The Queen's Diaries

LOST IN THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

2009-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

HELLO ALL I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE YOU LAST HEARD FROM ME BUT I HAVE BEEN LOST IN THIS CRISIS, I HAVE BEEN PLAYING THE RECOVERY GAME AND WINNING AT ONE POINT NOW I AM PLAYING FOR MY LIFE, I HAVE BEEN WORKING MY BUTT OFF TO GET SOME INVESTORS FOR MY PROJECT AND KEEP THE CATERING ASPECT OF THIS COMPANY ALIVE, IT HAS BEEN VERY HARD. HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS SITUATION? PLEASE LET ME KNOW

THANK YOU
PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS AS I WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU

Who do you associate with?

2009-05-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

As entrepreneurs, one of our most valuable assets is our time. Because time is that one commodity you can never get back, I am very selective on who and with what I spend my time with. So, when someone invites me to a network or referral group, I do my due diligence to make sure it is worth my time.

However when you find a good one, industry associations can be a wonderful resource. They can help you stay on top of trends in your business or industry. They can also keep you sharp and motivated, help you stay on top of your game. More importantly, industry associations can give you the tools necessary to differentiate your business from others in a competitive marketplace. Sometimes, it's not about WHO you network with during these association meetings...but about WHAT you can learn.

Here's a list of several groups I have found to be helpful along my entrepreneurial journey. If you have one that has been helpful to you, feel free post it.

1. Pass It Forward: http://passitforwardmd.googlepages.com/

2. NRG: http://www.networkreferralgroup.com/

3. WEB (Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore: www.webinc.org

Good Luck!

Twitter-Pros and Cons

2009-04-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Negatives People Will Throw At You

Twitter takes up time.
Twitter takes you away from other productive work.
Without a strategy, it’s just typing.
There are other ways to do this.
As Frank hears often, Twitter doesn’t replace customer service (Frank is @comcastcares and is a superhero for what he’s started.)
Twitter is buggy and not enterprise-ready.
Twitter is just for technonerds.
Twitter’s only a few million people. (only)
Twitter doesn’t replace direct email marketing.
Twitter opens the company up to more criticism and griping.

Some Positives to Throw Back

Twitter helps one organize great, instant meetups (tweetups).
Twitter works swell as an opinion poll.
Twitter can help direct people’s attention to good things.
Twitter at events helps people build an instant “backchannel.”
Twitter breaks news faster than other sources, often (especially if the news impacts online denizens).
Twitter gives businesses a glimpse at what status messaging can do for an organization. Remember presence in the 1990s?
Twitter brings great minds together, and gives you daily opportunities to learn (if you look for it, and/or if you follow the right folks).
Twitter gives your critics a forum, but that means you can study them.
Twitter helps with business development, if your prospects are online (mine are).
Twitter can augment customer service. (but see above)

The Facts About Twitter-Part Three

2009-04-13T15:05:00.001-07:00

Some Sanity For You

1.You don’t have to read every tweet.
2.You don’t have to reply to every @ tweet directed to you (try to reply to some, but don’t feel guilty).
3. Use direct messages for 1-to-1 conversations if you feel there’s no value to Twitter at large to hear the conversation ( got this from @pistachio).
4. Use services like Twitter Search to make sure you see if someone’s talking about you. Try to participate where it makes sense.
5.3rd party clients like Tweetdeck and Twhirl make it a lot easier to manage Twitter.
6.If you tweet all day while your coworkers are busy, you’re going to hear about it.
7.If you’re representing clients and billing hours, and tweeting all the time, you might hear about it.
8.Learn quickly to use the URL shortening tools like TinyURL and all the variants. It helps tidy up your tweets.
9.If someone says you’re using twitter wrong, forget it. It’s an opt out society. They can unfollow if they don’t like how you use it.
10.Commenting on others’ tweets, and retweeting what others have posted is a great way to build community.

To Tweet or Not To Tweet (Part 2)

2009-04-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ideas about WHAT to Tweet

1. Instead of answering the question, “What are you doing?”, answer the question, “What has your attention?”
2. Have more than one twitterer at the company. People can quit. People take vacations. It’s nice to have a variety.
3. When promoting a blog post, ask a question or explain what’s coming next, instead of just dumping a link.
4. Ask questions. Twitter is GREAT for getting opinions.
5. Follow interesting people. If you find someone who tweets interesting things, see who she follows, and follow her.
6. Tweet about other people’s stuff. Again, doesn’t directly impact your business, but makes us feel like you’re not “that guy.”
7. When you DO talk about your stuff, make it useful. Give advice, blog posts, pictures, etc.
8. Share the human side of your company. If you’re bothering to tweet, it means you believe social media has value for human connections. Point us to pictures and other human things.
9. Don’t toot your own horn too much. (Man, I can’t believe I’m saying this. I do it all the time. - Side note: I’ve gotta stop tooting my own horn).
10. Or, if you do, try to balance it out by promoting the heck out of others, too.

Here's the link to the full article by Chris Brogan:
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-business/

In the mood for something "tweet"?

2009-04-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being MIA lately...but I've been tackling a lot of new projects lately. One of them is learning about the hottest Twitter Trend that is sweeping the Internet. According to Wikipedia, Twitter is a social networking service that enables users to send and read others' users updates known as 'tweets'. Tweets are text based posts of up to 140 characters. Twitter can be a great marketing tool for entrepreneurs who are testing the social media waters and a fun way to keep in touch with your family and friends.

So, for the next several posts I will be re-blogging a series titled:

50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business

by Chris Brogan

Here's the link to his page:

http://www.chrisbrogan.com/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-business/

First Steps

1.Build an account and immediate start using Twitter Search to listen for your name, your competitor’s names, words that relate to your space. (Listening always comes first.)
2, Add a picture. ( Shel reminds us of this.) We want to see you.
3. Talk to people about THEIR interests, too. I know this doesn’t sell more widgets, but it shows us you’re human.
4. Point out interesting things in your space, not just about you.
5. Share links to neat things in your community. ( @wholefoods does this well).
6. Don’t get stuck in the apology loop. Be helpful instead. ( @jetblue gives travel tips.)
7. Be wary of always pimping your stuff. Your fans will love it. Others will tune out.
8. Promote your employees’ outside-of-work stories. ( @TheHomeDepot does it well.)
9. Throw in a few humans, like RichardAtDELL, LionelAtDELL, etc.
10. Talk about non-business, too, like @astrout and @jstorerj from Mzinga.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips.

Taking a step back

2009-03-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about owning my own company is that I can move at my own pace. I know that if things have to get done, I am the one responsible for making sure it happens. However, sometimes being 'the only' one can work against me. You know, it's like looking through a magnifying glass. You can hyper-focus on something so much that it looks one way to you...but when you back the glass up to take another look..things appear a lot differently. Applying that same logic to my business, I've found that it's best to bounce my ideas off SEVERAL people, to make sure I get clear picture on a pending project or proposal. I prefer to get that diverse feedback from people I know won't always agree with me. I believe that things you may WANT to hear from others may not always be the things you NEED to hear.

So if you are like me or other entrepreneurs I know, take a step back if you find yourself struggling to make progress in a particular area. Who knows where it may lead you. Taking a step back is not always a bad thing. Especially if it takes you closer to your goals.

The Barbie Doll turns 50

2009-03-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

2009 is turning into an interesting year, full of milestones. One of these milestones is The Barbie Doll will be 50 years old. Ken, Barbie’s long term boyfriend is only 48. Who knew that Barbie liked younger guys?
Actually Barbie and Ken were named after the children of Mattel founder Ruth Handler.
When Ruth and her husband introduced Barbie at the International Toy Show in 1959, toy stores were not excited. Consumers loved Barbie and as they say, the rest is history.

Ruth was 42 when she introduced this controversial doll, a doll with breasts. Another first for Mattel, with Ruth at the helm, was to buy 52 weeks, 1 year of advertising on the TV show, the Mickey Mouse Club. One year of advertising toys directly to the demographic who could not buy them but could make their wishes known had not been done before. TV itself was in its infancy, but Ruth and her husband Elliot saw the potential. They were right again.

Ruth Handler who died in 2002 at age 85 was an admirable business woman. She combined business, Motherhood and being a wife in a time when women were not encouraged to work outside of their homes. What genius to name her doll toys after her children. What PR savvy to partner with her husband but confident enough to be the spokesperson for their toy company. At age 51 Ruth introduced Hot Wheels. This toy’s success rivaled Barbie’s for boys. Menopause in the work place didn’t stop Ruth Handler from success, nor does it appear to stop her creation, the Barbie Doll.

This doll could be called ‘Hot Flash Barbie’ or ‘Menopause Barbie at age 50. Looking at her founder, I think Barbie has a great future ahead of her. She looks great for 50. Fashion designers have clamored to design her clothes. Barbie sports gowns from Dior and Bob Mackie. Now the cosmetic company Stila launched a collection based on Barbie. Mattel, which the Handler family sold in the 70’s, had a bad fourth quarter for 2008. Can the Golden Anniversary Barbie bear the financial pressure for the entire company? Mattel is trying with a big party in Malibu, the home of Malibu Barbie, which is of course Pink!

by Haralee Weintraub

IN ANSWER TO JUST SAY NO

2009-03-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE NO AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHOUT FEELING BAD ABOUT IT I USED TO FEEL LIKE SHANI, BUT I GREW REALLY FAST WHEN PEOPLE NEED YOU THEY DON'T HESITATE TO ASK BUT IF AND WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED THEY CAN'T HELP YOU SO MY POLICY IS HELP THOSE IF I CAN THAT HAVE HELPED ME AND I 'M NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE GUILT TRIP ME IN ANY FORM OR FASHION. IT IS A NICE WAY TO SAY IT LIKE UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T NOT DO THAT AT THIS TIME, IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT THEN THAT'S ON THEM. IT'S LIKE HALLMARK YOU CARED ENOUGH TO SEND THE VERY BEST.

CHERYL GORHAM

THE RESTAURANT WORLD

2009-03-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

HELLO ALL,

JUST A QUICK NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL, IT HAS BEEN ROUGH IN THIS ECONOMIC SITUATION THAT WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW BUT I'M DETERMINED TO DO THIS RESTAURANT SO HELP ME, IT IS SLOW MOVING RIGHT NOW BUT ALL IS WELL, IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE MY LAST POST I'VE BEEN ILL BUT NOT GOING TO LET THAT KEEP ME DOWN, I DO HOPE EVERYONE IS GOOD AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO POST WE LOOK FOWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

BE DETERMINED AND BE BLESSED

Just Say No

2009-03-03T05:02:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest things I must change in 2009 is my need to be a PEOPLE PLEASER. When someone asks me to do something, I try my best to get it done, even at my own expense. I HATE

to disappoint other people because I wouldn't want anyone to disappoint me. But lately, I've found that I've been so busy trying to please others that I've neglected my own professional and personal responsibilities. Bottom line...I have a hard time saying no. For some reason, I feel guilty or bad if I can't fulfill an obligation or expectation set by someone else. So, my question is: Does anyone have a good suggestion on how they've said 'no' to someone without sounding rude. How did you let someone down easy? I know there is an art to it. I just haven't mastered it yet. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

2009-02-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

Just a note that 2009 is starting to become a very good year for me I've been struggling to open this restaurant and my date will probably have to fall back to next year but i'm still proud of all the accomplishments that i have made. I have been networking like crazy and it has paid off, so please put networking into your daily schedule as often as possible, i've come across some new opportunity's by just attending a Donale Trump Conference and it was fabu, so if you need to know more than just contact me. 443-824-1249.

wishing you all the very best

CHERYL GORHAM

Creating Partnerships

2009-02-12T05:55:00.000-08:00

There is definitely some truth to the saying "two heads are better than one”. In so many instances, including this blog, having the help of more than one person has really made my life easier. It’s also provided me with a different perspective that I would not have had access to otherwise. Let’s be realistic. That’ s the beauty of networking. If you do it properly, you can build relationships that can be both fruitful and productive. Those relationships could lead to partnerships for your business or entrepreneurial venture.

How can your business benefit from a possible partnership? Who can provide you with insight that you can learn from? The answers to those questions can yield you the results you and your business are looking for.

What is your Online Marketing Strategy-PART II

2009-02-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

Your Online Marketing Strategy: Leveraging Social Networks
by Terri Holley

Social Networks: Client Loyalty

My friend could have also leveraged the client loyalty inherent in many social networks, and perhaps created a situation in which I connected with a customer who had previously shared the same hesitations about purchasing. Imagine this customer discussing why they were happy with their purchase, not only with me, but with hundreds of other prospects. Think about the impact that would have had on my decision making and imagine how much sooner I might have entered the sales funnel.

Social Networks: Your Online Marketing Strategy

By using social networks, you can:
Remain in front of your prospects to deliver the right message at the right time
Leverage customer loyalty that exists within these networks
Move people into your sales funnel quicker and easier

Terri Holley, MS CPCC, is the owner and founder of Creative Blog Solutions. As one of the premier social media strategists, Ms. Holley specializes in integrating social technology into conventional marketing campaigns to create cutting-edge, balanced and cohesive online marketing strategies.

To read more about Terri click here: www.creativeblogsolutions.com

What is your Online Marketing Strategy?

2009-02-04T06:25:00.000-08:00

A couple of posts ago, I gave a brief overview on Social Marketing and how it can help you grow your business. Now, you will hear from the expert on social marketing. Terri Holley, of Creative Blog Solutions, specializes in giving your business an authentic voice. The following post is Part I of her discussion on how you can leverage your social network.

Your Online Marketing Strategy: Leveraging Social Networks
by Terri Holley on February 3, 2009

You’ve been hearing about it, but now there is more research to back it up. According to a new Pew Internet & American Life Projects’ study, the amount of adults generating profiles on social networking sites has quadrupled in the last five years. Quadrupled!

What This Means for Business Marketing
In marketing, timing is everything. Being in front of your customers with the right message at the right time is critical.
I have a wonderful friend who has been marketing her products to me for two years. I finally became a customer last month. Why a two year wait? I just wasn’t ready to buy. The smartest thing my friend did? She kept me within her sphere of influence. When I received the right message at the right time, the sale was easy. A simple task for her? Not hardly. She followed up constantly. A phone call there, an email here. Another phone call. Another email. Multiply that by 100, 200 or 300 prospects, and you’re talking about a major investment in time and money.

Social Networks: Built-in Follow-Up
Imagine how things could have been different if my friend leveraged a social network, perhaps on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, rich with a community of prospects (including myself) who congregated around her business. Instead of making a phone call here or sending an email there, she would have been able to deliver constant messages to hundreds of her prospects, all at one time. Best of all, via polls, surveys and assessments (all of which can be used via a social network) she could have revealed my reasons for not purchasing, and in return, delivered valuable, compelling and tailor-made content that could have influenced my decision making.

Stay tuned for Part II

Time=Money

2009-01-31T12:43:00.000-08:00

Nothing frustrates me more than WASTING MY TIME. There are only 24 hours in the day and I try to make the most of them. So when a client comes to me requesting my services, only to back out at the last minute, I find that not only frustrating but extremely disrespectful. As a business owner, I know you can relate to this.

I had a conversation with a mentor and fellow business owner about this the other day. She is a dynamic wedding and event planner...so she knows the importance of making the most of her time. Vicky Johnson, owner of Holy Matrimony (www.holymatrimonyonline.com), says she makes it very clear to her clients UPFRONT that she needs their commitment before moving forward with her consultation. Because at the end of the day, people WILL waste your time, money and resources...if you let them. So, it's ultimately up to me (and you) to make sure that doesn't happen.

I came up with three conclusions following our conversation . I'd like to share these points with you.

1. You must be extremely protective of your time. As I mentioned before, no one else has your best interests at heart. It's your business, your time, and ultimately your money. Don't let anyone else call the shots.

2. Never let your clients ruin your representation and credibility with your vendors. Although you should always practice the highest level of professionalism, your relationship with your vendors and other business partners will last long after your client is gone. Don't sacrifice that relationship for a single client who may not be worth it.

3. Gain commitment from your clients before you move forward with contracts, consultations, etc. What's the use of spending the time and energy if your clients aren't 100'% sure they need or want your services?

I hope you'll find this information helpful. It certainly was for me. Thanks, Vicky

Social Networking

2009-01-29T02:29:00.000-08:00

Ok, I admit it. I am new to the whole social networking thing. But it seems that every day, I am hearing more and more about how it is absolutely essential if you have an online business, website or blog.

So what exactly is Social Networking? Social networking is a group of individuals with a specific interest coming together in an online format or community. You are already aware of a couple of popular social networking sites: MySpace, Facebook and YouTube. If your business is centered around a specific niche or special interest, you should explore social networking, if you haven't already.

For The Queen's Diaries, I created a Ning Account. Ning is another social networking site that is really gaining in popularity. The address is: http://thequeensdiaries.ning.com. The process was really simple. It only took me a couple of minutes to set up my site and it was really painless.

It's too soon to tell what kind of impact Ning will have on the QD. But, I will keep you posted.

New Year, New Ideas

2009-01-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

One of the many challenges I am facing right now is coming up with fresh, new ideas on how to grow my business. I want to attract new clients and increase my reach and frequency in my target markets. But coming up with new and innovative ways to do this has proven to be quite difficult.

A New Year means a new beginning, a great way to start the year off on a good note. I want 2009 to be different than 2008...which means I have to stretch outside of my comfort zone. I network with others, read blogs, magazines and just about anything that will get my creative juices flowing. Still, I have run into a brick wall.

I know one quality that successful business owners have in common is that they are proactive thinkers, they are always looking for ways to 'think outside of the box'. There are some people who are blessed with this wonderful gift. They are creative geniuses with a natural ability to be original and unique. So, if I have just described you, see if you can answer this question for me: How do you stay fresh and new the marketplace? What/Who is the catalyst for your new ideas?

How will you make 2009 different?

2008-12-31T13:23:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-28T05:05:00.000-08:00

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.

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.
Take advantage of shopping online. You'll waste less time at the mall and devote more time to your business.
Set a time limit or deadline to complete your holiday duties and stick with it.

Happy Holidays!

HOLIDAYS

2008-11-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-11-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-08T06:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

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 ?

2008-08-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-15T16:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-14T06:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-08-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-21T04:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-07-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

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!