Please Wait...
Romy's Blog
-
On Friday I had outpatient surgery. Upon awakening from the anesthesia, I had tingling and numbness down my right leg and foot. Two days later, I still am unable to walk normally (I hobble and can't manage the stairs in my house). The surgery had nothing to do with my leg or foot so this was very unexpected, not to mention disconcerting. It appears to be a compressed nerve.
Like what all successful entrepreneurs do, I am ADAPTING. Without the ability to adjust and change course as necessary, we become idle - in our personal and business lives. Now do I feel sorry for myself? Yes, behind the scenes. But, to everyone else (ok, except my husband), I am strong and ready to do whatever it takes to work around this issue, which is hopefully temporary. Another lesson in being an entrepreneur: WE MUST LEAD even when we are not so confident.
My mindset must be focused on healing and since I am in bed and not going a million miles an hour like normal, I can focus on other importa [...]
-
Like most businesses in this economy, you are likely cutting back. For some that means no holiday party, no gifts, no nothing. But, even if you can’t afford to give out a present to a team member/employee/client, be sure to express your gratitude. Some ideas for doing so:
- Mail a hand-written card (on your company note card). It goes a long way these days when everyone uses email to communicate.
- Pick up the phone and let someone know you appreciate them. A friendly, cheerful voice and some kind words will make anyone’s day.
- Bring someone a fresh cup of coffee or tea from your local coffee shop (remember, you are supporting a fellow entrepreneur) and let them know you care.
- Bake. Bring someone some freshly baked holiday cookies.
- If you can afford a small gift, why not support a fellow STS member? This year’s STS holiday catalog features some great gifts by amazing women at great value. http://www.savorthesuccess.com/2009-holiday-catalog
Remember, it’s the t [...]
-
You have all heard this statement and intuitively know it to be true: “Knowing your financials is the key to your business success.”
Here are FIVE practical ways to apply this statement:
Look carefully at your daily, monthly, quarterly and annual sales. Your sales will drive all other decisions.
- Are you selling more on certain days, seasons, holidays? Understand where your sales are coming from and capitalize on them. Will you extend business hours during certain seasons/holidays/weekend days because that’s where you generate the most money? Should you put more marketing dollars towards a certain season because your track record shows stronger sales during that timeframe?
- Use your sales data to help forecast inventory. Know when you will need to manufacture more product so you can financially plan for this cash infusion and so that you don’t run out of inventory.
- Use your sales data to help you determine your hiring needs. Maybe you don’t need year-round ful [...]
-
Thankfully that is NOT my car...
About 8 months ago, I backed out of a sandwich shop and hit a cement post that was low to the ground and that could not be seen out of my rear view window. I took out my tail light and did unsightly damage to my car – even at 5 MPH. Cars can be finicky (pricy!) in that way.
After consulting with my insurance company, I was told that if I waited until October to have the repairs done, my insurance premium would not increase. You guessed it. I waited….for 8 months.
I use my car daily. I am not in a large city where I have access to subways. It was really hard for me to suck it up…to look at the damage on a daily basis. But I did.
The day I was eligible to bring my car in for service, I did. My insurance is not going up. In the long run, I am better off for waiting. Was I personally scarred that I drove a dented car for 8 months…no. The only “scars” that remain are to the cement post which has some of my black car paint [...]
-
I am returning from the Moms in Business Unite conference in San Diego (Psi Bands won the all-expense paid trip from Boogie Wipes). From that conference I learned many things. Here are some more relevant business tips to help you grow your business.
From Susan Fowler, one of the foremost experts on personal empowerment, I learned the following:
#1 Acting on the false promises of external motivators
An extrinsic motivator includes power and status, money, and image and beauty. This type of motivation can only last you for the short term. It is the “fast food” of motivation.
An intrinsic motivator provides inherent interest and satisfaction. It is the “health food” of motivation.
You can not be extrinsically and intrinsically motivated at the same time on the same goal.
When you cut through the layers of why you are doing what you do, you might realize that the reason you want to be rich is because you are the first person in your family to go to college, t [...]
-
As I mentioned in my previous blog, I am returning from the Moms in Business Unite conference in San Diego (we, Psi Bands, won the all-expense paid trip from Boogie Wipes). From that conference I learned many things. Here are some more relevant business tips to help you sustain and grow your business.
The following four qualities are what the Boogie Moms, Mindee and Julie, believe define today's woman entrepreneur...with some of my own embellishments.
1. Vulnerable
If you are a mom, you know all to well what it’s like to be vulnerable. Picture yourself giving birth. Legs up in stir ups. A dozen people looking at your privates. You are sore, you need to learn to do things you’ve never experienced before (i.e. recovering from a c-section, nursing, cleaning the umbilical cord), and you are likely hormonal. Does it get more vulnerable than this? And yet, we do it. We manage to push through it. And then many of us do it (i.e. have another child) again.
If you are a [...]
-
I am returning from the Moms in Business Unite conference in San Diego (we, Psi Bands, won an all-expense paid trip from Boogie Wipes). From that conference I learned many things. Over the next few blogs, I will share some of those relevant tips with you.
Maria Bailey shared the following three business tips that she learned from successful entrepreneurs:
1. Where’s the exit strategy? A tip she learned from Steve Berhard of Blockbuster
If you don’t have one, develop one. If you fall in love with your business without an exit strategy, you may be making choices that are not going to help you accomplish your end goals.
2. How do you make money when you sleep? A tip she learend from Michael Eagle, Alamo Rental Car
In other words, your business needs to run even when you are not running it (including while you are asleep at night). Ideas to help support this tip: online sales, staff, sales force.
3. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas. A tip she learned from Ma [...]
-
"Be Good to People". Are You Up for this EASY Challenge to Grow YOUR Business?
Have you heard about Savor the Success member Kris Wittenberg's new business, Be Good to People?
Three Reasons Why You Should Be in the Know.
1. Because it Will help your business grow.
We all know that networking is about developing relationships. When you network, you should seek information from others to help them grow their business. Spend more time listening than talking. Then, when an opportunity presents itself where you can do something "good" for this person (i.e. make an introduction for them, give some expert advice), do it. At Savor the Success, we practice "give, give, get." When you give and give, you will get.
2. Because good begets good.
When you do something nice for someone else, it makes you feel happy. It takes more muscles to frown than smile. So, flex those happy muscles. When we are happier, we are more productive. Do something good for someone and pay i [...]
