July/August 2015 Vol, 22 No.6 $4.95
Staff and Authors
Nancy Becher Executive Editor nancy@success4biz.biz
Rachael Cooper Graphic Designer, Editor rachael@diomed.ca
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nancy@success4biz.biz
Magazine Subscriptions
701 N. Prairie Street, Sturgis, MI 269.651.3555 smallbizforward.com success4biz.biz
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Business Success Unlimited
BSU helps small businesses succeed through mentoring projects, networking groups, and entrepreneurial forums. From business knowhow to business networking, BSU has it all. For more information about our one-on-one consulting, business retreats or networking forums contact Nancy.
Contact
701 Prairie Street, 2nd Floor, Sturgis, MI 49091 269.651.3555 nancy@success4biz.biz
Nancy K Becher
As CEO I ensure that BSU is a trusted and caring service provider for the entrepreneur and small business owner in need of marketing and advertising advice, as well as a large networking group of businesses.
Vol. 22 No.6 Small Biz Forward Published monthly by Celebrate Business Publishing, a division of Business Success Unlimited. ISSN 2332-5887 No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted into any form by any means without written consent from the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All letters sent to Small Biz Forward will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication, copyright purposes and use are subject to SB unrestricted right to edit and comment.
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Small Biz Forward
Brian Howard is a noted Business Credit
Nancy Becher has run business referral
of Credit Made Easy and Business Credit Made
associations since 1983. First in Washington,
and Consumer Credit Expert. He is the author Easy. He currently the Director of Credit Services at BKH Credit Group Atlanta. www.bkhcreditgroup.com
groups, training programs, and small business
DC metro area and now throughout Michigan
and Indiana with programs in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Niles, and Sturgis, MI as well as South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Granger, and Fort Wayne, IN.
Cindy Cohen is a registered nurse with 35
Robert Mannino is the founder of the New
a hospital. She is recognized as an accomplished
He is a professional brand strategist and
years experience from the bedside to CEO of author, wellness expert, and corporate wellness leader. As a health coach and wellness consul-
tant, Cohen is the guiding force behind the C2
York based branding agency Numax Media. specializes in public relations. numaxmedia.com
Your Health Team in helping others find their way to improved personal and business wellness. Dana Fortier owns Create Some Buzz, LLC, a social media, SEO and online marketing
Jerry Sarno is experienced in Fortune 500
Office, a virtual assistant services company
specializes in Project Management, ecom-
services company. She also owns Your Branch that provides executive support and project management to small business owners and
entrepreneurs. She has been in business since 2008, after a 15+ year career as a paralegal. Kylie Dunn is an author, speaker, business owner and the creator of My Year of TED.
With over 15 years experience in information management, she helps organisations
companies and small enterprises. He
merce and Account Management. He managed high performance teams in
applications development, CRM and ERP software deployments and has worked in international project teams.
Toni Fairman Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner ~ Certified GAPS Practitioner.
and individuals with a range of challenges; from strategy to systems. www.dinkylune.com
kylie@dinkylune.com Linda Fitzgerald Visionary Partner,
Champion of Ordinarily Extraordinary
MamaRed Knight Executive BizChef and
Network, Inc. dba, Affiliated Women
that keep you from doing what you love most
Women of the World, A Women’s Place International, Neighborhood Boutiques – open for your business, Empowering Women to Thrive.
Small Biz Forward
ContentChef, in charge of Taming The Beasties and do best. My greatest wish is to help you be
a Legally Lazee BizOwner, one who uses the best tools, technology and processes stolen from my
days as a corporate consultant for the likes of
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July/August 2015 • Vol, 22 No.6
Contents 8 Do you Want Thousands of Followers? by Nancy Becher
12 Maximize your Marketing Power with Buyer Personas by Robert Mannino
20 Never Fear … Help Is Here! by Dana Fortier
30 Three Ways Reducing Stress can Increase Your Personal Productivity by Toni Fairman
32 Dream Big Retreat: Speakers
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10 What is Your Relationship With Food? by Cindy Cohen
15 Three Common Money Fears for Entrepreneurs by Charrise McCrory
16 Who Knew? The Future of Women in Business! by Linda Fitzgerald
18 Repurpose Content to Build Your Business More Quickly by MamaRed Knight
22 Daydream Believer by Jerry Sarno
24 How to Really Start Your Business Credit‌ Without Failing by Brian Howard
28 How Networking with VIPs is Like Dating by Kylie Dunn
Every Month
6 Resources
7 Moment of Motivation
37 Book of the Month Club 38 July 2015 Events
40 August 2015 Events
42 Crossword Puzzle
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Resources SwapRight.com
Have you ever heard of bartering? SwapRight is a great little website that allows you to share things/services that you provide in exchange for something someone else provides to you. This is how I found my partner and a great marketing company.
MSNBC
MSNBC has some wonderful programming for small businesses. One of my favorites is American Express: Your Business. It is aired early in the morning on both Saturday and Sunday (Saturday is a replay of the previous Sunday). My recommendation is to tape it and watch it at a later time where you actually can take note of what is being said. And don’t worry, if you miss it, you can always check it out online as well. The show has different sections, including different business elevator speeches, tips for online apps, segments on growing businesses and how they’ve done it, and much more. Check it out – it is well worth the time.
Business Owner’s Toolkit
Looking for easier methods of doing business – everything from time management to employee engagement? Check out: Business Owner’s Toolkit – A large collection of free business forms, free tools, business templates and checklists that includes a variety of topics ranging from employee management, safety, asset protection, marketing, recruiting and hiring, IRS tax forms, compensation and benefits, government contracting forms and so much more. They also have a business card exchange where you can network with others in your industry. Business Owner’s Toolkit http://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/tools-forms.aspx Contracting Forms http://www.smbceo.com/free-small-business-tools/#85745366
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Moment of Motivation I’ve been asking this question a lot lately – to myself as well as to my clients: what does Success mean to you (and me). Sounds simple enough doesn’t it? It means the money to buy the things we want, the time to spend with family and friends and not worry about the money. Success brings respect and even awe in some cases. It’s about happiness and feeling good about yourself. Right? Do I have it all down? I think it’s actually more than this – although this is definitely part of the whole. I challenge you however to take some time, sit back and dig in. What does success mean to you -- really, deep down, at the core of your being? This isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it is really important to your dreams and goals. Without knowing what that means to you, you can’t work towards it and you won’t create the type of business that you really feel in tune with. I think that part of being successful means that your customers and employees are happy, satisfied and are ready to refer you to others. As I am known for saying, “You can make the best widget in the world, but if no one buys it, you’re not very successful.” Right? Let’s say we all agree with that statement. What do you do to make that widget loved and bought by multitudes? It starts with how you, yes you, are perceived. After all, you are your business. Not only do you have to create the business of your dreams (and values), but you have to portray that to employees, customers, vendors, and community in which the business resides. You do see where we’re going here don’t you? It’s all about the relationship. For me, success is all about forming relationships with other people that bring smiles, well wishes, care and consideration for each other – and making those you touch have better lives. When we start considering how our actions affect others – not so much the what’s in it for me syndrome – but what can I do to help you philosophy, that we truly begin our upward climb and our finances begin to enlarge, our customer base grows and the success we were talkin g about in the beginning happens! This month’s magazine is all about building those oh so important relationships. We need customers, yes, but we also need employees that are happy to come to work every day, that are engaged in their work and want to be successful in their own work. Treat your employees with the same respect and dignity that you afford to your customers. And what about vendors? Without them, you have trouble getting the materials you purchase. And heaven forbid, they may know others who could use what you sell. But if you treat your vendors poorly do you think they’ll refer you? Probably not, unless you are the only company around that sells what you sell. And maybe not even then. Think about it. No matter what success means to you – and yes it is different for each of us – you can’t have it without all the wonderful relationships that our lives and business are built on. So, sit back, relax and read this month’s magazine, and if any of the tips resonate with you, add them in to your business techniques. I guarantee, they will help you grow. Nancy Becher Small Biz Forward
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Do you Want Thousands of Followers? by Nancy Becher
I was just asked the question of how “connected” was I on social media? I had to think about that for a few minutes? I am well connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and even here on Quora. But I don’t necessarily think of that as being successful. There are so many people out there that just want the thousands of followers that show up on their pages. That’s not me. Let me give you an example. My dad and I are both big genealogists. We both love finding out about family. However, there’s a big difference between us. My dad has lists and lists of names going back hundreds of years, but he knows nothing about most of them (save a very few recent leaves on the tree). I have about 100 names going back (only on one side of the family) to the late 1800s. But that’s ok, because I know a lot about them -- each and every one. I know where my great grandfather was born and that he had a brother who went to Australia when he came to the US. I know that he had 5 children and I know what each and every one of them did for a living. I’ve done research and know the kinds of food, clothing, entertainment that were common during the years of their lives. I am frustrated because there’s still so much I do not 8
know but am looking forward to learning in the future. The same is true for my contacts on social media. I have been “accused” of being too personal and too friendly with the people I engage with. But gosh darn it, I care. I want to know them and know what’s going on in their lives. They are real and have ups and downs, excitements and disillusionments. I want to be able to support them in all their situations. It is that relationship that I believe makes for a good business connection. I will refer them, celebrate their successes with them, and do my best to help them grow their businesses. And, in turn, I hope they will mine as well.
what they do? I challenge you to get to know the people that have taken the time to say “yes” to your profiles on Facebook, on LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. Let them know what you do and how you can work together. Listen to their words and I’ll guarantee you, you’ll start to see a growth in your business! And who knows? You might make a new friend. Nancy Becher
For me it is so much more important to see growth coming steadily bit by bit; rather than having a large group of people come all at once and then never come back again. A well known fact, it is much better to maintain relationships and grow with the customers you already have than to constantly go out and look for new to replace income that is not coming in. So let me ask you ... do you have thousands of connections on your social media? Or do you know who you “like” and who have “liked” you? Do you know what they like and Small Biz Forward
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What is Your Relationship With Food? by Cindy Cohen
Have you given much thought to your relationship with food? If you are like most people you probably did not even know you have a relationship with food. When it comes to relationships we usually think of the people we interact with, not food. However that’s just what you have with food -- a relationship just like the people you share your life with. Here’s how. A relationship can be described as a connection or attachment between two or more participants. In this case it’s food and you. So what is food to you? What do you think about it: how you feel about it and how does it guide your actions? I like to think of my food relationship in the same way I think of any personal relationship. When entering a personal relationship I ask myself, “Are they good for me? Do they help me? Do they support me in reaching my goals? Am I happy?” The same questions can be asked about your food relationship. Is it healthy, unhealthy, nurturing, rewarding or punishing? Sound weird? Maybe not. Food is different things to different people and many things to each one of us.
Food is health giving.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are disease preventing, energy giving -- providing vitality and happiness. 10
Food is life taking.
Processed foods and chemicals are disease promoting causing weight gain, chronic illness: bringing with it sleeplessness, pain, energy zapping and brain fog just to name a few.
Food is comfort.
Childhood memories, nurturing, and holiday traditions are surrounded by foods as a reminder others care for us.
Food is celebrating.
Every party and celebration is infused with favorite smells, tastes, texture and flavors of foods special to every occasion.
Food is a punishment.
If you have ever been on a diet or experienced an eating disorder either eating too much or too little you know what I mean here. The limitation of food by choice has its own set of consequences. Depending on the situation, occasion and emotional shape you are in food can and is all of these things. Life is filled with ups and downs and food is very much a part of this roller coaster you are on. The important question is what would you say your relationship with food is most of the time?
Just like any relationship your food connection needs to be successfully managed to be happy. This is done through trial and error finding your way towards feeling good, looking great and being happy is not clear cut or easy. The choices you make towards food are either abusive to your mental and physical health or are healing and nurturing to your inner self. Which direction are you headed? With health coaching clients we guide the conversation towards self-reflection and asking those tough relationship questions. How to you feel when you make food choices? What emotions are you reinforcing? What triggers you to make choices that are different than you planned? Are you punishing, denying or abusing your mental and physical health with your food choices or lack of them? Is food filling avoid you are feeling? What does a successful relationship with food look like to you? What gets in your way from achieving your goals? What solutions to you see? The health of your relationship with food, like any relationship rests in your daily interactions and strategies you employ. When making a plan it’s good to be reminded just like your life it’s ever changing needing to be adjusted to keep you on track. The best strategies are the ones you use here is a good place to start. Small Biz Forward
> Eat with your head not your
when you are eating. I often hear “I was bad I ate this bad food …” All food is important. Food is life sustaining without it we would be dead. A better way is to think of food choices are good, better and best. For example a good food choice would be apple pie, a better choice would be apple sauce and the best (healthiest) choice would be fresh raw apples.
> Eat more foods healthy for you
Remember when working to make any relationship a healthy one it takes persistence, consistency and commitment. When a relationship is unhealthy change is slow take trial and error. The key to reduce those overwhelming feelings is to make small changes keeping your successes in front of you and remembering balance is important. That’s ok because soon you will have the successful relationship you are seeking.
feelings. Make food choices based on what is healthiest for you not what tastes good or your food cravings. The reason healthy food does not taste good to you is because your body is unfamiliar with it. Once your body gets programed to the new healthy foods you will love them too. More importantly you will love how you feel. Worlds Healthiest Foods: www.whfoods.com than foods that are unhealthy for you. Fill your plate with ¾ fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Snack on nuts, seeds and whole foods avoiding unhealthy foods. Limit those unhealthy choices on a daily basis. Transform 30: www.LoseWeightAndDetoxDiet.com
> Eat a power packed healthy
breakfast. This way not matter what happens during the day you will always feel good about your healthy start. A good start to eat as many fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. A whole food smoothie is a good way to get in all the nutrition in an easy fast way.
> Get plenty of sleep. With 7 – 8
hours of sleep you make better decisions, make healthier food choices and feel better about yourself and your life. To help you fall asleep at night develop some good habits before bed such as turn off the electronics, keep your room quiet, cool and go to bed when you are tired. www.sleepfoundation.org
Just like any perfect relationship when it’s good you feel great about you, your life and love what’s ahead. Your partner in health, Cindy Cohen
> Food is neither good nor bad so don’t attach emotions to it or you
Small Biz Forward
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Maximize your Marketing Power with Buyer Personas by Robert Mannino
If you are a business owner, you probably understand who your customers are and the audience that you want to sell your product to. It is not exactly a secret that if you are selling cat food, your audience is made up of people who own cats, or if you are a landscaper, you want to sell your services to homeowners. Most of the time that part is figured out simply by common sense or by reading a client list. The part that is generally difficult for small business owners to understand is that your audience cannot be so broadly categorized. Lumping too broad of a group into one category can leave your marketing stale and forgettable. Advertisements that say something like, “Are you a cat owner? Then you have to try our cat food!” do not exactly scream personal. You have to break down your audience using more distinctive characteristics and traits. You also have to realize that you are never going to capture everyone under one big blanket with every ad you put out. More importantly, if you try to speak to everyone all at once, you will not connect with anyone at all. Your ads have to trigger emotions with your audience, so that they remember your brand and relate it 12
to an emotional connection that is personal to them. You have to do this by understanding who you are speaking to and what triggers their emotions. Connecting emotionally to an audience is made up of many parts; you have to carefully plan what you say, how you say it, and how it is going to be interpreted by your audience. It is natural to think that if you are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on promoting your business in a magazine or on the radio, that you would want to speak to as many people as possible with that ad, so that you get the best return on your money. Although reaching a large audience is important, it is essential to first understand your audience, so that you can accurately plan which portion of your audience will relate to your ad. The easiest way to be sure that you are connecting with your audience in an emotional manner is to create “buyer personas” for your audience. A persona is a description and creation of a fictitious person that has distinctive features and captures a large portion of a target market. This fictitious persona should represent a much broader group of people. Material
that is directed to this audience should speak directly to their “persona.” Building a buyer persona will help you define your customer so that you can understand their concerns, needs, and desires. For instance, you may know that your customers are homeowners, but what are their concerns? What is their annual income? Do they have children? How old are their children? By building a persona, you can create one fictitious person that represents a large portion of potential customers. Most small businesses can accomplish a large portion of their target audience with just a handful of buyer personas. Here is an example of a buyer persona for a clothing manufacturer, courtesy of shopify.com By referencing this persona, it is clear and easy to understand that the buyer would be motivated by standing out in the workplace and is price conscious. So, imagine you owned a clothing company that was creating an ad, and the target market was men ages 25-40 – that fits this persona. You Small Biz Forward
may create an image of a professional man who is walking through an office performing mediocre tasks, being noticed by all of the top executive women in his company as he walks through. He will then look down and realize it is because he is wearing the new jacket your brand released (or whatever product you are selling). By using this persona, it makes it much easier to create your content geared directly toward your audience.
Small Biz Forward
Include a custom call to action that your persona will love such as, “To stand out in your office crowd for 30% less than everyday low prices: click here now”, and you are sure to increase conversions and maximize your investment. Once all or most of your market segments are covered by the personas you carefully created, you should always pick the persona that best represents the audience you are targeting. Then, create content that is directed towards that persona,
always including a call to action and very clearly stating what the next step is to converting them to a customer. If you don’t tell them what to do next, they will rarely do it. By following these suggestions, your marketing will become much more relatable to your audience. This will make your ads much more effective and memorable to your potential clients. Robert Mannino
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Center for Protection, Security and Personal Safety The BodyGuard Academy
Bodyguard to Your Family
Cost $175.00 Planning on taking a vacation in a foreign country, going out of state with the family to someplace you have never visited? This program is designed to give you some basic knowledge and skills to detect if you are being watched, how to take defensive action if needed and more. Discount is available for husband/wife who attend together. Women’s Personal Safety Seminar Cost $25.00 A program designed to increase you situational awareness and your ability to stay safe in today’s increasingly dangerous world around us. Travel Security (Domestic and International) Are you, your family or employees traveling for either pleasure or business? Let us provide you and them with the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe while traveling. Center for Protection, Security and Personal Safety 105 S. Maple Street Sturgis, MI 49091 http://centerfor protection.com
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ed@thebodyguardacademy.com
269-651-3355
Small Biz Forward
Three Common Money Fears for Entrepreneurs by Charrise McCrory The 10th in a series of 10 blog posts for entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur is one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences a person can have. On this path, a person gets the opportunity to encounter fear, in new and profound ways. Perhaps the most prevalent of the fears, is the fear around money. After all, we’ve given up a dependable paycheck in order to become dependent on our own talents to provide income for our household. As an entrepreneur, the terrain is a perfect petri dish for the money fear monster to come alive, with a mission to take you down. I know this personally, because it happened to me. I left behind a lucrative six figure income when I started my coaching practice. When I first discovered that coaching existed, I knew for certain that it was my next career. I had no idea how to create clients and a lucrative practice, and as I figured it out, all my money stuff came forward. Here are the 3 biggest areas where the fear lived:
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I won’t be able to create enough money to sustain my life and will have to give up and get a job that sucks my soul away every single day. I will let my family down. I will become a failure because I couldn’t make it work. I will not be able to pay my mortgage and will lose my home. See how this avalanche of fear happens? One crappy belief leads to another and then another. All of this fear is in the future. None of it is in today. What I learned is that money IS a creation. I can literally create services that meet people’s needs, that they are willing to pay for. Not just sometimes when I’m inspired, but as a practice. There will always be enough if I stay in creation.
Also, failure is not a personality trait. It’s an event. And it’s subjective.
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Even though I need to outsource the areas of my business I’m not good at, I am afraid I can’t afford to do it.
I learned the degree of damage to my psyche, to my business, and to my bottom line doing things I’m not good at can cause. When I outsourced my accounting, my productivity in the areas I AM good at dramatically improved. I stopped beating myself up for ignoring it. My business grew. Outsourcing was a very smart move.
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I’m charging too much money and people won’t write big checks for my services.
I learned that as long as I am providing value, the right people will hire me. I will never earn more money than I believe I’m worthy of receiving. Setting fees for services is an art, not a science.
These have been very real fears for me, and for most entrepreneurs I’ve had the honor of coaching. I’d love to hear some of yours, as we can all grow by expressing our fears and understanding that we aren’t alone in them. Charrise McCrory
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Who Knew? The Future of Women in Business! by Linda Fitzgerald
“Nine out of every ten firms in the United States is a microbusiness – who knew?!” “And, microbusinesses are one of the fastest growing and best positioned business groups to ride the current economic storm. Read Dawn Rivers Baker’s excellent article on 5 Key Microbusiness Trends for 2009 for more on this.” (From the SBA article: Is Your Small Business a Microbusiness? If So, You May Be In Luck!). So just what is a “micro-business”? New terminology – or been around forever? New concept or one pulled from the ages? Here’s how the SBA defines it – officially and unofficially: “Finding a solid definition is somewhat of a free for all. Below is the nearest we have to an official definition, as well as an unofficial definition:
freelancers, free agents, and self-employed people. The majority of these companies are one-person enterprises …operate out of their homes; and many …have part-time help from a family member or friends.’ (Courtesy of Lloyd Lemons in his Microbusiness Defined article).” [Emphasis mine].
Official Definition
Today begins a series on micro-business and the women who rock the business world because they own one. Or are a partner in one!
Advocate groups typically define micro-businesses as an organization with less than five employees, small enough to require little capital ($35,000 or less) to get started.
Unofficial Definition
Micro-business owners are the ‘… people who refer to themselves as soloists, independents, consultants, craftsmen, artists, musicians,
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Right out of the gate I need all to know I’m not an expert on the model. I know it and know it well, as with the exception of one business venture, I’ve owned, developed and managed several ‘micro-businesses’. But I know the model from
the emotional or gut side. Not it’s technical aspect and what it takes to make a woman successful owning or partnering in a micro-business. I’m here to learn the same as you! What I do know is that the microbusiness industry in all it’s facets is the fastest growing segment of the US economy – in fact the world’s economy. Organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and other similar non-profit groups have highly successful projects helping women in third world countries set up a micro-business with as little as a $50 grant. A business that keeps women out of the sex trade in Asia and protects African war widows’ children from becoming the property of corrupt governments. The grant includes education, training, equipment and tools. Small Biz Forward
But that’s half way round the world and while we care and care deeply about the plight of women everywhere; what does this mean for women this side of the pond?
We need to develop a language and vocabulary that adequately and definitively defines what 9/10ths of all businesses are doing for the world’s economy.
For starters it means we are part of a rapidly growing economic segment that will have considerable clout as our numbers grow. And there’s power in numbers – the kind of power that can influence – even set – public policy!
Then – and only then – can we give those who own or partner in a microbusiness the deference due us!
For the first time, women who don’t occupy the C-suite or a corner office in a multi-national corporation, will have as much say – or more – than those who do! And my dear friends – that’s POWER with a capital “P”! Again, that’s the future – a future in which we now life. That is, if we own or partner in a micro business. Here’s some of the challenges we face!
Challenge Three
Esteem! How do we ‘give’ a sense of business (and personal) esteem to those of us who run the world’s economy – mostly in secret? If the word gets translated as “teeny-weeny” in the minds of most folks; then how do we change these minds? How do we change our own minds about the business in which we are engaged? If I had the answers to the above, I wouldn’t need to list them as challenges. They aren’t just my challenges. They belong to us all. Each of us has
a part to play in resolving them so that the world recognizes the benefits and value we bring. Until we can recognize and state the value and benefits we bring – no one else will either! There, I’ve said it. I’ve laid down the gauntlet and raised the question that many of us shy away from. I’ve set forth the challenges we face and pray that someone will join me in rising to reverse negative perceptions; work on a working language and vocabulary and encourage a sense of esteem among the general business population as to the value micro-businesses bring to the world. Anyone willing to join me? Warmly, Linda Fitzgerald
Challenge One
Too many folks, women and men, consider micro businesses synonymous with “teeny-weeny“. And even the sound of that phrase feels inconsequential. In other words – not important. Not worthy of much of anything. And that creates all sorts of issues for those of us who own or partner in one of those ‘teeny-weeny’ businesses called micro!
Challenge Two
Language! And not just language, but an entire vocabulary. We lack one. Even the SBA can’t clearly define the word. I can’t. At least I can’t without making it an entire paragraph as noted above in the 2 definitions offered, or the image to my right!
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Repurpose Content to Build Your Business More Quickly by MamaRed Knight
You joined the entrepreneurial world. (Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest, Made the big leap. oh my!) Whoo Hoo! • ...and 14 billion other places where Congrats. you’re “required” to put content in a bunch of different formats if you Then reality comes crashing in and want to “succeed” whomps ya upside the head. So much to do and so little of it has There’s a more do-able way to get squat to do with what you set out to back to what you love. Promise. And do…maybe you’re: I don’t make those kinds of promises without thinking about them, a lot. • a coach who has an amazing process that moves your clients from bleck What to do... to amazing Get kick-ass clear on your Big • a speaker who can inspire others to Why, Your What, Your Business be their best Model and everything else that • an author who loves to write and “surrounds” being a business owner. transform lives through the written word Get kick-ass clear on your • a consultant who helps businesses WHO (do not skip this one, do what they need to do to build doing so costs you tons of time, their business and make a difference money and effort). in the world • a healer who is able to detect what Figure out what YOU needs doing and use your gifts and do best. skills to help others Create a content And then come the strategy (it’s not as endless demands hard as it sounds if for content in other you plan your content ways, in a gazillion approach like you plan different formats… a great meal).
1 2
• • • •
3 4
5 6
Do an inventory of what content you already have.
Share it FIRST in the way that’s easiest for you (if you know how to create text, start there, don’t turn yourself inside out trying to create images, audio, video or whatever).
7 8
Build a little at a time, using your strategy and plan as your guideline. Hire help as soon as you possibly can!
See, it’s all do-able, one step at a time! MamaRed Knight
Blog posts Ebooks Training courses Social media everywhere
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Small Biz Forward
You just decided to start your own business! How Exciting! You have that new glow in your smile and perhaps a few new pieces added to your wardrobe. You are ready to tell the world about your new adventure! Now what? Did you happen to stop and think of those whom you have known for years, maybe even decades, who know you best? They will give you honest input about your business and will want to see you succeed. But then, how do you get out the word to others? You have to start to get to know them first. Build your business by building new relationships and as they have always said, first be a friend to find new friends. Start by giving someone a little time and effort for something important to them. That will be your first step toward growing your business. Just look! I met Nancy, our Small Biz Forward editor-in-chief, in 2012. I have watched her launch this new magazine. Yes, many of us are her new friends. We support all she does because we actually know her. I would love to get to know you, too! How may I help you grow your business today? Let’ meet for coffee! It’s simple! Give me a call, text, or email!
Kathy Williamson (574) 850-4424 simplysaid604@yahoo.com and if you would, LIKE me at Simply Said with Kathy Independent Consultant #604
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Never Fear … Help Is Here! by Dana Fortier
Hiring an assistant can be a little bit scary. If you’ve never done it, you don’t know what you need to ask. Or, you may have hired an “intern” – someone who says they can do what you need them to do, but let’s face it – they’re just there to either earn a grade for college or learn what they can from you without giving you the real support you need. And when they’re done with you, they move on … and leave you with a “hole” in your support system. Enter the world of virtual assistance: they’re not just for jet-setting executives with too much money and too much time on their hands. Virtual Assistants are qualified, organized, detail-oriented, business-minded professionals. They own their own business and they run their own business. This is what you need in your corner – someone who does exactly that and can do the things you don’t want to do (and that frustrate you) and that really aren’t your cup of tea. Virtual Assistants come into their business with lots of experience behind them and they like to put it to use for their clients. Be aware, however, that a virtual assistant isn’t a “one and done” deal. You need to work with your Virtual Assistant regularly to make sure you’re both communicating and you’re both on track for your success.
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Your VA will relish your success, too because they’ve invested a lot of time and effort into it. There are things to consider, so let’s take a look at some of the facts about virtual assistants:
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They will do the ‘stuff ’ you don’t want to do. You should be concentrating on what you’re good at, and leave the “stuff ” to someone that is (a) really good at it and (b) has this weird obsession with getting it done right. Right now, you probably have 27 emails that haven’t even been opened and 13 that need some kind of attention. Your VA can answer those emails for you. Probably. Those emails may contain information for future work, new clients or confirmation of work to be done. At a minimum – a VA can open them up, figure out what’s important, craft an answer for you to review and send out or tweak if necessary. If you procrastinate, and not answer them, you’re losing out. If you put it off because it’s boring, you’re going to be in a bind. Bottom line: a VA is going to do what you don’t have the patience for. And you know what? They DO have the patience for it because that’s what they love to do!
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You’re going to get organized and not even realize it. VA’s love to be organized. They love to prioritize. They love to get stuff
done. The faster they get stuff done, the faster they can move on to get other stuff done. They’re like little hamsters on a wheel –constantly in motion. Your VA may tire you out since they love details and often love sharing the details with you. But because they love those details, that’s going to naturally trickle into your professional and personal life. The more proactive you are and the better you manage your time, the better you both will work together. You won’t run into any more time constraints because you wrote something important down on a napkin in a restaurant and then forgot to transfer it to your iCal. Your VA is going to ask you if you’ve done that – if she knows you really well. True story – one of my clients regularly makes important contacts and writes things on napkins. I’ve got him trained to come home and scan that napkin and email it to me! Or, at the very least, take a picture of it on his phone and text it to me, which I then drop into our shared Evernote notebook. If I can’t read it, I can at least ask him to decipher the information on the napkin he took a picture of and emailed to me.
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No training needed. A VA can hit the ground running and often will do so before you even sign on together. In every single consult I’ve ever done with a client, I tend to give them at least one idea they can implement or ask
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them one question they may not have thought of when it comes to considering support, whether its virtual or in person. VA’s have a helpful nature. We nurture our clients because when our clients do well – we do well, so it’s in our best interest for our clients to continue to grow their business. For example, I’m bringing on a new client in about 3 weeks and I’ve already given him a list of things I’m going to need from him in order to start working right away for him in order for me to perform the most important task he’s hired me for: managing his event contracts. In our initial consultation I asked him if he had a process for this … and was met with silence. I created a simple process for him to start following before I come on board to finalize the contracts and manage the scheduling and hiring contractors to set up for his events.
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They are real support - you’re not alone! Your VA is invested in your business. Your VA really wants you to succeed because when you succeed, THEY succeed. Nothing gives us more pleasure than to be that person that enabled their client to have a better fiscal year than the year before. We get a whole lot of pleasure from hearing from our clients, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” We’re all lucky enough to work in a field we love and we’re all lucky enough to work with clients that we really hand pick for ourselves.
someone if, for instance, you speak English and they speak Tagaglog. Sure, you may be able to get the gist of what’s being said, but you can’t fully understand each other. So, speaking the same language is important. Second, be sure you understand how the two of you communicate. When you tell your VA what you’d like done, do you get the feeling they fully understand? Are they asking the right questions to be sure they do have a full understanding of your project? Are you able to answer the questions they’re asking … and NOT asking? Communication issues are the number one reason VA-Client relationships don’t last. A good VA will be on top of communication issues and nip them in the bud. A good VA will be able to anticipate the questions YOU have for them and answer them before you’ve been able to ask. Also – you should both be on the same page when it comes to the method of communication, by email, by phone (and how often), by tasks in a task management system, etc. If the VA is always emailing and you have 2,912 emails (and ignore them all), that’s not going to be effective communication
and you’re both going to get frustrated. Figure out how and how often you’re going to communicate with each other. I’ve got more tips and information to share with you when we continue this article in the next issue … so stay tuned! Dana Fortier
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Make sure you “speak the same language”. This is a two-parter. One, you can’t expect to effectively communicate with
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Daydream Believer by Jerry Sarno
In school, we are taught to pay attention. Daydreaming is considered a nuisance rather than a skill that should be developed. The art of sustained concentration is prized to the point where, as adults, we feel guilty when we find ourselves daydreaming at work. However, research suggests daydreaming may not be a flaw, but instead can yield important benefits when performing challenging tasks in a professional environment. Regardless of the field we work in, at some point we are all required to think up a unique solution to a particularly challenging problem or situation we have never encountered before. Obsessing over the problem, or staring at your computer screen in the hopes of seeing the answer, may not be the best way to find a solution. Taking a break, going for a walk or just looking off into space can give your mind the break it needs to let inspiration take root. Allowing the mind to wander is, therefore, essential to creative problem solving, and is a crucial skill to develop in the world of business.
The Neuroscience of Daydreaming
When you daydream you are doing some of your most creative work. In 2009, neuroscientists conclusively proved that our brains do their best work when they wander. The right hemisphere of the brain makes connections between seemingly
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unrelated things, which burst forward as sudden insights. This mysterious process results in our most creative thinking, and takes place when we are not trying to think creatively. Errant daydreaming enables unexpected connections to form, which is the essence of creativity. Additionally, a 2012 study at the University of California at Santa Barbara found people who daydream more in everyday life are generally more creative. 145 participants performed two “unusual uses tasks,” which have been used for decades to measure degrees of creative problem solving. Subjects were given an ordinary object and made to list as many different uses for it as possible in a set amount of time. Scores were based on the uniqueness of the answer. Between each task, participants were broken into 4 groups to perform varying degrees of cognitively taxing work during a break period. Subjects were then given a second unusual uses task. Results revealed the group that was given mildly taxing work did the most daydreaming in between tasks, and was the only group who did better on the second task than they had before the break. Participants who did the most daydreaming came up with more creative solutions to problems because they were given time to think about them in a separate non-taxing environment.
While allowing the mind to wander doesn’t necessarily make someone more creative when encountering a new task, it can help them to creatively solve the problems they were working on before letting their mind wander. Therefore, taking a break to allow yourself to daydream can help you find creative solutions, and perhaps even be the place where you do your best work.
Harnessing the Power of Daydreaming
Not all daydreaming is created equal. Letting your mind wander aimlessly will not necessarily produce any practical results, but purposeful mind wandering can yield productive creativity. Pausing is a powerful part of the creative process. If substantial attention is paid to a specific problem before letting your mind wander, it is more likely that your mind will produce useful insights. Therefore, if you are stuck, the best thing to do is walk away from the problem. The solution will only come when you stop looking for it. As Jonah Lehrer, author of Imagine: How Creativity Works, writes, “It’s the problems that really seem impossible, where there’s no feeling of knowing, no sense of a solution, no sense of progress—those really hard problems are most likely going to be solved by long walks, showers, meditation, games of ping pong… those kinds of things.”
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Mindfulness – emphasizing attentiveness to the present – has strong mental and physical benefits, but studies show that not allowing the mind to wander can hinder creativity. Brains need time to reflect and recharge, so taking the time to space out, hide out, look up and walk around on occasion is vital. Open plan office spaces are conducive to collaboration, but can be disruptive to pondering. Find a place to hideaway for a few quiet minutes when you need to be alone with your thoughts. Also, take the time to look up from your smartphone or tablet, as their gravitational pull steals from your reflective time. The trick to daydreaming productively is to remain aware enough to recognize a good idea when it comes along and to always be prepared for inspiration to strike. Keep a note book handy to jot down ideas when they pop into your head. Walking is a great way to clear the mind, as thought can often be motion-sensitive. You will want to keep your hands free from devices or reading materials to ensure your mind is able to wander Small Biz Forward
without distraction, but even in this circumstance it is important to have writing materials in your pocket. A wandering mind won’t produce any results unless you can document an insight when it happens. If chasing inspiration isn’t working, and you just aren’t able to find a solution to the problem that has been nagging you for days, take a step back. Letting your mind wander can bring inspiration back to you. “Sometimes this happens when you didn’t even know you were thinking about the problem,” says Mark Beeman, a professor for Northwestern University’s cognitive neuroscience program. “It’s as if a light turns on and you suddenly see an answer to a problem that had stumped you.” So, instead of forcing yourself to focus the next time you find your mind drifting at work, let it happen and reap the rewards. Jerry Sarno
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How to Really Start Your Business Credit… Without Failing by Brian Howard
A lot of people face the exact same problem, they try, but fail building business credit.
1. First credit is applied for.
One of the main reasons that so many people fail is that they apply for credit in the wrong order.
2. Second the applicant is approved for credit that reports to the credit reporting agencies.
By applying for the wrong type of credit in the wrong places first, the result will always be that you get declined.
3. Thirdly, the credit is reported and trade lines are now established.
Just because you have a Social Security Number doesn’t mean that you have a credit profile. For example, every child in this country is born with a SSN. But they don’t actually establish credit for that SSN until they apply for new credit, are approved, and that credit is reported to the personal credit reporting agencies. When credit is applied for, approved, and reported, then and only then will that individual have established credit. Once accounts are reported to the consumer agencies including Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, after 6 months FICO will then issue that consumer an actual credit score.
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Here’s a deeper look at this process:
4. Fourthly, as multiple accounts are reported, a credit profile is established. 5. Finally, due to the reporting of trade lines and establishment of a credit profile, enough information is now available for a credit score to be issued. Now that we’ve looked at how the process works, let’s look deeper into how it starts. Somebody who has no trade lines reporting, has no credit profile or score established. So if this person was to walk into a bank and try to get a credit card, car loan, mortgage, or other financing, their credit would be pulled. But due to a lack of credit, they would be denied financing… all types of financing.
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If the same person walked in and applied for store credit like Staples, Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, or other retailer, they would also be denied for the same reason… a complete lack of credit. But, if that same person obtained a secured credit card or two, and waited until those accounts reported, then they would have: reported trade lines, an established credit profile, and an established credit score. So if they now went into a store to get credit with their established credit profile and score, if they’ve paid their bills as agreed they should get approved. But, if they went into their bank to get a $5,000 credit card, they would still probably be declined, because they don’t yet have enough established business credit. Fundamentally, consumer and business credit work exactly the same way. Just because you have an EIN does not mean you have established credit, just the same as you won’t have established consumer credit just because you have a SSN.
for the wrong type of credit first, get denied, and then are convinced that “business credit doesn’t work”. Consumer and credit building are just that, the “building” of credit. You can’t start with the roof, you have to start with the foundation first to build off of. So you can’t start with store or cash credit from your bank, if you do you’ll get denied 100% of the time. First you must build trade lines that report then you’ll have an established credit profile, then you’ll obtain a business credit score, and finally, with an established business credit profile and score you can start getting revolving store and cash credit. Get approved for vendor accounts first, then you can established your business credit profile and score, and once established you can use that to obtain real revolving store and cash credit, much of which you can get without a personal guarantee or credit check. Brian Howard
So if you do walk into a bank to try and get cash credit using your EIN with no credit established, you’ll always get denied, guaranteed! That is unless you did have good personal credit and used it to get approved while supplying your personal guarantee. This is why so many people fail building business credit; they apply
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Internship Reporting to the Executive Director, the public relations intern will actively participate in a variety of special projects related to public communications as an educational experience.
Essential Job Function:
Skills
• Provide tactical media relations support
• Looking for a self motivator with high energy.
as necessary including arranging media interviews,
• responding to editor requests, preparing press releases and other publicly disseminated materials.
• Leverage content for online press room (Internet and Intranet) and assist in the management of posting materials and routine maintenance.
• Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines. • Ability to write clear concise content. • Strong proofreading skills. • Attention to detail and organization skills a must. • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook, MS Office Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other software needed for job).
• Update and maintain PR Image library. • Monitor traditional and non-traditional media (online and offline) for BSU news.
• Assist with external distribution of press releases and assist in the management of media contact lists.
• Assist in organizing and maintaining the PR
This position is a “for credit, non-paid” internship of 15 hours per week for the semester.
Shared drive.
• Work closely with PR team to support tradeshows and special projects
• Provide general support including creating press kits, ordering materials, answering phones, photo copying, filing securing conference rooms, arranging meetings, etc.
701 Prairie Street| Sturgis, MI |269-651-3555 | nancy@success4biz.biz 26
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Visual communication is a powerful medium. Small businesses don’t have in-house graphic designers at their beck and call. However, you can still afford designed materials to promote your business by hiring a freelancer. Whether you need a big branding project done, or something small that just needs to be fixed, I’m your answer.
Contact rachael@diomed.ca 403.606.2572
Small48 Biz Forward
Portfolio www.diomed.ca
Small Biz Forward 27
How Networking with VIPs is Like Dating by Kylie Dunn
I’m crap at networking, mainly because I can talk incessantly about nothing when I get nervous and monopolise the conversation, which is a big no-no. I’m not alone though, networking is something that many people do poorly. Networking with VIPs is even harder for people to do without embarrassing themselves in the process. It’s like going on a first date – you are so desperate to impress that you can end up coming across as creepy, needy or completely self-absorbed. Whether it is a speed-dating environment (group networking) or a one-on-one arrangement, there are five principles that you must follow to create a memorable impression – for the right reasons.
#1 Know Something About Your Date
Finding out about your ‘date’ will help you ask informed questions to start the conversation – rather than the standard questions they might get all the time, “so how did you get into your role?”, or worse still “so what do you do?”
Keep it real: this isn’t about learning how to fake a smile, or feign interest. This is about making sure that your genuine reactions are not giving a negative impression.
Keep it real: don’t force or make up a connection that doesn’t exist.
We’ve all endured an awkward silence on a ‘date’: a moment where you know you are expected to fill the void but can’t think of anything to say. VIPs are usually also Very Busy People, they don’t have time to waste waiting for you to think about what you want to ask them, they expect you to be prepared. They also deal with a lot of other people wanting their time and wisdom, so you want to make yourself as interesting and memorable as possible, in a good way.
#2 Practice Your Technique
I know that sounds a little creepy when I’m relating it to dating, but stay with me here. It’s important for you to realise that you might have mannerisms or habits that are off-putting or distracting; that your body language might not be sending the right message. Many of us have traits that we are unaware of so it’s time to get a friend to see if you do.
If it’s a group networking event find out who will be there you want to meet. Once you know who you may meet at a group event, or you have arranged a one-on-one catch up, then get some background.
Create the ‘dating’ situation with a friend, or in front of the mirror if you don’t have anyone you think will be honest enough with you. Have a simple ‘getting to know you’ conversation, and see if something isn’t working.
People respond well if you know something about them and what they have done. It’s even better if you can find a similarity with them – that you went to the same university, worked in the same company, came from the same State, or even share a passion for the same sporting team.
Remember to also practice your listening technique, since you will be focusing on asking questions and learning about them. Can you maintain eye contact and nod in response without looking bored or too enthusiastic – you are going to need to master this skill.
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#3 Know What You Want to Say
Before you meet with them you need to: 1. Know what you want from this connection. Are you planning a long-term relationship here, or is it about getting advice or an introduction to someone else? 2. Think up at least five insightful questions that you plan to ask. Nothing run of the mill like “so how did you achieve your success?” – seriously you aren’t interviewing them the local newspaper here. Small Biz Forward
Come up with insightful questions like: how they were able to overcome a perceived or actual barrier; what they learned from a particular job or project that they had; what advice they would give someone trying to move from X level to Y level in your industry. Be interesting. 3. Develop and practice your pitch, so when you have a chance to give them a 30 second spiel about who you are and where you are going, you are prepared and confident. Keep it brief: always remember that the idea is for them to do the majority of the talking, it should be 90% them and only 10% you.
#4 Know Your Answers
There is always a chance that your ‘date’ might turn the tables on you
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and expect you to do all the talking. Be prepared to answer all of the common questions about yourself, so that you can confidently tell them who you are, why you do what you do, what you are doing at the moment, and where you want to go next. You’ll have a cut down version of this in your 30 second spiel, but if they are querying you they will want more. If this occurs you want to try to get them back to talking about themselves, which shouldn’t be difficult to achieve. Sometimes though, the VIP may just want to hear about something else other than themselves for a few minutes, be accommodating. Keep it light: if you become the topic then you want to make sure you keep your answers interesting and light – be fascinating.
Networking is about cultivating relationships, not being some creepy stalker or needy weirdo. The goal may be different than dating, but the same principles apply: make it about getting to know them; be confident and be clear with what you want them to know about you; and, give them a reason to want to develop the relationship you are looking for. Above everything remember that they are people too, and they may just be as nervous and self-conscious about this ‘dating’ game. And if you have any tips about being more comfortable in this environment I’d love to hear them. Kylie Dunn
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Three Ways Reducing Stress can Increase Your Personal Productivity by Toni Fairman
It’s well known that stress contributes to disease but less well known is that it can hamper your productivity. Willpower alone cannot do the trick when it comes to checking off each and every success goal on your list. Your subconscious is a powerful force and will always win in a battle of wills. So, before berating yourself for skipping your morning run for 10 days in a row or wondering why you’re surrounded by a mountain of paperwork and just can’t seem to get organized, take a few minutes to address the real driving force behind your actions or in most cases, inaction.
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Tune in to feelings of inadequacy which can affect your ability to put yourself out there. This can cause procrastination on tasks that require you to get in front of prospects or speak to groups. You may be avoiding difficult conversations with clients about your working relationship or payment for your services. This can also keep you from setting goals that will move you forward. You see, when we feel inadequate we tend to settle for less because we tell ourselves that we can’t get to the next step or that we don’t deserve anything better.
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Release anxiety and fear which have a paralyzing effect on mental processing and productivity. This can interfere with all aspects of your decision making. Fear will cause you to avoid areas of your business life that are critical to productivity. By far, anxiety and fear are the most common stressors I see in my clients. Often, fear surrounding a specific health, relationship or career issue siphons off your energy and brain power preventing you from focusing on job related tasks.
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Get past rejection. Feeling rejected and even the fear of rejection can cause changes in your brain. I have helped many clients with brain fog and even physical neurological problems by eliminating the negative emotions abandonment, rejection and feeling neglected. If you find yourself unable to think clearly while trying to organize your office this could be the culprit. One of the first things I noticed after clearing away these emotions was the ease with which I can organize my home and office.
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So how do we reduce stress? Engaging in any relaxing activity can be helpful but usually not permanent. There are many techniques for removing stress from your body and mind. It’s important to find the right technique for you. Most of these techniques involve saying a prayer or affirmation and then introducing energy either from your own hands or with magnets. This works because your subconscious mind is designed to protect you from harm. It is programmable and these techniques erase the faulty programming. For example, when a child touches a hot pan and gets burned his subconscious mind views all pans from that point forward as a potential threat. That’s good. But when the subconscious programming is interfering with your plans, it’s important to reset that programming. A client of mine had a negative reaction when she found out she was pregnant after a few months of marriage. She had planned to wait five years before starting a family. After the birth of her baby, she and her husband enjoyed being parents so much that they decided to have another child about 18 months later. But, my client was unable to conceive again. Her physical exam showed no problems. After clearing out the negative emotions from her reaction to her first pregnancy, she conceived within a month. So what’s the best way to get started? Ask yourself, “What would it take to bring me peace?” or “What would it take to make me happy?”. Your answer is your primary concern. Sometimes just being aware of what is really bothering you can help you resolve an issue. But, you may need the tools listed in the books below for permanent relief and attainment of your goals.
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I’ve included a list of books to help you get started down the path toward greater productivity through stress reduction. Each author offers a technique for reducing internal stress. The Healing Code by Alexander Loyd , PhD, ND and Ben Johnson, MD, DO, NMD Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender by David R. Hawkins M.D. Ph.D The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol K. Truman Find the technique that is right for you and then make it a daily practice. Your health, relationships and professional life will improve. Toni Fairman is a Nutritional Therapist and GAPS Practitioner specializing in stress management. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two sons. She is passionate about helping others move toward true vibrancy and joy in living. Toni works with clients all over the world via Skype and is the Weston A. Price San Diego Chapter Co-leader and speaks on nutrition and well-being. See ToniFairman.com for more information or to book a session. Toni Fairman
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Dream Big Retreat: Speakers We’ve been hearing about the Dream Big Retreat over the past couple of months – and it’s getting closer and more exciting as the days go on. We have a phenomenal group of people who are giving of their time, talents and money to share with the attendees. Are you interested in how you can use the ideas of entrepreneurship to make change in your business? Join others who are making an impact to discuss innovation, the ins and outs of launching a startup, and how to keep your employees engaged in your company (thus saving you money on hiring, training, firing, and more). This group of presenters is there to share their expertise with you on these topics and so much more. Let me introduce you to this great group, begining with our keynote speaker Deb Sanderson:
“From Rags to Rubber to Riches”
Deb Sanderson keynote Co-Owner of a multi-million dollar manufacturing company, Treadstone Rubber Products and a Beauty Consultant Brand Partner of Nerium Anti-aging Products, one of the fastest growing beauty businesses in the world.
Deb Sanderson
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Jason Rosada
With a unique skill set and extensive business background that took her from being a Buyer for Belk, a large Southern Department Store Chain to Human Resources to the Corporate Customer Service Manager for Bloomingdales to Banking before launching her business, Deb Sanderson is comfortable in her own skin. She’s knowledgeable, well spoken and genuine in her desire to help others succeed.
“Motivational Speaker” Jason Rosado
“Would You Consider Driving Your Car Without a Steering Wheel?”
Kim Bontrager An established financial professional with executive leadership experience serving both for profit and not for profit corporations. Her past roles include Vice President for Finance and Controller at SunGard Higher Education, an international company located in Orlando, Florida providing technology service solutions to the higher education market. During her tenure, the Managed Services Division grew from $10 million in revenue to over $150 million.
Kim Bontrager
Mary Lu Saylor
Kimberlee has also acted as Vice President of Finance at Lincoln Memorial University; a non for profit university located outside Knoxville, Tennessee. Her accomplishments at LMU include contributing to annual revenue growth from $50 million to over $100 million.
“Positioning Yourself as a Media Expert”
Mary Lu Saylor An Emmy-award winning journalist who spent 30 years in the television news business. Her experience includes work as a videographer, newscast video editor, and ultimately as the newsroom Assignment Manager at WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, SC. At the Dream Big Retreat she will show you how you can become an expert to the media in your community. Mary Lu will explain who you need to know, how you can connect with them, and why this is an important skill for any business owner to have.
“Keeping Your Employees Engaged”
Costco is known as one of the best employee centered businesses in the United States.
Costco, TBD
Robert Mannino
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“Branding and Marketing”
Robert Mannino Robert is the founder of the New York based branding agency Numax Media. Robert will be discussing brand strategies and defining your target market. He will discuss craetive ways to get your brand message in front of your potenital clients. He will also touch on self branding and how in today’s technological world there is a fading line between your personal brand and business brand. Personal brands play a key roll in how your potential customers view you, and view your business. Learn how to maximize your personal brand and feel confident about promoting your self as an expert in your industry.
“Getting Real Results with Social Media”
Rivka Kawano Most businesses are on social media, but are not getting the results that they want. If it seems like you spend all your time on social media without seeing any return on your investment, or if you avoid social media because you don’t know where to start, then you won’t want to miss this session. Rivka will share an action oriented approach to building relationships that move your business forward in measurable ways.
“Lessons Learned”
Karen Bachert Karen Bachert is one of the talented business leaders presenting at the Dream Big Retreat who believes
Rivka Kawano
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Karen Bachert
that there’s no such thing as a bad idea . When attending the Dream Big Retreat she’ll encourage us all to keep track of every idea we hear or think of, every contact we make and every person we meet. Then at the end of the day, Karen will facilitate a large group activity guiding us in a process designed to help us see how we can apply the thoughts/ideas we’ve heard throughout the conference to our own businesses. We’ll be challenged to grasp the opportunity of making new contacts and creating relationships. You will be amazed at the discoveries we’ll make during this session.
“Putting all the Pieces Together”
Trudy Meneke According to leadership expert John Maxwell, everything rises and falls on leadership. And self-leadership is where it all begins. How will you take all that you learn at this year’s retreat and trust yourself to implement it? What’s going to make this year different? Trust Trudy to guide you through your fear, past potential rejection and into self-belief so you follow through on the success you deserve.
Two Days
The two day event is packed with great events and workshops and one of the most powerful, and unusual parts of the weekend will be the dedicated time given to each participant to work on their own business, with others having similar issues right there beside them sharing and working together.
Trudy Meneke
If this sounds at all intriguing, please go and register at www.dreambigretreat.com We are keeping the group small and intimate so that we can make sure that each and every participant gets hands-on training and can be assured of receiving great support to help them build their BIG Dream into reality.
We also have a wonderful group of sponsors: Karen Bachert and her business “Your Business Needs Fans” Costco, Ed Becher and “The Center for Protection, Security and Personal Safety” Tracy Barse “Find Great Companies” Rob Mannino “NuMax Media” Key Bank Ellen Mann of “Ellen Mann Consulting” Will be around as a resource to help with Saturday’s workshop as well. Rachael Cooper “Diomed Design” COSTCO There will be more sponsors yet to come.
Nancy Becher
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DREAM BIG RETREAT MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA OCTOBER 2-3, 2015 Brought to you by The corporate world knows the value of taking time out to work ON your business, taking time to assess what is going right, what is going wrong and what just plain isn't going anywhere. As a business owner, it's critical to take time out to plan -- and this retreat is a great place to do that, while working WITH others, networking and even relaxing a bit. If you are serious about growing your business to the next level this two-day event is all important. Where else will you find support, a bit of prodding, accountability and FUN. Check out the event under the event tab here on the page to learn more about what we're going to be doing!
Learn from Industry Experts
Networking Opportunities
Marketing, Branding, and Social Media Workshops
Meet business leaders that can help grow your business
This two day workshop will energize and educate the small business owner by covering topics in marketing as well as keeping your employees content and working to the best of their ability, social media dos and don'ts, how to be the go to person in the media, and much more. The cost is $179 (includes breakfast, lunch and snacks), as well as the hospitality suite Friday evening.
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For more Information on how the Dream BIG Retreat can help grow your business, visit us at www.dreambigretreat.com /DreamBigRetreat
Small Biz Forward
Small Biz Forward
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Meeting Every Monday
11:30a—1:30p
11:30a - 1:30p
WHERE:
$3 + 2 Business Cards
Ziano’s – Maysville Rd,
Northeast Indiana Innovation Ctr. 3201 Stellhorn Road, 46815
Great Lunch Specials
46835
(Entrance at the Flagpole)
CONTACT:
CONTACT:
Randi Lincoln 260-312-7862
Randi 312-7862
WHO:
BRING:
Business Owners/Career Seekers Networkers/Social Media Builders
*Business Cards
WELCOME:
* Door Prizes for Drawings
1st Time Attenders:
To Promote Your Business
Bring Minimum of 40 Business Cards +/Or Resumes to share
* Resumes / Flyers
* Career Seekers WELCOME!
BRING
Bring Lots of Business Cards +/or RESUME to Pass Out!
Door Prize Giveaways Promotes your Business!
Business Cards to Pass
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Relational Networking Gain Insights & Ideas
Promote Business/Learn More Bring Lots of Business Cards $3 admission + 2 Cards at door
Build Business Relationships Network + Learn 2 Network Bring 2 Business Cards + $3 Enjoy Ziano’s Lunch Specials
Small Biz Forward
Book of the Month Club Richard Branson is one of my favorite business people: he’s funny, somewhat irreverent, and a great business person in my view. I watch all his interviews and conversations on Youtube and I’ve just started reading his book, Losing My Virginity: How I survived, had fun, and made a fortune doing business my way. It’s an interesting, easy read and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to run their business, their own way. According to Amazon, (Amazon. com), “Oh, screw it, let’s do it.” That’s the philosophy that has allowed Richard Branson, in slightly more than twenty-five years, to spawn so many successful ventures. From the airline business (Virgin Atlantic Airways), to music (Virgin Records and V2), to cola (Virgin Cola), to retail (Virgin Megastores), and nearly a hundred others, ranging from financial services to bridal wear, Branson has a track record second to none. Losing My Virginity is the unusual, frequently outrageous autobiography of one of the great business geniuses of our time. When Richard Branson started his first business, he and his
Small Biz Forward
friends decided that “since we’re complete virgins at business, let’s call it just that: Virgin.” Since then, Branson has written his own “rules” for success, creating a group of companies with a global presence, but no central headquarters, no management hierarchy, and minimal bureaucracy. Many of Richard Branson’s companies--airlines, retailing, and cola are good examples--were started in the face of entrenched competition. The experts said, “Don’t do it.” But Branson found golden opportunities in markets in which customers have been ripped off or underserved, where confusion reigns, and the competition is complacent. And in this stressed-out, overworked age, Richard Branson gives us a new model: a dynamic, hardworking, successful entrepreneur who lives life to the fullest. Family, friends, fun, and adventure are equally important as business in Branson’s life. Losing My Virginity is a portrait of a productive, sane, balanced life, filled with rich and colorful stories:
Crash-landing his hot-air balloon in the Algerian desert, yet remaining determined to have another go at being the first to circle the globe Signing the Sex Pistols, Janet Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Boy George, and Phil Collins Fighting back when British Airways took on Virgin Atlantic and successfully suing this pillar of the British business establishment Swimming two miles to safety during a violent storm off the coast of Mexico Selling Virgin Records to save Virgin Atlantic Staging a rescue flight into Baghdad before the start of the Gulf War . . . And much more. Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum
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July 2015 Events Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
3
4
9
10
11
16
17
18
23
24
25
Exit 25 Networking
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN 11:30am
5
6
7
8
Georgetown Plus
Exit 25 Networking
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Northeast Innovation
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
12
13
14
15
Georgetown Plus
Exit 25 Networking
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Northeast Innovation
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
19
20
21
22
Georgetown Plus
Exit 25 Networking
Premier Women’s
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Dots Eatery in Auburn
Northeast Innovation
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN Network Michiana
11:30am
26
27
28
4pm-6pm
29
30
31
Georgetown Plus
Northeast Innovation
Center, Fort Worth, IN 11:30am
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Small Biz Forward
Business Success Unlimited
Just A Reminder… The BSU MastermindProgram has started back up online the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the Month.
Every Monday
Georgetown Plus Networking, Northeast Innovation Center, Forth Worth, IN
• Meets every Monday at 11:30am • Join us for free lunch and a new way of networking • $3 and 2 Business Cards gets you in! • Bring promotional materials and be ready to share about your business! • RSVP for a display table for $15 during the group, contact Randi at 260.312.7862 • Come Early & Stay late & NETWORK
Every Wednesday
Exit 25 Networking, Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
• Meets every Wednesday at 11:30am • Join us for RELATIONAL Networking & Promote each other to Success! • $3 & 2 Business Cards gets you in! • Bring promotional materials and be ready to share about your business
Premier Women’s Network Michiana
• Meets every 4th Thursday of the month 4pm-6pm • Even numbered months: Moose in Angola on N. Martha Street • Odd numbered months: Dots Eatery in Auburn at the Sixth Street shops • Contact Mary Jo Smith at 574.514.5193 • no meeting in December
Women’s Business Bureau
• Kalamazoo Country Cub, MI 49006 • Contact Jan Murphy at 334.560.6955
Small Biz Forward
39
August 2015 Events Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
3
4
5
Georgetown Plus
Exit 25 Networking
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Northeast Innovation
10
11
Exit 25 Networking
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
18
19
Georgetown Plus
Exit 25 Networking
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Northeast Innovation
24
25
Exit 25 Networking
Premier Women’s
Center, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
Moose in Angola
11:30am
30
15
20
21
22
27
28
29
26
Georgetown Plus
Northeast Innovation
14
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
23
13
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
17
8
12
Georgetown Plus
Northeast Innovation
16
7
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
11:30am
9
6
Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN Network Michiana 4pm-6pm
31 Georgetown Plus
Northeast Innovation
Center, Fort Worth, IN 11:30am
40
Small Biz Forward
Business Success Unlimited
Just A Reminder… The BSU MastermindProgram has started back up online the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the Month.
Every Monday
Georgetown Plus Networking, Northeast Innovation Center, Forth Worth, IN
• Meets every Monday at 11:30am • Join us for free lunch and a new way of networking • $3 and 2 Business Cards gets you in! • Bring promotional materials and be ready to share about your business! • RSVP for a display table for $15 during the group, contact Randi at 260.312.7862 • Come Early & Stay late & NETWORK
Every Wednesday
Exit 25 Networking, Ziano’s, Fort Worth, IN
• Meets every Wednesday at 11:30am • Join us for RELATIONAL Networking & Promote each other to Success! • $3 & 2 Business Cards gets you in! • Bring promotional materials and be ready to share about your business
Premier Women’s Network Michiana
• Meets every 4th Thursday of the month 4pm-6pm • Even numbered months: Moose in Angola on N. Martha Street • Odd numbered months: Dots Eatery in Auburn at the Sixth Street shops • Contact Mary Jo Smith at 574.514.5193 • no meeting in December
Women’s Business Bureau
• Kalamazoo Country Cub, MI 49006 • Contact Jan Murphy at 334.560.6955
Small Biz Forward
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6/18/2015
Word Search Generator :: Make your own printable word searches @ A to Z Teacher Stuff
Crossword Puzzle
MAKE YOUR OWN WORKSHEETS ONLINE @ WWW.ATOZTEACHERSTUFF.COM
NAME:_______________________________ DATE:_____________
Building Business F M H I G I E W E W A H N B A
D J Q F S H C F P P X O P Q Q
R T Q E A I I P N I R A P E Q
M E J O W K V Z Z M R C E C T
W P M J X O R O B K E F Q A U
D C G O M B E K S A L E S Z E
E P T T T T S D A T A B A S E
N W P M B S N H X T T K L E H
M Z X Q F H U U J R I S W L N
X V J H B A X C J O O S H S L
K M R E T G N O L P N E A C V
K B F H F W F Y A P S C W O A
Y Y Q I B V O K E U H C Y S L
H C O G V X V R G S I U U F U
W X A D X P O P G R P S N E E
RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS SUPPORT CUSTOMER VALUE LONGTERM SALES CRM DATABASE SERVICE GROWTH
Z Teacher Stuff
TUFF.COM
_______ Make your own worksheets online at www.atozteacherstuff.com 42
Small Biz Forward
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BRAND YOUR BUSINESS FOR $199 A MONTH
LOGO WEBSITE BROCHURE BUSINESS CARDS SOCIAL MEDIA
WWW.NUMAXMEDIA.COM
Small Biz Forward
NEW YORK, NY
631-747-1408 43
Small Biz Forward Advertising Rates
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Months
One
Three
Six
Nine
Twelve
Banner
$125.00
$337.50
637.50
$900.00
$1,125.00
Full Page
$400.00
$1,080.00
$2,040.00
$2,880.00
$3,600.00
Half Page
$240.00
$648.00
$1,224.00
$1,728.00
$2,160.00
Quarter Page
$125.00
$337.50
$637.50
$900.00
$1,125.00
Business Card
$25.00
$67.50
$127.50
$180.00
$225.00
Event
$15.00
$40.50
Small Biz Forward