The Smart Women SOAR 2-Day Retreat

What would it feel like to claim your own personal brand of power, build a profitable business working with clients you LOVE? What would it feel like to be completely supported by a real-life mentor who cares about your success? What if you had the exact steps to create consistent cash flow and enjoy a freedom based business and lifestyle?

www.SmartWomenSolutions.com/retreat/

What would it feel like to effortlessly blend your personal life with a business you are so passionate about? What if you could create your own personal blueprint that includes every aspect of your life? (self-care, family, spouse/partner, children, friends, business and community)

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Smart Women Make Decisions

I was watching the holiday classic, “The Polar Express” with my children recently and in the movie, Tom Hanks, who plays the role of conductor, said to Billy as he exited the train, “It’s not as important to know where the train is going as it is to make a decision to get on the train.” Very wise words indeed. Getting in the habit of making decisions will be one of the best decisions you can make in 2012!

When we are faced with having to choose, we struggle. It can be something as simple as what to have for dinner to a more complex decision of leaving your job to start your own business. The struggle is typically with what you are choosing to leave behind or the thing that you decide not to choose. You second guess (and sometimes third guess) whether what you are leaving behind could actually be the choice that would take you to a place of nirvana – a place where life would be perfect. This whole process keeps you stuck, trapped and unable to move forward.

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Smart Women And The 5 Fundamental Questions for Business Success

I’m finding that many women entrepreneurs are reflecting on their year and a question that seems to be on the minds of many is: “What are tools and strategies I need for my business to take a big leap in the New Year?” As I reflect on this question, I realize the answer is two-fold. If you are serious about making 2012 the year that you soar in business and make big leaps in income, you must first ask yourself a few questions (and get honest with yourself about the answers):

1. Is my business Viable? Do people want my product or service? This is where doing some research on your industry can be quite valuable. Just because “no one else is doing it” doesn’t always mean it’s a great business opportunity. Yes, Steve Jobs did quite well being “the first” in his industry but many times success can be yours by taking an existing business concept and improving on it. Also, find out what the range of fees or prices are in your industry. Make sure you price your winning product or service so people will be clamoring to get their hands on it.

2. Is my business Visible? Visibility is a huge key to success. You may be the best coach, lawyer, virtual assistant or pet sitter in the world however, if you don’t have a marketing plan that is designed to get you seen and heard, you will remain the best kept secret in town! Getting your product or service out there in a big way makes a huge difference in how much growth you can expect in the coming year.

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Smart Women Give Their Business a Marketing Makeover

When you begin your journey as a woman entrepreneur, your most important action step is to get clients and create a “buzz” about your product or service so you can keep the business alive and get on a path to profitability. With effective marketing, your business will grow and over time, word will spread about the results people are getting when they work with you. If becoming a leader in your industry is a goal for you, now will be the time to consider an updated look in your business – a new brand image – both personally and professionally.

Over the last few months, I’ve completely revamped my online presence and I’m in the process of updating my personal brand as well. When you have a big vision for your business, it’s essential that you stay “current” in every area. If you’re in a product business, you’ll need to keep a fresh, new look for your product packaging. If you’re in a service based business, you’ll want a “new and improved” version of who you are becoming as a leader in your industry.

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Smart Women Have Rituals for Success

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to multiple women’s conferences and speak to scores of women entrepreneurs about their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals. Questions come up on a range of topics including how to start a business to taking an existing business to the next level of success. One question that seems to have a recurring theme right now is “How do I create a successful business while maintaining work/life balance?” Great question! And one that deserves an answer with some solid tips and solutions.

Let me begin by sharing with you that I don’t actually believe there is “work/life” balance. My belief is that women reflect on and declare their values that are personal to them and create a life to support those values. I place a high value on 3 areas in my life; self-care, family and supporting women to live the life they want – and deserve. Does it work perfectly? Of course not. Kids get sick, dishwasher breaks and laptops blow up! I will share that it does work 80% of the time because I’ve made a decision to be proactive using daily rituals to take care of myself, my family and my business.

Do you have rituals for success in your life and business? Here are 7 rituals I use to help me stay on course and honor what I value most:

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Smart Women Make a Difference

I struggled a bit this week on what I wanted to share with you. I place a high value on making sure I give you timely information that you can use right away to take your life and your business to the next level of fulfillment, happiness and success. On the one hand, I wanted to write about June being the halfway mark in your business and now is the perfect time to take a mid-year inventory of what’s working and what’s not working so you can make the shifts necessary to meet your goals by the end of the year.

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Smart Women Trim the Layers of Their Lives

Yesterday, we had tree-trimmers here at our house to clean up the trees that were overgrown and also to make room for new growth in the future. We live in a house that is very light and bright, however I was surprised how much more light and clarity of vision we have now that we’ve peeled back the layers of debris and overgrowth. Today, I have views of nature and blue sky that were not visible to me yesterday. This got me thinking about how Smart Women know the importance of trimming back the layers of their lives so that they can keep their vision clear and focused on what’s most important.

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Smart Women, American Girl® and Building Your Brand

A few weeks ago, I took a vacation with my family to New York City. While there, we visited the American Girl® store. My daughter Jenna loves this store, and it’s easy to understand why so many girls are attracted to this brand. When you enter the store, the “experience” begins. This got me thinking about how Smart Women could learn from American Girl® how to build a business image or brand that lasts.

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Smart Women Give Their Clients an Experience

Last week, my husband Greg and I went mobile phone shopping. I had one of those flip phones that allows you to make phone calls and that’s about it. I couldn’t email anyone or look up anything on the web. I really needed a better way to stay connected!

I’ve been with the same mobile phone company for 9 years. Hard to believe, right? I’m slow to commit but once I do, loyal to the end! So the first place I went was to my current carrier’s store to see what they had to offer. When we entered the store, there were a quite a few people waiting and so we got in line and waited our turn. Not once did anyone say, “Thanks for waiting, I’ll be with you in a moment” or “Sorry for the delay, someone will be right with you.” Nothing. No eye contact. We felt invisible. I had quite a few questions about the new phones and was anxious to get my questions answered. When it was my turn (about 20 minutes later) something happened that was shocking. The person behind the desk looked straight at us and then just turned and walked away! I was stunned and frustrated at this point.

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Smart Women Share Their Pearls….

One of the birthday “traditions” in our family is when a member gets to a certain age, they share one “pearl of wisdom” for each decade they have lived.

Today is my 50th birthday! The five decades behind me were all wonderful and as I reflect on each one of them, I can clearly see how each decade blended into the next to bring me to where I am today. I’m very excited about the next 50 years with lots of ideas and plans for living a meaningful and full life. In keeping with my family “tradition,” I’m going to share with you my five “pearls of wisdom” that have been instrumental in my life so far. This is not an easy exercise! Choosing five was a real challenge. We all have beliefs that we carry inside of us. They come from our families, mentors, and life experiences that we have along the way. However, I’m clear now that the five “pearls of wisdom” that you read below are the ones that have shaped my life in the most profound way:

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What Smart Women Learn in the Recovery Room

A few weeks ago, I had surgery to remove one of my healthy kidneys in order to donate that kidney to my husband Greg, 12-17-09Article whose kidney was failing, so that he would enjoy a more vital, healthy life. On December 1, we both were admitted to UCLA Medical Center. Everything went well regarding the surgery, however, when I woke up in the recovery room later that day and became aware of my surroundings, I felt restrained and an overall feeling of loss of control. As the hours went by (and the pain meds began to wear off!) I realized there were 4 “obstacles” that I needed to overcome in my journey to again feel in control of my life. The 4 “obstacles” were: forced oxygen, a catheter, an IV in my arm, and being strong enough to stand up and walk without assistance. This got me thinking about how Smart Women need to overcome the “obstacles” in their lives in order for them to be in control of their destiny.

As women, we can sometimes carry a heavy load of responsibility. We are nurturers by nature. We tend to say “Yes” more than “No.” Over time, some of the roles and responsibilities you take on no longer serve you well and can become “obstacles”. There have been times in my life that I’ve felt as if I was being held captive to some of the roles and responsibilities in my life. What are possible “obstacles” right now in your life?

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Smart Women Trim the Layers of Their Lives

Yesterday, we had tree-trimmers here at our house to clean up the trees that were overgrown and also to make room for new growth in the future. 11-19-09Article[1] girl smiling by treeWe live in a house that is very light and bright, however I was surprised this morning when I discovered how much more light and clarity of vision we have now that we’ve peeled back the layers of debris and overgrowth. Today, I have views of nature and blue sky that were not visible to me yesterday. This got me thinking about how Smart Women know the importance of trimming back the layers of their lives so that they can keep their vision clear and focused on what’s most important.

In my work with women, one of the most essential exercises that we do together is peel back the layers of their lives and take a look at what’s working and what’s not working. It’s important to take a look at each layer and if necessary trim the excess so you can live each day doing what’s most important to you in your life. The challenge for most of us is in the “letting go” of what no longer serves us. Sometimes there’s so much debris in our lives that we are unable to clearly see how even just a slight trim in one area could create a dramatic positive impact.

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