How will you make 2009 different?

Like you, I hate the phrase "New Year's Resoultions". Because as we all know, they are mostly never kept. Each year, it's the same thing for me. For the first couple of weeks, I stick to my goals and I feel pretty good about myself. Then life settles in and the next thing I know, my resolutions are out the door.

The number nine represents attainment, satisfaction, accomplishment and success to achieve influence over circumstances. So, on this New Year's Eve, I am sitting down to carve out my resolutions for 2009. Because I am putting them on this blog for everyone to see, I know that I have to hold myself accountable. So, here they are.

1. I resolve to put more effort into marketing my business and my services.
2. I resolve to post items on my blog on a more regular basis.
3. I resolve to being more organized and proactive as it relates to my business responsibilities.

So, what are your New Year's Resolutions? How will you exert influence over your circumstances? How will you make 2009 different?

Holiday Time Management

It's Black Friday, which means sometime today you will find yourself in line at a crowded department store or fighting for a parking space.  From now until December 25th, your life will be full of holiday duties:  decorating the home, holiday shopping, sending out Christmas cards, going to holiday parties,etc.  But the one thing you must not do is to neglect your duties as a business owner.  I am guilty of it too.  But remember, the holiday season is only about a month long.  Your business is year round.  So, here are some tips to help you manage your time effectively between the holidays and your business.

1. Make a commitment to wake up earlier in the mornings.  Whether it's a half hour or two, make sure it's enough time to complete your personal projects before you get caught up with the rest of your day. 
2. Take advantage of shopping online. You'll waste less time at the mall and devote more time to your business.   
3. Set a time limit or deadline to complete your holiday duties and stick with it.  

Happy Holidays!

HOLIDAYS

HELLO EVERYONE,

I WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE AND THEIR FAMILIES, PLEASE BE BLESSED AND ENJOY THE TIME YOU HAVE OFF, MAKE THE BEST OF IT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE BACK TO THE GRIND IN DUE TIME, I DO HOPE THAT ALL IS WELL WITH MY FELLOW ENTREPRENEURS, I KNOW THIS TIME IS BUSY SO JUST TAKE TIME TO BREATH, RELAX RELATE AND RELEASE OVER THE TIME YOU HAVE OFF ENJOY SO THE PRESSURE WILL BE OFF WHEN YOU RETURN TO WORK, HOPE TO TALK TO EVERY ONE SOON.

TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS
CHERYL GORHAM
DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT

Ready,Set,ACTION!

Did you ever want to be in the movies? Who hasn't had a bit of a fantasy to see themselves on the big screen, gorgeous backgrounds, exotic locations, costumes and make-up that make you look like a real live movie star? Yes, fantasies are great.

Reality is more like in the movie Tootsie when they scream "Not too close" for the camera work in shooting Dustin Hoffman as Tootsie. This week I was able to participate in some of the fun of movie making. Hot Flash Havoc, www.hotflashhavoc.com, is the name of the film being made that I am privileged to be a part of. Since it is in documentary style, I am playing myself, a middle age menopausal woman. My naturopathic physician friend Kelly Jennings, www.urbanwellnesspdx.com, is also interviewed and filmed. Kelly treats effectively, and patiently many women with menopause and breast cancer symptoms. She is also young, smart and gorgeous! So my close up is Kelly giving me an acupuncture treatment. Yes indeed, I am the woman in repose with acupuncture needles all over her face, head and neck!

I was also interviewed about my story, the breast cancer/menopause/entrepreneur connection. This film has a fantastic concept; educate and entertain about the condition called Menopause. The movie is still in production and I will blog about it again, and again as the release date comes closer and my close up for stardom nears.

-Haralee Weintraub

THE WORLD LOOKS BRIGHTER ALREADY

HELLO ALL, I DO APOLOGIZE FOR BEING MISSING IN ACTION BUT I WAS REALLY BUSY, BUT I'M BACK IN FULL FORCE, SO I'VE BEEN MAKING SOME DECISIONS ON MY NEW LIVING QUARTERS, AND I'M INTO SO MANY PROJECTS, BUT MOST OF ALL I WAS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VOTED IN THIS PAST ELECTION THAT WAS A MOMENT THAT I WON'T FORGET ANYTIME SOON. IT MADE MY HEART SING TO SEE THE 44TH PRESIDENT BE A AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN, ANS TO SEE A BLACK FAMILY IN THE WHITE HOUSE, OOH THAT TOUCHED MY HEART. SO I'M FOR CHANGES TO COME SOON, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CHANGE, THERE WILL BE HOPE, THERE WILL BE NEW LIVE, WE CAN DO THIS ! YES WE CAN!!

TAKE CARE LADIES
GOD'S SPEED
CHERYL GORHAM
DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT

Compensation vs Credit

I've been extremely busy lately which is why I've been MIA from the blog lately ! :(
But it's been a good kind of busy. I've been partnering on two major projects. They have really been rewarding. I am getting great exposure because both clients are well-known and successful. One is a professional athlete and the other is a clothing designer. So the experience has been invaluable as well.

The reality is though, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN PAID. At least not yet, anyway. The work is being done for a good friend of mine who really has great connections. So, I figure that although I may not be getting a paycheck yet, I can use this experience to leverage future business partnerships...that WILL pay off.

I am thinking this is a good idea....but I want to make sure that I am not being used in the process. Has anyone faced this situation before? If so, how did you handle it?

Watch The Promises

HELLO LADIES,

ONCE AGAIN LADIES YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR FALSE PROMISES, I WAS APPROACHED BY A SALESPERSON THAT SAID HE WOULD GIVE ME A DEAL ON A COMPUTER POS SYSTEM, BUT BY SPEAKING TO HIM AND TALKING ABOUT THE SYSTEM ITSELF, I SOON FOUND OUT THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT THE SYSTEM HE WAS TRYING TO SELL ME, SO I WENT WITH MY GUT REACTION TO CHECK HIM OUT, I LOVE THE BBB THEY PROVIDED ME WITH SO MUCH INFORMATION ON THIS PERSON, SO PLEASE LOOK OUT WHEN PURCHASING OR LEASING EQUIPMENT.


CHERYL GORHAM

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP

HELLO LADIES, THINGS ARE TRULY LOOKING UP FOR ME, THINGS ARE MOVING VERY WELL I THANK ALL THOSE THAT KEPT ME IN THEIR PRAYERS, SO I'M MOVING FORTH TO MOVE NEXT YEAR AND DO SOME GOOD THINGS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN, NEVER FEAR LADIES WHEN YOU STEP OUT ON FAITH IT ACTUALLY WORKS. JUST CONTINUE TO BE PRAYERFUL.

MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL

CHERYL GORHAM
DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT

Endless Networking

Okay...I know networking is essential if you are an entrepreneur. It can grow help you grow your business, it gives you and your business exposure and it's a good way to practice your 'sales pitch'. But... when is enough, enough? Is there such a thing as too much networking?

I am a member of several networking groups. Each week we have networking meetings that last at least an hour. Some weeks we have summits or business fairs. Again, I find some of these events useful. But they can also take up a lot of time. Time...that as a business owner I really don't have!

Also, I find that I am running into the same people at these events. Sometimes I wonder if its actually worth it. Yes, I meet some nice people but rarely does it lead to a job lead. Maybe I'm not doing something right. Maybe I'm not giving it enough time. I don't know... am I the only one who feels like this?

deciding the do's and don't of business

HELLO ALL,

I'M GOING THRU IT THIS WEEK, DECIDING THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF BUSINESS, YOU WANT TO FOLLOW EVERY RULE TO THE LETTER, BUT WHEN YOU FIND THAT SOME LAWS HAVE YOU CONTRAINED! WHAT DO YOU DO? I HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS IN ORDER FOR THE RESTAURANT TO RUN SMOOTHLY, YOU RUN INTO SO MANY ROAD BLOCKS IT UNEARTH'S YOUR CONFIDENCE ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN ACTUALLY PULL IT OFF, BUT I'M STEADFAST AND UNMOVEABLE. I WILL COME OUT ON TOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS COME MY WAY. THIS IS BECOMING A VERY BUSY TIME FOR ME, WITH MY TEENAGER IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND PROM, AND COLLEGE TOURS, I'M SPREADING MYSELF THIN SO TO SPEAK, BUT I'M GOING TO WORK IT OUT. SO JUST KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.

THANKS

Making the Transition

How long does it take for someone to make the transition from Corporate America to self-employment? I have friends who took several years to make the transition...their steps were steady and planned. However, I have other friends who just went COLD TURKEY. One day they were working for their bosses...the next day they were working for themselves. Of course, that comes with many challenges.

One of my friends who took 'the plunge' just told me the other day that she was starting to have second thoughts. Don't get me wrong, she is happy that she finally stepped out on faith to start her own business. But on the other hand, she said she didn't realize just how good she had it when she was receiving a steady paycheck. Instead of getting paid regularly every two weeks... she gets paid monthly now....and that has to cover a lot of her business expenses. She's doing okay...but no where near where she was when she worked full time for her previous employ

I am in the midst of making that transition now. I am fortunate to to have a very flexible schedule which allows me to be very efficient in both areas of my professional life. But at some point, I know I will have to make a decision. Until then, I am making every preparation possible to make that transition a little smoother.

I'd love to hear from some women who made a successful transition to entrepreneurship. How did you make it work for you?

IT HAS BEEN A HARD MONTH

IT HAS BEEN A HARD LAST MONTH FOR ME, STILL DOING BUSINESS AS USUAL, EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, I HAD A BURN, AND IT ALL WAS TRYING TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL, BUT WITH ALL OF MY I CAN DO IT SPIRIT I PUSHED THROUGH ALL OF MY TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS TO CONTINUE ON TO DO WHAT I DO, I HAD TO EXHALE FOR A MINUTE, BUT I DID ME GOOD AND SHOWED ME HOW WELL I DO UNDER PRESSURE. SO I DO HOPE THAT YOU ALL HAVE A SPECIAL WAY TO DEAL WITH THE PRESSURE YOU MAY BE UNDER, AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS PRAY!!!

Sole Proprietorship, LLC or INC ?

This can be a very complex question to answer. I know weeding through the legal terms and procedures was challenging for me, at first. There are definite advantages for each business entity. Choosing one over the other is certainly a personal choice, it just depends on what the needs are for your particular business.

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who is in the process of starting a foundation for at-risk youth in Washington, DC. He shared an interesting gem with me. He said he's getting his business incorporated in Delaware. Turns out that Delaware is a very business friendly state. So much so, that it is home to some of the largest and most successful Fortune 500 companies in the world. I thought that was an interesting fact....something I will definitely keep in mind for the future.

Although it's best to consult your attorney or accountant before making your business law decision, there are lots of resources available if you want to research this on your own. I came across this helpful website the other day, it may provide some additional insight:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Sole_Proprietorship_vs_LLC-Know_the_Difference.

Good luck!

Expanding Consumer Appeal

One of the challenges I've been facing lately is finding a way to expand my consumer appeal. Public Relations & Consulting can have such a focused approach that sometimes I feel I'm missing a larger audience. Event planners, for instance, have mass appeal. Everyone you know has a party, birthday party, anniversary or holiday party. So pitching planning services in this industry is easy. But providing pr consulting to small business owners is a little bit trickier. Sure everyone needs to grow their business...but finding those customers are the hard part. One suggestion I received is to find a vertical niche...like providing consulting services to only financial investment planners. Financial planning is a hot industry these days So, if I focus solely on financial planning...I can expand my focus by providing several different consulting options for this particular business type. So, that's one idea.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Second Guessing Your Customer Base

I make market and sell wicking sleepwear for women having night sweats. It is a niche market, but a growing and potentially big market. As the CEO of my company, I am always trying to get publicity for the company. If I have an article written about me, I get lots of sales. These customers then usually buy again because they want to have a spare pajama set or night gown while they launder the first. They are pleased with the product and that is wonderful, but my challenge is to get the next customer and the one after that. I can not depend on word of mouth because this is an intimate item that some women don’t feel comfortable talking about.

While my line of clothing travels well and feels great, I think women from all age groups should wear them, I am concentrating on my market niche.
I am wondering if this is a mistake.
Should I broaden my base and focus less on menopausal women and cancer patients but more on the general women population?

Menopause happens to all women, but many are in denial that it is happening to them. Night sweats is a very common side effect of menopause. Cancer treatments and medications also cause night sweats. The cotton industry has done a great job in convincing women that a cotton pajama set or night gown will help. Cotton does not retain its’ insulating qualities once wet. This means, you sweat, the cotton you are wearing gets wet, stays wet and you wake up cold and damp. So for my business, Haralee.com, I have to convince women that the sleepwear works, and to buy several and to tell their friends and family.

Does any one remember the television commercial, if you tell one person and they tell one person and so on? Well I need lots of those people telling! How to get women talking about something helpful but not very glamorous???


by Haralee Weintraub

HERE I GO AGAIN

WE HERE I GO AGAIN, I'M STRETCHING MY SELF THIN AS USUALLY, RUNNING A BUSINESS AND TAKING ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY IS STRESSFUL, I'VE JUST RECENTLY BECOME A MENTOR TO SOME 4-8 YR OLD I THINK THAT IF YOU GET THEM YOUNG YOU CAN MOLD THEM INTO VERY SUCCESSFUL ADULTS, I COULDN'T SAY NO, I DIDN'T HAVE A MENTOR WHEN I GOT STARTED AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE NOW, BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS. I LOVE WHAT I DO OR ELSE I COULDN'T DO IT, IT'S NOT A JOB IT'S A CAREER, AND I'LL DO THIS UNTIL I REALLY CAN'T DO IT ANY MORE AND THEN PASS THE DREAM ON TO MY CHILDREN, THEY HAVE BEEN MOLDED TO BE ABLE TO RUN THE RESTAURANT/CATERING COMPANY IF I CAN'T ANY MORE. BUT I'M PUSHING ON, WITH FAITH,PRAYER AND DETERMINATION, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I CAN'T DO WITH OUT THE ONE ON HIGH.

Surviving the Odds

As a business owner, I know the odds aren't in my favor. Most businesses fail within the first two years. I have heard that statistic over and over again. True, in my first year of business I have encountered my share of challenges: finding new clients, securing the start-up collateral and finding ways to market my message are just a few of my setbacks. But they were expected.

That is why I created this blog....because I know the challenges I face are shared by millions of business owners across the country. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a business coach or a mentor to provide encouragement through these difficult times. If you do, consider yourself lucky...very lucky. The reality is...owning a business is a tough job and setbacks are inevitable. But it's how you deal with those setbacks that can define just what kind of leader and entrepreneur you are.

How do you deal ? Do you tackle your challenges head on or put them off for another day? Are you flexible to change or do you find it hard to bounce back from an unexpected turn?

One day at a time. That's my mantra for my business. What's yours? How do you encourage yourself and/or your employees? Please share. Someone else may benefit from your experiences.

HOW AM I DOING THIS?

YOU KNOW TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS IS REALLY STRESSFUL, IN THE COMBINATION WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M DEALING WITH IT BUT I AM, I THINK THAT ALL MY STRENGTH AND DETERMINATION COMES FROM THE ONE ON HIGH, BECAUSE WITHOUT PRAYER AND BLESSINGS I WOULD BE SITTING IN THE CORNER ASKING FOR A BAG OF MARBLES AND SOME GRAHAM CRACKERS, LADIES IT TAKES ALOT FROM US ON A DAILY TO DO WHAT WE DO, SO I COMMEND YOU, KEEP PUSHING ON AND I KNOW THAT EVERYONE OF YOU WILL BE THE SUCCESS THAT YOU WISH TO BE.

Social Networking 101

Okay...so on top of growing my business, I have to become a master of social networking and online marketing?! That's what I am starting to realize. I want to increase my online popularity...I want to become an informative resource for women entrepreneurs. I realize this doesn't happen overnight...that it takes time to build these things. The goal is to increase traffic to my blogs and website. With millions of choices on the WWW these days, its becoming more and more competitive to get the attention of viewers. I know that a significant part of owning your own business is learning how to reach beyond your comfort zone in an effort to reach customers from diverse backgrounds and with diverse interests.

So, I did a little digging in a area that I truly don't know a whole lot about: Social Networking. I know how to network.... the old fashioned way. You know... talking, shaking someone's hand and introducing myself at a networking event or mixer. I am pretty good at that.....but networking online? That's a new concept for me. During my research, I came across some terms and titles that came up over and over again. Technoratic. Digg. Del icio.us. BlogHer. Grou.ps. (?), Ping, Twitter....the list go on and on.

Where do I begin? Is one site better than the other? Is it necessary to do all of these or should I focus on a select few? Any thoughts? I accept any and all advice!

Another Manic Monday

Another Monday...another opportunity to start the week off in a productive way. The one thing I love about owning my own business is that I feel in control of my destiny, my future and my finances. But the down side is that it comes with a huge level of responsibility. I never feel as if I am doing enough to grow my business. Finding new clients is a never ending chore as is keeping up with the demand of staying competitive in a fierce marketplace. According to the Washington Based Center for Women's Business Research, up to four years ago, nearly half ,48%, of privately held firms were 50% or more owned by women. There is no secret that more and more women around the world are recognizing the value of being entrepreneurs. That means more and more women are in the position of strengthening the economy in ways that's never been done before. It's exciting to be a part of this growing trend. It also presents a tremendous opportunity for women entrepreneurs to support each other and network. This has been somewhat a challenge for me. Is it realistic for women to reach out and offer resources to help one another? Or are women just as competitive (or even more so) than men? I don't know just yet...I will reserve my opinion until I gather more information......

NOT ENOUGH TIME

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY LET ALONE THE WEEK, TO JUGGLE EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE GOING ON, YOU AWAKE ON MONDAY WITH I'M GOING TO RESCUE THE WORLD ATTITUDE AND BY WEDNESDAY YOU ARE BEGGING FOR A LATTE AND A SPA DAY. WHERE DO WE AS WOMAN FIND THIS TIME,? WE ARE SO VERSATILE FOR THOSE THAT ARE SINGLE PARENTS SUCH AS MYSELF, JUGGLING A TEENAGER, BUSINESS, MEETINGS, WALKING THE DOG, ETC. DOES NOT LEAVE YOU MUCH TIME FOR YOU TO PAMPER YOURSELF, SO YOU GOT TO GET IT WHEN YOU CAN. YOU DESERVE IT AND WITH THAT BEING SAID I HAVE A SCHEDULED MANI-PEDI TO GO TO. STAY FOCUSED LADIES, GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

CHERYL GORHAM

daily work

opening a restaurant is very challenging, when i get up in the morning i have this go-get em attitude, by mid-day i think they got me, all the contractors, all the information, all the phone calls have worn me out, but i still bounce back with this I'm determined attitude, because this is a life long dream, and if i can't fight for it they it will never be, so if there is 1 thing you have wanted to do your whole life fight for it, because it can be. you are going to get knocked around constantly, but continue to get right back up, keep a calendar, a to do list, phone, and plenty of energy bars. just continue to push on and the rewards are priceless.

Where does all the time go?

It never fails. Each morning I wake up with every intention of tackling the day. I own and operate my own public relations consulting business so my days are always filled to capacity. My “TO DO” lists are detailed, my desk is organized with my notes and my cell phone is charged and ready to make calls. But somehow, someway, something always comes up to throw my whole day off track. A phone call takes longer than expected, I have to make a last minute run to the post office to mail or pick up a package, or something else happens that takes me away from completing my daily duties. I understand there will ALWAYS be something to do at the end of the day. But there has to be a better way to organize my time. I am constantly looking for tips and advice on how to maximize my time and efforts so I can take care of my business life and my personal responsibilities. Not to mention fitting in my 30 minutes to an hour of exercise at least five times a week! The list never ends. Sometimes I feel I am running in circles without being productive at all.

This week I am trying something different to get the most out of days:

I am limiting my phone conversations during the week with my friends to no more than 20 minutes. I will reserve longer conversations to the weekends.
I will tackle my projects and duties that require the most comprehension and attention to detail in the morning. I am a morning person and I am the sharpest in the early part of the day, not at night.
I will get up earlier in the morning. I find that I get more work done by waking up no later than 6:00 am.

Hopefully these changes will increase my level of productivity. I will give it a try over the next couple of weeks and see how it goes!