Lioness Magazine - October 2012 by Lioness Magazine

F E AT U R E S ISSUE 13 OCTOBER 2012

Meet the new

“M’Lynn”

12 – BUSINESS

22 29 33

Ask An Entrepreneur Prospecting Tips Seven Steps to Achieving Your Goals

5 EDITOR’S LETTER 16 LIPSTICK CHRONICLES 20 YEAH I DID

ISSUE 13 OCTOBER 2012

Editor-in-Chief Natasha Clark Copy Editor Jeanne Wroblewski Art Director Leonardo Pilares Director of Photography Denise Smith Columnists Crystal Senter Brown Brendaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Child Erin Corriveau Katelyn Gendron Kristina Chapell Contributing Writers Lamara Hunter Emily Thurlow Jennifer Sawyer

ÂŠ2012 Lioness Magazine is the first online magazine geared toward female entrepreneurs. We deliver sharp and compelling information on a variety of topics that are relevant to female entrepreneurs and professionals. Our mission is to elevate, educate and support female professionals. We celebrate the unique challenges and achievements of women in business. We believe women are multi-dimensional creations who flourish, personally and professionally, when they take time to nurture their spirits.

welcome to lioness editor’s letter Natasha Clark

The

Reigning Queen Queen Latifah h, Photo by Kevin Lync 11 20 ht Copyrig

The 80s woman was a force to be reckoned with. She was more likely to be college educated, co-head a double-income household and her voice was starting to be heard in the boardroom. Dolly Parton was working “9-5,” Janet, Ms. Jackson if you’re nasty, was taking “Control” and there was this woman everyone kept talking about named Oprah; she was becoming a talk show phenomenon. As a youngster I knew I wanted to be this type of woman – one who took her destiny in her own hands. My mother told me I could do anything I wanted to, and I believed her. Women such as the reigning Queen Latifah only cemented the idea. While she was on my radio singing about putting “Ladies First,” the impeccable Phylicia Rashad was on my TV screen dominating “The Cosby Show.” They had style, they had class, they had something to say; and the bonus was that they looked like me. I admire versatility. It is not an easy task. Latifah has been brave enough to take her interests and pursue them wholeheartedly. A rapper, a jazz singer, TV star, film lead, author, producer, spokesperson – her endeavors are endless.

While Hollywood’s A List has contained few people of color, Latifah spent the 90s rising in popularity, and the quality of her body of work has been remarkable. It inspired other young women, especially those who did not fit Hollywood’s limited definition of beauty. In 2008, Latifah told Time.com, “There is always an attempt to put a glass ceiling on a woman in general. Networking is the key. It’s about working together. It’s about connecting with people who don’t look at you with limits. Some things are just timing and determination and perseverance.” This month we celebrate our astounding cover woman as writer Crystal Senter Brown takes us inside Queen Latifah’s latest endeavor, remaking the classic film “Steel Magnolias.” We hope this issue inspires you to take your seat at the throne of whatever kingdom you desire to establish. Today is always the perfect day to unleash the Lioness within.

Natasha

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Women with Bravehearts

drienne MacDonald of Marietta, GA, will be one of 33 women from western countries, including America, to go to Jerusalem and participate in bringing 33 Palestinian and 33 Israeli women together in a three-day celebration of peace and harmony. This event is scheduled for Oct. 25 – 27, 2012, near Jerusalem, at the Little Everest Hotel, Beit Jala, West Bank of Israel. It will be filmed as part of an ongoing documentary on the BraveHeart Foundation’s continuing efforts to bring together women in conflict zones around the world.

MacDonald reaches out to other women locally and globally, as one of BraveHeart Women’s “Resonators,” encouraging collaboration through education and inspiration. In late July, MacDonald participated in the organization’s week-long training involving an integrated series of exercises and role development for Resonators, held in Ventura, California. It was attended by women originating from the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Iran and Pakistan. “The BraveHeart community is passionate about helping women be part of an ever expanding global collective of women who intuitively sense they have a critical role to play in shaping a more harmonious future for our world and I am proud to be a BraveHeart Woman Resonator,” said MacDonald, a businesswoman and former nurse. A central part of BraveHeart Women events are Oxytocin Circles, which incorporate breathing techniques and exercises that transform the body from “fight or flight” mode to a state of “create and collaborate,” enabling women to do so more naturally and effectively with one another and with less stress. “We are teaching women to collaborate in a more feminine way based on a scientific formula,” said Dr. Ellie Drake, founder and visionary of BraveHeart Women. “We have started a grass roots movement empowering women to be more, create more and collaborate more.” BraveHeart Women across the United States are currently engaged in activities and fundraising efforts for the October 2012 Jerusalem Oxytocin

Project. Their goal was to raise $231,000 by September 20, 2012. These funds will pay for 33 western women to travel to Jerusalem, 33 Israeli and 33 Palestinian women to be transported to the event, accommodations and food for all the women, and the film documenting the event. The purpose of the event is to bring together women to lessen tensions in conflict areas, understand each other and forge common bonds through collaboration. This project began in 2010 when eleven women each from Israel and Palestine came together, on stage, at the organization’s annual Rise event in November. This project will culminate in July of 2014 with a thousand women coming together in Jerusalem. The documentary of this project will be released in November of 2014 to help support on-going fund raising efforts to continue bringing women together in conflict areas around the world.

“THE WORLD WILL BE SAVED BY THE WESTERN WOMAN.” – Dalai Lama

MacDonald said she is raising awareness for the global efforts of BraveHeart Women and the Jerusalem event by holding local, free-of-charge Oxytocin Circle events. Dr. Ellie Drake was born in Iran and immigrated to the United States in her late teens. It was her parent’s desire that she become a doctor. She fulfilled that vision for her parents and then went on become a successful personal growth entrepreneur. She is now called to collaborate with women. She has developed a scientific formula which utilizes Oxytocin, a naturally occurring hormone that creates a feeling of connection, trust, bonding, and harmony. Dr Ellie Drake’s Female Success Model is a mix of science, intuitive knowing and entrepreneurship. At the Vancouver Peace Summit in September 2009, the Dalai Lama spoke on the need for more effort to promote basic human values of compassion and affection while noting that females have more sensitivity to other’s pain and suffering.

Adrienne MacDonald,

Marietta GA

“The world will be saved by the Western woman,” he said indicating that “Western” women have access to so many resources to affect change. The BraveHeart Women have taken up the Dalai Lama’s call to initiate the effort to shift the world toward a more peaceful and harmonious planet.

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“IN ORDER TO MAKE ENDS MEET, WOMEN HAVE TO STRETCH THEIR PAYCHECKS MUCH MORE THAN MEN, INCURRING CREDIT CARD DEBT QUITE OFTEN,” – Howard Dvorkin

Single women are more likely than their male counterparts to incur credit card debt he examination of records of more than 60,000 Consolidated Credit clients nationwide revealed a pattern: single women are more likely than single men to carry credit card debt. According to Consolidated Credit’s records, 70 percent of the calls received in the last six months are from women seeking credit card help. One of the reasons for higher debt among women is gender pay gap. Even though women have made great strides equalizing pay disparity, men still receive higher salaries in most occupations. Women earned 81 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2010, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “In order to make ends meet, women have to stretch their paychecks much more than men, incurring credit card debt quite often,” said Howard Dvorkin CPA and founder of ConsolidatedCredit.org. Women who work as personal financial advisors, retail salespersons, insurance sales agents, and lawyers earn lower salaries than men in the same fields, according to the BLS. Despite receiving lower salaries, single women tend to spend more much more than men on housing, personal care, drinks, food and clothing. For instance, single women spend 39.8 of their income on housing, while men spend 30.3 percent. When it comes to personal care single men spend 3.9 and single women 7.9 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dvorkin has the following advice for women in debt: Negotiate salary: Women earn less than men in almost every industry, including highly paid pro-

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fessions like doctors and lawyers. Before going to a job interview, women should research pay rates for the type of work they intend to do. Salary.com could be a great resource for single women looking to advance in their careers. Also, women need to find out if their employers offer tuition reimbursements and take the required classes to get promoted. Pay off one debt at a time: Women should make the minimum payments on all credit cards and put the extra cash towards one debt. To select the debt they want to tackle first, women should look at the one that has the highest interest rate (APR). The idea is to get rid of the debt that is growing fastest and start paying it off! Once the highest interest rate credit card is paid off, it’s time to tackle the next high interest rate debt, and so on. Invest in the market: Men are more likely to invest than women, but different studies show women make better investors than men. Joining an investment club with other women could be a great start. It is inexpensive to get started, and it helps single women make better decisions about their retirement funds. Get credit in shape: Often single women rack up debt as a result of not checking their credit reports. Women should check their credit reports at least once every year and correct errors if necessary. To obtain a free credit report, visit annualcreditreport.com Total up all monthly expenses: One of the most common problems people run into when calculating their monthly expenses is forgetting about the little things. It’s important to include hair appointments, gym memberships and morning coffee costs in monthly budgets. It's also crucial to add in seasonal costs, such as holidays, birthdays and even vehicle registration.

The AVNI Collection

Boston Fashion Week photos taken by Emily Thurlow.

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G. KIM Studio

Boston Fashion Week photos taken by Emily Thurlow.

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(L to R) Director Kenny Leon behind the scenes with his stars Queen Latifah, Condola Rashad and Jill Scott of the all-new Lifetime Original Movie, Steel Magnolias, premiering Sunday, October 7, at 9pm on Lifetime. Photo by Eric Liebowitz, Copyright 2011

– Shine On Sista! –

The Queen reigns in Steel Magnolias Crystal Senter Brown has appeared in Essence Magazine, Vibe Magazine and Redbook Magazine and has released three music cd’s and three books, most recently “The Rhythm in Blue” (www.therhythminblue.com.) But the role she is most proud of is being Adonte’s mother and Corey’s wife. Learn more about Crystal at www.crystalsenterbrown.com.

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f it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it” has always been my motto. Whether it is a beautiful song, painting or classical movie, I’ve always preferred the original to be left alone if it was done well the first time. So when I heard that Lifetime TV was producing a remake, I immediately gave them the side eye. In my head, Steel Magnolias is like my mama’s peach cobbler, no one can make it better than she does. My mind began to change when I heard who would play some of my favorite roles. Phylicia Rashad is Clairee, Jill Scott is Truvy, Adepeo Oduye is Annelle, Alfre Woodard is Ouiser, Condola Rashad (Phylicia Rashad’s daughter) is Shelby and Queen Latifah is M’Lynn. While I am a fan of the entire cast, my favorite is Queen Latifah. Born Dana Owens in Newark, New Jersey, I have adored her since I first saw her in her U.N.I.T.Y. music video in 1993. As her music career blossomed and her feet danced from concert stages to movie sets, Latifah’s acting range has become limitless. Whether she is playing a lesbian bank robber (Set it Off), magazine publisher (Living Single) or bee keeper (The Secret Life of Bees), she owns the screen. She has lent her voice for animated characters (Ice Age and Fairly OddParents) and even played opposite some of my favorite leading men including L.L. Cool J (Last Holiday), Common (Just Wright) and Mos Def (Brown Sugar). A few weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to interview Queen Latifah along with the producers of the 2012 Steel Magnolias (Neil Meron and Craif Zadan.) The day before the interview, my husband and I watched an exclusive viewing of Steel Magnolias provided by Sony Pictures/ Lifetime.

When the movie started, I was sitting with my arms crossed, not knowing what to expect. Would it be as good as the original version? Well, it was not only as good as the original version, in my opinion it was better. The 2012 version is much more contemporary, with several updates/ changes Steel Magnolias fans will recognize right away. Even Shelby’s life-threatening

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the queen reigns in steel magnolias

health condition in the 1989 version is updated to reflect the changes in modern medicine. Producer Neil Meron said they wanted to “honor the material it was based on” while “updating it and making the changes that were appropriate to setting the movie now such as texting/ Facebook.” The setting is the same and mirrors the 1989 version of the film almost scene by scene, but that’s where the similarities end. You won’t find a trace of Sally Field in Queen Latifah’s M’Lynn, and Alfre Woodard’s Ouiser had me laughing out loud. The producers of the film repeatedly stated during our interview that the 2012 Steel Magnolias is not a remake. Craig Zadan said “We were looking to do it again based on what’s on the page and not on what’s been done previously. When you see Jill Scott’s performance, it does not make you think of Dolly Parton. Jill Scott is doing her performance as an actress for that role as written on the page. She is not trying to recreate Dolly Parton.” Queen Latifah raved about her cast mates, even calling Phylicia Rashad “the world’s mom.” Latifah said Phylicia was “Michelle Obama before Michelle Obama.”

(L to R) Executive Producer Neil Meron and Executive Producer and star Queen Latifah behind the scenes of the all-new Lifetime Original Movie, Steel Magnolias, premiering Sunday, October 7, at 9pm on Lifetime. Photo by Eric Liebowitz, Copyright 2011

When Meron was asked why he chose to cast the movie with an all-black cast, he said “Steel Magnolias is a timeless and universal piece and it just works in whatever community you set it in.”

selection of music for various scenes throughout the movie. The 2012 version of Steel Magnolias felt like it was made just for me, and I’m sure that was the goal of the director and producers.

I agree with Neil, especially after watching the film. While it stayed true to the original script, several themes that are only found in the black community were definitely evident, from the way the lines were delivered by each actress, to the

And once you watch Steel Magnolias, you’ll feel as though it was made for you, too! So round up your girlfriends, cook up some southern food and tune into Steel Magnolias during the month of October on Lifetime!

– The Lipstick Chronicles –

Dressing to impress Kristina Chapell is a single gal in her thirties making her way in the world. Passionate, savvy, and stylish; Kristina is a social relationship builder. You can often find her on Facebook and Twitter keeping up with the latest news and always supporting causes she is passionate about such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Link to Libraries, and The Businews Channel.

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W We’ve all heard the expression “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but we all know deep down this isn’t true. In fact books aren’t sold for what is on the inside but yet are sold based on what is on the cover. After all, the cover is the reason we take the book off the shelf.

How does this relate to you? Simple… just like a book you may be fabulous on the inside but if you haven’t peaked people’s interest with your “cover” they will never know how fabulous you really are. This being said, your image is your book cover; the clothes you wear, the car you drive, your hairstyle and even your personal hygiene. Your image may not convey the whole story but it will allow others to take a chance and find out more.

First impressions are made in less than 30 seconds, right or wrong, it happens. So, whether you are dating or going for a job interview, heed this warning, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The impression you give should be immediate and long lasting. The philosopher, Socrates, promulgated “The Law

• Wear one “skimpier” piece. If on top than cover up on the bottom, like a cute halter top and nice pants.

• Don’t dress for how old you want to be but how old you actually are; and don’t dress older than you are. No matter what your size you can find outfits to flatter you and fit your age.

• Go for comfort. No matter how cute the 5-inch heels are if you can’t walk in them the shoes won’t be ones getting noticed. Also goes for clothes you can’t breathe in. Eventually you feeling tortured on the inside will show on the outside.

of Cause and Effect” - all actions have consequences and produce specific results; and today not much has changed. If you dress like you don’t care then others won’t care either. When you choose how you look, you choose how others will respond to you. However, it is also about choosing your outfit for your audience. Are you dressing to impress men or women? Whether dressing for your friends or to impress your date it’s not about how much cleavage you can show, but instead you should select an outfit which accentuates your pros and conceal your notso-flattering aspects. Modesty has some positives, especially as a guy looks for a girl he is proud of not one who looks like a one-night stand. How do you dress to impress without looking too sexy or taking it too far? Some ideas are:

• Fabrics and colors attract too. Cashmere and silk connote class and sexiness and colors like red and pink are sexy.

• Trends don’t matter to men. They don’t know what is in style or who the latest designer is.

• Keep nails trimmed and manicured. This goes for toes too.

Many of these tips can be translated into job interviews or business meetings as well. Always look put together and keep the “girls” covered; this is definitely an area when cleavage should stay covered. Often times it is said “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” so do just that – dress the part. Whether you are dressing for a date or for an interview, it’s okay to experiment to determine your style, one that enhances your natural properties. Whatever that style remember you should always be a mix of conservative, sophisticated, feminine, slightly sexy, and smart.

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Freyman receives William Pynchon Medal llen Freyman of Longmeadow, Massachusetts was recently announced as a William Pynchon medal recipient and will be inducted into the Order of William Pynchon on Thursday, November 15. This year marks the 98th year the Ad Club has presented the Pynchon Awards. The Order of William Pynchon was established in 1915 by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts (then known as the Publicity Club) for the purpose of giving public recognition to those citizens in the region who have rendered distinguished civic service. A partner with the law firm Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin P.C., Ellen Freyman of Longmeadow, Massachusetts was also named the 2012 Woman of the Year by the Professional Womenยนs Chamber, a division of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield.

Ellen Freyman is the co-founder of OnBoard, a nonprofit organization that matches people with jobs within various organizations, particularly women and other under-represented populations. She serves as vice president of the STCC Foundation, which works to assist the college in meeting its academic goals and providing educational opportunities to members of the community. She also serves on more than 10 additional boards in the area focused on a wide array of educational and community service-oriented pursuits.

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Gwen and her friend Liz at The Pink Petal

– Yeah I Did –

Surviving Breast Cancer One woman’s touching tale

Erin Corriveau is the Marketing Manager for Reliable Temps, Inc, a full service staffing firm founded in 1989 with offices in Agawam, Easthampton and Greenfield Massachusetts. An avid writer, Erin has primarily worked in community and public relations adding Environmental Compliance Services, MassMutual Financial Group and Baystate Health among her previous employers. Visit www.reliabletemps.com.

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Imagine sitting in the waiting room of your hospital’s radiology and imaging department. It’s your annual mammogram appointment and you’re loathing the idea of “getting squished.” To distract yourself, you pick up the worn, sixmonth-old copy of Woman’s Day magazine sitting in front of you at the table and leaf through how you can drop five pounds in 10 days or bake the perfect apple pie. The door opens and your name is called. Ten minutes later, the look on the radiology tech’s face is all-too telling. Suddenly, baking an apple pie can wait. Suddenly, dropping those five pounds isn’t important. You know you have breast cancer. This was Gwen Burke in February 2012. A smart, sassy and confident lady, she was fitting in a quick mammogram at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts before a movie date with her close friend of over 18 years, Liz. “Breast cancer was never something I thought I had to worry about. My father was killed in a car accident when I was nine years old and my mother was adopted. My family medical history was truly a mystery to me,” Gwen recalled. “I did some research and found out that due to these circumstances my insurance would pay for a BRAC analysis which is a hereditary test for breast and ovarian syndromes.”

enough, she was told there were abnormal spots present in her right breast. She was whisked away for an ultrasound where they discovered more abnormal spots. The radiology tech knew that Gwen didn’t want her daughter-in-law Danielle or her daughter Michaelan, who both work at Mercy, to know, so she kept her hidden. Her eyes welled with tears and her voice cracked with love as the anguish of that moment came rushing back to her. “These are my kids. As a mom, you are supposed to protect them. I couldn’t tell them anything yet. I couldn’t worry them without knowing exactly what was going on.” Soon after, she was dressed and leaving the hospital with an appointment for a biopsy the following Wednesday. “The staff at Mercy was wonderful and moved so quickly to get the tests done and the biopsy scheduled,” Gwen said. She kept her date to meet Liz at the movies and immediately told her the news. Gwen laughed as she recalled her old friend’s reaction. “Liz looked right at me and said, ‘So do you wanna see a movie or go for a drink?’”

To Gwen’s delight, the BRAC came back negative. “Coupled with the fact that I had my children young and I breastfed, I was at the lowest risk for breast cancer. All I could think of was, ‘Great! One less thing to worry about!’”

There they were at Lattitude Restaurant for quite a long time that afternoon - sharing hopes, fears, laughs and a cocktail or two. It was what she needed to process what had just happened – a familiar, safe and comfortable place with an old dear friend. The hardest part came next, telling her husband and her children: Nick and his fiancée Julie, Michaelan and her husband George and Kevin and his wife Danielle who are the parents of her beautiful little grandson, Nolan.

With this is mind, she didn’t give this impending mammogram a thought, that was until she mid-way through the test. “Suddenly, I just knew. I felt it. I remember thinking ‘I have breast cancer’.” The tell-tale look on the radiology tech’s face only enhanced this feeling. Sure

Married to Chuck for 36 years, they shared a life full of adventure and love. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Gwen and Chuck’s home, specifically a room called The Visitation Pub. It’s a room where guests can enjoy a pint, or a pinot, and take in the items that adorn the walls that tell the

story of the Burkes from Chuck’s hat he wore when they dated to a child’s ice skates to specially made wedding napkins. There are pictures everywhere that detail these moments. There is no doubt to anyone who visits that this is a special family, very rich in love. Gwen had to break the news to the man who made those memories with her. “Chuck has been absolutely wonderful but in the beginning Chuck didn’t expect to hear this news and took it very seriously. I would use humor and laughter as my medicine, but Chuck would say, ‘Gwen you need to be more serious.’ He kept saying he wished it was him instead, that he was the one that had to go through it. I often think it’s easier to be the one with cancer as we have control whereas being the one watching someone you love so much go through it – you feel helpless and out of control, out of the driver’s seat. It’s something you can’t make better.” Following her biopsy, Gwen got the call to come in for the results. With Chuck and Michaelan by her side, Dr. Steven Shonholz shared the news. “He told me that I had In Situ Carcinoma which means a “contained” or “in place” carcinoma in my milk ducts.” Walking out, Gwen was stunned. With Chuck having to return to work, Michaelan looked at her mother and said, “Do you want to go home?” “No,” said Gwen. “I want to go shopping.” Shortly after, she marched into her employer, BusinessWest, and walking right up to George O’Brien and Joe Bednarz and said, “So, I have cancer. What are we going to do about it?” The very next issue of BusinessWest showcased an ad from Gwen sharing her diagnosis and urging women to get their mammograms. “The way I see it, God knows I’m not a quiet person. He gave me this job knowing I would not sit quietly. He knew I would spread the word. “

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Ask an Entrepreneur Lucie K. Lewis, Creative Futures LLC 1) How long have you been in business? Creative Futures LLC opened in Dec 2009 and will complete its third year of operation this year. 2) Why become an author? Being an author for me has been one of those dreams that I have held for a very long time, but never made time to do anything about. However, when both opportunity and time presented themselves to me to write my book “I AM: Renewal From Within the Garden” in the same moment, my spirit was moved to not only recognize their appearance in my life, but to finally seize the chance to take the steps needed to do something with it.

Lucie Lewis is an experienced freelance technical and creative writer and the owner/founder of Creative Futures LLC (www.creativefuturesllc.com). She holds an Ed.D. from William Howard Taft University in Educational Leadership, an M.A. in Human Services Administration from Springfield College and a B.S. in Elementary Education from American International College. Her writing has appeared in Afro American Point of View Community Newspaper, Executive Forum Magazine, Western Mass Women’s Magazine and on UnityFirst.com.Magazine and on UnityFirst.com (Answers By: Lucie K. Lewis, Creative Futures LLC

3) You’ve changed careers later in life. How has the transition been? This most recent career change to become the founder of Creative Futures LLC was actually the last of perhaps six career changes that moved me from education to business and back again over my professional life and I can use each of these prior events to compare to this one. Although each of these earlier transitions presented an interesting set of issues to work through, such as what environment would I be most comfortable in, what type of work might I be interested in doing and what industry would I consider working in, they were each points of change that were about what choices I needed to make with respect to how to continue to make a living. However, perhaps because this last one was, as you say, happened later in life, it seemed as if it was more about what I really wanted to accomplish with my life and what I wanted my life to mean. Making the decision to go out on my own was one of the most frightening decisions I ever made, but it also seemed to be the most necessary. I don’t know if it was age or timing, but I felt the urgent need to take charge of my destiny and not just continue to fit into a pre-defined 9-to-5 time-for-dollars structure. Even though it was one of the scariest times in my life, it was also the most exhilarating because I had to reach deep inside myself in order to find me and not the image of who I had come to accept--in other words, that me that the world had defined me to be. I actually started a blog called “Transitioning with Grace” (www.transitioningwithgrace.com) to wrestle with all of the emotions and thoughts that dizzied my mind during those early months of redefining myself as well as my path. This transition has been the best gift I ever gave myself. 4) You could have worked for anyone and would have been successful, why become an entrepreneur? As I went through the process of self-discovery, part of that process was the understanding that I could not just start over somewhere else as the new kid on the block one more time. While I had never considered being an entrepreneur before that moment, that still small voice inside knew that doing so was going to become a central piece in defining my new future. My challenge was to let go enough to be able to listen and act with courage in spite of any lingering inner uncertainty. I did something I never did before. I leaped and began Creative Futures LLC on faith knowing that the courage to do so had been planted in my spirit and I would be led by God’s hand through the steps to succeed. Writing “I AM” was one of those steps. 5) What was your last, “why did I go into business for myself” moment? In the beginning that “why did I go into business for myself” moment came almost every day. The journey to build a business is a challenge that requires constant energy, focus, and commitment. It also requires developing new skill sets that I never imagined needing. I used to wake up regularly thinking about things that needed to be done, like having to build a company website, to get to the next level and the idea that it would probably be easier to just be working for someone else would creep into my thinking, but then I would remember what I stood to lose by turning back. I have been blessed with the ability to build the plane while I fly it so I just dove in and tackled one task at a time. The day I first published my company website, www.creativefuturesllc.com, I knew I had climbed a new ladder and won. From that point, each successful baby step that inched me forward toward creating my new beginning lessened those panic-filled moments. As a result, the “why” comes much less frequently now, usually when the 90 hats that an entrepreneur must wear get a little out of sync. Those are the times that I look around and wish that I had a boss that I could complain to who could make the accounting, IT, or the marketing staffs come help get the work done. I try to complain to myself, but unfortunately, the answer is rarely empathy resulting in more hands on deck.

9) What is the message of your new book? “I AM” Renewal From Within the Garden shares a message of hope, inspiration, empowerment, revival and restoration. Although the book was not written from any specific theological construct, it is a book about finding my faith based upon Biblical instruction. During a time of deep depression, I turned to the words of the Great I AM found in the Gospel of John to find my true center. Through the lessons that soothed my weary soul, as shared in the pages of the book, I try to explain the journey that I took to re-anchor my spirit and craft my path to a new emotional beginning, to find the answers to questions that could give me an inner peace, and to recognize the insights that would empower me to embrace my inner strength. My hope is that in reading through its pages others will find the same inner awakening. When I had finished the journey retold in “I AM,” I knew I did not stand alone. As my readers reach its closing pages, I hope they too are ready to stand and say, "I am" knowing they are not alone either. 10) What is your business motto? The business motto for Creative Futures LLC is based on the belief that every business has a unique story that needs to be told and it is my job to help them tell it. This is why our motto is information that you need—the way you need it. 11) If you could give other entrepreneurs three tips, what would they be? a. Believe in yourself b. Never stop moving forward c. Celebrate your small victories – you have earned it. 12) Has there been a piece of technology or software that has been a lifesaver to you? As a freelance technical and creative writer, being able to communicate with clients electronically, share files and make changes to documents quickly has proven to be invaluable. 13) What is your goal for the next year? Creative Futures LLC operates three facets to the business: client work, published articles and authorship. One of my goals for next year involves authorship. I hope to make progress on the genealogical and historical research required to tell the story about my great-grandmother. Her story involves a look back at the very difficult years after the civil war and I hope to be able to snatch a glimpse at the struggles that were faced by her generation, which was the first generation of AfricanAmericans born as freed persons. Based on the depth of the research required to write this story well, I anticipate it will take several years to complete this project. 14) When someone is telling their friend about your business, what do you hope they say? I hope that someone telling a friend about Creative Futures LLC would say that I dealt with them fairly and honestly, that I produce quality work and that the project that I did with them was relevant, useful and helped to make a difference in their business.

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8) If you could steal some business mojo from another mogul, who would it be and why? For me, it is not necessarily someone whose mojo I think it would be nice to steal, but the source of that mojo. As I look around, successful business women have a self-assurance and presence that drives their imagination, creativity and social interactions. Growing into that place is a process that is wedded with experience. Becoming an entrepreneur later in life as I have also means that I have not yet enjoyed some of those learning opportunities. I wonder sometimes what would change if I could steal that collective wisdom gained through time as a plug and play, but then I remember that it is the learning process that gives wisdom its breadth and I decide that there is probably little value in such an act of thievery.

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7) Every female professional should have __________. …the inner courage to stand up for themselves, their beliefs and what is right.

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6) What was your last, “this is why I went into business for myself” moment? The truth is that even from very early on anytime that I have heard the doubts rumble in my mind’s ear, I also heard the words whispering in my head, “But never have you felt so purposeful and energized and never has the image of possibility or the appreciation of satisfied clients meant so much.” The resounding Ah-Ha that I made the right decision counters all doubts with a right-cross that just ends the internal debate. I could count almost any day as the last time a moment of questioning arose because the work of an entrepreneur seems endless and the roller coaster has its reoccurring moments, but the deep questioning that stems from uncertainty and doubt stopped to long ago to remember.

surviving breast cancer Next, an MRI was scheduled. True to Gwen and her spunky character she again laughed, “I remember it was Ash Wednesday because Chuck and I went to McDonalds for fish sandwiches afterwards.” There at the MRI, they found three hot spots. When she asked what was next, her doctor said, “You could do another biopsy or…”Before he could finish Gwen answered, “No way! Just take it off!” and she meant it. She was moving ahead and wasn’t playing around. Gwen found a trusted plastic surgeon to conduct her reconstructive surgery - Dr. Melissa Johnson. Chuck accompanied her to her consultation appointment and there she continued her mission to have fun along the way and make the most of every moment. Much to Chuck’s dismay, Gwen found a “bag of breasts” hanging on the back of the office door and she began to take out various sizes and dance around the office asking Chuck what size he thought she should get. I laugh myself at this point because it’s exactly what I would expect her to do and am taken with her strength to have fun with everything she can along her journey. “Chuck just shook his head,” she laughed. “All along I had the attitude that this is part of life, and I just had to roll with it.” As she says this, I’m reminded of a t-shirt she purchased recently that reads, “Yes, they’re fake. My real ones tried to kill me.” Her mastectomy was scheduled for April 4th, just about two months after her mammogram. Armed with a beautiful handmade quilt honoring the fight against breast cancer that her daughter Michaelan made her, Gwen prepared herself for surgery. “The night before, I felt such an outpouring of love and support that I was just overcome. The amount of love I felt could’ve lit up the entire City of Springfield!” It didn’t stop there. In the days following her surgery, people were calling or stopping by to visit. Dozens of flowers were delivered. “The inside of my house looked like a garden,” she happily recalled. She even had six Edible Arrangements delivered in one day. “The delivery girl and I just started laughing each time I opened the door and she was there.” All of this is what kept her going during the next part of her journey. While in surgery, an invasive tumor was found – something that was not

anticipated. This tumor had to be sent to a lab in California to be examined, diagnosed and a treatment plan created. This process took a torturous six weeks. “It was awful, the longest six weeks of my life but that same love and support that everyone kept showing me is what kept me going.” The results: Stage II cancer. The carefully prescribed care plan: Tamoxifen, a drug that blocks the actions of estrogen in the female body reducing the odds of cancer metastasizing anywhere in the body. “I remember Dr. Philip Glynn, my oncologist, telling me that without this medication, I had a 20% chance of the cancer metastasizing. I was looking at the side effects, which range from basic (hot flashes) to rare but serious (cancer of the uterine lining, increased risk for blood clots and increased chance of stroke and finally came to the decision that I would take it,” Gwen said. She began to take the medicine but after a while went back to Dr. Glynn to re-assess the need. “I didn’t feel ‘good’ anymore. I had good days and bad days but overall I wasn’t feeling like I used to. Then again, cancer does change you in many ways.” Glynn reminded her of the 20% risk of the cancer coming back without this medication. He made the point that her chances of getting cancer originally were extremely low and she still ended up with the diagnosis. Did she want to chance the 20%? No, she didn’t. In June, Gwen found herself in a different role. She was no longer in the driver’s seat as she helplessly learned that her friend Liz had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Liz - the very same women who she met at the movies the day of her own mammogram in February. Liz - the woman who spent the afternoon with her that day helping her process her predicament and reminding her to laugh. It was odd being the on the side. “I now knew what Liz felt having to watch me go through this, and she now knew how I felt having to be the one to go through it.” Having breast cancer has only strengthened their friendship. They wig shopped for fun and shared their ‘good bad days’ and their ‘bad bad days’. Today, Gwen is still the spunky, fun, out-of-box wonderful woman that many of us are lucky to know. Normally a brunette, she sports a new platinum blonde pixie cut that fits her ‘carpe diem’ lifestyle. She is a breath of fresh air and she

is honesty in its truest form. She is still Chuck’s beautiful wife and she is still the amazing mom who cooks Sunday dinners for her three amazing children and their families. She’s the bright blue wig she puts on for fun. She’s the hug you need on a hard day and the first one to help celebrate the best days. She’s the welcoming, familiar laugh recognizable across the room. She’s an inspiration to many women, especially this one. Finally, she is a messenger bearing one very, very important message. “My bottom line is this: one in eight women will get breast cancer. One in 36 will die from it within five years of being diagnosed. This should be 0 in 36 women! We need to educate women to get their mammograms! Yes, they can be life-changing, but they can also be life-SAVING. Ladies, do yourselves the biggest favor you can and make your appointments today!” Yeah, she did…and so should you.

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Hauser shares her walk with breast cancer

ust in time for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, author Amy K. Hauser offers readers her new memoir “In His Grip… a Walk through Breast Cancer” (published by WestBow Press), an intimate walk through her experiences as a breast cancer survivor.

“In His Grip… a Walk through Breast Cancer” is a raw, open glimpse of a day in the life of a cancer patient and the story of what she describes as God intersecting her life in progress. According to Hauser, her life is an example of how God works in the midst of a person’s biggest struggles; but she says it is a personal choice whether or not to allow God to help.

Hauser reveals to readers the experiences that she and her family have had before, during and after her cancer journey, reflecting on various journal entries that show what she learned along the way and after the fact. She shows readers how she

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came to a point in which she allowed God to work in and through her cancer to heal her wounds – both the obvious and the not-so-obvious wounds. Hauser is adamant about how God intervened in her life. “I had tried many things in my power to change and be what I thought the world said I should be,” she explains. “It never worked. When God intersected my plans with His and I learned to understand what He wanted for me, I was able to draw closer to Him than I ever thought possible.” She never thought of herself as an author. From her self-admitted “lifelong inability to properly start and stop paragraph formations, among other things,” to being busy raising two children full time, a book simply was not on the radar… but she says God said otherwise. She lives with her husband, Tom, and their children, Ross and Sara, in The Woodlands, Texas.

Leonor Salvador

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

In her own words

â&#x20AC;Ś Leonor shares her story

was 48 years old when I found a lump on the side of my breast. I never went for a mammogram even though I knew I should. I felt fine. I was very busy and, frankly, I just blew it off thinking nothing will happen to me.

One day, while shaving my underarm, I felt a lump that wasn't there before. I finally went to see my doctor and she confirmed it was breast cancer and referred me to Dr. Steven Schonholz. That was a lucky day for me, because he is the best. He told me that my tumor had been in there for about nine years. So, I ended up having a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery to build my breast again. I also had chemotherapy and radiation. Today, I'm a big advocate of mammograms and getting your checkups. I tell people, "don't be like me, get a mammogram." I try to help as many women as possible with support and sharing my story hopefully to inspire others. Early detection saves lives. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Leonor Salvador

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Frippicisim: It is not your clients’ and prospects’ job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don’t forget you.

Sales Generation: Prospecting Tips for a Slow Economy by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

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Don’t overlook the obvious. Go through your address book, data base, Christmas card list and confirm everybody you know is familiar with your profession, what your specialty is, and who is the perfect prospect for you to best serve. If you used to work in another industry, update your satisfied clients that you can still serve them in this different capacity. Keep in touch with your present clients more frequently. Not just asking for referrals. The better your relationship with them the more they will want to send you new prospects. One of my friends in the advertising specialty business had a very creative office decor. Anyone who had seen it raved about it. Going up in the elevator of his building of 22 floors I had a conversation with a fellow passenger. I asked, “Do you work in this building or are you visiting?” He mentioned he had worked there for 2 years. I inquired if he had ever heard of my friend Jonathan and his unique and memorable office. He said “No.” My recommendation to my friend and everyone else who works in a large building is to every few months go from floor to floor, office to office, and introduce yourself to your neighbors. You could well quadruple your business close to home.

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE is an award-winning keynote speaker, business presentation expert, sales presentation skills trainer, and in-demand speech coach to executives and celebrity speakers. Meetings & Conventions magazine named her "One of the 10 most electrifying speakers in North America." She delivers high-energy, highcontent, and dramatically memorable presentations. Kiplinger's Personal Finance identified Patricia Fripp Speaking School as one of the best ways you can invest in your career. For more information visit www.fripp.com.

Don’t forget to work on your sales presentation skills!

LIONESS OCTOBER 2012

SBA co-pilots new program to assist Hispanic entrepreneurs The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) are teaming together on a pilot program in eight states to broaden the impact of the agency's programs among Hispanic entrepreneurs. "An economy built to last includes boosting entrepreneurship opportunities in Hispanic American communities," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "The SBA is having a powerful impact in this sector, with a billion dollars in loans to Hispanic-owned businesses last year alone. The pilot program we are announcing today will help us do better. "Combining our resources with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will spur new business growth, drive competitiveness and innovation, and strengthen our economic recovery and growth," Mills said. The new pilot program between the SBA and the USHCC will help widen the agency's outreach efforts and connect Hispanic small business owners and entrepreneurs with local lenders and business counseling to help them grow and create more jobs. The pilot partnership will launch programs with Hispanic chambers in four cities and statewide programs in four states: Austin, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Florida; California; Ohio; and Utah. The pilot program follows a memorandum of alliance between the SBA and the USHCC, signed in May. The agreement allows both organizations to help Hispanic entrepreneurs

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achieve their goals through education of business start-up opportunities, and will work to increase lending within the Hispanic business community. The aim of the partnership is to help increase access to lending and counseling for Hispanic small businesses, widen participation of small Hispanic-owned businesses in SBA's procurement programs, and spread awareness of SBA's programs and services among Hispanic-owned small businesses. Today the SBA is helping thousands upon thousands of Hispanic small business owners reach that potential. Since 2009, SBA has supported more than 12,000 loans worth $4.4 billion to Hispanic-owned small businesses, with nearly $1 billion in lending in 2012 alone. Over the same period, SBA has trained and counseled more than 532,000 Hispanic-owned small businesses through its network of district and field offices, and resource partner network, including Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers and SCORE. SBA also has helped Hispanic-owned businesses secure $32.7 billion of prime contracts from the federal government, providing a major revenue base. The national alliance will also help to forge stronger relationships among SBA district offices, local USHCC chambers chapters and SBA resource partners, and strengthen efforts to help even more Hispanic-owned small firms succeed, and expand the reach of SBA's program and services.

Five ways to get real and consistent savings at the pump

hether it's shopping for groceries or clothes at the mall, we're always on the lookout for the best deal. Though it may be through more subtle means, you can apply the same money-saving principals toward other everyday expenses. The money you spend on gas is a perfect example. By making a few adjustments like changing driving habits and shopping smart, you can make the most out of each gallon you pump into your tank. Here are five tips for getting real and consistent savings at the pump.

1) Follow simple maintenance procedures. The most practical way to improve your fuel economy is making sure your tires are inflated properly. You can find the correct tire pressure for your vehicle on the placard inside of your door, or in your car's owner's manual. Using the recommended grade of motor oil can also increase your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 2) Use rewards programs to your advantage. As an example the new ExxonMobil Smart Card, a credit card issued by Citibank, N.A., saves users 6 cents/gallon on Exxon- or Mobil-branded gasoline and diesel fuel when they use the card to purchase at least 45 gallons in a billing cycle. Savings apply from the first gallon up to 100 gallons each qualifying billing cycle, and are reflected as a monthly statement credit. While a

few cents may not seem like a lot, the dollars add up quickly over the course of time when you consistently use rewards programs. The ExxonMobil Smart Card can save you up to $72 in one year. You can apply for the ExxonMobil Smart Card at www.exxonmobilcard.com. 3) Reduce weight and drag. You might not notice your carrying rack affecting the quality of your ride, but racks and other add-ons to your vehicle cause a lot of drag, taking a big bite out of your fuel efficiency. It pays to take them off when you aren't using them. Removing extra weight, by cleaning out everything you don't need that's stashed in your trunk or car, can also help. 4) Watch the way you drive. Most cars travel with highest fuel efficiency in the 50 mph range which begins to drop significantly the faster you go. Keeping your highway speed to the posted speed limit not only keeps you safer, but can greatly improve gas mileage. Aggressive starting and stopping also puts more stress on your engine, and uses more gasoline. 5) Technology is your friend. Your mobile GPS unit can help you get where you need to go in the most efficient way possible. Shopping smart at the pump may be easier than you thought. By putting a few of these simple fuel-saving tips into practice, you can get real and consistent savings. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ARA

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Benefits of positive affirmations By Kim Phillips Do you realize that every word you say is either taking you closer to or further away from your destiny? Many people use their words to describe their current situations as opposed to using their words to change or design their destiny. What are affirmations? Affirmations are statements or self-scripts you repeat to yourself until they become beliefs that are deposited into your subconscious mind which then passes the baton onto your actions to attract your desired results. Consider affirmations as a team of words synergistically working together to accomplish a significant yet common goal. What is the goal? I’m glad you asked! The goal is to effectively deliver an important message or proclamation to the part of your mind (subconscious/unconscious mind) that influences your actions (behavior) and consequently attracts your results. The Main Goal: The main goal is to permeate the subconscious mind and reprogram yourself for your desired results.

I had the following visual as I studied to teach my team about the subconscious mind and how to properly influence it to get their desired results. Imagine with me, if you will, that there is an audience inside of your mind (let’s refer to it as your “mental audience”) and you are the speaker. Your goal is to deliver a message to your audience in the language they can understand and inspires them to take action. After much research and deliberation, you realize that this particular audience really gets fired up about carrying out instructions when the message is given with much fervor and intense emotions. More specifically, you also need to keep in mind that there is a strong correlation or relationship between the type of emotion exhibited during the speech and your audience’s results. For example, when you emit positive emotions as you deliver your message, your “mental audience” carries out positive actions and attracts positively desired results. However, when you emit negative emotions, your inner audience carries out negative actions and brings back negative results. In addition to delivering an emotionally stimulating message to your mental audience, it is also very important to create a picture in the mind of your audience as you instruct, inspire, and invigorate them. We decided to provide this visual of a “mental audience” for those of you who have a negative script flashing on the screen of your mental canvas as you affirm your results or find it challenging to embrace the philosophy of “self-talk”. Perhaps, you may have a better encounter with your affirmations if you embrace the idea that you are communicating to an audience who resides in your subconscious (unconscious) mind. (Side note: I apologize to any of my psychology colleagues who find it challenging to embrace the term “subconscious mind”. I recommend you translate it into

Partial Affirmation on Self-Acceptance I accept and approve of myself regardless of what others say or do. I love myself. I am self-assured. I like being with myself. I enjoy my own company. I am great at being myself even when I am in the company of others. I find myself interesting and absolutely amazing. I validate myself and my own self worth. I am so valuable. I am one of the most amazing people I know.

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the formal terms we learned in school as opposed to “throwing the baby away with the bath water”. The Main Ingredients: The 3 main ingredients needed to help you manifest your desired results are words, images, and emotions (W.I.E). In the book, Say It Until You Seize It by Kim Phillips, the author has provided the words which will help you paint the appropriate images on your mental canvas; however, you must provide the emotions and pre-play what you desire to experience prior to manifesting it. It is also helpful to remember that the main agent you are influencing is your subconscious mind and it doesn’t really know the difference between what is considered “real” or “imagined”. Do Affirmations Really Work? This is a very prevalent question. Many people curiously ask if affirmations really work; however, I personally believe this is not the best question to ask in this situation. It is very important to choose our questions wisely because the answers we get in life are in direct proportion to the questions we ask. The question we should ask here is how can I make my affirmations work better for me? Or what can I do to increase my effectiveness with my affirmations? Most definitely, affirmations work for those who work them effectively. In fact, we have developed 15 principles or helpful pointers below to help you work the affirmations instead of waiting on them to magically work for you. All of the components start with the letter “p” and are written in an alliterative form in order to make it easier for you to remember. The Main Principles to Affirmation Success: We have listed the 15 principles covered in detail in the book, “Say It Until You Seize It” by Kim Phillips. For best results and to literally put your results on steroids practice these principles as you engage your affirmation. Make sure your affirmation is Personal, Present-Tensed, Positive, Precise, Passionately-Emoted, Pictured Vividly, Purposeful, Principle-Based Versus Presumptuous, Predicated Upon Belief and Self-Image, Professed or Penned Repeatedly, Persistently Performed, Patiently Anticipated, Praise Induced, Prepared and Pre-Played, and Partnership Supported. “Say It Until You Seize It,” will teach you how to navigate through the vicissitudes of life as you reprogram yourself and arrive at your desired destination. Each affirmation in the book has been carefully crafted with wisdom keys intricately interwoven in its fabric. We would love to teach you how to voice-activate your victory and rewrite your life’s resume by applying these principles as you affirm your way to success. There is a winner inside of all of you and properly applying the affirmations in this book will unleash it! For more information, visit www.kimphillipstoday.com.

The Career Makeover: 7 Steps to Achieving Your Goals Makeovers on television shows and in magazines are enticing for women the world over. Of course the reason they are so popular, is because the idea of getting a fresh start in life is a golden key we have all dreamt about at one time or another. No matter what their lives are like, everyone has something they wish could be different – their home, their body, their friends, and even their career. Career makeovers are not a new concept and if you think about it, making over your career will automatically set a chain reaction in motion that will affect all aspects of your life, particularly those that are unsatisfactory. If you’ve ever changed jobs or industries, worked with a recruiter, drafted a new resume or pursued additional education to increase your job prospects or opportunities, you’ve already taken steps to improve or “make over” your career. Career coach Krissy Jackson, CPC, specializes in working with women in IT and communications who want to take charge of their lives and careers. From career planning to promotions, from time management to transition strategies, Krissy empowers her clients to design and develop their careers on their own terms. To read more of her articles and career coaching tips, visit http://www.ITGirlsCoach.com.

Here are some ideas which can take your career makeover to a whole new level: 1. Look inside yourself. How do you perceive yourself? Are you confident? Do you like yourself? Are you proud of your accomplishments? What is your attitude to life, on working, on the value that you bring to your job? How do you feel about your career? Do you feel in control of your future? Working on your “inner self” is of critical importance when it comes to creating a career makeover. If your internal thoughts are not consistent with the actions that you need to take, you’ll continually feel a sense of disconnect. Others will feel it too. All change starts on the inside. If you need support in this area, consider counseling or coaching, whichever is most appropriate for your situation. Until the inner issues are resolved or healed, it can be very challenging to take the necessary steps that lead to a fulfilling career.

2. Get balanced. A key component of effectively managing your career starts with managing your time efficiently. Do you keep your work life separate from your home life? Do you take work home in the evenings or weekends? Do you talk about work ALL THE TIME? Do you take time to recharge your batteries so that you feel refreshed? This is probably one of the most difficult areas when it comes to career makeovers. It takes a lot of courage to “draw the line” when it comes to balancing your life. Many women feel that if they don’t give everything to their job, then they won’t have a job, yet, the opposite is actually true. If you’re working for a company which does not allow you to set boundaries around your time, you WILL burn out. Before this happens it is probably best that you start looking for a new position. It’s a difficult choice to make, but ultimately it’s up to you to set boundaries around what types of treatment you will accept from others – including your employer. If you can’t achieve work/life balance in your current job, you will never be able to give it your best, simply because you will not be at your best which in turn will affect your future career prospects. 3. Get your relationships in check. They say birds of a feather flock together. Are your friends dragging you down? ( I was told my friends were holding me back by a naturopath when I was in my early 20’s I was VERY angry with him and protective of my friends – but a year later when I had taken a grip of my life and moved on, I realized he had been completely right!) Is your network of friends and associates supportive of you and your goals, or are they constantly telling you

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the career makeover that your dreams are too lofty? Do they drag you into their gossip or do they inspire you with thoughtful conversation? In essence your ambition can be affected by the people around you and because of this your personal and professional relationships will have a tremendous influence on your career success. Therefore, to get your relationships in check, evaluate your friendships and acquaintances. It might be time to start gently letting go of some of the relationships that aren’t serving you, which will allow you to fill the empty spaces with new friends who will support you. Make sure you’re forging relationships with the people who see your value, and surround yourself with mentors who are helpful in assisting you to move forward. 4. Begin with a vision. Having an idea of where you want to go is one of the most important steps in your career makeover. Until you know where you want to be or what you want to have, it’s impossible to decide on the correct steps to get you there. How do you envision your ideal life? What type of job would make you happy? What brings you the most joy? What type of position would you like to see yourself working in 5 years time? Give yourself permission to think about what you really want, dare to dream a little. Remember what seems impossible today is only so because you haven’t had the opportunity to break the journey from here to there down into manageable chunks – now you are ready to start working on your career makeover. 5. Be the change. Once you have a vision of what you think you might want. It’s now time to assess

where you are now. What are your strengths and your weaknesses? What skills do you have? Which ones will you need in order to achieve your career vision? You need to know where you are now versus where you want to be in the future. The rest is about managing the “gap” in between. Here is where the career makeover really takes place and this is the secret to making it possible… 6. Start at the end and work backwards. Imagine you have your dream job and are living your dream life. What was the final step you had to take to make this all possible, now what was the step before that? Work this process through until you arrive back at where you are today. Now you are aware of these steps, you know what you have to do to achieve your goals in manageable chunks. Your next course of action is to develop a plan for achieving these goals thereby giving each part of the process a timeline. 7. Now hone your skills. One of the most obvious ways to create a career makeover is to work on your skills. Whether you go back to school to earn an advanced degree or take training classes here and there, anything that you can do to improve yourself can benefit your career. Learn more about your industry; attend conferences where you can keep abreast of the latest trends. Network with possible mentors. Buy books written by leaders in your field. Read industry periodicals and other materials that deep your knowledge. Check with your human resources department to find out what types of internal training opportunities are available. Take advantage of your company’s tuition reimbursement programs. Continuing

your education is essential no matter how you do it. Studying will not be a chore. If you are doing work you love you will be passionate about absorbing as much information about your field as you can! And finally plan for the future. No matter who you are or whom you know, you career will have its ups and downs. These days it’s unrealistic to think you’ll have a job for life. You might be transferred, demoted, or get a new boss that you don’t enjoy. You could even lose your job because of a downturn in your industry. These are realities of work life today. To lessen the possibility of your becoming an economic statistic it’s always a good idea to have options. This means you need to think about your exit plan. What would you do if you wanted to leave, or lost your job for whatever reason? Even the people who are happy in their jobs today should have an exit strategy, so take my advice and start working on it now. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’re in panic mode. In conclusion, always remember, no matter what career or life choices you make, ALL women need a strategic career plan. Your career makeover is ultimately your responsibility. You are the master of your life and it’s up to you to make a plan. Once you have a clear plan, take the steps that lead you to fulfilling your ultimate vision. One powerful way of helping you stay on track is by working with a coach who can help you make the transition more quickly. A good coach gives you support you need, helps you to stay focused and on track. With proper guidance, you will quickly find yourself achieving your career goals.

Are you an

Entrepreneur? We want to hear from you Send your email to lionessmagazine@gmail.com 34

LIONESS OCTOBER 2012