http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog 2012-05-17T20:45:00Z info@savorthesuccess.com (Savor the Success) en http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/juggling-kids-work Deena (single mom) asks, "As natural caretakers, it's easy to get swept away.  How do you effectively juggle both (kids & work)?"  Wow!! I'm not sure there is really a good way to answer this question within the confines of a blog. But, I will give it a shot. I currently have children, 3 grandchildren, a spouse, an 80 year old Mom, and 2 mid 80's parent-n-laws, who all need my attention in some form or another. My children are grown, but my grandchildren live right across town,... 3610 2012-05-17T20:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/who-hold-my-happy-button Last month was Spring Break in my area. We moved our corporate offices and I took my 3 grandchildren, ages 3,4, & 9, to the zoo. I love my grandchildren very much. They are very smart, loving, and funny kids. But after taking the three of them to the zoo, I felt like I had spent a week in a terrorism camp. I have no idea what I was thinking. My oldest grandchild, Reagan, was an only child for 5 years. Spoiled silly by everyone in the family, She was used to being the center of atte... 3611 2012-05-17T20:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/who-decides-my-fate I grew up in a very ethnic home, raised by 2 extremely different people. My father was a very loving man, who always told me that I could be anything I wanted to be. Being a "Wop or Dago" (insert any other ethic slur here) was my choice. He told me that I should grow up and change the world or I could be just another dago. It was up to me to choose the life I wanted and then to go for it. So, I spent hours as a kid, pretending that I was the queen of the world. ;)My mother, well that was a di... 3609 2012-05-17T18:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/fear-of-success-more-common-than-you-think Do you have trouble saying NO to people? Do you feel self conscious when people complement you? Do you think people who put themselves first are selfish? Do you procrastinate starting a really big project? Do you have a hard time making a decision and then sticking to it? Do you think asking for help makes you a bother? Do you  compare yourself with people who are more successful and feel you will never measure up? Do you think that wanting something to much is setting yourself up... 3608 2012-05-17T17:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/surround-yourself-with-people-who-challenge-you Loose transcript:  (Angela Jia Kim of Savor the Success.) I recently heard a powerful quote from Tony Robbins: "Don't surround yourself with people who just affirm you... surround yourself with people who challenge you." During our last 7FC retreat, we were sharing with each other in an honest conversation what we felt each person's self sabotage or blindspots may be. You can do the same thing... get a group of women together (who you really trust and who have your back) and take an... 3592 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-05-17T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/caroline-ceniza-levine/are-you-responding-or-just-reacting I led a workshop last week on Resilience, where we covered ensuring peak performance, recovering from mistakes, and maintaining long-term focus. This was for a group of type-A research analysts at a leading financial institution, so they were already operating at a high level. One of the senior participants asked a great back-to-basics question:   I'm inundated with emails - several hundred. I understand the importance of focusing on my other work and not checking email all the tim... 3596 caroline@sixfigurestart.com (Caroline Ceniza-Levine) 2012-05-14T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/risk-taking-101-step-4 Ok, you've made it through steps 1,2,& 3 and you are still considering this idea.   Step #4 -  What happens if this idea actually works?  Are you prepared for the sudden increase in work load? Can your supply meet the demand? Do you have sufficiently trained customer service help? Will your website handle the spike in traffic? Have you got a backup plan?  Many of us are one woman shops or have only a couple of employees. Are you prepared to handle "overnight succ... 3582 2012-05-13T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/competition-being-a-winner-doesn-t-mean-you-always-come-first Do you feel like you need to WIN all the time? Hello! Who doesn’t like to win? I sure do! However, let’s consider what kind of energy is present when you have to do “better” than someone else. I’m not saying it isn’t good to do your best and be the best you can be. I am totally a fan of that! But, at the price of someone else losing? Yuck! That’s not the kind of energy you want swirling around you, is it?   So, how do we win and let others win,... 3590 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-05-09T07:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/risk-taking-101-step-5 If you've made it this far in your steps and still think this is a good idea, then ask yourself, " What do I need to know to make this work? Do I need a website designer? Do I need some help with e-commerce? What do I need to know about my competitors? What price point is going to position me in the market where I want to be? What kind of staffing will I need? What demographic am I going to target? Will I need a leased space? What do I know about commercial leasing?  Are there any city, ... 3589 2012-05-08T22:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/exercise-in-quiet When I blog on Savor, I always write original content. But today, I am breaking that personal rule and sharing a blog post I just added to my business blog.  I feel compelled to share it with all of you because I KNOW I am not alone in these thoughts. In fact, I've already received so many messages and comments from Savor members just from posting it on my blog. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I cancelled my cable. Yes you heard me. This television en... 3583 2012-05-07T16:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/how-not-to-crash-when-driving-the-racecar Ok, so staying in high mental energy/high dividend business activities most of the time is feeling what I imagine driving a racecar would feel like. The speed at which I am navigating opportunities, relationships, and how I am spending my time is often frightening and also absolutely exhilerating. Wheeee! Have you ladies ever experienced that feeling in business? Here's what crashes the racecar.......low dividend activities. Anything that doesn't bring both joy and money in business. Exampl... 3578 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-05-04T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/risk-taking-101-step-3 This week, I have been talking about how I determine whether a risk is good, scary, or just stupid.  I use a 5 step process to evaluate risk. Step 3 : #3   What happens if this idea fails? How will the failure effect my personal situation. Have you set up a business plan that protects your personal finances? How will the financial loss effect my marriage and my family? Financial problems are the #1 stress point in most marriages and if the potential loss of a lot of money will be t... 3577 2012-05-03T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/radiate-positive-energy-and-imagine-your-ideal-life-into-reality In my last blog, I talked about letting go of keeping score…so that our success flows naturally (and we stay out of our own way!). When we put our attention on what we don’t have, rather than what we actually want, the law of attraction brings us what we are focusing our attention on…that which we don’t want. So, how do we stop thinking about what we don’t want, when it is so, so, so distracting??? And we really don’t want it!!! Practice-that’s righ... 3572 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-05-02T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/risk-taking-101-steps-1-2 Yesterday I told you that I categorize risks into good risks, scary risks, & stupid risks. I also said I have 5 steps that I use to evaluate risks and determine whether to leap head first or run for the hills. Step #1 - What is the benefit?  I want to know why I should even consider taking this risk.  What is in it for me, my business, and my family?  What is this potentially going to do for me? Not all risk is about making money. Sometimes it is about emotional ris... 3569 2012-05-01T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bobbie-robertson/life-on-the-razor-s-edge Risk Taking 101 RTW was awesome, and I am thrilled about all the new ladies I have met and I am looking forward to an amazing year! As I was leaving RTW last week, I asked yall what you wanted to hear from me. Several of you echoed this question from Catherine Choi.  "You mentioned that you do things that you scare yourself every day, but don't take stupid risks. How do you define the difference? Do you have any rules that you follow to help you discern the difference?" I believe th... 3566 2012-04-30T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/the-missing-link-manage-your-attention-and-achieve-your-goals Ever wish you knew the missing ingredient that is keeping you from achieving your goals? Could it be connected to the fact that most of us are constantly stopping to measure our success? But what could be wrong with that? We need to know where we are, right? Yes…but it turns out that putting too much attention on where you AREN’T, rather than on where you want to be, is most people's downfall. When we turn our focus on what we don’t want, guess what happens? We get what we ... 3549 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-04-23T05:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/5-ways-to-make-the-most-of-a-networking-event Later this week, Savor the Success' big, annual, Rock the World NYC business education and premium networking event for women entrepreneurs is happening. I'm looking forward to attending to capture some interviews and meet some very sucessful women who have stories that will help women entrepreneurs build their businesses.  These events can be very overwhelming though. Last year I wrote a post called Top Ways to Benefit from a Large Networking Event that has some tips if you are attendi... 3547 2012-04-23T01:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/5-ways-you-may-be-sabotaging-your-own-success Do you self sabotage?  We all do, but the more you are aware of your tendencies, the more you can move through them. Through helping thousands of women entrepreneurs launch and sustain their businesses and also working very intimately with a handful of women in my clubs, I am seeing a pattern emerge that I am sharing with you:  Dream... roll up sleeves and get to work... fun... loving the progress... almost reaching goal... SABOTAGE... stop. Repeat.  I'm not going to get ... 3544 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-04-19T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/becoming-inaccessible It’s finally happened. A personal friend of mine needed to make an appointment (with my assistant) to talk with me. And, I feel REALLY weird about it. Even a little guilty. I mean, who the heck am I that my friends have to schedule time with me through my personal assistant? (My friend was fine with it by the way and we had a great conversation.) It’s got me thinking….if I am a time millionaire doesn’t that mean I should have time to spare for everyone? I mean I have... 3540 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-04-17T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/savor-connection-tip-are-your-hiding-behind-your-computer Are you reading this blog post because you are procrastinating? Oh procrastinating business owner, does your “to-do” list include things such as:   Sign more clients (umm… yeah!) Identify places to speak (if they could just hear my message…) Find prospects (where are they hiding?)   Do you look at your calendar and realize that you have no meetings with key influencers or collaborators or … yikes… potential clients/customers? I... 3537 2012-04-16T22:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/suffering-from-resolution-hangover OK, so here we are, well into April…almost four months have flown by, haven’t they? How are things progressing with your New Year’s Resolutions? Ummm, yep, remember them? I’m talking about those goals for 2012 that you made last December… Do you find yourself waking up every morning with a smile on your face and a feeling of satisfaction and success, or are you suffering from a resolution hangover after four months of hibernation and spinning your wheels? &nbs... 3536 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-04-16T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/60-second-tip-don-t-distract-your-customer Loose transcription: A 60-second tip from Angela Jia Kim of Savor the Success, the Premium Business Network for Women Business Owners! Make sure that there are no distractions for your potential buyer. Angela shares a story from Om Aroma, her boutique spa in the West Village of New York City. When Angela announced that she decided to remove the beautiful plush couch from the store to make room for retail shelving, her employees hoped she would reconsider because the couch is so inviting and... 3527 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-04-12T13:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/it-didn-t-work-get-over-it Last post I shared that I made the challenging decision to pivot my business.  One reader asked what process I used to assess my business and choose which direction to turn. There was an intuitive part of the decision that can't really be put into words.  I just knew I had missed the mark with my virtual membership model at Mom Gets A Life.    But this was also supported by a few facts.  The membership was growing extremely slowly (10 members/mth vs. 100/m... 3518 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2012-04-10T19:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/pick a number Pick a number. Write it down. It is just that simple. I use a post-it note. You can use your planner, your Google calendar or a good old-fashioned to-do list. Each week, pick a number of Savor connections you intend to make. Who should you choose?   Did you like a blog post you read on the site? Was there a comment on a discussion thread that interested you? Use the “find a member” feature (found under CONNECT in the navigation) and search by industry, zip cod... 3512 2012-04-08T19:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/book-review-of-the-big-enough-company-creating-a-business-that-works-for-you There is no shortage of advice and information from friends, family, and the internet on how to build a business. Luckily we have access to this community at Savor the Success, plus one book that offers sound advice from nearly 100 women: the big enough company - Creating a Business That Works for You.  Co-authors Adelaide Lancaster and Amy Abrams are also the founders of In Good Company, a community work space and business learning center for women located in New York City.  They ... 3511 2012-04-08T12:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/getting-back-in-the-saddle-again I frequently hear (and you probably do, too) that someone can’t run any more (or can’t golf or bike or play tennis, etc.) because it causes them pain. They blame it mostly on getting older and accept it without a fight. They think they can’t workout anymore because of these aches and pain in their knees or other joints. Really?   C’mon! This doesn’t need to be the case for anyone! I put my foot down (no pun intended!) and refuse to be limited…and yo... 3507 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-04-06T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/woman-of-the-week-melissa-cassera Getting into Melissa Cassera's brain is a little like going to a Candy Shop. Her ideas pop, her PR pitches are eye-catching, and if you're lucky, she will hand you a six-figure business idea along with a strategy that is fun to implement. As you will read, her company, Cassera Communications, started out 40K in debt and now is skyrocketing into multi-six figures just by helping business owners to become business celebrities in their industry.  I saw Melissa a couple of weeks ago an... 3500 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-04-05T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/hang-with-people-who-light-you-up Hello Savor Sisters! A brief (but hopefully potent) piece of advice for you today: "Hang with people who light you up." I can't stress enough the importance of this concept for your freedom andyour success. So, right now, think about the people in your life...yourfriends, relatives, business colleagues. Who is it that lights you up, makesyou laugh, and every time you get together with them, you are uplifted? Go ahead and call them up. Make a date to get together or have a phonec... 3499 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-04-02T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/woman-of-the-week-nika-stewart I have had the privilege of getting to know Nika Stewart of GhostTweeting.com better this year and have been astounded by the speed in which she builds a business and gets it profitable in a short period of time. What do I admire about this Woman of the Week? She's got a brilliant business mind that is laser-sharp, rational, clear, organized, and downright sassy.  Read on to see why we chose Nika to be Savor's Woman of the Week. She has a unique ability to pivot as needed in business, ... 3477 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-03-29T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/what-s-in-a-name-the-top-two-rules-on-choosing-a-strong-brand-name-for-your-business I've spent dozens of hours in recent weeks counseling clients on trademark applications, and the theme that keeps repeating itself is "how do you choose a strong business name?"  What I am seeing are many, many entrepreneurs who are choosing names that are a lot like the names used by everyone else in their industry, and so when they come to apply for a trademark, we get the fun job of telling them that their name is likely not something they can protect.  It pains me to have these... 3492 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2012-03-29T02:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/wrapping-up-ellen-s-five-steps-to-optimal-health-making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless Whew! There’s been lots of info over the last six weeks as I shared my five steps to making perfect weight and optimal health effortless. I thought a wrap-up might be helpful. I’m sure most if not all of this is not NEWS to you, but is it incorporated into your daily plan? 1.    Detox your precious vehicle: Put in clean fuel to begin with, drink lots of purified water, and use natural (minimal yucky preservatives) products. 2.    Plan ahead so you m... 3488 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-03-28T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/standing-on-a-cliff Everything is changing. I am on the edge. The edge of that beautiful cliff at sunset.  Do I stand here and watch the sunset until the opportunities fade into the horizon or do I free-fall? Trusting I will be caught. I will be cared for. Free-falling is the answer. That is how it feels. Beautiful sunset surrounding me. There is so much more faith than fear but wow… this is uncharted territory. I do not ever remember being suspended in life this way before. Sound ... 3479 2012-03-26T06:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/7-ways-to-increase-your-visibility I have received a lot of emails over the years asking, "How can I increase my visibility?" Sometimes you feel like you have such an amazing product or service but no one is listening... or buying. Have you ever experienced that?  I decided to go to one of my trusted colleagues, Melissa Cassera of Cassera Communications, to ask her for some ways to deal with the "invisible business syndrome".    You are the best-kept secret in your industry and - gosh, darn it - why do all ... 3478 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-03-23T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-step-5-get-out-and-move Don’t have room in your schedule (or the inclination?) to exercise? Perhaps it’s time to change your approach! Consider the following: Muscle weighs more than fat, but is leaner (read smaller!) and more toned. You’ll go down in size quicker with more muscle tone and look sleeker. And you’ll keep the furnace burning longer. Weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. As we age (typically, after age 30), bone thinning is a ... 3470 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-03-20T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/how-nordstrom-built-an-atmosphere-of-customer-service-my-interview-with-jen-mueller-of-talk-sporty-to-me Jen Mueller, sports reporter and CEO of Talk Sporty to Me  is a new Savor Premium member, so I thought it fitting to post an interview we did last year about a story she was told by John Nordstrom - the infamous Nordstrom Tire Story. For those not familiar with Nordstrom, it had a tradition for many years as one of the models for creating a customer service-focused business with a  worldwide reputation - not just for department stores - but for business in general. When you have gr... 3467 2012-03-19T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/my-support-story As I attempt to explain the powerful keys to business success I have discovered through my own business growth journey, I think it is important to share my personal experiences with these tools.  I get inspired to research and focus on things based on what happens in my life, so I thought I would share what is happening. I have always found it hard to ask for help. Since I was a teenager I have prided myself on being an independent woman who can take care of herself and knows h... 3466 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-03-19T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/woman-of-the-week-lisa-hufford This week's Woman of the Week is Lisa Hufford, Founder and President of Simplicity Consulting, Inc. Lisa's company was ranked #54 on Inc.'s 500 list in 2011, and in 2012, her company brought in a cool $14.2 million.  As a new Premium Member of Savor the Success, we are also looking forward to having Lisa as a speaker for this year's Woman Entrepreneurs Rock the World conference about personal branding and how to use it to create massive success.   During my recent visit to Seattle... 3442 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-03-15T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/don-t-worry-about-your-business-or-your-loved-ones Hi Savor Sisters, I was thinking of you and wanted to post this. It was written last summer, and with Spring Break coming up, I thought it pertinent to help you enjoy your vacations..... Here it is:About halfway though my vacation last week, I got this disturbing thought that my business must be falling apart because my staff is announcing a price increase for the fall. I had this picture in my mind of all these irate people quitting left and right. And, w... 3464 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-03-15T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-part-4-affirmations-visualization-you-at-your-perfect-weight Tired of trying new diets and systems? Disheartened that nothing works and convinced that you can’t lose weight? Resigned to living larger than life (no pun intended!) but in your heart of hearts, know that there is another person inside whom you’d love to meet?  I hear you! Perhaps you need to change your self-talk. The solution might be as simple as getting out of your own way. Wow! Could it really be that easy? Yep, it really can! Did you know that when you are thinking i... 3460 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-03-14T04:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/time-to-pivot I bet you've been wondering where I've been hiding and what the heck I'm doing with the grant money. Well I had a come-to-Jesus moment late last year and had to accept that my growth strategy for Mom Gets A Life wasn't working.   It was disappointing to admit but it was necessary. When we originally launched we focused on building a virtual community.  It grew but not at the rate I expected.  I made the decision to refocus our efforts on live events.  Although I ... 3457 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2012-03-13T18:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/streamline-your-business-by-getting-rid-of-paper-interview-with-sue-zimmerman-of-sueb-do Recently I had a conversation with Savor member Sue Zimmerman, a high energy, successful serial entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of the Sueb.do brand and Computer Companion in the Boston area. Sue told me she has eliminated nearly all of the paper within her business that most business owners toil over.  According to Brother's "Cost of Disorganization" Study, an estimated 38 working hours (or close to one work week) per person each year are lost as a result of looking for misplace... 3459 2012-03-13T13:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/dream-bosses-give-up-the-3-p-s-of-time-poverty (Part 10 of 10: "If You Mess With My Serenity You're Fired!") I often say to folks: concentrate on the 1% that you can control; your own actions and reactions. You want a dream team, really?? Then you have to be a dream boss. How can you do that? Give up the 3 P's of time poverty; pressure, perfectionism and people-pleasing.Let's tackle these one by one.Pressure: The type I'm speaking of occurs when you are hovering over your employees, tapping your foot anxiously, and/or asking when, when, ... 3447 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-03-08T00:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-part-3a-balancing-hormones Is it just me or do you feel kind of nutso sometimes? Ever wonder why you are slumping some afternoons? Feeling cranky and have a short fuse? Noticing your clothes getting tighter and the pounds creeping on steadily? Want to kick-start your metabolism and get it moving? All of these things are impacted by the level and quality of hormones in your body.  Over 50 regulate our body’s systems, so make sure you are giving them what they need! Here are some options: 1.&nbsp... 3446 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-03-07T06:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/the-common-cold Yes. I had a cold. Just a plain old miserable cold. Complete with red nose, hacking, sneezing, runny nose and headache.  Or at least that is what I thought. Now I realize it is more than a cold. Instead, I realize that the entire last week of being sick was the learning opportunity I’d been waiting for. The lessons. So rich in lessons.         This is what I heard loud and clear:  Take care of yourself, Bryn. Seriously. You are sick. Get in yo... 3445 2012-03-06T23:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/what-kind-of-bra-do-you-buy A few weeks ago I wrote about the link between wearing a bra and getting support for your business growth. This week I am taking the analogy further by exploring the “right” kind of support that works for you. We all know that there are endless types of bras. We also know that most of us buy ones that don’t fit us properly. In order to get the most benefit from a bra you have to get one that fits you. Same with business support, you have to figure out what is right for you... 3444 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-03-06T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/the-success-secret-that-starts-with-a-p Can you guess what that word is?  Let me first tell you how to get it before I reveal what the word is. :) The other day, I shared with Savor Premium Members my Daily Action Plan - Inspir-Action! It's from my M.A.N.I.F.E.S.T Method that I've developed from my concert piano days and throughout my journey as an entrepreneur to make s*** happen. :) At the core of the method is my Daily Action Plan... because what you do on a daily basis adds up to the sum of your current reality. The Da... 3431 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-03-01T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-step-3-tending-your-internal-fire Step 3: Give your body the correct fuel so it can burn efficiently Who wants to be energized, lean, fit and even-tempered? It doesn’t have to be complicated at all!  Stoke the fire and fan the flames…starting with a plan. Bear in mind that I am just touching the tip of the iceberg. As I mentioned in the last blog, it’s virtually impossible for us normal folk to get it all from food… Being that I am such a fan of delegation, why not get the basics from a truste... 3427 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-02-29T10:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/your-dream-team-and-your-zone-part-9-of-10 According to many success philosophers including Jack Canfield and Les Hewitt, there are typically 3 things that any one person is so good at, it feels almost effortless. That's called your "zone of genius."I've identified my "zone" as motivational speaking/coaching, delegating, and building relationships.On the other hand, please don't ask me to touch the accounting, decorating, admin including managing complicated schedules, or getting an accurate count of any like item past ten or even man... 3419 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-02-27T02:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/quick-sales-tip-build-strategic-partners-referrers Here is one of the very best ways to build your business, in step-by-step instructions:  1. Know (really know!) the business value you bring to the market & how you are different. 2. Find like-minded people who know and trust you and regularly connect with them.  3. Be genuine and add value to THEIR lives and THEIR business.  4. Don't "spray and pray" all about you and YOUR business. When people like you, they naturally get curious and visit your website, check out your... 3418 2012-02-26T09:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/the-risk-of-giving-former-employees-references-and-why-checking-references-is-important Leverage a Lawyer is booming (yay!) and as a result, I'm smack dab in the middle of hiring some new employees right now.  I'll be honest - I've avoided hiring any W2 employees until now.  I've only worked with independant contractors in the past and have (until now) gotten away without a full-time employee.  But with the exponential monthly growth that my firm is experiencing, things will spin out of control pretty quickly if I don't bite the bullet and hire for real.  Th... 3411 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2012-02-25T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/women-entrepreneurs-rock-the-world-2012   Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 12 PM EST.  A sneak peak at just some of our speakers:  BRAND YOU: Lisa Hufford is CEO and Founder of Simplicity Consulting. Founded in 2006, Simplicity helps Fortune 500 companies build flexible teams by providing business solutions. Simplicity has been recognized as #56 in the 2011 INC 500 fastest growing private companies.  She is a personal brand expert and shares her approach through speaking,... 3392 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-02-23T02:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/woman-of-the-week-jessica-eaves-mathews Here's why we love Jessica... Not only is she an uber-successful lawyer with an impressive resume, she's also a magnificent mother and a leader with a mission. She makes it very clear that her business is important to her, but so is her family. She is a role-model who leads by example, not only for her daughter, but for women everywhere.  Read on to find out how Jessica got the courage to leave a lucrative career to start her own company, why the quote "If you want to take the island, ... 3404 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2012-02-23T01:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-step-2-is-your-personal-vehicle-an-old-jalopy-or-mercedes-it-s-your-choice Ellen's Five-Step Approach to Perfect Weight and Optimal Health Step 2: Plan Ahead and Make Good Choices Sounds easy enough, right?  Last week we talked about detoxing so your body is cleaner, healthier and burns more efficiently. This week, the subject is planning ahead-making it easier to choose wisely. So, here’s the deal: Digestion takes a huge amount of energy as does dealing with a bunch of junk going through your system. Timing and quality impact the amount yo... 3403 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-02-22T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/vlogumentary-a-day-in-the-life-of-an-entrepreneur-real-life-drama-caught-on-camera Watch a day in my crazy life as I try to juggle getting my daughter ready in the morning, walking in the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Mom's Show, dealing with an employee crises, conducting interviews, and hosting a Savor NYC event with nearly 60 women.  You see me go up and down the emotional roller coaster of what it takes to run a business, balance family life, and be tested at every turn. At times I deal with the guilt of being away from my daughter, try to talk myself into having a... 3386 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-02-17T18:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/the-first-rule-of-business-building There is one principle above others when it comes to building your growing business, and it is very simple to follow: If you are not getting 100% of your business through referrals, you need to set time every day for revenue building activity.  In other words, if you're not full with customers or maxxed out due to all the business you are receiving - than whatever you do today, make sure you have time in your calendar to build new business.  Within corporate, we call it, "net-new... 3382 2012-02-17T10:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/trademark-shame-and-how-the-truth-will-set-you-free Okay ladies, I'm going to be short and to the point.  There seems to be an epidemic in the entrepreneurial community that we need to address.   MANY many of you do not have a proper trademark set up in your business.  And one of two things appear to be going on: 1)  You know that you don't have a proper trademark set up... but you are avoiding it because: a)  you don't want to spend the money; b) you are just too busy to deal with it, so you do nothing; c)&n... 3381 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2012-02-16T18:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/treating-yourself-like-the-star-you-are-making-perfect-weight-and-optimal-health-effortless-part-1 I started out writing (as promised in last week’s blog!) about simplifying the process of putting the right fuel in your body so you can effortlessly achieve your perfect weight and optimal health…and then realized that it’s too VAST a topic for one small blog entry! Soooo, instead, I’m going to share my proven method that has successfully helped my clients (and me!). Since there are five steps, I’ll be covering one step in each of the next five blogs: Ellen&rs... 3377 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-02-15T05:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/would-you-ever-go-out-braless-what-bras-and-business-success-have-in-common-part-1 Ladies, would you ever leave the house braless? I assume not, unless you are feeling especially adventurous or are one of the few women that just don’t need one. My reason for asking this question is to point out that bras are to women what support is to business success. The difference is that we don’t doubt the use of a bra; we always wear one.  We do doubt the need for business support. My argument is that they aren’t very different and yet we don’t question ... 3371 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-02-13T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/the-little-day-to-day-risks-to-keep-your-dream-team-going-part-8-of-10   .   Hello my dear Savor sisters, While I realize some of you have employees and some don't, if you are really using the resources you have here at Savor, you have a great product and you keep taking action accordingly, your company will most likely get to the point where you will need employees in order to grow any further. If you don't yet have employees, you can apply so... 3368 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-02-12T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/follow-up-on-my-rant-about-high-level-coaches When I initially wrote my first blog about "high-level" coaches and my problem with them, I had no idea the outpouring of emails we would receive from people thanking me for speaking up. Really, I have the chills right now. I had no idea the impact this blog would make.  People shared stories of spending upwards of 100K on coachings. Some of you are suing a couple of coaches. A couple of you were told to never talk to others in the group about the program because it would be negative to... 3362 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-02-10T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/my-problem-with-most-high-level-coaches-and-my-list-of-trusted-coaches Yikes. This is going to be a controversial one. But everyone sees it, and someone's gotta say it. There's a lot of funny going around, and it ain't Conan O'Brien.  I see so many "high-level" coaches out there selling programs for huge amounts of money. And that's fine... if you work with someone who gets and sees you. However, over the past two years (especially in the last six months... Woah! What's going on here?), I've had far too many women entrepreneurs come to me and say, "I've... 3358 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-02-09T13:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/another-small-talk-tip Research leads to small talk leading to a direct connection you can use to begin rich and detailed conversation.  Research the people you want to connect with at an event or people you are meeting for a connection coffee. The result is that you can say you: •               Follow them on Twitter. •               Saw the pe... 3353 2012-02-09T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/caring-nurturing-pampering We’ve all heard to put on our oxygen masks first…you know how they say this on an airplane during take-off preparations?  In my interpretation, loosely translated, it means to take care of yourself; to prioritize your own health and welfare. But, isn’t this selfish? Aren’t we supposed to be generous, magnanimous and charitable to others-putting our needs dead last?  Yep, all of that, but you’ll find you have more energy to help others as well as you&rs... 3352 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-02-08T12:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/integrate-sales-and-marketing-into-every-business-day Yesterday I made a three-hour excape from my office to learn more about a social media platform I had many questions about. I had lots to do, as anyone does who is building a business. My week had no down time. I almost felt guilty leaving, but I did it.  The nugget I heard at this small get-together of women in business was when my host explained her philosophy of business building.  Work to connect with 10 new people each day, because ultimately you need to get out there and tal... 3350 2012-02-07T12:36:31Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/let-small-talk-work-for-you We’ve talked about Throwing Your Own Party while networking. Your own party to turn a big, overwhelming event into a manageable, enjoyable series of conversations. It’s flowing so smoothly. You are in the zone. Walking around your little networking party. And then BANG- you realize that the next step in the process is to start small talk with utter strangers. Strangers with whom you are trying to meet and make a memorable impression. PRESSURE! YIKES! Breathe. You actual... 3348 2012-02-07T12:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/the-1-characteristic-of-a-dream-team-employee-part-7-of-10-part-series       In the past, I used to look for certain traits when making my decision to hire an employee. These included:Great credentialsEntrepreneurial spiritExcellent technical skillsGreat enthusiasm for the job at handSomeone who could bring in their own clientsAnd, I can tell you unequivocably, I failed miserably in building a dream team based on the above characteristics. Mo... 3345 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-02-05T23:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/what-s-holding-you-back-pt-2-failure Last week in Part 1 of "What's Holding You Back?", I wrote about how competition can be paralyzing for people and how to stay focused on "your painting".  This week, I talk about failure. Yes, that F word.  About a year ago, I was talking to a friend/colleague about some of my upcoming projects. She said, "Ang, don't go down that route again. You tried to do it once and look how it flopped."  Huh? Flopped? I was shocked to hear her say that. It had never crossed my mind... 3339 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-02-02T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/jumpstart-your-day-by-starting-the-night-before Don’t you love to start the day off energized and relaxed, knowing that wonderful surprises are coming your way?  How often do your days start that way though? If you answered that it isn’t as often as you’d like, here are some ideas to change that trend: Today starts with a bit of organizing and prepaving the night before. Following is a glimpse into some things you could add to your evening (and morning) routine: 1.       Make a li... 3334 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-02-01T19:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/what-s-holding-you-back-part-1-competition Competition is a funny thing, isn't it? It can be paralyzing or it can be healthy. I use it to fuel my fire.  I have always been one to thrive on competition. After all, I have Korean parents and was a concert pianist. Through extreme disciplined training, I learned the best way to deal with competition is to always surround yourself with the best of the best, play as hard as they do and don't pay too much attention to what's going on around you. Just outwork everyone else.  I wa... 3323 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-01-26T15:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/use-your-time-wisely-find-your-rythym-thrive You may have noticed that I’ve been a bit quieter these past few weeks…this is due to the fact that I have been recruited for a project that requires me to be in an office for twelve weeks. Considering  I haven’t worked in an office for over ten years, this has been quite a switch for me…but what better opportunity than this to test all of the tips and techniques I’ve been sharing with all of you? And, to hone them so they are even more effective? And... 3321 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-01-26T00:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-personal-time-tip Here are some things to think about when scheduling PERSONAL time in your calendar! Personal Tip: Insert one hour of unscheduled time into your week. Don’t panic! It is just one hour. The only planning this hour requires is getting it on your calendar. And then do… well… whatever you want to do or are called to do in that hour. Go with the flow. Fill the time based on your instincts in that moment. This is one of the most important tools I have to get “u... 3314 2012-01-25T12:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/singular-focus-grows-revenues I just got done watching a short, homemade video that mega-star & producer Tyler Perry made called, "How To Be Successful". You can find it in a Youtube search. It was very uplifting and clear in its message.   Tyler has a rags-to-riches story filled with gratitude and inspiration. Many people learned about him through his plays, movies, or through one of many Oprah shows that he has been on. My nephew, Darren, directed his first movie, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, in 2005.  I ... 3319 2012-01-25T03:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/3-ways-you-sabatoge-your-own-success I often write about ways to create success in your business but you can’t add in a bunch of pleasurable strategies without recognizing how you could potentially be sabotaging the good that you are creating. We are the product of our thoughts and our thoughts can hinder our ability to do all that we are capable of. Unfortunately we are our own worst critics. We are fast to look for what did not work, what we could have done better or what we don’t like about ourselves. We think ... 3317 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-01-24T14:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-personal-time Here we are at the end of the 5-Part Series on managing your calendar. On having some fun with your calendar. On focusing on the outcome and not letting your calendar run you life... so it is only appropriate that we end the series talking about Personal time. Making certain that personal time is SCHEDULED in your calendar. This is the most straightforward planning task of them all and usually the most difficult for my clients. ·      I know you &ld... 3313 2012-01-23T12:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/can-a-serenity-buster-become-a-dream-team-employee-part-6-of-10-part-series       I'm often asked the question, "If I have a serenity-busting employee, can they turn around?" My answer is, "Yes, but it's rare." Most of the time, problem employees are like bad boyfriends. They promise you they will change, they change for a while, then they are back to their old stuff. Or, worse. They correct the particular behavior you call them on, but then do somethin... 3312 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-01-22T14:14:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-networking-tips Here are a few things to think about when squeezing networking and connecting time into your calendar: Networking Tip: Block out your calendar for maximum flow. Cluster your activities into 1 or 2 hour periods.  “For the next two hours I will reach out to people on that list. Phone calls. Emails.” That means you are not reading old emails, playing on social media, painting your nails, refinishing furniture- anything to avoid picking up the phone.   Network... 3292 2012-01-20T14:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/lesson-learned-work-life-balance-brings-inspiration-to-business I admit it: work/life balance has been really hard for me. I love to work, and even when I get together with friends (many of whom happen to be entrepreneurs), we talk shop. One of my favorite things to do is to get together with a friend for brunch and problem-solve business challenges.  So you can see, when you are turned on by your profession, it's hard to turn off. My lesson learned this week: It's important to bring new and fresh energy into your life on a daily basis. Inspiration... 3303 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-01-19T15:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-networking-time •             Do you have a networking strategy? •            Are there dates already set aside on your calendar to leave your house and meet new people? •           Have you identified key individuals and organizations that would partner well with your business? Use these three questions to s... 3291 2012-01-18T12:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/beautiful-success Do you feel sexy and beautiful? Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? Loving yourself and feeling sexy is a core precursor to getting the most juice out of your pleasurable activities. Think about it. If you love working out but beat yourself up while doing it, you are negating the positive effects it is having on your physiology. Working out is one of the methods of getting a shot of the pleasure chemical nitric oxide released throughout your body. It, along with meditation, orgasm and... 3299 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-01-17T20:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/but-is-it-legal-to-fire-him-part-5-of-series     One of the reasons I used to be afraid of firing anyone, no matter how much grief they were giving me, was because I thought I could get sued. Here are the issues with that:1) Anyone can sue anyone at any time for any reason. We business owners must make peace with that.2) I have realized I used to dream up unsubstantiated legalities to avoid standing... 3293 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-01-16T21:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-promotion-time-tips   If this whole idea scares you a little, GOOD! It should. You are taking it up a notch! Promote Yourself! Promotion Tip: Write into your calendar EXACTLY what you will do each day. Blog post. Article creation. In my opinion, social media should be written in for a few minutes every day on your calendar. Newsletter. White paper. Commenting on people’s blogs. Calls to possible collaborators. Book speaking opportunities. Promotion Tip: Uncomfortable drawing so much attentio... 3290 2012-01-16T17:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/having-the-right-mindset-can-it-help-you-harness-the-powerful-creator-within *  Do you believe in fate or possibilities? *  Is your glass half-full or half-empty? Hmmm… How are you doing so far with your resolutions? Let's see...it's two weeks into January, the first month of the year. Have you given up or are you stumbling along? We all know that it feels better to laugh and be full of joy...so what can we do to tip the scales in our favor? 1.  Be present; in the NOW as Eckhart Tolle says.  What are you thinking about? D... 3285 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-01-12T18:24:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/introduction-pleasure-for-business Hello Savor the Success Ladies! I wanted to start the New Year with an introductory blog. I posted how Marketing is like dating before but thought I should say hello and introduce what I will be blogging about. Firstly, I am so excited to be here and thrilled to be a part of such a lively and impressive group of entrepreneurial women. I am inspired by all of you that I meet and I love reading your posts, blogs and engaging with you at the events. So what do I do? I help seasoned, service ... 3281 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2012-01-11T17:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/how-to-spot-a-serenity-busting-employee-in-the-interview-pt-4-of-series     "If You Mess With My Serenity, You're Fired! Part Four" If you've read my previous 3 blogs, you've learned about 5 types of employees that can really take a toll on a very valuable asset to your company: your serenity. And, that brings me to a common question. How can you spot a serenity-busting employee in the interview? Well, let's face it. Some people, no matter how pr... 3273 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-01-10T00:41:47Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/promotion time   How much time are you spending each week promoting your business? Does it feel uncomfortable for you to constantly be drawing attention to yourself and/or your business? Are you running out of things to say and places where you can say them? These three questions are a constant source of conversation with my clients. And like everything in my approach to business strategy, I want to keep it simple. When it comes to promotion, it’s all about the combination of ingredients... 3265 2012-01-08T14:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/more-about-planning-for-sales-time-in-your-day I read with glee the posts that Bryn Johnson wrote about making time right on your calendar for sales time. See: Planning Your Calendar - Sales Time and Planning With Your Calendar - Sales Time Tips Then I posted a comment. It went something like this: "If business owners would do just this ONE thing - making time on the calendar set aside for business building - they most likely would grow sales."  So put the time into your calendar - and then HONOR those time slots. What I mea... 3262 2012-01-06T09:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/fun-exercise-to-activate-your-money-flow-in-2012 I created a fun exercise that I wanted to share with you in order to spend money in a fun way... with maximum return!  This was recorded on a Saturday morning in late November in the middle retail mayhem so please don't let my appearance scare you. Just had a flash of inspiration and thought the info was more important than my look. :)(And if you have any advice for me on my daughter's bad deed at the end, I'm ALL EARS.)  xoxo,  AngelaAngela Jia KimFounder, Savor the Su... 3259 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2012-01-05T15:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/the-key-to-keeping-resolutions-be-proactive-rather-than-passive Happy 2012, everyone!   My blogs for the next few weeks will focus on helping you to stick to your resolutions, attain your goals and be your fabulous self.  We’ll be talking about having the right mindset, so you draw the perfect circumstances and people into your life, choosing how to fuel your body so you are youthful and energized as well as  setting goals and boundaries which will include detoxing, exercising and socializing.   So, with that in mind, I&rsqu... 3254 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2012-01-04T20:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/nika-stewart/my-dirty-little-secret-for-getting-projects-done How to assure you finish writing that book, launch your next program, get your money-making projects out to the world When you have a “job,” you get things done because you have to. When the boss says that a project needs to be completed by a certain day, it gets completed. Of course it does. That’s part of the job. If you didn’t get things done on schedule, you wouldn’t have the job for very long. But when you work for yourself, all of the assumed acco... 3253 2012-01-04T00:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-sales-time-tips Client Time Tip: Remember when you blocked off Client Time on our calendars and you probably had some extra time set aside for the clients you want but do not have yet? Use that time to pick up the phone and speak to people. Use that time for SALES until you have a strong pipeline and a full practice/client base.   Client Time Tip: Create a little process for yourself. Not complicated. But a process that allows you to always have a list of people to call. Each night be... 3250 2012-01-02T16:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/the-perfect-deflector-part-three-of-if-you-mess-with-my-serenity-you-re-fired       Ok, this is the last type of serenity-busting employee that I will cover before moving on to other sub-topics of this series. i.e. signs of a problem employee during the interview process.I have to tell you about the "Perfect Deflector."This employee will come in a nice, shiny package; well dressed and groomed and they will be entirely professional.....on the... 3248 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2012-01-02T12:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/full-steam-ahead-into-the-new-year-gaining-momentum-from-studying-the-past As promised, I’ll be sharing my yearly reflection and goal setting process; Reflecting Back, Projecting Forward in my last blog of 2011. It’s a ritual I have been doing for over a decade in which you learn from the past and feel empowered by the visual expansion and planning for the future. It becomes more powerful each year as you can see more growth and momentum-so excited about sharing this with you!   Tools to have handy:  Your 2011 day planner and two sheets of pa... 3247 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-12-30T14:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-your-calendar-sales-time   Do you currently set aside time on your calendar to talk to prospects? Do you have a connection strategy that includes a sales process? Do you avoid this time on your calendar at all costs?   Sales cannot be avoided. Or you will be out of business before you start. (hmmm..... no one really told me that when I started this "entrepreneurial thing"!) But KNOWING this intellectually and taking actions that allow you to ACT on it are two very different things.  B... 3245 2011-12-29T14:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/why-stop-now-spreading-the-joy-all-year-long Happy holidays, everyone! I hope that you have been enjoying this season, surrounded by friends and family and that Santa has been good to you!  It’s so easy to get swept up with all the festivities though, isn’t it, that sometimes we forget those who aren’t as blessed as we are. It really does feel better to give than to receive, so here are some ideas to remedy that! You will find it doesn’t take much time and it sets a terrific example for the kids as well as o... 3234 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-12-26T10:36:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/if-you-mess-with-my-serenity-you-re-fired-part-two     Today I'm inspired to write about a fourth type of serenity-busting employee.  The "prima donna." Hold on to your hats, folks. The "prima donna" can REALLY devastate you and throw you and your company off course unless you take certain measures.First, let's talk about the characteristics of a "prima donna." The term comes from the star or leading-lady of the ballet. They... 3232 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2011-12-25T11:16:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/grow-sales-with-your-prospective-customer-list-in-2012   A key benefit to interacting with potential customers on your website is the opportunity to engage in a way that they will want further connection from you. Through social channels you can help create a two-way conversation and prospective customers (or clients, as the case may be) can eventually find their way to your website. Then what? Offer value. Create value so that your target prospect (in the niche that you sell to) will want more from you, and in exchange they are willing... 3231 2011-12-24T18:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/the-sky-is-not-the-limit-video-for-inspiration I was up late one night with a bout of insomnia, and I happened upon a recent Diane Sawyer interview with Gaby Gifford. You may know of her as the congresswoman who was shot in the brain in a senseless act of violence.  I am sharing this beautiful interview in its entirety below with you because I think it's a testament for all of us who are building businesses, giving jobs to others, helping the economy, contributing to our communities. It's a message that with love, support, a positiv... 3222 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-12-22T14:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/if-you-mess-with-my-serenity-you-re-fired-part-one Wow. I sound like a hard-ass, don't I? This post-series goes out to mycolleagues with employees. Really, I'm not mean and cruel. I'm just sayingI've stopped letting other people get me down so much, and I've now gotthe courage to have those necessary uncomfortable conversations. And I'mtalking friends, relatives, and yes, employees. I used to not fire anyone.I had no serenity. I always thought that if someone was behaving badly Ihad somehow done something to cause that.Hey, wait a minute? You... 3219 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2011-12-19T18:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-client-time-tips Client Time Tip: If you have client work to do- copywriting, project planning, graphic design, products to make, etc- choose a time when you can remain focused and ideally this is NOT time when you could be on the phone with potential clients or clients. (You’ll learn more on that in the next blog post.)  I use the early mornings and block off a large chunk of time (ex: 6 am to 12 pm) a couple days a week based on how many projects I am tackling. From a creative standpoint, I... 3215 2011-12-19T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/flawless-holiday-flow-with-the-three-c-s-breezing-calm-cool-and-collected-through-the-holiday-season Are you in panic mode yet? Wondering how you will get it all done? Stop right now and take a deep breath. Repeat after me:   Everything is unfolding perfectly.   The world is conspiring in my favor.   My life is a constant stream of miracles.    OK, now say these affirmations out loud this time and really feeeeel them! Ahhhh…feels better already, right? With practice, you can learn to set the stage for your fabulous life…and will ... 3216 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-12-18T21:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-client-time How do you currently use your calendar? What categories do you prioritize on your calendar? How often do you update them? Are there areas of your business where you feel you are just losing time? Keep these answers close because over the next 5 blog posts we are going to focus on 5 main areas of calendar planning: Client Time, Sales Time, Promotion Time, Networking Time and Personal Time. But you will want to use this process for other categories we don’t discuss an... 3214 2011-12-17T19:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/the-savor-holiday-gift-guide This blog is happily sponsored by Farah Beliard of Virtual Mavrix.  If you still haven't finished your holiday shopping, today's your lucky day! We've come up with an amazing list of our top holiday gift picks for everyone on your list. We believe in supporting small businesses, so why not support a woman entrepreneur!  {If you are a woman entrepreneur and have a fabulous holiday gift to share with the world, please post it in the comments area so we can help get your name out th... 3208 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-12-16T15:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/is-your-legal-foundation-like-microwave-pizza A dear friend and colleague of mine recently wrote a blog post here on Savor that really resonated with me.  Melissa Cassera asked if your PR efforts were like microwave pizza.   In her own words: “Ok, sometimes microwave pizza can be mildly satisfying. But, more often than not, it tastes like a hot pile of garbage.   So what does microwave pizza have going for it? Well, it's cheap. It's quick. It's easy.   These three words echo the PR efforts of many en... 3209 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2011-12-15T19:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/holiday-time-has-gone-through-reverse-evolution-but-you-don-t-have-to I don't know how it happened, but at some point in time, the holidays ceased to be about peace and joy and began to be about stress and anxiety. Backwards evolution I'd say! And, we business folks tend to view the holidays in extremes. Either no one buys because they are waiting until after the holidays, or everyone buys for the holidays. Of course it depends on what business you are in. Either way it tends to be stressful. You are not working or you are overworked. Not only th... 3206 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2011-12-14T21:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/the-start-now-strategy-for-big-revenues-in-january As everyone is winding down for the holidays you have a most wonderful opportunity to set up your best sales month in January, once all the holiday craziness is over.  Yes, I did say craziness - when you think of it from a selling standpoint. When we do a training class or webinar,  we often ask, in terms of getting business done at the end of the year: Q: "What happens between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day?" A: "Not much." We all mentally shut down a bit to business in order ... 3200 2011-12-14T09:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/are-your-pr-efforts-like-microwave-pizza Ahhh...microwave pizza. Are you feeling nostalgic about your college dorm days? Ok, sometimes microwave pizza can be mildly satisfying. But, more often than not, it tastes like a hot pile of garbage. So what does microwave pizza have going for it? Well, it's cheap. It's quick. It's easy. These three words echo the PR efforts of many entrepreneurs. What is the cheapest, quickest, and easiest way we can promote our businesses? But, the problem with microwaving PR is that it loses its qualit... 3193 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-12-13T15:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/planning-with-your-calendar-a-5-part-series-for-2012 A little insight into Bryn. A little help with your 2012 planning. Classic Bryn. Always trying to do everything all at once. Cram as much into a day as possible. Bite off more that I can chew and take it on anyway. When I was a child, I hated to go to bed- not because I feared I would miss something but because I feared that everything I wanted to do would never get done if I slept. Interesting. That philosophy is an underlying belief that continues to show up each day of my adult life. I s... 3192 2011-12-11T22:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/ensuring-a-sparkling-relaxed-and-joyful-entrance-into-the-holiday-social-scene Ah, December…the excitement of the holiday season, festive decorations, seasonal smells in the air.  Are you a social butterfly who is the life of the party or do you feel like a wall flower; sitting on the sidelines?  Last week, we discussed how to gift gracefully… this week, we’ll be taking that one step further and going to the party! Get ready to shine brightly and celebrate in style-YOUR style!   1.  What to wear: It’s time to be a bit ... 3191 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-12-11T20:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/one-reason-many-businesses-fail-and-how-to-avoid-it In this week's vlog, I reveal what I have observed as one of the reasons many businesses fail. I had a huge Aha! moment this past week and found myself going down that path. After stopping myself short and implementing a very important challenge that turned the tide for me, I'm ready to share that lesson with you. There's one sentence that I say in there that is a very important mind-shift!  P.S. If you'd like to see our massive Om Aroma marketing promotion for the holidays, take a... 3187 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-12-08T17:12:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-eaves-mathews/international-trademarks-and-protecting-your-ideas-and-designs Hi ladies!  This issue came up in a recent forum post, and I thought it was important enough to share with everyone.  Let me know if you have questions about this! Question: Do you need to have an international trademark? This question assumes that you already have a federal trademark either in process or fully registered.  If you don't, that is your first step.  I won't deal with why you need a federal trademark in this post, but if you want the answer to that question,... 3186 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2011-12-07T14:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/do-you-use-your-powers-for-good A while back I blogged about the power of facing your fears.  At the time I was talking about the fear of being judged, a fear I experienced deeply when I was misquoted in a newspaper article. After the newspaper article ran I decided I could let the fear of "looking bad" shut me down.   Or I could make it work for me. When my next PR opportunity arose, a segment with Fox News, I made sure I was prepared to deliver a clear, consice message. You can see the end result here.... 3175 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2011-12-06T21:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/laura-garnett/why-marketing-is-like-dating I am in the process of thinking about my marketing strategies for the New Year and I am reminded of how much I love marketing. For me it’s a creative exercise that allows me to connect with potential clients. I love working with clients and I see each of them as an opportunity for growth, learning and insight. So marketing to them is like creating the warmest greeting card that I can come up with that they will read and feel connected to the message. It got me thinking about pers... 3184 laura@lauragarnett.com (Laura Garnett) 2011-12-06T20:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/top-ways-to-benefit-from-a-large-networking-event This week there is a very large networking event in Boston called the MA Conference for Women - an annual event with over 100 speakers. I spoke to a woman last year who said that she doesn't attend large events like this because it is too overwhelming. I disagree - bring on the big, big event and I'll show you how to maximize your time and effort, and utilmately grow relationships and then profits. Let's begin: Sign up! The MA Conference for Women website is: http://maconferenceforwomen... 3181 2011-12-05T11:40:01Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/introducing-melody-stevens-time-millionaire Hello Savor Sisters! I’m so happy and honored to be blogging on Savor. My goal is to post stories and tips to help you create lots and lots of time wealth in your life and business. I want you to have your freedom AND your financial success, and all the satisfaction and joy you can possibly attain. I want to help you become the true CEO of your business and your life. And, please know, it’s been through major struggle that I am even able to profess time millionaire-ship. Since,... 3178 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2011-12-04T12:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-mathews/introducing-jessica-eaves-mathews-not-your-average-lawyer Hello my brilliant and beautiful Savor Sisters!  Many of you know me as an active member of this community, as well as a member of the 7-Figure Club.  I have also been an official blogger for Savor for a while now, but was really busy launching two new companies so I haven't posted in a while.  I'm excited to ramp back up and start answering your questions about legal issues that you deal with in your businesses.    To get this started, I wanted to re-introduce m... 3173 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2011-12-01T15:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/wrapping-it-up-easily-ahead-of-the-rush-save-time-money-and-be-a-star Are your holidays typically spent frantically worrying about what or whom you might have forgotten, panicked; waiting in line, buying last-minute meaningless gifts just so you have something to give? YIKES! Mine certainly used to be…but NO MORE and yours don’t have to be either! This week’s blog is dedicated to sharing some simple ideas to save you time and minimize stress, while putting your fabulous personal stamp on everything you joyfully give. Be known for memorable, c... 3172 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-12-01T14:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/5-red-flags-to-look-out-for-before-hiring-a-coach As you know, I am a big believer that we as entrepreneurs need a support team to we grow both professionally and personally. It's not always easy to sit as CEO, so having that support is such an integral of feeling supported and not having to do it alone. God knows that without my "Board of Advisors", I would not be a happy camper. :) Many of you have contacted me over the years to ask how to know if a coach is legitimate or not. While there is a plethora of amazing coaches out there, ther... 3169 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-11-30T15:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/plan-or-refine-your-business-standards-for-2012-win-a-coffee-card This is a great time to plan how you want your business to look in 2012 - just a month away (less if you read this after it's posted).  As entrepreneur, you are the creator and leader of your business - it is what YOU design, and what you want it to be, not what just randomly happens. You set expectations and guidelines for your business so that you actually love what you are doing. Example: When I started my training and consulting business, I vowed to never again work with jerks. In ... 3170 2011-11-30T13:31:25Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/nika-stewart/3-ways-to-maximize-social-media-engagement You probably know that to get the best results on Social Media, you need to engage your audience. It isn’t about simply broadcasting – even if you are posting valuable information. People will only work with people whom they know, like, and trust – and they get to know, like, and trust you through interactions, conversations, and meaningful engagement. If you share the right content AND effectively engage the right people, you will increase your online visibility, im... 3168 2011-11-29T23:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/throw-your-own-party Every time you walk into a room –any room- you are throwing your own party. Really. I have been doing it for decades. Let’s take a step back. Perhaps the event you are attending is the annual conference for some organization, a Savor monthly event or the one-day seminar hosted by another small business, corporation or individual.  There are hosts and coordinators for the event. They have invited the majority of the people. It is clearly their party- right? Well yes a... 3159 2011-11-27T21:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/get-control-of-your-data-to-grow-your-business One of the biggest issues for entrepreneurs is putting systems in place that help support you and grow your business. When it comes to the actual tracking of who is interested in your products and services, capturing information is critical because most people don't buy the first time they connect with you.  Instead you need to nurture that relationship - reconnecting with your prospective customer to build trust and for them to learn more about you and the services you offer.  So... 3157 2011-11-25T05:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/effortless-multitasking-with-grace Greetings from sunny Florida! I’ve hopped across the pond for a couple weeks to visit friends and family and to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Yes, right on the heels of committing to this weekly blog and when I am about to launch a social media campaign. And co-authoring our annual holiday letter. The list goes on… Am I crazy? My friend Cindy (whom I visited last weekend on the first leg of this trip) looked me straight in the eye and asked me what I was thinking…starting... 3154 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-11-24T03:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/nika-stewart/what-to-post-on-facebook-and-twitter-a-dozen-ideas In my last post, I talked about the formula for posting on Social Media – which topics and subjects are most effective for building your business and attracting your ideal community.  Today I want to help you more specifically, and answer the question: So, what should I post? Never again will you wonder what to post! You can come back to this list at any time for some inspiration. Want to build a strong following, increase conversations, encourage reposts, and get people to clic... 3147 2011-11-21T00:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/operation-build-your-dream-team Do you have your Dream Team in place? If not, we have to talk. :)   Last week, I had to fire one of my employees because it became crystal clear that she was no longer part of my Dream Team. It was very hard for me to do because she was a fantastic salesperson, but even if she was bringing revenue up, her behavior was dragging the team down.  So how do you put your Dream Team in place? The first step is to create or update your Employee Handbook. Watch this week's vlog to see m... 3139 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-11-17T15:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lori-richardson/introducing-lori-richardson-the-sales-detective I am thrilled to share tips, simple ideas, best practices, and inspirations in sales and marketing – an area I’ve been studying nearly all my life. To start things off, I’ll tell you a bit about me, through popular questions I have been asked, and then ask you three questions I’d love for you to see and reply to -- pick any one that moves you. Let’s get started! What makes you a Sales Detective? I work like CSI Miami when I talk with companies or business owne... 3143 2011-11-17T12:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/today-s-celebration-list Sometimes this Entrepreneur needs to channel a bit of her inner Corporate Gal. There are business success strategies that would cross-over beautifully from Corporate life to Business Owner life but often do not get integrated. One of these is harnessing the power of Performance Management. I know. Those of you who worked a job for even one year are probably moaning right now. UGH- BRYN- I HATED EVALUATION TIME.  Bell curves, corporate edicts, cost of living raises, lots of paperw... 3142 2011-11-17T11:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/getting-it-all-done-with-grace-and-a-challenge I’m so excited to share this new blog with my Savor Sisters! Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself. I’m a military spouse (translation: I have honed my packing and planning skills, have lived in lots of interesting places and have learned to seize the moment since we don’t know how long we may be in one place!). I dive in right away, making friends, learning the ground (including language and culture!) and getting involved.  Currently, we are living in the ... 3138 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-11-16T20:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/reader-q-a Every week, we receive a multitude of fantastic questions from Savor readers. We have decided to feature some of your questions, and I have also searched high and low to find some of the best experts to answer them. This week's question has to do with being discovered by the "big wigs". I have enlisted the help of Vanessa Ting, founder of Retail Path and a former buyer for Target.  If you have a question, please post it in the comments below, and you may get featured! Make sure to incl... 3125 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-11-11T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/nika-stewart/writing-business-boosting-posts-for-twitter-the-proven-laptop-mom-formula Inspire and engage on Twitter, and you naturally build your business.    When I tell people that I do most of my business marketing on Twitter, I usually hear:      “I just don’t get Twitter. Why would people care about what I ate for lunch?” That still makes me smile.  And it’s true.  If what you eat is the subject of all your Twitter posts, you’re right.  Most people will not want to follow you or engage with yo... 3121 2011-11-09T17:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/before-after-vlog-case-study-in-less-than-60-minutes {Below is a fun homework assignment, and I have a gift for all of you that will help YOU to improve your online stardom!!} During a recent 7 Figure Club meeting, we were doing an in-depth branding exercise, and one of the assignments was to come up with branding words for one another and how to exude these words. Business consultant Laura Garnett's words were: pleasure, warmth, fun, delicious.  One of her challenges was to create a video to tell her clients about her amazing brand... 3095 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-11-03T14:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/are-you-in-the-checkout-line-behind-your-next-client Today, I am reflecting on my clients and connections. My remarkable “walk through the fear” clients and connections who are building businesses and lives that will make a difference in their families, communities and the world! It feels like these remarkable people have always been in my life, but we know that isn’t true. When did I first meet them? What was my first impression? What were the circumstances? Yesterday, one of my clients and I were talking about the pow... 3105 2011-11-03T11:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/tv-show-opportunity   Ladies, got this email from the fabulous Mike Michalowicz on Thursday... wanted to share with all of you and make sure you all know about this! Take advantage and GOOD LUCK!!! ----- Hey Angela - I wanted to call you, but can't find your phone number at the moment (do you mind resending it to me). I am dropping you a note, to see if you would want to spread the word on this.  I am doing a pilot for a new show (a pretty major cable network) and they are starting casting early ne... 3083 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-10-28T14:32:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/lesson-in-the-waiting Entrepreneurship has its days.   Days of  joy. Days of disappointment. Days of standing in fear. Sometimes this rollercoaster of emotion I experience is based on a business issue. Sometimes on a life issue. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between them, right?  It always goes back to some core belief since it is all one big “World of Bryn” that I am living in. And then there is the waiting. Waiting for the money. Wait... 3080 2011-10-27T11:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/ellen-thomas/how-do-you-tend-your-garden This morning as I was running in the terraced vineyards here in Esslingen, Germany (where we now are fortunate enough to call home) I was thinking about how we tend our own gardens. You know, how we keep our lives running smoothly and successfully. How we care for our bodies and souls… How we fill ourselves with joy, which in turn creates positive energy in our lives. Yummy stuff, right? But how do we do it effectively? This came to my mind as I ran past families gathered together to ... 3075 ellen@yourtransformationcoach.com (Ellen Thomas) 2011-10-23T21:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/are-affirmations-just-not-for-me At our recent Savor 7-Figure Club Retreat, one of my take-aways for immediate action was a list of daily affirmations. Affirmations to bring about a shift in my business and my life. Full disclosure, I am not much of an “affirmation gal” and I have managed to lose these affirmations in my apartment in the 10 days since committing them. Doesn’t take an intuit or a rocket scientist to translate that behavior. I was not invested in the affirmation idea. This caused me to con... 3066 2011-10-20T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/fear-of-judgement-the-headless-horseman-of-entrepreneurs-everywhere I love spooky Halloween tales.  The Headless Horseman is one of my favorites.   There is just something special about a tall, dark, nameless, faceless guy that is out to get me.  It scares the bejeezus out of me every single time. You know what else scares the bejeezus out of me?  The fear of being judged.    It's just like the headless horseman - dark, looming and without any type of real identity. The fear of judgment is not unique to me, you or... 3064 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2011-10-19T02:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/3-people-to-follow-on-facebook How do you use Facebook to brand yourself and attract followers... who eventually buy from you?  Facebook can be confusing! Do you use it for your personal or business purposes? What if you are your business? How do you let others know about your products or services in a way that doesn't annoy them? And how do you post in a way that attracts more fans and doesn't make people run for the "hide posts" or de-friend button? I have found three phenomenal people on Facebook who naturally at... 3052 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-10-13T15:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/lost-child-in-my-own-business Thank you to everyone in the Savor community who responded to my “little voice” dialogue from last week.  So many of you have had those “little voice” moments that propelled you forward ~ utterly inspirational! And trust me there will be more on that topic down the road because there are just too many compelling stories not to collaborate. ************************ This week, I wanted to open up a similar dialogue around another of those questions I am asked at... 3050 2011-10-13T10:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/what-s-your-resilience-iq When entrepreneurs ask me what it takes to build a business, after addressing the obvious questions of business model, financing, and scalability, I always ask this question:   How fast do you bounce back after a set back?   Resilience is what gets you up when you've been knocked down. It's what keeps you going when you feel like quitting. It's the difference between if you succeed in business or not.  I've created a fun little quiz for you to take to see how your Resilien... 3038 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-10-06T14:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/what-s-your-one-goal When I received an invitation to participate in Savor's 7-Figure Club, I was excited. The timing was great - I had just come off of another program and was seeking something to fill the void. Shortly after, I receive an email from Angela sharing our first assignment. We were to come up with one goal that we wanted to accomplish and share it with the group. One goal? ONE goal?? I had a million goals swirling in my head. Which would be the lucky one? Well, I've always wanted to take one of ... 3039 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-10-06T12:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/bryn-johnson/introducing-bryn-johnson Thrilled beyond words to step into this blog space and connect with all of you Savor Ladies in my weekly post. What to expect from me and my blog time? Lots of thoughts fueled by lots of coffee. Many ideas about having more fun in our businesses. Networking/Connecting discussions. NYC stories. Strategies for incorporating “big business” ideas into our fabulous small businesses. ************************************************************************** Seems like the best pl... 3037 2011-10-06T10:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/did-something-alter-you-as-a-child-listen-to-it Did something alter you as a child? (Listen to it!)I have this strong belief that children know much more than we think they know. There are experiences that happen in our childhood or young adulthood that alter us... and you can often use it in your life's work. This week, as I take Ella Fitzgerald (my gorgeous yellow lab!) for a walk in the West Village (NYC), I share how my father's sudden death changed me forever... and how your own childhood experience has meaningful impact the... 3023 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-29T15:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/o-the-drama-of-running-your-business O, the drama of running your business! :)This week, I document my different emotions from hope to frustration to feeling like giving up to slight depression... all while trying to hire my Personal Assistant. Learn what key questions you must ask your potential hires, watch as I give you a peek into my life as I continue this process, and see if I actually find someone. :)Oh, and you will also see what Paula Abdul and I have in common!!P.S. I also have a... 3008 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-22T16:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/the-best-way-to-compensate-a-sales-team   Here’s a question entrepreneurs ask me all the time: “What is the best way to compensate a sales person: salary or straight commission?” My answer is this: How often do you want to train new people? I’ll admit the answer isn’t exactly black or white. There are a few things you should consider when you hire sales people. First, how much do you want to (or can you) invest in your company? Paying a sales person a salary plus commission can feel like a ... 3002 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-09-21T10:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/finding-balance-the-next-chapter-of-my-journey-begins As many of you know, I have been working towards getting my book published for some time. Like any life vision, fear would step in, I would question myself, and almost try to get in my own way (see my post Why Borders Made Me Teary Eyed). But, whenever I felt fearful, I would visualize and hold stronger to my faith. Where there is faith, fear can not exist, right? So, I kept going, because I just knew with every fiber of my being I had something to share- my story in written word, the ... 2995 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2011-09-17T14:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/one-important-thing-that-my-daughter-taught-me-about-business-this-morning So this morning, my 23-month-old daughter decided to lock herself in the bathroom. {Oh brother... is that happening already? Didn't we do that when we were teens?} :)Anyway, watch this short & sweet video to see how we struggled to get her out... and how this taught me a very important lesson about our businesses.  RT @savorthesuccess: What's the point of having your business if you're not having fun?? (super sweet story!) http://bit.ly/oyFgri Angela Jia Kim is... 2989 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-15T15:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/how-competence-is-the-antidote-to-fear I have a white tile kitchen floor...who ever decided this was a 'good' idea should spend 3 months in floor washing purgatory; they will never suggest this again. I wash the floor every other day...I not obsessive mind you, but it looks terrible when even the slightest dirt is on it. My mop head broke and in attempting to fix it, no dice. Asked a friend who is also very mechanical, she resigned by saying...: "sorry, you  to get a new one..." I refused to spend another $15.99 on a mop sy... 2971 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-09-11T19:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/how-do-i-hire-an-employee-plus-red-flags-to-avoid   Quick links: For reader's questions on "How much do I pay my Personal Assistant", go here!  I'm wearing jewelry by fabulous designer, Vanessa Coppes, a Premium Member of Savor the Success!  For the Craigslist posting, scroll down.   Loose Transcript:Hey, it's Angela! So a lot of you know that Im on a  quest to find my perfect personal assistant and I was on the phone with my Time Millionaire coach the other day, who told me I've got a lot of great p... 2965 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-08T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/question-from-readers-how-much-should-i-pay-my-personal-assistant   Dear Angela, I am hoping you can share some insight with me... I have found that I need much help and with the economy now, don't particularly have the finances to pay top dollar for what I really need. Your compensation is confidential, but would you be willing to share with me some sort of range? I would like to get some help with this as I tend to overpay what I'm unable to afford, or underpay and then it causes me to miss the good ones. I'd appreciate your tips, hints or ex... 2966 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-08T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/does-your-business-add-up Can we talk a little math today?  It's important.  Too many businesses, either product or service based, still struggle with making a profit.  Not to mention, creating consistent cash flow.  You probably already know that. I think some of the problem lies in mis-understanding business math.  And, how important ALL parts of the equation are to realizing a profit. Your profit...the one you get to retire on or use to create your own paradise.  Let me show you wan... 2956 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-09-07T11:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/how-to-find-an-assistant-using-your-vision-book   Loose transcription (with dramatic ending of me firing my new assistant!): Hey, Angela here! I wanted to share a fun project that I've been working on called "Project: Find My Personal Assistant". It's something I've been meaning to do all summer long but honestly, I dread the hiring process because my life's so complicated and there are so many systems to teach. So I developed a method to make the hiring process fun, which you can also use to find your "perfect" partner, assistant... 2948 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-09-01T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/how-do-you-manage-employees-without-being-b-boss   Loose transcript: Hey! Angela Jia Kim, here. So one of my employees called me last minute because she couldn't get to work on time (she had to fill out an application for her new apartment). So now I'm rushing to fill in for her because we have a VIP client coming in to pick up some product. (Grrrrrrrr.) This is the part of the business that I have not mastered! I want to have a super chill and relaxed, wonderful culture at work and yet I want to extract excellent from my e... 2913 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-08-25T15:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/keeping-self-commitments-is-the-key-to-healing   In these challenging economic times, many of us see this time as a  door opening for more healing, more opportunities to move away from those toxic elements in our lives, even when they only in our minds; remnants of early childhood episodes of rejection. This week's blog is about renewing our commitments to heal. We all read inspirational books, listen to recordings that sometimes sound as if it is new information, and promise ourselves we will do better tomorrow. And them tom... 2886 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-08-21T23:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/how-to-pump-up-your-business-with-mac-cheese Okay, okay... I admit it! I'm a Mac & Cheese-aholic. I love, love, LOVE pasta + cheese together. At our July Potluck dinner, Dr. Susan Meyer brought the most delicious Mac & Cheese, so I've asked her to share her secret with the Savor community.Oh, go ahead... be naughty with me. Take time off from working. Make it and SAVOR. :)  Savor July Potluck Dinner 2012  4 Cheese Mac & Cheese (for serious Mac & Cheese Lovers)Thanks to Dr. Susan Meyers for submission! Prep T... 2875 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-08-11T13:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/confession-time I have a confession to make.  I almost didn't apply for the Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World grant.  I'm embarrassed of the reason but I think it may hold the key to why some small businesses succeed and some fail. I was embarrassed to admit what stage I was at in my business - namely a "start up".  I thought by applying for the grant I was raising my hand and saying "I need help" and that felt uncomfortable. Luckily the wonderful Brilliant and Bankable team - Julie Steel... 2873 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2011-08-11T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/5-crafty-ways-to-make-your-business-irresistible-to-the-media   There are hundreds of ways you can make your business attractive to the media. Several of them you probably already know. You smarty pants you. Getting crafty when it comes to publicity is nothing to be ashamed of. And there are several ways you can have the media doing back flips to cover your business. Here are five of them: Band together and pitch a trend The media loves trend stories. I mean, they freaking go ballistic for them. You can devise an exciting trend story simply... 2871 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-08-10T14:52:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/do-you-hover Did you ever notice that some sales people in certain stores hover?  My husband and I were recently shopping for a specific piece of furniture.  When we entered the store, a woman said hello and started following us around.The more we moved away from her, the more she took short cuts through the store to magically appear ready to “help”. (it felt more like sell) We couldn’t get away from her fast enough and yet, she always found some “reason” to be with... 2870 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-08-10T08:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/patty-lennon/women-entrepreneurs-do-rock-the-world When I applied for the Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World Grant I was in the pre-launch phase of Mom Gets A Life.  Everything was moving at lightening speed and I was enjoying being in "the zone."    You know... that place where everything is coming together, you are happy to work into the wee hours of the night and you are utterly amazed at how all the pieces are fitting.   When I was awarded the grant at Savor the Success' Rock the World Conference my initial ... 2858 patty@momgetsalife.com (Patty Lennon) 2011-08-04T12:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/3-ways-to-beat-business-obscurity Hey chickadees. So....it's been awhile since I've posted an official Savor blog. I'm not gonna lie - Angela and the Savor Board of Directors cracked the whip to remind me to get off my tushie and start writing. Some of you might do a little cartwheel because I'm back. Others might be thinking that I'm a colossal turd for not writing in awhile. And the rest of you who have probably never seen my smiley face before and are wondering why the heck my words are even taking up any real estate o... 2851 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-07-29T12:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/how-i-got-on-msnbc-pr-opp-for-you I have always been a big believer of these three things:  Give, Give, Get Meet face-to-face Become a true expert in your field Those mantras are what ultimately landed me a gig on MSNBC's Your Business. In case you missed the show on Sunday morning, here it is. We talk about how to market yourself in a crowded market, if you should do LLC or S Corp, how to use social media to make money, etc. Oh, and I also have a major (and fun) PR Opp for you so make sure to read it at the... 2843 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-07-27T16:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-can-you-give-your-kids-too-much-truth-about-money Q: I have two young children and I grew up in a household where secrets and holding things back was frowned upon...the order of the day was to be always candid and transparent. We talked about money...having it or not very openly, and now I do the same with my own children. In my current marriage, I am also the same... just saying what I feel and think in the moment even when I am angry and even if my children are present...I thought it was the healthy thing to do until recently I read a... 2771 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-07-26T23:02:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/don-t-be-pushy-be-irresisitible It's long been thought that extroverts were more successful at business than introverts. Not so, according to a new study from the Wharton School. It found that introverted businesspeople outpace their extroverted peers when they're able to lead others who are highly proactive. There are three easy ways to add flair to your customer pitch without having to be super outgoing, wildly charismatic, or aggressive: 1.  Show your customer  that you "get" them. Do this by listening caref... 2824 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-07-21T10:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/perfection-the-journey-without-a-destination The Perfection drive is learned very early in one's childhood as a mis-conception that if we are ‘perfect', we will be loved. But in fact, Perfection is a shame based drive. It removes one from the moment, reduces playfulness and feeling free. It has no limits. The drive goes into infinity, floating without boundaries, a very different experience from excellence. Excellence is fueled by enjoyment.  Perfection is fueled by fear.  The need for perfection can sometimes signal... 2770 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-07-19T22:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/the-only-limiting-power-is-our-belief-system   If you embrace the concept that we are here to work out past issues in our spiritual lives, it starts to make sense that everything can be a learning lesson, depending upon which choice you make...and, if you accept the rules of the universe, there are no victims other than young children, the infirmed and elderly folks. For the rest of us, the only limiting power is our belief system. Everyone chooses where to display their fears and pain; some choose food, some choose drugs, so... 2769 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-07-12T22:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/why-i-hid-the-day-i-was-front-page-news Six years ago (also known as my Summer of Reinvention), I landed on the front page of my home town's newspaper. Let me back up a minute for context. 1 year before, I had quit my cushy corporate job and launched my first website BreakupChronicles.com featuring user-submitted stories of how breaking up with the wrong person was the right thing to do. (It was hailed as Sex & The City meets Chicken Soup for the Soul. 3 months before, I had run out of money, moved out of/rented out my... 2797 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-07-07T20:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/angela-jia-kim/my-top-3-picks-of-women-who-are-rocking-their-brands I have long admired the branding of these women entrepreneurs for three specific reasons. One has an incredible sense of a visual story (and she sticks to it), the other has extraordinary contagious energy, and the last woman has her unique voice that no one can copy. They also have one thing in common: The river runneth deep. There is no disconnect from their professional and personal branding.  1. VISUAL: Grace Kang of Pink Olive is the Queen of Visuals. She understands the impa... 2796 info@omaroma.com (Angela Jia Kim) 2011-07-07T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-mathews/new-affiliate-rules-in-california-could-affect-your-business-and-bottom-line Many of you may have heard that California passed a new tax law last week that created quite a stir, and resulted in Amazon.com terminating its affiliate program in the state effective immediately.   You may not realize it, but that new law (and several others like it) could affect your bottom line, so I want to make sure you understand the rules so you don't run into trouble with the tax man.   Let me give you some background on this (I'm not a tax lawyer or CPA, so make sur... 2794 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2011-07-06T14:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/bonding-is-the-driving-force-behind-decisions Bonding is the term used to describe the dynamic of merging underlying the need, which will then be the driving force behind every decision one makes for their entire life. That need will become disguised, re-shaped, re-directed as we gain tools, knowledge and power. The child will pass out of the bonding stage as she gets more sophisticated and in some cases more  detached from her authentic self.  Bonding is the glue used by infants to survive. They will attach themselves to a... 2768 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-07-05T22:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/four-summer-perfect-ways-to-create-that-next-big-business-breakthrough I got so much positive feedback about this article, I thought I would share it here with you. If you are like most of my clients, you are asking yourself, “Where is my next BIG breakthrough in my business”?  Or, you are wondering how to be discovered and noticed by the right customer on a grander scale.  Or, you think what you are doing is great but a little too small for you, you are not alone. The truth is we are all asking ourselves that question.   ... 2777 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-06-30T08:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-the-identifiable-starting-point-for-financial-problems Q: Is there always an identifiable starting point for financial problems? A: People are often surprised at my answer when their question has been: "Is there an actual identifiable event or point at which their financial problems started?" My answer is always "yes."  And my premise is: Dysfunctional or self-destructive behaviors come from being disconnected to one's self. Our entire lives are rooted in relational dynamics. Look behind the symptom, see the problem. Simple. Easy to ... 2767 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-06-27T22:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/ever-feel-like-giving-up-you-re-not-alone-but-please-hang-in-there WATCH!So many times, I have felt like giving up. But I'm a big believer in "where there's a will, there's a way." Your persistence, tenacity and creativity are your million dollar ticket. Hang in there, keep going, and know that you are not alone! I admire people like Romy Taormina, founder of PsiBands, because of her tenacity and persistence. Guess how long it took her to land a huge account like CVS? You might be surprised by her answer...  So many people talk about t... 2756 2011-06-23T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/i-got-a-bad-review-on-yelp-this-week-and-it-was-so-unwarranted WATCH!I am starting to think that I'm a big walking ball of content. Earlier this week, something kind of disturbing happened to me. We hired a cleaning lady to clean the store, and she ended up being a huge handful... and wrote something really awful about me on Yelp! Since we get tons of business from Yelp (are you working Yelp yet? If not... you should really consider even if you don't have a storefront because it's a real revenue generator), it was something I had to deal with im... 2742 2011-06-17T14:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/i-m-such-a-control-freak-and-how-it-s-costing-me-a-lot-of-money So I'm going through a life crises that I think you will be able to relate to. It's a business/lifestyle thing, and I'm determined to figure this out... not only for me but to share the honest ups and downs with you.We launched out businesses to do what we love, right?! Then we find ourselves working so hard day in and day out. I hear it from all of you... the overwhelm can be beyond stressful!Well, I've made a major life-changing decision that I'm asking for support in... and I... 2725 2011-06-09T15:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/2-tickets-to-paradise-1-expired-passport-6-big-business-lessons-learned Picture yourself in the Caribbean, relaxing in a beach chair while enjoying the most extraordinary view of the endless coean with the man you love beside you, a gentle breeze kissing your face, not a care in the world. Sounds heavenly doesn’t it? That’s EXACTLY the picture I’d had in my head for weeks leading up to The Hubs’ and my trip to Grand Cayman. In the 6 years we’ve been together, travel has been an integral part of our relationship. We LOVE adve... 2720 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-06-08T19:24:24Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-close-credit-cards-or-keep-the-accounts-open Q: My sister and I are having a running debate: My mother said she should close her credit cards because she can't manage to pay her bills on time. I tell her she needs some counseling so she can live on a budget, and should keep the cards open.  What's the right answer? A: We live in a credit conscious society. EVERYONE these days checks your credit.  Landlords do, banks considering your mortgage application do, auto loan processors do too.  You may not know that pro... 2689 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-06-02T02:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/why-i-couldn-t-sleep-after-rock-the-world Can we get real for a moment? (I hope you can hear the emphasis in my voice when I say this!) Since I was at Rock the World, something has been keeping me up at night. I addressed it during my presentation, but I want to say it again: Business is defined by having money. In fact, it really means to have more than you need. Not less than you need. Not just enough.  More than you need. Big business thinks breaking even or being broke is highly unacceptable. I... 2680 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-06-01T10:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/obstacle-3-in-taking-your-brilliance-to-the-bank In the last few weeks, I've been sharing the top hurdles I see women in business struggling to leap over in their journey towards taking their Brilliance to the Bank. If you're trying to build a rock solid platform so you can attract a book deal, get a corporate sponsor, build a rock star social brand, get your product into major retailers, find strategic partners, create CLAMOR, get on TV, have Oprah’s people call your people, it’s essential to overcome any hurdle in your way. ... 2648 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-31T12:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melody-stevens/tips-from-the-time-millionaire           Ditch watching and reading the news. Be oblivious. The news generally sucks so it will do nothing for you but bring your energy down and waste your time for no reason. Don't worry. When the next tsunami, economic meltdown or earthquake hits, you'll hear about it! To your freedom and your success, Melody Stevens Time Millionaire 2694 melody@timemillionaireonline.com (Melody Stevens) 2011-05-27T23:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-i-avoided-a-major-disagreement-and-the-secret-to-negotiation WATCH!Just woke up, put on my robe and recorded this vlog because I had to share something that I learned this week about relationships and negotiation. It was spurred on because the Wall Street Journal called me yesterday and asked me to comment on someone and his management style.It made me think about how I recently had to deliver some "bad news" to one of my employees and how I was able to avoid a disagreement, negotiate and create a win/win situation from it. Watch now... 2692 2011-05-26T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-my-husband-s-commission-check-has-us-split Q: My husband has a large commission check coming and he wants to spend it on some new furniture (which we need), a weekend away for just the two of us, no kids (which we REALLY need), and a new washer/dryer (which I want but can live without).  I don't want to spend the money on any of this because we have IRS debt and a credit card balance.  I want to pay both of those down. His argument is that we should be able to enjoy the fruits of his working so hard...which makes me feel gu... 2688 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-05-26T02:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/obstacle-2-in-taking-your-brilliance-to-the-bank Last week, I shared that I’ve been hearing from a lot of Brilliant women in business who have yet to take their Brilliance to the Bank. I also revealed the first of 3 hurdles I see women struggling to overcome when it comes to monetizing their mission. This week, I’m excited to share Hurdle #2. 2. You’re not broadcasting wide enoughIf you're trying to build a rock solid platform so you can attract a book deal, get a corporate sponsor, build a rock star social brand, create C... 2647 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-25T12:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/what-you-can-learn-about-rock-star-social-branding-from-james-durbin-and-american-idol Personal branding. It’s a phrase that’s getting a lot of attention these days. You might even say Personal Branding is creating CLAMOR. In the age of social media super stardom, everyone who’s anyone is trying to cultivate a personal brand. Not everyone’s successful. And here’s why. Personal branding is like the internet in 2002. It’s SO over. Actually, it’s not over. It’s just evolved. So what’s the web 2.0 version of Personal... 2686 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-24T12:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/what-martha-stewart-told-my-husband-about-branding   A few weeks ago, I was a keynote speaker at Savor The Success’ Rock The World Conference in New York.The night before I was slated to open the conference, I had dinner with my husband, who was also in Manhattan and had just attended Wired Magazine’s Disruptive By Design Conference.Over dinner, my husband shared the impressive lineup of speakers he’d heard from that day. They included Bill Gates, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and Martha Stewart.“Baby,” my h... 2679 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-23T16:09:38Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/want-to-be-featured-in-the-wall-street-journal-or-other-major-press WATCH!Frustrated because you are spending thousands of money or hours on PR and not getting the hits you deserve? Here's a rare chance to get inside the mind of a major editor (Wall Street Journal's Colleen DeBaise) and find out what makes her decide who to (and who not to) feature. Watch now! Please tweet or FB this: New Savor Show episode! Want to be featured in Wall Street Journal? Editor shares insider info: http://bit.ly/9YHKPC via @savorthesuccess ... 2670 2011-05-19T14:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/are-you-setting-prices-to-avoid-selling I’m often asked if there is a magic pricing formula.  Sorry … there isn’t one.  However, I do have some opinions about pricing and how it should be set with an eye towards profitability.  Profitability means two things.  First, your price allows you to retain a reasonable portion of the money for yourself.  Second, your price should leave you emotionally happy and not feeling any resentment toward your customers about what you are getting paid.... 2663 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-05-18T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/obstacle-1-in-taking-your-brilliance-to-the-bank In the last two weeks, I’ve been on a speaking tour and talking to a lot of entrepreneurs about their businesses. Specifically, I've been hearing from a lot of women in business who are truly brilliant, and yet...They’re still breaking even, or worse – they’re broke. The truth is, it doesn't matter how brilliant you are if you are not monetizing that brilliance in big and bold ways. While the big and bold ways you take your brilliance to the bank will differ dependin... 2646 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-17T11:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/amanda-steinberg-of-dailyworth-com-shares-how-to-fund-your-business WATCH! Here's what I learned from interviewing Amanda at Rock the World: How many email subscribers do you need to value your company at $2M or $3M? How do you raise funds for your business? What holds most women back?  Please tweet or FB this: New Savor Show episode! How to raise funds for your biz: http://bit.ly/9YHKPC via @savorthesuccess COMING SOON!A new and improved Savor the Success website! Can't wait to share what we are planning over he... 2655 2011-05-12T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/is-your-business-missing-its-sacha-fierce Oprah. Martha Stewart. Jessica Simpson. Kim Kardashian. These are just a handful of the celebrity names who have rock star social brands we know and love. From clothes to shoes to linens to magazines to fragrances, these ladies know the power of lending their name to a product, service, and brand.However, there is another name that we don't necessarily associate with rock star social branding that deserves mentioning.Beyonce.Sure, she has a clothing line House of Dereon with her mother Tina... 2645 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-05-10T20:40:37Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/1-bold-move-julie-pickens-made-to-get-to-10-million Today, we are at the Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World conference, and here's one highlight from my interview with Julie Pickens, co-founder of Boogie Wipes. She went from $0 to $10 million... and she revealed her one bold move that got her there. (She's not proud of it, but we say it was a huge leap of faith!!)Watch now> Does this inspire you to take a bold move? Then please Tweet or FB this out: New Savor Show episode! 1 bold move Julie Pickens made to ge... 2626 2011-05-05T14:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/from-wishing-you-could-make-that-much-to-making-that-much Did you create your Money Map? If so, SELLEBRATE!! If not, be sure to read my last blog before you read this one. Once you have your map in hand and you start working your plan, you will need to do what most big businesses do: compare your estimated sales to actual sales generated.  OK, I know. Before you roll your eyes ask yourself how committed you are to making that number you wrote down in Step 2 of the Money Map plan. This step will make the difference between wishing you co... 2584 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-04-20T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/six-quick-steps-to-achieving-endless-bankability Do you want to be bankable? Truly bankable? Of course you do! But it’s possible that you overlooked an important step: setting your intention to do so.  Intentions are powerful ways to bring things you desire into existence. But if you want the Universe to really take you seriously, you have to create a plan.  Ugh. I know what you’re thinking; creating a plan can feel heavy and burdensome.  I am not a big fan of doing them either.  When I start to feel th... 2567 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-04-13T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-i-need-to-borrow-money-from-my-judgmental-family Q: I need to borrow some money from my family but when I’ve asked before, they've scolded me. I feel so diminished. I’ve never had a good relationship with them. How do I not feel a loss of dignity when dealing with them? A: I tell some of my clients that our worlds are at some point very polarized; in one camp are the toxic folks and in the other are our posses. And, as we gain self-awareness, everything can be split into light vs. dark, good vs. bad, anger vs. love, etc. Our... 2488 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-04-13T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/is-sales-panic-eroding-customer-loyalty-respect-and-your-cashflow-too I heard a story about a woman who worked at the jewelry counter at Macy’s. She had nabbed a guy who was trying to purchase thousands of dollars of merchandise with a stolen credit card. When the police asked her what had tipped her off, she said, “He didn’t have a coupon. No one ever buys anything here without a coupon.” It made me wonder: How many entrepreneurs are doing what Macy’s does? Training your customers to never pay full price. You are if you a... 2543 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-04-06T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-my-father-forged-my-name-on-loan-docs Q: Father forged my name on loan docs…what do I do? A: This is fraud, plain and simple. You need to consult an attorney and sit down with your Dad with him and put a repayment plan in place with very strict guidelines.  You also need to take away from your Dad anything that might expose you further… like if he bought a car and you were the co-signer, or credit cards that are in your name that he uses.  Think very clearly of all the ways you might be exposed to fina... 2487 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-04-06T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-ready-to-own-it I recently saw Carrie Underwood perform on an awards show. She was working the stage and she looked gorgeous. I couldn’t help but recall when she was competing on American Idol. The judges believed in her talent. America obviously did, too. We voted her our Idol, right? But I don’t think Carrie fully believed in it. At least not yet. Fast forward a few years and Carrie definitely believes in her talent. Look at this before and after photo. Can you see – and feel &nd... 2535 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-04-05T14:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/one-fun-tip-to-increase-cash-flow-i-m-giving-one-of-you-2500 WATCH! This week, I vlog about a huge perception shift that I had about sales... and how it's helped me to increase cash flow. And guess what? Savor is giving one of you a $2500 grant in order to inspire you to think along the same lines!! ALL of you should enter... watch the vlog to find out why. :)Grab a cup of coffee and watch the video now >  If you find the episode helpful, please tweet or FB this out: New Savor Show episode on increasing ... 2540 2011-03-31T15:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/are-you-just-looking-for-a-quickie Have you fallen into the biggest small-business booby trap? It’s where you think about your cash flow from a transactional perspective, or what I call the cash-quickie. You only think about how to make the next amount of money that will save you. And you don’t think beyond that.  It’s a viscous cycle.  I know because I used to do it religiously.  It burns you out and exhausts the energy you might otherwise spend on your family or profitable creative ideas. ... 2516 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-03-30T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-do-i-put-up-with-a-client-i-don-t-like Q: I have a client who I do not like. But, I am conflicted as to whether to re-engage our contract because I need the revenue. I have employees, so I am always aware of how my decisions might affect my staff. Should I send the client on his merry way or keep him? A: Not sure what you mean by “like.” If the client is abusive, I say tell him: “adios!” If he does operate with respect and doesn't insist on actions that compromise your integrity, I would hang in there.... 2486 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-03-30T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-playing-to-a-warm-audience Have you ever attended the taping of a television show? Most shows have someone I call the “warm-up guy,” whose job it is to come out before the show starts and warm up the audience. The warm-up guy establishes a rapport and makes the audience feel welcome and like an important part of the production. What he’s doing is actively engaging the audience, which is the third step of engaging The CLAMOR Factor™. To refresh your memory, The CLAMOR Factor is an energy... 2534 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-03-29T16:43:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/quick-tip-on-how-to-motivate-yourself Quick tip on how to motivate yourself WATCH! Staying motivated - especially when you are an entrepreneur - can be a struggle. This week, I give a quick tip on self-motivation (and it's fun, too). It's something that I learned as a child while taking violin lessons! Watch and enjoy the video now > If you find the episode helpful, please tweet or FB this out: Quick tip on how to motivate yourself (and it's fun, too!): http://bit.ly/9YHKPC via @savorthes... 2518 2011-03-23T16:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-about-to-get-married-and-seeing-warning-signs Q: I am about to get married and my fiancé borrows money from me and never pays it back. I am concerned that getting married will have him feeling that it’s a free ride - and co-mingling our funds will be an endless drain on my income. I do earn more than he does, so part of me feels I should give him money or pay for more than half for things. How do I handle this? Should I even marry him? A: First off, never marry without a pre-nuptial agreement, which can protect you from ... 2485 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-03-23T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/does-your-business-have-the-clamor-factor   Justin Bieber's got it. American Idol's rolling in it. Elvis and The Beatles? They were partially responsible for CREATING it. No, I'm not talking about rock n roll. But what I am talking about can make you a rock star. I'm talking about the CLAMOR Factor, i.e. an energy that has clients and customers clamoring to know you, like you, trust you, and ultimately work with or purchase from you. Do you have the highly coveted CLAMOR Factor? If you said yes, Woohoo!! If you said no... 2515 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-03-22T13:59:46Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-your-story-can-land-you-on-the-today-show If you've ever tried to score a spot on the Today Show, you probably know it's quite challenging. Screw that, that's an understatement. It can be darn near impossible for entrepreneurs, experts, and first time authors to snag a spot. So what separates those that get air time and those that endlessly pitch away hoping to score that coveted spot? A great story. Here's the deal. It may seem perfectly reasonable to pitch your product to appear on the 4th hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda. Or to p... 2514 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-03-22T13:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/big-announcement-from-savor-the-success Big Announcement from SavorATTEND! I'm SO excited to announce that our annual conference, Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World tickets are now on sale for everyone! We've sold out every single year, so make sure to grab your spot.   Premium Members, did you get your exclusive promo code for the private PM sale? By being a Premium Member and getting the Early Bird special, you save nearly 40% off the regular ticket price. You have until Friday at noon EST fo... 2505 2011-03-17T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-my-mother-borrows-money-from-me Q: My mother, who is 55 and has a job, is constantly borrowing money from me, and not re-paying it. She always says: “it’s for groceries” but when I go to her house, I will see brand new books (not from the library), sneakers with the tags on (they are not from Ross), new cat toys, and other paraphernalia. I want her to keep her dignity but feel she is taking advantage of me… What should I do? A: This is about boundaries and respect. Your mother does not treat you... 2484 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-03-16T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/if-your-business-was-your-boyfriend-is-it-time-to-break-up “We’re in the ‘working on it’ phase.”“Sometimes we fight, but we love each other, too.”“We beat each other up last month (this is my first abusive experience in a relationship).” Lately I’ve been talking to a lot of women business owners, and the way they’re describing their businesses sounds a lot like the way some women talk about the men in their lives. Especially men we would call "bad boys."Can I let you in on a little ... 2498 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-03-16T00:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-i-have-old-debt Q: I have old debt! No credit cards and no mortgage, but other debt. I can never find any help or advice or where to begin to pay this off or clean it up. Why is it when most financial coaches speak of debt they just assume everyone one is worried or bogged down in credit card debt? The other part to my question is why have I avoided paying it in any system, even one I might create myself? I know it's there and I know my credit score could be healed if I just start, but for several years e... 2483 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-03-10T20:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/the-comment-that-stopped-me-dead-in-my-tracks The comment that stopped me dead in my tracks...In this week's episode of Savor Show, I talk about a conversation that put me into a tailspin for a short while... It's something that we eventually will all be faced with, and it will determine how you move forward in your businesses.  Other news: Our Virtual Mastermind Group is going so well that we are launching the next one in April. This is with my own coach, Janice Hoffmann, who helped me to launch Om Aroma! This group is l... 2482 2011-03-10T15:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/objection-overruled Wouldn’t it be great if whenever your customer voiced an objection about your product or service, you could pound a gavel and announce, “objection overruled!” Unfortunately, you’re going to have to take another tact to winning a potential customer’s business. You never know what mental or emotional hurdles will surface for your customer.  And, as a seller, it’s your job to use the skill of intuitive listening to reveal the hidden conflict. Intuitiv... 2477 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-03-09T12:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/what-do-kim-kardashian-oprah-and-barbie-have-in-common Of course, they’re all attractive and successful women. But they’re also attractive and successful brands. Think about it. When you hear any of their names, you automatically know what you’re going to get. Kim Kardashian is all about fashion and glamour. Oprah is about love and living your best life. And Barbie is every little girl’s feminine ideal and a woman's fashionista. Each offers an expertise and is the face of their business. So let me ask you - At yo... 2473 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-03-08T11:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/the-one-thing-that-kept-me-going-after-a-business-altercation The one thing that kept me going after a business altercation...WATCH! In this week's episode of Savor Show, I talk about a recent business altercation that was not pretty... and even though it was extremely upsetting, there was one thing that kept me going the next morning. It's this one thing that all successful people have so make sure you have it "in your pocket"! GROW! Our Virtual Mastermind Group is going so well that we are launching the next one in April. Thi... 2461 2011-03-03T17:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/6-ways-to-make-your-visualization-more-powerful Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.” ~ Carl Gustav Jung Vision. This is one of the most common elements for actualization of our dreams. Seeing it clearly from your heart into your mind’s eye, as if it’s playing like a movie that’s already happening. Vision is what gets us beyond the past and moving towards the future. Tucked away in each of us is a dream, a purpose, something we were born to do to serve the world. But, in order to &ldq... 2458 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2011-03-03T01:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/it-s-never-about-the-money-ever             If you’re a business owner, you’ve heard it. The most common excuse a customer will use to not buy what you’re selling: “I can’t afford it.” But are you ready for another one of my secrets?  When a customer objects to price, it’s never about the money.  Ever.             People use the standby money objection because ... 2455 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-03-02T11:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/is-your-platform-as-sturdy-as-your-platform-shoes I recently hosted a big event for entrepreneurial women and was excited to rock out in the fab pair of platform heels I bought just for the occasion. Let me tell you, they looked GOOD. But every step I took felt like I was balancing on the edge of a tower. What we do in the name of fashion, right? It occurred to me that it’s similar to what we entrepreneurs do in the name of feeling successful. A lesson I learned the hard way. In 2004, I left my job in Corporate America – wher... 2453 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2011-03-02T04:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-deal-with-toxic-people On this week's episode of Savor Show, Mike Michalowicz, Jennifer Tuma Young, and I share three ways to deal with toxic people in your life. I talk about what I learned from a recent Oprah interview, Jen shares her "rubber and sponge" theory, and Mike reveals how to take away the toxicity.  Watch and enjoy the video now > If you find the episode helpful, please tweet or FB this out:  3 things you must to do to avoid toxic people: http://bit.... 2442 2011-02-24T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/that-objection-pssst-it-s-really-a-buy-signal  Truth time: Ever feel rejected when a customer voices a concern about your offering? I know. Me, too. It's one of the common misunderstandings and fears about sales. But here’s the thing: That objection? It’s not about you. It’s simply your customer vocalizing a thought about where they are in their decision-making process. And here’s one of my absolute favorite secrets to reveal: It’s actually a buy signal. No, seriously. It is. Customers only obje... 2438 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-02-23T10:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-double-your-fees How to double your fees (by the end of this video) Watch the friendly banter (and disagreement) about how to double your fees on this week's episode of Savor Show! Mike Michalowicz, Jennifer Tuma Young, and I present you with three ways you can double your fees by the end of the video. Halfway through, we get into a bit of a disagreement. :) 2421 2011-02-17T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-find-national-magazine-contacts Today I provide a super quick (and fun) tip on how find contacts at national magazines. The magazine industry is ever-evolving, and contacts can become outdated very quickly. In fact, I just had to update at least 5 folks just in the past week because they switched jobs and now work for another publication. The best way to stay on top of this is to follow the simple advice in this video. ---- For more free information on how to pitch the media, download my free eBook HERE 2419 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-02-16T17:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/what-strings-are-you-attaching-to-your-worth I was speaking with a dear friend yesterday, and we were talking about the way we each view our own “worth” and attach it something.  It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. I have 2 children- LuLu and the Little Man. They are precious- they have imaginations that run wild. We play, we hop around the house like frogs, we imagine a cafe in our backyard where we hold socials for all of our imaginary friends. I could never look at my children and attach thei... 2407 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2011-02-16T13:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/tranform-your-sales-trickle-into-a-financial-faucet-melissa-asked Last week I spoke about customers with Hungry Buyer syndrome. The ones who come to you starving for what you’re selling then pull back just as quickly. Remember, people base purchasing decisions on emotions. And once they’re sure you can meet their emotional needs, their heads kick in and they slow down and evaluate the offer. I received a great question from Melissa Cassera. She writes: “I'd love to see some info in a future post about when people buy most. I find that, e... 2413 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-02-16T09:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-he-says-cha-cha-you-say-rumba Q: It's already February and the New Years' resolution my husband committed himself to is already blown; he just HAD to buy a big-screen TV in time for the super bowl. His rationale was: it was an unbelievable deal that would never come again. In my head, there will always be ‘the deal of the century' and some sucker who will believe that. I am very angry and have pulled away from him. How do I talk to him when I feel so unsafe with his judgments? A: These are some things that... 2401 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-02-16T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/in-a-scary-spot Why I walked away from 20-35K a month... (and why I'm in a scary spot now)This week, I talk about something that happened to me a few weeks ago, and the huge leap of faith I've taken. It's a big step back for a huge step forward.I had to get rid of something in my life in order to make way for something bigger to happen. That amazing thing is in the works as we speak, but I'm not going to lie to you... the process is frickin' scary!(Make sure to watch to the very end because there's... 2402 2011-02-10T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-chaos-versus-perfection Q: My roommate complains our house is always a mess…my doing. But I am too busy to close closet doors, balance my checkbook, shut cabinets, do the dishes, make my bed, or pick up my stuff when I am on deadline. I am a writer and feel that takes priority. I am rarely on time, which aggravates everyone but, never miss a deadline. If one more person tells me I am passive-aggressive, I think I’ll scream. A: On the outside, this person appears to be very different from the woman w... 2400 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-02-10T03:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-balance-your-work-life This week's episode of Savor Show is all about how to balance your work and your life (family, friends, etc.). I reveal one trick that I use to be productive with very little time. And one of my guest experts shares a theory of "Hard Stops", something I love so much that I'm going to start incorporating! If you find the episode helpful, please tweet or FB this out to help out your followers: Having a hard time with work/life balance? Personal tips from experts here: http://bit.ly/9YHKPC 2385 2011-02-02T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/quick-tip-3-pitch-ideas-in-an-instant Coming up with pitch topics can be difficult and time consuming. You know you need to tie your product/service into something timely and newsworthy, but how? Check out these 3 quick pitch ideas: Holidays This might seem obvious (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) but there are a slew of holidays you might not know about that are perfect for your business. Check out the Chase's Calendar of Events' Special Month Section. Relationship Experts would be perfect for February's "Relation... 2386 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-02-02T13:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/cold-feet-or-hungry-buyer-syndrome Ever scratched your head and thought, “Hmm. I thought that customer was going to buy but she suddenly got cold feet? I must have read her signals wrong.” You probably have had an experience like this, but I’ll bet those “cold feet” were really a sign of Hungry Buyer Syndrome. Here’s what I mean: Most people base purchase decisions on emotions. They are starved for the emotional payoff, want it now and rush towards the person who can fill this void. They... 2380 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-02-02T09:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-stop-ignoring-your-goals Yesterday, I got together with Jennifer Tuma Young and Mike Michalowicz to tape the next episode of Savor Show. We talked about how most people set these big goals and then end up not doing them. We came up with 7 tips to help everyone stay on top of them. One of them involved $ signs and :) faces.  If you find the episode helpful, please tweet or FB this out to help out your followers: I'm sticking to my goals this year... and here's how (via @savorthesuccess): http://bit.ly/9Y... 2368 2011-01-26T17:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/is-your-pitch-giving-your-customers-indigestion Imagine you and a loved one are dining at a fine restaurant. You linger over the menu and then decide upon the most mouth-watering appetizer and delectable entrée. You both vow to save room for one of the sinful desserts you spied on your way in. Your attentive waiter takes your order, nodding politely at all of your decisions. Minutes later, he arrives with a large tray and loads your table with your drinks, appetizer, bread, salad and entrée. Since there is no room, he hands... 2365 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-01-26T09:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/permission To My Savor Colleagues - I'd love to hear from you!  Please write to me with any financial/emotional question you'd like me to discuss in my blog.  The first one to send me a question this week will receive a $10 Starbucks coupon!  Hey, why not!  All questions will be kept strictly confidential and anonymous. Q: My parents are in their upper 80’s and I have a brother who is an alcoholic and refuses to go to AA and denies he has an issue. My parents are constantly ... 2348 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-01-26T03:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/do-blogs-really-drive-sales It can be tempting to have lots of blogs review your product. Or you might relish in providing guest posts to blogs on your are of expertise. The problem? I hear every day how small business owners look back at the samples they've sent, or the time and effort it took to write several guest posts, and felt it wasn't worth it in the end. However, a recent article from Mediapost states that blogs are more than two times more likely than magazines to have inspired a beauty product purchase i... 2363 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-01-25T21:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-on-the-wrong-path   This week, I vlog about how you can know if you are on the wrong or right path. Remember how I talked about "working smarter, not harder in 2011?" This is the first step!  2351 2011-01-20T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/not-sure-what-to-do-with-the-indecisive-customer Do you have a friend who can never make a decision? “Where should we go for dinner?” and “What are you going to order?” feel like overwhelming dilemmas. So she waits for someone else to decide. Or she makes a decision and second-guesses herself all the way through dessert. Sound familiar? Yes, it’s time to meet our third kind of buyer. My previous two blogs covered the first two types of buyers: the Crystal Clear Buyer and the Ruminating Buyer. The Crystal Clea... 2341 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-01-19T09:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/procrastination To My Savor Colleagues - I'd love to hear from you!  Please write to me with any financial/emotional question you'd like me to discuss in my blog.  The first one to send me a question this month will receive a $10 Starbucks coupon!  Hey, why not!  All questions will be kept strictly confidential and anonymous. Q: I feel like such a failure, more than sometimes. I start projects with such gusto and then never complete them, waste money and have a garage full of good inte... 2343 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-01-19T01:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/shocking-truth-why-you-should-stop-pitching-the-media Stop pitching the media. No, seriously. Pens down folks. Put the laptop, mouse, magazines, or whatever other media pitching paraphernalia you have away. Don't worry....it's just for one week.... Or a few days if you're really jonesin.... But trust me, taking a little vacation from all your hardcore media pitching efforts will do wonders. Get the scoop in this video. Or, just watch the first half to see a super cutie-patootie dog. Hey, I don't mind sharing the spotlight.     ... 2339 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-01-18T17:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/change-happiness-hope-and-dreams The topic came of change came up when I was speaking with a woman from York Street Project who felt like she had no control over her life. She told me she desperately wants to make changes, but feels a little hopeless. She wants to be happier. She contemplated moving again, but doesn’t really think that is the answer. I know she is not alone. Especially at the beginning of the new year, many people are taking a look at their lives and contemplating change and happiness, so I wanted ... 2330 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2011-01-17T03:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/the-simple-trick-you-must-learn-to-be-successful "That's just my luck, things never work out the way I want them to." Do you mutter this under your breath every time a customer walks out the door without buying a darn thing? Every time you announce a new program and no one signs up? Every time you write a blog post and no one comments? If this continues to happen, it's likely because you're missing one very important thing. You didn't tell them what to do. We often assume that people know what we want. Which is why we leave out im... 2321 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2011-01-12T15:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/work-smarter-not-harder-in-2011 Savor-ettes! Happy New Year!!  Are you committed to working smarter (not harder) this year so you can spend more time with family and friends, live fuller, and be more balanced?I did some soul searching over the holidays and decided to say NO to a big opportunity because of this! Watch how you can begin your own journey to "working smarter, not harder". 2320 2011-01-12T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/is-your-customer-taking-you-on-a-roller-coaster-ride-there-may-be-a-good-reason Hot then cold. Yes then No. Is this your customer? When you meet a potential buyer do you jump right into your sales pitch, or do you take the time to understand your buyer’s needs and personality? While it would be nice if there was a one-size-fits-all approach to customers, the truth is that there are three kinds of buyers. Selling well is about creating relevancy, and aligning your service or product with the buying needs of your customer. In my last blog we met the first kind of ... 2310 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2011-01-12T09:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/perfectly-imperfect Q: I am 45. I spend more than I earn and even though the closet store I own is doing okay in this economy, I awake @ 3AM in a cold sweat. I have 2 kids in college; I have been a single parent since they were 2 and 4.  One of the colleges is very expensive and I worry about asking my son to change colleges if I cannot pay for it.  I don't want him to get a student loan. I am a self-admitting straightener; every corner needs to be at right angles, everything needs to be in d... 2300 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2011-01-06T03:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-declaring-bankruptcy If you have a money problem, a secret that is causing worry, or if you feel confusion, shame, or defeat about your financial state, you are not the only one.  And if you share your pain, you will help heal not only yourself but others.  So write to me, please, and let me help you and your fellow Savor members at the same time. Q: I declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy last month and feel so much shame.  I cannot look anyone in the eye when I say it.  I feel as if I have... 2214 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2010-12-31T03:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/anything-is-possible Savor-ettes! Recently Chase did a mini-profile of my "Anything is Possible" philosophy for us entrepreneurs.  So... I want to know what is possible for YOU! Watch the video and then tell me what you are going to make possible for you in 2011. I Angela Jia Kim is the founder of Savor the Success. She is a mom, wife, organic skin care lover, and passionate woman-entrepreneur advocate. Her upcoming workshop, Create Your 2011 Business Blueprint, will be held in NYC ... 2276 2010-12-29T14:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-attract-what-you-want-part-3 This is the last of the "How to attract what you want in life" series!  This episode of "Chief Household Officer", sponsored by HP, goes more in depth into the process I use to envision what I want and how I use it in my Vision Book. It also shows the "gorgeous chaos" of balancing life as a mom, wife, and business woman. I'm sure a lot of you can relate! 2253 2010-12-23T14:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/losing-the-spark-tips-to-fall-in-love-again I often hear from women who have lost the "spark" for their lives. Running from place to place,  but feeling like nothing is getting accomplished, and everything is being neglected. I can relate- I have felt like that before. And then years ago, I realized, the "spark" for life doesn't just happen. It's actually like brushing our teeth- we have to regularly nurture our lives ; the "spark" needs to be tended to. What's more, is that we nurture what we love. When you think about, it&rsquo... 2241 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-12-17T05:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/chief-household-officer This week's video is a reality webisode called "Chief Household Officer" sponsored by HP. It shows the "gorgeous chaos" of my life... juggling family, business, employees, and life in general. It also reveals a little of my process in creating the Vision Book I talked about last week.  Hint: It has to do with "Act As If You Already Have What You Want". :) 2238 2010-12-16T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/why-charm-doesn-t-work-on-the-crystal-clear-buyer Ever notice that some sales feel effortless while others are like pulling teeth? While it would be nice if there was a one-size-fits-all approach to selling, there are actually three kinds of buyers. Using the right approach with the right buyer can be the difference between sold and out in the cold. In today’s blog, I’m going to cover the first kind of buyer. We’ll discuss the others in the weeks to come.   Meet the Crystal Clear Buyer The Crystal Clear Buyer kn... 2232 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-12-15T08:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/the-30-30-30-annual-inventory So, again, in a blink of an eye, another year has almost passed, and I decided it’s time for my annual inventory! Every year I write a list of 30 things I am proud of, 30 experiences I learned from, and 30 goals and visions for the upcoming year. I love this exercise; to me  it is all about awareness, gratitude, understanding, and faith. It also allows me to expand on my vision and dreams. Since I am a pencil and paper girl, I took out my notebook and began writing. Althoug... 2233 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-12-15T04:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-attract-what-you-want-in-life Ladies, This week, I talk about what I do to attract what I want in life and show you how to do the same. It's really fun, inspirational... and it works!  (I recorded this vlog about four weeks ago, and the kitchen I talk about in this vlog is now a reality... just moved into another apartment yesterday!)  View all other Savor Show on our Youtube Channel > 2217 2010-12-09T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-lunch-money Women, emotions, and money.  It's a never-ending cycle.  If you have a money problem, a secret that is causing worry, or if you feel confusion, shame, or defeat about your financial state, guess what?  You are not the only one.  And if you share your pain, you will help heal not only yourself but others.  So write to me, please, and let me help you and your fellow Savor members at the same time. Q: I have $800 in the bank. I buy lunch every day and spend about ... 2213 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2010-12-09T03:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/selling-is-child-s-play-a-real-life-example-from-one-of-our-own I got a really fun email from Savor member Stephanie Vozza and I wanted to share it with you because it illustrates a significant point about how easy selling can be. Here’s what she said: Hey Julie! I just had to write and tell you about how your selling tips helped my 10-year-old, Nick. He’s in the fifth grade and is going to camp this year. The school raises money to help pay for the camp by having kids sell cookie dough and magazine subscriptions. All parents cringe when ... 2206 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-12-08T08:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-show-how-to-pitch-the-media How to pitch the media (from an anchorwoman's point of view) In this week's episode of Savor Show, we discuss how to pitch the media! Tamsen Fadal, an anchorwoman for WPIX in NYC, shares her pet peeves about certain pitches. Enjoy and watch now >  Celebrity Gift Baskets for December is all about ECO-CELEBRITIES!  Apply NOW to get into our popular gift basket this time around. Most entrepreneurs who participated in the past received at least ON... 2201 2010-12-01T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/pegi-burdick/q-a-my-husband-doesn-t-know-about-my-credit-card-debt Greetings, Savor Entrepreneurs!  I'm thrilled to have been approved as an Expert Blogger for the Savor community.  I'll be writing regularly about emotions, authenticity, shame, healing, and empowerment related to money and finances.  Most blogs will be in the Q&A format, so please - if you have a question, concern, or issue you'd like to send my way, email me at Pegi@TheFinancialWhisperer.com.  I'll answer your question in this blog, and I will ALWAYS provide anonymit... 2184 pegi@thefinancialwhisperer.com (Pegi Burdick) 2010-12-01T14:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/the-case-of-jenn-vs-the-realist It was kind of a cold office- not temperature wise, just the energy. There were book shelves, but the books didn’t seem to have life in them. I felt like if I picked them up, on the inside there would be no pages. I just couldn’t get a read. I had to meet with a new financial planner. And in our discussion, he said it, “But really, in reality, what do you do?” “Um, really in reality, I am a writer. I am a speaker. I work with magnificent clients.” &ld... 2168 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-11-18T04:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/do-you-have-the-it-factor In the third episode of Savor Show, we discuss charisma! What is it? Are you born with it or can you cultivate it? We share our tips. Enjoy and watch now >   Celebrity Gift Baskets for December is all about ECO-CELEBRITIES!  Apply NOW to get into our popular gift basket this time around. Most entrepreneurs who participated in the past received at least ONE note from a celebrity!Here was mine: 2167 2010-11-17T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/what-your-personal-style-says-about-your-brand In my last blog post, I shared the importance of being willing to be seen and heard as a successful social CEO. Did you tune into any resistance that may pop up for you? Have you resolved it?Now that you are ready to step forward and become the leader in your industry, it's time to review your external branding. How does it align with your role as a successful Social CEO? So many of us focus on branding ourselves online and completely forgot that the best representative of our business and br... 2127 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-11-17T12:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/farrah-fawcett-s-sales-secret Remember the UltraBrite toothpaste commercials? OK, I know some of my Savor sisters are a little too young to remember, but UltraBrite was toothpaste popular during the ‘70s and ‘80s. And their sales came because of the way they sold it. Check out a young Farrah Fawcett in this commercial from the ‘70s:     Notice anything? The manufacturer didn’t get bogged down with details. They didn’t tell you what’s in the toothpaste o... 2163 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-11-17T08:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/being-open-opens-us-up-to-extraordinary-things As you may recall,  few months ago, a team of people from Oprah Winfrey’s Network (OWN) came to New Jersey searching for the next TV star for their “OWN” show. With a lot of coordination and support from family and friends, I spent the night in my car and camped out waiting to meet someone and talk about my vision for inspiring television. I really felt like I was “called” to go. I really believed something would come of the weekend. Well, after a long... 2164 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-11-17T05:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-engaging-or-marketing The second episode of Savor Show has arrived! These are bite-size shows (3-7 minutes) around a hot topic in business. This week, my co-hosts and I  talk about "Are you engaging or marketing to your clients?" Leave a comment about how you are engaging vs. marketing to your clients! To watch all Savor Show episodes, go to our own Savor YouTube channel and subscribe to our channel for continual updates. SavorU is open for enrollment! Bite-size ... 2153 2010-11-10T15:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-willing-to-be-a-leader In my last blog post, I talk about the importance of knowing how you want your business and brand to make your clients and fans feel. Did you make your list of 10-20 words that describe how you want to make people feel when they meet you, interact with you, listen to you, ask questions of you, hire you, and work with you? And did you discover ways to incorporate these words into your messaging and energy frequency?The next action steps you can take as a Successful Social CEO is all about mind... 2126 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-11-10T11:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/the-five-effective-habits-of-the-toaster-style-of-public-selling Over the past six weeks, I’ve revealed the five Social Selling Styles: Ghosting, Coasting and Posting, Boasting, Hosting and Toasting. It was easy to see that the last two – Hosting and Toasting – were great styles.The ones that payoff! Recognizing a style is one thing; making it your own is quite another. If you’ve been using the Ghosting, Coasting and Posting, or Boasting style, is it possible to become a Hoster or even a Toaster?   Sure! It’s as s... 2149 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-11-10T08:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-meloche/techniques-to-reduce-neck-tension In this video, I share how to reduce neck tension through stretching, massaging and activating the neck muscles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifMfzybnwXg   2144 lisa@sbsoperations.com (Lisa Meloche) 2010-11-05T18:34:26Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-instantly-get-the-media-to-pay-attention-to-you It can be tough to get the media to pay attention. As much as we research, write targeted pitches, and try connecting through email, phone, and in-person, we sometimes feel like the needy child trying desperately to get attention. So how can we "connect" with media without driving them crazy? One word...Twitter. Twitter is an excellent way to get the attention of the media. Most members of the media "tweet" - so you can follow and get the inside scoop on their daily activities. Even better... 2142 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-11-04T14:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-show-launches-how-to-charge-what-you-are-worth Lots of exciting stuff to share! SavorU is open for enrollment! Bite-size courses for the busy entrepreneur... It only takes an hour or two to learn an important skill that will save you time and money. So here are some upcoming courses: November 9: Protect your brand and ideas with Professor Jessica Matthews November 10: How to get published with Professor Lisa Steadman November 23: Branding you as the head of your company with Professor Bridget ... 2139 2010-11-03T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/what-does-your-energy-say-about-your-brand In my last blog post, I shared the top 10 things you must do to become a Successful Social CEO. Over the next few weeks, I’d like to break down each of those 10 action steps into specific, concrete, actionable items for you. Let’s start with your messaging. As someone who’s spent her entire adult life getting paid to communicate, whether as a branding strategist, content specialist, community liaison, best selling author, or as life and business coach, I often take for grant... 2125 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-11-03T12:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/client-bullying-savoru-announcement Ladies, This week is my last vlog on bullying in honor of October's National Bully Prevention month... and this time I talk about Client Bullying! How do you identify a Client Bully and what do you do (especially if you depend on them for income)?   SavorU is open for enrollment! Bite-size courses for the busy entrepreneur! We have cherry-picked our professors and the courses are designed to give you the tools and education to continue building your business. Want to become a six... 2131 2010-10-28T15:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/success-secrets-of-a-social-ceo I’ve been working with a lot of entrepreneurs lately who are doing so much right in their businesses, and yet they’re still struggling. They’re blogging. They’re on social media. They’re even doing video.And yet they’re getting the same results they’ve always gotten.It’s no wonder they feel frustrated! I’ve talked to these business owners, and I’ve talked to other entrepreneurs who are getting tremendous results. And it recently dawn... 2124 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-10-27T11:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/introducing-public-selling-style-5-which-one-do-you-aspire-to-be “Help! I’m spending time on social media, but I’m not making as many sales as I want. What am I doing wrong?” If you’ve been following my Public Selling Style blog series, you probably have a clear understanding of why being on Twitter and Facebook alone doesn’t always close sales. We’ve learned that social media is a public selling form, and most of us are still learning how to act as public sellers. I’ve identified five distinct public se... 2100 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-10-27T08:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/revealed-the-pr-plans-of-multi-million-dollar-businesses On a daily basis, I work with a small number of multi-million dollar businesses with 100+ employees that have fairly substantial budgets for a PR campaign. I also work with a select number of entrepreneurs with smaller budgets in a coaching capacity or in one of my special programs that focus on one area of PR. After comparing these two types of clients, I find there are distinct differences in their goals and strategies when it comes to public relations. While it can be argued that business... 2112 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-10-20T12:42:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/the-five-effective-habits-of-the-hoster-style-of-public-selling For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been blogging about the five Public Selling Styles. It was easy to see that the last two – Hosting and Toasting – were great styles. The kind you should adopt. A few of you asked for some concrete ways you could adopt the good styles. And I’m happy to share tips. Since you have to Host before you can Toast, here are the Five Effective Habits of Hosters, with samples of social media posts that accomplish your goals: #1:  Ho... 2103 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-10-20T08:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/anonymous-attacks-online Ladies,  I'm going to be speaking at the Super Mompreneur conference as their keynote speaker on October 30. If you'd like to get tickets at 50% off, please use this exclusive code: AJK50. Okay! Since October is National Bully Prevention month, I vlogged about what I did once when I was the target of an anonymous attack online. I know that anonymous postings on the internet is a problem that is on the rise, and while there may be some legal resources on your side, sometimes y... 2098 2010-10-14T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/introducing-public-selling-style-4-which-are-you “Help! I’m spending time on social media, but I’m not making as many sales as I want. What am I doing wrong?” If you’ve been following my blog, you know that we’re discussing why social media alone doesn’t always close sales. Social media is a public selling form and we’re used to selling from a private perspective. Most of us don’t know how to act as public sellers. I’ve identified five distinct public selling styles and I&rsqu... 2087 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-10-13T08:16:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-being-sabotaged October is National Bully Prevention Month. Have you ever experienced business bullying? This week I vlog about what this means and how you can protect yourself. Business bullying can come in the form of client bullying, anonymous attacks, sabotage, or defamation. I share a bully incident that happened to my sister when I was younger as well as a recent situation that my employee experienced at the Om Aroma shop!   I have listed our legal specialists that are Savor Pr... 2082 2010-10-07T18:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/introducing-public-selling-style-3-which-are-you “Help! I’m spending time on social media, but I’m not making any sales. What am I doing wrong?” Sound familiar? A lot of us have asked this very question. We’re Twittering. We’re on Facebook. We’re LinkedIn. But where are those sales we’ve been promised? Most of us have been lead to believe that social media efforts alone would close sales. But now we know that doesn’t work. And it doesn’t work because we’ve never had to thin... 2079 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-10-06T08:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-mathews/the-truth-about-magic-bullets-and-what-you-really-need-to-succeed Are you overwhelmed with the "noise" that is out there?  Every day, you probably get a sales pitch in your inbox from some "guru" who swears they finally have the "answer" to your problem of why your business isn't moving forward. Most of them promise you that if you implement their proprietary system, you will be able to make 6-figures quickly and easily.  They are using a well-known and very effective sales technique by tapping into your pain (not moving forward, not making... 2078 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2010-10-05T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/reinvent-yourself Today I talk about reinventing yourself to lead the life YOU want to lead. Many of you know that I was a concert pianist, but what you don't know is how I felt like a prisoner while touring. I know many people share the same issues of feeling like they have to do it because it's expected of them.  I share the story of how you can make a tough transition to doing what you really, really want to do!  The gorgeous dress that Sienna is wearing is from Style for Grace (Premium Member... 2073 2010-09-30T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/introducing-public-selling-style-2-which-are-you “Help! I’m spending time on social media, but I’m not generating any interest. What am I doing wrong?” This is a question a lot of us are asking ourselves. Many entrepreneurs aren’t sure how to use social media to make sales. And, like I said in an earlier blog, it’s because most of us don’t know how to act as public sellers. We’ve been lead to believe that social media efforts alone would close sales. I’ve identified five distinct pu... 2070 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-09-29T08:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-create-luck This week I vlog about my theory on success and how to create "luck". I use this daily in my life, and you can start right now, too (costs nothing). You will be very surprised by the results you get! Speaking of "luck", Savor members got together to send out 10 baskets to Celebrity Moms. Andreea Ayers, Director of Celebrity Baskets chez Savor, gave us this update:  four celebrities (Halle Berry, Jen Garner, Brooke Shields, Nicole Richie) have confirmed that they will... 2064 2010-09-23T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/introducing-public-selling-style-1-which-are-you “Help! I’m spending time on the social web, but I’m not making any sales. What am I doing wrong?” Sound familiar? I think a lot of us have asked this very question. We’re on Facebook. We’re tweeting. We’re LinkedIn. We’re investing a lot of time, but that investment isn’t paying off like it could. I was sitting at my desk one day, wondering this very thing. Asking myself. “Why are my clients doing everything right but not getting a... 2060 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-09-22T07:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/how-to-use-competition-as-a-way-to-create-a-quantum-sales-leap With so many new people adopting social media, there are tons of new competitors and new customers signing on every day. In addition, the "economic mindset" that is prevalent in today's business space, is adding to the feeling that we are all working harder than we would like to sell our products and services. Good news. Bad news.  Maybe, it's all good news! I get asked more and more how to deal with highly competitive situations and aggressive competitors.  How to stand out amon... 2057 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-09-20T17:34:12Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/balance-issues-with-my-employees Are you running yourself into the ground? This week I vlog about how I'm learning about the importance of taking care of yourselves in order to maintain balance. This will help you with running your businesses in a much more productive and effective way. I compare and contrast two employees... one has great balance and the other is so passionate about work that he has lost his balance.  A couple of exciting Savor announcements: Premium Member Exclusive: We've launched Savo... 2052 2010-09-15T17:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/how-to-stand-out-from-all-the-social-noise So you want to stand out from the crowd. You have a message for the masses and you want to be heard. You want to get known. You want to make a difference.And you’d like to monetize your efforts without being considered inauthentic or GROSS.Isn't that why we all went into business for ourselves in the first place?Maybe our mission was initially disguised as a desire to have more personal freedom or less micro management in our lives.But the truth remains the same for the Social Business ... 2050 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-09-15T11:07:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/social-conduct-is-the-new-barometer-for-sales-success Imagine you’re at a swanky cocktail party, enjoying the company of friends when a woman walks in carrying a box. She sets the box down and steps on top.   Then she starts talking about herself. “Me. Me. Me. Me. Me,” she says, going on and on and on. You might stop and listen for a minute because it’s … well, unusual.   A few minutes later, a man joins the party, box in hand. He repeats the actions of the first woman. Pretty soon more and more &ldq... 2048 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-09-15T10:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/woohoo-within-vs-social-persona Several months ago, I blogged about what I call your Woohoo Within™.  To refresh your memory, your Woohoo Within™ is the internal compass directing you where to go and what to do next in your business. More recently, I started talking about your Social Persona™.A lot of people have been asking me what the difference is. While your Woohoo Within™ is an internal expression of self, your Social Persona™ is the external representation of that Woohoo Within&trade... 2049 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-09-14T14:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/this-is-personal Remember the quote from The Godfather, “It’s not personal. It’s business.” Well … “fuhgeddaboudit!”   In today’s world, business is personal, especially for small business owners like you and me. We’ve entered a new era in entrepreneurism. And I’m sure you’ve felt the shift, both internally and externally.   As an entrepreneur, you’re ready to become affluent for life by serving others. You’re lookin... 2029 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-09-08T06:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/is-your-business-missing-its-social-ceo-y-o-u I recently asked my Facebook fans and friends if their Social Persona was selling themselves and their businesses short.I heard from so many of you that said, Yes, your Social Persona IS selling you and your business short.In short, many of you have not embraced the three key principles of Social Biz 3.0. They are: 1. Personalize Your Biz2. Build Social Buzz3. Master Social SellingCan I let you in on a little secret? If you do not master the 3 basic principles of Social Biz 3.0, you may not b... 2019 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-09-02T19:29:24Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/25-things-to-do-when-you-are-feeling-down-about-business-or-anything-else We've all had those days when things look really, really bleak and bad. You know, those days when your bank account is not lookin' so great. Or nothing is going as it "should". Or you are experiencing a lot of rejection. Or you've just spent three hours on a proposal only to have the recipient not respond and is even using your ideas!  Yes, we've all been there and when you are experiencing one of those days, don't you just want to throw in the towel? I know I have, and I know I will be... 2018 2010-09-02T15:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/tips-on-dealing-with-fear When I put around $60,000 (maybe even more but at that point, who's counting?!) onto my credit cards to launch Om Aroma, I'm not going to lie to you... I was shaking every single time I pulled it out to pay for a trade show, jars, ingredients, lab testing, and more. I've worked with thousands of entrepreneurs to help them with their businesses, encourage them to dream bigger, and get practical next steps into their calendars.  Most of the time, I see what is at the root of our "stuck-n... 2003 2010-08-26T18:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-mathews/is-your-website-putting-you-at-risk I love the internet.  It is a great leveling force, allowing small businesses to have the same presence at huge corporations.  It allows start-ups to reach as wide an audience as multi-national companies.  And these days, getting online and having a great looking, user-friendly website is as easy as saying 1-2-3.    But before you launch headlong into the virtual world with your business, take a minute with me here to make sure you do it in a way that protec... 2000 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2010-08-25T20:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/what-got-me-mad-last-week Ladies, have you ever had an experience that got you so mad and worked up? I recently had one of those experiences where I felt terribly wronged... but then I decided to channel my energy into a different direction and discovered something amazing. Watch my vlog about this experience and how you can apply it to your life as well.  Are you reading Savor's book club pick? It's 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam, and it has really changed my life a... 1991 2010-08-19T17:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/winning-by-losing-teaching-our-children-it-s-okay-to-fail My husband and I decided to take LuLu and Little Man to the town carnival on Saturday night. Lu was counting the minutes until we left and Man was in awe at the lights on the ferris wheel. It was just magical watching them ride some rides, eat ice cream, and get excited to take some chances. But, when Michael went to play his first chance with LuLu, he pointed to a sign that read: $5.00 to play. Everyone wins. Huh? What? First off, never mind the fact that is was $5.00 for ONE CHANCE,... 1987 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-08-18T04:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/what-to-do-when-the-media-is-just-not-that-into-you It's inevitable. You send a pitch to the media and then....nothing. Now you start to worry. Will they respond to my email? Will they call? Days or weeks go by and you follow up again. Nothing. Your brain overloads with thoughts: Maybe it went in their junk mail? Maybe they never got my message? Maybe they are too busy and will get back to me another day? Maybe they hated it. Maybe they hate me. I suck. PR sucks. I give up. Does this situation sound familiar? I remember ... 1985 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-08-17T19:59:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/you-have-more-time-than-you-think Ladies, did you know that you have more time than you think you do? I discovered a new book that I absolutely adore and has revolutionized the way I see my time schedule... and my LIFE. 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam is our next book for the National Savor Book Club!  Make sure to purchase the book from Amazon or your local book store. Then go to My168Hours.com and download a time log and start to record what you are doing with your time.   If you ... 1980 2010-08-11T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/how-does-your-mo-ney-garden-grow I am not sure who coined this phrase or why...  "Money Doesn't Grow On Trees" I was sitting in the lobby (back in the day) of Saatchi & Saatchi, Toyota's ad agency, waiting for a meeting to start. I noticed they had these illustrations on the wall.  They were depictions of common beliefs but, they were painted upside down.  The one that captured my attention was the upside down tree with money falling  onto the ground and it said, “doesn’t money grow o... 1977 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-08-09T07:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/one-question-you-should-ask-yourself-every-morning This week I vlog about the ONE thing I ask myself every morning to move forward and get "unstuck". It could change your whole outlook not only in business but in life, too. :) 1973 2010-08-05T18:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/the-seeds-we-plant-grow My daughter loves to garden. She's 4 years old, and gets such joy out of planting seeds, watering them, watching them bloom into beautiful flowers. Every morning we have to go on our porch and look at the petals, notice the colors. There was one lonely pot around the corner from the porch. It's not as easy to access quickly, and she didn't spend as much time tending to it. Still, the other day, we noticed the flower bloomed. Nature took care of the seeds, even if it took a little longe... 1971 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-08-03T16:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/overcoming-the-i-have-to-speak-to-my-husband-first-objection You are just about to close a sale and she says, “Well, I have to discuss it with my husband before I can move forward.”  Your shoulders droop and you think it’s over.  Another sale lost.  Before you lose faith, there are some great ways to handle this objection. As soon as the buyer gives you any indication they are “not going to buy right now” your job as a seller (if you want to share the benefits of your product or service AND get paid for i... 1964 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-08-02T06:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-clinique-made-me-mess-up-my-marketing-campaign This week I vlog about three steps I took to create a successful marketing campaign... for just $56.02!  I share ways that you can create a successful marketing strategy that you can implement without spending mucho moolah! NEWS FLASH!!!  We are launching PROJECT CELEBRITY GIFT BASKETS chez Savor the Success!  Do you want to send your product to celebrities?  In August, we are celebrating Mom celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Halle Berry.... 1963 2010-07-29T15:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/is-your-internal-dialog-blocking-your-sales-momentum    It is popular to instantly enter into self-doubt and blame when making sales gets challenging.        I used to take client’s negative reactions to my sales pitches very personally. So much so that I would instantly judge myself.  Somehow I had predetermined that if I had to work too hard for their business, I wasn’t doing it right.  It should be easy or I was to blame.  Once that happened, an instant awkwardness would fill... 1960 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-07-28T15:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/why-i-m-all-about-roi Can I be honest?One of the things that really aggravates me about business coaching is the RIDICULOUS amounts people charge for their services.While I'm sure some of these experts are worth five and six figures towork with, here's what concerns me.Often, I see entrepreneurs investing tens of thousands of dollars to work with someone they admire. For the price of a new car, they get shoved into some group coaching program with hundreds of others.They rarely if ever enjoy one-on-one time with t... 1951 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-07-23T07:37:55Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-taking-referrals-for-granted Ladies, Today I give you a quick and easy tip on word-of-mouth marketing. It's so simple that it's often overlooked, but trust me, if you take this advice, you will see an increase in your business. :) 1949 2010-07-22T18:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/why-local-networking-sucks DISCLAIMER: This headline is only intended to grab your attention. I really don't think local networking sucks.  But I used to.  A bit of backstory. When I first started my Publicity firm I did all the things that I thought new business owners were "supposed" to do. I joined the Chamber (we have three in my local area of Southern New Jersey and even more in Philadelphia), joined the local women in business association, joined BNI, and meddled in some other strangely-named lead gen... 1940 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-07-15T14:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/failure-is-your-best-weapon Listen up, ladies!  Have you ever failed at something? Do you feel defeated about it? And do you feel like throwing in the towel after "failing"?  Check, check, and check, right? This week I vlog about what you can do after a "failure" to catapult you to success. I share the story behind Savor the Success and how it began with a major failure. Now 10,000 online members strong, I am grateful that this failure catapulted us to success!  - The Spa Project's Hom... 1938 2010-07-14T15:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jessica-mathews/is-getting-your-legal-foundation-in-place-sexy Hi everyone!  So excited to be joining the Savor the Success Official Blog roster!  This is an absolutely amazing group of women and I am so thrilled to be a part of this community, and to now get to share my knowledge and experience with all of you.  I hope to help each and every one of you succeed beyond your wildest dreams!  So, you might wonder about who I am.  I have been a business lawyer and business litigator for 15 years, as well as a successful entrepreneu... 1936 jessica@leverage-a-lawyer.com (Jessica Eaves Mathews) 2010-07-13T15:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/what-to-do-when-you-feel-sales-weary-part-2 If you missed Part 1, here is the link   The Three Step Process for Defining Your Mission1.  When defining your mission, the first and most important thing you must do is be willing to accept the guidance and information that presents itself.      2.  The second way to clarify your mission is to answer these questions honestly.  Answer the questions rapidly and write down the first thing that comes to mind. Answer them a second time slowly, thoughtf... 1934 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-07-12T08:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/what-to-do-when-you-feel-sales-weary-part-1 Do you find yourself expending tremendous energy on your business and feeling less enthusiastic than you once did?  Are you craving a reliable source of internal power that will catapult your business forward and help get you excited about selling? You are about to find out how a mission make-over will shift you from sales-weary into high-velocity. When you have an idea, a product, a cause, or a service that is important for you to share, regardless whether you are starting or growi... 1932 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-07-06T23:57:35Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-create-milestones-so-you-can-savor-the-success We've been having a discussion in the VIP Premium Member cafe about suggestions on how you can savor your successes. How many of you are guilty of achieving a milestone and not celebrating it?   I'm going to share with you a major milestone that I've achieved TODAY and then I'm going to share with you how you can manifest a milestone. It's always been my dream to start a Dollars & Scents program within my company, Om Aroma. The whole idea behind this program was to give jobs to wom... 1927 2010-07-01T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/my-own-audition-part-2-project-reflection Alright, I finally did it. I made a "simple in my car with my flip camera audition" video for OWN - actually, believe it or not, I almost decided not to send one in. But, then on Saturday afternoon the last day to submit a video, I said, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING???" While hubby was in the pool with the kids, I went in the car to record. I rambled. and rambled. and rambled. AGAIN. Passion can really cause bad rambling, and I really know better!! I went inside my house and decided not to upl... 1925 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-06-28T21:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/my-new-bike-facing-my-fears My husband surprised me with a new bike. It has been over fifteen years since I've actually owned a bike, and I have to admit, although I really wanted to ride (hence him surprising me with it!), I was kind of scared to actually get on the road. Would I fall off? Would I be able to break? turn? avoid parked cars? Would a car not see me? Would I be able to go down hill? up hill? I took a few minutes to introduce myself to the bike; road it gingerly up and down my block ON THE SIDEWALK. My ne... 1918 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-06-25T14:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/if-your-business-was-your-boyfriend-is-it-time-to-breakup I've been talking to a lot of women business owners lately and the way they're describing their businesses sounds a whole lot like the way women talk about the men in their lives..."We beat each other up last month (my first abusive experience in a relationship).""We're in the 'working on it' phase.""Sometimes we fight, but we love each other, too."Can I let you in on a little secret?Last year, I was in an abusive relationship with MY business.I had committed to doing whatever it took to cata... 1916 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-06-24T14:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/protect-yourself-with-an-nda Have you signed an NDA with people who have access to your confidential information? Watch what happened to me this past week and see if I had protected myself properly.  Even though you can't always fully protect yourself, signing an agreement is at the very least a peace-of-mind gesture that you owe to yourself.   Have you ever kicked yourself for not taking the proper legal steps to protect yourself?  Share your story here! 1913 2010-06-23T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-have-a-productive-day Watch what I do every morning (well, almost every morning!) to have a productive day.  I also show you some small and simple tools that I use to support myself and keep inspired. God knows we all need that!!  :) Here is where you can find the same tools that I use:Savor Magbook ($12 + shipping) - a magazine + workbook hybrid to help you to achieve your goals! Om Aroma Soy Aromatherapy Candles ($28) - only available at the Om Aroma shop at the Limelight ... 1909 2010-06-17T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-gain-publicity-by-hanging-out-in-the-bookstore I always end every PR coaching session by giving my clients homework. With some assignments I get the groan of overwhelm.  But this assignment usually results in every one of them thinking I’m the greatest teacher on earth. The assignment? Take a few hours and head to Barnes and Noble or other local bookstore that has a large variety of magazines. Bring your laptop (or a pen and paper) and literally read magazines for as long as you can possibly spare the time to do so. Sounds ... 1907 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-06-16T23:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/confused-minds-don-t-buy More lessons learned from the Om Aroma boutique space at Limelight! A customer walks into our retail space, and I start to talk about our products. Then I share with them some exciting promotions that we have going on. Imagine two scenarios: 1. "Today we have a fun promotion: This Chardonnay Cream is normally $18. The lip balm is $7 and the Caviar Eye Sampling is $8.  But today you can get all three for just $20. 2. "Today we have a fun promotion: This Chardonnay Cream is norm... 1900 2010-06-10T15:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/what-a-weekend-details-about-my-audition-for-own-at-kohl-s-in-linden-nj Alright, let me start by saying I have envisioned creating positive, inspiring television since I was in college 16 years ago, writing for the school newspaper about issues of women's self esteem, and how we are all beautiful from the inside-out!! Even in 2002, I had a video produced (by the amazing David Harris Katz, who later produced my dvd Diets Don't Work) about my concept for this type of show. Over the years, I've realized more and more about the power the media ha... 1898 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-06-07T22:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-gross-here-s-the-solution Be honest. How many networking events have you been to where it's one giant pitch fest with people shoving their business cards in your hand faster than you can say "No thanks"? I get it. I've been to a lot of those events. And to be honest, they feel GROSS. In fact, I've been so grossed out recently, that I had to figure out why. Here's what GROSS means to me... Getting Really Offended by Selfish Selling You know what I'm talking about, right? Are you really offended, too? I've be... 1892 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-06-04T17:49:47Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/personalize-your-sales It's been a crazy week with our apartment move so I didn't have time to vlog.  But there is an important lesson that I've learned about sales from my Om Aroma retail space at the Limelight so I just had to write to you even amidst movers taking out big boxes of stuff! There was a time (a few years ago) when a sale was actually quite easy. People were much quicker to open their wallets and spend without thinking. Being on the sales floor this past month, I see how there is a psychologi... 1891 2010-06-03T16:53:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/sell-unto-others-as-you-would-have-them-sell-unto-you In the traditional advertising world there are two distinct types of messages or advertisements.  The brand ad and the “pitch” ad or infomercial.The job of the brand ad is to create an emotional bond with the product and demonstrate how your life will be better by owning it. The goal of the infomercial or “pitch” ad is to create an immediate and direct response.  Meaning, you call or sign up for something right away. (time is running out, etc.) It’s ... 1889 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-06-02T08:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-lesson-learned-from-rock-the-world The business lesson that I learned from Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World is: Communication is fragile. Treat it with care!   Sometimes you can say "The sky is blue" five times and the other person will think you said, "The sky is pink".  Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong. Time and reputation are precious, and the more you can avoid misunderstandings, the more time you have to focus on important things in your business and personal life. The bottom line is that people ofte... 1882 2010-05-27T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/what-inspires-you What Inspires You? The word “inspire” means to stimulate an action, to elicit, to bring about, to motivate. But, if you dig a little deeper into the definition, “inspire” really means to “breathe life into” - so, let me rephrase my question, what breathes life into you? What fills you with passion, energy, contentment, peace? There is no right or wrong answer, it’s just very interesting to hear what inspires each of us- it’s funny because alth... 1874 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-05-21T03:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-stuck   Ladies!  Do you ever feel stuck and frustrated? The other day, I had an experience that nearly sent me over the edge, but then I remembered something that I read in the Savor Magbook that helped me enormously. I was not alone, and I felt empowered by the energy I felt from the words of wisdom from other women entrepreneurs in the magbook.Watch what I do when I feel stuck and make sure to order your copy today! What do you do when you feel ... 1870 2010-05-19T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/lisa-price-on-business-relationships Check out this interview from Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World on how Lisa Price used relationships to build business and to get celebrity fans! She started in her kitchen and grew her business from her home. She rolled up quarters and pennies in order to open her first store! How many of you can relate to her bootstrapping story?  You can share your own inspiring story below.   1871 2010-05-19T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-develop-a-news-hook-for-your-press-release-pitch If you're soliciting the media for coverage, you must have one critical element - NEWS! A "hook" is the newsworthy tie that should be included in your press correspondence (press releases and pitches). Your "hook" has the power to either get fabulous coverage or get your pitch thrown in the virtual (or real-life!) trash bin.     So how do you develop an exciting news hook? It's actually not that difficult. There are many sources of "hook" inspiration that are just a click... 1868 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-05-17T19:52:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/zen-quickie-date-night I know you've probably heard me say, "take time for Y-O-U", and part of You is your relationships...so since we are all busy working on our businesses, every gal needs a date night every now and then! I’m not talking about the traditional date alone. If you’re married, date your spouse. If you’re in a relationship and only date your mate, date your friends or date yourself. If you’re single, date anyone- a guy, a friend, a family member, yourself, as long as it&rs... 1866 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-05-17T15:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/rock-the-world-and-savor-magbook Savor Magbook is here! Ladies!!  Savor Magbook has launched! It's a magazine WITH A TWIST... find out what that twist by watching the video from Rock the World NYC.  Order your copy today!  People are always asking me how I get so much done with two businesses and a baby.  This magazine + workbook hybrid is part educational, part inspirational, and part WORKBOOK.  This will give you the tools to get things done!For those of you who have been f... 1860 2010-05-12T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/zen-quickie-give-what-you-want-to-receive We've all heard the phrase, "you get what you give." But, more than just words, there is a lot of truth in the statement. Think about it, we actually give of ourselves every minute. Every thought, every action, every thing we do is sending a signal, whether we realize it or not! So, if you think someone in your life is not good at communicating, instead of "retreating" and matching his/her energy level, choose to be a better communicator yourself. If you think a colleague is nasty,... 1859 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-05-12T07:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-meloche/rallying-the-support-troops Chronic pain can and will disrupt your productivity without an action plan.  Rallying the support troops for both your business and your personal life during times of chronic pain will minimize the impact on your business. It is important to design your action plan when you are not in pain and feeling positive to ensure open communications with the support people in your life. Outline critical tasks and identify a responsible party to handle that task during times of flare-ups. Docu... 1849 lisa@sbsoperations.com (Lisa Meloche) 2010-05-05T13:16:42Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/avoid-misunderstandings This week, I vlog about how to avoid misunderstandings. If only life could be that easy, right? Well, this is one simple tip that will help you to avoid many business conflicts! Tell me, do you have any other tips to avoid business misunderstandings?  Any questions? Write them here and I'll comment back! P.S. I'm opening up my very first Om Aroma boutique at the Limelight Marketplace on May 7th (yes, one day after Rock the World)!  Join ... 1839 2010-04-28T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-network-with-the-media-at-rock-the-world I don't know about you, but I'm getting more and more excited about Rock the World every single day - and Angela's daily announcements of the press who have accepted her invitation to attend make the event all the more enticing! Bumping into a member of the media while circulating Rock the World may send shock waves through your system. You might immediately want to tell them how amazing your product/service is, and why they should cover it. If you remember three words from this article - it... 1835 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-04-26T22:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/how-to-use-follow-friday-for-maximum-twitter-influence I know it's Monday, but it’s the perfect time to talk about Follow Friday so you can plan to make it work even better for you and your colleagues this week. In case you don’t know, Follow Friday is the name given to a Twitter update that suggests people to follow on Twitter. For example, if you know someone who shares valuable social media tips, you might post a Tweet like this one. Or if you know someone who Tweets about how to take good photographs, you might post a&... 1834 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-26T12:12:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/is-your-lack-of-follow-up-destroying-your-sales-efforts-three-easy-steps-to-change-that-now-estimated-reading-time-2-5-mins Are you working really hard to make a sale or close a deal and not getting the result you want?  It’s okay, you can change that today in 3 easy steps!  I promise.  This formula is what I used to become a peak performer, you can too.Step #1:  Commit to establishing a follow-up ritual today. (Like washing your face)Just like going to the gym, you have to decide that you are going to change the way you follow-up with your customers, so you can shorten your selling cycle... 1473 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-04-26T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/why-women-entrepreneurs-get-blocked Savor Show debuted last night with Michael E. Gerber, author of The E Myth Revisited! Watch why he said women entrepreneurs get blocked and what we can do about it. He will be speaking at Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World on May 5-6th. Why are tickets selling out? We think that it's because we are paying YOU to invite your friends! Did you know that you have a Secret Savor Code that you can give to your friends for 20% off? The best part is that when they use your code, we cr... 1828 2010-04-21T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/the-importance-of-owning-your-core-marketing-outlets-and-content Over at our FaceBook Page, we’re having an interesting discussion about FaceBook’s change yesterday from “Become A Fan” to “Like,” and back to “Become A Fan” again. It seems that, once again, FaceBook is making changes without giving us small business owners any advance notice. And people don’t like it. But what do you expect? “He who owns the gold makes the rules, right?” It’s not fair, but it is what it is. ... 1827 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-20T23:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/fearless-and-falter-free-selling I remember when I first started selling, I was petrified to talk to people and ask them for money.  I thought I was acting in a way that would have them not like me and I was walking head-on into rejection.  Yuck!One day I was on the phone with the VP of Chrysler and I completely flubbed the conversation with him.  I froze up when he asked a question I didn’t know how to answer.  I instantly judged myself and then I felt awkward and vulnerable.  That kicked me i... 1826 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-04-20T16:59:19Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/some-of-my-plans-for-the-next-10-years The May 2010 issue of Oprah Magazine arrived in yesterday's mail. The issue celebrates the publication's tenth anniversary, and is packed with interesting articles and features from some very inspiring women. As I flipped through the pages, I could not help but notice this beautiful paper, typography, and lettering illustration of the number "10," created by Yulia Brodskaya, on page 69. The question underneath the graphic, "What's Next for You?" is an important one. If you can't plan what'... 1823 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-19T02:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/indie-business-tv-on-twitter-it-s-not-just-about-content-it-s-about-accessible-content Twitter may be growing in value for its owners as they launch their new Promoted Tweets program, but it's worthless to you unless you pay attention to the details of how to use it properly. With one hundred million users, many of them small business owners, if you own a business but are not using Twitter (I don't just mean have a profile page -- I mean really use Twitter), then your business is on its way to nowhere in the long run. While some use fancy algarithms to know whether... 1821 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-17T22:12:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/crowded-head-make-some-space You know how you feel when you have a stuffy head? Cold, tired, run down- not very productive…well, the same thing is true when we have a 'crowded' head- mind filled with too much mental clutter- tired, run down, not very productive. So, when our minds are crowded, what is it exactly that we are thinking about? -    Money-    Time-    To-do Lists-    Family-    Friends-    The Past-  &... 1819 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-04-17T01:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/making-more-money-by-integrating-your-sales-marketing-and-social-media So you are crazy busy, right?  And, you spend a great deal of your time putting your message out using social media but you are not quite seeing the return you would expect given how much time you are investing, right? I know, me too.  The digital technologies available to us today have allowed us to move at the speed of light and reach so many new people for FREE!  The question is, are we putting out the right messages that pay us back for our time and energy or are we putt... 1817 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-04-15T16:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/mike-michalowicz-rock-the-world You know we love men, right?  Well, if we were to ever accept men into Savor, Michael Michalowicz would be the first in line.   In his own words: "I think women entrepreneurs inherently know this, but don't hear it enough.  The world needs your success. Actually the world is starving for your success.  I have learned and lived entrepreneurship for my entire adult life... and I know the biggest, most important lessons that the world needs right now can only b... 1814 2010-04-15T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-down-with-opp-other-people-pimping-you-out Here's what I LOVE about being a published author. People WANT to hang out with you. They want to associate with you. They want to pimp you out. How fabulous is that?!And here's the beauty of OPP -- it's a serious win-win. Not only are they pimping me out, but I'm THRILLED to pimp them out in return.This week alone, I was invited to be a guest expert on my friend Kira Sabin's Girls Night In Telechat. Kira is the queen of creating opportunities and partnerships (LOVE that!), so her free call w... 1816 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-04-14T18:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/4-foundations-of-meaningful-work I recorded this Indie Business TV segment in January 2008. (Note the short hair …) While that date precedes the official start of the recession, even back then, I could feel the change coming. Job loss was a mere trickle in those days, and there had been no bail out yet. But I felt change coming. People becoming more antsy in the jobs they did have. Like me ten years ago when I quit my job to start my business, people were searching with more urgency for ways to take more con... 1813 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-13T13:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/how-to-start-the-sales-conversation-with-a-social-media-lead We all love social media because for the first time ever the playing field has been leveled.  Big business cannot necessarily beat us in the market place because of their ad budgets anymore.  Even better, big business hasn't figured out how to use social media effectively.  YET. I get asked all of the time,  "what do I do now that I have leads from my social media efforts but I freeze when it comes time to sell.  I just don't know what to say." Great question. ... 1804 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-04-08T00:22:30Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/make-or-break-your-business This week I talk about one thing that I did to save my business today. It's kind of like saving for a rainy day... and thank goodness I did this because it's been down-pouring today! I learned this tip by reading The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber.  By the way, did you hear that he's coming to speak at Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World on May 5-6th? The world's #1 Small Business Guru is going to mentor us, and I cannot even begin to tell you how this is g... 1801 2010-04-07T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/you-can-t-judge-a-book-by-its-royalty-check Twice a year, I get a royalty statement from my publisher. I don't know how other publishers handle royalty statements, but mine arrives around March 31 (for the sales period July 1 - December 31) and September 30 (for the sales period January 1 - June 30). In it, there's a detailed summary of how many books I sold during the previous 6 month period, along with a check for my book royalties. Well, there isn't always a check. And this is why you can't judge your book by the size or presence... 1795 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-04-05T11:51:11Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/should-you-reorganize-the-categories-at-your-blog Careful categorization of posts is a hallmark of an effective blog. Recently, I tried viewing my blog as if I had never seen it before. I saw multiple opportunities for improvement. For example, I added a Twitter update widget to the upper right corner. I also changed the way my calendar of upcoming events is displayed. (See right column at my blog under FaceBook.) I’m still working on that. I also noticed that my blog Topics (or categories), listed in the upper le... 1793 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-04-05T00:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/four-simple-steps-to-crafting-your-compelling-quick-pitch Your quick pitch is your most poignant form of permission marketing.  It’s sole intention is to get the listener to say “tell me more”.When they do, you have just gained permission to talk more in-depth about your product or service and you are speaking to a willing participant. To construct a compelling and quippy quick pitch doesn’t take long if you know your business well.  Here are four simple steps.Step #1:  Identify exactly what you are selling ... 1792 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-04-02T18:16:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/how-important-is-talent Can I get real with you? I am not the most talented writer I know. I’m not even in the top 20% of talent when it comes to all the aspiring writers I know. But guess what? I finish. In college, I was one of 24 students chosen for an elite 4 year undergraduate screenwriting program at USC. Quite honestly, I was one of the least talented writers there. Of the more talented? One writes for American Dad, the Fox animated primetime show. The others? From what I read about on Fac... 1782 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-04-02T10:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/love-business-and-cha-ching-join-me-for-woohoo-wednesdays-in-april I love being a Savor blogger on the Business of Books. I love all the thoughtful, insightful, amazing women who leave comments and share their experiences. It's fabulous! Lately, I've been hearing from a lot of my friends and colleagues that they want to know HOW I've built such a successful business based on my books, coaching, products, and expertise. I've been thinking about the best way to share this information. And after months of ruminating, I have finally birthed Woohoo! Wednesdays ... 1789 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-04-01T18:02:35Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/bootstrap-your-business This video was taken at one of our NYC Savor events... it explains how our Rock the World speakers went from bootstrapping to business tycoons.   Listen to how I dealt with a big event snafu.  When it first happened, did I swear a lot behind closed doors?  Yes, I admit, I did.  But just like I talked about in last week's vlog, "stuff" happens... watch to find out how I dealt with it. Are you bootstrapping your biz?  I started Om Aroma with $0 and 0 con... 1788 2010-04-01T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/fear-is-a-4-letter-word Yesterday, I talked about how rejection is NOT a 4 letter word. Today, I want to talk about a horrible 4 letter word. F-E-A-R Does fear keep you from living your life?Are you marginally terrified that the world will judge you? Let me set the record straight about fear and judgement. First of all, Oprah gets judged. Do you think it shuts her down? Hell to the no. Truth: There are critics everywhere. Do YOU let them stop you? If so, don’t bother writing your story. Don't even bother be... 1781 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-04-01T10:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-meloche/tight-hamstrings-can-cause-headaches Just like all of our business systems leverage each other to create a successful business, our muscles leverage each other to keep our bones and organs in place and our body properly aligned.  If a marketing plan is weak, sales suffer.  If muscles are weak or tight, the body suffers.  Tight or weak hamstrings pull on the hip bones pulling the pelvis out of line resulting in muscle tension up the back and into the neck triggering headaches.  This is not the ... 1783 lisa@sbsoperations.com (Lisa Meloche) 2010-03-31T11:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/rejection-is-not-a-4-letter-word Does fear of rejection shut you down and keep you from writing your book and/or sharing your brilliance with the world? In other words, if there were no critics, no naysayers, no messengers of bad news, would you write your book, go BIG with your business, and shout your message from the rooftops? Let's talk about rejection, and the fear of rejection. Do you know what rejection really is? Proof you're headed in the right direction. Proof you're putting yourself out there in a real, bold, ... 1780 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-03-31T10:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-shaw/10-bold-steps-to-reach-your-target-market-faster  Here are a few pointers to ATTRACT your next potential customer: 1. Create a list of "dream stores" - Call them all and find out who the buyer is.                                        A few ways to find these stores are: Magazines (online and in person) example: Luckymag.com has a gr... 1779 sarah@entreprenette.com (Sarah Shaw) 2010-03-30T20:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-pitch-shape-magazine Shape Magazine is one of my favorite positive women's magazines - and also one that many entrepreneurs want to be featured in. Between their Eat Right, Get Fit, Live Healthy and Look Great sections, there are plenty of opportunities to pitch your product or pitch yourself as an expert source. Shape Fitness Director Jeanine Detz was kind enough to offer some pitching advice to guide you in the right direction: MC - How do you prefer to receive pitches (phone, email, regular mail)? JD - I... 1776 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-03-30T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/my-lesson-from-a-client-expand-your-vision-beyond-what-s-possible I had a realization the other day, and it was HUGE. I was working with a client, and I'm a big fan of looking at the possibilities. But, by nature, I'm an "impossible" possibility thinker. I can't help but dream big, and I believe nothing is impossible (thank you to my parents for drilling this into us!), so when I'm asked about possibilities for myself, or am thinking about possibilities for my clients, they are usually pretty beyond what is just "possible". However, when I asked ... 1775 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-03-30T02:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/unblock-your-sales-energy-by-making-a-decision Did you know that sitting on the fence and ruminating too long about making a decision on something that will forward your business is costing you sales?   It didn't occur to me either until last week. For months I have been thinking about freshening up some of my offerings and changing the pricing structure.  I was reluctant to make a decision fearing I might be making the wrong decision and also avoiding stepping into the unknown by doing so.  I woke up one morning and ... 1774 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-03-29T11:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/how-do-you-handle-requests-for-free-advice Yesterday's FaceBook Fan Page Question of the Day yielded some interesting discussions on the topic of balancing giving free small business advice with the need to guard time and trade secrets. I noticed a few helpful themes in thediscussion), so I thought I would share some of them with you. Of course all small business owners who achieve a particular level of success receive requests from people who want to learn from them. The first thing that struck me is people's overall w... 1771 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-03-26T20:24:29Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/bad-business-day Here's one thing that I do when the "stuff" hits the fan. You can immediately apply this quick tip to your business and personal life! A few years ago, we made a documentary about how so many "bad" things happened to me when I was on tour as a concert pianist. Can you apply this to your own experiences? 1768 2010-03-25T17:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-shaw/not-sure-how-to-effectively-cost-your-product When I first launched my handbag line over 13 years ago I had no idea how to cost my bags, let alone what I should be doing to be profitable in general to be totally honest.  It was through a lot of trial and error (and finally a coach who helped me in year 5) that I came to understand why and how to effectively cost my products to be profitable.  While I had built a million dollar company, I was still leaving tons of money on the table with my incorrect pricing structure! I'v... 1764 sarah@entreprenette.com (Sarah Shaw) 2010-03-23T16:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/are-you-a-finisher-or-finished Once upon a time, a writer professor once said to a room full of aspiring authors... A writer is one who finishes.Let me say that again. A writer is one who finishes.For those of you who haven’t finished writing your story…Or if you haven’t even started yet…That definition might sting.I don't say it to offend you. I say it to motivate you.Use that simple statement as motivation to FINISH.Now, here’s MY definition of a writer...A writer isn't someone who tells a... 1757 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-03-22T10:42:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/think-your-story-s-already-been-told Do you believe you have a GREAT story to tell? If so, woohoo! Just by being alive, you have a great story to tell. And you’re the only one who can tell it. Regardless of how many people you think have told your story already, the truth is you are the only one who can truly tell it. It's your unique life experiences, including the challenges and celebrations, that make up the story you have to tell. This is what I call your Woohoo Within. Nobody can take that from you. And onl... 1756 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-03-19T10:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/negativity-lesson This week I vlog about stopping negative comments without getting emotionally charged.  You are building your businesses so get your troops on board because it's tough enough.  Nip negative comments in the bud! 1754 2010-03-18T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/why-a-broken-computer-made-me-more-productive-than-ever Note: This is a break from our regularly scheduled "How to Pitch" column due to an emergency. What's the emergency? Read on... It was a stormy Monday afternoon and I was diligently tapping away at my laptop computer. All of a sudden my computer froze. Hmm...no big deal....we can "ctrl-alt-delete" that problem immediately! Not....so....much. After many failed attempts, I realized my whole laptop froze to the point that no button, or combination of buttons, could fix it. I&nbs... 1753 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-03-18T01:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-shaw/how-to-conquer-distraction I have been doing a lot of interviews lately and the same question keeps coming up.  "How do you manage your two companies and be a mom to 26-month-old twins?" The answer is TIME MANAGEMENT and knowing where your strengths and weaknesses are. As an up and coming Entreprenette you are probably wearing many hats and often feeling overwhelmed.  We all hope to walk into our office (or the dining room :O)) and hope to be able to cross everything off our to-do lists each day befo... 1750 sarah@entreprenette.com (Sarah Shaw) 2010-03-17T14:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-steadman/so-you-want-to-write-a-book As a best selling author of multiple books, I'm often barraged by friends, clients, and strangers with one simple sentence... "I want to write a book." My reaction always has three stages: 1. First, I bite my tongue and my urge to explain how remarkably awesome AND incredibly challenging getting published and making money as an author really is. 2.  Next, I get ridiculously excited for the person, ask them about their book idea, celebrate with them, and send them away with massive Wo... 1755 lisa@lisasteadman.com (Lisa Steadman) 2010-03-16T14:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/how-to-avoid-ever-being-pushy-when-you-sell At least once a day, I get asked how to sell and make the sale without being pushy.  It is a great question and if you understand the distinction between when being a leader - helping someone to make a buying decision - crosses the line and becomes pushy or too aggressive, you won’t make that mistake.When someone comes off as pushy or it feels awkward or uncomfortable to continue selling, the seller has moved into the zone of “their agenda” and moved out of the &ldquo... 1748 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-03-16T07:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/why-borders-books-made-me-teary-eyed It was Friday night. The hubby asked me if I wanted to have a date night- it's been a few weeks, and it sounded like fun! My parents came over to watch the kids, and off we went for a trip to Borders and a bite to eat! I am blessed to be married to someone who appreciates the book store as much as I do!! We both LOVE reading, and while he chooses to go to sports and history, and I go to spirituality and wellness, we usually meet in the middle at memoirs. I have to admit, as I approached the... 1745 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-03-14T14:07:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/avocado-grand-a-great-raw-food-lunch I don't usually post recipes here, but since my latest adventures include stepping up my fitness game and eating more healthfully (you can join me and others doing the same on Twitter using the #FitCEOs hashtag), I thought I'd share something easy, healthy and delicious. This recipe is adapted from "The Joy of Not Cooking: Vegetarian Cuisine Cooked Only by the Sun." There's an interesting story behind the book and my relationship with its author, Imar Hutchins. You can read it at my blog. ... 1739 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-03-11T12:47:42Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/tip-to-improve-your-marketing This week I vlog about marketing your services or products - follow this one tip and you will be surprised how much quickly your marketing skills improve! What marketing works for you? Post your comments here and I'll answer with some thoughts!  1737 2010-03-10T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/sell-more-easily-when-you-share-your-truth Selling is always about the customer.  Your job is to help them get to know you, to see if they can trust you, and understand how you can help solve their problem or enhance their life by using your product or service. One way to turn on the rocket boosters and increase your sales is to infuse your story and expertise into the sales conversation.  The first step is to identify your ideal customer.  Pick one of your favorites and make a short list of their characteristics. E... 1734 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2010-03-08T23:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/should-you-consider-guest-posts-at-your-blog Over the years, I have received numerous guest post submissions for my blog. I have only accepted one. Others have been cheesy attempts to advertise to you, and a few have been submitted by people who threw something together and submitted it to dozens of blogs at once. I know you wouldn’t have appreciated posts like that, so I politely declined. These days, I’m receiving increasing numbers of submissions, a few of them quite good, so I created some guidelines so people ... 1733 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-03-08T13:46:41Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/know-your-target-market This week I vlog about your target market. A lot of business owners don't really know who their market is, and I have noticed that this important piece of information is what is missing in the sales equation for many. Who is your target market? Watch the vlog and comment! 1731 2010-03-03T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-pitch-lucky-magazine Many of you refer to Lucky Magazine as one of the ‘Top 10 Outlets I want to be Featured in.' After dispelling plenty of advice to entrepreneurs on how to pitch top magazines, I thought it was time to take action and go right to the source. I had the pleasure of interviewing Elise Loehnen, Editor-at-Large at Lucky Magazine on the best way to pitch the magazine. Check out the amazing insight she provides for all of you fabulous ladies!Melissa:  When is the best time to pitch you?Elis... 1729 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-03-03T12:36:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/pursuing-fitness-one-small-victory-at-a-time Yesterday, I started using the pedometer given to me as a surprise Christmas gift. I decided against a morning run so I could prepare for the hearings on the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, which ran from 3:30pm to 8:44pm EST. According to my guest on yesterday’s Indie Business Radio Show, one should aim for 10,000 steps daily to achieve maximum fitness, especially if weight loss is a goal. When I went to bed last night, my pedometer read 2,789. This ... 1728 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-03-02T20:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/rock-the-world-testimonials Register Here > 1721 2010-03-01T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/adding-in-vs-taking-away Sometimes when we are aware that we'd like to make a change, we think about all the things we've done "wrong" or we have to "stop doing". Especially this time of year, I know alot of people who are just plain old beating themselves up in the name of "motivation". I say, flip your focus to what you want to "add into" your life vs. what you want to "take away". I mean, it is both frustrating and an energy drainer to worry about the things we have to give up, right? Once you... 1724 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-03-01T04:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/lisa-meloche/creatively-balancing-chronic-pain-and-your-business Running a business requires master juggling skills, working crazy hours, and personal sacrifice, and for some of us we are also managing chronic pain.  Chronic pain might be the reason some of us went to work for ourselves in the first place.  Working for ourselves gives us the opportunity to control our schedules and work when we feel great and, if it’s feasible, take breaks when we don’t.  I have found the need to find a balance between being creative with my sc... 1720 lisa@sbsoperations.com (Lisa Meloche) 2010-02-28T21:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/should-you-join-a-competitor-s-fan-page Yesterday was another fun FaceBook Friday! If you missed the previous FaceBook Friday about ways to attract people to your Fan Page, you can read it here.) This week’s question was aimed at getting a sense of what small and independent business owners consider when decided whether or not to join a competitor’s FaceBook Page. Turns out, they think about a lot! Below are a few of the many well articulated thoughts of the people who responded to the question. You can read a... 1717 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-02-27T22:43:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/video-new-laws-would-adversely-affect-cosmetics-manufacturers If you sell cosmetics, please be aware that there is legislation pending in Colorado that will operate to significantly increase the costs of selling your products in that state. It may even cause you to have to stop selling your products to spas, retails stores and consumers in that state. The Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act is under discussion in the Colorado legislature now and hearings are set for Monday in Denver at 1:30pm. This video provides an overview. While this particular... 1715 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-02-26T14:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/are-you-ready-to-rock-the-world-let-s-spread-this-inspiring-video-ladies I just wanted to give a shout out to Angela and Marc for this amazing video about the Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World event, I literally watched it with tears in my eyes- so inspiring, isn't it? I think everyone needs to see this video. We can share it and help spread passion and positive energy  all over the web!! I can't wait to see you all at the event, too- it's such a thrill and honor to be connected with women who are changing the world! Let's make this video go viral- he... 1713 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-02-25T13:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-pitch-the-experts-part-3-jene-luciani This week we have some amazing insight on how to pitch Lingerie and Style Expert Jené  Luciani! http://www.jeneluciani.com Jené Luciani is a trusted source in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries and a strong presence in television, print, and web media with hundreds of bylines and production credits to her name. As a recognized expert and authority in the field for more than a decade, she can be seen regularly on television news outlets nationwide inc... 1712 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-02-25T12:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/are-you-ready-for-the-march-fitness-challenge Next Monday, March 1 at 1:00pm New York time, Kimberly Linton will be my guest on Indie Business Radio. You can see from the photo below, Kimberly means business! I recently stepped up my fitness efforts in order to put a healthy body alongside a healthy business. I plan to start Kimberly's virtual fitness training program on March 1, and you can join me at a discount and get a chance to compete to win your choice of a $200 gift card from Amazon.com or a TRX portable home gym t... 1710 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-02-24T14:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-pitch-the-experts-part-2-jennifer-jolly Jennifer Jolly (http://goodideagal.com) is on a mission to give busy people in a busy world, simple, solid, good ideas they can use right now to make their world a better place to be. She and her tight-knit team cut through the daily clutter of choices to help people save money, save time, better use technology, get happier and stay healthier. Jennifer was kind enough to share some insight into what kind of TV segments she does (and she does A LOT) and how she likes to be pitched! This infor... 1703 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-02-22T18:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/terry-dagrosa/pommes-dauphine-capped-with-caviar When you meet a milestone in your business, or close that deal you've been working on--don't forget to take a moment to celebrate your success and what better way to do this than over a glass of champagne and a special dish shared with your husband, your co-workers, your girlfriends, your boyfriend or family. Here's something special and elegant-- Pommes Dauphine capped with caviar.  Pommes dauphine is a dish named after the Dauphine, the title given to the wife of the Dauphin, or heir ... 1700 2010-02-22T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/the-1-way-to-get-your-products-on-tv One of the biggest gripes I hear from entrepreneurs is the difficulty they have getting their products on morning (or evening) television news shows. If you can't secure a whole TV segment on just you and your product - how can you get your product on TV? One word. EXPERTS! Media "Experts" are those sunny personalities that appear on many news programs presenting a slew of products under a specific topic (example: Five Items to Organize your Life). These people have worked hard to build a n... 1695 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-02-18T20:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-pr-academy-launches-today Ladies,   So much happening over here at Savor... so no vlog for today. Next week's vlog will be about finding your target audience!But for today, the big news is that Savor PR Academy launches today!!!   Are you ready to launch your own PR campaign?  I know I am! What are your PR goals?  Why not grab that dream by the horns and get moving with other amazing entrepreneurs?Let's get you mentioned in your dream media outlets like Oprah, People Mag, Today S... 1691 2010-02-18T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/pr-academy-preview-5 1681 2010-02-10T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/how-comment-blogging-expands-your-sphere-of-influence Publishing consistent, focused comments at influential blogs in your field can help expand your sphere of influence more effectively than just about anything else. I call this "comment blogging" (I think I just made that up), and I do it reguarly. If done consistently over a period of time, comment blogging can result in new client prospects, exciting collaborations and even features at other people's blogs. No doubt you’ve been encouraged to increase traffic to your bl... 1668 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-02-05T17:15:59Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-apologies-for-the-savor-magazine Where is the Savor Magazine?  Find out about my frustrations over the entire process and what is happening next. A special thanks to Ann Baker of PR123 for her support, wisdom, and knowledge.  In a previous life, she owned magazines and has been a wonderful resource for us as we have navigated through this entire process. Check out her fantastic service for entrepreneurs to pitch those queries for you.  She offers a special deal for Savor Premium Members! 1662 2010-02-04T16:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-pr-academy-sample-video Savor PR Academy with all 12 episodes launching on Wednesday, February 17, 2010! FREE for Premium Members. 1663 2010-02-04T16:17:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/excellence-101 When my son began preparing for pre-school not too long ago, one of the things we did to help him prepare was to recite his elementary school's pledge. It’s short, sweet and a good reminder for small business owners and everyone in general about our responsibility to pursue excellence. Here it is. As a student, I pledge to: Make good choices and be responsible for my own actions. Use manners, kind words, and actions to show respect for others and myself. Arrive on time daily wit... 1654 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-28T17:20:21Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-i-blew-an-audition-for-qvc-and-how-you-can-learn-from-my-screw-up Sigh. As many of you know, I'm darn near obsessed with being a QVC guest host. If you didn't know, here is an excerpt from an earlier blog: I grew up in what I refer to as the 'QVC Household.' This means my mom was obsessed with QVC. She set the VCR to tape the silver show or southwestern style. I hurried home from school each day to hide the little brown packages under my bed so my dad wouldn't see (3-4 every day...I kid you not). We also owned the QVC host Christmas CD and played it every... 1653 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-01-28T16:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-pr-academy Watch as Melissa Cassera and I talk about the new Savor PR Academy launching in early February.  It's a 12-part video series on everything you need to know about conducting a successful PR campaign.  I watched as Marc and Melissa recorded the entire series, and let me tell you, it's jam-packed with information that will take you step by step through your PR process.   So how much do you think we are going to charge you for this series?  Most PR firms would c... 1649 2010-01-27T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/terry-dagrosa/seductive-chocolate-cocktails-for-valentine-s-day As you prepare your romantic meal for two this Valentine's Day--what better way to express your love and desire than with chocolate? A favorite culinary aphrodisiac of many, chocolate contains phenylethylamine - the same chemical released in your brain when you fall in love, leading to an excited feeling of infatuation.   This Valentine's Day try a romantic cocktail party for two with a tempting invitation to experience any of the seven luscious chocolate cocktail recipes below. I ... 1648 2010-01-26T21:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/fear-it-and-forget-it Recently, I interviewed a business owner for one of my video blog segments. Before the interview, Karen, the CEO, told me she was terrified of being in front of a camera that was capturing her every move. She was afraid that she would say something incorrectly or just not like the finished product. I assured Karen that if she pretended like we were the only people in the room, she would forget the cameras were rolling in no time. After the interview, Karen told me that once she starte... 1646 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-25T12:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/terry-dagrosa/love-is-in-the-air Today begins the annual tribute to the most celebrated day of romance--Valentine's Day. From now through February 14th, Seduction Meals, the "go-to site for Romantic Meals for Two", brings an array of dazzling dishes from appetizers to main courses, desserts and luscious cocktails, to help you plan for your special romantic rendezvous. We start with provocative chocolates by chocolate artisan---Vosge.  Embraced in their signature purple boxes that exudes style and seduction, Vosges Haut... 1643 2010-01-23T14:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/health-is-wealth This week I vlog about how getting very sick earlier this week reminded me of what is important in life.   Here is a list of businesses that will be donating 10% proceeds or more to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund from their website sales until January 31, 2010. Celebrate GreenEC Stewart DesignsThe Grapeseed CompanyDirty Dog OrganicsBiscuits by LambchopVerve CardsOm Aroma & Co.EcorationsTempleton's 1639 2010-01-22T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/3-steps-to-more-effective-leadership-of-your-small-business Last Saturday, I celebrated my 10th year as the leader of the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization serving small manufacturers of soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, candles, confectionery items and other health, beauty and lifestyle products. I am thoroughly enjoying serving my members, and I look forward to the next decade and beyond. Unfortunately, too many small businesses don’t last the first few years, not to mention ten. While the lack of longevity can be explained by ... 1631 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-18T12:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/where-s-the-map I'll never forget when I was in high school my family decided to take a road trip to South Carolina. My father is very reminiscent of Chevy Chase in Family Vacation, so he was super-excited, planned every detail, and had itineraries, maps, and roadstops all mapped out ahead of time. What he didn't figure into his calculations was the fact that we would all fall asleep during the ride, so he didn't have anyone to help navigate. A couple of missed turns, and we were in the car for an extra cou... 1627 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-01-14T13:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/be-organized I'm convinced that being organized is one of the key pieces to being successful.  Watch my vlog and see how being disorganized almost cost me $4500.  Thank goodness I got my act together just in time!  What can you do right now that will help you to become more organized to help your business flow? The websites I mention are The Organized Parent and Gotham Organizers.  Check them out! OFF TOPIC and FUN: Part of being a mom, I'm learning, is going with the f... 1624 2010-01-13T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/how-fragile-we-are I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic earthquakes that are right now rocking the Caribbean. I first learned the news on FaceBook as I dined at a seafood restaurant with my family. I have never visited Haiti, but my husband once did on assignment with ABC News. He's told me many times of the poverty he witnessed, so the news of a fractured Haitain landscape struck him in ways I don't fully understand. His first words, "Already one of the poorest countries in the world ... as if those people... 1623 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-13T01:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/terry-dagrosa/the-best-crab-cakes-ever A Seduction Meal is a recipe or dish you do really well; one that you know is always a hit. This recipe is one of my all time favorites--one that  I love to share with friends and family. Each and every time results in the same words of praise "..these are the BEST crab cakes I've ever had!" Each bite is filled with luscious crab meat and an array of simple flavors. Fans love the fact that they are not deep fried or overly filled with bread crumbs. And the spicy remoulade is the special... 1620 2010-01-12T16:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/the-truth-about-my-family-business I normally do not re-post blog posts that have been published to my branded blog, but in this case, I felt that the commentary and questions are especially relevant for Savor Ladies. I hope you don't mind the re-post. I enjoy working in a family business. After spending so many years fighting rush hour traffic and toiling away in the corporate jungles of Washington, DC, I am thankful for my lifestyle. I don't have to jump through administrative hoops to take my children to the pedi... 1612 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-09T20:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-big-mistake-over-the-holidays My January goal is to fix this mistake that I made.  Hope this will help you to set yourself up for even bigger success for 2010! 1605 2010-01-07T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/the-benefits-of-boredom Many years ago, I had a lunch meeting with a favorite mentor. He's an attorney and the author of 23 or 24 (I lost count!) business books. He is a husband, father, speaker and an adjunct professor at a respected business school. We were chatting about my business as it existed at the time, as well as about my long range business plans. At one point in the conversation, he expressed his concern that I seemed to be downplaying the success of my business up to that point. He told me that my ey... 1604 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2010-01-07T00:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/grow-your-business-by-training-like-an-olympian The 2010 Winter Olympics are right around the corner, and I decided to take a little time to research how these spectacular athletes can devote their life to win those coveted medals. What I found is that most of their training and principles parallel those of an entrepreneur. Check out the specifics below to see if you're falling short of the gold this year. Planning and ProductivityPlanning those four-year intervals is a huge part of Olympic training - much like we develop our long-term an... 1601 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2010-01-05T21:32:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/rethink-the-resolution-give-yourself-permission-to-just-be While New Year's is a very popular time of year for everyone to think about resolutions, what they want to change, what they want to accomplish, I am taking a stand against the "mad rush" to "start" (the  phenomenon that happens every January), and instead, asking you to consider how awesome you are right now, in this moment, and relish in the fact that you can just "be". Be happy. Be healthy. Be inquisitive. Be diligent. Be strong. Be kind. Be yourself. Be accepting. Be present. ... 1597 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2010-01-03T14:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/shifting-from-feeling-depressed-to-feeling-good Babies have so many lessons for us, and this week's vlog is not really a business lesson but something that dawned on me after watching this video.  Look at how delighted she is to discover herself in the mirror for the first time!  This made me think about how amazing it would be if we were just as delighted to savor even the small baby steps that we have made this past year.  As you know, I opened up an Om Aroma shop at the Bryant Park Holiday Shops this past ... 1594 2009-12-31T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/my-themeword-for-2010-wisdom I am not into New Year's Resolutions because they are not profitable for me. Since I set, adjust, achieve and abandon goals for a variety of reasons all year long, setting new resolutions on January 1 seems sort of anti-climactic. But I do like the idea of selecting a "ThemeWord" that encompasses the notion that my 2010 activities will be undertaken in accordance with a mindset that is significant to me. My ThemeWord for 2010 is WISDOM. I tend to be a social butterfly. Easily excited by ot... 1593 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2009-12-31T01:28:35Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/leadership-2010-and-beyond As a new year approaches, it's important to ensure that as small business owners, our tactics change with the times. Back in "the day," business leaders led with an iron fist. Every little thing was a secret to be guarded with your life. If you wanted access to a company's business plans and strategies, you had to either steal them or become an employee. It's different today. While there are some trade secrets, the reality is that if you want insight into how someone runs their business, you... 1586 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2009-12-28T21:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/the-snowball-effect I'm going to totally simplify "change" in a nutshell. So, if you've been racking your brain thinking about how to do something you want to do, how to make a change or reach a goal try this: Do one teeny tiny thing that is in-line with your goal, and do it regularly. Soon the teeny tiny thing inspires us to do a little more, and a little more, and it's like trying to roll a snowball. At first, it's not packing, the snow is a little soft, it's taking a little time to get it rolling! But, if yo... 1580 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-12-23T04:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/it-takes-a-village-to-make-a-melissa Alternate headline: It Takes a Village to Make <insert name here> After several months and plenty of contemplation, it's finally here. The proof that hard work, dedication and an entire team of people can create something fabulous. That something fabulous is my new website: http://www.melissaslifelessons.com Now, don't mistake this blog post for shameless self promotion (although, yes, there is a little bit of that here as well). The point of my posts, as with all the others, is to te... 1578 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-12-21T18:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/who-are-you-hanging-out-with It does matter who you hang with because eventually their energy rubs off onto yours!  This is not only important in personal life but it is very important for your professional life, too. 1567 2009-12-16T13:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-treating-life-like-an-encyclopedia-will-increase-success You might be thinking - 'Life like an encyclopedia?! Has she lost her mind?!' That's right folks - treat life like that dusty old set of Britannica's you had years ago and you'll ultimately increase your success. So, how does this work? To explain this concept, let me back up a bit and share a story... I recently enrolled in a great spokesperson/hosting workshop to help fine tune my craft and to get critical feedback on my performance as a TV spokesperson. Our exercise for the past two... 1560 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-12-11T13:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/never-assume-anything You know what will save you a headache in business (and probably in personal life as well)? Don't assume anything. Watch my lesson learned in this week's vlog. 1557 2009-12-09T16:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/what-are-your-new-year-s-resolutions Tis the season to vow to make 2010 a better year. Whether you're wanting to whittle your waistline or get a grip on your finances, we all make at least one resolution. I often struggle with resolutions because I have trouble keeping them and then, at years end, I feel incredibly defeated if I didn't accomplish what I wanted to. But a good bit of reflection this morning helped me come to this conclusion. My resolutions sucked. Yes folks, you heard it right. The whole reason I couldn... 1547 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-12-04T13:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/update-from-the-shop I share more sales secrets that I've learned from my little adventure at Bryant Park Shops in NYC.  It's all about experience and vivid imagery... 1542 2009-12-02T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/what-s-draining-you-here-s-a-simple-worksheet I think we can all agree, when we have a lot on our minds, it's near impossible to be present or productive. Since we are "walking magnets", we attract to us exactly what we are thinking. If the stuff in our lives is draining us, bringing us down in a sea of negativity, we will just keep getting more of the same!! Now, I know on first glance you may be thinking it's impossible to eliminate what's weighing you down (See my post about moving to the nearest bubble!). But, before you assume anyt... 1535 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-11-30T02:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/more-employee-woes Follow my journey as I learn how to juggle employee schedules (so I don't have to work all the time!) and making sure we have enough inventory to sell vs. not overstocking those products that are not moving as fast.  Wow... what a ride!  Business school?  Not needed.  I'm in my own boot camp right now. 1530 2009-11-25T14:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-wake-up-on-the-right-side-of-the-bed We've all heard the old adage about waking up on the wrong side of the bed. You feel grumpy, stressed, miserable, distraught - and the excuse that it's all because you 'woke up on the wrong side of the bed.' Believe me, I've used this excuse hundreds of times. Unfortunately (for me), if you have dogs and simultaneously a dog trainer as your husband, waking up on the wrong side of the bed just isn't an option. You see, when you own a dog and marry someone that's trained to study human an... 1526 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-11-24T13:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/tell-your-life-story-in-60-seconds In the hopes of one day landing my coveted spot on QVC (ahem....are you reading producers??) - last night was the first night of my on-camera spokesperson and hosting class taught by none other than someone who helps cast for QVC :)  Our first exercise was to stand in front of the camera and tell our life story in 60-seconds. There was no timer and no one saying 'cut.' Your job was to get the story out in 60-seconds. So, I comfortably offered to go first, rambled on for a bit about drea... 1513 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-11-20T15:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/am-i-crazy This week I vlog about the craziness of being a new mom and opening a holiday shop for Om Aroma in Manhattan.  I also talk about how to learn from others who are doing what you want to be doing. 1506 2009-11-18T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/how-to-increase-revenue-by-adding-value-to-your-newsletter To me, “SELL” is a 4-letter word. Yes, at the end of the day, sales are critical to sustain any business.  But, when you just “sell” you sell yourself, your passion, and your product short. I’ve learned that people buy usually because of recommendation, relationship, value, experience, or price point. Let's talk about adding "value" in an electronic business world! How do you increase revenue by adding value to e-mails? It seems to be a hot new trend, ... 1505 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-11-16T18:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/building-the-shop-at-bryant-park   I vlog about opening up a shop at Bryant Park for the holiday season for Om Aroma.  I will be chronicling my journey and sharing the lessons learned about sales, PR, marketing, managing employees, balancing life as a new mom, and so much more. 1488 2009-11-11T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/oh-to-savor-the-act-of-selling-est-reading-time-3-5-minutes This is it....the time to make up your mind to savor selling instead of dreading it!  Why?  ...because your product or service provides a benefit, solves a problem, or relieves an emotional need. From now on every time you hear the word “sales”, translate that to mean you have an opportunity to share the gift, the healing, the power, and the knowledge your product or service supplies.  If YOU don’t share it and educate others about your product and service, th... 1492 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2009-11-10T17:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-detours-lead-to-happiness There's nothing like driving in NYC - no matter what day or time of day I'm visiting it seems like 12 yellow cabs try to share one lane with me and usually the path that I choose to take to the Lincoln Tunnel to head home to New Jersey is detoured - yet the signs don't tell you where the detour is nor does my navigation system, which annoyingly shouts ‘rerouting - rerouting - rerouting' over and over again. Finally I find my own way through the tunnel and breathe a sigh of relief as I m... 1490 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-11-03T00:36:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/julie-steelman/did-the-law-of-attraction-just-die Wanted to share a thought I had.  Are we deciding the “economic decline” means the law of attraction just up and died on us? With all of the news media proclaiming “doomsday” on the US economy, it is easy to forget the law of attraction didn't go any where, but, our belief in it is being shaken.  This time also makes it more challenging to stay really focused on our own mission and goals.  I see this economic shift as a corporate cleansing and a switch... 1466 jsteelman@me.com (Julie Steelman) 2009-11-02T23:00:28Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/5-ways-to-write-a-better-blog As some of you know, I've recently headed down the path of lifestyle blogger with my new venture www.melissaslifelessons.com I started the blog with the purpose of finding my voice and, at first, didn't do a whole lot of promotion to make it public. But surprisingly it's served as the catalyst in helping me book 15 television spots in two months, and one of those spots was solely highlighting my blog! Before I launch into my tips for better blogging, I have to preface this by saying a lot of... 1450 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-10-28T17:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/is-your-marketing-plan-outrageous-enough This week I vlog about creating a marketing plan that really cuts through the "noisy" social media world to get people talking on your behalf.  I spent an afternoon with Payson Cooper, jewelry designer and brilliant marketer, to come up with an idea that may inspire you! 1447 2009-10-28T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/the-martyr-vs-the-mirror I have been pretty busy these days, and as I was driving this morning I couldn’t help but notice the eyebrows which are in need of some TLC. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not a person overly concerned with appearances, and I think beauty is in our uniqueness and flaws, but I also believe we are ‘inside-out’ beings. There should be a balance and a connection between the two, and often we see the connection, but sometimes can’t quite find the "balance"?! I m... 1442 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-10-22T04:24:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/why-she-buys-creating-your-marketing-strategy With the holidays approaching, I know we are all working on our marketing strategies to have a successful season. The other day, I received a wonderful book from Barbara Poole called Why She Buys by Bridget Brennan who is the CEO of Female Factor. She includes stories from major companies who missed the mark by hiring male marketing executives to come up with their marketing campaigns. What they were missing was that by a ratio of two to one, more women than men say they make most of the d... 1436 2009-10-21T14:53:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/6-things-you-must-know-before-being-on-tv So you've finally booked your first TV appearance - chances are if you've listened to me or to one of the wonderful media trainers here on Savor (like Jennifer Flaa) you are no doubt practicing in the mirror, thinking of all the things the host might say and maybe feeling a little nervous. Truth is, preparation is key, but there are always things that happen right before a segment or during a segment that you can't control, but need to act like it's no big deal. Here's my list of the 6... 1431 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-10-15T00:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/she-s-finally-here Our baby daughter has arrived and already I'm learning so much from her! I feel more energetic, focused and have clarity even though I'm sleep deprived.  How?  One thing at a time... 1428 2009-10-14T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/how-to-respond-to-a-pr-query-and-get-national-media-exposure I wanted to blog about this topic because I think so many of you ladies ARE INCREDIBLE, and deserve to be used as an expert source or have your product/service featured in a magazine. Since I am on both sides of the pitching fence (as a “Source” and as a Radio Host/Writer), I wanted to share some tips on how to get national media exposure based on your response to a query.   Where can you find queries? Here’s my top 3 list: -     &nbs... 1405 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-10-01T15:17:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-giving-birth-to-a-baby-is-like-launching-a-new-business   I've been thinking a lot about giving birth lately (since I'm now two weeks away from due date), and I'm hoping that the lessons I've learned from launching a new business will guide me as I wade my way through the joyful aftermath of giving birth!   1. Embrace chaos and take time outSometimes bracing yourself for chaos helps you to deal with chaos.  Everytime I see a new mom, she looks like a deer caught in headlights. That frozen "what-am-I-doing" look freaks me out beca... 1391 2009-09-30T14:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/why-you-should-act-like-a-kid-when-running-your-business As we grow older, we grow wiser. But being wise also can mean growing a cynical mentality. You know, statements like:"I'm not trying that, I'll get hurt.""I'm not going to that event, no one will talk to me.""I'm not exploring that opportunity, it will never work out."These statements are reflective of past events. Maybe one time you tried a yoga class and hurt your back. Now you assume every yoga class will result in an injury. Maybe you attended a networking event to find everyone broken of... 1387 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-09-28T19:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-re-packaging-mistake So what do you if you have spent thousands of dollars on a business decision only to realize that it is not the right path? Do you continue on or do you back up and start from ground zero again? Watch as I weigh out my dilemma. 1369 2009-09-23T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/how-would-you-answer-this-question Ok, I have to tell you, I am surprised at how many perfectly fabulous women don’t realize just how fabulous they are, and I’m mad as heck about it!! Let me explain, on my radio show, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Genevieve Ferraro, founder of The Jewel Box® home. She is smart, witty, fun, real, glowing, gorgeous, and living her purpose- assisting people to create beauty out of any size space. She got into this business after her dream of owning a big home was c... 1362 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-09-18T15:32:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/2009-savor-holiday-catalog-featuring-top-50-women-entrepreneurs It's that time of year again! While everyone else is thinking about going back to school, new projects, and the change of season, we entrepreneurs are pumping up our holiday campaigns. Savor is launching the 2nd edition of its annual Holiday Catalog, which will feature 50 of the top women entrepreneurs in America!  Both product and service-based businesses are welcome to submit their forms. (Service-based businesses will be our "green" gifts!) The story behind this catalog was when... 1351 2009-09-16T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/5-ways-to-form-a-better-relationship-with-your-publicist-or-client *or marketing firm, graphic designer, copywriter or other creative service professional Over the years I've had several people contact me with complaints about their current *publicist. After a bit of prying, I often find that the problem isn't with the *publicist's work ethic, but rather a flaw in the *publicist-client relationship. As someone that hires creative service professionals, and a publicist that is hired by clients - I've been fortunate enough to examine these relationships from ... 1353 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-09-16T15:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/what-s-your-definition-of-success A woman emailed me, and wrote: I’m thinking about becoming a coach. I saw your website, and you look pretty successful. I was just curious if you make a lot of money, or if it’s just a 'feel good' job. What’s the average salary? If you know how I can find this out, please write me back. I’m not a numbers person. Some people write the date in numbers: 9/10/09 I like to spell out the month: September 10, 2009 I don’t know why, there’s something about nu... 1345 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-09-11T01:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-to-land-tv-spots-as-an-expert-and-be-a-great-guest   Have you ever wondered how to get on TV as an expert? Because I want you to get the maximum exposure for your product or service, I am sharing my journey on why and how I got on TV as a "Green Lifestyle and Beauty Expert". Here's how you can do the same for you and your business. What's Your Why? The first step for a successful PR campaign is to know why you want to get on TV. My motivation to get on TV was very straighforward and simple: I wanted to become an advocate for my ... 1338 2009-09-09T13:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-the-f-a-c-t-s-about-embracing-change      Just last month, my family packed up and headed West, a move we're calling an "adventure", although my youngest son says he's tired of that phrase. We've rented a house at the beach for a year - leaving a life-long life for most of us in Columbus, Ohio. Were we all nervous as we drove across the country wagon-train style, Oreo the mutt included?     Sure. Is it still different, strange, exciting, beautiful, and surreal? Yep.     ... 1342 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-09-09T12:12:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/there-is-no-shortcut-to-success One thing I've learned from living with a tennis pro is that they get really aggravated when you don't work hard. I've listened over the years to my husband become irate over kids whose parents pay thousands of dollars for lessons - then they come, swing their racquet half-heartedly and refuse to run for the ball. Yet these same kids dream of playing first singles and eventually winning grand slam tournaments like the US Open. Maybe it's my husband's influence, but I also become ag... 1340 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-09-09T01:14:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-how-to-find-the-perfect-agency Think of your public relations or advertising agency as an extension of your team. The firm needs to fit in with your brand/culture and understand where your brand is going. When it comes to selecting the right agency for you, it's good to be picky.  Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net Try these tips to ensure you find a great partner for your business' growth. Ask for recommendations. Talk to your friends, and find out what kinds of experiences they've had with different firms in town o... 1326 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-09-02T05:17:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/welcome-to-the-savor-family As a Member of Savor the Success, we offer you many tools to help you grow your business: Build Your Profile at http://www.savorthesuccess.com/manage/profile.  Completing your profile is an important first step in building business relationships through Savor the Success. Make sure to upload a photo as this will increase your visibility and approachability to other members inside the network.  Also, be specific.  On your profile page, be sure to include a descr... 1770 2009-09-01T15:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/my-letter-to-oprah I am sharing this with the Savor ladies, because I think every one of you is truly FABULOUS (and an Inspirista)...so if you've ever beat yourself up over the size in your clothing, this is for you! In January, I decided to write a letter to Oprah. Not an actual letter, this was more of a “dump-it-outta-my head” letter. I guess I’d been thinking a lot about what she said- how she couldn’t believe she let herself get to 200 pounds again, and how 2009 would be &ldqu... 1311 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-08-28T03:59:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/when-to-stop-working-and-give-it-a-rest This week marked my one year anniversary. One year of getting disgustingly sick, that is. I may get the occasional stuffy nose or headache, but for the most part I remain a pretty healthy gal. But every year, I come down with something. And that something turns into a week of tossing my cookies, fighting a high fever, a terrible sore throat, a throbbing headache and just about every other ingredient you can imagine that turns into a truly awful existence. The worst part of my yearly illness... 1308 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-08-27T00:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-hire-like-apple Have you ever met someone who had a spark? A stranger or acquaintance you instantly connected with and thought, that person is going places? Or maybe she was a great salesperson who went above and beyond to make your visit complete. You know, the kind of person that makes you want to visit again and again and tell your friends about the outstanding experience.  Recruit those people! They're special. They're driven. They're unique, and they might just make the perfect addition to your te... 1305 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-08-26T14:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/2-ways-to-deal-with-stress I know that stress blocks us from our potential as entrepreneurs, people, parents, spouses, and friends. When we feel stressed out, it can sometimes be paralyzing especially for people who do it all. I consulted with Dr. Sharon Melnick to get some tips on how to deal with stress in a positive and proactive way. As I put more and more on my plate, I know that the best way to get through the day with joy and energy is to deal with stress and to be organized. In this vlog, I share wi... 1294 2009-08-26T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/2-things-i-did-to-increase-sales-goals-by-100-last-week This week, I vlog about two things that I did to increase Om Aroma's sales goals by 100% last week.  I've been learning in my 7-Figure Club about how we can shift our perception to bring in sales.  Yes, I may HATE to sell, but I love to provide wonderful solutions to other people. 1280 2009-08-19T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-the-passionless It's tough out there. The economy is forcing layoffs, and businesses aren't hiring. More people than ever are out of work. But what about the people who are still employed? Are they grateful? Happy even? It turns out, more than half aren't. According to an Adecco North America survey, 54 percent of employed Americans say they will look for a new job once the recession ends. Among 18 to 29 year olds, the number jumps to 71 percent. Almost 3/4ths of the under 30 crowd will leap at the chance to... 1284 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-08-19T12:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/a-big-dose-of-no   Over the weekend, I got a big dose of “NO!” It’s not that my ideas haven’t been rejected before- please, I’m living testament to the motto, “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again!” But, this most recent “NO!” was tough, because I really felt in my heart I would hear “YES!” I thought my idea would fly, perhaps even be applauded. I was so excited, I couldn’t wait to present it. And, like a pin to my pro... 1278 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-08-18T02:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-entrepreneurship-is-the-road-to-independence What is independence? To me, it's entrepreneurship. It's the ability to do what I love, when I want, with whom I want. It's the new American dream. Women everywhere are making it happen, and you can, too! Here are my top five reasons you should take the leap. 1. Independence. I love this quote from an anonymous high school student: "Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't." I couldn't hav... 1263 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-08-12T20:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/happy-birthday-savor Join us in celebrating Savor's 1-year birthday!  From 12-1 PM EST noon, we are having a group chat so just pop in for a couple of minutes, wish Savor a happy birthday and connect with other amazing entrepreneurs from all over the world.  Also, please take today to list a few successes from the past year that you can savor.  It's SO IMPORTANT to do this!  How many times have you accomplished something and just brushed past it?  Announce it to the world... po... 1254 2009-08-12T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/how-to-use-fear-to-your-advantage Over the past year, we've heard a ton of information about the state of the economy, and of course, you may be a bit fearful. Fear is part of life- I get it! I'd be remiss to act as though fear doesn't exist, right? But, my take is, fear can be used to find opportunity or fear can be used as a catalyst for despair. We each have the power to decide how to use our fear. You may think I’m nuts. Find opportunity in fear? How?  Well, in every experience... 1259 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-08-12T02:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/4-reasons-why-you-should-daydream-more-often I'll admit it...I'm addicted to daydreaming. I can't count the number of times my husband caught me in a daze and asked me 'what were you just thinking about?' As I'm snapped back into reality, I answer "nothing." In reality, I'm thinking about a lot of things. Walking onstage to a screaming audience as I host my own TV show. Getting a call from QVC to tell me I need to be their new host. Getting a call from Kellogg's to tell me they need to have me as their new spokesperson. Sipping cocktai... 1250 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-08-09T15:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/overwhelmed-3-simple-tips-to-peace-of-mind   “Attitude is everything.”  “Everything happens for a reason.” Everyone has heard these phrases, and many have probably used them a time or two. But, if you’re in the midst of a meltdown, stuck in a rut, or letting life, busyness, and stress overtake you how on earth can you have a positive attitude? Simple!! Begin with two words: “Thank You!” By being thankful for your life now, as it is today (craziness and all!), you open the do... 1238 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-08-06T02:32:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/4-tips-on-how-to-get-featured-on-tv I just had my very first live TV segment as a Green Lifestyle Expert. I've always been the one who pitched the press for Om Aroma so it was an eye-opening experience to be on the other side of the fence of being pitched.  I tried to observe as much as I could in order to share with you what works and what doesn't. This vlog is about what you can do to get your product on TV through gift guide experts. On a side note, I had an extremely stressful situation getting to the TV... 1234 2009-08-05T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-personal-recommendations-beat-out-online-sources As I was reading my daily marketing news, I ran across a study that found most online purchasers bought because of a personal recommendation from a friend/relative (34%), followed by spouse/partner (25%), then a blogger (5%) and a chat room (5%). Truly, this is no surprise to me. Personal, one-on-one connections are gems. These are the people you trust and depend on. If Oprah tweeted, "Acai is amazing", but my friend Jane said, "I tried it and it's not worth the price," I'd go with Jane... 1235 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-08-05T12:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/little-miss-negative-kick-fear-to-the-curb Years ago, I wanted to begin a new venture. Not just with work, that was part of it, of course, but with my whole life! And, there was this little voice inside my head telling me: Just do it. Take the darn leap and don't look back, just spread your arms out, and believe that you will fly. Believe that you will soar. Believe that you are doing what you are meant to do. Let your dreams be your wings, and go for it. But then, there was the other voice, the little voice that told me: Be practi... 1228 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-08-04T01:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/feeling-the-energy One reason I love my bootcamp class is the positive energy that radiates from our group. This is also the same reason that it's so difficult to explain to other people why they should join the class. To anyone that isn't physically there - it just sounds like some crazy class where we all get sweaty and extremely dirty and push our physical limits at a disgustingly early hour. But if they just gave it a try, I know they would walk away every morning feeling truly amazing ... 1225 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-08-03T13:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-what-kind-of-smart-are-you We're all smart, but what kind of smart may be vastly different. I love the book 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong. His theory of multiple intelligences transformed my thinking about what it means to be smart-because in our culture, the traditional way we view smart is very limited. And limiting. Our society values logical and verbal smarts while often overlooking all the other amazing attributes that make each of us truly gifted.So, ... 1218 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-07-29T16:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/you-and-your-company-s-branding-image This week I vlog about the importance of getting great photos taken for your branding and company image.  I'm joined by special guest and amazing photographer, Lisa-Marie Mazzucco.  We also get sidetracked and talk about how she also lost 20 lbs since I last saw her! 1215 2009-07-29T14:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/zen-quickies-10-ways-to-feel-more-balanced-instantly I, like many of you, wear multiple hats. I'm a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a toy-fixer. I'm a writer, a speaker, a consultant, a lifestylist, an entrepreneur. I could go on, but I think you get my drift! Juggling lots of things can make us feel a bit crazed, unless we embrace the moments, and leave juggling for the clowns!! I think it's the little things that make the biggest difference, and besides, when we focus on the things we CAN control, finding balance is a... 1214 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-07-29T02:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/create-your-happy-kit When we have a cut, bruise or scrape we reach right for the first aid kit to get our obligatory band aid and ointment. But what do we reach for when we have a bruised ego? When something cuts right into our heart? When we feel like we've been scraped across the coals? Wouldn't it be great if we could all have our own First Aid Kit for Happiness? I decided to take matters into my own hands this weekend and start creating my own personal Happy Kit. Now on those days when I desperately need so... 1203 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-07-27T13:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-rock-your-next-radio-interview I love radio interviews, but only if I'm prepared. Here are a few things I learned while on Real You Incorporated's  radio tour. Do your homework, and get to know the station and its personalities. Learn their style, tone and audience. Are they jokesters, serious, down-to-earth? Listen to a few broadcasts. Most have a listen online feature.   Know what you'll be asked ahead of time. If you're not provided with questions, send a few to the producer. Also include your backgro... 1194 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-07-23T20:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/the-story-behind-savor-s-name-and-what-that-means-for-your-business My vlog this week is about why I named our social network “Savor the Success” and what that means to you and your business.  I realized that I was standing in my own way of success and by shifting one small (yet big) thing, things started to change for me.   Check out that gorgeous necklace and earrings that I'm wearing from Keri Starker Jewelry! 1176 2009-07-22T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/4-tips-to-stress-less-and-smile-more OK, I’ll admit, this may be because “Annie” was my favorite movie as a child, but I’m of the opinion that you’re “never fully dressed without a smile”. This dawned on me when I was writing an Employee Handbook, and the subject of dress code came up. Of course, at work we should be neat and presentable, but shouldn’t we also be positive and happy? So, I threw in a line about smiling! I tested my theory years ago on a client who was really unha... 1173 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-07-21T03:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-learn-to-say-no By nature, women are nurturers-the ones always helping others. While it's admirable that we are always trying to be there for others, between work and family, our lives can get chaotic. In striving to be SuperMom, we often forget how and when to say no. Then, being overcommitted with no time for ourselves, we're left feeling frazzled, burnt-out, despondent and not much good to anyone.  Fortunately, there are a couple things we can do. First, learn to set limitations for yourself. Instea... 1139 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-07-16T20:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-i-got-on-fox-news-and-check-out-the-video One thing I always encourage entrepreneurs is to get booked on local TV. Not only will local TV give you exposure to your hometown, it's key in building your reel (clips of your media segments packaged in a nice 3 minute video). Reels are essential for pitching national TV shows like Good Morning America and the Today Show, and if you're lucky enough to reach a producer there that likes your pitch, the first thing out of their mouth will be - 'send me your tape.' I've recently been... 1133 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-07-15T16:07:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/3-things-that-make-a-good-plan So everyone has been asking me lately, "Hey Angela, what's your plan for when you give birth?  You have two businesses and now you will have a baby.  What are you going to do?"  I'm always a little befuddled by this.  I mean, I raised a puppy and I still was able to function, right?  Babies sleep, don't they?  That's my plan!  And I'll deal with it when I get there... I soon realized after talking to numerous moms that I needed something with... 1125 2009-07-15T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/have-you-ever-beat-yourself-up-how-i-learned-to-nurture-myself Ok, I’m a firm believer that balance is a state of mind- literally! Well, since food plays a MAJOR role in the way we feel, food is one of the keys to staying balanced!!  I discovered this when I was diagnosed with borderline diabetes almost a decade ago. I was always tired, and just downright mean to myself. You know, feeling “fat” in everything I put on, always beating myself up over the image in the mirror, asking my mother if my butt looked big in my jeans. Ugh! No... 1119 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-07-13T16:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/jennifer-tuma-young/finding-balance-thanks-to-grandma-millie My grandmother’s favorite saying was “everything in moderation.” She would have been over 90 years old, and I can’t imagine what she’d say about the things that are going on in the world today! I mean, “moderation” sounds great in theory, but is it really possible? To do things in moderation, have things in moderation, live in moderation? Well, that to me sounds like, dare I say, balance?! The horror!   I thought of my grandmother’s say... 1113 jennifer@inspiredgirl.net (Jennifer Tuma-Young) 2009-07-10T03:24:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/why-quitters-often-win Did you ever start something and then feel so hell bent to persevere because quitters never win? I did. When I took my first corporate job out of college I was determined to work my way to the top. In only 6 months I was promoted (which was practically unheard of there) and I was top of my division and the right-hand gal to my boss. Most likely I would have been next in line for her job. The problem? It wasn't what I wanted to do. But the popular belief in the office was that you'd be crazy ... 1109 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-07-09T17:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-nix-time-thieves Did you know interruptions consume 28 percent of an average workday? It's true. And interruptions can be even more time-stealing if you're working from home and not setting limits. Case in point: the other day I was working from home. That's typically a great place to work. But, one of my kids was sick. She slept most of the time, but still needed checking, food and comfort. Then, I answered the home phone, instead of letting the answering machine grab it. A mom looking for help with a fund... 1104 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-07-08T13:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-procrastinating-eat-a-frog-every-morning   This week, I vlog about how you can make sure you are not procrastinating in getting important things done.  Sometimes I look at my to-do list and see that the small things get done very easily.  But the hard things - like contacting a potential buyer or a big-time magazine editor - are not checked off.  Why?  I found a fantastic way to deal with that, and I'm sharing it with you!  Try it and see the difference in your lives. 1096 2009-07-08T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/why-failing-is-the-best-thing-for-you "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game's winning shot...and missed. I have failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan In the latest issue of Success Magazine, publisher Darren Hardy tells a story of his father teaching him that not only is it "ok to fail, it is proof you are improving." Is it possible that the more we fail, the more we succe... 1082 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-07-02T13:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-five-tips-to-de-stress With all of the bad new and budget cuts, it's just plain stressful out there. That got me thinking of tips I've heard and used to create a little peace and relaxation in the middle of the day.If you're stressed and in a bad mood, you project it through everything you do. Personally, my jaws clench, and I become short with people. And that's no fun, for me or them. I'm not as effective as a leader, a mother or a friend. And while a little stress is good for performance, a lot of stress throws ... 1080 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-07-01T18:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/annie-organics-founder-shares-his-secret-weapon I interviewed Andrew Martin, Founder of Annie Organics and SmartFood (sold to Frito-Lay for millions), and asked him what was the secret to his success.  His answer was simple yet it made an impact on me this past week.  As a result, I'm approaching prospects differently and I can already see a difference in their reactions. Would would have thought that something so simple could make such a profound shift? 1075 2009-07-01T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/trying-something-you-always-thought-you-hated Today I'm going to tell a story. A story of something I always wondered why people would spend their hard earned money on. Something I would always read about and think was, for lack of a better word, bullshit. Something I swore I would never need in a million, bazillion years. Luxury Skincare. I've always been the Dove soap girl. I would wash my face twice a day with Dove soap, and my skin looked just fine. Once in awhile I would get crazy and buy the CVS brand of Oil of Olay and wash my f... 1057 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-06-25T21:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-empowering-cultures-attract-positive-people Businesses often go through growing pains. Sometimes good; sometimes bad. And right now, many companies are facing the pressures of having to downsize. However, there are some companies that are prospering and need to hire more employees.  To ensure that you hire the best and most well-fitting employees, my advice is to create a great culture-one that is inviting and represents your company's outlook. Potential employees will use your culture as a guide for gaining insight on your com... 1054 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-06-24T17:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/sometimes-saying-good-bye-opens-up-new-doors I gave my last concert last week in the Minneapolis area.  End of chapter in my life.  Sometimes good things have to come to an end in order for you to really move on and fly into the next chapter.  You know how sometimes we know it's time to move on but it's extremely difficult?  For whatever reason, we hold on whether it's a relationship that needs to end or a part of your business that needs to be phased out or a necessary move.  Change is difficult ... 1048 2009-06-24T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/a-secret-i-was-too-embarrassed-to-share-until-now Today I’m going to share a secret with you. This is something I’ve kept secret from most people in my life (except my husband and immediate family) because of the sheer embarrassment that saying it out loud brought me. But I’m done with that – and I’m no longer ashamed. I can’t ride a bike. As a young child, I vaguely remember having a little bike with training wheels, but I can’t remember why those training wheels never came off. I started notici... 1040 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-06-19T13:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-the-balancing-act-personal-vs-professional Women continually struggle with work-life balance. There are many women who believe there is this set, generic and ideal form of balance. However, that is just not the case. Balance differs for everyone. What works for your co-worker may not work for you. And what works for you may not work for your neighbor. Everyone is different and has a different job and your work-life balance should reflect that. Also, many women believe that their personal and business life should be completely differen... 1037 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-06-17T15:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/life-skills-i-ve-learned-from-working-with-my-spouse This week, I vlog about the skills I've learned from working with my spouse.  As you know, being in a relationship is not always easy let alone working with that person in an intense situation.  See how we make it work! Also, I share my fave finds from Transformational Jewelry and Killion Clothes... simply gorgeous! 1035 2009-06-17T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/what-10-weeks-of-boot-camp-has-taught-me-about-life 10-weeks ago I felt sluggish, uninspired, and honestly...a little sad. Not sure if it was the winter blues or that I hit a personal plateau, but something just wasn't gelling. That was until I made the leap into a boot camp class that surprisingly changed not only my physical state but my entire outlook on life. I've had a lot of support from the Savor community during my journey, and listened to feedback ranging from 'you're inspiring' to 'I could never do something like tha... 1027 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-06-13T20:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/wishes-really-do-come-true The last time I blogged here, I was caught up in a siege of superstition. I was breaking wishbones, blowing on dandelions and generally doing everything in my power to make a wish come true. I was doing this mostly because I no longer had control. I'd done all I could to convince a publisher to buy my book. I'd built a blog with a following. I'd gotten media exposure for it. I'd written and edited my proposal a million and one times. In the end, I just had to trust that an editor would believ... 1023 2009-06-12T17:12:42Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-how-to-master-the-phone-interview So, you’ve scored your first interview with a reporter. Woohoo! I know that feeling. It’s exhilarating the first minute; the next is filled with panic. Don’t worry. It’s time to get serious and start preparing. Do your homework. Check out the reporter. What beat do they cover? What’s their style? What companies have they covered in your industry? Nail down the key messages you want to get across. Put together your talking points. What are your... 1014 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-06-10T15:43:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/get-rid-of-toxic-people-in-your-life Get rid of toxic people in your life!  Sometimes, for whatever reason, we are attracted to what is not good for us and impedes us from performing at our optimum. Here I talk about how getting rid of a toxic person led me to the most special person in my life, my husband. And I also talk about how having a great team of people to work with helps you to "fly" in your professional life.  But how do you get there?  Sometimes kissing lots of frogs is the key! 1010 2009-06-10T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/don-t-be-afraid-to-suck If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly - G.K. Chesterton I have a confession to make. I really hate not being able to do something. And I hate it more when I'm not able to do it right. This week I took my boot camp instructor up on his offer to do some personal training on the 'off' days of our morning class. Our focus was working the upper body, and about halfway through the workout he mentioned working my shoulders. Unfortunately while I can do bicep curls all d... 997 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-06-04T19:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-get-your-daily-dose-of-laughter As a mother of four and full-time business woman, I understand the pressures moms face. Unfortunately, many women have accepted that stress has become part of their daily lives and are finding it harder and harder to relax.Prolonged and increased levels of stress not only affect our home lives, they also affect our health. Our bodies are well adapted to dealing with short-term stress, but prolonged stress can cause serious health problems. Your stress levels can affect your nervous, respirato... 991 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-06-03T15:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-share-the-spotlight I was recently at a company meeting and realized only the department heads took center stage. They covered a lot of great info, but it got boring. Face it: People just stop listening after so many PowerPoint slides. It would've been so much nicer to see some new faces. All of their team members were in the back, and only one leader gave a shout-out to her team.Whether you're having a sales rally or a client meeting, make sure to include your team. They work hard for you, so share the spotligh... 968 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-05-27T18:52:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-do-you-deal-with-your-competitors This week, I talk about how your competitors can actually propel you forward.  Turn something seemingly negative into something healthy and positive.  Also, I feature Andreea Ayer's TeesForChange.com! 964 2009-05-27T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/ready-fire-aim One of the things I love most about my morning bootcamp is how quickly we maneuver from one exercise to the next. So quickly, in fact, that I start doing something and before long I can't believe I'm actually doing it. For example, one day my instructor told us we'd be doing pull-ups. Instant panic ensued. I have never done a pull-up in my life. My high school fitness tests always listed ZERO next to the 'how many pull-ups can you do' section. As I approached the bar I hesitantly put up... 966 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-05-26T21:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-moms-remember-to-slow-down With endless days filled with meetings, luncheons, doctor’s appointments and kids’ activities, it’s hard to cram everything I do into a 24-hour period. It is no wonder working moms feel overwhelmed. Mothers across the country are reaching out and starting support groups and communities. On an episode of Oprah, An Overwhelmed Mom’s Deadly Mistake , a grieving mother, Brenda Slaby, spoke about her unfortunate accident that she described as her “wake-up cal... 946 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-05-21T12:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/what-s-your-chanel-no-5 Here's a challenge to hone in on what you or your company do best. Also featuring Premium Members Annette Frey of Biscuits by Lambchop and Sarah Leah Gootnick of Secretary in Israel.   886 2009-05-20T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-are-you-skimping-on-the-free-gift One of the guilty pleasures of cosmetics shopping is the gift with purchase, which has been luring us into retail stores since the beginning of time. I remember the good old days when the gifts were amazing: real leather totes; a full assortment of real-sized cosmetics; or a simple, but classy, special compact. And while I realize it is the time of cut-backs, the lipstick economy is stronger than ever. Attempting to tap into that small splurge mentality is Clinique, with the buy something fo... 864 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-05-14T13:52:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/what-are-your-rules 851 2009-05-13T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/when-was-the-last-time-you-gave-someone-a-compliment My husband and I were out to dinner a few weeks ago and we had an excellent experience. The food was amazing, the service impeccable and the ambiance delightful. As my husband handed our waitress his credit card he asked "May I see the manager?" The waitress looked at us in wide-eyed horror and said "was everything OK sir - were you unhappy with your food or service?" "No," my husband said. "People are always quick to share their complaints but rarely do they share their compliments. I want ... 844 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-05-10T13:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/do-wishes-come-true About a week ago, just before my literary agent started contacting publishers about my memoir, I played wishbone tug of war with my daughter. I'd had the wishbone on my desk for months, ever since STS member Deena Burgess gave it to me attached to a holiday card. I was saving it for this special occasion.But I should have known, you know? It's one of the universal laws of life. Parents do not try to beat their children at ANYTHING, including wishbone tug of war.I should have never ever in a m... 838 2009-05-08T00:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/it-almost-didn-t-happen I have a secret to share with you.  The Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World event almost didn't happen this year. It's a long story and for now, I will give you the short of the long. We all know that it's very, very expensive to do an event in NYC.  And I knew that it was going to be an ambitious project to try in our first year to pull together a major event with major press.  Slowly it became very clear that the economy was not on our side and we may not be able to pull it o... 823 2009-05-06T12:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-survival-tactic-stay-the-same Many of the astounding entrepreneurs I’ve profiled deal with folks who have revolutionized an industry, or who have kept up with the times through change and constant improvements to their business model. But what about the success stories that abound of businesses and entrepreneurs who thrive through lack of change? Through tradition and continuity?My 8th grade son and I had lunch together at one such place. The diner is called Chef-O-Nette, and it's been in business since 1955. I'd li... 826 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-05-06T12:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/five-ways-to-feel-happy-now I'm having one of those days. I first felt like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Then I felt I didn't push hard enough in my morning workout. Then a slew of 'really no big deal' work catastrophe's have led me to feel...well...pretty crappy. And it's only 2pm. Following the sage advice of my therapist that 'the only person responsible for my happiness is me' I decided to take the next 30 minutes to achieve my goal of getting happy. My mission? To make a list of five things to do immed... 800 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-04-29T18:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/you-re-not-alone You know those times when you are feeling alone and don't know where to turn?  Turn to your Savor members.  There's a wealth of support, advice, and friendship that these women can offer to you... as I learned this week! 788 2009-04-29T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-is-it-time-to-add-a-new-ingredient-to-your-secret-sauce I'll admit it. I can still sing the lyrics to the McDonald's Big Mac commercial: two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. Ta da! Did I get that stuck in your head, too? For McDonald's—and the rest of the kings of fast service restaurants—the key to success is consistent, quality delivery.  You get what you ordered, what you are familiar with, whether you order a Big Mac in Big Sky, Montana, or in the Big Apple. That's why, on... 797 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-28T20:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-opportunity-valuing-yourself-and-knowing-when-to-say-no Successful women entrepreneurs are inspiring. That's why I wrote my book, and that's why I love networking with all of you here at Savor the Success. And, as a blogger, I think it's especially important to share our ups - and downs! Here's my down for the week. You know my goal is speaking engagements. That's why I'm committed to networking and working my business. To reach others, to spread the power of women entrepreneurs, oh, and of course, to make money to support myself an... 778 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-23T13:07:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/the-secret-i-learned-this-week-about-how-to-bring-in-more-revenue 767 2009-04-22T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-to-wipe-that-scowl-off-your-face About 8 years ago I was in acting class performing a yogurt commercial on camera. I remember feeling so proud that I memorized the whole thing in about 10 minutes. My diction was perfect. I kept my head still and stopped my funny eyebrow twitch. I emphasized all the important words and delivered the last line believably right into the camera. After I stepped off the stage I felt I delivered the best yogurt commercial in the world, and that everyone would want to buy my yogurt, and that every ... 771 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-04-21T00:14:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/note-to-self-just-believe When I first starting blogging at STS, Angela challenged me to set a goal. I was new to this whole blogging thing. I was feeling really motivated and positive. The blogosphere was my chocolate, you know?So I said, "My goal is to have 20,000 monthly blog visitors at Project Happily Ever After by January."Angela emailed back, "Are you sure that's realistic?"I said, "No, but anything less just wouldn't be interesting."Well, as you all know, January came and went. I didn't reach my goal. I think ... 770 2009-04-20T21:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-don-t-let-interruptions-consume-your-day Did you know interruptions consume 28 percent of an average workday? It's true. And interruptions can be even more time-stealing if you're working from home and not setting limits. Case in point: Today. I'm working from home. That's typically a great place to work, especially during school hours. But, today, one of my kids is home sick. She's sleeping now, but needs checking, food and comfort. Then, I answered the home phone, instead of letting the answering machine grab it. A mom looking for... 762 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-18T12:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/how-physical-challenge-can-make-you-stronger-mentally In my quest to be nice to myself (and to my body) I decided to take on a new physical challenge. My original plan was to take up pilates at a local studio or take a spinning class. One day I was combing through my township recreation brochure and found a 10-week Boot Camp class. The small blurb promised that we would get a full body workout, 3 days per week, at 6am. Outside. In all weather. I immediately signed up so I wouldn't back out and thought 'how bad could it be?' I run 5 days a ... 760 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-04-17T20:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-attract-1000-blog-readers-instantly So you've been blogging for a while. You've been checking Google Analytics for a while. You've been submitting your stuff to social bookmarking sites like Stumble Upon and Reddit for a while.And, for a while, your traffic has completely stagnated. If you've seen any Stumble Upon bump at all, it's in the neighborhood of 100 or 200 extra visitors, all of whom stayed on your site for all of 20 seconds.And you keep hearing about these stinking bloggers who are getting thousands of Stumble Upon or... 754 2009-04-16T17:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/how-i-got-invited-as-a-guest-on-cosmo-radio-and-how-you-can-get-similar-press-too 747 2009-04-15T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/buy-an-ad-save-a-magazine-or-a-newspaper Thinking about advertising in print media? Now may be the best time ever.   I have to be honest. I have been at odds for awhile with print publications, especially daily newspapers. Yes, it’s true, there was a love-hate relationship there based on decades of control (the newspaper’s) and decades of increased cost (my real estate company’s ). Same space as last year? That’s only a 12 percent increase this year, the rep would say. Oh, wow, thank you. How about if ... 742 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-15T00:59:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-every-experience-enriches-you-cherish-the-moments You were born to succeed. You need to believe that. It’s true. It’s also true that if the life you’re living or the path you’re following starts to get you off track, you’ll be given guidance in order to get back on the path. The guidance may be subtle – or it could be a big and painful lesson. But either way, you’re learning. It’s so hard to realize this as you’re living your life, especially while we’re all in the middle of the g... 736 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-10T17:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-so-happy-to-be-here-oh-and-who-am-i-anyway      I realized, just now - because Angela reminded me -  that even though I've posted several blogs for Savor the Success I haven't introduced myself to you all. I'm sorry! I'm Kaira - president and creator of the first woman-focused brand in real estate, Real Living, (I won a Stevie Award for Best Entrepreneur last year!) and most recently, the author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. I've been a marketer for my... 733 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-10T15:36:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-are-you-and-your-significant-other-keeping-financial-secrets It's everywhere. Stress levels are on the rise. What we know is that during times of pressure and stress, men isolate and women connect. Many men, during these stressful times, are isolating. They are putting on a brave face, even as their work worlds crumble around them. In some of the saddest cases we've seen, the distress and fear of failure, layoffs and social isolation have led to heart attacks, strokes and even suicides. Literally, the financial crisis is breaking hearts, accord... 728 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-08T19:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/what-scary-thing-will-you-do-today I'm scared of a lot of things, ranging from heights to piranhas, but one of the things that scares me the most is this: rejection.And I've had plenty of it, so you'd think I'd be used to it by now. I've had my share of breakups. I've sent my share of essays off to magazines, only to get the "this is not right for our readers" response. And, of course, there was the David Sedaris brush off.Yes, the very David who I love to read. Yes, the very David who I thought I knew, because, you know, I've... 725 2009-04-08T17:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/your-past-experiences-good-bad-can-help-you-to-succeed In today's vlog, I talk about how your past experiences can propel you to success.  I also throw in a little personal announcement... :) 721 2009-04-08T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-the-power-of-pr If your budget looks like mine, you’re probably cutting back on advertising and ramping up your PR efforts. A common misconception is that advertising and public relations are the same. As I write in Chapter 6 of my book, Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, you need all aspects of marketing to get your message accross. Here are the basics: Advertising is paid placement; PR is third-party coverage, as in a reporter including you or your business in an article.... 717 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-06T14:42:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/kick-ass-pr-resources-you-may-or-may-not-know-about Media Bistro For only $55 a year, you can join this amazing website and get access to editorial calendars, forums, media contact info and my favorite part - the 'How to Pitch' section. The media bistro folks interview a new media outlet each week and spoon feed you information on how to pitch and who to pitch at top outlets like USA Today, Glamour, Family Circle, Pregnancy Magazine and more! Oprah Producer Blogs Looking for the names of Oprah's producers? Want an exclusive look behind the ... 712 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-04-04T13:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-you-are-your-brand-so-remember To embody it wherever you go, and be its biggest fan. Carry your product around. Give it away when possible. People want instant gratification, and they love the ability to touch and feel the product. It helps make that emotional connection that leads to the sale. Estée Lauder , who started her business in 1946, was frustrated when large advertising agencies wouldn’t take on her relatively small company (at the time). So she started her own campaign, which consisted of free sam... 695 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-04T00:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-every-woman-has-a-story-what-s-yours In my book I talk about telling your story and I have gotten various questions regarding this topic. Most asking “why tell your story? ” And to that I respond…Because it’s unique! It’s yours and you own it. The important part of defining your personal brand is to understand how to bring it to life as a competitive advantage. Without that, you’re just another entrepreneur. With your story, you are fully formed.Within your story you find perspectiv... 694 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-04-01T23:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-silence-your-inner-critic I don't know about you, but my inner critic is ruthless, and she starts tearing me down the moment I get out of bed and step on the scale. Just this morning, for instance, she sneered, "See? I told you! If you hadn't have eaten that chocolate mouse parfait last night, you'd be two pounds lighter this morning! You had to be such a pig, didn't you?"I have a Positive Voice, too, and she tries to fight off Mrs. Negativity whenever possible, but she's not always quick on her feet. For instance, th... 701 2009-04-01T19:22:39Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/are-you-losing-money-doing-it-all In this vlog, I talk about how my 30/30 project is going and how I really REALLY didn't want to go out for dinner one night with my husband's associates... but I'm glad that I did!  I learned something very important during that dinner, and I'm sharing it with you. Also, I talk about Penelope the PR Agent, your virtual assistant to find TARGETED PR opps for you so you don't have to spend time scouring through the internet and lists to find something perfect for you.&nb... 693 2009-04-01T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/kaira-rouda-3436/real-you-don-t-forget-to-brand-your-workspace Whether others see your office or not, I always recommend that your office be a reflection of you and your personal brand. It should be comfy, functional and stimulating. If you are a messy person by nature, that’s OK; just don’t let the mess overwhelm you. To begin, have a sense and direction of your personal brand, and then begin thinking how you will translate that into the décor of your room. Use the five senses. Start by painting the walls. Display some of your favorit... 685 kaira@realyouincorporated.com (Kaira Rouda) 2009-03-29T19:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/trust-your-gut Yeah...I really wish someone would have posted this kind of blog entry when I was old enough to read so I would never forget this. Unfortunately there weren't blogs then, and even if there were I probably wouldn't have been mature enough to listen to the advice. But I digress... If I had just trusted my gut, I probably wouldn't have made half of the business mistakes I've made. And I've made some doozies. I'm now a big believer that instincts are often right and first impressions often... 676 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-03-25T21:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/get-off-your-computer I've challenged myself to get off my computer and do something fresh, fun, and new in the coming month.  Want to join me? 666 2009-03-25T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-i-broke-my-addiction-to-google-analytics No one, to my knowledge, has established a support group for people like me, but someone should. You see, ever since the initial weeks of blogging, I've been a traffic addict. It started with me begging my brother to activate Google Analytics on my blog. Because I did not initially have access to it, I called him daily to check my stats. I eventually annoyed him enough that he set it up for me on my computer so I could check on my own. At first I checked just once a day. Then I discovered tha... 669 2009-03-24T17:36:30Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/one-step-closer-to-success Circling back to my original goals in writing this blog and my 'self challenge' I thought I'd give a brief update to the many exciting changes that are happening and hope some of you can help me celebrate your 'changes for the better' by commenting below! QVC In my ongoing quest to get on this show I'm VERY excited about my plans for this Monday. I will be filming a few videos with a professional team and one of them will be a mock segment for QVC! I've planned everything out with a script,... 653 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-03-19T19:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/i-love-criticism-bring-it-on-baby   Everyone always says, "Focus on the positive... and only on the positive".  Well, I say that is baloney!  Yes, there's a time for that and I am a huge proponent of saying affirmations and focusing on what is good.  But how are you going to "up" your game if you don't figure out what is going on with your customers or clients?  Also, check out our Premium Members' Mother's Day gift baskets.  Thank you to Kim Shanahan of Book Bouquet and Meliss... 641 2009-03-18T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/stories I never thought that storytelling would become such a pivotal part of my life. I loved stories as a child. Then I loved acting out stories working as an actress for 15 or some odd years. Now I shape people's stories into something the media will want to hear. Through this journey I never realized how much I liked telling stories until now. As most of you know I love talking....in public. In fact I would probably never stop talking if it wouldn't annoy the bejesus out of everyone. But I ... 630 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-03-11T23:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-do-it-all-and-stay-sane-in-the-process I come from a family of hard workers. On my Dad's side, there are the farmers who survived the dust bowl and the Great Depression. They rose every day at 5 a.m. and worked until dark. On my mom's side are the Russian and Polish immigrants who arrived in this country penniless and persecuted, using hard work, street smarts, and determination to open and run successful businesses in Brooklyn, the Bronx and elsewhere.My heritage taught me this: The road to success is paved with hard work.So, dur... 625 2009-03-11T19:14:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-secret-weapon-the-100-times-rule   A lot of you have asked me what is my secret to getting things done. This week, I share my secret little weapon that I pull out whenever I feel deflated.  I strongly believe that if you follow this tip, you will see a lot more flow in your life.  What is your secret weapon?  I'd love to hear it! (Oh, and you will also meet my little friend, Ella Fitzgerald!) 619 2009-03-11T13:24:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/a-ny-daily-news-pr-opp I know I've been missing for a while so I figured I'd write about something useful now that I'm back. I found a great PR opportunity while reading the Daily News this weekend. We could all use another PR opp, right? The NY Daily News is looking for rays of hope in the midst of the financial crisis. Did you recently open a business? Did you land a new job? You can send any good news stories to goodnews@nydailynews.com. Hope that helps. Happy pitching! Alex * Esculon 620 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-03-09T23:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/when-is-help-too-much-help-and-7-sales-lessons As part of my role as VP of our ABWA chapter in Niagara Falls, I set up the speaker programming for the meetings. May's speaker will be a highly regarded and well connected sales & business trainer/coach. Last week I was finalizing details with him and he requested a meeting with me. I had an inkling that this was a "get to know you" (aka sales) appointment for him, but that was fine with me since I am actively working on improving our business and sales as you all know. Plus, I decided ... 608 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-03-05T14:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/what-i-learned-from-piano-can-be-applied-to-business Related links:  Penelope the PR Agent 592 2009-03-04T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/writing-it-down I've always been a 'list' girl - there's something about writing down a 'to-do' item and crossing it off that makes me feel...well...exhilarated. Several years ago when I packed on 10lbs working at my first desk job, my saving grace was writing down every morsel of food I put into my mouth and its corresponding calorie and fat content. It was only then that I realized those 540-calorie cafe mochas from Starbucks were killing my brutal hour-long workouts and that those small slices of Montere... 600 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-03-03T01:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/i-owe-you-an-update When Angela started this blog project, she asked all of us "official" bloggers to chronicle our journey towards achieving a specific goal. Mine was to complete a long overdue business plan by January 2009. I confess: I missed my deadline - sorry! But I'm not stressing about it because I've achieved a lot. And I think for me at least, what's more important than completing the goal on time has been the journey to get there. It has ended up being a pursuit of more than a business plan - more l... 582 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-02-26T19:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-zen-work-station I wrote last week about how the Power of Less encouraged me to check email a lot less often. This week I want to tell you how this book has affected my desktop.I'm one of those people who likes to be able to see everything I'm working on. Because of this, I have not seen the top of my desk in a long, long time.In this book, Leo suggested that a messy desk is not conducive to a calm mind and productive life. I first thought, "Oh come on Leo. Really. My messy desk works for me. I can see everyt... 583 2009-02-25T19:42:09Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/selling-ideas Wow, I've missed STS. The last couple of weeks flew by and seem to have been filled with family calamities. My husband went to Italy to be there when his grandfather passed away, renewing my utter awe for single mothers. And he brought back some travel germs along with the parmeggiano cheese and Italian candy in his bag - he and my littlest one have just finished up their antibiotics. Fun.   So anyway, I've been percolating this blog post for the more than a week and decided it's high ... 580 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-02-25T16:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/planning-committee/update-on-the-rock-the-world-event The Planning Committee has been meeting every Tuesday morning at 11 AM, and there's a lot to report!  First, we've secured a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square on 8th Avenue for a very reasonable rate of $249 / night for all of you out-of-town guests.  For NYC, this is an INCREDIBLE price for a clean and nice room.  We'll be posting the number to call for your reservations by next week. Second, we would like to reveal one of our speakers!  Sydney Biddle ... 576 2009-02-25T12:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/what-i-learned-from-my-dreaded-weekend-about-kindness Last year, I was on the road 200 days as a touring concert pianist.  Count ‘em.  200 days.  It was enough to drive me crazy from all of the travel, delayed flights, and different hotel rooms every night. So I decided to take a much-needed hiatus from the piano this year.  However, my touring agency had to schedule two concerts this year due to scheduling conflicts from last year’s season.  One of those “run-outs” was this past weekend in my hom... 574 2009-02-24T15:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/hate-mail I always try to prepare my clients before embarking on a PR campaign what to expect - last minute deadlines, sending samples overnight, tough interview questions, etc. The one element I often forget to mention is dealing with'hate mail.' Once you start putting yourself out there in the public eye, people take notice. Which is typically the intention with publicity - spreading the word about your product/service/business through the use of mass media. What you're also doing is opening a 'can ... 571 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-02-21T12:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-week-i-spent-without-email A normal workday for me usually goes something like this:Daughter wakes me up. I turn on the Disney Channel and bring daughter juice. I turn on my computer. I check email. Next thing I know it's 8:15 and I'm rushing to make and eat breakfast and get us dressed and out the door before 8:45. I return from the preschool drop off with a latte in hand. I check email and surf the web as my "warm up to face the day." Then I tackle the to-do list, all the while taking breaks to check email, do social... 569 2009-02-20T20:59:54Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/the-pricing-game I was once told that a product-based business that makes between 100K to 500K is in danger of not making it.  At the time, I thought, "That's crazy!  I can't wait to make a quarter of a million in sales.  We'll be well on our way to really making it." Now I know what that person was saying.  See, the problem is that if you are in the product business, you have a lot of overhead.  A LOT.  And unless you started out with a lot of money, you probably can't purchase... 561 2009-02-18T12:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/my-deadline-has-come-and-gone As many of you know, my deadline to get 15 blog/PR mentions was February 1st, 2009. Well, I guess I should tell you that I haven't actually gotten that far, YET. I'm at 11 now and still working on the last four. In the meantime, I've been feverishly studying for the GMAT so I can get accepted to grad school and get my MBA. I've also been trying to keep up with jewelry orders and increase traffic to my website, EsculonSays. After doing tons of research and reading a great post from Alisa, I ... 564 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-02-18T03:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/some-good-news I don't like to be braggy, but some exciting things are happening here that I need to share with someone besides my husband (I think his head may explode if he has to hear anymore) I was named Woman Business Owner of the Week in a local Philadelphia weekly. I sold seven eBooks last week (my redesigned site went live last Monday and I still haven't even "Officially" announced it! Oh yeah - I finally relaunched my site with a new design and a stronger focus on my speaking engagem... 562 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-02-17T22:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-almost-gave-up-and-then-i-took-a-vacation Just before my vacation two weeks ago, I sent my agent a whiney email. It was filled with "I can'ts" and "this is too hards." I complained of feeling overwhelmed. I didn't think I had the mental energy needed to keep up a blogging career at the same time I was maintaining a freelance writing career. I said that my blog would never gain a big following, and that I would never ever become a "somebody." I was tired. My head hurt. I couldn't think straight. I thought I would soon run out of blog ... 554 2009-02-16T16:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/planning-committee/planning-committee-announcement Hello, hello! We are the Planning Committee for the "Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World" Event on May 6 in NYC.You can get a behind-the-scenes peek at what it's like to plan such a huge event for so many women!  We'll record upates here and answer any questions you may have, too.Okay, for starters, we'd like to introduce ourselves.  Payson Cooper of Transformational Jewelry  (She's the practical and sensible one)Danielle Bobish of Curtain Up Events  (She's the know-everyt... 547 2009-02-12T21:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/my-challenge-update-and-it-s-not-pretty So...for some reason I felt heavily inspired by Jenna Fischer's SELF Magazine challenge and decided to take action by creating my own 10-day challenge. I started Jan 27th and the last day was yesterday...blurg. Here are the results of my challenge and...well....I embrace them! Hey - it says a lot when you promise to do something in a public online forum and then vow to be honest about the results. So...here it goes. For One Day - Don't BlackberryOK...this almost happened. Last Sat... 541 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-02-06T18:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/in-praise-of-organization I am absolutely NOT the most organized person. [Friday sidebar: When I was a teenager, my room was usually so messy with castoff clothes that my dad would sometimes stage a "great clothes escape" - with my shirts and sweaters trying to climb out the windows.] However now that I have a family, marriage, and business to manage, I've finally discovered how focusing on developing organization strategies for my business and life helps, allowing me to better work ON the business. I just ... 534 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-02-06T15:35:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/group-dynamic-why-some-groups-flourish-and-others-fall I've been a member of many networking groups over the years. Some shaped how I do business and fostered amazing connnections and others were, to put it bluntly, a waste of time. Last night I was called in to help an association create ways to increase membership and get current members more involved. My first thought was 'what do members want from this group that they aren't getting?' After dissecting the dynamics of the group and the benefits to members, I started to think about what I look... 537 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-02-05T12:53:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/have-these-bloggers-gone-too-far In the past week, I've received numerous emails from you about bloggers asking if they've started to cross the line.  I thought I'd highlight a couple of my favorites that either you sent my way or that we received directly from bloggers themselves.You be the judge.  Have they crossed the line? (I've changed the little details to protect their identity.)Email #1:Dear ___________, I'm a huge fan of your company.   I am getting married in the summer and would love to include... 530 2009-02-04T12:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/pitching-off-topic I've participated in numerous events over the years to learn how to pitch the media. After every teleconference or panel discussion one item always prevails - Don't Pitch Off-Topic I'm sure we've all read the 'Five Rules of HARO.' Some of you may have read the bad pitch blog. Some of you may have participated in #journchat on Twitter and read the weekly gripes from reporters about this very topic. My question - why do people pitch off topic? Granted, everyone makes mistakes. I'll bet some ... 531 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-02-03T23:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/who-the-heck-are-we The answer to this question was of course one of the main points of my quest to complete our business plan. I wrote an earlier post about the personality of the brand we wanted to convey, but perhaps more importantly, we needed to examine and decide WHAT we wanted our company to be. I knew this was an issue because people have flat out asked me what it is we do/offer. This after discussions and blog posts and newsletters. Sometimes even after we complete projects for them. No, as a mar... 520 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-01-30T21:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-build-blog-traffic-with-a-contest-part-2 A few weeks ago, I described how I planned to drive traffic to my blog through a Wii Promotion.  The Win a  Wii promotion is now up, and will be running for the next two weeks. Here, I'll briefly explain what I've learned the past few weeks in setting up the contest. Then once the contest wraps up, I'll add another post with some final learning points.Fewer, cooler prizes are better than numerous, not so interesting ones. There are a few reasons for this. First, if the total prize v... 519 2009-01-30T14:25:35Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/top-three-pitch-ideas I find a common misconception among those starting out in PR (or even sometimes those that have been at it for awhile) is that you should always pitch your product/service to reporters. Unfortunately, this often comes off as a glorified advertisement to the media. Back in the days when I worked freelance for a newspaper and local magazine, I would trash press kits and pitches on a daily basis because they often looked like marketing brochures. Where was the story? Mailing me a brochure f... 517 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-01-29T00:30:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/my-unofficial-guide-to-online-marketing I'd like you to imagine, for a moment, that you are in the market for a used car. You decide to shop for this car at two different dealerships. Both places offer makes and models of cool cars that are also in your price range.Dealership #1: You walk in. A sales person approaches. You start to open your mouth but never quite get out a, "Hello." He hastily shakes your hand, not noticing the brace you are wearing (because you were typing too aggressively). He tells you about the types of cars he... 514 2009-01-27T22:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/reflection-and-progress-towards-clarity Now that the flu bug that invaded my household has subsided, I am happy to be back on STS and ready to start reporting some significant progress on my goal.   Back when I started this blog, I set this month as my goal date to complete a long overdue business plan. My husband and I started this business in 2002, I came on full-time at the end of 2004, and never in that time did we formally write a business plan. A series of personal changes - moves, pregnancy, second baby - resulted in ... 509 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-01-27T03:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/the-melissa-challenge I'm a huge Office fan - and much to my delight Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly) was on the cover of my favorite magazine SELF this month. Even more exciting, she put herself on a 10-day SELF challenge. As I curled up in bed reading the feature I thought - 'I wonder if I could handle a 10-day challenge?' Hmmm.... In the spirit of reaching my goal, I decided to pick eight challenges that would put me closer to my goal, and that I would have ten days to complete. Some of these are work relate... 508 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-01-26T22:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/melissa-cassera/welcome-and-who-is-melissa-of-cassera-communications Hello STS! I'm so excited to become an official blogger here. I've already connected with so many wonderful women here and I look forward to letting you all take a peak into my life as a publicist, entrepreneur, speaker, author, model/actress and future QVC spokesperson (more on that later) This is me: Who is Melissa and why is she here? I started acting and modeling at the age of 5. I'm a very extroverted person and loved nothing more than being on stage or in front of a camera. I also... 504 melissa@casseracommunications.com (Melissa Cassera) 2009-01-24T19:32:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/hiring-friends-should-you-or-shouldn-t-you It seemed like a natural thing to hire my friend when I needed extra help.  I was touring like crazy, zigzagging across the U.S. and even spending a few weeks in Europe performing.  I had my company, which at that time was more like an expensive hobby, and I needed someone to help me out when I was gone.  My friend needed a little extra income and I needed help.  It seemed so perfect!The problem was that suddenly, we found ourselves in the awkward boss/employee relationshi... 496 2009-01-22T16:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-mom-fixed-the-economy My husband's business isn't doing so well. His checking account is about as low as I've ever seen it. We've managed to keep his store in the black by cutting costs, primarily by not paying my husband a salary.  That means I'm not only the main breadwinner, I'm now the only one. I have paying work lined up until April 1, which, in the freelance world, is actually quite stable. Still, the constant bad news about the economy coupled with the very real news about my husband's store has me on... 499 2009-01-22T14:30:09Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/if-you-only-had-2-hours-to-work Here's a great question to help you determine what should be on your to-do list. If a doctor told you that in order to live, you could only work 2 hours a day, what would you work on? Isn't that a great question?? Most of us work all day, take a break for meals and then work all night. So what would you cut out if you could only work for 2 hours. I guarantee you would cut out a ton of clutter and check your emails only once a day. If I only had 2 hours to work, here's what would be on my to-... 498 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-01-21T23:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/what-i-ve-learned-from-my-addiction-to-google-analytics My name is Alisa Bowman and I am addicted to Google Analytics. I've been addicted for about six months, since the very first time I opened it. This addiction has, of course, caused some undesirable problems, most of which are related to an incredible drop in my overall productivity. Still, I like to see the glass half full, and the positive thinker that I am has this to say: I've learned a lot from this addiction. I've learned: Most people read blogs while they are at work. This is why yo... 489 2009-01-19T20:56:38Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/my-i-dropped-the-ball-confession I can't believe I'm using a public website as a confessional for an embarrassing story, but here it goes. (And somehow this is easier than confessing to my husband/partner!) Anyway, let this serve as a cautionary tale for you. This story ties into 2 common topics discussed on STS: Balance/Time Management and Sales. I was invited to respond to an RFP to redesign a website for a large organization in November. Of course there was a deadline. I was excited to receive the RFP and looking forwar... 485 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-01-16T17:53:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-debacle-with-a-big-name-corporate-client Ladies,I'm hoping that you can learn from this experience with a corporate client and not make the same mistake as I did!In November, while we were at a big tradeshow in Las Vegas, I got a call from one of my sales reps. She was very excited about a custom order that one of our Big Name clients was requesting.  I told her we couldn't do it because we were in the middle of craziness—we just couldn’t do a custom order now.  She expressed that the buyer really wanted 450 un... 480 2009-01-15T14:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/need-more-pr-opps-here-you-go For all of you who are attempting to handle your own PR, I thought I'd let you know that I found a new source for PR opportunities. Schnell Press works just like HARO and being that it's new, there aren't as many opps on there yet. But if you sign up and spread the word about it I'm sure it'll reach HARO levels in no time!  I signed up for it and get updates every two weeks or so. I'm assuming it will increase in frequency when they have more to queries to report. In this tough market, ... 482 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-01-15T13:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/everything-i-learned-about-blog-traffic-i-learned-by-accident When I started blogging in August, I had big goals. I planned to go from zero site visitors to 20,000 in just 6 months. Although I'm not quite at that 20,000 visitor goal, I am moving in the right direction. What follows are the pearls of wisdom that I've picked up during the past six months, most of which I learned quite by accident.1.    Your friends are not your most loyal readers. When I started my site, I sent out a blast email to about 50 close friends and family, asking ... 481 2009-01-15T11:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-ups-and-downs-of-site-traffic So when I started blogging here in August, I told you all that I was going to have 20,000 monthly visitors by January. Now it's January. I might as well come clean. I'm not even close. But I'm moving in the right direction. Here's a screen shot of of Google Analytics, from Nov.--when I started the new blog on Wordpress--to now. As you can see, things have been up and down but, overall, the trend is up. Back in early November, I was getting about 100 people a day. In Decmeber, I start... 476 2009-01-13T01:50:48Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/the-web-we-weave-part-1 Tangent Alert: This morning I was sidetracked by a little investigation into site/blog rankings and ended up on Technorati. (OK so maybe I'm a little behind on my policing of the blogosphere.) I used Technorati probably 6 or 7 years ago at my previous employer, but haven't really been back. Anyway, I found my Beyondus blog was already indexed there. What is Technorati? "Technorati was founded to help bloggers to succeed by collecting, highlighting, and distributing the online global con... 464 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-01-09T18:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/the-platinum-is-within-you At the start of a New Year, it's typical to consider getting rid of the old way of doing things. The logic is that, from a new piece of technology to a new shoe, if something is new, it's also probably better. Hence, we say: "Happy New Year," or "2009 is going to be my year," implying that the new year brings with it better times. One of the results of this thinking is a plethora of new programs: Join my Platinum Club! Join my Inner Gold Circle! The promise of some new system that will make ... 463 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2009-01-09T13:07:34Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/working-with-your-dh I'm not sure how many of the rest of you women entrepreneurs out there have taken the plunge not just in marriage, but also in business with your husbands. I did. We married in 2001 and started the business in 2002. Some days I think I am utterly out of my mind, and some days I wouldn't have it any other way.  Me and Alessandro - June 2006 But in the end I have come to terms with the fact that it is VERY easy to spend TOO MUCH time with your spouse. It started out great - n... 460 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2009-01-08T20:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/thought-i-had-more-but-10-it-is So I know you've all been asking how many PR mentions Esculon has gotten so far. I looked back at all my blog posts here on STS and counted 10. Thought I had more but I guess not. Well, I do have one more that I just recently discovered. You might remember Count Me In from my first few posts. They partnered up with small businesses and SheFinds to raise money for women entrepreneurs. From my deal, I ended up with a mention from SheFinds and most recently another from Count Me In at MakeMeA... 456 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-01-08T03:06:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/why-i-write-for-free-part-2 Many months ago, I noticed a bunch of HARO (Help a Reporter Out) queries that said, "Looking for guest bloggers...." I thought: "I can't believe these people! They are actually advertising that they want us to write for them for free! The nerve!!"* Apparently Peter Shankman, the guy who runs HARO, thought the same thing. He eventually banned people from posting "looking for guest bloggers" queries. I applauded his ruling at the time, but now I really wish he hadn't done it.Why?I now want to g... 449 2009-01-07T00:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/why-i-write-for-free-part-1 Among freelance writers, blogging and guest posting are quite controversial topics. The debate has two sides, or camps.The Write-Only-for-Money Camp: "It's bad enough that some writers are willing to work for pennies. Now you bloggers are putting your stuff out there for free. Do you realize that if you keep doing that, no one will want to pay any of us anything?! We will all starve. Is that what you want? Is it?"The Write-What-We-Want-Even-if-We-Don't-Get-Paid Camp: "But blogging is really f... 439 2009-01-05T01:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/big-bold-announcement Ladies, We just got back a fun and much-needed vacation, and now I am energized for a phenomenal 2009 for all of us! Do you see the "Laugh Often" tee that I'm wearing from Premium Member Andreea Ayer's Tees for Change? That's my New Year's resolution-- to have fun and laugh as much as I can in 2009! And what about you? What are your 2009 resolutions? What would make you excited if you could accomplish anything in 2009? List them below and declare your intentions to the universe! BIG + ... 426 2009-01-02T17:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/it-can-t-get-better-than-this-can-it I've just gotten the best testimonial and PR mention in one...a great way to end a year. Or maybe a great way to start the new one. Judith is a fellow blogger and Astorian who became a customer totally by accident. She actually mentioned me on her list of "Best of 2008." Needless to say, I'm very flattered and excited at the same time. And being that it's so good, I thought I'd share it with you: "Esculon Jewelry - I've been hooked on Alexandra Mihaescu's funky jewelry designs. She makes co... 425 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2009-01-02T03:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/resolution-3-make-time-for-me [First, a quick side note... my resolutions here are more personal resolutions for making me a happier, more successful business owner (and person in general). I also submitted a more business-focused resolution in response to a HARO query and it was published on the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur blog. See #21! Now I'm really on the hook this year!]   Anyway, my final resolution here is probably the most important one because it so directly relates to my sanity. I need to learn how to make... 422 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-31T18:59:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/in-2009-i-resolve-not-to-lose-my-mind Thanks to Karen Renzi, fellow STS blogger, for encouraging me to think about resolutions. I've been procrastinating this task. Today is New Year's Eve.What will I resolve to do in the next year?That question leads me to ask another question, "Is a resolution different from a goal?" For instance, I already have about 378 goals for next year: Write two guest blogs a month (more on this in another blog) Break down my memoir into a book proposal, get over my fear of rejection, and sen... 421 2008-12-31T17:59:05Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/resolution-2-focus Both of my parents are school psychologists. You can guess where this is going - yes I was a guinea pig for new testing kits more than once, used as an example in my dad's parenting classes, and most relevant to this post, they always thought I was "borderline" ADD. I agree that attention is not my strong suit. I am easily distracted and often try to do a million things at once. Combine this with my tendency towards perfectionism (which is more a hindrance than a help as others who suffer fr... 418 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-30T14:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/stop-spending-start-writing That's my advice to myself, but I can't seem to be able to follow it. I'm stuck in a spending frenzy. Everything's on sale and I just can't help myself.  Did I really need new drinkware from Crate & Barrel? No, but they were $.50 per glass...how could I not?? And did I really need more work clothes? Martin & Osa got me with their $15 button-down shirts! I can't seem to stop.  And now I've had an unforseen expense come up that I just won't be able to avoid. My gorgous new j... 417 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-12-30T13:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/resolution-1-think-positive I've been doing a lot of introspection over the last few months - much of it thanks to and with the support of the ladies here at STS. What started as a pretty straightforward goal (formalize a business plan) has become some kind of quest to reassess myself, put it in relation to the business, and yank it all into alignment. Let me tell ya, this introspection stuff is hard work. Changing the way I think about things is hard work. Making time to think about the fundamentals, and allowing myse... 414 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-29T19:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-build-blog-traffic-with-a-contest I've wanted to hold a contest at Project Happily Ever After for a while. After all, all of the blogging experts keep telling me that contests are one of the fastest ways to build exposure for a blog. Yet, I've been stymied for many months. What should I give away? How do I figure out who wins? How do I make sure people ever find out about the contest in the first place? Now, after months of reading about contests and studying other people's contests, I've created a strategy. I will write abou... 411 2008-12-28T14:05:37Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/swiss-mac-cheese-recipe In honor of all the friendships that we've made through Savor the Success, wqe'd like to share with you the best Swiss Mac & Cheese recipe ever! Marc has been making it for years, a special recipe that he adapted from his Swiss grandma. It's been a family secret for years... and now we are sharing it as our gift to you. On Christmas Day, we always put out a lot of comfort food on the table so everyone can just eat whenever they want. This Mac & Cheese is always the first t... 406 2008-12-25T23:54:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/re-branding-beyondus Even though I own a marketing business, I am my own worst client. Probably the single most important piece of my "long overdue" business plan is to get down on paper my OWN marketing plan. Somehow it's much harder to get it done for myself than it is to do it for clients. Anyway, I decided to look at things from the most basic perspective: what is our own Brand? While I am still working out our USP and deciding on positioning, we have done some work looking at the characteristics that defin... 397 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-22T16:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/stumbleupon-101 I've probably learned everything I know about StumbleUpon in much the same way I've learned about Twitter--by falling on my face. To prevent you from scraping your knees up, too, I thought I'd offer up all of my hard earned tips here. StumbleUpon is one of many social bookmarking sites. To get started, you need to use either Firefox or Internet Explorer. Don't even think about trying to use SU with Safari. It just won't work. To get started, you go to this page http://www.stumbleupon.com/ ... 385 2008-12-19T18:20:04Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/a-magazine-junkie-gone-crazy I am obsessed with magazines. Yup, I am a compulsive magazine buyer. I love them...all of them: fashion, business, cooking, crafts. I could go on and on. Do you know what I mean?? I know I can't be alone! I buy different ones each time, with the hopes of learning something new. If I end up loving it, I subscribe! Maybe that's why my mailbox is 85% filled with magazine and catalogs and the rest is junk mail. So what's a girl with obsessive compulsive magazine disorder and entrep... 381 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-12-18T17:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/get-rich-inside   Ladies, How are your holiday sales for products or services going? If you are like the rest of the world— from major companies to start-ups— I’m hearing all around that you wish it could be better. I’ve been thinking lately what tremendous gifts there are to struggles—especially money struggles. This is where you find out just how rich your creativity and imagination are. It’s a time to develop and strengthen what’s going on inside. I was ... 374 2008-12-17T21:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/the-end The Office Christmas Party (I'm in the blue dress). Don't ask.   As you can see in the picture above, these last days before Christmas have been a bit hectic. But I've finally found a chunk of time to celebrate with all of you. I DID IT! I REACHED MY GOAL! I RE-LAUNCHED SARAHCENTRIC!! I made an error two STS blogs ago when I said this goal had taken me 9 months. Hello?! I started blogging here in August! That means I re-designed my blog and tripled my readership in only 5 month... 370 2008-12-16T16:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/death-by-to-do-list I wanted to get A LOT more done today. I wanted to get so much done that I nearly started my work day last night. Thankfully, I listened to the part of my body that said, "You want to do what?! Nuh-uh sister. Your pillow is calling." So, at 7 a.m. this morning, I had 9 things on my to-do list. Granted, I always write 3 items on my to-do list that I have no intention of accomplishing. I just put them there in the event of a space time miracle. If I find that the rest of the items are crossed... 366 2008-12-15T20:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/esculon-s-making-moves Lately, most of my PR and blog mentions have been coming from within STS...how cool is that? This week, it was Lisa Robbins of City Living Baby who included Esculon into her jewelry showcase post! Thanks Lisa! Also, I need some help...I've been pretty busy trying to update the blog, which is now my official website. A few weeks ago I added a complete shopping cart function and now I've customized the home page. I'd love it if you guys could give me some feedback on the new home page and i... 365 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-12-15T18:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/diy-pr-successes Much has been said on STS about using DIY PR tactics. I just wanted to chime in on a couple of my recent experiences. A little "savoring success" for a Monday afternoon.   --- I respond to any HARO query that I feel I can give an on-topic pitch for. I don't expect to hear back from many, if any, of the reporters - though typically if they are interested they email for more. However, this weekend I discovered a BIG quote from one of my HARO responses posted here on Careerbuilder.com. T... 364 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-15T17:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/everything-i-know-about-internet-lingo-i-learned-from-thinking-too-hard Experts say that mental challenges keep our brains young. If that's really true, I figure I've subtracted at least 7 years off my brain's biological age during the past 4 months that I've been blogging.How could I not have? Not a day goes by that I don't confront some word, expression, or abbreviation that completely stumps me. For instance, a few months ago, I was surfing around a mom's networking site. I'm a mom. The other women on the site are moms. I figured we'd all speak one another's l... 357 2008-12-12T16:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/move-over-qvc-indie-shopping-tv-is-here Click. Chat. Buy. Have you ever tried to get on a nationally televised home shopping show only to discover that you have to pony up thousands of dollars of inventory in order to be considered? As a small business, it's great to have millions of eyes on your products, but who can afford to produce that much inventory for a show with no guarantee that all of it will be sold? And then, if it's not sold, you have to cover the cost? Indie Shopping TV to the rescue! Indie Shopping.TV is a live o... 353 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2008-12-11T17:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/nyc-holiday-cocktail-party-recap-photos Someone described it well in an email to me: It was blustery, windy and cold outside. But inside, there was such warmth of spirit and good cheer. You could see people truly savoring the success. Thank you to everyone who attended, thank you to our rock star vendors, and thank you to the press who wrote about us. Business Week said of the event, "... it was good to see entrepreneurs coming together to give each other a needed boost. That's a smart strategy for tough times - and a fitting wa... 352 2008-12-11T15:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/life-s-roadblocks-magnified-for-the-entrepreneur You may have noticed I've been MIA for several days. There is an explanation for this: my grandmother passed away last week. She was 97 and essentially uncommunicative for about 2 years, so it was somewhat expected and in a way a blessing for her. However, her passing, in addition to being emotional of course, dealt a blow to my work and business. As entrepreneurs, we often wear many many hats and carry much of the business ourselves - so sometimes even a small glitch in our life can have a ... 349 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-12-10T15:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/i-m-losing-track If I'm losing track of PR mentions, that's a good thing right? =) I'm pretty sure I haven't reached my goal of 15 mentions yet, but I just got a new one. Once again from a PR Opp right here on STS, from an STS member!  Kristina Quinones, editor of MamaDivas.com, included me in her Gift Guide! I am now part of the "beautiful, thoughtful gifts your wife or girlfriend will adore." Thanks Kristina! By the way, for anyone who missed this Monday's party, you should definitely try to make i... 348 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-12-10T14:57:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/now-is-the-time   My dear Savor the Success friends, the new Sarahcentric is officially here!  The grand opening was a bit delayed, but today I am determined to make the most of this new site.  Ladies, I need your help.  I wouldn't ask you if I thought I could do it on my own. But then again, I suppose I wouldn't be a member of this very excellent group at all if I thought that, huh?  Your support has meant so much over the past 9 months and this one last push for me would make al... 347 2008-12-10T13:15:04Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-escape-from-chinese-fingercuffs Ever had your index fingers stuck in one of these bamboo cylinders? It's an anxiety producing experience. You pull and pull and pull and the dang thing gets tighter and tighter and tighter. You give up and sob your eyeballs out because you think your only escape entails chopping off your index fingers.Yet as you mourn the eventual loss of your fingers, a strange thing happens: you escape. Just.Like.That.Indeed, the secret to getting out of Chinese Fingercuffs is the Art of Not Struggling. The... 342 2008-12-09T19:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/it-s-up-it-s-up Lots of hooting and hollering these days, both cranky and happy. But today it's definitely a happy hoot:-) If you go to Sarahcentric, more likely than not you will see the brand new blog! YAY!!! (Ok, I'll stop yelling now). I finally straighted on out the whole DNS server/Domain Transfer mess I made. But still, it can take a few hours, days for everyone to see the new site. It has somethig to do with ISP stuff. All I know is that ALL of my friends and family could see the site yesterd... 339 2008-12-09T12:16:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/these-women-are-hot-hot-hot Last year at this time, I was somewhere in CA, waking up wondering where the heck I was.  I was on tour, everyday in a different city or town getting more and more miserable.  200 days on the road last year!  Can you imagine that much time away from your family?  Yes, it was getting old.     This morning, I woke up next to my husband and Ella, our yellow pup, in my own apartment here in Manhattan.  I felt so excited for our Holiday Cocktail Party tonight. ... 331 2008-12-08T13:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/ughhhhhhhhhhhhh Soooooooo, I pretty much have no idea when my new site will be up. The story is boring and irritating I can hardly bear to tell it.  But since this blog is all about learning from one another, I need to share my sad and sorry tale.   Basically, my developer guy and I planned on transferring the domain on Friday evening.  We assume this would all happen within 24-48 hours so that we could test everything out for the weekend and have a bright and shiny new site for everyone to ... 328 2008-12-08T00:32:34Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/the-final-countdown End of the hike, Appalachian trail last summer   Holy s--t. I am freaking out. Seriously. This is last day of the old Sarahcentric wordpress template, and the last quiet days before next week's big Sarahcentric re-launch. I feel crazy! I am second-guessing the entire design. I am petrified that no one will show up on Monday to enter the giveaway or even say hi. And honestly, I have no idea why I am even doing this! How did I get here?! I've done all the work trying to figure... 325 2008-12-05T12:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/everything-i-know-about-twitter-part-2 This is just a short addendum to my last post, "Everything I learned about Twitter I learned from being a screw up." First, I thought of one additional piece of Twitter knowledge that I learned from screwing up. It's this. RT = Re tweet. If You see an RT at the front of someone's post, that means they are passing some other person's post forward. I learned this when I--stupidly--responded to someone's tweet with the information her  RT had asked for, and then she DMed me, telling me th... 322 2008-12-04T17:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/are-you-my-number-1-fan Old pic from the Cape that might go in my new "About" section   I'm sorry.  My new site looks so rad I cannot even take it. I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!! The creative on the site is totally locked and done.  (awesome.)  All plugins and widgets have been added. (super) And all of the blog margins are where they are supposed to be. (thank you, GOD!)  My tech guy Andrew has been so patient with all of my boring and detailed questions about domain mappi... 319 2008-12-04T12:49:15Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/yes-commenting-on-other-blogs-works When I read all those blogging blogs out there, one of the first things I learned was to find blogs I loved and start commenting on them. You obviously have to comment within the subject…don’t do something like the guy who left me the latest comment on my Spa Day Giveaway post: “Great website, I love the look of your blog.  Any ideas you have to improve my site?” Thanks Tim…I’d love to check out your hemorrhoid treatment blog! Anyway, even though ... 318 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-12-04T12:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-can-make-friends-online-and-you-can-too First things first. I promised someone important that I would do this. Check out Storked! on Glamour.com. That will make sense soon.But first, a story.About 6 months ago, I attended a wine and greet for the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). I had a lot in common with everyone in the room. We were all writers of one type or another, and we were all attending the ASJA conference.You'd think, among networking functions, this one would have been cake.So not. Within 5 seconds of ... 316 2008-12-03T12:28:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/everything-i-know-about-twitter-i-learned-from-being-a-screw-up Really, it's true. I'm the type of person who does not read instruction manuals. I'm the type of person who says, "New swimming pool? I'll test the waters by jumping off the high dive." Well, maybe not that type of person, exactly, because I have an intense fear of heights, but you get the idea.So, when I first read that Twitter was the new Facebook, I thought, "Well, I better see what this is all about." I typed Twitter into Google. I created a profile, and I sent my first tweet. (That's Twi... 315 2008-12-02T20:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/december-8-2008 My favorite socks for laying around over Thanksgiving weekend.   Sorry it's taken me so long to get back over here.  I was swept away in the Thanksgiving madness! But I'm back in the city detoxing with oatmeal and water, ready to deliver to some kick-ass news. It's official. Sarahcentric will re-launch on December 8th, 2008!!!  Not only is December 8th, the date of the Savor the Success holiday party, it is also my Mom's birthday.  This has to be good luck, yes? Yes? ... 309 2008-12-01T12:28:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/i-am-thankful-for-karen-s-version I've been formulating this thanks list in my head over the last day or two (great minds think alike, Alisa!)... In my Professional Life, I am thankful for... My patient supporters and mentors, who even signed their names to my strengths & weakness assessment. The wonderful STS community. This is the first time I've committed myself to a social network and I think I picked the best one out there. I can't express how great it is to have the extended support of the women here - who even... 303 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-28T20:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-m-thankful-for It's that time of year when we all take note of the goodness in our lives. This year I think it's particularly important to do so, as so many negative forces are attempting to drag us all down. When I look back at my life just one year ago and compare it to my life now, I'm thankful for: Taking control of my career destiny Finishing my memoir Establishing my blog Getting quoted on cnn.com, Pregnancy magazine, iparenting.com, and a few other outlets. Meeting... 301 2008-11-26T18:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/why-penelope-trunk-is-my-new-blog-model Way back in August, when I first started blogging, a friend told me about Penelope Trunk. "She mostly blogs about career stuff, but she also writes about her personal life. She's my favorite blogger. You should check her out."I did. At first, I wasn't impressed, but that was mostly because the initial blogs I read were 100 percent Penelope's bread and butter: career advice. I feel like I should make one of those top 10 lists that says, "You know you've made it when..." Because one of my answe... 297 2008-11-25T14:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/a-manic-and-meandering-monday I'm beginning to recognize that my work life tends to move in a sort of pattern. I'm hoping that writing it down here will help me kickstart out of it...so my work "states of being": 1) A Flurry of Activity. Like a bunch of meetings all at once, or as with last week, speaking engagements. This is generally a great time - I love presenting and feel like I am getting somewhere in these busy weeks. 2) "Disaster" Assessment and Paralysis. Ok, maybe a little dramatic since no disasters... 296 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-24T20:41:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/pr-orders-new-website-features It's been a crazy week and I almost forgot to tell everyone here about it. All I can say is thank goodness Angela sends out her weekly emails otherwise I would forget to check the PR Opps that are right in front of m face! One of the last emails she sent out had some "holiday gift guide" opportunities that I jumped on right away and as a result I'm already listed on one of them. Check out Jo-Lynne's Holiday Gift Guide on Musings of a Housewife. I've also decided to merge my blog and website ... 292 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-11-22T17:47:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/want-to-be-a-vendor-at-the-holiday-event-of-the-year Calling all female entrepreneurs who want a chance to showcase their products at the Savor the Success Holiday Cocktail Event!  Want to be a vendor and create your own beautiful “boutique” in one of Delluva Spa's treatment rooms? Holiday shoppers and members of the press will be perusing all of the "boutiques" to get their gifts this season!  There are only SEVEN spots available.  You can pair up with a friend and apply together.  Please email us by Tuesday, No... 288 2008-11-21T16:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/another-way-to-use-haro It's so weird how much I'm enjoying this stuff. My most recent brilliant idea was to write a super comprehensive article on the best marketing & PR ideas. So you know what I did? I put a request for ideas through HARO! Yes, everyone who uses HARO for PR leads can also use it for story ideas. If you have an article you'd like to put together but need more sources, put a request through HARO! It will definitely flood your inbox but it's worth it.  Not only did I get some great informa... 284 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-11-20T13:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/now-for-the-mushy-advice Remember my last STS entry with the tips and tricks of the blogging trade?  Well, Patti Digh paid attention to none of that, and still produced a beautiful and ultimately successful blog. Patti is the author of Life is a Verb; 37 Days to Wake-up, Be Mindful and Live Intentionally.  Patti was inspired to write this "soul-help" book when her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer and sadly died 37 Days later. Patti has one of those awesome blogs to riches stories; a publisher foun... 283 2008-11-20T12:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/happy-about-what-is-vs-what-will-be I was reading Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist today. One quote popped off the page and resonated with my entire being: "As I publish this today, I remind myself to be happy about what feels good, right now, instead of focusing on what I want to change right now. Wherever we are in life, we have two, separate lists, and we can choose which to focus on at any given time. Here's three cheers to choosing the happy list for the day." Thanks for the great reminder Penelope. I soooo needed it. ... 282 2008-11-20T12:19:18Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/gotta-write-a-blog-gotta-write-a-blog Do you ever have those weeks where you feel like time is playing tricks on you? You know, reducing a minute to 50 seconds instead of 60 or something... before you know it the day's over... Well that's my last week. I signed on a new client 3 weeks ago to the day. They REALLY needed to launch the company fast and make their "debut" at a conference that's TODAY. So, I think in record time, just 3 weeks, we designed a logo, designed business cards, wrote an event marketing plan for the con... 277 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-19T20:05:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/in-love-with-my-business-cards My business cards for my blog have FINALLY arrived: all 2500 of them. These have been a long time in coming. One, it took me forever to decide what I wanted them to say and look like. Then I needed to wait for my brother to design them. Then I kept screwing up the online ordering process. The poor people at the company that made the cards had to cancel THREE of my orders before I finally ordered and paid for what I wanted. Then, you know, the pony express had to deliver them. But they arriv... 271 2008-11-18T15:05:28Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/the-time-of-day Timing, Timing, Timing. It's all about the timing. You know what, totally true...especially when it comes to blogging and social media. Now that I've been blogging regularly, I've developed some strategies about when to publish new entries, and what type of entries they should be. There is nothing scientific about my findings, but I do know that my stats have improved dramatically since I have developed my own little system. Here are some quick tips Find out which days your site is dead... 266 2008-11-17T06:27:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-be-internet-popular The American Society for Journalists and Authors (ASJA) has asked me to serve on the Social Media panel for the spring conference. It will be me, Peter Shankman, and one other person.I'm so flattered that I don't know what to do with myself. I also have this incredible "I've made it" sensation because: I'm on a panel with Peter Shankman! Peter is the epitome of social media grace. In fact, I learned most of what I do from studying him. Note: if you don't know Peter, he's the guy who estab... 264 2008-11-16T23:52:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/egggggs-cellent ...My diabolical plan to re-launch Sarahcentric is coming together puuuuh-fectly!   We are so close to the new and improved Sarahcentric I can taste it.  And ya' know it tastes like graham cracker coffee;-)  Chris Ammons and I are locked as far as the creative and it's just dreamy.  Now our vision, (and when I say "our" I really mean Artsy Chris' vision) is in the hands of Computer Guy Andy.  I'm sure there's an actual name for his job, but I've never been much for s... 258 2008-11-13T19:24:51Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/learning-to-pace-myself So when I took on this personal project, my main goal was to garner 20,000 monthly blog visitors by January. When I first told Angela--the Savor the Success goddess--about that goal, she asked, "Are you sure that's realistic?" I wasn't sure of anything. Honestly, I'd picked that number randomly. It sounded good. I figured that if Dooce could get 850,000, then I could get 20,000. Yeah, that's about as much thought as I'd put into it. As my traffic increased throughout August and September, i... 257 2008-11-13T15:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/2-months-later-pr-success Back in September I wrote a post about the DOs and DONTs of pitching and if you read it back then you know it was inspired by my pitch to a lead I found on HARO. Well it turns out that 2 months later, Dina Fierro decided to write her "Designer's Choice" post on yours truly! Not only is she the editor of her own blog, Eye4Style, but she's also a contributing writer for JuliB and AM New York among others. Yes, she's quite an achiever herself! That said, please check out the feature she wrote... 250 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-11-10T20:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/valuing-yourself-our-own-pricing-evolution STS blogger Deena Burgess wrote a blog today that might as well have been under my name "Am I shortchanging myself?" She asks (excerpts from her blog), "How do you know if you're charging enough?...I wonder sometimes if I should be charging more...The whole philosophy behind my practice is that I feel that all small businesses should be able to protect themselves the best way possible...It's why I do flat rate packages and why I try to keep my rates low.  And that's great....But is it po... 249 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-10T16:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/the-women-of-sts Most of you know all about the Gift Fest and some of you have even helped promote it. Today I'd like to throw a little spotlight on the STS women who are currently participating in the hopes that you'll all support them and check out their giveaways. Enter to Win: a WELLalarm gold vermeil heart charm from Stephanie! Enter to Win: A Lucky For Baby organic mommy and baby gift set from Nichole! Enter to Win: Liz's OriginOne Signature Thermal Shirt Enter to Win: A subscription to ... 247 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-11-10T11:45:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/well-then-am-i-going-to-work-at-mcdonalds I met with my business coach yesterday. One of the main things I've been thinking about is how to make a decision about whether it makes sense to hire an assistant for us. I spent the time between our meetings working on a cost/benefit analysis, listing tasks I would reassign to an assistant and adding things that just aren't getting done now because of the lack of hours in a day.   Generally speaking, between my husband and I, most of the "clerical" work falls to me - both for the bus... 243 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-08T02:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/embrace-failure-aka-check-out-my-new-site Someone at STS once encouraged me to Accept Greatness. Today, I was reading about blogging, and one of the tips recommended "embracing failure." It REALLY resonated. After all, the past few weeks haven't been my most successful. I won't recount ALL of the failures, but .... * My hosting company deleted my entire website. * I worked my rear off (well, I really worked it ON considering how much desk chair sitting was involved... but who's looking at my butt anyway?) to write an essay for NYT... 240 2008-11-05T19:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/the-big-day I ain't gonna lie...I wasn't planning on posting here today.  I had to find a way to burn off this nervous Election Day energy!  I can't focus for more than three minutes on one thing before I run to MSNBC or politico.com. My most recent Sarahcentric post is just a stream of election eve freakout consciousness.  We're at the end here, folks.  I'm sure we are all going to be happy and relieved when it's over.  But let's relish it today.  Get out and vote for your ... 237 2008-11-04T12:55:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/the-gift-fest-is-up-and-running After a long day of dealing with my hosting company, everything is running smoothly. So early this morning I posted the very first edition of The Gift Fest blog carnival.Before I go on and on, let me explain the concept a little more. A blog carnival is where bloggers discussing a similar topic get together in an effort to increase traffic and readership for their blogs. Normally, there are four roles to be played in a blog carnival: 1. the organizer 2. the bloggers3. the hosts4. the... 236 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-11-04T12:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/pen-to-paper-on-the-plan For those of you who may not know or remember, my goal for this blog is to complete a long overdue business plan. Tonight I finally started an official document to corral all the stats, descriptions, and other information currently housed in various documents, accounting programs, presentations, and last but not least - my head.   I had some sample plans from the SBDC but I wanted to start with a full out Word doc template. So of course I started with a Google search and ended up ... 235 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-11-04T04:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/me-the-recovering-bobblehead It's been two weeks since I met with Bill McGowan at Clarity Media Group for media training. I promised to tell you all about it, like, well, two weeks ago. Then I almost got on national TV only to not get on national TV. Then I got mired in depression. Then my website crashed. So here I am two weeks later to tell you about media training! I scheduled four hours with Bill for three reasons. First, my publicist suggested it. Second, I did a radio interview not too long ago and when I listened... 233 2008-11-03T18:26:12Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/sarahcentric-redux The new Sarahcentric 2nd pass, so close!   Check out Chris Ammons' latest version of my new blog design.  I am so in love I can't stand it!  If you check out the first pass, you'll see that the basic creative execution is still the same.  The biggest change is the website Navigation section.   It was originally designed on another one of those tea-stained pieces of paper.  But I felt that this section really needed to pop since a site's navigation is so impo... 224 2008-10-31T14:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/holiday-catalogue-participant-list-announced Ladies, The Gift Committee has met and released the participant list!  We received over a hundred amazing packages, and unfortunately, due to space, we could not include all submissions this year.The committee was asked to divide the gifts into categories (jewelry, fashion, bath & body, etc.) and based their decisions on the following criteria:1.  Is it an appropriate gift for the holidays?2.  Would I give this as a gift to friends or family?3.  Is the website user-fr... 217 2008-10-31T13:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/i-want-to-be-on-allure-com Am I a stylish woman?? Well even if I wasn't, I would pretend to be to get on Allure.com! So as you can tell, I'm excited about this one. I'm going to spend the weekend playing dress up and taking pictures of my outfits. Not only am I dressing up for Allure.com but I'm also dressing up for Halloween! I'm going to be a Geisha and Londy's going to be a ninja. Anyone else dressing up? By the way, in case you have no idea what I'm talking about - it's the latest and greatest PR opp from STS for ... 220 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-31T00:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/identifying-personal-strengths-and-weaknesses As part of working towards solidifying our business plan, I've come to recognize that since I personally am such a huge part of what the business "is" (along with my husband), it makes sense to spend some time examining my own strengths and weaknesses.   I am using this in many ways - for example:  To zero in on a focus for our main messaging because what I do best can directly relate to what we do best, To determine if I can offload some of the tasks in my weak areas (current... 215 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-30T16:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/blogs-just-grow-up-so-fast Pumpkin Pie Bars, excellent treat from Joy the Baker.  Research for my fall blog! At first glance, this link may be the most boring thing you have ever clicked on. But if you take the extra second to head down to number 81 of Wordpress's Top 100 fastest growing blogs, you will see why I am so excited. I MADE THE LIST YESTERDAY!  HOLY COW! YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!  Another Best Day Ever! I could go through my usual list of why I think things are working now.  We all know how I ... 213 2008-10-29T19:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/remember-that-winning-pitch-i-told-you-about I haven't said a word about pitching in a while now, but remember that winning pitch I told you about a month ago? Well, the feature is finally up! For anyone not familiar with my goal, I'm trying to get 15 blog/press mentions before 2/1/09. This means it's 4 down, 11 more to go! So this feature is actually pretty cool. It's posted on Shop Like Anna, a shopping community-website for teens and tweens, and is meant to inspire future jewelry designers! Who would've thought I'd ... 210 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-28T17:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/what-i-learned-on-the-day-my-site-crashed I lost my website Thursday night. One moment it was there. The next, it wasn't. All that was left? A blue parking page that said, "This URL has just been purchased." I stared at that parking page for a while. I hit my refresh button a few times. And then panic set in. "It's gone? Gone?" I eventually learned that a misunderstanding between me and a sales person at my hosting company had caused them to delete my entire site. The next morning, my mother called. The stock market was dropping ... 205 2008-10-27T19:29:50Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/25-bloggers-joining-the-holiday-gift-fest Just a quick announcement today. So far I posted the giveaway blog carnival idea on STS, LWL and Alisa posted it on Twittermoms.com. I've received emails from at least 25 bloggers who would love to join. I'm very excited about putting this together! When it's all over, I'll make sure to post instructions, tips and stats for anyone who wants to start their own carnival. It can be done with any topic, not just giveaways. If you're a humor blogger, send emails to your favorite bloggers in the s... 201 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-26T18:43:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-the-success-holiday-catalogue It's been an amazing week receiving all of your submissions and samples for the 2008 Savor the Success Holiday Catalogue.  All I can say is that your talents and creativity amaze me.  Think about it... you are creating beautiful, gorgeous and creative products that comes from only YOU.  We are going to be distributing this catalog to thousands of people, including our STS database and to numerous editors.  We are asking all of you to send a PDF to your friends in order to ... 200 2008-10-26T16:23:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/sarah-s-favorite-things Seriously.  I'm obsessed with this hat.   I cannot tell you how psyched I am about the fall.  I am a fall professional!  In fact, next Monday an autumn celebration begins at Sarahcentric.  I'll be listing all of my essentials for this fall's Maximum Comfort needs.  That includes my recommendaton for the best cupcakes in NYC, the most adorable Coffee Cozies you have ever seen, my friend's excellent new book Crafternoon, and of course...my hat. I cannot wait to... 199 2008-10-24T19:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/when-did-being-sick-start-feeling-like-a-vacation Yesterday I spent most of the day in bed. Yep, I've been running so fast I thought I could outrun the germs my lovely daughters like to bring home. Not so fast after all. Anyway, I'm beginning to think it was a not so subtle hint from my body that I needed to slow down a bit. Shhh...don't tell anyone, but after my oldest was on the bus and my mother-in-law brought the baby to daycare (dh was sick too), I went back to bed and slept until 1:30. I don't think I've done that since college, or at... 198 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-24T16:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/did-i-walk-under-a-ladder-or-something Did a black cat cross my path? Did I break a mirror? What? What? What did I do? Ugh! Grrr!! Okay, so I'm not even going to go into the past four days. I've written about them in past blogs here. All I'm gonna say is this: not the best days of my business life. I mean, I KNOW: things could be much worse. I could be earning my living by dressing up as an elf for a holiday display. I know. I know. But still! This past week has not been my best. Well, tonight, the stress intensified when I a... 197 2008-10-24T01:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-m-so-almost-famous A quick recap for those of you who have not been reading along: I'm a ghostwriter who has been trying to break into real writing--memoir, first person, essay, blogging. I've been trying to promote my blog and build a platform for the book, which, thankfully, involve doing the same thing--PR. And earlier this week, I saw that Fox's national morning show was looking for moms who do not believe in spanking. (They also wanted spankers, but I don't fit into that group!) I fired off an email. An h... 194 2008-10-22T22:17:41Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/schleprock-day-part-2 I know you are all waiting to hear whether or not I'll be on national TV this Thursday. (You are all waiting to hear this, right? You follow my every movement, right?) Well, all I can say is this: I have no idea. None. My husband spoke with Blue. We are waiting to hear. Last I spoke to Blue, we were one of the top families under consideration. He also told me that Thursday -- the day they will supposedly do the segment -- is an eternity away. I guess in TV production time, one day = one year... 193 2008-10-22T02:15:33Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/the-best-worst-day-ever Alright.  I guess it was kinda my fault.  I was bound to crash from the high of serious Sarahcentric love I've been receving the past few weeks. Hits, subscriptions, and Twitter followers were up.  The re-design looked fantastic.  I even started writing a book.  Nothing could stop me now! But everything changed when I wrote about bagels.  Bagels.  F-ing BAGELS!  I wrote, what I thought, was a completely harmless and funny post about a run-in at my lo... 192 2008-10-21T19:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/join-the-holiday-blog-carnival What better time to give stuff away than the holidays? And what better way to attract customers and readers than fun contests and free stuff? I'd like to take a page or two from Lynn's book and organize some sort of blog tour. A little different than a tour, but close enough! I'd like to start a carnival...a giant, holiday giveaway carnival! I've never done a blog carnival before, and for those of you who are in the same boat: a blog carnival is basically a community of blogs, discussing t... 189 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-21T03:40:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/this-has-been-one-shelprock-day So this morning I was going to write a blog. It was going to be something about how I'm all done with The Dark Place, thank that Dark Place very much. I even walked my dog before starting work. It was sooo beautiful outside, and I decided to treat myself to some sunshine, crisp air, and movement. It was during that walk, however, that I encountered the first omen of things to come. The Jehovas were out--in force. I saw the women walking, two by two, up and down the driveways. It wasn't that... 188 2008-10-21T01:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/met-my-coach-and-got-homework For those of you who might not know, I am participating in a formal business coaching program sponsored through the Women's Business Center at Canisius College in Buffalo. I finally got a chance to meet one-on-one with my coach last week. So get used to hearing a lot about Valerie. She is a perfect fit for my personality - very down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and with a good sense of humor. I'm so glad she's not a slavedriver. It's Valerie's first time as a "coach" so she's learning too&nbs... 186 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-20T16:33:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/fractions-and-decimals-and-angles-oh-my There are five of me now...no, really! First there was Alex the girlfriend and Alex the emplyee. Then came Alex the entrepreneur, Alex the blogger and most recently, Alex the soon-to-be graduate student. Remember junior high, when you were learning algebra and geometry and you turned to your best friend and said "I hate math, it's not like we're ever gonna need this stuff when we're bigger!?" Turns out we do! At least I do. I need to re-learn all that math again to take my GMAT. It's not fun... 184 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-18T01:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-dark-place-part-2 First, I want to thank all of you who wrote me--either here in the comments area or privately--about your dark places. It does make me feel better to know that I'm not the only person who goes through this. Second, I started crying this morning--really for no reason. It's just going to be one of those dew-eyed days where the slightest thing sets me off. It made me realize that my dark period might be a little more chronic than I'd thought. I'd been blaming it on hormones until now. This is a... 182 2008-10-16T15:01:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/quick-check-in-before-a-slew-of-meetings I don't know what's in the air this past week. People must finally be starting to focus on marketing again now that back-to-school is over. Anyway, we've been getting a bunch of inquiries through our site and phone calls too - which is great. At any rate, I have a sales meeting booked this afternoon, 2 tomorrow, 1 Friday, and 1 next Tuesday. Add in an ABWA dinner meeting tonight (my first after being appointed vice president to fill the position for someone who stepped down, as if... 181 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-15T15:58:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-dark-place I've been in the dark place the past few days. If you've ever been prone to depression, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, I'll explain briefly. It's that place where everything feels wrong and nothing feels right. In my dark place: * My marriage was in the toilet * I was an idiot for thinking I could accomplish this dream * I was even more of an idiot for thinking that my husband would support it * And even more of an idiot for taking time away from my established payi... 180 2008-10-15T03:29:52Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/that-s-what-blogs-are-for I received an email from a new reader last night that was so freaking cute I had to share it with all of you. This reader is responding to an entry about my best friend Andrew.  I wrote about a ridiculously obscure inside joke he and I share that I thought no one could possibly understand.  It's a random quote from the movie "Peggy Sue Got Married".  Here is my reader's response. Hey SarahU dont know me, but...I have a pal named Doyle who, like u and Andrew, seem 2 be two halv... 179 2008-10-14T15:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/10-days-seriously I am so, so sorry I disappeared on all of you STS'ers! If I were to be featured in an episode of "The Twilight Zone", it would surely revolve around directing a shoot!  Let's just get right to it, shall we? The last time you heard from me I was hooting and hollering about my very Best Day Ever; a goal I can check off my Savor the Success list.  Traffic is steadily increasing. Subscribers via RSS and email are up. Other bloggers (not just friends) have added me to their blogrol... 175 2008-10-13T02:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/i-am-indie-business Sharing The True Meaning Of Indie Everywhere I go, people want to know what "Indie" means. Sometimes they think I must be somehow associated with the professional racing circuit. Other times, they know that "indie" means "independent," but they want to know more. I created this segment to share the 5 concepts upon which Indie is based.           If this helped you further define your own "Indie-ness," please leave a comment behind to let us know h... 173 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2008-10-10T23:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/donna-maria-coles-johnson/survival-of-the-fittest Darwin Was Right, In Nature and in Business In his book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Charles Darwin penned these words. [A]s more individuals are produced than can possibly survive, there must in every case be a struggle for existence, either one individual with another of the same species, or with the individuals of distinct species, or with the physical conditions of life. ... Although some species may be now increasing, more or less rapidly, in numbers, all... 172 info@indiebusinessmedia.com (Donna Maria Coles Johnson) 2008-10-10T23:39:44Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/surviving-the-recession It's too late to say we're heading towards a recession. We're already there! So I did a little research on what small businesses should be doing in times like these: Focus on your key customers rather than trying to attract new ones. Give them special discounts, send a personal note, invite them to lunch or anything else that might tell them you're always there if they need anything. Keep your brand in front of your target audience at all times by engaging in guerrilla marketing and... 170 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-10T19:03:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/talking-to-competitors I don't know if it's just me, but even though I know rationally that people in my same business would probably be able to give the best advice, AND that people are fundamentally good - I still always hesitate to talk to "competitors." Something just seems weird about talking to people who might be pursuing the same types of relationships with the same types of clients. What if they "steal" your prospect? Or use the information you share against you in the marketplace? And I've gotten some w... 168 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-10T13:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/my-experience-with-tim-gunn Hello, Ladies!As promised, here is the juicy behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to be stylized by Tim Gunn!     Hello! It's been a whirlwind year, and I can't think of a better person to lead the way for me than Tim Gunn. I thought it would be fun to share with you the juicy behind-the-scenes details of filming the show and my experience with it!How I got on Guide to Style I saw a call for the show, and having never seen an episode, I didn't actually know tha... 169 2008-10-10T12:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/i-ve-been-a-bad-girl It's been way too long since my last blog post. I didn't even realize how long until I sat down to write today. I started to think about why. So here I digress with a little self-psychoanalysis. (With 2 psychologists as parents, this tends to happen a lot.) So why? At first - the "go to" excuse: I've been too busy. But that doesn't ever REALLY fly, and that fact will never change. Show me a person who's not busy and I show you a person who's awfully boring. It's always a matter of prioriti... 166 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-10-09T15:28:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-shoehorn-saga-part-3 Well, Dad did manage to find a few shoehorns in his closet. We can trace them back to circa 1970. Not exactly an antique in my opinion. So EBay I went. As it turns out, antique shoehorns are quite easy to find. They are also quite affordable, considering David Sedaris and yours truly are probably the only two people in the world who actually are looking for this sort of thing. They range in price from 99 cents to a few hundred dollars. The higher priced ones were 14 K gold or silver. I ... 163 2008-10-08T20:49:07Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/shoehorn-sadness Well I told hundreds (if not thousands) of people about the shoehorn. I told so many people that I had this little fantasy about David himself hearing this nice little story, getting a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, and picking up the phone and calling me to thank me in advance. This is how I imagined the conversation going: Me: Hello Him: Hi Alisa? This is David Sedaris. I understand you are my biggest fan. Me: Who is this really? Is this some sort of cruel joke? Him: Um, no, this is rea... 161 2008-10-07T16:26:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/he-likes-it-he-really-likes-it So I opened email this morning and found a message from Mike (aka agent) that said,"Congratulations. It's great! Let's talk." Then I did laps through the house. Then I read the email again. Then I did a few more laps. I know, perhaps it shouldn't be a big surprise. I suppose I'm more surprised than you all are. But it's a huge relief. Just huge.  Now, that said, there are a few things he wants me to tinker with before sending the book out, but they are minor. Overall, it's there. I'm ... 159 2008-10-06T16:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/a-jewelry-blog-tour-help I've been inspired by the one and only Lynn Colwell. But, before I go into more details, let me remind you of my goal, which is to get 15 blog/press mentions in the next 4 months. So here I am, pitching like crazy to get to that seemingly unattainable 15, when low and behold, Lynn Colwell decides to do a blog tour introducing her book to the world. In just one month, Lynn got 40 bloggers to commit to posting a feature of her new book, Celebrate Green. Let's look at those numbers again: I'm tr... 158 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-10-06T15:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/he-s-reading-the-book So my agent has had my memoir for a month. He hasn't read a page. I know this because he happens to know all about my neurotic personality and occasionally takes pity on me by emailing me and letting me know, "Haven't gotten to it yet, but I will very soon." I'm not the kind of client who asks for much. I'm really not. Some people are squeaky wheels. Others are WD40. I'm the WD40 variety. But this week I got squeaky. One, I just couldn't stand it anymore. Two, I'm waiting on him to tell me t... 155 2008-10-04T17:55:02Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/could-i-be-any-more-exhausted Have you ever woken tired? That's how I've felt nearly everyday this week. At first I blamed it on the weather. Then I blamed it on hormones. Today, I woke with that acidic burn in the back of my throat, you know the kind one gets from post nasal drip. "Oh great, I'm getting sick," I thought. All I want to do right now is go back to sleep. I'm craving it. My body aches. My throat hurts. My eye balls ache. But I have a training session with Capessa in 20 minutes and if I take a nap right now... 153 2008-10-03T15:42:30Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/best-day-ever The door to my soul.   YESTERDAY WAS SARAHCENTRIC'S BEST DAY EVER!! Remember way back in August when I told you all about my previous Best Day Ever?  Susan Piver, (meditation teacher and writer), enjoyed a post I wrote about my practice. When she recommended it on Twitter, i enjoyed my first big day of hits.   A post about my refrigerator door was StumbledUpon by the Good Women of Savor the Success.  That little stumble pushed my stats into the stratosphere!  Sa... 152 2008-10-03T00:28:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/micro-biz-is-huge-biz Some of you might recall that I am flirting with the idea of writing up a second business plan for an idea I have that caters to the microbusiness market. Well, my new best friends, my SBDC counselor and the free SBDC research librarians, came through with some micro biz statistics for me so I can start to size up that market. Ready? Some numbers based on gross reported revenue - number of businesses in the U.S.: less than $500K in sales - 5,335,122 businesses between $500K and $1 million... 147 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-30T16:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-168-hour-work-week So, as I said recently, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My site traffic is very close to 2000 monthly uniques. Self magazine just indicated that they are interested in having me write "sex" articles for them. I'm doing relationship articles for American Baby. I am the relationship queen for Capessa. I'm so totally not a ghost writer any more. But with the success comes confusion. For one, one of the reasons my web traffic has grown so quickly is that I'm advertising on Google... 146 2008-09-30T03:51:44Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/accept-greatness These two little words are gems that I took away from something one of our clients, Didi (a life coach/therapist) once told me. At first blush, it might seem a very egotistic philosophy but in actuality it's very self-affirmational (is that a word?). You see, for those of us who struggle with perfectionism or being a control freak (quite common among STS members by the look of it), it's actually quite liberating to be able to simply ACCEPT GREATNESS - instead of striving for perfection, whic... 144 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-29T17:51:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/my-embolism-board Humble beginnings I am going to write a book. You heard it here first.  Unless you follow me on Twitter, which means you heard it there first. This is not really the big news.  Whatever, I'm a writer.  Writers write books.  Duh. Here's the big news ... I finally realized that I really am a writer. That sounds a little subtle, but believe me, without that belief it makes it very difficult to write a big ass book!  There is no question that the results of my past ... 142 2008-09-29T12:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/where-do-you-get-your-media-lists   As I learn, I make more lists...so here's another good one. The beginning of a PR Toolkit in the making. I like to keep these things around for my future reference, or anyone else's reference. First on the list are...Media Lists: To get attention from the media, your pitches and press releases must be targeted to the right people. If you're going to do it yourself you'll need at least one of these great resources.1. HelpAReporter.com a.k.a. HARO - not only valuable, but FREE. Peter Sh... 139 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-29T03:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/let-s-spam-the-spammer You know, I check my web email obsessively, almost as obsessively as I check my site stats. And when I log into the webmail for my site, I get REALLY excited if there are 5 messages waiting for me. That means 5 people commented on my site, right? I'm so popular! People love me!  So not. What's usually waiting for me are 5 messages that read like this: (This is a real message, by the way) Name: Lera  City: New York State: New York Email: milop@hotbox.com Comment... 136 2008-09-26T23:11:11Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/feeling-like-an-almost-somebody My agent emailed me this week, not long after I'd sent him a list of my PR activities (who'd quoted me, who I thought was going to quote me, and who I was trying to talk into quoting me). He asked, "Is your crisis of confidence over yet?" I don't remember exactly what was going on when the crisis started and I told him about it. Maybe I was having a bad site traffic day. Maybe a PR op had fallen through. It doesn't take much. Yet, he seems to be clairvoyant sometimes. He was so right that t... 133 2008-09-25T19:32:35Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/savor-the-success-members-on-fox-business-news Fox Business News just recently did a profile on Savor the Success!It shows why I started this network for all of you amazing women... check it out here.  (If video doesn't work, go here.)   Click the play icon to start! 131 2008-09-25T14:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/hey-that-s-my-template Final Sarahcentric stationery, jumping-off point for my new blog! Wordpress is cheating on me. I was doing some blog surfing a few weeks ago and clicked on a Hawt Post in the wordpress entertainment section, a Hollywood gossip blog. I was scandalized and not because of the latest Lindsay Lohan scoop.  They were using my blog template, "rounded"!!! How dare they!! Any reservations I had about spending a little time and money on a custom wordpress template went out the door. I'm not j... 130 2008-09-25T12:34:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/thank-you-ladies I have not fallen off the earth. It's been too long since my last post, but it's been one heck of a week. There are a zillion things I could blog about but the main thing I want to start with is THANK YOU. Thank you to the women in this STS community and thank you to the other strong business women who support me. I learn so much from everyone's blogs and posts and comments. And I appreciate getting to know you all here and your willingness to answer frantic questions offline (thanks Deena).... 111 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-24T18:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/rip-apart-my-winning-pitch I  recently scored a feature on another website and I'll share it with you as soon as it goes live. But, until then, I thought it might be a good idea to show you what my pitch looked like and get your opinion. This was a lead from HARO and my pitch went a little something like this... "Hi ______, I've been a HARO subscriber for a while now and I have yet to find a lead that matches my profile so perfectly! Thanks for making my day...   Well, a little about me: I founded Esculon... 128 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-24T15:29:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/talk-to-the-relationship-queen Well it's official. I just accepted a freelance position as The Relationship Queen for Capessa.com.  I have to say, I would have done it just for the title, but they are actually going to pay me, too. The site is currently under redesign, but my mug, bio and creative posts should be up in the relationship area of the site in early October. I'll be doing a regular Q and A column, editing and managing the other blogs, adding content, and who knows what else.  The site currently has ... 124 2008-09-22T19:13:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/creating-abundance-for-one-another There are so many amazing women right here at Savor the Success.  And many of them have some gorgeous products and services that you can give as gifts this upcoming holiday season!  Start thinking about supporting your Savor the Success friends while giving unique gifts that you can't find on every street corner.We are cooking up ways for Savor members to be able to showcase their products and services (let us know your ideas), but in the meantime, I am going to highlight some fanta... 123 2008-09-22T13:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/comments-anyone This may be the fastest blog ever. It was a pretty busy weekend which is about to launch into the a pretty busy week. If Guiness is reading, please let me know if this is a world record. Quick updates... -The Power of Twitter! Not only does Sarahcentric receive tons of comments and referrals from Twitter followers, it can also make for some great connections in the real world. This weekend, a Twitter friend in the know offered her personal help in selling an article I'm writing to a real-... 122 2008-09-22T11:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/site-uniques-hit-1000 Did I tell you just two days ago that my site traffic was dropping? Was I complaining that I couldn't do this, that I would never reach my goal? Was I sulking in a corner? All I can say is this: sad no more! No, I have something else to say: I LOVE THE LADIES AT STS. Thanks to those of you who stumbled my How To Teach Your Man to Romance You, my site stats are through the blogosphere. In just the past hour--that's right--HOUR--268 people have come to my site to check this story out, and t... 118 2008-09-19T19:47:59Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/run-on-the-bank They definitely had something to do with all of this! This will be a quick entry since most of my morning was spent hunting for the "run on the bank" scene from Mary Poppins.  I'm cooking up a Sarahcentric entry about the Wall Street crisis involving this scene.   Being a writer is weird. (Or maybe just being THIS writer is weird...) I haven't nailed it yet, but soon! Some quick thoughts/updates... *I'm feeling comfy and settled in my new writing schedule.  It dawned on me... 114 2008-09-19T12:24:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/organizing-and-prioritizing-for-pr-success-can-i-manage It's no use trying to do a million things at once. As much as I want to focus on PR, there are many other priorities to think about, such as updating the website, customizing the blog, and as Londy always says "don't forget about designing new jewelry!" As we've all figured out, to do PR the right way requires a lot of time and so far I think I've been doing it all wrong. I've been sending pitches here and there, emailing people haphazardly, tweeting inconsistently and blogging randomly. I... 112 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-18T20:39:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/when-in-doubt-do-something-about So yesterday I was a sad, dreary person. Today is a new day. Nothing new has happened. My site traffic did not double overnight. The Today Show has not called. A publisher did not discover me. My hair didn't lighten in my sleep. I just woke up and said, "I can do this." I used to have a shirt that said "Can Do" in big block letters. I have no idea what happened to it, but I'm wearing an invisible version of it today.  My morning pep talk was a short one. I asked myself, "What am I dow... 107 2008-09-18T15:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/oh-the-roller-coaster-ride So last time I wrote, I was floating above the Earth. I was feeling like a SOMEBODY. Today I'm feeling like a NOBODY, a nobody who will never reach her goals. I know this isn't completely rational. It's a mixture of hormonal issues (yes it is that time), lack of light (time to break out the light box), and overreacting in general. I know I'm obsessing over little things that don't matter, but I can't see to stop myself. The small things that I am obsessing over? Let's see. First, there's th... 104 2008-09-17T21:11:01Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/social-networking Many of you were interested in my success using Twitter to find new readers for Sarahcentric. It seems that most people advise to just jump in and start "Tweeting".  That's how I did it and it has definitely paid off.  I've made some great relationships with my followers and those whom I follow.  It has paid off with lots of comments on my blog, additions to their blogrolls and more Sarahcentric RSS subscriptions.  One of my twitter pals, Susan Piver, had this to say in he... 102 2008-09-17T12:19:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/chopping-trees-and-vote-on-my-new-pics Yes, we literally chopped down 2 trees yesterday at my house. Big ones too. We've known for months they needed to come down because they were dead and too close to the house for comfort. But somehow neither of us ever got around to calling the tree guy or organizing family to help. So a big windstorm took down a couple branches this week and we decided to just go out - my husband, a chainsaw, and me (primarily for moral support, chainsaws are a little outside my comfort zone) - and do it. ... 99 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-16T18:08:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/diagnosis-todolistosis Doctor, I'm baring my heart to you. Here are my symptoms (which probably apply to 90% of the women here from time to time): Sleep deprivation due to insomnia, light sleeping, early alarm. Brain paralysis, inability to organize thoughts. General malaise, fatigue. See "sleep deprivation" above. Tunnel vision - can only see the million things that need to get done. Inability to sit still, especially when there is still laundry to do (and there's always laundry to do.) Short temper, espec... 97 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-15T19:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/major-christmas-sales-coming-our-way This is off my topic of PR and goal, but it’s such a major event that I thought I should address it and see what the overall opinion is. Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest U.S. investment bank has just filed for bankruptcy. With debt listed at $613 billion, it’s the largest bankruptcy in history! And when you think about the fact that Lehman Brothers has been around for 158 years and even survived the Great Depression, it’s pretty mind boggling! We’ve also lost ... 96 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-15T13:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/zen-ning-out The last day of my first 5 day meditation retreat...all Buddha'd out. I got tons done this week/weekend and I somehow managed to not have a thrombosis about it. It is possible that sometimes I can be a bit melodramatic about all of the work I need to get accomplished.  The fact of the matter is it always gets done. Maybe it's not today, tomorrow instead...but still, the world will not cease to spin. When I focused on just finishing the task that was in front of me, it not only happene... 94 2008-09-15T03:48:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/chocolates-organic-baby-clothes-and-the-amazing-women-here It's Angela writing here...I want to share with you my favorite new finds here at Savor the Success.  I have discovered the best chocolates in the world.  I was perusing the members here and happened upon this profile, Alejandro from Romanicos Chocolate.  I contacted her, and two days later, a package arrived at my door.  Just opening the box was an experience.  The beautiful package had these amazing truffles with delicious names: Champagne Truffles, Sinful Amaretto,... 91 2008-09-13T12:37:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-go-i-go-i-go-girl Can you see me doing a little dance? Can you see me waving my arms? Jumping up and down? Today has been a good, good, good day (despite the rain).    Before I get to the good, I have to say: this risk taking and goal setting is like riding a roller coaster. Some days it all feels like a big uphill battle. Nothing seems to be going right. Daily site traffic might be down. Perhaps someone makes a passing comment that just isn't empowering (like the guy who told me the photos of me o... 89 2008-09-12T17:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/savor-the-success-founders/from-the-founders-of-savor-the-success This is our first joint blog entry as Co-Founders of Savor the Success.  A little about us.  We are a husband and wife team.  Angela is the CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) and Marc is the CTO (Chief Technical Officer).  Angela is the Founder and CEO of Om Aroma & Co., the luxury organic spa and skincare line.  She started this boutique social network because of her own needs as a business owner to learn how to strategically build her company and to create meaningf... 87 2008-09-12T12:18:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/blog-mention-2-for-esculon-jewelry Michelle Madhok, the founder of SheFinds.com, is also a contributing blogger on Real Simple Magazine's Simply Stated blog. In order to spread the word about the Count Me In organization, she also posted to Simply Stated and once again mentioned Esculon as one of the 51 designers participating in the fundraising. That said. I hope you all get a chance to check out Count Me In, because it's an organization soley devoted to women's independence, with the intent to help all of us gro... 85 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-11T15:14:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/vacation-all-i-ever-wanted                                              I heart pools. I cannot tell you how necessary my best friend, a hotel pool and roller coasters became by the time I left for Florida.  I knew I needed some sort of break from my new Sarahcentric writing., but I didn't KNOW until I was crying into a a quesadilla  and black beans at Burrito Box in mid-town Manhattan. &... 84 2008-09-11T12:07:39Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/dos-and-don-ts-of-pitching-to-the-media I've been sending out pitches left and right; some leads I found on HARO, some on STS, and others were straglers I found here and there. Although I haven't had much success yet, at least I'm meeting people! With one of my most recent pitches, I decided to ask the blogger what she didn't like about it. Dina Fierro, who writes two blogs (Eye4Style and AreYouABeauty) was very happy to help me out! It turns out she didn't think my pitch was "bad at all," but I asked her some questions anyway to ... 83 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-11T02:22:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-experiment-part-2 Thanks to everyone who helped with the Digg experiment! Here are the results. ** I got 9 Diggs, and I believe nearly all of them were from people I know personally or who I asked to Digg. Lesson Learned: If there is a tipping point where a few friends digging your site evolves into a digging frenzy, it either A) happens after 9 diggs B) requires a different type of blog or web material that what I've posted ** According to the stats, 14 people have clicked through from Digg. Um, not such a... 77 2008-09-09T18:43:40Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/a-meeting-of-the-minds-white-board-and-all So I scheduled and stuck to an internal meeting yesterday. In attendance: me, my husband/partner, our account manager Amy, and our intern Erin. In my mind, a huge part of this business planning process will revolve around better defining and focusing both what we offer and WHO we offer it to. Of course we would never turn away an interested client. But as we've learned over the last few years, the harsh truth is that if we want to maintain high standards of excellence in what we deliver, we ... 76 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-09T15:20:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/blog-mention-1 Hello ladies, I have great news! I found a wonderful opportunity a little while ago, which not only helps promote Esculon and my jewelry but also serves as a way to raise money for women entrepreneurs. Worthy cause, wouldn't you say? In exchange for a blog feature of the Melody Earrings, I have agreed to donate 15% of the proceeds from their sales to Count Me In, an organization that provides women with loans, educational resources and consultations.   This isn't the typical Press/... 74 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-09T02:38:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/please-help-me-conduct-an-experiment Ladies, I'm hoping you'll help me test the benefits of social bookmarking. I've been sending my blogs to social bookmarking sites like Digg, StumbleUpon and so on for a while, but I have hesitated to continually ask friends, family and random people on the street to vote for my blogs on these sites. I guess I'm a little shy. Perhaps I'm not so good at selling myself. Something about the whole idea of "vote for me" feels awkward. Thankfully, I have no aspirations to run for public office. Yet... 71 2008-09-08T17:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/i-just-pressed-send I just sent my 102,000 word, 367 double-spaced page baby a.k.a. The Marriage Memoir a.k.a. Project: Happily Ever After to my agent. I'm feeling a mixture of exhilaration (I finished it!), fear (will he think it sucks?), and relief (I finished it!). A recap for those who have not followed my story from the beginning: I'm trying to start a new writing career, using what I learned during the year I spent saving my marriage to 1) write and sell a memoir about that experience 2) write and promote... 68 2008-09-05T21:44:33Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/pricing-the-competition-there-must-be-an-easier-way There must be an easier way to get competitive intelligence on pricing than making "spy calls." I was a little disappointed earlier this week when the SBDC's research department got back to me on my question about competitive rates. My inquiry to them was as follows: "I'd be interested to see where we would fall in our pricing vs. other firms. We would align most closely with small/"boutique" marketing/design agencies I think, though I'd be interested to see large ad agency pricing, sma... 64 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-04T21:43:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/step-1-setting-the-pr-foundation It's back to the drawing board for me! Let me explain why...so you all know what my goal is - to launch a PR campaign. Of course, before I start something this massive I want to make sure I'm ready for it. I decided to speak to a professional in order to get a feel for where to start. So I called Inna Shamis, from AvantGarde Communications and the first thing I ask is "how many blog mentions do you think I can get??". That's just like me to be totally over zealous about everything! She gently... 63 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-04T19:15:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/blogging-101 Sometimes I really do things backward. For instance, I created a website blog without consulting a single how-to manual on the topic. Now that I've been blogging for a month, I decided to read my first two "how to blog" books over the weekend (I'm a speed reader when it comes to self help). Thankfully, according to the books, I'm already doing a lot right. I learned a few tricks, though, too. I thought I'd pass them on to you all, in case you find them just as useful. 1) If you want comments... 61 2008-09-04T17:52:51Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/warrior-mode Getting pumped before my 5th half-marathon. It's been tough this past week.  Remember the brilliant Sarahcentric production plan in my last blog?  Well I got news for ya, it's absolutely exhausting.  I still think it's the way to go; more frequent posting, hitting certain "release" times for the blog, etc.  But the deeper I go into this re-launch, the higher the mountain to great writing success seems to be! The more I write, the more I write, the more I write!  W... 59 2008-09-03T21:31:43Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/using-twi-what-that-thing-called-twitter When I first met with my publicist, she handed me a news article and said, "I have to be honest here. I don't know what this thing is but, I really think we both need to learn more about it." She was talking about Twitter. So, what does a gal with a new blog do? She races home, fires up her computer, types in Twitter, and says, "Exactly what is this thing anyway?" I need to say something right now before I go on much farther. I manage to get myself to learn and understand the latest and gre... 58 2008-09-03T18:43:47Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/found-out-who-my-official-business-coach-will-be I may win the award for the most impatient "coachee" in the Women's Business Center coaching program. I am happy that I have been able to keep Laurie, the director of biz dev there, highly entertained with my frequent "any news?" requests. Today Laurie called and let me know I am the first to find out which coach has been assigned to me for the yearlong program. Apparently only 2 of the 20 have been asking to know in advance! I guess the rest are content to wait until the program kickoff eve... 57 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-09-03T16:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alexandra-mihaescu/introducing-alexandra-founder-of-esculon Project: Get 15 blog/press mentions by launching a PR campaignGoal Date: February 1, 2009 Hi everybody! I'm Alexandra Mihaescu and I want to introduce myself as I join the rest of the official bloggers of STS. I am the Founder and Designer of Esculon, a NYC based jewelry design company. Esculon jewelry is designed for the fun professional woman and fits under the bridge category, which is means it's made with semiprecious gemstones and metals such as sterling silver, gold-plate and gold-fil... 54 mihaescua@gmail.com (Alexandra Mihaescu) 2008-09-01T22:11:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/2-hours-a-few-irritated-exchanges-but-1-budget-for-2009 I'm happy to report that last week my husband and I successfully collaborated on a tentative budget plan for 2009. This did not come easy. And it may be a little misleading to say in the title that we have "1 budget." In reality, we've completed 4 budgets. I'm sure a lot of you entrepreneurs out there can relate; this is the order in which we completed our budgets: The ideal business budget - ahhh, what we would do if the stars align and we bring in all the revenue we want. Paying ourselve... 52 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-30T21:09:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/how-are-the-ratings A few entries back, I mentioned how my experience in television production is spilling over to my new life as blogger. Angela asked that I elaborate, and that's what I am aim to do here. I do have to say that although I'll be discussing my work at Comedy Central, Comedy Central is NOT involved with either this blog or my work at Sarahcentric. Sorry my huge legal department asked that I make that clear;-)   Breaking down a shot with my DP and AD. Hand on chin, dramatic Here's the... 51 2008-08-30T15:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/pr-utopia This week I got confirmation that I will be quoted in articles that will appear in: * Iparenting.com * Cnn.com * Better Homes & Gardens (November) * Redbook (December)--this one is complete with photos! Who-hoo! I've only been actively doing PR for about a month. I'm, of course, doing cartwheels. All of these came about because of HARO (helpareporter.com). If you want exposure and you are not on HARO, I highly recommend it. It's free. You can't beat that. I learned about HARO f... 49 2008-08-29T20:48:24Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/just-one-more-day-until-intern-heaven Has it really been 6 days since I last wrote? These days are just flying by. My husband's grandmother is now back in Italy :(. Now we have her homemade ravioli in the freezer as the only tangible reminder of her visit! One of these days we'll have to up and move to Italy for a couple months - thank God for the internet that makes business portable! Anyway, I am in eager anticipation of my new intern's First Day - tomorrow. I am so looking forward to delegating all those little tasks that clu... 47 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-28T17:21:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/let-s-party             My l'il bro Luke's 3rd bday. That's me on the right! My best friend Andrew gave me the most excellent encouragement as I started this whole blogging, writing business; in that special way that only a friend of 12 years can calm you down when you're freaking out and doubting yourself.... "You're an idiot." "Wonderful...thank you, Andrew" "Whatever! Sarah you are excellent and pretty much anything you really wanted to do, you did. Sarahcentri... 44 2008-08-27T18:31:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/how-to-pitch-and-how-to-write Oh, how to blog when I can't even decide if I want to write about pitching the media or about blogging in general. This blog is kind of about both. It all started as I was listening to Susan Harrow on the STS call tonight. She mentioned that Oprah bookers are looking for guests who can make an audience: 1)  Cry 2) Laugh 3) Say, "Wow." (Harrow actually said surprise, but the writer in me wants this to have parallel construction).  I found that point not only refreshing, but also ... 42 2008-08-27T01:56:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/cheeeeese                          Up against the wall Y'all wanna look at some pictures?! In case you missed my previous entry about this, I asked my friend and co-worker Donna Tine to bring her big, fancy camera in and take some quick shots.  We took an hour to grab some coffee last Thursday and she took pictures all the way there and back...my only direction being, " Take a million photos...I just don't want to look like ... 41 2008-08-26T03:25:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/my-e-newsletter-bloopers What good is reading a blog about success if you don't also get a taste of the setbacks along the way, right? Well, here's a set back for you. Or, perhaps more accurately, an embarrassing moment. One of my goals last week was to send out an e-newsletter. I Use Constant Contact, which advertises that the most illiterate, technologically challenged dummies can send e-newsletters with their software. (They advertise this in a somewhat more professional, less vernacular way). Well, apparently th... 40 2008-08-26T01:12:53Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/everybody-hustlin Gettin' my Sarahcentric hustle on...   Ok so this weekend was all about me, but it was not all "About Me". I had every good intention of really cracking on my About Me statement for my site and all online social networking profiles everywhere for the rest of human time. But then I got the family call that my awesome Uncle and his cousins were visiting and I pretty much had to head upstate. I know, I know, I'm sorry!!! But I really was going to try and write it! I brought my Mac... 36 2008-08-25T04:02:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/my-first-report-card-200-unique-visitors So my brother -- the all knowing web guru--was on vacation last week. He got back from Boston yesterday. I gave him fewer than 24 hours to unpack and grocery shop. I drove to his place today(Sunday) and pounced with a week's worth of stored up questions. One of my biggest questions centered on how to check my website stats. "Oh that's easy sis," he said. (He ALWAYS says this... It's always easy for him and never easy for me, but I'm digressing). Anyway, he logged onto Google Analytics and, v... 35 2008-08-25T01:25:28Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/when-in-doubt-eat-chocolate I'm officially in a Friday slump. It's nearly 4:00 and I can't say I've effectively accomplished much of anything work-wise today. And I don't know where to start - thus eating some chocolate from my secret stash in the desk drawer. I can't believe I'm showing the world my desk drawer...aforementioned chocolate ("intense dark") front and center... Like some of my fellow STS bloggers, sometimes work can't come first. Today ended up being family day most of the day - preparing tuna roll-up ... 33 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-22T19:50:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/photos-from-our-second-honeymoon Top photo = top of Mt. Liamuiga, a huge volcano. The hike did me in. Took three days before I could walk normally, but the view was fantastic. Middle photo: What an island beach looks like during the off (hurricane) season Bottom: Me by a giant leaf in the rain forest      32 2008-08-22T14:23:13Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/getting-ready-for-prime-time First, thanks for all of your support. It’s nice to know that I can come to my keyboard, type away about how overwhelmed I feel, post it, and then get lots of advice. I love that we’re all working hard to accomplish our dreams. We’re in this together. Hear us roar! Second, I want to report that I’m feeling much more balanced. I crossed every single emergency off my to-do list. I hit my blogging goals this week. Today, 95 percent of what’s on my to-do list rela... 31 2008-08-22T14:05:29Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/it-s-all-about-me So delicious I cannot stand it!   Final Sarahcentric stationery is fun and exciting. "Blogging for Dummies" is informative and a thrilling read.  Things are definitely moving along here.  But as I look at my blog critically and see its strengths, its weaknesses are making me more and more nauseous.  Why is the font on this wordpress template so weird and tiny, making every word I enter look like consonants?!  Why have I not written anything about my running or "Op... 29 2008-08-22T04:10:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/the-24-hour-workday-a-k-a-why-i-have-black-circles-under-my-eyes Various people on the forums have described me as lucky, and, in many ways, I am. My brother is a web designer who specializes in branding, e-commerce, and SEO. I have to say, he’s quite a good little bro to have. Also, about a year ago, my wonderful agent doubled my writing fee for collaborations. Thanks to him, I made enough money in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 that I could stop working for a few months –possibly longer—and still be able to pay my bills. Even better, I ma... 24 2008-08-20T19:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/still-trying-to-carve-out-time-to-plan-but-with-good-distractions Is it just me or is this summer absolutely flying by? I am mixed in my anticipation of the arrival of September, another month of time gone, and on September 5th I face that emotional moment of sending my little girl off to kindergarten on the big bus! I have been so excited to share with my friends and colleagues my goal for this end of year and this blogging opportunity. Getting a lot of support from them. And TODAY is the day the Women's Business Center coaching committee meets to match u... 22 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-20T15:04:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/leap-and-500-postcards-will-appear A sea of Sarahcentric   Yesterday was my first full day back in Queens.  When I walked into my apartment, I was thrilled to see that my worst leaving-last-minute vacation fears never came to fruition.  ("Wow! I didn't leave every window open, stove burning, every appliance on and the front door wide open with a note stating, "Dear Burglars, ENJOY! Love, Sarah") But most exciting was the cardboard box that I picked up from my graphic designer Chris Ammons the night before I ... 21 2008-08-19T02:44:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/why-support-matters-aka-how-i-browbeat-my-husband-into-supporting-me If you read my initial blog, then you know I’m putting my neck out there in a big way. I’ve got big dreams, and cojonas the size of hot air balloons for telling you all about them. Will I fall on my face? Perhaps. Will it be really embarrassing if I do? Definitely. What I know is this: if I’m going to succeed in Going from Nobody to Somebody in 5 short months, I need support. You all are great, but I’m talking about family support. I’m particularly talking abo... 20 2008-08-18T20:49:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/where-i-m-coming-from-and-where-i-m-going-long-story-short We’ve skated by on referral business and slow but steady growth since we started things – just making it through all the various things life threw at us, and managing the constant juggling act of work, life, and community involvement.   Now it’s time to make this baby really hum (my business baby not the real one!). I want us to double our revenue and bask in the security and flexibility that will bring us to prioritize our life exactly the way we want it. Professiona... 4 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-17T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/the-shoemaker-s-children-and-planning-time-to-plan I promised to answer the question of why we don't have a written business plan after doing business for 6 years. Here's a start: Like a lot of entrepreneurs (especially being the creative idea types we are), my husband and I have a tendency to just jump right in when we see a need that must be filled - and there is always work that needs to be done. Add to that that we have tried to make this company’s philosophy very client-centric and you begin to see how we’ve gotten to wher... 6 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-15T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/blogging-takes-the-cape The comfi-est hoodie ever comes home!   Re-launching a blog is going to be work, no doubt.  But I got news for ya', so is a family vacation.  Anyone who has tried cramming their adult siblings, young nieces, girlfriends and a husband into one summer rental home on the Cape knows what I'm talking about!  How do you find the time to write when everyone wants to know what you want for breakfast 3 days from now?  Where do you get a wi-fi signal besides the local libra... 9 2008-08-14T17:46:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/karen-renzi/introducing-karen-owner-of-beyondus Project: Complete long overdue business planGoal date: January, 2009 I started my company with my husband back in 2002, when we lived in Salem, MA and worked in Boston for start-ups. We both have entrepreneurial spirits and always dreamed of running our own business. When my husband resigned from his job at that time, we took it as a sign that this was our chance – and we jumped right in, choosing a business focused on the Web and great client service (his territory) and Marketing (my ... 3 krenzi@beyondus.com (Karen Renzi) 2008-08-12T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/alisa-bowman/introducing-alisa-owner-of-bauman-ink-ltd Project: From Nobody to Somebody in 5 Short MonthsGoal date: January 2009 This blog details my journey from nobody to somebody. It chronicles Project: Platform.“Project” should probably be my middle name. When I was depressed, shy, and self-conscious during my early 20s, I started Project: Get a Personality. I used self-help books to launch Project: Stop the Dog from Eating the Garbage. I did Project: Get Pregnant Already, Project: Healthy Pregnancy, and Project: Get the Baby to ... 5 2008-08-12T04:00:00Z http://www.savorthesuccess.com/blog/sarah-jackson/introducing-sarah-blogger Goal: Re-launch my blog sarahcentric.comDate: January 25th, 2009... my birthday!If you can dream it, there's a blog about it.  But not just one... more like  a hundred thousand million infinity blogs about it, (how my 7 year old niece would count it out.)  And within each of these blogs is a regular group of readers who love to comment away on your work and then invite you to do the same on their own.  This kind of creative output, instant feedback and community can become... 7 2008-08-12T04:00:00Z