in public without thinking everyone is looking at her overbite, don't print up the business cards yet. If a person doesn't not feel confident within herself, it's highly unlikely that she will feel differently about her business. This can spell disaster, especially if you expect her to fulfill a social role in the venture.

We all have fears and insecurities. But if they are paralyzing, they will quickly become liabilities for the business. Acknowledge lack of confidence up front and figure out in advance how to deal with it in the business. It must be exposed, acknowledged and minimized so it does not handicap your chances of success. You'll regret it otherwise.

5. Is She Personable?

This is kind of like getting along well with others, squared. Last Friday, my husband went to a networking group meeting. He thought I'd like it, so he called me and told me I should join him there, and to bring business cards. So I dropped everything and headed over, cards in hand. I was greeted at the door by someone who said, "Your husband's here. He's great."

I proceeded to enter a room where everyone already like me. And my business. How cool is that?

A likable personality is a huge plus. It doesn't mean that a person has to be gregarious, the life of the party, or even particularly outgoing. (My husband is none of those things by nature.) What it does mean is that, whether it's a good day or a bad day, he can adjust how he interacts with others for the good of your business (which is ultimately of course, for the good of your family).

6. Does He Appreciate Social Media?

Any business that does not appreciate the power of social media is going to either die or simply never get started. I. Am. So. Not. Exaggerating.

If you consider MySpace an invaluable part of your marketing repertoire but your spouse thinks it's only for teenagers and predators, or if you feel it's important to blog 3 times a week but your beloved thinks it's a total time waster, you have a problem. A big one.

Inquire about the social media your spouse is involved in. None? Might want to find out why that is, and then consider carefully before going into business with her.

7. Can He Multi-Task?

How many things can your spouse do at once? Can he brew coffee, take a business call, look for a lost sneaker and monitor Twitter at the same time? I'm not saying that life is like that 24/7, but if you own a business and are also managing a home (again, especially if that includes the "pitter patter"), both of you simply must be able to do more than one thing at a time.

I remember once, we were in the midst of a very hectic day. Two kids under the age of 4, moving to a new home 600 miles away, saying good bye to family and running the business without taking a day off. It was really hard, but because we could multi-task (and because we clearly outlined who was responsible for what), we made it through.

Embrace multi-tasking as a way of life and don't let anyone tell you there's any such thing as balance. By the way, we also have part-time nanny and babysitting help with our kids. So even though we multi-task, we don't have a coronary trying to do everything ourselves. Ask for help when you need it. Even if you have to pay for it. Help. It's a good thing.

8. Is She Fair and Compromising?

Lisa Rodgers of Cactus & Ivy sells natural spa and body products from her studio in South Carolina. She told me that she is glad she doesn't work with her husband because "we nearly killed each other building our house." Lisa also told me that she loves her husband more than anything. But having said that, all couples have to consider whether working together in a high stress environment is something the relationship can withstand for many years.

Jamyla Bennu of Oyin Handmade in Baltimore, Maryland says that she and her husband successfully work together in their bath and body care products business, thanks to what Jamyla calls a "comfortable pattern of division of labor for household duties according to proclivity and skill." Sound fancy? She clarified: she does most of the cooking, he does most of the cleaning.

When it comes to business, Jamyla says that the patterns established in their personal relationship form the basis for a healthy business working relationship. She puts is like this: "We put the shorthand of our personal relationship to work in our business to help us us communicate and come to a decision about every issue." Fairness is important Jamyla says, to keep any one spouse from becoming overwhelmed.

I have experienced the importance of fairness first hand, especially where our children are concerned. My piece of advice in this area is simple: you are in for trouble if either of you has uncontrolled selfish tendencies when it comes to juggling business and young children.

I can't tell you the number of times we have dealt with this issue. We share a common goal of getting our kids to bed by 8:00pm, but what does that mean? After dinner, I wash dishes while he bathes, reads stories and tucks in on one night, and we switch the next? Sounds good, yes?

But what if on my night to do specific kid-relatedthings, a prospective client calls and wants answers to final questions that only I can answer, and he wants them before signing the lucrative new contract. Now. Hmmm, what to do? Should the person best suited to negotiate the contract do so while the other person takes over parent duties -- even if it means changing the prearranged set up?

Or should we keep to the set up and risk losing the client?

There is no right or wrong answer here. The fact is that, each situation has to be addressed on its own merits. You will make snap decisions like this constantly if you work together. You will have to change quickly, be flexible and sometimes sacrifice your personal desires for the benefit of the business and the family.

Yes, it can get complicated. Unless you and your spouse share a sense of fairness and flexibility where your shared goals are concerned, you'll be at each others throats when you should be enjoying precious family time and creating a strong and long-lasting business legacy.

Like Lisa Rodgers says, building a house is one thing. It's intense and frustrating, and you have to be flexible, patient and compromising when it comes to everything from paint color to the type of kitchen counter tops you get. But when you're building a house, there's a completion date and you both know the pain will be over soon.

In business, it's different. You have to compromise forever. If you don't, the end that may be in sight for your business and your relationship. And you do have to choose sometimes. For an honest discussion of why it is that entrepreneurship spells the end for so many marriages, enjoy my Indie Business Radio Show interview with SBTV host and author of The Girl's Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business, Susan Wilson Solovik.

9. Can She Set Boundaries?

Karen Thomas, an Indie Business owner who asked me not to use her name, told me, "My marriage ended in part because I worked with my husband. Disaster without any boundaries."

Sad but true that some people end up choosing or being forced to choose between the business and the relationship. Regardless of what you may think of that from a moral, ethical or social perspective, it is what it is. To avoid this as much as possible, it's important that both of you be able to set boundaries. Someone's got to be able to step in, with regard to any given situation, and say, "We have to draw the line here."

Michele Keiper of bath and beauty products manufacturer Flower Peddler experienced first-hand the need for boundaries when her husband worked in her company for a short time after he was laid off his job. Michele says it became important early on that they respect each others different work management styles, backgrounds and personalities. Says Michele, "My husband is an engineer so each decision is analyzed and reanalyzed before anything happens. To me, it is a painfully slow process. My Type A personality assesses a situation quickly, makes a decision and gets it done fast and at full throttle."

Michele is quick to point out that neither style is better, it's just different from the other one. She says that they matched their styles with tasks to get the job done. Michele stresses the importance of implementing boundaries around work time and couple time. She says that the experience of working together (which they don't anymore since her husband is employed elsewhere in his field) made them a stronger couple, and gave him a better understanding and respect for what Michele does.

Each person must commit to a specific job description and set of boundaries that do not change. In this way, you and your spouse know exactly what's expected of you, and don't disregard boundaries or fail to fulfill expectations without talking it over with the other person.

(For a detailed look at how one couple draws these boundaries, enjoy my online newsletter interview with Karen and Erik. The couple sold their business, but the tips they provided for successfully working together are priceless.)

10. Is She Forgiving?

When I asked Maggie Hanus, who co-manages with her husband the suburban Austin-based A Wild Soap Bar, what has made her business successful, she said, "My husband and I would have killed each other a long time ago without forgiveness." Maggie would know too, because in addition to A Wild Soap Bar, she and her husband also co-own a landscaping business. He does the labor, she keeps the books.

While neither Maggie nor I are likely to star in an episode of Snapped, the fact is that co-managing a business with anyone will inevitably include disagreements. People will make mistakes, sometimes extremely stupid ones. People will drop balls, become grumpy and irritable, forget to go to the grocery store before it closes and just generally drive you nuts. If you or you spouse are the type to rub in every fault, wallow in imperfection (yours or the other person's) and are just generally unable to forgive and (most of the time) forget, you are in for a bumpy road.

And lest we forget, Maggie reminds us of the importance of a good sense of humor. "There aren't too many situations that a good belly laugh won't improve," she reminds us.

If you think holding a grudge can destroy a personal relationship, it can be just as bad in a business relationship. If he screws up at home today, you have to forgive that. Otherwise, come Monday morning, you will come to the staff meeting with a nasty attitude. You've got to address the point of contention quickly and honestly, ensuring some accountability of course, but still moving on to tackle the tasks at hand.

There's One More Thing

There is this one last thing that I feel constrained to address. It's a touchy issue, but it is a very common one, and unfortunately, one that is not commonly openly addressed.

Sometimes, a significant other finds it difficult to handle the other partner's autonomy and/or business success. There can be millions of reasons for this, but whatever they are, this, perhaps more than anything else, is an almost insurmountable barrier to Indie Family Business success.

If you feel even the slightest bit of controlling behavior, put on the brakes. What do I mean? Let me be blunt. If your partner wants to own and control everything simply because she wants to be in control or pursue a selfish power trip, bow out now. He may not admit it, you know? But we all know it when we see it.

Address this issue openly and honestly. If both of you can't do that, don't prepare your resignation letter. For more information on how to address other issues, enjoy my interview on Indie Business Radio with psychologist and author of Entrepreneurial Couples, Dr. Kathy Marshack.

What about you?

Let me just say to anyone who has read this far (and thanks, because it's a lot of reading!), over here at Indie Business Headquarters, we do not have it all together. But we have experienced all of these issues (and more) so we feel that we can help others.

Our goal is not to share how perfect we are (and those of you who know us personally can attest to that), but to help others avoid some of the problems we wish people had told us about before we went into business together.

Still thinking of going into business with your spouse? Consider printing out this list and using it as a starting point for discussion. (And feel free to forward it to any friends you know who could use it.) If you can't share openly about everything listed here -- the good and the bad -- my suggestion is to put business partnership off until you can.

Business is Hard Enough Without Sabotaging Yourself From the Beginning

There's no way to know in advance whether a business will succeed. There's no way to know in advance if a relationship will succeed. But you can go into each with clear and honest expectations on both sides. That alone will help maximize your chances of success at both ends of the spectrum.

What do you think? Tell us about the business you have with a spouse or significant other. What tips can you offer to help the rest of us? Feel free to leave your comments below.

Related Posts

The New Family Business: 9 Reasons Why Home-Based Business Ownership Works
How to Hire a Family Helper
Raising Kids and Profits: 7 Parenting Skills to Make Your Business Successful
The Family That Grinds Together Binds Together
Family Second, Yet Still First
Family First

*For easy of reading, "she," "he," "him" and "her" are used interchangeably throughout this post.

Read more…

Boyz in the Fam

Who Stole My Hair, Makeup and Teleprompter??!

I recently invested in a laptop with a webcam. I didn't know it was there until I got it and my husband noticed it. Since I'm married to a professional photographer and videographer, I am used to spending most of my time in front of the camera. With a teleprompter. And with hair and makeup. And it's always a much better camera than this one, as you know if you've enjoyed any of the other videos at this blog. But since I have the most fun when I'm laughing at myself, I thought I'd share this quick glimpse into early morning life in the Indie Business household. I'm nuts, I know.

What do you think? Is this the best break you've had all day from the politics-heavy stuff you're seeing on everyone else's blog today?! Enjoy!

Read more…

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

One of my favorite poems is called "The Dash" by Linda Ellis. Written shortly after her grandmother’s death, it’s an eloquent invocation to live one’s life thoughtfully...So, what on earth is a dash and why should it count?We are born and then we die. But what really matters is what happens in between. By making a conscious choice to live our lives with passion and purpose, we can leave our mark on the world by leaving it in a better place than we found it.

THE DASHby Linda EllisI read of a man who stood to speakAt the funeral of a friend.He referred to the dates on her tombstoneFrom the beginning…to the end.He noted that first came her date of birthAnd spoke the following date with tears,But he said what mattered most of allWas the dash between those years.For that dash represents all the timeThat she spent alive on earth…And now only those who loved herKnow what that little line is worth.For it matters not, how much we own;The cars…the house…the cash,What matters is how we live and loveAnd how we spend our dash.So think about this long and hard…Are there things you’d like to change?For you never know how much time is left,That can still be rearranged.If we could just slow down enoughTo consider what’s true and real,And always try to understandThe way other people feel.And be less quick to anger,And show appreciation moreAnd love the people in our livesLike we’ve never loved before.If we treat each other with respect,And more often wear a smile…Remembering that this special dashMight only last a little while.So, when your eulogy’s being readWith your life’s actions to rehash…Would you be proud of the things they sayAbout how you spent your dash?(Article submitted by Michelle James: 1961 dash ....)
Read more…

Introducing GoChi's Benefits To Better Health!

In three recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human clinical trials, GoChi™ proved extremely effective for human health in 19 key areas. In the initial groundbreaking study, participants drinking just 4 ounces daily saw positive results in multiple categories of health and well-being in as little as 14 days! Two subsequent studies showed that drinking 4 ounces of GoChi on a daily basis significantly improved the body’s immune system and antioxidant capacity within just 30 days! The 19 benefits identified in FreeLife’s three GoChi studies are no coincidence. They are all interrelated, and have been collectively termed The GoChi Effect™.In addition to the beneficial study results, GoChi features special qualifications, standards, and certifications that make it suitable for vegans and vegetarians, keep it free from detectable pesticides, and ensure that it is gluten-free.Additionally, GoChi is not genetically modified or irradiated, contains no added sugar, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. It has a natural flavor that tastes great! We’ve enhanced our original juice blend, which now features a small amount of pomegranate to round out the color and taste!Benefit #1GoChi’s benefits start working the moment the alarm sounds each morning. The study showed that people in the GoChi group reported awakening easier and feeling more refreshed. The placebo group, on the other hand, reported no significant improvement in awakening.Benefit #2Awaking easier helps jump-start the day and sets the tone for higher energy levels. In the study, the placebo group experienced a slight decrease in energy levels, while the GoChi group experienced an energy boost throughout the day. This finding is significant indeed, as GoChi contains no caffeine or added stimulants.Benefit #3In the study, the placebo group noticed a slight increase in their fatigue level, as compared to how they felt at the start of the study. However, the GoChi group showed a significant improvement in the level of fatigue they experienced. Less fatigue means more stamina and endurance, and when you add that to the increased energy people found in the GoChi group of the study, it’s an unbeatable combination!
Read more…

My One Stop Shop for Free Cash Online!!!

Hello everyone! And welcome to my One Stop Shop for Money! This shop is open 24 hours a days, 7 days a week and open on all holidays!! No exceptions! Lol! I like to call this my personal ATM Machines where I enter my information and the checks and cash are implemented and sent out to me every week or month depending on which ATM or ATMS I choose to use that day. If you need some free cash, who doesn't right? And are looking for multiple ways to have cash sent to you on a reoccurring basis, check out my one stop shop here. You can earn tons of cash by taking alittle time to have fun with very little work. Its free to join and remember its always available to you anytime, day or eve that you need some cash! So join me and let's withdraw all this free cash together!Vanessa
Read more…

Being Overlooked

Have you been overlooked for a business deal, job promotion, etc. Well, welcome to the club of women in the business world. I have been coaching a few local women in business and they believe they will never reach success unless they leave Memphis. It's sad to say, They may be correct. It's very discouraging to hear women who do all the right things in their business dealings and come against every opposition possible.I often wonder what folks are thinking when they remain in their hometown to give back to the community, but treated with no respect, in regards to opportunities with their city, area of expertise, education, etc.It is a really true statement about, "It's not what you know, it's WHO you know"If you have gone through any of these things please blog with me. My mouth is large so I just call it what it is when I see it. I do pride myself in developing relationships not just business and being a resource to people.
Read more…

Weekly Update! Writers and Readers!

READ OUR NEW ARTICLES!!From A Writers POV has great articles this edition, so check them out here http://www.creativewritings-designs.com/tmp/index.html be sure to leave us your comments.Also, have you posted your website? From A Writers POV is posting the Top 100 sites on our site. Click here http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/fromawriterspov.htm and post your website on our homepage for FREE! Never know who's browsing around!Are you a women who's looking to empower other women? From A Writers POV is allowing women to submit writings on empowering other women. Check out our site here http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/fromawriterspov.htm for more details on the event.Lastly, leave your comments on our Weekly Feature by TrishaView this weeks Male Figure Writing Event by Safwaan and leave your commentsand view our inspirational writing of the week. You can see all of this on our homepage at http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/fromawriterspov.htmWe look forward to seeing your posts!!!!Dominique
Read more…

Etsy Shop Feature of the Week: Cutesieclips

Cute, fun and colorful all describe Cutesieclips Etsy Store. Various cute shapes and characters are created out of colorful felt making pretty clips for little girls. My favorite is the PINK heart of course. In addition, these beautiful clips are reasonably priced ranging from $4-$6. Check out the Halloween collection…very creative.By: Kamilah C.The Pink Lockethttp://thepinklocket.com
Read more…

Effective Small Business Credit Card Management

Small business credit card is a good way of building your business credit. Proper management of the small business credit card will turn to an effective business tool to help small business owners grow their businesses. It also strengthen your credit standing, thus it is very useful for additional financing for growth or expansion purposes. Misuse of your business credit card has the potential to destroy your business and dreams. Follow these small business credit card tips to effectively manage your credit.Avoid missed or late paymentsBe responsible for your monthly business credit card payments. Failure to comply the payments can leaves you vulnerable to higher interest, costly fees and a blemish on your credit record.Use GraceSmall business credit cards offer a 21-day grace period before you have to make payment on your purchases. Improve your cash flow using a credit card instead of checks and also, by maximizing your grace.Pay your bill onlinePaying online through business credit card companies website can saves time and avoid the extra costs normally incurred when making use of other modes of payment. It is a secured website and they ensure that your payments will not be subject to delays.Limit Card HoppingTruly when signing to multiple business credit cards gives you advantages on deals but it has a negative impact on your credit rating and managing you accounts can be difficult.Apply at HomeAlways consider applying for your small business credit card at your existing financial institution. This way, you can establish good relationship for the easy approval for other process.No Cash AdvanceAlways keep in mind that by not using cash advance feature on your card can reduce credit card fees and interest costs.Recommended Cards:Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit CardCiti ProfessionalSM Card with ThankYouSM Network
Read more…
Why do people stay in toxic or violent relationships?While a healthier person might find it very difficult to understand why someone would remain the target of another’s abuse, here are a few things that I have heard from people (both women & men) in regard to being in toxic relationships:1. “His anger shows he cares.”2. “No one has loved me like this.”3. “If I leave he’ll take the children.”4. “I am so unlovable (bad, ugly, hurt, used) I deserve abuse.”5. “My past is catching up with me. I deserve to be mistreated.”6. “He is not abusive. I’m a slow learner.”7. “God is teaching me: tough times are like lessons from God.”8. “I cannot make it alone.”9. “Relationships are never perfect. They all hurt in some way.”10. “You make your bed. You lie in it.”11. “Things will improve when we have children (get married, get a house, a job).”12. “He’s really a good person. When I make him angry he can’t help it.”13. “As long as he is sorry I can put up with anything.”14. “Things are improving, he doesn’t hit me like he used to.”15. “God will change him if I am obedient. The Bible says so.”The intensity, anger, aggression, in a toxic dance, places the victim on center-stage, and this focus is apparently experienced as some form of love.I believe that to use any of the excuses on this list indicates that the victim has lost the ability to love themselves first. My heart goes out to people in a toxic/abusive relationship that would use any of these excuses to remain in the relationship.Being a former victim myself, I recognize and can relate to all of these excuses. Back in the day when I was a victim, I used some of these excuses myself.Through the help of my family and my strong belief in God, I regained my positive self-esteem back ---- I’m a survivor. I gained back the strength, the courage to reach up out of the quicksand, and there were people there who reached back.There is help out there if you have the desire to seek it out. You can do this and you are worth it. There are many non-profit organizations whose hope and mission is to help empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, rebuild their lives, and ultimately help end violence within society. They can help you bridge the gap between being victims and becoming survivors.
Read more…

"When Does the Abuse End?"

In May 1995, I was a thirty-three year old woman who was in the process of getting a divorce. I had been in an abusive situation for nearly eight years. It wasn't only physical; it was mental and verbal as well. During part of this abusive period, I was pregnant. Then, it was really hard to say what I wanted to say about it. It seemed as though I had issues with communicating unless I was angry about something. I was angry about the fact that was going through a divorce when I never thought I would be. I figured that once I got married I would be so for life. What a laugh!I was married in March 1985 at twenty-three years old and the physical abuse started in June or July of that same year. It was slapping, punching, pushing, scratching, and all kinds of things that I never thought I would be going through. I always thought about leaving. I heard everything that people were telling me about my situation but, I would just filter out all information I didn't want to hear. Especially the information when they were telling me to leave. It seemed as though the more people told me to leave, the more I hung on to him. Looking for the good things that I knew was in him. Deep down, I felt that he was a good person but, he has issues that extended from his family. It took me some time to figure it out, but I finally realized that his problems are his problems to deal with. If he wants to better himself he has to want to do so it his own.Also, when you set out to change people, the only person that changes is you. Most time it's not for the best. The thing that woke me up to the kind of situation I was in was the last incident when I was hit in the head with an iron. I could have not seen it coming and not put my hands over my head to deflect the blow. That blow could have killed me. However, I'm alive and kicking today, but it still took time for me to leave. I stayed after the incident and was miserable because the relationship continued to go up and down. At times when we argued, I was scared to go into my own house. Several times when I did try to communicate to him, I told him that I felt like I was walking on eggshells in my own house and that is not how it should be. That always went in one ear and out the other.I lived on my own with my son for almost ten years until I finally married again in April 2004. I don't have to walk around like I'm walking on eggshells any more, but Every once in a while a "not feeling safe" feeling comes over, but it doesn't last because I won't let it. I will never again allow this man to have that kind of power over me again. If it had not been for my family and a few good friends, I'm not sure if I would have made it through this turmoil. My son had been a witness to a number of these events and to some of the outbursts that he had when he stated that he wanted nothing to do with us when we left. I thank God that he came out of this in tact because he grew up to be a very well-rounded, responsible, and compassionate young man. My getting us away from that situation gave us both a chance to heal and have a new life.
Read more…

Romance Novel: TWO LOVES, ONE HEART



This book depicts a woman's search for true love. I try to bring these emotions to life in the story of a young, ambitious woman who must choose between her first love turned abusive and an old friendship that develops into a passionate romance.Lynnette Thomas is a beautiful and passionate young woman from Atlanta who has firm plans for her life. She dreams about marrying her childhood sweetheart, Billy Matthews, launching a career in business administration and raising a family. Lynnette’s plans start out well as she and Billy get married and move to Charleston, S.C., to begin their life together. They are the perfect couple for a while, until Billy becomes extremely possessive and demanding of Lynnette. He starts using drugs, alienates her from her friends and ambitions and emotionally and physically abuses her.Billy ends up abandoning Lynnette while she is pregnant, leaving her feeling ashamed, hurt and alone. At her lowest point a long-lost childhood friend, Steve Montgomery, re-enters her life. Steve was a nerd in high school who loved Lynnette from afar, but is now a dashing, successful lawyer and sweeps Lynnette off her feet in a dazzling romance. Though both Steve and Lynnette are a little frightened by the new, unfamiliar feelings between them, they join together in a happy marriage. Their new life together flourishes until Billy resurfaces after a 10 year absence looking for a fresh start with Lynnette. Lynnette must decide whether to continue her life with Steve or give her first love a second chance.

Please copy and paste the links below into your brower window to view.PURCHASE LINK: http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=38034!AUTHOR LINK: http://www.authortree.com/carrielee10
Read more…

Promoting your Webinar

Know your target marketWhat are the common demographic of my webinarAre they male or femaleIs it B2B?What are the commonalities?Are they E-commerceWho is the decision makersTell your storyPress release:Create 3 Press Releases: The Basic PR- Who What When & WhyTip - Sells Release - example: 3 ways to grow your businessBonus Press Release - What people can winFor the rest of the story, visit: WEBINARS
Read more…

Blog Topics by Tags

Monthly Archives