October/November 2012 Parenting for Success Katherine Waddell, This Needs to Be Said, Inc.
18 Tips to Save Thousands Tanisha Layne, AskTani.com
Your Greatest Trial May Be Your Greatest Blessing Angel Barrino Purpose and Praise Ministries, LLC
Mom, What’s for Dinner? Regina Lewis
The Work From Home Classroom
What's the Insider secret to getting high paying clients for your business? Katrina Harrell,
Business Strategist for Women Entrepreneurs
The UNDERDOG Platform Featuring Lucinda Cross
From Behind Bars to‌
BOSS Lady!
Rhonda Nails Project PUSH Founder
Contents Issue 9 October/November 2012 Page 6
Facebook Marketing in Minutes LaShanda Henry
Page 11
Your Greatest Trial... Angel Barrino Page 12
18 Tips to Save Thousands Tanisha Layne Page 16
Mom, What’s for Dinner? Regina Lewis Page 20
Go to the Zoo with them Katherine Waddell
What is the Insider Secret‌?
Page 24
Katrina M Harrell
Page 28
The Underdog Platform Lucinda Cross CEO, Author, Speaker 2
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A Word from Rhonda Project PUSH Founder We’re Back!! Did you miss us?? It’s FALL! Which means new issue, new content AND…….my Birthday!!! What do you do on your birthday?? Often I reflect, eat good food, rest, shop and then eat good food...AGAIN! What’s different about this year is what I am reflecting on. Instead of reflecting on what I didn't do and what I need to do better in the next year, I will be reflecting on where I am RIGHT NOW. I am in my state of PURPOSE. I am NOT in control...God is. I am using my highest and best use for my life RIGHT NOW. I am in Demand by people who respect my gifts and talents. I am NOT afraid of lack because it doesn’t apply to me. I am a never ending blessing to the world. I am replenished 100 fold when I sincerely give. One of the things I tell my coaching clients is “your concern should not be what you didn’t do or what you need to do….Your focus should be on what you do RIGHT NOW. “ What you did cannot be changed. Whatever you anticipate doing, trust that the instructions will be provided. Where are YOU right now? Till Next Time….
Rhonda AKA The Success Instigator www.Project-Push.org 4
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Facebook Marketing in Minutes LaShanda Henry www.SistaSense.com When it comes to social media marketing, my coaching clients usually want to know how to keep their Facebook fan pages active with lots of comments and content in between their busy business schedules. Short of hiring a social media manager to handle this kind of stuff for you, there are a few simple things you can do to foster activity on your Facebook Fan Page in roughly ten minutes or less. FIND IT, SHARE IT, AND ADD A TWIST First browse your Facebook News Feed, which is the main page you see on Facebook when you log in. There you will find a stream of the latest posts from your friends and personal fan pages including trending topics, real-time news updates, current events, engaging photos and entertaining videos. Find something that you can not only share on your Facebook Fan page, but add a twist to. Can you find some way to relate that post to your business and/or topics of interest within your fan page community? FOR EXAMPLE: I personally like to share motivational photos and videos that I find with the Black Business Women Online Facebook fans (facebook.mybbwo.net). BBWO members enjoy real-time words of encouragement as well as useful information and resources they can apply to their business. While sharing I often include links back to BBWO as a way to drive traffic and boost sales in addition to creating conversations. If you can’t find some way to create a connection between that post and your business, at the very least include your thoughts on the post. Go a step further and ask your Facebook fans what they think? In a matter of minutes you can turn a simple Facebook Share into a thoughtful, engaging conversation.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? One of the wonderful things about Facebook is the fact that you can real-time share activities with your circle. Have you just completed a project? Did you just have a great conversation with a client? Are you getting ready to attend an event or launch a new product?
Think about what’s happening in your business right now and turn those events into a point of discussion on your Facebook page. Once you get into the habit of regularly sharing your daily activities with your fans, be sure to return the favor. Ask them what is happening in their lives and thoughtfully respond back. You are responsible for getting the conversations started, but you aren’t the only one who should be talking. TRY GETTING A SECOND OPINION On the topic of questions, how often do your ask your fans questions in general? Do you want feedback on your new product? Do you want to know what people thought about your latest blog post or new video? Think about areas in your business that you would like to receive a second opinion on and go to your Facebook Fans for insight. Take this opportunity to not only participate in social media marketing, but get market research done at the same time. LaShanda Henry is a web designer and online marketing coach. For more great social media tips visit her money and marketing blog at www.sistasense.com
LaShanda Henry Web Designer and Marketing Coach www.SistaSense.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/black.business.women.online
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Tax Chick Tips
Whose business is it anyway? In order for an expense to be fully deductible, The Internal Revenue Service says it should ordinary and necessary. Some common expenses that are usually fully deductible are: Accounting Fees, Contractor Labor, Consultation Fees, Tax Prep Fees, Print and copy, Laundry Fees, and many more. As a business owner that sell a product, you can deduct the cost of those goods sold. What are costs of goods sold? It is the cost it takes to manufacture your products and/or purchases you make for resale. Examples: cost of products and/or raw materials, labor, storage, and freight are some. See publication 334 for more information. Did you know that if you are self employed, you can also deduct the business part of interest on your car loan, state and local personal property tax on the car, parking fees, and tolls, whether or not you claim the standard mileage rate. What kind of expenses are NOT deductible? Penalties and fines, Kickbacks and bribes, Memberships to social clubs, Lobbying fees, and Contributions to political parties or candidates. Be informed!
Anissa Barbee
Tax Chick Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taxchick37 Twitter: https://twitter.com/taxchick37
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Av ai lable Am a o n zo n . co m
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Your Greatest Trial may be Your Greater Blessing Angel Barrino “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter, so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” Jeremiah 18:4 While we are in our trials we do not see how beneficial they are for producing good fruit or “results” in our lives; yet if we open our eyes beyond what we see in the natural, we understand that when pressure is applied to anything something good is produced. Many are familiar with the process of how beautiful diamonds are made; that is to say natural diamonds. Coal is used to make diamonds and often times we may wonder how something so dark, black and cold could produce something as exquisite and timeless as a diamond but the process of turning coal into diamonds is very extreme. Likewise, look at this clay that had been marred in the potter’s hands. When a potter creates a vessel for use, if the vessel or the clay pot is imperfect or incapable of use, the clay must be remade. As believers, we often times need to be ‘remade’ or restored. We become broken or ‘marred’ in the hands of our God and He has to take us through a season of re-creation in order to make us whole again or ready for His use in the Kingdom. As I look back over the last few years I realize how intricately powerful my trials or strenuous experiences have been. During the trial of my marriage and later separation, I did not see God’s hand working in my situation; yet out of that situation a book of my life experiences came forth. As a result, many lives are being touched and changed because of experiences and willingness to share them. The greatest pain in my life has provided a greater blessing and each day I am grateful to God for the ability to share with others what He produced within me. Allow your experiences to shape you into a vessel for His use and watch the abundance flow.
Angel Barrino Speaker, Author, Wellness Coach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hpmp.angelb Twitter: https://twitter.com/HPMP_angelb 11
18 Tips to Save Thousands Tanisha Layne AskTani.com How many people do you know that work hard to earn a living and support their families, yet they have more month left over than money? Quite often, people ask themselves, “Where did all of the money go? Why am I having a hard time saving?” The problem is not how much you make, it is how much you accumulate. Here are Financial Tips to reduce spending and to enhance savings each month directly affecting your credit score. NOTE: Your credit and cash flow goes hand in hand. 1. Keep the air pressure in your car’s tires at recommended levels and keep your engine tuned. This will improve your mileage and help you save about $125 a year on gas. 2. Eliminate cups of Starbucks coffee and have store purchased coffee at home before you leave for work instead. At the cost of about $3.00 a cup, you are spending about $650.00 or more a year. Close your eyes and imagine what else you could spend that money on! 3. Make all bill payments on time. Many credit card companies charge up to $40 for late payments on TOP of interest. 4. Consider generic brands when it comes to drugs prescriptions. On average, you will save about $250 a year. 5. Switch to a credit union. Their interest rates and fees are usually less than traditional banks. 6. Take your lunch with you each day versus eating out. You can save about $1,500.00 a year. 7. If you have a 30-year mortgage, consider making a payment every three weeks instead of every month (every two weeks if you can). You will save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
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8. Avoid throwing away leftovers. Cooking one meal and stretching it over two nights can cut your food bill drastically. 9. Consider a matinee. It’s much cheaper to catch a matinee instead of going to the movies at night. 10.Turn off all lights when you leave a room if you plan to be gone more than five minutes. 11.11. Mow your own lawn. Not only do you save money, by doing it yourself you get FIT. 12. Save on the cost of dry-cleaning by purchasing clothes you can wash and dry at home. 13. When you are planning to go grocery shopping, prepare a list and stick to it. You will not only save money, but you will eliminate pulse shopping and unhealthy foods. 14. Shop out of season when prices are lower. Buy your summer clothes in November, get your Christmas decorations in January, and buy your bathing suit and pool supplies in October. 15. Avoid credit cards from department stores. They can have the highest interest rates that may exceed 29.5%. 16. Each time you get a raise, place the extra money into your family emergency fund each month or invest the money in real estate, stocks, or bonds. Spend the money purposely. 17. When buying insurance, you should research companies and compare prices for the best deal without sacrificing services. 18. Creating a spending plan and sticking to it is a great way to make sure your financial dreams come true. The secret to financial success is not how much you make; it is how much you accumulate.
Tanisha Layne Financial Expert Website: AskTani.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AskTani Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskTani 13
Students N2 Success By Miss Zaylah Entrepreneur in Training School can be hard sometimes but here are some ways to be successful in school. One way is to study every night. One thing that I do is take notes during class so at night you can study and look back at the things you learned during the day. Also, never be scared to ask questions‌.there are no dumb questions! Another way to be successful in school is to get extra help through peer tutoring. You can also stay after school to get the help you need. One last way to succeed in school is to always work out your problems during tests, classwork or homework. It’s ok if it takes you longer to solve a problem. Do each problem step by step and ALWAYS double check your work. These are just a few ways you can stay be a success in School!
Miss Zaylah Middle School Student and...
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Mom, What’s for Dinnner! Regina Lewis
The Work from Home Classroom I used to dread those words. Not only did it represent my lack of planning but it always seemed to take me away from work when I was deep in it, when a deadline was looming. I just did not want to break away to prepare a meal and break my work groove. Couldn’t my boys just wait until I was finished? Four boys do not equal patience. I had to come up with a plan before they chewed their hands off and drove me batty in the process. Recognizing the need for my boys to eat on a regular schedule that did not always jive with mine, I made a few simple but important changes: I began shopping in bulk. To avoid running out of necessary items, I bought staples in bulk. We use lots of flour, cereal and oatmeal so I made sure to have lots of those items in the pantry. It is amazing the types of meals you can prepare with just a few staples. Plan meals in advance. Not knowing what is planned can throw a monkey wrench into your daily schedule. To eliminate that, I took the simple step of planning meals on a weekly basis. Now the boys can look at the bulletin board and know at a glance what we are eating. I taught the boys how to prepare simple meals. Probably the most fun step of all, I took the boys into the kitchen, swallowed my apprehension and taught them how to fix their favorite dishes. Not only did they surprise me by being such enthusiastic students, they prepared delicious meals like spaghetti, homemade pizzas and cupcakes. There is a new phrase in my house: “Mom, what do YOU want for dinner?” Those are sweet words!
Regina Lewis The Work From Home Classroom
Website: www.TheWorkFromHomeClassroom.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ TheWorkfromHomeClassroom
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Here is one of the boys’ favorite recipes:
Individual Mini Pizzas Ingredients 1 can of biscuits (Pillsbury Grands work best) pizza sauce mozzarella cheese sliced pepperoni Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Open the biscuits and flatten them with a rolling pin or your hand. 2. Spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce on each biscuit dough. Sprinkle mozzarella on the dough and pepperoni on top. 4. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving. These can actually be frozen and baked when you need them.
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Motivating Moments Words that INSITGATE Success
To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work. ~Sister Mary Lauretta
Specialize in Triumph over trouble. ~The Success Instigator You always pass failure on the way to Success -Mickey Rooney
God gave us two ends. One to sit on and one to think with. Success depends on which one you use; heads, you win—tails, you lose. ~Anonymous 18
Chiefs walk with Chiefs. -Valerie Daniels-Carter
God will set you up, So He can blow you up, All you have to do is lift him up.
~The Success Instigator
The person who moves a mountain Begins by carrying away small stones. ~~Chinese Proverb
Everyone has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases. -Jeremy Collier
Your Purpose is to put the pieces of the puzzle together. -The Success Instigator 19
Go to the Zoo with them Katherine Waddell, This Needs to Be Said, Inc.
Being a parenting success is not equivalent to the children behaving appropriately all the time. Sometimes our little darlings will think they are getting away with something until someone puts the brakes on them. Consider this your child has a field trip to the zoo coming up. This would mean one full day outside the classroom and away from campus. This would also mean leaving early and coming back well after school hours, these type of trips come with detailed planning and costs a few dollars to boot. You and your child have been talking about all you will see when you get to the zoo. You also promise to bring the camera along for lots of photos, because there will be a lot of opportunities. Your child insists on a special lunch for that day as well as carefully choosing which friends will get to be in your group. He even spends time bragging about having the coolest mom. Yeah you agree with that, you are pretty darn cool if you must say so yourself. You go ahead and request time off because you the cool and engaged mom will be with your child for an all day field trip. Plans are set and comfortable clothing laid out. Tomorrow is the big day. Neither of you can hardly sleep. This is his first zoo trip! In fact this is your first zoo trip with him. You are excited about all the sites you will show him once you arrive. The next morning you arrive at the school ready to go. You’ve loaded your lunches on board with everyone else’s then you load on to the charter bus to find the perfect seat for you two to settle in for the two hour trip. Just as you are getting situated the principal of the school steps onto the bus. Of course they are coming to wish you all a safe and fun trip, but not yet. The announcements begin like this: Is Mrs._____ you fill in the blank on the bus? Everyone looks in your direction. It seems that no matter how old you are being summoned by the principal is never pleasant.
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Before you realize it you are shrinking down in the seat, while everyone else is nodding and pointing your way. Your child is looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. You step off the bus only to learn your child failed to inform you that you could have gone to work that day because they were not even supposed to be at school. With the other parents peering through the bus windows you feel a flush red in your face and shaking the sugar out of your child could make you feel better at that very moment. However, on school property the concern may be that the child is being abused. So you forego laying hands on the child. While gathering yourself promptly from embarrassment you ask, “What are my options? Do I get my money back?” The principal says, “No ma’am you do not get your money back and what do you mean what are your options?” You let them know you would still like to go to the zoo, is that possible. The principal asks, “You would go without your child?” You nod and ask is there some place where he can be kept until the end of the day. The principal nods and asks, “Who will get him at the end of the day since you will not be back in time?” You ask, “Can he be placed on his school bus?” The principal nods and places a sympathetic hand on the child’s shoulder as they turn to walk off. You rejoin those going on the field trip and one mom asks, “Are you going without your child? Are you really gonna leave him?” You nod and the rest of the mom’s cheer loudly. With a clear conscience you go to the zoo, chaperone a group of kids and take lots of pictures. When you arrive home that evening you would imagine your child playing the victim and for a few moments he considers it. You give him the look of disappointment, because you were embarrassed to discover he had been kicked out of school and did not tell you. (this is a true story) The successful part of this parenting scenario is that he received a punishment that adequately matched the infraction. If you would have handled this situation in a similar manner pat yourself on the back. This was an expensive lesson to teach, but the message that the show must go on will resonate with your child for years to come. Feel free to email me at: letstalk@thisneedstobesaid.com and tell me your “Parenting For Success” story. Visit my website: www.This Needs to Be Said.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TNTBSTalkShow Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TNTBS Blog: http://tntbs.blogspot.com/
Katherine Waddell, CEO TNTBS, Inc. 21
Community Response: What does SUCCESS look like? I think success is like a journey, when one milestone is completed, you start a new and it's about being comfortable in your own skin to own your God given greatness ~LaTersa Blakley
Success looks like having fun doing what you love‌ in short never quitting. ~Devondia My standard for success is Joshua 1:8 in the Holy Bible because God IS success. He doesn't even know what failure is. So I know He has revealed it to us in His Word. It says in that scripture that success looks like studying and living by God's Word in obedience without fear. I live this now, haven't always, but I do now. ~Donna Marie Johnson
I don't think success "looks" like anything. I believe it's an attitude. -Larie 22
Success looks like setting a goal and actually completing the task. Success is a commitment to get to the finish line: blood, sweat, tears & all. And finally, success is not conforming to any one's version of my vision; authentic vision. ~Carol Sankar
Success to me is when you have captured whatever it is that you love to do most, and take it to it’s maximum ability. You are never working when you doing what you love. That’s what I encourage all people to focus on. -Milton
I think Success Looks like a proud Mother on the side line. When you can stand in the corner and your eyes glow just from thinking about all that you have accomplished. That's Success. -Ayana Yanaeboo Boutique Eaddy
As a minister, CEO, servant leader, author and patient advocate for women with heart disease, success, to me, I believe, looks like something that is significant and beneficial that will help the all of us, and be to and for God's glory ultimately. My desire is to grow as an Individual while continually uplifting, encouraging and inspiring others and myself to achieve greater things that will benefit the communities in which we reside, in mind, body & spirit, while being able one day to hear "Well done." That's what significant success is to me. "I am The Encouraging One!" -Minister Nellie A. Wosu
We Want to Hear from You!
Leave your comment at our website and it may be featured in the next issue! http://www.project-push.org/success-response 23
What's the Insider secret to getting high paying clients for your business? Katrina Harrell Business Strategist for Women Entrepreneurs When starting a new business service or product, the one desire of all business owners is to hit it "big" with a major contract with a client or clients. Whether it be a publisher to provide you a seven figure deal to publish your future amazon.com or New York times best seller, or a contract with a major retailer to sell your mineral makeup line or a having your natural hair care products in Macy's, the creme de la creme of essentually every business is BIG high paying clients. However for many small businesses getting a big client is challenging. As Big clients have specific needs and are picky. However, for new small business, attracting "Big" is relative as it can mean established local establishments, colleges and organizations that house large quantieis of your ideal clients. Even for my own business, in it's new stages all of my clients were small businesses with big enough muscle to allow me to offer more services on an ongoing basis and high price tag (contract). For your business, how do you go after higher paying clients and contracts? What is the "secret" to landing major deals? It's not as difficult as it seems. It often starts with Always asking the question "WHI?" Yes intentionally spelled "WHI" and is the one thing I've done consistenly in my business (and that says alot considering I'm a Firestarter) that is what fuels my success and positions me to quickly recover even after ANY setback.
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What is your Wealth enHancing Intentions? (WHI) Your wealth enHancing Intentions or your (WHI) is critical in any business success. It's the difference between turning a challenge into a profitable opportunity or finding yourself on a constant treadmill in your business-running fast but going no where. Your WHI forces you to dig deep into your intentions and then only focus on those strategies in your business that will actually PRODUCE profit. Often as a business owner you have millions of nickel and dime business ideas but fewer BIG client ideas. However, many business owners are fearful of pouring all their attention on this one big idea that can turn into business gold. Why should you focus on your WHI? 1. Challenges you to dig deep into your intentions - you discover your true motives and even uncover some limiting beliefs holding you back from pursuing your goals. Setting the right intentions is critical to everything. Ideas are never in short supply. There is always abundance of ideas and resouces around you so taking the time to ask yourself your true intentions is important. 2. It's your mini- 10 min business plan - I've written business plans in the past and I know they are not always fun. However it's no excuse to not having a strategy in place before moving forward - regardless of what it is - even if you should take on a new partner, hire new employees a WHI helps you pull out the strategy - the "how" and the what" and force you to ask yourself if this is REALLY feasible right not (you know entrepreneurs...every idea has to be done YESTERDAY - well this tool is like a safe tranqualizer to calm down 3. Ensures you stay PREPARED. I use my WHI tool for ALMOST everything (except cooking dinner - and cleaning - I wish I could stop and ask "why" am I doing these dishes again) . I try to stay ready. Successful business people know the secret to seccess (the other secret) is staying prepared. BUT knowing WHAT to prepare is important. Your WHI helps you identify what you need to actually have in place for the appointed time. A WHI is the difference between tactics and strategies - where tactics are things you do - often arbritraily if without a strategy first - and strategies is what separates the winners from the losers. Strategies work in alignment with your divine purpose and sets you apart. What is your WHI?
Katrina M Harrell Business Strategist for Women Entrepreneurs www.KatrinaMHarrell.com 25
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The UNDERDOG PLATFORM Don’t ever tell an UNDERDOG what they CAN”T do...
CEO of Activate!, Two time Best Selling Author, Founder of PrayingMoms.org…. and previously incarcerated. It takes a certain type of Underdog to get up from what life has thrown at you. Mrs. Cross not only got up, she exploded, blasted through negative stereotypes and has excelled at what she was created to do...ACTIVATE!
Name: Lucinda Cross Current Profession: Author/Speaker and Activation Coach Favorite Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake Favorite Quote: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Favorite Movie: Anything Denzel Washington Biggest Obstacle: Saying NO One word Self-Description: Activator Who is your inspiration/motivation? Rosa Parks and my children What motivates you? Writing, praying and vision boards and a nice cup of tea When did you KNOW for sure what your Purpose was? When I kept finding myself at the same place I was running from. When I got still enough and quiet enough to see the pattern of how God was using me.
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What was your turning point? When I wrote my first book Corporate Mom Drop Outs. I shut down my virtual marketing biz in search for clarity in 2008 and in 2009 I was clear on what I should be doing in this season of my life. What was your lowest point? When I lowered my rates to get clients and then I was overwhelmed with doing client work that was not in my scope and was not work I appreciate , but only accepted for the money and I felt like I was in Corporate America…I was stressed out and working for coins. I did not take pride in my work. What are your upcoming projects/events? I have an ongoing online new authors writers course and in Novemeber 2nd, 2012 in Virginia. I have a 3day intensive for women to renew their creative fire. What made you never give up? My kids and my family. When I look at my kids and I turn on the news I realize that giving up is not an option. What is your message for the “Haters”? Hating is bad for your health, ask me how and I will tell you how to get your’s like how I am getting mine. What is the legacy you want to leave? A global enterprise of safe houses for reentering the community. What is an Underdog to you? Someone who is the boss… What does success look like? Success looks like doing what you are called to do, when your called to do it freely and reaping the rewards for doing it.
"ACTIVATE!” ~Lucinda Cross~
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