Blogs

Hello BBWO!

I hope your holiday season is all that you want and more. In the spirit of sisterhood and small business support I invite you to post your holiday deals and new year specials below.

Small Business and Holiday Gift Offerings from BBWO Founder LaShanda Henry

• How to Guides - Hosting Webinars, Building Membership Sites and More...
• To Your Success ... New BBWO - SistaSense Jewelry Collection
• $45 off 2013 Power Circle Conference Registration via the link http://bit.ly/power45
• New Website for the New Year - Pretty Professional Websites Holiday Deals
• SistaSense 2012 Money and Marketing Formula (audio and video sessions) - Use CODE XMAS12 to get $30 off your instant download.
• Related post: Are you on Facebook? Share Your Page

Now it's your turn ...  post your holiday deals and new year specials below.

Small Business Success for Women in 2013 and Beyond

In light of the significant job losses resulting from the 2008 economic recession, there has been an intense focus on boosting small business as a way to stimulate job growth.  Yet, it’s becoming more evident that many of the issues plaguing the American workforce are also impacting the small business industry.  According to the Small Business Administration, as of 2010 there were 27 million small business firms in the U.S. and approximately 2.3 million have more than four employees.  However, 22 million of those firms are non-employer firms – better known as solo or micro entrepreneurs – with combined gross receipts of $950 billion.

This figure looks impressive as a whole, but when you divide the average revenue among 22 million small businesses, the typical “non-employer business” made approximately $43,000 in gross receipts.  Conversely, when you analyze the slice of the pie for women-owned small businesses, the numbers are much lower.  There are a number of reasons why solo and micro entrepreneurial women are not achieving higher revenues in their businesses, but it's certainly not from lack of hard work and passion.

Women-owned small businesses, particularly solo and micro entrepreneurs, add tremendous value to the U.S. economy and we’re an important source of competition globally.  The statistics tell the story:

• Women own 50% of all the solo and micro enterprises
• 52% of the private workers are employed by solo and micro businesses with the largest proportion of those employees being younger, older, women, or part-time workers
• Solo and micro entrepreneurs provide 80% of the net new jobs.  Sixty-seven percent of all workers received their initial on the job training from small business owners
• 53% of solo/micro businesses are home-based and 3% are franchises

Additionally, the advancements in mobile technology and social media are leveling the playing field allowing solo and micro entrepreneurs to compete with their larger company counterparts. However, there’s still considerable room for improvement and we have to do better!  Going into 2013, we have to make sure that those who make up the heart and soul of our economy –solo and micro women entrepreneurs – receive earnings that are proportionate to our contribution.

Subsequently, just like the U.S. pathway to job creation, the path to increasing profitability for women small business owners is wrought with challenges.  Working with no staff or a small staff, limited time and a constrained budget, small business owners must find a way to balance the development and marketing of their ideas with the speed of the information age. Market and customer needs are continuously shifting and the size and pace of the information and services available all across the world to meet those needs creates fierce competition for solo entrepreneurs.

The shelf life of the current knowledge and specialization for most small business owners is already close to expiration. We now live in a “knowledge economy” where our skills inevitably lose their relevance and niche abilities may be difficult to apply as opportunities and technologies evolve.  Whether you have a product or service-based small business, it is also important for you to be able to see across market sectors and connect the dots between how innovations in one industry can be applied to another.

Economists and business leaders both agree that the solution to sustaining a small business and increasing profitability for entrepreneurs is ongoing and more specifically tailored development of core business skills. This will help to keep your business on the front lines moving into the future. In order for women to compete, remain relevant, and earn more in 2013 and beyond, we must pursue training to obtain ADVANCED BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE and consistently focus on ways to INNOVATE our products and services. 

Watch the Path to Profitability Video Blog:

GPS is looking for 5 more People Who Prosper OR anyone that is successful, considers themselves successful, or on their way to success!

We are looking to feature and introduce people who are up and coming in their business or already there! PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place that features business owners and shares their stories with someone who just might be able to relate. Believe it or not, sometimes it helps to stay motivated when you hear other people's stories, and this is our goal: Not only to feature successful prosperous people, but to help keep others MOTIVATED.

So, WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF? We want you to tell US about YOU. It's easy for anyone to be a fan of your website, blog, Facebook page, or twitter. But PeopleWhoProsper.com is a place for you to challenge yourself and put yourself out there. We give you a chance to brag about yourself! Because let's face it, if you can't talk about you, then who else will? Tell us about your business and services and how long you've been in business. Why did you decide to go into business for yourself? We want to hear your story.

I am challenging you today to step out and tell others about you! Here's all you have to do: Email with subject line PeopleWhoProsper to tamara@garrisonprosperitysolutions.com Include your business name, website and a synopsis of "your story". After getting in touch with you, you will be sent a series of questions about yourself, your business and/or services. After you return the answered questions, you will then be featured on GarrisonProsperitySolutions.com and PeopleWhoProsper.com who have almost 300 visitors daily. So, take the first step today and tell us about yourself! You never know who will need to hear your story OR need your services!

Deuteronomy 8:18: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Barefoot Sandle sale Pick your colors

Buy 1 get 1 free SALE Urban Secret Dream Flower Crochet Earring

This year we have an extra day to make a leap toward our dreams. I wanted to share this message from my heart and a poem I wrote above entitled "Dreams in Due Season" to encourage you to keep going where ever you are on your journey...

So many of us start out life dreaming in wide-eyed wonder - then life happens and leaves us in a dazed slumber. We face disappointments, discouragement and detours...and we get practical.

We become sleepwalkers, settling for the ordinary because the dreams we had seem too lofty, too out of reach. My journey has been similar; throughout the years I've had great visions yet often get lost in loneliness and and weary when the dreams don’t always grow the way I imagined.

I want to encourage you today to arise, shine and bring those dreams back to life. Everyone was born with purpose and no one's purpose is more important than another's. There are dreams in your heart that were planted there for a reason to impact the world - we all miss out if you don't water them.

It's up to you to nurture them - give them some love and let them grow today. Don’t give up on your purpose…you’ll reap a harvest in due season if you don't give up!

My dream is to inspire you to realize and pursue the importance of your purpose. What's your dream? What vision or passion have you set aside for the more practical and everyday cares of life?

I dare you to nourish the seeds of those dreams, nuture them back to health and bring them to the Light – one step guided by God is like a leap and can take you further and higher than you can go on your own.

Share your aspirations, and the dreams you want to accomplish in 2012 in the comments, I'd love to hear them!

God bless, and keep dreaming and nurturing the dreams in your heart - the world awaits!

- Julene "Dreamfleur" Fleurmond
Inspirational Artist, Speaker, Writer, Dreamer

http://dreamfleur.com

Founder, Envibrance Dream Creations, Inspirational Apparel & Gifts

http://envibrance.com

P.S. Click here to read the story behind this poem and about a dream that has recently begun to come to fruition for me...

I am super excited and relieved after completing my first webinar!  I was invited to do a webinar with a friend and colleague of mine who has a business that compliments my services.  I wanted to share with you a few tidbits of what I learned in the process.

1. PRACTICE!  I practiced my presentation several times before actually doing the webinar.  This made all the difference because I became much more comfortable with talking about the topic.  So much so that after a while, I stopped looking at my notes.
2. Do your webinar on a topic you can do in your sleep.  Again, this helps with your comfort level while on the webinar.  You won't have to do any extra research -- just tailor your information to fit the topic and time frame of your webinar.
3. Promote your webinar often.  I used Facebook, Twitter, and my blog email list to promote my webinar.  I also had other people who have businesses who compliment my work promote it as well.  That way they were not advertising a competitor's services -- it was just colleagues cross-promoting for one another.  Ensure that the messages are sent out often as early as 3 or 4 weeks before the webinar up until minutes before it starts.  My webinar had many women opting in to participate minutes before it actually started.  In addition, those who opted in early will forget they signed up a day or two after.  You want to make sure you are constantly reminding them of the event to increase excitement.
4. Record your session so that you can share the webinar with people who were not able to attend.  Place the recording on a designated space on your blog or website so that people who are new to you and your business can listen to it and get a feel for who you are and what you offer.
5. Write a "tip sheet" to go along with your webinar and email it to people who listened.  The "tip sheet" is a great way to follow up with those who have an interest in your services.  You can further detail your products, your programs, invite them to join your social networks, etc.
6. Explain techie issues at the beginning.  If there is an online chat, special ways to mute and unmute callers, or other things that need to be said, do so at the very beginning of the call. 
7. Don't go longer than one hour.  People's attention spans are not that long.  Furthermore you must remember that people have other things they need to do outside of listen to your webinar.  You want to make sure your message is succinct.  Be sure to leave 10 to 15 minutes of space for questions at the end.
8. Keep track of questions people ask.  These questions may make great topics for blog posts and articles in the near future.  The questions can also give you some ideas on what additional products you may want to offer in the future.
9. Keep water nearby.  Talking for extended periods of time can dry your mouth and throat and lead to coughing -- not attractive on a webinar.  Keeping a glass of water nearby will eliminate this problem.
10. Have a plug for your phone and/or computer available.  Towards the end of my webinar, my phone started to die on me.  Although you can't hear it, I had to fumble around to find my phone cord and connect it in before it cut off.  Thankfully it worked out.

With some planning and self-confidence, it is possible to offer a successful webinar. 

Have you ever done a webinar?  What tips would you include on this list?

Halona Black is a Women's Health Coach, Personal Chef, and Writer.  You can read her blog about food, fibroids, and wellness at http://garlicandlemonsllc.com. 

By Connie Portis Nationwide —   What better time than now to say “this year, I am going to put myself at the top of the list and travel with Sisters & Friends on a relaxing and fun vacation.” During the annual Martha’s Vineyard Getaway women from around the country make that decision – from California to Michigan to Florida and many states in between women travel to reconnect, relax and recharge in a wonderful, inviting ‘no drama’ setting.

In 2015 over 100 women ended the week with new connections, an appreciation for gathering with like-minded African American women from different backgrounds, and a check off their bucket list to visit Martha’s Vineyard. There are two separate weeks to select from this year, September 11-18 or 18-24.

There are many details to enhance a girlfriends’ getaway. It is best not to leave anything to chance so you can be ready for the surprises you will have to handle. Here are three tips to assist with planning a wonderful event.

1. Define the Getaway purpose.  Getaways can range from all fun, health and fitness, personal and professional development, spiritual retreat and many more. It is important for marketing to have a focus that will energize the planner and prospective guests. Will you reach out to the public? Is it for a select group, a family, club or organization? Before you put the word out know your purpose so when sharing, others it will be clear if they are included in the invitation to join in.
2. Decide the best way to achieve the purpose. If it’s a no agenda gathering where lazy days, at will meals and venturing out is left up to each person; research the destination and provide information on activities one can do alone. If your getaway is activity driven, offer a written schedule of workshops, tours, and other group activities. Sisters & Friends Getaway to Martha’s Vineyard offers a non-binding agenda of activities in additional to support for do nothing guests who want to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings.
3. Make a detailed plan. A getaway is an event and proper planning important. In your marketing material, identify your target audience, show photos and suggest who might be interested. If planning activities set perimeters, secure speakers and space well in advance. Take note of Sisters & Friends Getaway form for more information before sending out specific information. It helps to know who is requesting getaway details.

Make your event special! Sisters and Fiends Getaway includes early morning spiritual dips in the ocean, workshops, sightseeing tours, nights laughing, playing games, solving the world’s problems, and enjoying meals and beverages. Visit www.sistersandfriends.com for more information.

It may come as a surprise to know that PowerPoint is still a powerful tool AND it offers another easy way to create social media images!

As you may be aware, Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites don't allow you to upload a PowerPoint slide/presentation however ANY PowerPoint slide can be saved as a JPEG or PNG. Just click on Save As, and then select JPEG or PNG from the Save as Type drop-down menu.

PowerPoint then asks if you want to export every slide or just the current slide. Select Current Slide Only, and you have an image file of your PowerPoint slide. If you’re comfortable using PowerPoint, take advantage of this capability to create social media images, images for your blog or website.

Thanks for the tip: Jill Celeste

Sharvette Mitchell

http://mitchell-productions.com/blog/view/507/make_any_powerpoint_slide_a_social_media_graphic_

Still a work in progress..but honored to support

"HIDDEN JEWELS OF THE COMMUNITY" amongst US..

SHOWCASE Magazine June 2013 Edition

SHOWCASE Magazine...... opportunity to learn, be empowered, be inspired at your own pace.

Chiezda Washington

"Don't allow what you don't have to keep you from getting what you want."

Building a brand is all about consistency. Your customers expect to have the same (or darn close to the same) experience whenever they come in contact with your brand.  After all, consistency leads to reliability and trust.

Since I've been doing a lot with visual maps these days, I've really gotten into studying how visual schemes impact your brand.  Here are a few tips that might help you.

Design Schemes and Associations

Think about this - what if you bought one of those red cola cans at a convenience store only to find when you drank it, something orange came out of the can.  That's pretty crazy, right?  You'd probably storm back into the store and confront the cashier at the counter with your red can.  The experience would make you second guess ever buying another from that store, or possibly, ever again.

In fact, that actually happened...sorta. Remember when they came out with clear cola?  It crashed and burned badly...why? Because we expect cola to be dark brown.  And when a very popular condiment maker came out with green ketchup, it ended up making appearances as a collectible on eBay, not on kitchen tables.

Something very similar happens with brands online.  Certain colors and design schemes are associated with certain products. If the product has the wrong color or design, it's off-putting to potential customers.

An important part of creating a consistent brand image is to choose a visual scheme that will always be associated with your name or your company’s name.

Your Visual Brand Language

To create a design and color scheme for your brand, you need to create a visual brand language, or VBL.

So what's that? A VBL incorporates design elements such as shape, color, materials, finish, typography and composition. All of these items together should work smoothly to communicate your company's values and personality.

For a good example, take BMW's front grill. When you see it on an advertisement or website, you automatically think of BMW and all the qualities associated with this luxury car designer. This distinct design feature is used as a visual marketing tool by the company to trigger feelings and associations in the minds of its target market.

An important key to creating a VBL is to remember that it isn't static, but something can be changed and used in different ways.

Think about Google's logo - basic letters on a clean white background. During different times of year or during promotions,  incremental changes are made to this basic design theme. Your VBL can be something flexible as well.

Visuals for Your Niche

Your own images need to create a brand personality that fits with your niche. Think about your target market and what they like. Consider your products and look at how other companies in your expert niche create their brand personality.

For example, some niches tend to showcase stark, hard line visuals, while others use soft, curvy lines. Each image a company uses fits with its personality to create a sense of consistency across all of its marketing and content creation.

Your Brand's Logo

The single most important visual element is your logo.  Recently, I went to my friends over at Logo Nerds to come up with a new design for me.  I knew the one I had was not fitting well with my niche and I wanted it to make a stronger connection with my brand.

To create a logo, you need to go back to your brand's unique selling proposition. What is your brand's promise and personality? These should be communicated through your brand's logo. Your logo should be based on this foundation and it should harmonize well with your other design elements.

The best practice when designing a logo is to start by choosing a primary and secondary color. The primary color is for your symbol, icon, or lettering. The secondary color is for the background. Take advantage of color meanings and associations when choosing colors.

The Importance of Visual Branding

A common business mistake is to bring in outside visual experts as an afterthought rather than a central part of your business's initial planning.  Remember when I mentioned redesigning my logo?  I have seen people make the mistake of trying to design their own, but that sometimes doesn't send a clear message about who you are and your professionalism.

Here's another resource for you.  Pam Wilson has an amazing blog that teaches a lot about visual branding.  Be sure to check out her Big Brand System here for great tips.

Remember - your brand's visual plan is just as important as your unique selling proposition or your products: it's part of your company's basic image and it can help you communicate clearly about who you are and what you do for your target market.

WANT TO RE-POST THIS ARTICLE ON YOUR BLOG OR USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?

You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it...

About the Author: Tanya Smith is a creative online business strategist and coach specializing in showing independent service providers how to simplify, save time & stand out with simple strategies that engage more quality leads and clients. Her company Be Promotable provides fresh actionable strategies and virtual resources to promote business owners as power players in their market. Get free tools to simplify and stand out online at: www.tanyasmithonline.com

Got a special project, a special event?  Have you decided to hire some help?

You will quickly discover that there are varying standards of excellence and performance.  Avoid drama trauma; do these 4 things.

1. Clearly state the scope of work.  Make sure you thoroughly outline the areas the vendor will be responsible for.  This can serve as a guide for the work that will be completed and can also help in narrowing your search to those who have specific experience in these areas.
   
   
2. Communicate expectations.  Openly share your thoughts and expectations of each section of the scope of work with the potential vendor so that there are no misunderstandings; everyone is on the same page.  Take a section/definition and ask the vendor, ‘What does this mean/look like to you?’  Clarify any differences and determine if you can comfortably continue with this vendor based on what you’re looking for and the outcome of this discussion.
   
   
3. Ensure the person you’re hiring can actually do the work.   Not only should they be able to perform the tasks, but the work performance should be above par.  Sometimes you’ll come across those who say they can do a variety of things, but they may only be proficient in one or two areas.  Unless you’re hiring for an entry level, on-the-job training position, don’t hire a novice.Go beyond reference checks.  Both a Motel 6 and Ritz Carlton have a place for you to lay your head, but the experiences are totally different!  Ultimately, the outcome is a reflection of you, your business, and your brand. If the vendor is responsible for the overall look and feel, and the experience of the end user, make sure they can deliver.
   
   
4. Make sure you are covered in the event of non performance.  After you’ve crossed the t’s, dotted the i’s, the final stroke is to make sure your contract with the vendor includes language that covers you in the event the vendor doesn’t perform.  Clearly lay out what will happen if the work is not completed per the written agreement and what recourse will be taken.
   
   

There you have it.  What have you done to successfully hire a vendor?

Latifah Abdullah is founder of Tibay International.  Using optimism, forward thinking, and passion for a woman’s well being, the Tibay Community provides tools, how to’s, and candid conversation on legacy wealth, business, finance, faith, fashion, and health – empowering women and women entrepreneurs to live a full, authentic life.

The community  uses a ‘whole person’ approach to provide business and personal resources to women and women business owners.

You have this vision. You have an idea. You know that if you could just get in front of the right people, you can seriously, change some lives. You even know that what you’ve got has value, and if enough people know about it, your life would be so different.

The reality is, doing business online is not as easy as the experts make it sound. You know in order to reap the rewards of your labor, you’ve got to build an audience. But, not just any audience, an engaged and loyal one.

You’re no dummy, you know building this audience is going to take time and effort. You realize that there has to be order, a process to making it happen. That all takes time. So you start to wonder, what should I do in the meantime?

What should you do NOW to get people wanting to know who you are?

Read Full Article >>

Happy Friday Ladies,

I have a few wonderful things to share with you today.

• Bittersweet is up first... today is the last day of the Boost Your Business and Holiday Sales Teleconference. Click here to get call in details our 7pm session tonight and/or listen to the replays.
• Wells Fargo Approves $1.24 billion in SBA loans. Click here to read more.
• 72 Hours Only - Early register for the SistaSense 2013 Conference and get access to the Rock the Web - Webinar series.
• Not sure what smart phone to choose? Watch this video - 50 Reasons Why Galaxy S3 Is Better Than iPhone 5
• We all need to be inspired. This video is definitely worth watching and sharing: The UGLY Truth About Me...
• Great video posted by Ola Jackson: Women Talking Business on OWN: Onyx Woman Network

More to come! I hope to talk with some of you on tonight's call and see quite a few of you at the Conference in January!

LaShanda Henry | www.mybbwo.com | http://www.facebook.com/black.business.women.online

P.E.A.S Magazine September 2012 Edition

Thank You For Your Ongoing Support.

Peas In Their Pods

I want what I want
I am worthy and deserving
so let's have it

Visit http://millionairebillionairetrillionaire.blogspot.com/

If you are an entrepreneur in the service industry or have physical products to sell, there are two things you must have in your business toolbox. Although, I have yet figured out how to incorporate one of them into my business, I do own both. So what am I talking about? The first thing is a smartphone. Not sure if you have seen the latest Blackberry commercial taking jabs at iphone users saying that they don’t need a toy but a tool help run their business. On a side note, I think Blackberry is trying to stay alive in a world that is all Apple everything. Almost everyone those I know with a Blackberry are leaving with for an iPhone or Android phone.

Whether you have a Blackberry, Android or, iPhone, you are already on the right path. Smartphone are great for busy businessmen and women. Yes, you can make calls, send texts/pictures/videos, and update your social networking profiles but here are tons of apps available that can help run your business. I can’t fail to mention that apps tend to be created and release more often for iPhone and Androids before they (if they are ever) are released for Blackberry. I think I have found a way around this for you guys, which I will talk about a little later.

Check on the entire post and learned about how you can turn your smartphone into a cash register.