Be The Boss Magazine

Caterina Rando…

Loud & Proud!

7 Keys to Courageous Success

Success is Failure that Failed

Pop The Cork and Get The Pen!

Jan/Feb 2013

Myth? People Don’t Do Business With Those They Know, Like and Trust

Master of the Basics Sales

13 Benefits of Networking & Partnerships for The New Year!

“It's a pretty bold move to call an event The Life Changing Conference’ but this is a bold event and I am a woman on a mission.” –Shelly Rice

13 Benefits of Networking & Partnerships for the New Year .........................................9

Its Your Silhouette. Decide to Shape it ....11

Dove Chocolate Discoveries .....................12

7 Keys to Courageous Success .................21

Thoughts Before Coffee .............................22

Define the Success You Will Celebrate Next Year Right Now .................................26

Pop the Cork and Get the Pen ..................28

Brand Yourself .............................................30

What is Success ...........................................32

People Don’t Do Business with those they know, like and trust ...................................34

Legal Shield ................................................42

Celebrate the Milestones ...........................44

Be The Boss Top Networkers ...................36

Origami Owl ................................................47

PREFERRED Business Directory .............50

PUBLISHERS

Right Brain Publishing

Shelly Rice and Margie Baxley

CONTRIBUTORSRobert ChristiansenDayna OffuttNancy BecherRobert NewTonie BoamanMichelle KettermanMarsha TalleyLisa CainLaura MillerCaterina RandoSusan RichKelley MooreAlicia WhiteLinda BallesterosPeter BiadaszCraig ThomasLisa Vining

TUESDAYS AT TWO45

WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS15

Events ...........................................................5

The Life Changing Conference ................6

Tuesdays at Two .........................................45

Dallas Referrals Network ..........................19

Networking for Women Fan Pages .........24

Caterina Rando…

Loud &Proud! 14

Southern Vendors for Events

East Coast Vendors for Events

Western Vendors for Events

Midwest Vendors for Events

Texas Vendors for Events

Chicago Vendors for Events

Florida Vendors for Events

Georgia Vendors for Events

6

March 12-Indianapolis, IN 14-Franklin/Nashville, TN June 18-Columbus, OH 20-Cincinnati OH 25-Louisville, KY August 8-Atlanta, GA 13-Orlando, FL October 15-Tulsa, OK 17-Dallas, TX 19-San Antonio, TX 22-Austin, TX 24-Houston, TX

It's a pretty bold move to call an event ‘The Life Changing Conference’ but this is a bold event and I am a woman on a mission. A note from Shelly Rice… In the last 24 years, I have produced hundreds of events that have taken place in more than 50 U.S. cities. Out of all of these events, The Life Changing Conference is my proudest business accomplishment. I have put my entire heart and soul into creating this event and I have set very high standards for every aspect of the conference. My goal is that every single woman who attends will walk away inspired, motivated, empowered and armed with strategies to make powerful changes in their lives and in their businesses. I have been blessed with incredible business mentors and success partners. Most of my mentors cringed when I told them that I was only charging $25 for this full day conference. My response was "I would do this free, if I could. I realize that most business conferences of this caliber cost hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars, but my goal is bigger than making a bunch of money. My goal for this conference is to arm business women with tools, strategies, information and connections that can improve and grow their companies and their lives. I believe very few of us, including myself are living to our true potential. I believe we are all capable of greater accomplishments, and there's no time like now to embrace change. I hope you and your women business friends will join me at a conference near you. You have my promise that I will do everything within my means to make this a life changing day for you.

Produced by Shelly Rice & Associates and Women Who Mean Business

7

8

1. Being active: Believe it or not, by just getting yourself out there and connecting to people you are moving your career forward

2. Openness: By allowing yourself to be open you gain more information and then share information with others.

3. Information: When you network both online and at events there is the exchange of infor-mation from the start.

4. Knowledge: Networking helps you expand your knowledge about where you want to grow and puts you in the position to help others.

5. New leads: Networking allows you to gain new ideas and new approaches that you didn’t think of before

6. Contacts: You are sure to make great new business contacts and connections.

7. Skills: The more you network, the better you do and the more chances there are that you will grow.

8. Reputation: If you start networking a lot and become good at it, you will get a reputation for being a person people want to talk to and get to know.

9. Support: Getting advocates to be on your side is like word of mouth advertising. These people will help spread good information about who you are and what your business does.

10. Self Esteem: As humans we need to socialize and network, which leads to making friends and getting people to like us. All this leads to higher self esteem. Higher self esteem makes you happy and in turn makes you create a better position for yourself so that you and your business will grow.

11. Co-Marketing: Stragic Partnerships in co-marketing online and offline once you have taught yourself how to do the previous benefits listed.

12. Mentorship: Most of us want to have the opportunity to be recognized as an expert in our respective field of work.

13. Did we mention Make MONEY? Let’s get to the nitty-gritty we all need to make money and I know 70% of our business comes from networking or referrals. What percentage of your business is from networking or referrals?

Tonie Boaman www.ROIbusinessclub.com

13 B E N E F I T S O F N E T W O R K I N G & PA R T N E R S H I P S F O R T H E N E W Y E A R !

Tonie Boaman 9

BoRProduct.com800-313-5911 x304

Facebook.com/SpeakersBriefcase

Mention this ad and save 10% off any service! Ends 2/28/13.

If your back of the room presenceisn’t as MEMORABLE & PROFITABLEas your on-stage presence... ...you are missing out!

Speakers, Authors, & Coaches:Get your own Back of the Roombranding and products today!

BoRProduct.com800-313-5911 x304

Facebook.com/SpeakersBriefcase

The Author’s BriefcaseTM

You have your book, now promote it!

*Mention this ad and save $50! Offer ends 2/28/13.

Your Custom Brand on1000 Business Cards1000 Postcards1 Retractable Banner

11“It’s Your Silhouette. Decide to Shape it.”By Marsha Talley, CEO/Founder of Silhouette’s Café LLC

I will never forget that moment. 2010 was the year. I had been working out extremely hard and had lost forty pounds, but I had not really seen myself. It happened at one seemingly insignificant moment as I walked pass a mirror, after coming home from the gym, and was stopped in my tracks. The reflection was surpris-ing! I looked good even with all the stretch marks that streaked my stomach and upper thighs. I turned to the side, caught a glimpse of my silhouette, and felt like celebrating! All the sweat and tears had paid off, and it was in that moment that Silhouette’s Cafe LLC was born.

As I grew as a person, the idea of silhouette also grew. From the desire to lose weight, change my physical shape, and regain my self-confidence, it matured into a desire to reshape my mind. Why do so many of us neglect our mental health, but focus exclusively on our outward appearance? Is it because we feel the mind is unseen and can be hidden unlike a person who is clearly over or underweight? The problem is most of our physical, emotional, monetary, and relationship issues stems from the inward parts – our minds. This is the root of all problems and solutions.

So, Silhouette’s Café went on a journey to discover products that could nurture the mind while reshaping the body. Today, you can visit our website www.SilhouettesHealthCafe.com and find an array of products rang-ing from coffee and tea to essential oils, all with your weight management, skin, and hair care in mind. Our products are highly qualified, organic, and certified with the highest levels of purity. Each has the ability to heal or remedy most common ailments, uplift your mood, satisfy your appetite, and most importantly, get you in the best shape of your life.

We are eclectic in our selections, but our philosophy will never change. Our health is our wealth. Start reshap-ing your silhouette today! Visit our home online and complete your first order. Cheers to your success this year living an inspired lifestyle!

12

My name is Laura Miller and I would like to tell you about the chocolate adventure of a life-time. September 30, 2009 was a day that forever changed my life. My plate was already full as a wife, mother of two and direct seller with another company. I was attending a Susan G. Komen event browsing the vendors when I came to a woman with cupcake samples. After tasting a delicious cupcake, I started talking to this woman and found out she was a Dove Chocolatier. Before it was completely out of her mouth, I said “I want to be a Chocolatier!” Thinking back now, I have no idea why I said that, but it started me down a path to great success.

The Lady explained that Dove Chocolate Discoveries was a party plan company and a new division of MARS Inc. She told me that being a Chocolatier was a ton of fun and I didn’t need any special training to join. I signed up thinking that chocolate would go well with my other business. I figured that even if I didn’t sell a lot of chocolate at least I would get a discount. I never dreamed being a Chocolatier would change my life!

That night I posted on Facebook, “Yum!!! I am officially a Chocolatier: Please support me in this new adventure! Now I can do my two favorite things at once: scrapbook and eat chocolate! Let me know if you would like to book a party or better yet, become a Chocolatier yourself!” The next morning, I woke up to discover several of my Facebook friends had signed up to be Chocolatiers! It didn’t take long before I realized the great potential this new company has to offer. It is nearly impossible to find someone that doesn’t like chocolate and unlike many other direct selling companies there are relatively few Chocolatiers.

Through attending events and networking my team started to grow quickly. I now have Chocolatiers in 14 states, from California to Florida, New York to Texas! I was appointed to the Advisory Board for 2012-2013 for being the #2 recruiter in the company. I personally added 26 Chocolatiers to my team last sales year and am on pace to do it again.

The first ever Dove Chocolatier incentive trip was last year. I earned a free trip for both my husband and I. It was a wonderful 5 day getaway at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. I have already earned the trip for next year and can’t wait to attend.

Each day with Dove Chocolate Discoveries is a celebration that allows me to spend time with my family while making friends, eating chocolate and earning a living. Everyone loves chocolate and Dove has premium delicious products that people can’t get enough of.You can check out my Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/DreamTeamChocolate/info and my website at http://chocolatierlaura.com

Dove Chocolate DiscoveriesLAURA MILLER

http://chocolatierlaura.com

CATERINA RANDO

Caterina Rando Channels Her Passion to Create Thriving Entrepreneurs

By Susan Rich

“Be loud and proud about the value you bring!” Caterina Rando

“If you’re one of those peo-ple who believe that a single person can’t possibly take your business to the next level, you haven’t met Caterina Rando.” says client Blaze Lazarony, a transformational life and busi-ness coach, “Let’s just say with Caterina, you get to decide how much you want to THRIVE, the sky is the limit.”

Caterina Rando: Entrepreneur, visionary, encourager, doer. Her big dream is to one day give a speech to an enthusiastic audi-ence on the moon, but for now her whole purpose is to help people thrive through entre-preneurship so they can uplift themselves, their families, their communities and make a better world.

Caterina lives this ideal, and she coaches her clients to use generosity, accessibility and a willingness to serve as the cor-nerstone of their own business. Here’s how she used this same approach to build a business that is not just viable—it is her ideal business life.

A family of entrepreneurs Caterina grew up surrounded by the entrepreneurial spirit. A second-generation Italian-American, she recalls how one grandfather owned a grocery store, the other was a shoemaker

with his own store. Even her parents also stayed busy with the latest “scheme of the week,” her father’s affectionate term for her mother’s endless array of creative, money-making proj-ects.

“My mom created a choco-late chip cookie recipe, she ran an Italian novelty tee shirt business,” Caterina recalls. “Everyone worked hard. I’m not afraid to work hard—I like to work hard. Even when I’m on vacation I’m thinking about my own next scheme of the week. My business is my creative out-let. Frankly I consider myself an entrepreneurial artist.” This constant internal wrangling and idea capturing for the next big thing is what catapulted Caterina to success, but it didn’t happen overnight.

In the early 90’s Caterina ran a café and catering business. She loved having a business, loved visiting with the custom-ers, welcoming people to her place. She took pride in making an outstanding cappuccino and serving delicious fresh food. Yet, she wasn’t personally fulfilled.

She knew that she was capable of more than whipping up meat and cheese trays and fancy fruit displays. She was searching and wondering what her path was. Then one day she offered some business advice to a distraught customer, words that turned the woman’s business life around.

“When she came back a few weeks later to say thank you, her gratitude literally touched my heart. I felt a pang of bliss in my chest. That was the moment, that was my epiphany. I said to myself, ‘I want to dedicate my life to help people be successful in business.’” Caterina says.

To improve her café and catering business, Caterina had already been working with coaching pioneer Laura Whitworth to offer her life and business guid-ance. At the time, Laura and two partners had just started the Coaching Training Institute. Laura told Caterina she would be a good coach.

Continued page 16

“I don’t know what Laura saw in the shy and insecure woman I was back then, like a great coach, she saw something in me I did not see myself. I was smart enough to listen to her.” Caterina was one of four people in the first graduating coaching certification class at CTI. She also returned to the University of San Francisco, adding a Master’s in life transitions psychology to her under-graduate degree in organizational behavior.

From the very beginning, Caterina had a solid client base which she attributes to using public speaking to add clients. She coached small business owners over the phone or in person. The advent of the internet expanded her reach, and soon she was offering teleseminars and group coaching sessions to a national and international audience.

Her passion for helping entrepreneurs grow and thrive is a mission that has held strong for the last 20 years. Like every small business owner, there were lessons to be learned and obstacles to overcome.

“There were times when I felt less confident about my path, times when I felt more confident. The business has taken many forms over the years. It depended on economic cycles and business opportunities,” she says.

It’s this attention to honing a business model with at least a few income streams that Caterina teaches today. She is the first to admit it takes persistence—and then there’s the joy when a busi-ness idea works and finally clicks, the realization that creative thinking, risk taking and business momentum equals unstoppable:

“Today we have a business model we love—live events, special programs and book publishing. I want to build more, there is more coming in the future. We’ll have train the trainer certifications, we’ll be rolling out more products.”

And then there’s her dream: “I want to start a funding division and an incubator program for entrepreneurs who have service-based businesses, it’s part of the legacy I want to leave behind.” This idea is akin to an angel investor program, and one Caterina hopes to roll out in the coming years.

Loud and Proud about BusinessCaterina has two hallmark events: the Sought After Speaker Summit and the Business Breakthrough Summit. These two-day intensive workshops deliver the strategies that generate what Caterina calls insta-clients and insta-revenue.

“I first started speaking because it seemed like an easier way to get clients. I’m a shy person and I found that speaking was easier for me than networking,” she explains.

As her reputation grew as a sought-after speaker, Caterina’s business revved into high gear. She knew she was onto something when one speaking gig netted her more income in three hours than she earned in one month.

It was knowledge she wanted to share with her clients, and she decided a weekend extravaganza was the best way to get it done.

“It’s like inviting people to your house for a party. You get to define the whole event—It’s your brand, your philosophy, your design. You want to be welcoming, inclusive and make sure every-one leaves having their expectations exceeded. The summits allow me to better serve my clients,

to spend more time with them, and to give them a chance to work with me more closely afterwards through my six-month Platinum Programs.”

Clients can also schedule a VIP day with Caterina—the two of them will hammer out specific business strategies in either a full- or half-day session.

“Caterina Rando is the best. She is warm, funny and focused,” says client Victoria Buckman. “She helped me recognize my own strengths and confirmed that I am on the right path…I could clearly see the next steps to my own greater success!”

You’ll never regret getting started. Creating a viable business model is much like the road not taken: Choices get made and that hooked path sometimes crunches woulda-coulda-shoulda.

“You can’t let that stop you,” Caterina says. “Things happen in the right time. Take the events. They’re a lot of work, and at first I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to fill the room. Now they’re so successful, I wish I’d started earlier. There really is no time like the present.”

The biggest regret can be failure to act, she says. “Malcolm Gladwell (author of The Tipping Point) says in his book Outliers it takes 10,000 hours to get to mastery. I want everyone, including myself, to get to mastery sooner. But we wait, we don’t get started because we think, ‘I have to be an expert first.’ If you wait till you are ready you have waited too long. You have to get started so you can get to mastery.”

Caterina’s personal strategy here is simple: “In most cases I don’t wait—I just take the risk.” It has worked well for her—one of Caterina’s leaps led to the formation of Thrive Publishing.

“Entering the publishing business, that was a total risk. I was teaching my first group coaching class. There were 13 women in the class, all telling me in privately that they wanted to write a book. After the third woman said it to me, the light bulb went off. I realized if they all want to write a book, why not put them all in the same book? All they’d have to do is write one chapter apiece.”

Over the last five years, Thrive Publishing has…thrived. More than 27 titles have been published and Caterina expects to produce at least five more books in 2013. This is a win-win business model, because the authors gain credibility, garner more speaking engagements, engage more clients, and earn more money. And Caterina earns the satisfaction of introducing new voices to the business community.

None of this would have been possible if Caterina hadn’t followed the strategies she teaches: “You have to have systems created in your business, and you have to have the support that allows you to execute strategy. Processes and systems are what build the foundation. Everything has to be solid before you can do something new.”

Tie this with the concept of mastery and you create a business model that focuses on one specific goal at a time. Achieve it, then move on to the next big thing, she says.

For her, that means adding in the Personal Breakthrough Luxury Retreat. Her first one, held earlier this year, was a rousing success; the next one is set for 2014.

“The idea is that success in business is not only about sales and marketing. It also comes from the inside out, by taking time to reflect, to rejuvenate, to uplift yourself,” she explains. “It’s a chance for women to connect in a non-business setting where we focus on personal development, not the bottom line.”

Continued page 16

Good Deed TeaOne advantage of entrepreneurship is the freedom to create a legacy, one that lingers long after that last speech is given. A Good Deed Tea is Caterina’s brainchild and one that already has touched women who live in far away places.

“A Good Deed Tea is where we raise money for entrepreneurial training and education so women and girls throughout the world can improve their lives. We host afternoon tea parties and invite our guests to donate $1,000 over the course of the year,” she explains. The donations can be directed to one of three groups A Good Deed Tea supports.

In less than three years, A Good Deed Tea has thrived: “We’re teaching women in Nepal and Kenya how to start and run their own businesses and we support reading programs for young girls in Mumbai,” she says.

Looking back on her own successes, Caterina can’t help but reflect on the bright future other entrepre-neurs can share:

“I believe when you have your own business, you are living in the light, you are living authentically. You don’t have to sleepwalk through your life 9am-5pm, you don’t have to sell your soul, your self, or your values. You get to decide what you do, and who you do it with because you have your own business. There is nothing better.”

Caterina has so many ways to support entrepreneurs to thrive. Here are links to the different pro-grams mentioned in this article. Sought After Speaker Summit www.soughtafterspeaker.com Business Breakthrough Summit http://www.bizbreakthrough.com Personal Breakthrough Luxury Retreat www.breakthroughluxuryretreat.com .To find out about Caterina’s charity visit http://www.agood-deedtea.org . Caterina would love to hear from you and can be reached at 415-668-4535 or via email at cat@caterinarando.com .

Special something for you. Email Caterina and tell her you saw this article and she will send you a special gift you grow your business.

18

http://soughtafterspeaker.com/

7 Keys to Courageous Success

Kelley Moore

Reams have been written on what it takes to succeed in life. I say it’s not as complicated as most people make it. Here’s my list. Take what’s best for you and leave the rest.

1. We are in this together! Each of us brings talents to the table. Focus on what you do best—know your strengths—and surround yourself with those that are strong where you aren’t. It takes guts to own your challenges and is a sure sign of a winner to seek out those that bring other talents to the team…be courageous.

2. Back up and Re-group! If you hit a wall, find another way to make it work. Quitting never wins…perseverance will. Whatever *it* is for you, stick with it. You may get an outcome you didn’t want, but I bet you learned something. What a gift! Remove the word “failure” from your vocabulary…it’s not failure…only feedback. Learn from it! Then try, try again; another way!

3. Be true to you! Take time for yourself every day to honor you and show yourself love. Meditate, read a book, work out, or take a bubble bath. Whatever the choice for you, do it! You must recharge your battery, or you’ll have nothing left to give. You can’t run on caffeine, little to no sleep and sheer determination for long.

4. Actions First…Feelings Follow! If you aren’t where you want to be today, take action. Tomorrow will be no different from today if you do the same things you’ve always done. Doing the same thing over and over, won’t get you different results. Change happens TO you, transformation happens WITHIN. You may not feel like trying something different, do it anyway…your feelings will follow.

5. You are what you think! Remember those signs in your elementary school cafeteria: “You are what you eat”? I say, “You are what you THINK”. It’s true that thoughts become things. What you think about most is what is most present in your life. Think you can, ALWAYS!

6. You’ll pick up what you’re putting down! You get back what you put out there. If you want help, serve others. If you want open and honest relationships, be a model of openness and honesty. If you want acceptance, accept others. The real power in this ‘law’ is just like Zig Ziglar said, “You can only get what you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”

7. It’s all on you! Your life really is yours! You get to make all the choices, you get to choose the cast of characters and you get to write your ‘book’. Just like all stories, there will be an end. Do the best you can in each moment because this moment is all any of us can really count on.

Choose courage. Choose kindness and love. Choose commitment. Choose to put out there what you want back and choose to live, laugh and love in every moment.

7 K E Y S T OC O U R A G E O U S S U C C E S S

21

THOUGHTS before coffee

Robert ChristiansenIt’s 2013! Happy New Year! Here’s another brand new year for you to achieve your success however you define it. Maybe that’s making more money, being healthier, finishing a project or seeing a loved one taken care of? Maybe it’s getting your business to run more on its own with less daily effort on your part? Whatever it is for you, Napoleon Hill said it best, “The start-ing point of all achievement is desire.”

Desire is absolutely necessary to achieving suc-cess, so is commitment, drive, and passion too. All of which are great to make you unstoppable when combined with a purpose. Many people go through year after year of their lives just making money, paying bills and watching TV to supplement their existence. But to really get on the path to success, it takes what W. Clement Stone referred to as “Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.”

A definite purpose spoken has a strong impact on people. A purpose is what you stand for. As in, “I stand for healthy, well-educated chil-dren who are free to explore their imaginations fully!” It’s being focused and determined that’s attractive to other business people, investors and potential partners. Writing out the details of your purpose transforms words into goals and as

famed founder of the Personal Development Industry Paul J. Meyer stated, “Success is the progressive realization of predetermined, worthwhile, personal goals!”

Desire, definite purpose, written goals – all solid elements for success and the point at which action must be taken. Granted, writ-ing down your goals is an action, but real action involves meeting with people, making phone calls, putting actual actions into getting your success plans in motion. I find getting out meeting people face-to-face is the best method to make your desires known. Call it ‘networking’ if you wish, but since all busi-ness involves people, it’s the best way to get yourself in gear immediately! “Action is the foundational key to all success.” said Pablo Picasso and consistency of your efforts will win the day! Quoting Sophocles, “Success is dependent on effort.”

Every day I run into people who have taken on a strong purpose for personal reasons in both for profit and non-profit endeavors. Sometimes they have significant experience they leverage, more often than not their suc-cess is what Mark Twain spoke about when he said, “All you need is ignorance and con-

22

Success is Failure that Failed

THOUGHTS before coffee

fidence and then success is sure!” But how do they succeed? How do they overcome the obstacles inherent in a world that seems to be hellbent at putting road blocks at every turn? Ancient Rome’s greatest philosophic poet Virgil observed simply, “They succeed, because they think they can.”

In the end, your desires, purposes, goals actions and consistent efforts create habits that produce results. Its review of and cor-rections to your actions that adjust your results getting you closer and closer to the successes you desire. According to Michael Jordan, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed!” He religiously reviewed every game to find where he could improve his tactics and tech-niques for the next game. It’s one of the key reasons he’s one of sports history’s greatest champions! Then he got back out on the court and practiced his successful actions until they became second nature!

I like the Dale Carnegie Institute and have attended many courses to improve my skills in public speaking, motivation and writing. One of the greatest lessons learned was said by Dale Carnegie himself, “Develop success

from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.”

From this I learned that there really isn’t anything called ‘failure’. You are either in the process of learn-ing how to do something or you have achieved the level of success you were after and are now ready to go to the next level! I wish you all the very best of learning and success in 2013!

Robert ‘Bob’ Christiansen, Jr. is a dreamer, imag-iner and optimist WHO’S greatest strength is inspiring others to believe in their ideas. A native of Long Island New York, his simple yet inspired

event and ‘ninja marketing’™ practices produce real positive results. Consistently raising the bar and bringing it crash-ing down on stagnating anachro-nisms, Bob personifies possibility – “See Something, Do Something.”

Contact Robert Christiansen by E-mail at bobc511@yahoo.com or by phone 631-334-1766. Let’s Connect! Via facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rchris-tiansenjr

23

The Heart Link Networkwww.Facebook.com/TheHeartLinkNetwork

Premier Women’s Networkwww.Facebok.com/PremierWomensNetwork

Ladies Evening Outwww.Facebook.com/LadiesEveningOut

Women Who Mean Businesswww.Facebook.com/wwmbiz

Shoe Sisterswww.Facebook.com/ShoeSisters

Journey of Possibilitieswww.Facebook.com/JourneyOfPossibilities

The Sophisticateswww.Facebook.com/theSophisticatesTampaBay

eWomenNetworkwww.Facebook.com/eWomenNetwork

26

YOU WILL CELEBRATENExT YEAR RIGHT NOW!

DEFINE THE SUCCESS

Written by: Michelle Ketterman

Do you ever wonder how the most success-ful people became successful? Have you tried to figure out their secrets? Are you willing to spend less than an hour right now and a few minutes each day to become suc-cessful?

It’s much easier than everyone realizes; just follow these five simple steps and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish and how successful you can become in a very short time…by writing your life script for the upcoming year:

1. How Do You Measure Success? As unbe-lievable as it is, most people do not actually know what defines success for them person-ally. Make sure to take as much time as you feel is necessary to have a really good idea of the successes you want to see happen in the next year. Remember that everyone defines success differently and don’t be swayed by anyone else’s image or idea of success – only your definition matters! In October of each year, I begin to think about what I want to accomplish and my expectations for the following year. Throughout October and November, I continue contemplating what I want the most for the next year. I think about the three things I want in these areas of my life: physically, spiritually, profes-sionally, personally, and financially.

2. Write in the Past Tense – In December, after taking my time to figure out exactly what I want to work on and the successes I want to happen in the upcoming year, I

write it out – this is my Life Script. I ALWAYS write my life script in the past tense, as if it has already happened and I use a lot of posi-tive and empowering words such as amaz-ing, phenomenal, exciting, fantastic, and so on. This is critical because you cannot be as successful as you want without knowing what you want and acting as if you already have it! My life script always beings with, “2013 (or upcoming year) was a phenomenal year because…” or “2013 was the most amaz-ing year for me because…”

3. Record It – After my life script is written, I record it using an exuberant voice – I want to capture as much excitement and positive emotion as possible in the recording. I record the life script by reading what was written in step 2 above. The recording is always less than 3 minutes long. Recently, I have added a quiet piece of non-intrusive music on my life script MP3. There are countless websites with royalty-free music at no cost. Your recording and the background music can be combined using Garage Band (Mac) or Audacity.com (Mac or PC).

4. Listen to It – A lot of people post their printed Life Script around their home and office. That can be beneficial. However, if you want to really reach your goals and real-ize YOUR definition of success, load your recorded Life Script on your iPod and listen to it every time you get in your car. Allow me to illustrate: A typical day for me includes a trip to the gym, at least one stop at a store, checking the mailbox, picking up dry clean-ing, etc. In a day where I had to run every one of those errands, I would hear my Life Script when I got in the car to go to the gym, when I left the gym to stop at the store, when I left the store to check the mail, when I left the mail to pick up dry cleaning, and again when I left the dry cleaner to return to the home office. This means I heard and rein-

27

About Michelle Ketterman: An experienced category creator. Michelle Ketterman, The Inventory Expert, singlehandedly pushed a little known industry into mainstream awareness. Armed with little more than tenacity, strong ethics, and the unshakable belief that her vision would be realized, Michelle beat the odds and defined her personal success. In addition to creating the largest and most trusted third-party home and business inventory company in the world, she trains, mentors, writes and speaks about overcoming diversity, never accept-ing defeat, and plowing through any obstacle with a smile and a clear intention.

Michelle is known for being honest and fair and getting to the point as quickly as possible because she believes there is no limit to what each of us can achieve once we know who we are and what we truly love. For updates and motivational information, text Ketterman to 71441. Michelle can be found online at http://www.MichelleKetterman.com, Twitter.com/mgKetterman, or http://Facebook.com/MichelleKettermansPage.

forced my Life Script at least 5 times in one day! I also recommend you listen to your Life Script as soon as you wake up every morning and right before you go to sleep every night to ensure your begin and end your day with the excitement of successes and results you want. A real dedicated Life Scripter listens to their Life Script 10-15 times every single day, and at less than 3 minutes, that’s only 30-45 minutes of every day. That’s less than one hour a day to reach your success! Side note: put the Life Script MP3 on your iPod, iPad, phone, tablet, laptop, computer, etc. so it is always readily available and keep a spare set of headphones on your nightstand to make it easy to listen when you wake up and when you go to bed.

5. Track Your Progress – Committing to the Life Script process does not guarantee 100% success every year, but it does guarantee that you will be MORE successful than you would have been without the Life Script process. It absolutely blows me away to look back at what I accomplished using the Life Script! It has become a bit of a game for me where every year I get more bold and audacious with my Life Script and I am challenging you to do the same. So be bold and be audacious and write the script for your 2013!

Please let me know if you need help with your Life Script and do not wait another day...write your script today

POP THECORK AND

GET THE PEN

It’s cold outside, the wind is blowing, it may even be snowing where you are. Put another log on the fire, pop the cork and pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine. It’s the end of the year. You made it. Celebrate your suc-cess.

But what about next year? It will be here before you know it. Have you written down next year’s goals yet? Do you have a plan for next year? What will it look like? Where will it take you? What can you improve on?

Sounds kind of overwhelming doesn’t it? You may be asking, “Wait, you just said celebrate your success, can’t I at least have a minute?”

Sure you can. And downtime is extremely important, I know because it is one area I struggle with the most. But down time and a relaxing evening are the best times to reflect and plan. I’m not talking about a hard core planning session with white boards and conference calls.

During the holidays, take an evening like I described in the opening paragraph. Take your journal, or a pad of paper, and just reflect for a moment on what went right this year. What were the victories that made you feel good, that made you smile and let out that big sigh of relief? Jot them down.

Who are a couple of new contacts you made this year that trig-gered a thought in the back of your mind, “Hey, I’d like to do some business with them.” Make a note of them.

What problem came up that gave you heartburn this year before you got it resolved? What did you do to put out the fire? Make a note of it so you can discuss it with your support community and find a permanent solution.

What books did you read this year and what ones would you recommend to your friends? Write it down so you can remember, now make a note to buy a copy for a friend as a gift the next time you are out.

28 ROBERT NEW

POP THECORK AND

GET THE PENNow comes the most important question. The success we are celebrating did not happen alone. Our business depends on colleagues, clients, and coworkers. It depends on attitudes, activity, and interactions.

How successful were you this past year? How did people feel after inter-acting with you? Did they hang up the phone or walk out of a meeting with a smile, smirks don’t count here. Every business we are in, boils down to people. To our customers. Steve Jobs could be a real jerk to his engineers sometimes, but he always had his customer’s experience at the top of the list during his decision making.

In thinking about your goals next year, there is one to put at the top of your list. What impact do I want to have on others? I challenge all of us to make 2013 the year we put people first, to strive to make them feel a little better when they leave us than they did when they came. I can just about guarantee you that by adopting this one idea, you will generate buzz around your business.

29

BRANDYOURSELF

By Alicia White, Every Speakers Best FriendCEO, Back of the Room Productions™800-313-5911 x 304 - www.borproduct.com

We often hear buzzwords like brand, market-ing brand and identity branding. But what do these words really mean? The concept is simple: a brand is your unique identification and sets you apart from the competition. A brand is used when promoting yourself as an expert or selling a service or product. A brand should be memorable and recognizable. Branding not only encompasses a look and feel that best represents you or your business, but also the value and credibility you or your business brings with it.

There is a reason why a person will choose Canon over Nikon while another will choose Nikon over Canon: these companies created a brand that appeals to the senses and practicalities of the indi-vidual, and because each person is different, there is a market for both brands and more. Brand loy-alty stems from positive results from ownership or can be based on familiarity of the brand passed on by family members and/or the community.

There are obvious reasons why a business should have brand a product or service. But what about individuals? Should we as a speaker, community leader, or coach have our own brand? Absolutely!

There is a reason why you get in front of the audi-ence at a speaking event or training seminar: to share YOU and YOUR expertise. Think of speak-ers such as the late Zig Ziglar, Jack Canfield and Anthony Robbins. They all created a brand using their own names. Their brand goes beyond the logo and look and feel; their brand represents expertise, quality, success and empowerment. It is absolutely appropriate for a speaker, thought leader, author or coach to brand himself as any

business would.Is branding “you” the right thing to do right now? It is a justified question and many people struggle with putting his or her name front and center in the spotlight. You may be one of those client’s I’ve helped where you’ve created several companies and implemented branding for each one but just don’t know where to begin once the focus shifts on you.

As a graphic designer in the speaking industry, I provide those struggling clients with a simple exercise. Based on the results, some clients main-tain focus on their business that sells a service or product, while others are ready to “sell” themselves and their expertise through speak-ing, training, coaching or writing. The exercise is simple and only takes a few minutes to create, but serious thought should be given in each step.

In my example (Figure 1), I developed a brand for “Alicia White” because I want to speak or present under this name and not under one of my com-panies. At the top, I list my name as the brand. I then list the companies I own as well as those of which I have daily contact. I place these in order of importance and get the most joy out of. Finally, I add my title and then list the roles I play in order of expertise or preference. You can be as detailed as you want with your roles.

Tip: If you do not currently own a business, add your current employment and/or personal proj-ects. Any reoccurring event that takes time out of your day can be listed. The point is, list your roles, especially those you enjoy doing.

Now I have a visual representation of what I do and the extent of my experience. Taking it one step further, I create a new chart using these roles and list tasks and topics in which I have a great deal of knowledge, experience or talent. This last step helps me narrow down my focus and offer-ings that I can brand as “Alicia White.” (Figure 2.)

If I want a motivational speaker career by shar-ing my traveling experiences, my brand could be determined as: Alicia White, Speaker: Beyond the Bison™. If I want to establish myself as a business

30

author, I can brand myself as: Alicia White, Author: Graphic Design for Small Business. Your list will provide you with several options so choose what appeals to you most or base your selection on an existing following. If you are already known as a Fortune 500 CEO, your best bet is to determine your brands with that role in mind.

This is just the beginning to branding “you.” Once your focus and message is determined, look to a professional graphic designer to assist you in making our brand a visual attention getter. Get a logo and look and feel that is consistent along all marketing lines. This will take time and money, but it is worth it in the end to brand you in the best way possible.

If you’ve gone through this exercise and find you are not quite ready to take the plunge to create your own unique brand, begin thinking about what you would enjoy doing most. Because by the time you are ready, branding YOU will come easy when it’s something you are passionate about.r

31

What is SUCCESS?

Even though we all have our own idea of what suc-cess is, there is a funda-mental reality that crosses over to all of us.

What is success? How do you define it? Do you think of success as wealth, fame, power, influence? Or do you think of it in terms of satisfaction, setting your own schedule, being your own boss? I think of being successful as ____________________________________. Fill in the blank; I’m sure you’ll all have your own flavor of the word. For me it means that I can talk to people, sharing my views and knowledge, and when I hear someone say, wow, that’s just exactly what I needed to know, I know that I am successful.

Even though we all have our own idea of what success is, there is a fundamental reality that crosses over to all of us. If you don’t know what that means to you, you will never be successful. You will always feel like you’ve been left behind – there’s something missing in your life. Therefore, I think it is really important for you to decide what it means to you and then to follow through and move towards that goal.

Speaking of goals, the best way to move towards that success is through the creation of goals – big and small. Why not start out with a super gigantic goal for something that can take you up to five years to accomplish and then work your way backwards to even daily to-do lists. Keeping in mind that these goals should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely), you should sit down with pencil and paper (yes, pencil – you may need the eraser at times). Take the time to thoughtfully create these goals, and then put them to work. Place them where you can see them regularly and think about whether you have accomplished anything in that direction or if you

About Nancy Becher

Passionate about supporting “mom and pops businesses, Nancy Becher is the Creative Director of Business Success Unlimited, an edu-cational training program for entrepreneurs and small business own-ers. Ms. Becher is privileged to have worked with such organizations since 1990 when she realized that there were a great many solopre-neurs and homebased businesses that were looking for ways to share in networking, knowledge and philosophies, but didn’t know where to go. Hearing “I’m so alone, I don’t know where to turn”, she felt that it was time to create a program that not only brought people together so that they weren’t so alone, but to help guide them through train-ing and education that brought out hands-on, “been there, done that” experiences, led by experts in their fields.

Nancy is the founder and Owner of Office to Office Magazine, Collaborate 4 Success Masterminding, MI Small Biz Entrepreneural Forums, Dream the Work Business Conferences, and has a soon to be released small business book, “Dream the Work, Work the Dream.”

should adjust something to make them more doable.

I would suggest you make a set of daily to-dos (either first thing in the morning, or before going to bed the night before). This helps keep you on track through the day – giving you time to accomplish all the important pieces of business that need to be handled. As well, I would suggest you make weekly, monthly, six months, a year and 5 year goals. This, like a business plan, shows you the direction you think you want to go, and provides you with guidelines when you question what way you’ve been moving. It is a living document and can be changed, amended, updated or crossed off altogether if you find that you’re not headed in the right direction. But without having something like this, you can move aimlessly along. Remember the saying “if you don’t know where you’re going, all roads will lead you there.” If you really want that success, you need to have a roadmap with the paths outlined.

I wish I could tell you that if you follow these suggestions, that you will accomplish every-thing and find yourself with more success than you could ever imagine. Unfortunately, I can’t do that – but what I can tell you is, if you do follow these procedures, and work really hard at completing the steps towards reaching your goals, you are well on your way to fulfilling your dream.

BUSINESSPEOPLE DON’T DO

Have you ever heard “People do business with those they Know, Like and Trust”? Do you know people who like and trust you? Then, why don’t you have more business?

I asked myself these same questions and here is what my years of attending hundreds of network-ing events and spending countless hours upon hours at coffee shops conducting one on one meetings revealed.

People do business with those they Know, Like, Trust AND CONNECT with.

Connecting with someone is the most important element in this equation. Let me explain why.

There are many stages to building business rela-tionships. Relationships are cultivated over time by investing time and effort.

The first stage is getting to KNOW the other per-son’s business. This is where you learn the basics of who they are and the product or service they offer. If you have done any networking you are very familiar with this initial conversation.

The second stage, LIKE, is where you to start to know them personally. Do they have a family? How do they spend their time away from the office? You can tell a lot about a person when you find out what they do during they off time.

The third stage is TRUST. During this stage you will discover both their business and personal ethics. How do they respond to problems? Do they take care of their customers? Listen to how they talk about their clients and family. Are appreciative of the business or does it seem to be more of an inconvenience? Does there seem to be a lot of drama around them?

Now, how many people do you know who pass in all of the above stages? These are people you can say you know them... like them... and trust them. If so, why are you not doing business with them or referring business to them?

BUSINESSI am here to say that the last and most important element is not present.The fourth stage is CONNECT WITH. This is the most important of all because without it no busi-ness will take place. Let me give you an example that made it very clear to me. As I mentioned, I put in my fair share of networking hours meeting people. Many of these offered the same product or service (ie insurance, real estate, etc). If I had an opportunity to refer, for example, a realtor whose business card would I hand out? I know many realtors that I know, like and trust however I gave referred the one I had a CONNECTION with. This connection was made by building not only a busi-ness relationship but also a personal relationship.

Once I discovered this stage of building a relationship and spent more time on connecting... really connecting with others, my business increased.

Look at your networking circle and focus more on connecting with each person and you will see that it will change where you spend your time and the rewards will come pouring in.

Linda Ballesteros is a strategic networker who learned the ins and outs of networking after leaving a 30+ year career in banking. To better understand networking, she founded a business women’s networking organization which grew to 300+ members the first year. She now has a book “Your Pot of Gold is a Handshake Away” to share the next step to networking... Referral Marketing.

Find out more about Linda by visiting her website:http://www.LindaBallesteros.com

Follow her on Twitter:@BallesterosLOFriend her on FacebookLinda Jeffcoat Ballesteros

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Ballesteros

WITH THOSE THEY KNOW, LIKE, AND TRUST BY LINDA BALLESTEROS

35

Master The Basics Of SalesBy Peter Biadasz; Author, Speaker, Publisher

Every year Green Bay Packer Head Coach Vince Lombardi, so the storey goes, would hold up a football, and then proudly and forcefully announce to his team: “This is a football”. He made such a basic statement to some of the best professionals in his sport, many of whom were future Hall-Of-Famer’s, for the same reason that major league baseball players spend much of spring training working on hitting, catching and throwing; if you master the basics, success will much more easily follow.

The same is true in sales and we are all in sales. While some of us represent a product or service, we all represent our-selves, whether to our family, friends, customers, employers, or maybe a prospective employ-er. Mastering the basics will help us to project competency and increase success while expe-riencing greater satisfaction and rewards, both personally and professionally. Following are basics to be mastered; a process is called the sales cycle.

1. PreparationThere is no such thing as an overnight success. To be the best takes preparation. Often this preparation is seen only by the one doing the preparing. For every success you observe, an enormous amount of prepara-tion paved the way. If you want to be a success it is imperative that you deter-

mine your level of dedication. Set realistic, honest goals and develop and implement a plan to realize them. Use your time effectively and educate yourself about your profession. Learn your industry and know your competition. Improve your per-sonality and character traits. Understand what you want to contribute to those around you and to society in general. Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Then continually prac-tice all the above.

2. ProspectingProspecting is nothing more than creating opportunities, either through cold calling (talk-ing with those you don’t know) and/or networking (talking with those you know). Learn to be comfortable in new situations and have fun. Be consistent and have a brief, informative and memorable opening statement for every situation.

3. QualifyingQualifying narrows your focus to the prospects that are truly potential clients, versus suspects, who are going to waste your most non-renewable resource - time. Every industry has a series of qualifying questions to find the prospect’s level of interest as well as the appropriate product/service. Learn not only how to ask questions in a very relaxed and conversational manner, but how to ask the same question

several ways, ensuring you are thorough and will be under-stood by people of different backgrounds and perspectives. You are not an interrogator, but are developing a relationship, that will flow into the next stage of the sales cycle and result in a sale for you as well as joy for your prospect as they graduate to the title of customer. Also, your prospect has a network of individuals and companies that may be in need of your prod-uct/service either now or in the future. By build a long-lasting relationship, both of you will experience dividends for years.

4. PresentationsA world class sales presentation must be tailored for every situ-ation. Be both memorable and professional. Let them discover the benefits of your product/service as you highlight them. While the obvious goal of your presentation is to position your-self to close the sale, another goal is to close the door to the competition.

5. Handling ObjectionsYou are going to experience objections because the prospect may simply want more infor-mation from which to acquire your product/service. Happily and professionally provide them with the information to close the sale. Identify poten-tial objections, prepare for them, and have an effective response ready. Preparation will enable

36

you to remain calm in the face of adversity, ensure patience and stay focused to address any objection that the prospect may throw at you. Ensure you are hearing the objection by restating it to the prospect. Only after agreement is obtained that you understand the objection can you actually answer it. Experience will teach you that there are some objections encoun-tered on a regular basis. Rather than waiting for the prospect to bring up these objections include them, complete with answers, in your presentation. Not only will you appear to be better prepared, thorough, and professional, but will be one step closer to the sale. 6. ClosingGreat closers are great because they know why they are in sales: to close the sale. Anything less is, well, watching your competitor get the sale. Therefore, become knowledgeable of the many closing techniques by reading books, studying the many resources about closing and learn from the best. The prospect wants and needs your product/service to fulfill their needs.

You either make the sale or not make the sale, no in-between. The sale is made when the paperwork is signed, payment is made, the customer accepts delivery and the rescission time allowed has passed. Just because the prospect said they would buy from you does not mean they will buy from you. Conversely, the sale is only lost whenever a prospect tells you they are going to buy from a competitor, made payment, signed the paperwork AND accepted delivery of the product/service. If they have not met those conditions you have not yet lost the sale. To win this sale, learn why they are considering the competitor, get your resources together and immediately visit the prospect, get signed paperwork and deliver your goods. Get the sale!!!

7. Follow-upYour job is not completed because you closed the sale. Evaluate your performance to be sure that you did your job to the best of your talent and ability. Make repeated performances on a consistent basis. Whenever you win a new customer, let them know you are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Almost every product/service must be re-acquired after a certain amount of time. When this “itch cycle” for your product/service starts again you want to be the one to satisfy their need. It may be one of your easiest sales. If they know, like and trusted you the first time, why wouldn’t they buy from you again?

There is no such thing as perfection in sales. By mastering the basics of the sales cycle and understanding them until they are habit to you, you will find many more victories and experience greater fulfillment. Copyright 2012 Peter Biadasz

Peter Biadasz, President of Total Publishing And Media, has authored/co-authored 16 books, includ-ing “Write Your First Book”. The sales cycle discussed in this article is detailed in his book “Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score. Peter is a very active public speaker. Feel free to contact Peter at peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

37

http://proveitsyours.com

Carol@RevenueAttraction.com650-275-3817@CarolSmithCEORevenueAttraction.com Enabling Rapid Revenue GrowthDesign by BORProduct.com

Are you ignoring the most POWERFUL & PROFITABLE social

business network in the universe?Avg. Income $25K

Avg. Income

$109K

vs

Get business success tips using LinkedIn from the very popular LinkedIn Mastermind Series with hosts @CarolSmithCEO and @LoriRuff.

• Real-life Success Steps• Four, 60 minute sessions• Recorded for easy playback • Invites to future masterminds

at discounted rate

Class size limited. Register now:

LinkedIn MastermindSeries only

$97www.revenueattraction.com/mastermind-linkedin/

Carol Smith, CEO

W H AT D O E S S U C C E S SM E A N T O Y O U ?

By Definition Success is noun: 1. obsolete: outcome, result 2. a: degree or measure of succeeding b: favorable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence 3.one that succeeds (Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

There have been many articles and books written about Success, the meaning of and how to obtain certain levels of success. In our young lives we start with small successes. We learn to crawl, talk and walk. As we grow we still have success, graduating from Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior and High School. In order to get to each of the previous mentioned levels we accomplished some form of measurable success.

Success means different things to different people. As we get older our personal definition of success changes. Success to a college student could be, becoming a doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, or some other professional.

Success to others could be amount of money in the bank account or possessions they might have. A Professional Athlete, success could mean winning a championship.

Success could also be about how many friends or connections we have personally or through social media. Success in life could include relationships, such as marriage and children. Success comes in a multitude ways, shapes and forms.

With success there is also failure. However, failure can also bring success. Here are some really good examples of failure’s that were turned into Success:

Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.

Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.

40 LISA CAIN

Colonel Sanders had the construction of a new road put him out of business in 1967. He went to over 1,000 places trying to sell his chicken recipe before he found a buyer interested in his 11 herbs and spices. Seven years later, at the age of 75, Colonel Sanders sold his fried chicken company for a finger-lickin’ $15 million!

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.

One never knows where their next opportunity for success will come from. It could be just around the corner or in your next conversation with a family member or friend. So, always keep your eyes and your mind open. Something as simple as the actions of a small child or a line from a move could be the spark for your next success.

The definition of success for you will be different than mine, your friends or anyone else. My definition of Success is simple: It is the ability to wake up every morning and be honest with myself and have the freedom to spend the day in a way that matters to me and makes me happy.

I’m doing what I love and have people in my life that I love, who are supportive and encouraging.

If you aren’t as successful as you would like to be, then do less of the things that aren’t important to you and more of the things that are.

Life is full of Successes big and small. Embrace all of your Successes, learn from your failures and Never give up believing in yourself!

By Lisa CainNational DirectorChocolate & Shopping Showwww.facebook.com/lisa.cain.716

41

L E G A L S H I E L D

Hello! My name is Craig Thomas. I had always looked for an opportunity to make money and work from home.

I had tried some of everything just to make some extra money, phone services, weight loss, helping people get their unclaimed tax money, if It could help me make extra money, I tried it. But I couldn’t find anything that I could put my heart into until I was exposed 3 times to a 40 year old company called LegalShield (formerly Pre-paid Legal Services,Inc) LegalShield provides access to law firms for less than $20 a month! We also have the best identity theft plan on the market, we help protect and grow small businesses with our small business plan, and we also offer our legal plan to companies as an employee benefit. When I was exposed to the LegalShield membership, I was not in need of an attorney at the time but I understood the need to have access to one, or in this case, access to a law firm! In my mind, I thought it was better to have this membership and not need it, than to need it and not have it! Well the next month I needed it and I’ve used it quite a bit ever since. I’ve used my membership to get my sons drivers license reinstated, to get a roofing company, that reneged on repairs from the damage they caused, to come back out to repair it, my wife and I have had our wills done, and just last year, my wife had to call the law firm to ask about Healthcare power of attorney for her father. The membership is life saving and its saving 1.4 million families in the U.S. and Canada.

We are currently going through a re-branding because last year a New York investment firm, MidOcean Partners, invested over $650 million in our company because they saw what they called, “Network marketing’s best kept secret”! One of their goals is to take us from 1.4 mil-lion LegalShield memberships to, within the next 5 years, 7 million memberships! Sounds like opportunity to me!

When the gentleman came to my home and presented the LegalShield membership to me, I knew it made sense but he told me there was also an opportunity behind it. He showed me the compensation plan and I was extremely excited! I had finally found the opportunity that

42 CRAIG THOMAS

L E G A L S H I E L D

I was looking for! To be able help people with their everyday legal problems and getting paid to do it. My second week in LegalShield I made an extra $400! Not big money but to any aver-age American today, an extra $400 a month could mean keeping your home out of foreclosure or using it to upgrade the car you drive. Our business is set up so that you don’t have to recruit to make money, we have lots of associates that make 6-figure incomes just selling our membership as an employee benefit to companies but I chose to recruit to leverage my time. J. Paul Getty once said he would rather have 1% of 100 people efforts than to have 100% of his own. My wife and I started recruiting and we have associates on our team across the country. My goal is to retire my wife or to at least give her the option to work if she wants, me person-ally, I never want to work for anyone AGAIN! I know that LegalShield is the vehicle that will help me to accomplish my goals. LegalShield, over the past decade has paid over $1 Billion to its associates, 1000+ are earning over $50,000 a year, and many are earning between $100,000 and $1million+ per year!

LegalShield has a unique service and a unique opportunity. Where else can you get legal services from the best Law firms in every state for less than $20 a month? Nowhere but LegalShield! You can’t go get our services from a retail store or even on ebay! You can only get it from LegalShield associates, incredible! If you are looking for an opportunity where you can really change your family tree and create generational wealth, LegalShield could be what you are looking for.

(219) 413-6204www.facebook.com/legalshieldhammondwww.legalshield.com/hub/craigdthomas

43

Celebrate the Milestones

Have a graphic design question? Send an email to Dayna: boss@dayofdesigning.com

As a graphic designer my days are often very stressful, like many business owners. The energy is mostly positive because I am doing what I love, but the rewards outweigh the negatives. No matter how many tasks have been delegated or

outsourced, wearing different hats may involve countless hours of focused effort. Many times these efforts will work out as planned, while other times Murphy’s Law comes into play, “Anything that can go wrong…” actually does!

With all of the exerted energy there must be a sense of balance. The list below details ways to connect and celebrate the goals of your company, as well as associates who help your business to thrive. Reach out to individuals and companies in your business’ sphere that may be celebrating a milestone, such as a grand opening, an anniversary, etc. Extending internal and external acknowledgements for goals and special occasions achieved.

SHARE IN THE SUCCESS OF YOUR NETWORK’S ACHIEVEMENTS

1 Send a small gift with your company’s branding, accompanied by a congratulatory note.

2 This may sound a bit like something from ancient times: Pick up the telephone for a live/personal connection to verbally deliver well wishes.

3 Give current and potential clients customized gift cards for services offered on behalf of your company.

4 A simple card is a great way to express congratulations.

CELEBRATE YOUR COMPANY’S SUCCESSES

1 Reward yourself by making a purchase from your wish list, for you or your company. This could be something small.

2 Take a vacation from all things work related. This could be as little as a half day of recharging.

3 Provide gift certificates toward your company’s services, as a way for customers and potential customers to help celebrate your company’s success.

As a closing thought, don’t forget to send a Thank You card to those who have taken notice of your company’s successes!

 

Celebrate the Milestones

Have a graphic design question? Send an email to Dayna: boss@dayofdesigning.com

As a graphic designer my days are often very stressful, like many business owners. The energy is mostly positive because I am doing what I love, but the rewards outweigh the negatives. No matter how many tasks have been delegated or

outsourced, wearing different hats may involve countless hours of focused effort. Many times these efforts will work out as planned, while other times Murphy’s Law comes into play, “Anything that can go wrong…” actually does!

With all of the exerted energy there must be a sense of balance. The list below details ways to connect and celebrate the goals of your company, as well as associates who help your business to thrive. Reach out to individuals and companies in your business’ sphere that may be celebrating a milestone, such as a grand opening, an anniversary, etc. Extending internal and external acknowledgements for goals and special occasions achieved.

SHARE IN THE SUCCESS OF YOUR NETWORK’S ACHIEVEMENTS

1 Send a small gift with your company’s branding, accompanied by a congratulatory note.

2 This may sound a bit like something from ancient times: Pick up the telephone for a live/personal connection to verbally deliver well wishes.

3 Give current and potential clients customized gift cards for services offered on behalf of your company.

4 A simple card is a great way to express congratulations.

CELEBRATE YOUR COMPANY’S SUCCESSES

1 Reward yourself by making a purchase from your wish list, for you or your company. This could be something small.

2 Take a vacation from all things work related. This could be as little as a half day of recharging.

3 Provide gift certificates toward your company’s services, as a way for customers and potential customers to help celebrate your company’s success.

As a closing thought, don’t forget to send a Thank You card to those who have taken notice of your company’s successes!

 

Every Tuesday2pm Central

www.Facebook.com/Tuesdaysat2

Join now, we’ll send you a reminder on Tuesday Morning!

Your hosts…Shelly Rice www.ShellyRice.com &Patty Farmer www.PattyFarmer.com

O R I G A M I O W LI have been a stay at home mom to my 11 year old daughter since 2001.Staying at home allowed me to go to weekly school lunches, field trips, volunteer at school, and be there when my daughter got home from school.

A year before I joined Origami Owl, my husband and best friend of 18 years, started nagging me, “you’ve got to find a job, something to keep you busy while N is at school!” I didn’t want to go to work for someone else, and didn’t want to give up my number one job of motherhood, so I dragged my feet on that for as long as I could.

In December of 2011, I came across a post on Facebook for Origami Owl.

Origami Owl was founded by a 14 year old entrepreneur. Inspired by the desire to create jewelry that would be beautiful, meaningful, whimsical and fun, Isabella Weems launched the company with the goal of saving enough money to buy her first car. In 2010 she introduced the “Living Locket”, a neck-lace that can be customized with meaningful charms that represent things that are important to you. From humble beginnings at home parties, the success of Origami Owl quickly grew in fanfare and today Weems’ business model is replicated by Independent Designers nationwide. “Women absolute-ly love creating unique pieces of jewelry that reflect their own style. We closely follow the latest styles to ensure that each item in our exclusive line is fashion-forward and on-trend,” said Isabella Weems, Origami Owl’s Founder.

I have been with 5 other direct sales companies over the last 15 years. The only challenge I faced before joining O2 (Origami Owl) was my self confidence. I was the poster child for low self esteem! Once I started my business, and saw what a salable product I have, my confidence began to grow. I’ve made it part of my mission to help other women overcome their self confidence issues.

In January of 2013, I am leading a team of over 1200 women to success! I love my role as leader. Origami Owl’s mission is “To be a force for good. To love, inspire, and motivate women of all ages to reach their dreams and empower them to make a difference in the lives of others”. This is right in line with what my mission has always been!

Please contact Lisa by emailing her at lisapv69@gmail.com

Visit her on Facebook! www.facebook.com/locketlisa

Check out her Blog: www.locketlisa.com

LISA VINING

LISA VINING

Shelly Rice 417.353.2610

Title : Serial Entrepreneur

Company: Shelly Rice and Associates, Be The Boss Magazine, Chocolate Blues and Business Networking Festivals , Chocolate Shopping Shows, National Networking News, Life Changing Conference, Women Who Mean Business

City/State: Playa del Rey, CA

About My business: Every project , every event and every business that I create al l boils down to the same thing…I help small businesses grow.

My Specialty: Small business growth strategies

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Movers, shakers and business connectors.

Best Networking Tip: LISTEN!

Favorite Quote: Think and do. – Emil Mackey,Dupont Engineer

Website: http:/ /shellyrice.com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /Facebook.com/ReferralMachine

Email : Shelly@ShellyRice.com

48

Margie Baxley 803-673-1487

Title : Virtual Margie and Senior Partner at Linton-Cole Associates

Company: Virtual Margie, Linton Cole Associates, Be the Boss Magazine

City/State: Columbia, SC

About My business: I am a Virtual Assistant and Website and Magazine Designer. I design Be The Boss Magazine.

My Specialty: Website and Magazine Design

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Anyone wanting to promote their busi -ness through a magazine or anyone in need of a new website or website makover.

Best Networking Tip: JOIN Tuesdays at Two

Website: http:/ /virtualmargie.com

Facebook Fan Page: https:/ /www.facebook.com/virtualmargie

Email : margiebaxley@virtualmargie.com

49

Joanne Quinn-Smith 412-444-5197

Title : Creative Energy Officer , aka TechnoGranny

Company: Dreamweaver Marketing Associates

City/State: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

About My business: Host of pod casts : Techno Granny Show™; Posit ively PittsburghLive™, MondayMorningMarketeer™ over 1800 interviews. Winner of the U.S. Small Business Administration National Journalist of the Year Award, has developed Web 2.0 Gueril la Branding Training™ to teach small businesses online platforms. Publisher of Pittsburgh’s First Internet Radio and TV Network: Posit ivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com a multi media resource about Pittsburgh.

My Specialty: Web 2.0 Branding

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Professional Organizations, Web Services, Cross Marketing with SEO Experts , New Media Personalit ies and Promoters

Best Networking Tip: Your search results are your online business card and resume, make sure they rock by concentrating on your Web 2.0 Branding.

Favorite Quote: “Definit ion of madness is to do the same thing and expect different results .” Albert Einstein

Website: http:/ /pplmag.comFacebook Fan Page: https:/ /www.facebook.com/MondayMorningMarketeer

Email : info@pplmag.com

50

Regina Hoover 615-812-9158

Title : Chocolate Blues & Business Networking Festivals Area Director, TN & KY Promoter, ViSalus – Body by Vi

Company: Chocolate Blues & Business Networking Festivals & ViSalus – Body By Vi

City/State: Nashvil le , Tennessee

About My business: Chocolate Blues & Business – We bring business decision makers together in a fun & productive environment for the purpose of developing referral partnerships and strategic al l iances.

ViSalus – Body By Vi – Helping people f ind f inancial freedom while gett ing in the best shape of their l ives

My Specialty: Being a connector – I am a master at being the bridge that connects you to the person you need to meet that takes your business to the next level

Best Networking Tip: Your #1 goal in business networking should always be to help others FIRST! If you’re there for any other reason, you’re doing i t wrong!

Favorite Quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world - Mahatma Gandhi

Website: http:/ /bizfestival .com

Facebook Fan Page: https:/ /www.facebook.com/MsReginaHoover

Email : msreginahoover@gmail .com or regina@bizfestival .com

51

Tonie Boaman 972.804.3442

Title : Resource Queen

Company: Dash Notary, LLC

City/State: The Colony, Texas

About My business: Dash Notary provides prompt, accurate and courteous atten -t ion to those requesting our services. We are “mobile” which means we travel to your location. We accept most forms of credit cards right from our phones. Bonded $10,000 E & O Insurance $100,000 We can also help you locate a educated notary public in other states.

My Specialty: 24 Hour Traveling Notary Public

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: hospices / attorneys/ hospitals/ t i t le companies / insurance / schools / hotels – we are public service oriented.

Best Networking Tip: Be open to al l adventures or opportunit ies that present them -selves. Never offer your business card f irst .

Favorite Quote: “Why are you trying so hard to f i t in when you were born to stand out?”

Website: www.DashNotary.com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /www.facebook.com/dashnotary

Email : info@dashnotary.com

52

James E. Boggus 800-803-1546 x 7177

Title : Corporate Vacation Benefit Consultant

Company: Genesis Life Travel

City/State: Plano, Texas

About My business: Our unique vacation benefit is available to individuals and associat ions to create a work/l i fe balance result ing in an unparal leled return on investment for l i t t le to no cost . We partner with businesses to assist in achieving objectives l ike reducing healthcare cost , and increased productivity by taking real vacations. Imagine the memories…

My Specialty: I fol low the Zig Ziglar approach to business that states “if you help enough people get what they want, you wil l automatical ly have everything that you want.”

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Group Benefit Consultants, HR experts, Health and Wellness professionals , Employee Benefit experts , Voluntary Benefit Experts . Insurance Agents, Healthcare special ist .

Best Networking Tip: Go beyond your industry.

Favorite Quote: “Those who say i t cannot be done should get out of the way of those who are doing i t .”

Website: Dtmembership.com

Facebook Fan Page: https:/ /www.facebook.com/vacationandtraveltheworld

Email : boggus24@gmail .com

53

Robert New 859-302-0024

Title : Senior Partner

Company: Linton-Cole Associates

City/State: Berea, KY

About My business: Linton-Cole provides online consult ing services including web site development and hosting, online marketing and advertising, and social media management.

My Specialty: Social media management for small business, non-profits , and polit i -cal campaigns

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Small business, real estate, polit ical campaigns

Best Networking Tip: I t ’s cal led SOCIAL media for a reason, i t ’s about relationships.

Favorite Quote: Buzz doesn’t just happen.

Website: http:/ /www.Lintoncole.com

Facebook Fan Page: https:/ /www.facebook.com/LintonCole

Email : l intoncole@gmail .com

54

Alicia White 800-313-5911 x304

Title : CEO

Company: Back of the Room Productions

City/State: Dallas,Tx

About My business: Your stage presence is impeccable. But is your back of the room presence just as stel lar? Speakers, l i fe and business coaches, corporate trainers, and authors: let us design your products so you can generate revenue at the back of the room and professionally promote your brand every t ime you speak!

My Specialty: Graphic Design and Print

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Independent Publishers, Speaking bureaus, Speaking agencies, Publicists

Best Networking Tip: When speaking to your audience, be sure to add value. People love l istening to stories but i f i t doesn’t benefit them then you are an entertainer. Be sure your speech provides at least one valuable lesson that your l istener can use for personal growth or business success. . Also, make people smile or laugh. Who can forget someone that makes them feel good?

Favorite Quote: “The thousand mile journey starts with the f irst step”

Website: http:/ /www.backoftheroomproductions.com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /www.facebook.com/SpeakersBriefcase

Email : Alicia@backoftheroomproductions.com

55

Michelle Ketterman 972-834-8592

Title : The Inventory Expert

Company: The Inventory Expert

City/State: North America

About My business : A profess ional Home Inventory is when a home or business owner hires a Home Inventory Professional (HIP) to compile comprehensive reports of i tems on their property. Third-party HIP reports are exponential ly more rel iable and respected than self-compiled reports when completing insurance claims, stolen property reports , loan applications, and so on.

My Specialty: Helping new business owners f ind clarity and success through proven practices and techniques…no fluff or BS – just what works.

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Experienced executives in the insurance, real estate, f inancial planning, or estate planning arena or anyone whose focus has been working closely with homeowners.

Best Networking Tip: Networking does not begin and end with your elevator speech.

Favorite Quote: You can’t get wealthy when you feel poor.

Website: http:/ /www.ProveItsYours.com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /Facebook.com/TheInventoryExperts

Email : michelle@ProveItsYours.com

56

Nancy Becher 269-221-2220

Title : Founder and Chief Connector

Company: Business Success Unlimited

City/State: Three Rivers, MI

About My business: The purpose and mission of BSU is to provide effective business growth strategies to small and medium sized businesses through shared off ices, net -working, educational forums and peer support . Done through effective, affordable and convenient online webinars, podcasts , desk spaces, admin services and hands-on personal interaction, our members receive the latest support .

My Specialty: Connecting people and helping them grow their businesses through commonsense, workable, ideas and techniques

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Mom and Pop businesses, entrepreneurs who get that i t is better to work on their own businesses in the presence of other businesses.

Best Networking Tip: Don’t be afraid to create relationships with others.

Favori te Quote: Al l our dreams can come true, i f we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney

Website: http:/ /www.success4biz.biz

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /www.facebook.com/bsuconnector

Email : nancy@success4biz.biz

57

Patty Farmer 972.603.8209

Title : Founder/CEO

Company: Biz Link Global

City/State: Dallas, Texas

About My business: Patty Farmer, referred to as “The Networking CEO” is a Branding, Marketing & Social Media Strategist as well as a Speaker, Author, Radio Show Host and the founder of a global networking and educational online commu -nity cal led Biz Link Global .

My Specialty: I partner with speakers, authors, trainers and coaches, to help grow their l ists , their cl ient base and their bottom l ine through effective networking, social media and marketing strategies.

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Speakers, Authors, Coaches, Trainers & Event Planners

Best Networking Tip: “It is al l about relationships… I am not in the B2B or B2C business. I choose to be in the P2P (People to People) business. At the end of the day, people do business with people.” - Patty Farmer

Favorite Quote: “Let your dreams be bigger than your fears & your actions speak louder than your words.” ~ Will Smith

Website: http:/ /BizLinkGlobal .com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /Facebook.com/BizLinkGlobal

Email : patty@pattyfarmer.com

58

Carol Smith 650-275-3817

Title : CEO

Company: Revenue Attraction

City/State: Si l icon Valley (Los Altos Hil ls) California

About My business: Carol Smith has created 4+ mult i mil l ion dollar companies as a struggling entrepreneur and single mother of a young child. Today Carol shares her proven step by step process for creating the l i fe you love and gett ing paid what you’re worth, through her Emerald mentorship program and speaking engagements.

My Specialty: Growing businesses from local , national to global $2M-$80M.

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Finance, marketing, branding and opera -t ions consultants who see the opporunity to scale national or global and want to help their client succeed. Leveraging the internet, marketing, branding, operations, process al ignment and logist ics . Why can I help? Created and ran HP’s branding /marketing and product ecommerce channel , an international product importation and distribu -t ion business and a global vendor negotiations, transportation logistics organization.

Best Networking Tip: Create a quanti f iable goal to provide high qual i ty business referrals to your network. My goal is 1 per day. Everyday. What’s yours?

Favorite Quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t--you’re r ight.” ― Henry Ford Website:

Facebook Fan Page: www.RevenueAttraction.com

Email : Carol@revenueattraction.com

59

Marsha Talley 469-444-0580

Title : CEO and Founder

Company: Si lhouette’s Café, LLC

City/State: Arlington, Tx

About My business: Si lhouette’s Café is the home of organic products from coffee, essential oi ls to weight management products. We have searched and found items that are 100% certif ied organic and therapeutic grade, and are suitable for the Halal and Kosher communities. I f you have been looking for healthier alternatives, look no further.

My Specialty: Healthy and organic alternatives.

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Ideal for anybody, especial ly those who suffer from migraines, those in need of stress reductions, and those looking for a weight management plan.

Best Networking Tip: Do business with people you l ike and trust .

Favorite Quote: I t ’s your si lhouette. Decide to shape i t .

Website: http:/ /www.SilhouettesHealthCafe.com

Facebook Fan Page: http:/ /www.facebook.com/SilhouettesHealthCafe

Email : marsha@SilhouettesHealthCafe.com

Anthony Jones 972-591-3840

Title : Business Development Consultant

Company: A.B.C. Solutions

City/State: Dallas,Tx

About My business: I work with start ups and small cash f lowing businesses to grow revenues through increasing sales, reducing expenses and introducing new oppor -tunit ies . Our Business Builder program involves no upfront money or direct out of pocket cost* i f business is qualif ied (200K yr revenues and 2 yrs in business)

My Specialty: Business development consult ing

My ideal Referral/Partners/Industries Are: Commercial loan officers, business brokers, accountants/bookkeepers, other consultants, loan brokers

Best Networking Tip: Think of how you can be of service f irst .

Favorite Quote: “The thousand mile journey starts with the f irst step”

Website: http:/ /www.ab-consult ingsolutions.com

Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/abconsult ingsolutions

Email : a jones@ab-consult ingsolutions.com

Carol SmithConnect with Carol

650-275-3817

Danielle Mohr Cards and Mohr

Connect with Danielle

Sabine BarnettLiving Well with Healing Essentioal Oils

Connect with Sabine

Michelle KettermanThe Inventory Expert

Connect with Michelle

Melissa AllenDominoe Barter

Connect with Melissa

Laurie SullivanPlexus Simply Pink

Connect with Laurie

Margie BaxleyVirtual Margie

Connect with Margie

PREFERREDBusiness Directory

The Preferred Business Directory is no ordinary

directory. This is not just a list of businesses.

This directory is designed to help you to grow your professional network instantly. Everyone in our directory is a business owner who is a true ‘business connector’, dedicated to helping others succeed while they grow their own businesses.

Each listing features a live link that will take you directly to the person’s Facebook fan page or to their website. When you join their fan pages, be sure to leave a note and introduce yourself.

Building a strong network is vital to business today. Be sure to connect with each person in our directory and start the process of building new friendships, alliances and referral partners.

Marla Stochxocai

Connect with Marla

Bob New Linton-Cole

Connect with Bob

Patty FarmerBiz Link Global

Connect with Patty

Shelly RiceThe Referral MachineConnect with Shelly

Katie WeggSocial Outbreak

Connect with Katie

Dayna OffuttDay of Designing

Connect with Dayna

Julia HullCalifornia Real Estate Mart

Connect with Julia

Catherine MorganPoint A to Point B Transitions Inc.

Connect with Catherine

Mark Werner Miracles Through Water

Connect with Mark

Kristi WillisRodan and Fields Dermatologists

Connect with Kristi

Alice SchmittKara Vita

Connect with Alice

Michael BattagliaInsureYouToo

Connect with Michael

Caterina RandoThrive with Caterina Rando

Connect with Caterina

James BoggusGenesis Life Travel

Connect with James

Dana MazurekSoZo Life

Connect with Dana

Alicia WhiteBack of the Room Productions

Connect with Alicia

Angie RyaniZigg

Connect with Angie

Dale LittleBusiness StrategistConnect with Dale

Sharon RowleyDove Chocolate Discoveries

Connect with Sharon

Nancy BecherBusiness Success Unlimited

Connect with Nancy

Errol AllenErrol Allen Consulting

Connect with Allen

K. Andre AnktonInnovarus

“Connect with K. Andre

Debbie MurlinItWorks!

Connect with Debbie

Linda BallesterorsChocolate & Shopping Show

Connect with Linda

Joe ChandlerConnect with Joe

Jennifer VarnderhoffL’BEL

Connect with Jennifer

Dawniel Patterson-Winningham

Connect with Dawniel

Sandy LawrencePerceptive MarketingConnect with Sandy

Ronette WoodOrgana Gold

Connect with Ronette

Robert ChristiansenChocolate Blues Director

Connect with Robert

Craig ThomasLegal Shield

Connect with Craig

Peggy LeNoueRodan + Fields

Connect with Peggy

Toni HarrisTonia Harris SpeaksConnect with Toni

Susan EndrissOrgano Gold

Connect with Susan

Lisa CainChocolate & Shopping Show

Connect with Lisa