Lead Up for Women - SeptOct 20

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020

Bring it on How Jennifer Wlodarek continues to stare down (and beat) the odds

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Jennifer Wlodarek Senior Loan Originator Real Estate Resource Home Loans

GE HAN IN TO C TIPS R MOODS YOU MINUTE 2 ESS OR L

CONNECT. INFLUENCE. LEAD. leadupforwomen.com

Sharing powerful Stories LIVE each week on our new podcast Whoever says endless opportunity does not exist needs to stop limiting themselves by their beliefs that exist between their ears.

Our goal with Lead Up for Women is to empower as many women as we possibly can to Show Up, Be Seen, and to be the best version of themselves.

Having a podcast enables us to do just that. Are you ready to lead without permission and take the steps needed to live your best life? Whether you want to start the business of your dreams, learn the steps needed to love what you do, or celebrate your present and future accomplishments, our podcast will dive into deeper subjects with weekly guests who have already walked in your shoes.

Let the experts guide you to a clearer path to the future. Our show will be the perfect platform to be motivated and inspired, to advertise your business, network, and hear about Lead Up’s upcoming events.

With more than 20,000 listeners, we have the opportunity to pioneer global change for women today, as well as in the future.

We invite you to tune in to Lead Up for Women: Speak Up to Lead Up, weekly live on Facebook (on our Lead Up for Women FB page) or on any podcast outlet when you have time to listen.

We are on Spotify, Apple Play, Google Play, Stitcher, and iTunes.

Do you have someone in mind you feel would be a great interview on the show?

Do you want to share your story? Do you have a mentor, coach, sponsor or have been inspired by an amazing leader, entrepreneur, employer or friend? If so, we want to hear from you. Please submit their names, contact information, and why you feel they would be the perfect guest for the show to info@Leadupforwomen.com.

As the global leaders for empowering women, our platforms can put your brand in front of tens of thousands of active listeners. To get onboard, contact info@leadupforwomen.com for sponsorship package pricing.

Contents September • October 2020

Owned & Operated by Women’s Association, LLC Mailing Address 10522 E Sheffield Dr. Mesa, AZ 852112 Editorial Contributing Writer Rochelle Brandvein rochelle@brandveinpr.com 636.530.7225 Website & technical Support Abhishek Narayan abhi@ezmarketingtech.com PR social@leadupforwomen.com 602-730-5121 Membership Information Mel Carr melc@leadupforwomen.com membership@leadupforwomen.com

Bring it on BUSINESS

4 Founder’s Corner: Be in Gratitude to create abundance in your life

LIFESTYLE

Art Director BOC design, Inc. brent@bocdesigninc.com 404-402-0125

8 Why building a fanbase is for everyone

Circulation/Subscriptions subscriptions@leadupforwomen.com LUFW Management: Colleen Biggs: Chief Inspiration Officer colleenb@leadupforwomen.com 480-241-3708

6 Applying for Business Financing?

12 Are Your Habits Holding You, Hostage?

LEADERSHIP

PHILANTHROPY

David Corson: Operations Manager davidc@leadupforwomen.com 404-931-6569 Lead Up for Women General Inquiry Melc@leadupforwomen.com info@leadupforwomen.com 602.730.5121

22 5 reasons small business owners don’t do their own bookkeeping

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27 If All The World’s A Stage, Then I Want My Money Back

10 Make a Name for Your Business 14 Can Weight Loss Change Your Life?

You bet your awesome little a$$ 20 Evolving Beyond Soft Addictions Creating sustainable positive change 24 Memories of a lifetime How entrepreneurship set me on course for personal and professional growth 30 10 Tips Before Applying For Business Financing

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3

Founders Corner

Be in Gratitude to create abundance in your life

E

ven though the world slowed down a bit at the beginning of this year, it certainly has picked up again. We are traveling a little more and meeting in small groups. Some business deals are being done in-person. If we allow ourselves, we can fall back into our “old ways,” which we vowed to change once we slowed down and realized all of the precious priorities in our lives we may have neglected pre-COVID. Maybe you traveled so much that you never saw your family. Ate out every chance you had and did not get to have a home-cooked meal. Maybe you neglected to appreciate Mother Earth or spend any time nurturing yourself. And the list goes on.

As we approach the end of the year, especially Thanksgiving Day, I’d love to pose a question to you—a challenge of sorts: What are you grateful for? How are you going to incorporate more gratitude in your life? How will it look differently in 2021?

We are 100% in control of our thoughts and the time we spend in gratitude.

Here are some tips that have helped me feel gratitude daily. They are simple to apply—baby steps.

After you wake up and before you start working, write 10 things you are grateful for. Say “thank you” to yourself while taking every step into the next grocery or department store. You will be surprised by how many steps you take.

Be grateful for what you want, but don’t have yet. Act as if you already have it. For example, “Thank you for the time I have today to finish all of my projects,” or “Thank you for the two new clients who signed up with me today.”

Right before bedtime, go back through all you were grateful for that day and choose your favorite. Not only will you force your mind to rediscover all of the day’s gratitude, but you will rest with your last thought being about how grateful you are for one specific thing that happened that day. Brilliant.

Think of ways every day to set your thoughts in the direction of gratitude instead of the negativity of the things you want, but don’t have. Being grateful for what you have, the life you have created and continue to create will change your life entirely. After all, you create the life you have, so go on and create yours.

Here at Lead Up for Women, we believe in you. We know that all women can Being grateful for have the life they desire if they take the steps to create it. Be the badass leader you what you have, the life know you are, and gain the courage and confidence through the strong support of our group of women so you can live your best life. We are here to show you how to tap you have created and into your greatest power, YOU. You are the only you who has ever been and the only continue to create will you who will ever be. Be you and be strong, because you are brilliant and the world you. All of the members of Lead Up for Women are here to offer you support change your life entirely. needs and sisterhood to leading your best life and the journey starts today.

What are you waiting for? Give yourself a gift, YOU. Join us.

For those of you in America, take time in November to be grateful, and have a safe and wildly successful Thanksgiving with those you love. For our members around the world, find time in November to be grateful, too. We are thankful for all of you—all women—and are thankful to be here to serve YOU. With Gratitude,

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September-October 2020

“This video blew us away. We laughed, we cried, we shared it with everyone.

Huge hit! Best wedding investment we made!”

– TRISH AND JOSEPH

We are storytellers, dreamers, and adventurers. To us, the journey is just as important as the destination.

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We know that your wedding is so much more than just a day. It is an event that has been crafted over decades by family, friends and life’s unexpected wonders. We don’t capture the documentary, cookie cutter mold of your wedding, rather we discover the unique, wonderful story behind it and bring it to life through cinematic filmmaking.

BUSINESS

Applying for Business Financing?

Words of wisdom from a former bank manager

By Stormi Scott

A

s a former bank manager, I cannot tell you how many people I have had walk into my office to tell me their finances are in order and that they are ready for funding. The truth is there is a lot of preparation that goes into applying for any kind of business financing. It does not happen overnight.

What Is Business Financing?

Business financing is any type of funding to run, expand or start a business. Regardless of the size or kind of a business, you will find that preparation is key. But before anything, there is one question I always tell business owners to ask themselves: Do you really need capital to start, manage, or expand on a business?

If the honest answer is “yes,� you are an ideal candidate for business

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financing. Keep in mind that it is essential throughout the process to focus on the exact reason you are seeking financing, because truthfully it is tempting to choose any funding you can get your hands on.

What Are You Looking to Fund?

For established businesses, it is typical funding to purchase long-term investments like office furniture or equipment of

some sort. If you are a business interested in making long-term investments, carefully determine what those investments will be, how much they will cost, and how much value they will hold over time.

It is highly likely for starter businesses that an owner is looking for capital to get the ball rolling. Sometimes, companies even bring in additional individuals or institutions to share ownership in the business.

Additional ownership allows the business to procure the initial capital it needs to cover the initial costs of building out the company.

What is Capital?

Capital is the term given to money or other things of value needed to produce

September-October 2020

goods or services. These things can be human beings, physical assets or some means of financial exchange. For example, capital can be skilled labor, factories, office space, tools, machinery and money.

Dream versus Reality When a business is up and running and managing everyday financial operations, it may turn to banks and investors for financing. As business owners, we hope that financing will never be needed because business is booming. But that is not always the case.

In fact, only 40% of small businesses are profitable (SmallBizTrends). That does not mean by a large profit margin. In business, especially in regards to financing, realistic expectations go a long way. Think of it like this: When you tell someone a dream of yours, it is merely a dream, until they see a plan of action and the execution of that plan. Any lender or investor will look at financing your business the same way.

Steps to Preparing Your Business for Financing As stated above, to win over a lender or investor, you must be completely prepared. Here are a few tips for creating a successful business plan and overall presentation to get financing.

about it, it is almost like you are saying I am putting everything on the line because I believe in this business 100%.

Lenders love that.

Know Your Credit Scores Every business has a credit score. If you did not know that, you are not alone.

According to a recent Nav Survey, 45% of small business owners do not know they have a business credit score and additionally, 82% do not know how to interpret their score.

Clearly defined goals are attractive to lenders because they want to see how you intend to pay the financing back. Many business owners will use personal assets to secure funding.

Research Your Market It is time to do your research and show the potential lender you know your market, and have the expertise and systems to execute on your business plan. A competitor’s analysis is a great place to start. It is important to know what works and was does not for competitors. Remember: Imitation is the biggest form of flattery. If you can imitate what a competitor is doing and add even more value with a plan to back it up, you will immediately have a lender’s attention.

Set Clearly Defined Goals This one is a no-brainer. You will need to know exactly how much you need, and where and how the funds will be used.

Clearly defined goals are attractive to lenders because they want to see how you intend to pay the financing back.

Many business owners will use personal assets to secure funding. If you think

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Always run a credit report for yourself and your business before applying for any type of loan. If your credit score is low, you can spend a couple of months working to improve it. To be transparent, lenders might be a bit more lenient when it comes to commercial financing, but that’s no excuse for a poor credit score. If there are any red flags, prepare an explanation for lenders ahead of time, including why there is a red flag and what steps you are taking to repair them.

Present Up-to-Date Business Financials Provide details on your current financial situation with balance sheets, income statements, accounts receivable, and accounts payable reports. It also is important to include key performance

indicators for your business plan to show you are successfully executing your plan and making changes to improve your results. Keep in mind, presenting any negative results is crucial. If a business owner hides away any negative financials, lenders or investors will always find them. Transparency is key.

Take a Course on Financial Literacy It is a major let down for lenders or investors if a business owner is not speaking the same language as them.

As a business owner, you want to make sure that you are knowledgeable enough in the financing space to chat with a lender or investor confidently and effectively.

Know Your Cash Flow Money matters, and there are specific requirements for each financial institution as to what they are looking for. Make sure you know things like your minimum annual revenue and cash flow. A lender will evaluate how much you can reasonably afford to put toward the repayment of a loan.

Be Prompt and Thorough It is pretty common for a lender to request additional information after an application is sent in or presented. Make sure to provide any of the requested information quickly and in detail. Organization is key and something that stands out to financial institutions.

It is Time to Feel Empowered Financing is a big deal, and for those who have never financed before, it can be an extremely stressful process. With the right preparation, you will feel the utmost confidence heading into the financing process, and best of all a feeling of empowerment.

Stormi Scott is the Business Development Manager at Leverage, a finance software dedicated to helping business owners and property investors make smarter and more informed lender financing decisions. For a demo of the software, contact Stormi via email at stormi.scott@leveragecalc.com.

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7

BUSINESS

Why building a fanbase is for everyone

W

hen you imagine “building a fanbase,” what do you see? Do you picture a hoard of screaming teenagers trying to get an autograph outside a backstage door? Or maybe it is a group of people patiently standing in line, clutching books, waiting to get the author to sign the inside of the cover?

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By Indi Rossi

No matter what you imagine, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other accurate visuals for what a fanbase looks like. Like the heap paradox “at what point does a heap of sand on the floor stop being a heap, as you take away each grain one by one,” a fanbase never stops being a fanbase unless the number of people within it is zero.

So, if this is the case, as long as any of us has at least one person in our lives who cheers us on, we have a fanbase.

But what are the benefits of increasing the size of this group who loves and adores our work? How do we go about doing such a thing?

For a little bit about me, last year I worked as a waitress at a greasy BBQ joint in Peoria, Arizona. I hated it. But I needed the job, so I toiled away, wondering how tI was going to get from Point A— slinging beef brisket and Mountain Dew, and patiently explaining that baby back ribs come from pigs, not baby pigs—to Point B, strolling down a red carpet in a bespoke Alexander McQueen suit at a movie premier on a balmy LA night.

I just needed to take that first step.

So, in January 2020, I sat down and started a YouTube channel with the intention to build a huge audience and get people to know my name.

Fast-forward eight months. It is the beginning of September and we just celebrated hitting the 200,000 YouTube subscriber milestone. I do not work as a waitress anymore. In fact, I quit long before I should have, but it does not matter because I am earning more money from my YouTube channel than I ever did by waitressing.

My channel generates more than just money. I also have received exciting invitations for movie roles, launched my first business helping women entrepreneurs become leaders in their industry

September-October 2020

via YouTube, been invited to appear on podcasts, and met tons of people who align with my biggest goals and dreams.

This year has been the most exciting year of my life, and I truly have to thank all the people who helped me.

And I am just getting started.

Of course, having an audience of 200,000-plus brings with it plenty of haters and energy-sucking human black holes. It was difficult to learn how to handle them, but I had to do it. One of the reasons my channel grew so fast was because I focused on engaging with my audience, which made it impossible for me to be blissfully ignorant to the mean comments on my channel.

The upside is that I also created a strong bond between myself and my more kind-hearted commenters. As a result, the instant a negative comment showed up, a swarm of people would gather and throw a hail of metaphorical stones at the commenter, effectively telling him to get lost and never return. And get lost he did.

Nowadays, I encounter very few overtly rude or horrible comments, and I have my own audience to thank for that.

Is it possible to reach higher levels of success without building a fanbase?

I think the answer is open to interpretation. Does Jeff Bezos have a fanbase? Possibly. Many people love Amazon and follow him on Twitter, but he is not under any obligation to entertain hordes of fans who helped him build his empire. Obviously, you can become highly successful without building a massive Instagram or YouTube following, but today proving your value by demonstrating how many people already like you is a great way to get ahead.

Of course, not everyone wants to be famous or even as rich and successful as Jeff Bezos. Many people, perhaps yourself included, just want to mind their business, make some extra money and do what they love.

So where does having a fanbase fit in?

If you enjoy knitting custom baby blankets as a hobby, having a fanbase is the difference between hearing crickets when you post Instagram pictures of your latest project, and having people flock to your profile to like your picture, share it with their friends, and ask if they can buy that blanket for their pregnant sister.

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Having a fanbase fits in where you are so excited for your honeymoon to Italy that you want everything to be perfect, but you cannot decide which high end restaurant to visit to really make your trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, you ask your YouTube subscribers who live in Italy for recommendations.

Having a fanbase also fits in at the gaping, dark space between losing everything in a house fire and not knowing who to ask for help. So, you post a video telling everyone how badly things are, explaining why you skipped uploading your last few videos, then waking up the next

not pick up many followers. But if you only post beautiful photos of your best flower arrangements, and maybe tag your location or store and engage with other people in your space, your fanbase will grow.

Engagement is as essential to building a fanbase as sunlight is to growing flowers. You can stick a rosebush in a shady corner and it might stay green, but it definitely will not flourish. You can attract people to your social media profile, but if you do not engage with them, they will likely move on to someone else who catches their attention.

Engagement is as essential to building a fanbase as sunlight is to growing flowers.

You can stick a rosebush in a shady corner and it might stay green, but it definitely will not flourish. morning to a mass of people sending you money, love, support and well-wishes—even though you did not ask for it.

Whether your tribe has 20 people or 20 million people, we come together around topics, beliefs and activities we mutually appreciate. The internet has brought us the stunning opportunity to easily befriend people around the world who share our interests. While all the celebrities in the news have unwittingly caused us to believe that having a fanbase equals sacrificing privacy and eternally being in the public eye, that is only a sliver on the spectrum of audience experiences.

So, how do you develop a fanbase?

Just like everything in nature, it happens when the conditions are right for it. To intentionally or accidentally grow a fanbase, your platforms must be focused on a specific topic, message or aesthetic. Human nature causes us to love predictability. It is appealing and comfortable. You will find that it is nearly impossible to grow an Instagram page or YouTube channel with random and unpredictable posts.

For example, if you have a page about your floral design business that also has pictures from your vacations, family cookouts and random things you wanted to save for a later date, you probably will

Taking the time to like and respond to their comments and reply to their DMs is an essential component of growing a fanbase and a business, as well as a gesture of appreciation in our modern society.

Perhaps you can begin to understand how you do not need to be a talented singer, a stunning supermodel or an outrageous personality to have fans.

Today, the internet enables us to be more interconnected and, paradoxically, more distant than ever. An internet relationship can develop over the most trivial commonalities, and while this may seem like a negative, it really is just a testament to the social nature of humans.

If you aspire for anything greater than your current position, building a fanbase is a wonderful way to move in that direction.

I encourage you to give it a try.

To contact Indi for a consultation about how she and her team can grow you and your brand via YouTube and Instagram, email indirossiofficial@gmail.com.

You also can check out her website at www.indirossi.com.

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9

BUSINESS

Make a Name for Your Business W

By Jill C. Lublin

e live in a world of competition, where everyone is looking to beat the other person. This competition can be seen in the business world, where numerous companies offer the same product or service to the same target market. In such a case, a business must differentiate itself from its competitors to capture the attention of the audience and gain a better market share.

This is where publicity comes in. The more effective the publicity of your business, the more your brand will capture audience attention, hence a more prosperous business. Here are five ways your business can gain popularity:

No. 1 — Press Release If you are a startup, the first and best thing you must do to spread the word of your business is to write a press release. Explain the benefits of whatever product or service you offer and how you are going to help your customers or clients. The inclusion of any free event or training also helps. Be sure the press release is newsworthy, and explain what solution your product or service has that no other one does.

No. 2 — Building Relationships PR is all about building relationships, whether it is with your customer, client

Jill Lublin and Kevin Harrington, Inventor of the Infomercial, Original Shark on Shark Tank.

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The best way to get your business known is to hit the road to promote your business.

Attend seminars, functions, conferences and other events to speak on behalf of what you do.

or even industry leaders. To publicize your business, you would benefit from the backing of an industry leader. Therefore, when you are thinking of promoting your business, use Joint Venture Partners, clients, customers and colleagues to help promote and publicize your business.

No. 3 — Be Responsive to Media Inquiries The media always will have queries you must target—filling out the pages of a newspaper or increasing the word count of a blog or completing the minutes of a TV or radio program. If there are others related to your industry, be responsive and respond in a timely manner. This way, your business will get easy placement in media publicity.

No. 4 — Be Social Businesses that are more social and involved in community matters receive more recognition. Therefore, be more social, attend industry gatherings, participate more actively and try to attend some charity events. This will get your business the most publicity. In addition, social events help you meet like-minded

September-October 2020

people who can help spread the word about your business.

No. 5 — Sharing The best way to get your business known is to hit the road. Attend seminars, functions, conferences and other events to promote what you do. Let your target audience know how your business is beneficial for them. Share your experiences and tell them how you are there for them.

In short, the effort you put into the mix will help differentiate your business. Another thing you can do is go online—write press releases for online PR websites, and become social via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Respond to queries from top blog writers. Share everything associated with your business on social media. This is happening right now, and is becoming absolutely crucial for all businesses.

Meet Jill Lublin Jill Lublin is an international speaker on radical influence, publicity, networking, kindness and referrals. She also is the author of four bestselling books, including “Get Noticed...Get Referrals” (McGraw Hill), and co-author of “Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic.” Her latest book, “Profit of Kindness” went No. 1 in four categories.

A master strategist on how to position your business for more profitability and visibility, Jill serves as CEO of a strategic consulting firm. For the past 25-plus years, she has worked with 100,000-plus people in the national and international media.

Jill also teaches a virtual Publicity Crash Course, and consults and speaks all over the world. She also helps authors create book deals with major publishers and agents, as well as obtain foreign rights deals.

For more information, visit publicitycrashcourse.com/freegift and jilllublin.com.

Learn. Serve. Lead.

Lead Up for Women is proud to present this exceptional opportunity to travel to Guatemala April 15th-26th for an 11-day / 10-night service trip in the settings of the Mayan Villages and discover the most beautiful places in Guatemala! This trip will include learning from the Mayan Women, serving alongside them, then, in turn, teaching the Mayan Women. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to activate your learning, service, and leadership globally.

For more information or to register, visit www.localhope.org/Volunteer See: Lead Up for Women’s Journey to Guatemala: “Learn, Serve, Lead!”

LIFESTYLE

Are Your Habits Holding You, Hostage?

How to let go of the things making you crazy

By Tricia Parido

to fly by, so you decide this routine will be your new go-to activity anytime those feelings come around. Only now you see this is nearly a daily occurance. Before you know it, you drink most days—if not every day.

T

he season of overindulgence is rapidly approaching, which feeds right into the ever-dreaded, quarter filled with self-induced, pressure-filled resolutions. You know what I am mean: Your New Year’s resolution is to lose 25 pounds, exercise every day for two hours; save $10,000, drink only on weekends; spend every Sunday immersed in family, work only during business hours, and the list goes on.

Honestly, it is not the direction I want to take us in right now. The way I see it, we would not be faced with broken resolutions, unfulfilled promises or self-defeating internal dialogue if we were willing to examine the things controlling us and take them back over.

I get it—letting go of the things that make you crazy is not as easy as it sounds. This is primarily because we seem to experience adverse effects when we contemplate stopping what they are. The irritability, anxiety and fear can be bothersome when you try to go cold turkey off refined sugars, processed packaged foods and alcohol. The fatigue is consuming when we go from a sedentary lifestyle to daily workouts, especially with a restricted diet.

And how annoying is it to stand in the store, hyper-focused on a list you

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have forbidden yourself from getting, and remember something you need for the week, only it is not in your imposed budget. All this sends you in disarray without any effective self-soothing tactics developed to cope. It can plop you right in the lap of all-new bad habits.

Let us pull in some actual scenarios.

Please continue to associate what you read with something in your life because where I am heading is applicable regardless of the habit.

A. You feel bored, flat and lonely moving through your daily routine, so to liven things up, you start having a couple of glasses of wine in the middle of the day. This was fun. You caught up with a girlfriend on the phone while you were cleaning the kitchen. Time seemed

B. You are shopping for groceries and you think, “Hmm, a snack sounds good.

I’m a bit hungry, and I will get the kids some brownie bites for their treat this week and have a few on the way home.”

This is rewarding. You get a sweet snack and the rest will be safely put aside for the kids. You will let yourself have a treat every time you go to the store, this way you only have a little. But a funny thing happens over time, as you find yourself at the store more often, the treats keep coming. And now you want something sweet every day.

C. Every time you run errands, you stumble upon a really great deal. Your home has some amazing décor, the office/art supplies are ample, and you have three pairs of shoes, purses and dresses for any event that pops up. Now you plan errands for multiple days a week. The deals are plentiful and you just cannot pass them up. You started struggling with getting your purchases inside, the back of the closet hiding spot is full, and there is not a birthday on the horizon to use for an excuse.

D. You love to help people. In fact, you are the go-to person in your family, at work and in your social circle. You cannot say no to any request or invitation. You are continuously putting your desires or needs to the wayside to meet the desires

September-October 2020

of others. You are double-booked, and your calendar is slammed for the next three months.

I think you get the idea, but I also do not want you to neglect the smaller things, like the persistent need to have a spotless house every day, dirty laundry, make a five-course meal every day, bite your nails, pick your skin, chew on your cheek, twirl your hair or watch a TV show right when it airs.

Now ask yourself this series of questions: Am I in control of my habits?

Do they feel impulsive? Are my habits controlling me? Do I feel guilty or shameful? Does it feel restricting when I try to control them? Does it feel punitive when I try to remove them? Do thoughts of selfishness come to mind for any reason?

Ok, how are you feeling? I promise my mission was not to dump all of your secret indulgences on the floor. I just wanted you to see that there are so many not so normal faces of addiction that would benefit greatly from some effective life intervention tactics that have proven to be successful.

Those dreams you must live free of your negative attachments, those aspirations you do not know how to seek inspiration for, and the undying desire you have to attain a lifelong manageable and maintainable balance are possible. The best part is that you do not have to change everything about yourself. You just have to be willing to sit in and move through the uncomfortable shifts to your perceptions, attitudes, behaviors and actions.

Regardless of how you do it—alone, in a support group or with a personal coach— here are 10 steps I know will get you functioning at the level you desire as long as you want.

1. Genuinely get to know yourself emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially, environmentally and spiritually.

2. Adjust how you are functioning.

Balance goes far deeper than just between home life and work.

3. Abandon your reactivity and become responsive in all things.

4. Learn when you are in an external drive and bring it back into your internal control system.

5. Create a filtrating boundary system backed by healthy limits and limitations to protect yourself (and others).

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6. Be effective and do what works.

7. Control your moments, especially in times of distress.

8. Leave the pain behind and lead with a new lens. It is time to identify and describe your emotions. Better yet, learn how to observe and visualize letting them go.

9. Add, edit, delete. I have given you the foundation, the outline of what I know, is proven to be effective, and what will afford you the ability to be purposeful in all you do. Build your story, your mastery, your life living free.

10. This is my bonus—Hang tough. To condition new effective behaviors, you must be willing to acknowledge them and yourself. This means knowing what works and why, then rewarding yourself for a job well done. No more focusing on the negative, if it is not working, throw it away.

We are all living is a new time, a new way of functioning, a new world, one filled with anxiety-inducing uncertainties. What better time to take inventory, look at the example we are led by, get

Social change will not happen in a bubble. We must start at home, with ourselves first. resilient, make adjustments, and shine out into the world. Social change will not happen in a bubble. We must start at home, with ourselves first.

Examine your core values and beliefs and keep moving forward toward your greatness. All we have is the here and now. Yesterday has passed, we survived it. Tomorrow has not arrived, we cannot control it. But what we do today will be our foundation. Let us make it solid.

I love to cultivate meaningful relationships. Feel free to use this link so we can do just that https://go.oncehub.com/MeetwithTriciaParido.

Send me an email turningleavesrecovery@gmail.com.

Call or text me any time (805) 710–2513.

Check out our courses and exclusive coaching packages https://tlr.teachable.com.

Follow me on social media www.facebook.com/turningleavesrecovery2015 www.instagram.com/turningleavesrecovery, www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-parido-24955616 And of course visit me on my sites www.turningleavesrecovery.com and www.triciaparido.com. There is always something great going on with new products, services and events.

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LIFESTYLE

Can Weight Loss Change Your Life?

You bet your awesome little a$$

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kay, I will say this, I have lost some serious pounds in a 12week period. My ass is still not that small, but big butts are still in, right? I am ready to embark on the last phase of my weight loss journey.

I begin the next six-week phase soon—to lose those last 11 pounds and get to my goal weight, which is 145. At least that is my goal for now. Perhaps that will change when I reach it. You know how it is when you achieve your goals, you create new ones.

really, really hard to lose weight when your hormones change.”

As far as my weight was concerned, I struggled for years with being overweight. Okay, I am sugar coating a bit—pun intended. I was not just overweight, I was obese. At 5 feet, 6 inches, my top weight was 205 (yikes), but I tended to average out at the mid170s for the better part of two decades.

I did hit 159 for about a minute in the summer of 2018, thanks to a virus. And I was in the 160s in late 2015 after

But why is this weight loss so important? Why is it so life-changing for me?

I am 50 years old, well, really 50 years young. About a year ago, I entered into that infamous phase of a middle-aged woman’s life, perimenopause—that limbo state between young and fertile, and all dried up (and if you think I believe that last statement, you do not know me just yet, so just keep reading).

Whether you are in perimenopause or menopause, there is a very annoying mindset that accompanies both these momentous shifts in life—you know, “It’s

a massive depressive episode—also known as my “wake up call.”

Inevitably, the weight always came back. I made a minimal effort in fall 2019 to get rid of it, but succumbed to my old habits and destructive behaviors. Damn you subconscious. And then welcome spring 2020 and COVID-19. Next was COVID-15 within three months. By midJune, I was at my highest weight in quite a while—a bloated 183. My shorts were tight and I felt awful—physically, mentally and emotionally. I looked at the scale and realized I was done with this.

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And there it was, “The Shift.”

I wish I could tell you what finally caused me to stick to it this time around, but I just could not pinpoint anything specifically. I made a massive mindset transformation almost five years earlier, but my physical body seemed to resist.

Now here I am, loathing the numbers on the scale and trying to figure out what shorts to put on that would not accentuate my chichos. Those are fat rolls, in case you do not speak Spanish slang. It just sounds better in Spanish.

That is when I felt the pull, wait the need—no, maybe the push and desire—to not be overweight anymore.

I have a mantra that I teach in my transformation workshops. “I’m Done. I’m Ready. I surrender.” I teach people to say that loud and to proudly let go of their old selves, to let the universe know this is go time.

And I was there, ready to let go of the weight. That meant letting go of everything associated with the weight— everything I thought, felt and believed about myself, or really, what little I thought, felt and believed about myself.

That nagging, annoying, low self-worth crap that I thought I nipped in the bud years ago. But here it was, proving it never truly 100% left.

But I was ready to go, so I made the declaration to the universe, and before I knew it, I was not only creating a weight loss program for myself, but also for my patients.

Wait, I am getting ahead of myself.

Let me mention that in fall 2019, I decided to start offering a weight loss program called ChiroThin, exclusively sold by chiropractic physicians. Being one of those docs, I decided it would be a great financial addition to my business, as well as help me get rid of that weight once and for all.

I bought in and went on the program. I was finally going to lose that weight. But this time, it was going to be a phenomenal income producer for my business. And guess what? I lost 25 pounds in six weeks and sold 15 pack-

September-October 2020

ages. Actually, neither of those things happened. In fact, I failed miserably. I just wanted you to have one of those moments like when Rocky became heavyweight champion of the world.

Sorry, let me get back on track. I only lost about 4 pounds, which I easily put back on. As for my income maker, I did not sell a single package.

I started the new year with hope, excitement, drive, a large inventory of my product and size 14 jeans. I began to plan, strategize and figure out a way to get people to sign up. But how could I sell a weight loss product and be overweight?

This was something I always struggled with in my 20 years of being a chiropractor. How can I represent good health when I did not look the part? I had the knowledge. I had the degree. I had the ability to teach. Aside from my weight, I was in great health. But how could I sell people on health if I did not look healthy?

Then March came. My kids began schooling at home. My speaking gigs were all cancelled, but my coaching business was very busy. I was asked to host a show on a client’s Facebook channel. I started my own morning show on my Facebook channel along with my friend and co-host. I was stressed to the max trying to balance it all and ate my way toward peace.

Okay, really toward pieces—like every baked good imaginable: potato chips, thick creamy alcoholic beverages, bread, pizza. You get the picture.

I was heavier and I felt terrible. My shorts were tight, which brings me back to “The Shift.”

As I looked down at that scale, I realized I was done. I went into action. I thought about why I failed the program in the fall. I took one minute to feel sorry for myself. Next, I switched to a more positive place and asked myself, “What can I do to make this product my own?”

I thought about what I was passionate about. What I was naturally good at. Teaching and coaching. I thought, “If I can go on the program again, and this time add group coaching, I could have more success. I would have to hold myself accountable to others. So that is what I did. My first group—started on June 13—was a success. The participants loved the program, especially the group coaching sessions. By the end of the six weeks, I lost 17 pounds.

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When I stepped on the scale and saw the number 156, I was beyond thrilled.

I had not been that weight in almost 19 years.

After a one-week maintenance hiatus (required by the program), I entered another six weeks where I lost 27 pounds. I could not believe it. I felt great. I looked amazing.

I felt inspired and motivated to keep going.

I wanted to shed those last 11 pounds and

hit my goal weight. I also wanted to get more people on the program.

When I stepped on the scale and saw the number 156, I was beyond thrilled. I had not been that weight in almost 19 years. And remember that whole “middle-age perimenopause stuff” I was telling you about earlier? Well, the hot flashes, moodiness, salt/sugar cravings, bloating and sluggish metabolism I experienced before June were gone.

Can’t lose weight easily after your hormones change? Yea right. The weight came off like nothing. My metabolism is unbelievable. I feel and look great. My energy levels and enthusiasm are so high I almost annoy myself. My business created additional revenue and I now could physically represent how I felt inside: happy, healthy, grounded and at peace.

So yes, losing weight changed my life.

It was one of the two remaining pieces in my complete life transformation. What is the other piece? You will just have to wait until the next article so $tay tuned!

Meet Dr. Monaco

Dr. Lori Monaco is founder and CEO of Align Yourself Inc. She is a speaker and coach specializing in transformation and mindfulness, a chiropractor, a loving mom, and a proud Gen Xer. Known as the Badass Buddha and the Weight Loss Doc, she is the creator of “The 6 Principles of Alignment,” which teaches people how to align with their true authentic selves to step into their passion, purpose and greatness.

Dr. Monaco’s workshops fully represent who she is and who we all are: intelligent, strong, compassionate, honest, insightful, silly and definitely a little crazy. She helps people get control of their health and weight with her special weight loss and coaching program. She lectures locally and throughout the country.

In addition, she coaches remotely and connects with clients around the world.

She has three daughters who totally rock and reside in southern Connecticut.

To schedule time with Dr. Lori, visit https://calendly.com/drlorimonaco/ freeconsultation Lose the weight. https://drlorimonaco.com/weightloss.

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Jennifer Wlodarek Senior Loan Originator Real Estate Resource Home Loans

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September-October 2020

Bring it on How Jennifer Wlodarek continues to stare down (and beat) the odds

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f honesty is the best policy—and for Jennifer Wlodarek, that old saying is dead-on accurate—then she is going to shoot straight from the hip. The biggest items on her to-list right now involve two races that she is in hardcore training mode right now.

Yes, there is a pandemic. Yes, she works six days a week as a Senior Loan Originator helping homebuyers find the right place to start building their dreams. Yes, she is a devoted wife and mother, whose 17 year old son is working his way through high school.

But as a cancer survivor two years free of cancer, those races are the things commanding the majority of her time, especially the Ironman New Zealand, which was pushed back to March 2022 thanks to the pandemic.

You asked, and she was honest.

But because you asked, you should also know that her job at Real Estate Resource Home Loans is what gets her up every day moving forward. Building clients for life, not just one-offs, is the foundation she continues to build her professional livelihood on.

We sat down with Jennifer to get her thoughts on how and why women continue to be the difference makers the world needs right now.

Tell us what makes your company so unique?

I work for Real Estate Resource Home Loans as a Senior Licensed Loan Originator. I have been in the mortgage business since 2001. Standing outand being unique is key in this industry. We are not a 9-5, Monday-Friday company. We are available seven days a week and in the evenings to assist our clients’ schedules.

Before COVID, and when allowed, I meet my clients in person either in their home, the office or even at a coffee shop. This way, the clients know who they are dealing with and not just a voice over the phone. I also personally attend my closings for purchases and refinances.

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What type of consumer do you target?

Our company assists clients with financing for home purchases and refinancing.

We offer a wide variety of programs and are able to help clients, from first-time homebuyers, to veterans and people with a challenging credit profile. Being in the business for almost 20 years, the connections I have from realtors, insurance and credit repair professionals makes dealing with me a no brainer.

on bills is why I love what I do. My clients are more than clients to me. My intentions are not to do one transition and never speak to them again. My goal is to be their loan officer for life.

When they need anything, I want them to think of me and be comfortable knowing I am there for them for any needs in the future.

What hurdles have you overcome being a woman in business?

In the mortgage industry, there is a pretty even amount ofmen and women. It is not a gender-specific, dominant industry.

That may have been different years ago.

In fact, I have been told in the past by clients that they felt more comfortable dealing with a woman, as they felt men had a “used car salesman” approach.

As long as you are upfront and honest with your client regarding the situation, there will be no issues. That is the way we work together to get them approved.

Why do you do what you do?

There is no better feeling than seeing first-time homebuyers cry at a closing because they are so happy. The home buying process is a hugestep for most people. That is why I love what I do.

When I get a text from my refinancing clients saying the $200 they save each month will help them get caught up

In my opinion, knowing the current loan programs available,the required qualifications and keeping up with guidelines is the key to being successful, regardless of your gender.

What do you do to give back?

As a member of Fxck Cancer Endurance Team, I fund-raise every year, and

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race as part of the team’s triathlons and running. Currently, I am donating a part of my commission for every closing to this charity. The mission is to fight cancer by raising awareness, and to educate about the prevention and early detection of cancer. The goal is to ultimately put an end to late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Through the “Dyin’ 2 Live Dreams” program, we look to enrich the lives of those fighting cancer by offering special VIP experiences that will bring them hope, inspiration and courage.

We hope it can help give the person fighting cancer a chance to forget what they are fighting even if it is only for a day. We hope it can be used as a source of inspiration to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour.

Being in the business for almost 20 years, the connections I have from realtors, insurance and credit repair professionals makes dealing with me a no brainer.

What do you see as some of your biggest opportunities moving ahead?

Besides being a mortgage professional, a triathlete and a mom, I am also a cancer survivor of two years. I would love to be a motivational speaker for cancer patients, women looking to lose weight and getfit, and those needing guidance and hope. There are always better days ahead, so it would be nice to help them stay motivated and keep moving forward.

What is your method to stay connected with other women in business?

I am a part of a few different network groups, including Lead Up. There is nothing more powerful than women inspiring other women tobecome a better version of themselves. The Amazing Women is one of my favoritenetwork groups—a group that does exactly this.

What is the biggest item on your to-do list right now?

It is running in two races. Yes, work is very important, butI find when I am in a hardcore training mode, I work harder. I am scheduled to race a 50-mile run in November, which will be my longest distance I have ever run. I also have the Ironman New Zealand on my plate. Due to COVID, this will most likely be backed up to March 2022, but I have been wanting to do this for a few years now.

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September-October 2020

What is your secret to success?

The best way to be successful is to be upfront and honest with your clients. Not every loan and situation is the same. Borrowers have different needs and wants.

Listening to what your clients want and making them comfortable throughout the process is the best way to get a “client for life.” Do issues come up during the process? Sometimes. Maybe there are credit issues.

Maybe there is an old lien on a title.

Maybe there is an issue with a qualifying income. As long as you are upfront and honest with your client regarding the situation, there will be no issues. That is the way we work together to get them approved.

One-on-One with...

Tell us about your family?

I have been married for years to my awesome husband, Mike, this year. We met in 1991 while I was in high school.

After being friends for several years, we started dating in 1996. We have a son, Joe, who is 17. He is an honor student and in his junior year of high school.

Jennifer Wlodarek What is the best compliment you have ever received?

Between work, family and training, my schedule is always full. I start out the morning six days a week with a workout. I run, bike, swim and box. I enjoy triathlons and long-distance running. Oftentimes, I need to say no to meeting friends or events, as work, family and training take up the majority of my day.

That I was inspirational. Proudly, I have received so manyof them over the last 10 years. I have dealt with weight issues most of my life. At one point, I was 80 pounds heavier than I am now. Eating healthy and exercise was the way to do it. No fad diets or crazy pills. I have inspired people to lose weight.

Most recently, after beating cancer and getting back into racing, I have been told by so many people how I inspire them to be better and keep going. This is why in the near future I hope I am able to get out there and share my experience and advise. I would love to mentor other athletes, and those looking to get into triathlon, running and fitness.

What motivates you every day?

What was the best advice you ever received?

As I mentioned, I am a recent cancer survivor. Motivation has become much easier over the past few years. In 2018, I was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer. My first surgery took place that year in March. After recovery and further testing, I had a second surgery in May to remove part ofmy liver, a stomach mass and 11 lymph nodes. I am happy to say the surgeries went well and I am currently two years cancer free. This event has changed my outlook on everything.

After recovery from the cancer, I went back to training and completed Ironman Kentucky in October 2019. Since then, I have never looked back. I want to keep challenging myself in every aspect of my life.

To treat others the way you want to be treated. It is such an easy thing to say. Sometimes, you just need to turn the other cheek, especially with everything that has happened in 2020. If we can get the world behind this old, yet simple concept, we could return to being a peaceful nation.

How do you prioritize your health, family and career?

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What does “Lead Up” mean to you?

Lead Up means sharing your wisdom to help others succeed. Why not be that voice to inspire, help and let other women shine in today’s world. So often women can be judgmental of others, which I truly believe comes from jealousy. Make the difference. Be heard. And help others be a positive change in your life.

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LIFESTYLE

Evolving Beyond Soft Addictions Creating sustainable positive change

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ho would love to have more time for what they love? More Money? Who is ready to create positive change in her life?

One day I had an awakening and felt I had been sleepwalking through my life.

Pain pushed me to make some changes.

I love my life. I am a former nurse, nurse practitioner, a certified Theta Healer, emotional healer, Life Mastery Institute coach and a Higher Brain Living® Facilitator. But it has not always been happiness unlimited for me. When I was in my 40s, it seemed like I had no friends and a relationship was just something that happened or did not. I was married and had two children. I had no health or other real issues. Why was I not feeling connected to my life? In fact, it took me many years to realize that my life was off track.

I call it going through the motions and the busy-ness of life without a deep connection to love in myself and others.

I would go through the busy-ness: caring

for my husband, children, working, cooking, cleaning, social outings. One day I woke up from this sleepwalk. A visiting stranger was the occasion for me to examine what I really wanted in life. It was painful at first. I cried. But I was determined. I said that love was the only thing that mattered. I read a book, “Power versus Force,” recommended by a friend, which helped me feel that deep joy and connection were possible. I awoke from the addiction of being a victim in life to being the creator of my life.

This is why I am passionate to empower you in connecting with your inner power, so that you can have more of the confidence, joy and feeling radiant that life offers.

Almost everyone has soft addictions.

There are costs to ourselves and society with every choice we make. While everyone wants something more out of life, feeling stuck often is admitted in addition

By Agnes Loughlin

to settling, giving up, feeling frustrated.

What is a soft addiction? › “I’m buried in clutter.” › “I’m wasting hours surfing the internet.” › “I’m sleeping my life away.” › “I’m wasting days of my life just watching TV.” › “I’m shopping every week to find the newest fashion.”

Most people are unaware of the costs of these soft addictions.

Thomas Merton says, “We must make choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves.”

Every day, we make small decisions that make up the web of our life. The decision for what type of food to buy, whether to cook or eat out, whether to talk to friends or strangers. What is a stranger, anyway? A friend whom you have not met.

Defining a Soft Addiction A soft addiction is any habit, compulsive behavior, recurring mood, way of being and thought patterns that behaviors satisfy a surface need, but keep a person in the grip of stuck, and the same patterns and prevent creating more in four key areas of life that create meaning and happiness.

The greatest human addiction is the need to control something in your life: How you receive love. How you want to be perceived. What story you want others to believe about you, etc. There are many human addictions, including soft addictions. A soft addiction is merely something that one does often and repeatedly because it brings a sense of pleasure that hides pain or loneliness.

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September-October 2020

A person without a clear focused goal remains in confusion and suffering.

Having a clear, specific goal/intention is one of the most empowering things that can transform your life. There are many ways to write goals, but I love the Higher Brain Living model, which requires goals in the Four Dimensions of your life that truly matter: mind, body, relationships, environment (your external creations).

Diane’s Story Diane and I were in college together.

She graduated a year before I did, and went to work as a math teacher and tutor. Later, she lived in California, where I first decided to visit there in 2007. She had a prosperous, peaceful life, or so it seemed. Her husband had retired from Corporate America and was doing small business consulting. They had three sons.

Unfortunately, one died in a motorcycle accident. I thought the back pain was related to the inability to release this trauma.

Later, I learned from Dr. Michael Cotton, a former chiropractor, something that shifted my perspective on back pain.

Back pain has different causes in women than in men. Women get back pain from challenges in their intimate relationships.

Whereas in men, back pain is related to stress in their career or finances.

Apparently, Diane and her husband, Brad, were stressed in their relationship.

I have seen this type of back pain often.

Diane died at the age of 66, about seven years ago, most likely of a broken heart or failure to open her heart. There can be parasites, trapped emotions. But until the relationship is healed, the pain remains.

Our conscious mind is usually controlled by unconscious habits and patterns, repetitions. Our thoughts are based on emotions we choose to feel about things in our past. These routine patterns or behaviors become programs that run 95% of our lives. This is a loss of freedom because the old habits control 95%, while the conscious mind, which controls only about 5%-10%, says, “I want to be happy.

I want to be healthy. I deserve to have more money and abundance.”

Joe Dispenza is highly successful in his retreats teaching clients to shift from and create in the present moment. When we shift to the happiness of this moment and create a vision that magnetizes us to our future, we are true creators and

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Connect with Agnes… www.miraclesinwellness.com agnes@miraclesinwellness.com YouTube: Agnes Loughlin or Miracles in Wellness LinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/ agnesloughlin

Our conscious mind is usually controlled by unconscious habits and patterns, repetitions.

Our thoughts are based on emotions we choose to feel about things in our past. release addictions. This is a process and does not usually happen overnight.

The story of Carolyn was controlled by addiction to alcohol and television.

She definitely was lonely. She was alone in life and was in her 70s. She saw herself as a victim and was unaware of how to create her life. She wanted to change, so she joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a way to support her to a better life at a local Unity Church. AA addresses some of the key components of addiction, including that you are alone and have no support. It is an amazing community and uplifts the participants.

After just about a year there, she actually gave up alcohol and made a new set of friends. Her positive attitude has helped her. She has compassion for herself and others, including animals.

Loneliness leads to addictions and locks up joy, especially for women over 50. Most women over 50 believe they will have more time to relax and enjoy life.

Instead, there are often health challenges, family challenges, partner challenges.

These women even deny their disconnect. Lack of awareness leaves them feeling stuck and hopeless.

Let us look for a moment at Kate Spade, who committed suicide at age 55, much to the disbelief of her friends

and family. I believe there is a part of Kate Spade in all of us. According to Kate’s sister, Reta Saffo, Kate had a history of bipolar disorder, which results in periods of severe depression, followed by periods of manic excitement. Kate left this life with a husband and a daughter who were both present the day she died.

Comments from those who knew her ranged from shock to disbelief. The reason for mentioning Kate is that we often make assumptions about those we know based on outward barometers of success without really knowing what they are dealing with on the inside. Yes, this disconnect can show up at any time.

The story of Anna I met Anna at our Unity church. She was divorced and had broken up with a boyfriend whom she planned to marry. She was feeling really sad and depressed.

She felt unworthy, lonely and had even contemplated suicide at one time.

She said she felt shifts after connecting to herself from receiving Higher Brain Living® sessions and from some Theta Healing® sessions. She manifested a new sense of self and purpose. Today, she has a whole new sense of her power to create love and abundance.

Let us reprogram our subconscious minds by affirming: › I am making positive changes to my life easily and safely. › I am worthy of success and I understand how to create success. › I understand what success feels like.

“Your joy can be found in your creative power.” You do not want what you want. You actually want the feeling that what you want gives you. Take inspired action that is in alignment with that feeling. You can create sustainable positive change.

Agnes Loughlin is a former nurse, nurse practitioner. Residing in Chicago, Agnes is certified in Theta Healer, Emotional Healing, Higher Brain Living® Facilitator, Potentiate Your DNA Facilitator, Life Mastery Institute Coach and a parasite expert.

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LEADERSHIP

5 reasons small business owners don’t do their own bookkeeping

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s a small business owner, you wear many hats. When you take on the role of being your own boss, you only think of the tasks you love. Nobody jumps into a business saying, “Wow, I can’t wait to do my own bookkeeping.” This is a very important task that gets pushed aside all the time. Why? Because you hate it.

By Ashley Schmitz

into different buckets so that you can see what revenue stream is most profitable?

These are all questions small business owners ask, depending on where they put transactions in their books to determine how much the IRS is going to take in taxes or how much gets approved for a bank loan. Doing your own bookkeeping correctly from the beginning will help your business thrive.

No. 3 — The software is overwhelming All of sudden you realize it is not just paying bills. It is sales tax, payroll, payroll tax, owners draw, unemployment, social security, Medicare, income tax, self-employment tax, corporate tax. OMG, you did not think about taxes to start with, which takes a significant bite out of your income.

We have not even mentioned utilities, insurance, cost of goods, repairs, services and monthly software subscriptions.

Like most small business owners, you started a business to make money, but then you find you have more money going out than coming in. This is why small business owners struggle.

When it comes down to brass tacks, it is because you hate doing bookkeeping.

Of all the other hats you wear, bookkeeping is the “Oh-I’ll-get-to-it-eventually-but-Ihate-it” hat. Let us take a look at why.

No. 1 — It’s time consuming Your time as a small business owner is valuable—like super valuable. There are so many other tasks you can be doing

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to make money for your business. Why would you want to take time away from your business for bookkeeping? As you are making money for your business, do you know how much of it is actually goes into your pocket? None of us entered the business game because we wanted to pay all the bills that came with it. We went into business to make money. But at the end of the day, how do you know where your money is going if you do not do your own bookkeeping?

No. 2 — Fear of doing it wrong Your business is unique, but how your chart of accounts should be set up is pretty normalized to your industry. There are basic transition buckets your company will go into, but how do you know if its Costs of Goods or an expense? Do you track your car loan as a liability or an expense? When you pay myself, is that payroll or an owner’s draw? Should you break down the income you make

In the age of technology, there are many different types of software that help run your business, and your finances are no different. The software I trust is QuickBooks Online, which is made by Intuit. But even the best software can be overwhelming. But here is the thing: There are so many different things you can do with this software. You can send invoices, estates, receive money, pay your employees, track your expenses, pay your sales tax, and the list goes on. How do you know if you are using it to the best of your ability?

No. 4 — You cannot read your Profit & Loss Just like the fear of doing it wrong or being compliant, you think you cannot read your Profit & Loss statement. This is the living and breathing report of what your money is doing. It does not lie to you and say everything will be alright. It does, however, show your patterns and let you know where you could do better and where your business is rocking.

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No. 5 — Living in denial of your numbers I see this every day. You know you are making money and you know there are bills to pay. You know you want to put more money into your pocket, but you hide from it. When you make a sale, it is a great feeling, so you know there is money coming in. But what do you do about the money going out of the bank? It seems easy to tally this your head, but at the end of the day, you are afraid of what those real numbers say. Why? Because the numbers mean something must change. The same reason you avoid opening up your bills is the same you will not create a Profit & Loss Statement for the month.

Even though there are these reasons you are not doing your bookkeeping, let me tell you the secret to overcoming all of these.

Bonus Tip — Invest in a great bookkeeper There are a lot of fears when it comes to turning over the finances to a

bookkeeper. For starters, you should know the difference between a great bookkeeper and an accountant. A great bookkeeper invests in your business. She know the ins and outs of how your company works, and she wants to examine your numbers so that she can give you advice on how to grow your business. An accountant is someone who takes your shoebox full of receipts at the end of the year and fills out your taxes.

The difference between the two are is that one is “proactive” and the other is “reactive.” You should always be “proactive” to the growth of your business.

Why you should invest in a great bookkeeper Business owners always ask me why I should invest in a bookkeeper. My answer? It is the best investment you will make. Here are some questions to ask yourself: How much do you spend in late fees? How much do you spend in bank charges? What about time to run payroll?

That is all valuable money you are spending. When you have a great

bookkeeper, you get that time and money back. A bookkeeper will show you how you are spending your money and help you save that valuable cash you are making. This is money you would have been spending, but now it is cash making a spot on your Profit & Loss.

How would it feel to be compliant with the IRS? A great bookkeeper does that. A great bookkeeper knows software like the back of her hand, and cannot only use it to the full advantage, but also show you around that software of yours, too.

Do your business a favor and don’t just invest in a bookkeeper. Invest in your business so you can grow beyond that initial dream you had. If you need help in this area or you just have a question, reach out to me at ashley@ eachpennybookkeeping.com. I am a US Army veteran, so I have the discipline to make sure your books are in complete order. I also find my fees in your finances so I make myself free to you in the end.

Give me a call to set up your 30-minute, FREE consultation today at 815-368-9899.

LEADERSHIP

Memories of a lifetime How entrepreneurship set me on course for personal and professional growth

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do not know if I would have started my journey as a businesswoman and entrepreneur if I hadn’t married Floyd, the love of my life.

The journey began in 1977 when he asked me to run some architectural plans for a client. One small task turned into more and more tasks. It felt good to be involved with my husband and his business. I felt as if I was contributing to something greater than just a job. It now was our business.

Now, if any of you know anything about family-owned businesses, you may

be able to relate to this. In the mid1940s, Floyd’s grandfather, AJ Bailey, was persuaded by friends and family to move from the Bailey Farm in the Indianapolis area. At the time, he already was building homes in Mesa, Arizona, where construction was booming. AJ said anything west was better than the rest.

Soon AJ recruited one of his 15 children to help run the company. That included my father-in-law, Floyd Bailey, Sr. When my husband, Floyd, Jr., was 12, he work summers in the trades and whenever he was not playing football or baseball. By

By Sue Bailey

the time he was 19, Floyd, Jr., was handed over the reins to a thriving commercial construction company, a painting company and a two-way radio tower company.

Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs, as many of you are aware.

It can be feast or famine. There are times when there is much work to do and you do not have enough employees to cover everything, or you are lacking work and doing everything you can to get more.

My husband and father-in-law ended up selling the radio business to Motorola, and then selling the painting business. I remember things were so good that the company had to purchase some vehicles and a motor home to lower their taxes. Those were the days.

During the 10 years we had our cafe, we were involved in school fundraisers, corporate catering, special events, weddings, etc. We submersed ourselves in the community and promoted our café.

Sue Bailey and her husband, Floyd.

24 Lead Up for Women

This was my introduction to a “mom and pop” business. After a few years of marriage, I would go into the office a couple of days a week and help out.

Eventually, in 1979, I started my own carpet and window covering business.

Working out of my home with three children, I kept all my samples there and would have clients come over. I also would go to their homes for measuring and any other help they needed.

September-October 2020

In 1983, we built our own complex, which we named after one of our recent children at the time—Tyler Vintage Square.

This was a huge project for us—more than $3 million back in the ‘80s. In the heart of the city, it was designed to be where the majority of our professional lives were to play out. The complex included retail, office, medical and restaurant spaces in Gilbert, Arizona.

Here, I opened up Creative Impressions interior design and flooring. My husband opened a supplier store for contractors and ran a gun dealership.

He also ran a Fuller Obrien Paint supply location, and sold boats for another company—all next door to each other at the square. We had several tenants, including the Town of Gilbert and the local police station.

We had heard that Swenson’s Ice Cream Parlor was looking for franchisees, so we thought, “What the heck, let’s do it.” We put the restaurant on the end cap next to Creative Impressions.

The story continues…

And so it began. The story of our complex in Gilbert will be in my book. It was a time of excitement, disappointments, and learning about betrayal and loss.

But let’s get to the restaurant business.

We started with one Swenson’s at the complex, which soon became very successful. We built one in East Mesa and added another in an outlet mall in Mesa.

About a year and a half later, we were approached by a man from Chicago who wanted to buy our Swenson’s at the complex. It sounded good. He paid $250,000 (1985 money). It was great. It helped with the other restaurant, plus we wanted to put one in Chandler, Arizona.

We proceeded with our other locations. During this time, after having the Gilbert location for around six months, he wanted out of the deal. We decided to take all the equipment out of that location and use it in another. He lost his money. At the time, we had the mall location in East Mesa and was finishing the

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LEADERSHIP

Chandler store. Things were promising.

The locations were making money.

Fast forward ahead and the tenant in our East Mesa location skipped out during the night owing us four months back rent. (Another story for my book.)

We kept going until we discovered our GM was embezzling money and did not pay the IRS. We sold the building, but kept the lease for the Swenson’s. That lasted about a year.

cooking, and making ice cream and desserts. We also taught them what goes into running your own business.

As owners, we loved hosting parties for Christmas and Halloween for them. We gave them awards and gift certificates.

On many Saturday nights, my daughter would take the night crew to IHOP after work. Over the years, most all of our employees loved working for us and appreciated the knowledge they received.

We kept our mall location and closed the Chandler store. After seven years of being a franchise, we decided to go on our own.

I also owned a home decor store in the mall for six years that did very well until the mall changed ownership. I have so many more stories of what happened in between (again, you will have to read my book).

During the 10 years we had our cafe, we were involved in school fundraisers, corporate catering, special events, weddings, etc. We submersed ourselves in the community and promoted our café.

In 2014, we put Apple Dumpling on the market. Even though I love it, I missed too many events and experiences with my grandkids. Many times, because I lived so close, I would go back to the café when someone needed me.

I could not get that time back.

The café was on the market awhile.

One day, our realtor called and said there was a buyer. They wanted to close the deal in two weeks and was willing to pay the price we were asking. These people were customers and loved what we did.

After several meetings, the sale became final. They seemed genuine and honest.

The Apple Dumpling Cafe In 2004, we opened our 45-seat Apple Dumpling Cafe. It featured a home style menu, ice cream, old-fashioned treats and homemade fudge. This was my passion. I loved my customers. Our employees loved working for us. We treated them like family. One thing we did when we hired our crew was to train them in everything—waiting tables, doing dishes,

26 Lead Up for Women

While all of our employees decided to stay on, most ended up quitting after six months or less. Our son and daughter stayed on as management, and I came in from time to time to help with the transition.

Soon, I noticed the wife acting as though she did not like me being there, especially when my customers would come in and talk to me.

My son and daughter ended up staying for several months, but quit after the owners turned out to be different than they presented themselves.

I discovered later that they bought the café for their 35 year old son who recently was released from prison.

The thought was that it would be a good restart with his life. It did not work out that way. They ended up leaving 2 1/2 years later.

As for us, we went back in to our outlet mall, where we prospered with our corporate catering business called Creative Ice Cream and Food. We stayed until 2019, where we left to do catering out of another commercial kitchen.

Today, a year and half or so later, we decided to travel the country in our 40-foot motor home to consult with other small businesses (bakeries, cookie stores, ice cream parlors, etc.) in the food industry.

While things have changed since COVID-19, I believe our services are needed even more. Our youngest son continues to operate our business in Arizona, while my husband runs things out of our motor home, giving quotes and setting up jobs locally.

Ice cream catering is fun. That includes meeting lots of great people.

We found it to help schools and organizations raise funds. Along the way, it also has provided memories to last a lifetime.

I hope as we start our travels, others will refer us to people they know in their area who could benefit from our expertise. We have a wealth of information and 35 years of knowing what works and what has failed.

Thank you, I hope you have enjoyed learning a bit about my journey so far. To find out more about some of the craziest and inspiring entrepreneur stories and how they teach success and failure from ours and other entrepreneur life experiences, keep an eye out for my upcoming book and audio series, the “Crestline Effect,” due out 2021.

September-October 2020

PHILANTHROPY

If All The World’s A Stage, Then I Want My Money Back

By Rochelle Brandvein

According to Greek theater, there are three types of plays: satyrs, comedies and tragedies. Satyrs are short comedic plays performed between the acts of a tragedy to serve as brief comic relief for the audience. Comedies, which are not always deemed funny, have a happy ending and are based upon an average person’s life. Then there are tragedies, which deal with serious issues such as love and loss and typically focus on a tragic hero who is good, but makes a foolish mistake.

While I prefer a quick-witted satyr or a beloved comedy, I have to compare 2020 to a theatrical tragedy, where all of us have played a part in one way or another. This year definitely has been filled with losses—both physical and mental. Our world has shifted to accommodate the pandemic, but just like many other tragedies we have experienced in our history, we will overcome. Thank goodness for all the amazing nonprofits that have brightened our world then and now.

The Role of Resiliency

I

am very old school. I actually own a huge desk calendar, the type where each date is a 2-inch square. I typically fill up every speck of this space with all my meetings, appointments and social activities. Not this year. According to my calendar, you would think I was either a big boring blob or having a torrid love affair with someone I affectionately named “Zoom.”

So far this year has not been one of my favorites. My calendar taunts me with all the conferences and celebrations crossed out in bold red pen.

One of the most painful cancellations I experienced was a much-anticipated girls trip to Chicago to see the musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”

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Ever since I was a child, I loved live theater. My parents introduced me to stage productions at a very young age.

Imagine their shock when, as a little girl, I danced around the house singing about “tits and ass” after seeing “A Chorus Line.” Shocking at the time, but a very hilarious memory to my folks now.

September 11, 2001 was an undefinable tragedy branded as the single deadliest terrorist attack in history. It also was deemed the deadliest day ever for US firefighters because the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) fatalities accounted for more than one third of the approximately 1,000 emergency personnel deaths. And while 2,977 individuals were killed at the World Trade Center, the nation rallied.

The FDNY Foundation (www.fdnyfoundation.org), while not solely a 9/11 charity, directly supports the men and women of the FDNY. Since 9/11, an additional 200 men and women have lost their lives from illnesses related to their work in the rescue and

Lead Up for Women

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PHILANTHROPY

recovery efforts during and following the terrorist attack. The foundation continues to serve as a lifeline for this extended firefighting family.

The Act of Overcoming To date, more Americans have died from the coronavirus than did in any battle throughout our many major military conflicts. As the death toll continues to rise, those who have fought for our country need more support than ever. The virus impacts people of all demographics, but for military veterans it gets personal: This high-risk population fights financial instability along with the loss of purpose—two of the leading factors of suicide impacting veterans with barriers to employment.

The Warrior Alliance (www.thewarrioralliance.org) explores the root cause of military veteran suicides and applies best practices for preventive action. The organization helps warriors achieve fulfilling civilian lives with both confidence and competence.

A Chorus of Community The world’s largest gathering of Holocaust survivors and their descendants—deemed Liberation 75—was scheduled for the beginning of last June in Toronto. Due to the coronavirus, the international gathering for more than 10,000 people, including students and educators, was postponed until 2021. There are approximately 400,000 Holocaust survivors worldwide, with about 85,000 in the US. Most survivors are in their 80s and 90s, which likely means less will be able to join together at the next function.

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (www.claimscon.org) created a Holocaust survivor emergency assistance fund to help address worldwide the needs of this community worldwide during the pandemic. The $4.3 million in initial funding provides life-saving services to 120,000 Holocaust survivors.

Bringing Down the House The unemployment rate among Americans during COVID-19—Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) findings range from 13% to 20% depending on the group’s demographics—has surpassed numbers from the Great Recession

I will have to satisfy my love for theater with Play-Per-View, live-streamed original content and my absolute favorite “Hamilton” on Disney+. They do not compare to live performances but, for now, this is as good as it is going to get.

Doctors Without Borders An international medical humanitarian organization that currently is focusing on the pandemics’ most vulnerable—the elderly who live in long-term care facilities.

The association provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect or catastrophe primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care or natural disasters. www.doctorswithoutborders.org

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Lead Up for Women

in the late 2000s. Many have been furloughed, and eventually permanently laid off. Some industries will take years to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, including airlines, restaurants and retail. Another sector impacted by the current climate is live theater, which has always been deemed a fantastical escape of entertainment for theater-loving folks. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (www.broadwaycares.org) is one of the leading fundraising organizations in the theater and entertainment industry. The group launched a COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund to help those onstage and behind the scenes workers get health care, emergency financial assistance and counseling during the pandemic.

In the Limelight The following is a list of heroic organizations and individuals making a difference during this unreal time: Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, along with CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation, launched Together for Her (www.care.org/ togetherforher) to support women and girls against domestic violence in the US and in Theron’s home country of South Africa. These organizations committed $1 million to COVID-19 relief efforts with $500,000 going to domestic violence shelters and community-based programs.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (www.disasterphilanthropy.org) created its COVID-19 Response Fund to support various communities vulnerable to the physical health, mental health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Prevent Child Abuse America (www.preventchildabuse.org) is the nation’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. Donations ensure that children and families continue to receive the resources and support they need during this stressful time.

Two philanthropies—The Rachael Ray Foundation (www.rachaelrayfoundation.org) and The Yum-o! Organization—established by celebrity cook and author Rachael Ray collectively are donating

September-October 2020

$4 million for COVID-19 relief. This initiative helps fund critically needed food programs and support services for families and their pets.

Curtain Call I look forward to the day when this pandemic is a distant memory—where

phrases like “antibody testing,” “new normal,” “social distancing” and “sheltering in place” no longer easily roll off our tongues.

In the meantime, I will have to satisfy my love for theater with PlayPer-View, live-streamed original content and my absolute favorite “Hamilton”

on Disney+. They do not compare to live performances, but for now, it is as good as it is going to get.

Anyone care to share their top picks for COVID-friendly theater viewing? I think my husband is getting sick of hearing my rendition of “The Room Where It Happened.”

Rochelle Brandvein is the owner of Brandvein-Aaranson Public Relations, a 30-year-old PR agency that pivoted to solely handling nonprofits and companies with a philanthropic arm or foundation. Her company specializes in publicity, copywriting, and creative services.

Join us in leading Up through giving back

Donate: www.localhope.org/donation Volunteer: www.localhope.org/volunteer Sponsor a Child for School: www.localhope.org/sponsor/ students-seeking-sponsors

Did you know your gift of $30 can provide a night of safe housing for mother in need? Make your lifechanging donation to Maggie’s Place www.maggiesplace.org.

SheLift is a 501(c)3 organization that empowers young women with physical differences to discover confidence and self esteem through outdoor recreation and mentorship.

Donations accepted: https://shelift.org Founded by Sarah Herron (previous Bachelorette contestant)

Let Her Speak’s mission is to elevate women’s voices, facilitate deeper conversations, inspire change in our communities, and build a stronger support system for marginalized women who aspire to lead. We carry out this mission through women-empowered events, female-focused research, and leadership education. We believe that through community, research, and education – more women will rise to leadership positions.

Website: letherspeakus.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letherspeakus/

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BRACELET BRAND. We didn’t just want to be another cute bracelet brand. Screw that. The facts are clear - all of these causes are in desperate need of additional financial support and awareness and we knew we needed to do our part.

Every bracelet donates $5 to the cause it supports. We worked tirelessly to find nonprofit organizations that are actively making positive strides towards change and really need our help to continue to do so.

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Lead Up for Women 29

Lead Up Tips

By Marelda Rodrigues

10

NGE A H IN TO C TIPS R MOODS YOU MINUTE 2 ESS OR L

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

o some 4-7-8 breathing— D inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7, exhale for a count of 8.

ydrate yourself with plain water H or decaffeinated herbal teas.

Sip a cup of bone broth.

Doodle on a piece of paper.

6.

Play with your pet.

7.

rite down 10 things W you are grateful for.

8.

F ind something you love in your current space, place your hand on it, and remember how it came to be your favorite item.

9.

it in a chair comfortably S and reminisce about your favorite vacation spot and all the laughs you had when you were there last.

o 10 jumping jacks D or 10 pushups.

10.

30 Lead Up for Women

Set your timer and play your favorite game on your phone or tablet.

Bio: Marelda Rodrigues is the founder of Move Beyond Grief, a grief massage therapist and Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach with more than 20 years of experience in the health and wellness space. Through Grief Massage Therapy, she helps her clients feel comforted when they are most vulnerable, allowing them the space to navigate emotional unknowns of grief and loss, and gain control one step at a time. Her wellness coaching programs help clients with mindset, food and lifestyle habits vital to staying healthy, adapting to losses, and building emotional resilience. Marelda’s clients emerge from their transformation feeling revitalized, confident and powerful.

Connect with Marelda Email: mareldahealthcoach@gmail.com Coffee and connection or free consultation: https://bit.ly/NetworkingWithMarelda LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hiremareldarodrigues Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MoveBeyondGriefWithMarelda

September-October 2020

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