Utah Business Podcast Interviews Startup Princess

Recently I was interviewed by UB Radio, of Utah Business, as a follow up to my cover in January. I talked quite a bit about the challenges of balancing motherhood and business as well as the future plans for Startup Princess… what a surreal experience it’s been to have the exposure and visibility, a tremendous unexpected honor (although funny to hear that the local bank’s copy someone had drawn a mustache on my face!) I found out that the last woman to be on the cover (alone) of this magazine was two years ago. It’s definitely time for THAT to change. Can’t wait to see one of our Startup Princesses on the cover next!

Announcing the Startup Princess Orange County Royal Court!

We recently launched a chapter in Orange County and took applications for positions for the “Royal Court”. We were delighted with the interest and enthusiasm and after much consideration, we selected:

“Queen” Orielle Hopkins of Money Smart Mom

“Secretary” Kelly Lewis of Just Spotted Blog

“Treasurer” Marilyn Gil of Clothing Vault

These talented women are planning events and getting things moving ahead, can’t wait to hear + see all about their events.

Love to My Prince Charming

If you all knew the chaos at my “castle”, you’d know that my husband, Matthew is a dear soul to let me manage and grow Startup Princess. When I think about what has been sacrificed in my house and family to grow this company, really it’s Matthew who has suffered the most, yet he’s been so incredibly supportive and proud of how things have moved forward. I deeply appreciate his flexible attitude and willingness to help put together a last-minute dinner, clean or put kids to bed while I needed to make a call, finish an email, etc.,”invest” in a project, or pitch in at the last minute to help support a Startup Princess event with his awesome tech skills. Read more

My 2 Day Internet Cleanse + The Twitter “Startup Princess Appreciation Weekend”

So you could say that I’ve really “embraced” Twitter…I was a very sporadic Twitter user until November.  I believe I had only updated a dozen times or so and then I saw and learned how to use Twitter to actually communicate with people not just as a little solo act. Fairy Godmothers Gwen Bell, Gabrielle Blair, and Barbara Jones all taught us how to use Twitter at our November Startup Princess retreat and I was instantly hooked–to excess I’m afraid.

Last weekend I decided I’d go on a break and show my true love for my husband was stronger than my love to Twitter LOL, so I did a “Internet Cleanse” as a gift. It was surprising how difficult it really was, embarrasingly enough. You have to understand that Twitter’s become a mentor circle, a social outlet, a marketing op, and so much more for me…so to pull back even for just 2 1/2 days was hard. But all good things need to be done in moderation, so I’m trying to moderate my use of the internet, email, and twitter…anyhow, I made this video while I was “cleansing” to show how hard it was and also prove that I was being faithful to my commitment not to tweet! Enjoy laughing at my pathetic misery.

The funniest thing of it all was that while I was “cleansing” for the weekend, some of my Twitter friends decided to shower me with love and kindness and created a blog called “We Miss Startup Princess” with the “Startup Princess Appreciation Weekend”, take a look! So to my complete surprise when I returned on Monday I was greeted with dozens of sweet tweets with the hashtag #SPAW for “Startup Princess Appreciation Weekend”, they said they wanted to make sure I knew I was appreciated so I’d never pull a stunt like abandoning them again for an extended time, so funny! so cute.  Thanks to all the Startup Princesses on Twitter who participated in that little surprise…I was honored they would make such an effort…thx to JazzCat and RyanSMiller who generated the idea and told everyone about the little joke. Thanks to all! YOU ARE LOVED> xo

Looking to Raise Cash in Today’s Economy? Here’s Some Hope!

Fairy Godmother Rachael Herrscher of Today’s Mama writes: I was sent this interesting article by the president of Utah’s CFO Solutions – a very smart guy!

If you are looking to raise cash in todays economy I think this is a good read to give you some perspective into what is on VC’s and investors minds and how the game has changed over time.  Check out ”Another View: V.C. Investing Not Dead, Just Different”

I don’t know many businesses these days that are focused on going public rather I think most have the focus of an M&A deal at some later date in business so I think many of us our have our eyes set on the right horizons.  A good quote from this post:

“I believe that the paradigm has changed for the venture business. We can no longer realistically expect the same kinds of absolute returns that were achieved in the past through a quick turnaround from start-up to liquidity through an I.P.O. Rather, I believe that most of the companies that venture capitalists are funding today will find an exit through merger or acquisition. And if we expect to achieve a return in a reasonable time frame of three to five years, we are probably looking at a sale price of $20 million to $100 million. This is the valuation range where most young companies are being acquired.”

In general it’s good to hear some upbeat perspectives and outlooks in the world today so I especially appreciated his closing statement:

“Venture capital is definitely not dead or even ill; rather it has just taken on a new set of dynamics. Entrepreneurs in this country are stronger than ever, and venture capitalists are the ones to nurture them!”

Startup Princess Academy April 17-18th, DISNEYLAND!

Join us for our second Startup Princess Academy! April 17th-18th-RETREAT at Disneyland Hotel “Marketing To Women Online” a two-day intensive “Academy” featuring top speakers, plus networking and fun!

Speakers:

Kelly King Anderson, Startup Princess Founder- “Marketing to Women Online” Understanding What Women Want and How to Reach Them

Maria Andros, Video Marketing Queen- Increasings Sales, Traffic, and Visibility Through Video

Ciaran Blumenfeld, Consultant, Writer, Designer, Momfluential- How to Pitch to Bloggers and Create Successful Online Marketing Campaigns through Social Media

Serena Ehrlich, Marketing Expert of Docstoc–How to Increase Search Engine Optimization by Using Online Press Releases and Online Documents

Alexis Martin Neely, Media Spokesperson + Family Wealth Matters- Case Study: How I’m Marketing to Women Online

Karie Reynolds of Grand Avenue PR + Grand Avenue Baby (Showroom) – Case Study: How to Translate Marketing into Sales

Geneva Wasserman of Wasserman Kliese Communications – Case Study: PR and Marketing Solutions

————-

Event will be limited to 100 women.

Schedule:

Friday:

Welcome Reception: 3pm, Disneyland Hotel

4pm-midnight, Disneyland

$38 to attend (Twilight passes good only 4-midnight available through Startup Princess; this is a huge discount! not a hopper pass, choose just 1 park)

Saturday:

9am-5:30pm

Speakers + Small Group Networking + Mentoring + Great Food + Materials

$225 Early Bird (through March 15); $249 after

Registration will be available through Paypal Kelly (at) Startup Princess (dot) com

or via check: “Startup Princess” 2154 E 1710 S Spanish Fork, Utah 84660

Testimonials from Attendees of our last Academy ‘Marketing to Women Online” Retreat in Park City, Utah:

Incredibly useful information, amazing speakers and terrific networking!  Exceeded my expectations! More than worth it! Amber Passey

I hadn’t realized how vital it is for women to get together in a fun and comfortable environment and really DIG IN to learning and great discussions. The speakers were top notch. The topics were all focused on social media, but the range of knowledge shared was amazing. I hands down learned more that weekend than I had in months of internet reading. Honestly, I could NOT have learned what I did off a screen or book. Being able to have real conversations and get the fire going in person was worth the whole weekend. Kelly Anderson is amazing and has such flair for putting these together!- Sarah Jane of Sarah Jane Studios

Before I came to the retreat I was worried that I knew so little about internet marketing that I would feel out of place.  In fact, everything was fantastic – Everyone was so inclusive and personable as well as informative. Stacy Waddington, Seven Smooches

My experience was absolutely fantastic! It was well worth my time and money. I appreciated the presenters and the plethora of useful information.  I had wonderful conversations with each of the Fairy Godmothers.  I have some new, fresh ideas to grow my business and I can’t wait to get started. Kris Thurgood, You Can Make This

Video from our Utah Twitter-pated + Kirtsy Event

What a fun + fabulous event! We laughed, learned, and loved…what’s not to LOVE? Great Startup Princesses, GREAT cookies from DoughGirl, GREAT vibe @ CoWorkUtah, GREAT speakers Vanessa Brown, Marie LeBaron, and Liz Stanley (representing Kirtsy).

Startup Princesses in the video: (Twitter user names, follow them: @supermomcentral  @rachelhagen @createdbymom @sweetlifeinthe @inevergrewup @makeandtakes @petit_elefant)

Here’s the delicious Dough Girl Tina and I with her adorable packaging and our Startup Princess wands! Thanks Dough Girl for sponsoring the cookies. She just launched her bakery in SLC in December, instant success; note you can order the dough or cookies fresh! YUM>all natural too, finest chocolate from France!

Fun + talented Marie LeBaron teaching Twitter 101.

The stylish + smart Liz Stanley teaching Kirtsy.

Cute + tech savvy Vanessa Brown taught Adv. Twitter with April Atwater, Quinn Curtis, Michelle McCullough

Many thanks to CoWork Utah for sponsoring our event and for being such a creative space, truly hip!

CPSIA Updates!

Note the two documents below released recently may offer some relief for your business:

February 6th “CPSC Spells Out Enforcement Policy for New Lead Limits Products Effective February 10″

On January 30th “CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products”

Fairy Godmother Kathleen Fasanella’s, CPSIA expert recent post, “Three Days until National Bankruptcy Day” gives more details about what we can to fight the issue and how to respond tomorrow.

If you’re on Twitter, be sure to follow Kathleen Fasanella and the #CPSIA group for instant updates and information.

The Benefits of Working with a Holistic Health Coach

My vision board this year includes optimal wellness in body, mind, and spirit. To work on this goal, I’m preparing for a sprint-triathlon in May to raise funds for One Heart Bulgaria and have a higher purpose for working out at the gym. Besides doing a 5k in 2007 and training for the Mrs. Utah pageant last year, I haven’t ever done anything remotely this athletic so I decided it would be wise to schedule an appointment with my dear friend and Holistic Health Coach, Natalie Goddard before I officially started my training schedule. Read more

3 Questions to Simplify Your Success + Great Coaching Offer

Danielle LaPorte is one of my real-life Fairy Godmothers, she’s granted many wishes for me–and for Startup Princess since 2006 and now she’s a part of our newly formed Startup Princess Advisory Board. Her Amazon best-selling (co-creator and lead author) Style Statement is a powerful, self-discovery style workbook. Body & Soul Magazine said it, “redefine[s] the concept of style.” I absolutely agree.

Whenever I interact with Danielle (via phone, email, twitter, or read her new blog, White Hot Truth) I gain beautiful life and business insights from her perspective, wisdom and inner-strength. I love the way she teaches…gently pulls out what’s in my heart, helps me to dig deep and focus to connect my ideas with my life purpose. She’s the real deal and those who are privileged to work with her will be forever changed and their businesses-as an extension of who they are will thrive. Because I trust Danielle as a personal mentor, friend, and Fairy Godmother, I’ve invited her to share a special offer with Startup Princess readers. What a great opportunity to get more clear for the new year. Can’t wait to hear what you create.

The deal: SAVE $200 — yep $200 — on a 90-minute Fire Starter Call with Danielle LaPorte.
Startup Princess readers will receive a 90-minute Fire Starter (typically $500) for the cost of a 60-minute session: $300. That’s an extra half hour of “acumen and intuition” focused on you and your business.  And…you can invite other comrades on the call with you if you like. So team up with a friend or invest in yourself. 5% of every session will go to your charity pick, and you’ll receive an MP3 of the call…and plenty of inspiration and strategy to blaze your way to success.

Fire Starter session must be booked within the month of February {it can be scheduled at a later date} to receive the 90 minute call for the 1 hour price. Read what Fire Starter clients have to say here http://whitehottruth.com/fire-up-your-business/ .

Get to Know Danielle better…enjoy the following article:

3 QUESTIONS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR SUCCESS
by Danielle LaPorte, entrepreneurial fire starter and founder of www.whitehottruth.com

1.    What do you do (that gives you joy, because why bother if it doesn’t bring you joy)?
2.    Who cares about what you do?
3.    How do you get to who cares?

Those are the three essential, monumental questions for an entrepreneur. Whether you’re a hairstylist or a blogger, a lawyer or a widget seller, it’s the simplest questions that will illuminate the way. I’ve been using this inquiry strategy for years to build businesses and it never fails to shine a light on what top priorities are.

Like most simple things, you have to examine each question from every angle to fully glean its elegance and power. No matter what stage of growth your company is in, the answers to these questions should drive your daily actions.

Let’s use a hairstylist for example. {I happen to think hair stylists are seriously powerful citizens. You want to firmly plant an idea in the minds of thousands of people? Tell a hairdresser. He or she has the rapt attention of dozens of people a week. Salons are hotbeds of news and inspiration.} Back to success…

3 BUSINESS Q’s WITH AN ENTERPRISING WOMAN

YOUR PRODUCTS + SERVICES. Most entrepreneurs actually “do” more than they perceive of themselves. Examine the benefits and the sometimes- unintended positive consequences of what you give or make. Look for the deeper meaning of the result of your work.

1. What do you do (that gives you joy)?
Hairdresser says: “I cut hair.” No, really, what do you do? “I make people feel beautiful.” Uh huh. You’re getting it. “I’m a healer who happens to give highlights.” Bingo.

YOUR MARKET. Pay careful attention to who you actually attract – how do the people who buy your services or use your content/product see the world, what do they read, where do they shop, who do they listen to, what are their values?

2. Who cares about what you do?
Hairdresser says: “Humans with hair.” Could you be more specific? “Women…People who want to look great…Women between 20 and 50 who want the best possible cut and colour for under $100 – and like to talk about personal growth and baking.” Excellent. That is YOUR market.

MARKETING TO YOUR MARKET. Effectively accessing your audience means that you’re reaching as much of your market with the least amount of effort. Quality + Quantity + Leverage. Repeat that to yourself before you spending a dime on marketing. Look for leverage points, vocalizers, mavens, influencers to spread the word for you – from the right trade show or celebrity, to the local socialite or class president.

3. How do you access who cares?
Hairdresser says: “With business cards and an ad in the yellow pages.” Is that how the majority of YOUR market comes to you? “I get my very best clients by word of mouth referrals.” Whose word brings you YOUR market? “Becky the Realtor tells everyone. Janice is a total maven, she’s sent me at least ten clients. And Josie with the bakery and the flaming red bob – she’s so well connected.” Great. Give them each a free cut and a stack of business cards.

The formula for success is usually so simple it takes some time to really see it. The answers may take a while to find. Keep peeling back the layers until you come to the most elegant truth. Because the truth is what works. Simple.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Danielle LaPorte is the founder of www.whitehottruth.com and the lead author of the bestseller, Style Statement: Live By Your Own Design. A former think tank exec, she helps social entrepreneurs rock their careers and creativity with her signature Fire Starter Sessions. A speaker and media personality, Danielle has been featured in Elle, The Huffington Post, Vogue Australia, The National Post and Domino. She co-founded the popular site, www.carrieanddanielle – she left in 2008 to go solo. You can reach her at d(at)daniellelaporte(dot)com

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