Early Bird Registration Ends APRIL 1st for Startup Princess Academy at Disneyland Hotel, CA (April 17-18)

Hey Startup Princesses!! NOW is the time to get your tix! Don’t miss out on the great savings and giveaways we’re doing for the Early Birds!! You’ve got until April 1st @ midnight to finish making your plans to travel or be there so you can Make your Wish “Happen” for the Startup Princess Academy at the Disneyland Hotel April 18th (17th is optional fun night at Disneyland).

Here’s the link with the full details: http://www.startupprincess.com/Academy/Disney/Signup.html

Did you know this is the second Academy we’ve done? Our first one was November 2008 in Midway, Utah at the Zermatt Hotel and Spa. Here’s a slideshow with photos by Ellen Marden of Zoom Album and professional photographer Justin Hackworth. The event was so fun, so intimate, and so intense that we decided to repeat it. Don’t miss our next Academy at the Happiest Place on Earth–DISNEYLAND!! The song “At Your Side” is by Stephanie Smith.





Utah Pulse Video Podcast Interview with Kelly King Anderson, Startup Princess Founder

Utah Pulse, a top business site interviewed me recently about Startup Princess. I talked about why and how I started StartupPrincess.com, the BYU Home-based Business Plan competition that I helped start, the future of StartupPrincess, Twitter, my internet cleanse and more. Take a look and see my cute pillows by the talented designer/entrepreneur Heather Bailey

Developing Personal Excellence

“With regard to excellence, it’s not enough to know, but we must try to have and use it.” Aristotle

Developing excellence doesn’t happen overnight. There are no quick and easy ways to develop excellence in our families, lives or careers. We can’t attend a seminar and as a result magically become excellent. We can’t read a book and have it all figured out in a day. And we can’t just tell ourselves we have excellence and then automatically possess it. Developing excellence takes time; it’s hard work and can take a lifetime to develop.

The word excellence is defined as the quality of excelling, possessing good qualities in high degree. It also means to excel in something. The word excellent means something is very good of its kind, eminently good or first class. In other words, something that is excellent is superior.

Excellence is not perfection. It’s not performing flawlessly or without mistakes. Excellence is a process and developing excellence is a mind-set, a mind-set that says, “I’m working toward excelling at something and I desire to possess good qualities in high degree.” It can also mean that I am striving to be excellent, a mind-set that says, “I want to be very good at what I do. I want my life and work to be superior.”

Developing excellence is a process in which we strive to excel and live a life full of good qualities. Excellence is not a one-time event – it’s a way of life. And to possess anything in high degree or to be first class, we need to practice.

Practice

In my own life I haven’t always liked to practice. This is probably the reason I was never good in sports. I always wanted to be good without the practice it took to get good. I wanted results without the work. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. To achieve anything in life we must work at it. We must practice it. And then we become excellent.

I’ve spent many years trying to do things quickly and wanting results fast. When I published my first book, I wrote it quickly, got it published and went out into the marketplace to begin selling it. I didn’t do any research, ask for any feedback or make a plan as to how I would sell it. I just did it.

And while I’m glad I did it, I would do it differently if I had it to do over again. I would have taken more time, asked for feedback and done research on books similar to mine. I would have asked more questions, taken more time to brainstorm and been willing to be critiqued.

Live Without Regret

Being excellent also means living without regret. And even though I would do it differently today, I do not regret publishing my first book. It’s been a huge success and I’m proud of my accomplishment.

I believe developing excellence means we learn from the past and use it to excel in our future endeavors. It’s not about bashing ourselves for past mistakes – that only keeps us from developing excellence. Developing excellence means learning from the past, deciding what worked and what could have worked better, and then applying our learnings to future projects.

Some of the things I learned from my first publishing experience can apply to all areas of my life.

• I learned to slow down and think through any project before forging ahead.
• I learned to let go of my need for immediate results.
• I learned to look at the big picture before moving ahead.
• I learned to ask for help and to get feedback from people I trust.
• I learned to research my ideas and the resources available.

Another Chance

One of the neatest things about developing excellence is that we always have another chance – we’re never done. Developing excellence is a work in progress.

I now have an opportunity to apply what I learned from my first book and use the knowledge as I begin writing my second book. I did my homework this time. I asked for feedback, held a focus group and researched my market. I’ve also taken the time to let my ideas come to life and to really think about the focus of my book, its audience and the results I desire through this publishing effort.

It feels good to be able to put into practice some new ways of developing excellence. I know my business will never be perfect but I’m committed to continually developing excellence in business and in my personal life.

And as you take steps to further create excellence in you life, remember to practice, live without regret and take full advantage of second chances.

7 Keys to Developing Excellence

1. Take the time. Excellence takes time. Be patient with yourself, as results do not always come overnight.
2. Think through the process. No matter what type of project you are undertaking, be sure to think through the entire process. Look at the big picture or end results before diving in.
3. Be persistent. Keep moving forward despite setbacks. Things will get in the way – that’s life. Just keep moving ahead and you’ll develop more excellence in your life.
4. Ask for feedback. Receiving feedback is a great way to make sure your project will get the results you desire and it may keep you from going down the wrong path. Though receiving feedback is not always fun, just remember it will help you develop excellence.
5. Study excellence. Research your ideas as well as any experts in your field. There are people out there who have accomplished what you want to accomplish – study them. Learn how they accomplished their goals and look for the ways they were excellent.
6. Practice new techniques. Practice makes excellence. You will never be perfect at anything but you can be excellent at many things.
7. Celebrate small successes. It’s essential to recognize your achievements, no matter how small. If you have taken steps toward excellence development and have results – applaud yourself!

*Michelle Neujahr, **National Speaker, Author and Small Business Consultant*
Michelle delivers high-energy, dynamic presentations on change, motivation and leadership. With more than a decade of experience as a national speaker, she has given more than 1,000 presentations to audiences of men and women across the country. Michelle is an expert in “Organizational Excellence Development.” Her programs are designed to motivate individuals to take immediate action, maximize their potential, increase productivity and make a positive difference in their organizations. You can visit her website at www.michelleneujahr.com.

Bulgaria Impressions: “Our Children Are The Most Beautiful and Good”

Hello Startup Princess friends, it’s great to be home. I’m still jetlagged, but I’m anxious to report to you about the trip. If you didn’t know, I had the privilege and honor of going on a 8-day service mission to Bulgaria with One Heart Bulgaria, a foundation that I’ve been involved with since it’s origin (2003) as a Trustee and served on the board for a few years. I want to thank my sponsor who generously “granted my wish” for a flight, his kindness was a pure miracle (decided to go a week ahead of the trip!) Read more

Congrats to Rachael Herrscher who WON the Startup Princess Academy Disneyland Ticket!

Update: Rachael Herrscher of TodaysMama.com won the ticket.

If you’d like to join us at the Startup Princess Academy at the DISNEYLAND Resort in Anaheim, CA you can WIN a free ticket worth $225.

Please post one of our banners or buttons on your site (below) by FRIDAY March 20 and leave it up until April 1 with the button linked to the sales page. Then email michelle <at>startupprincess <dot> com and let her know. If you can’t attend the event or are speaking (and have a free ticket) then please post the banner or button anyway and if you win you can give the ticket away to a friend of your choice. We will have a drawing of the ticket on April 2 and notify the winner. Please note that early bird pricing expires as of April 1st. So, if you want to take advantage of Early Bird pricing NOW, and you win the free ticket, we will refund your money! Here are the instructions: 1. Right click on the banner you want you post (for mac users, drag the picture to your desktop) and save it where you can find it. 2. Post it on your blog/site 3. Link that button/picture to this link: http://startupprincess.com/Academy/Disney/Signup.html 4. Send michelle@startupprincess.com a link to your blog where the button is posted. We can’t wait to see all of you in April! Make a Wish, Make it Happen!

How Busy Women Can Make Time for Nutrition

Liz Rosenbaum, personal fitness trainer, talks with Kelly King Anderson about what women can do to make sure they are eating well and taking care of themselves nutritionally. This advice is excellent for women in business.

Meet Cheryl Forester of CherellaUSA

The journey to CherellaUSA started for Cheryl and Cassia back in college. Both were interested in pursuing an outlet for their creative natures and interests in fun, fashion and overall love of life. They continued to keep their dream alive through careers, marriages and kids, and finally formulated their answer – CherellaUSA. Through the clothing and accessories they design and create at CherellaUSA, they weave together the unique elements they, and we, share as women of today. Their clothing is creative and hip, a reflection of its creators.

Enjoy reading on to get to know one of CherellaUSA’s creators, Cheryl Forester.

Name: Cheryl Forester

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Current Residence: Salt Lake City, Utah

Education: BYU

Professional Background: Communications, Media Sales, Fashion Design.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An Actress

What you are: Fashion Designer

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Cherella USA, Women’s Hip Lucky Inspirational clothing (our handbags and clothing are infused with an inspiring message.) sold in over 400 boutiques and online.

Company Website? www.cherellausa.com

What inspired you? Wanted to have flexibility and I love Textiles and Fashion.

How long have you been in business? 5 years

How did you fund it? Sweat Equity and Small Bank Loans

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Just my own Mom, she gave me the courage and grace to keep moving forward.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I am the Utah Director for Ladies Who Launch a Women’s Networking Group for Launching Ladies.

Current Business Challenge? Need Financing!

What are you doing about it? Meeting with Investors

Favorite motivational quote: “To Be More~Give More”

Family? Yes, Husband and 3 nine year olds!

If so, how do you balance family and business? That is the tricky part and something I think women in general struggle with. I also am a “workaholic”, so I have to set boundaries for myself and then follow through.

Favorite book? Desert Queen by Janet Wallach

What do you do to relax? Read

What do you want to change most about your world? More time with family.

What are you most proud of? My children.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Go for it, you can not fail. It is all a learning experience and you are always where you should be. I trust that always.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Blackberry

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Emerald for my children’s birthstone, Diamonds because they are the strongest, and Turquoise because of it’s grounding and healing properties.

Call for Speakers for Startup Princess Touchpoint Conference in SLC Sept 18, 2009

We are excited to announce some details for the 3rd Annual Startup Princess Touchpoint Conference.

Touchpoint is Startup Princess’ annual event for women entrepreneurs, emphasizing startup phase, growth phase and life balance. Touchpoint is our largest event of the year where we bring together experts and Startup Princess Fairy Godmothers for a packed day of valuable information and networking opportunities. Whether you have a dream in development or have years of business under your belt, this event is designed to help you take your business to the next level.

Mark your calendars for Friday, September 18th, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

This year, we are excited to have Touchpoint at Noah’s in South Jordan, a beautiful facility that will facilitate our conference schedule and networking needs!

In addition to our informative breakout sessions, this event will include:
- 2nd Annual Elevator Pitch Competition
- Boutique of Startup Princess Made Products (by application for an additional $25 to participate)
- Exhibitors
- Networking Time and Activities to get to know other business-minded women
- Delicious lunch

CALLING FOR SPEAKERS

We are looking for fabulous women to speak at Touchpoint on the following subjects:
- Establishing a value proposition
- How to Increase Sales
- Business Negotiations
- Traditional Marketing and Media
- Business Plan Writing and Execution
- Basics in Photoshop + Design to Help Create Great Marketing Materials
- Legal Issues for your Startup
- Life Balance while Running a Startup
- SUGGEST a TOPIC!

If you are interested in speaking on one of these topics, or you have another topic in mind, you can apply to be a speaker by sending a one-page outline and a copy of your resume and/or bio to Michelle McCullough, Startup Princess Business Development Director michelle@startupprincess.com. Applications due in our office on or before May 5th, 2009.

Please note, that in order to keep our costs to a minimum so that we can bring this great event to women business owners in all stages of their business, we do not pay our speakers for Touchpoint.  This event, as in years past,  is designed to have Fairy Godmothers with business experience to share their wisdom and give back so that other women can enjoy the blessings of business ownership.

For questions on how to get involved with Touchpoint or if you are interested in sponsorship information, contact Michelle McCullough at 801.592.1101 or michelle@startupprincess.com.

How a Publications Specialist Became a Published Author

Publishing has always been in my blood. I was ecstatic when a poem I wrote in 6th grade was chosen for publication in the school’s literary arts book. I wrote short stories I was sure would become novels if I just developed the characters. And I designed family newspapers out of craft paper and colored pencils.

So it was no surprise when I graduated from college with a degree in publication management and landed a job in corporate communications. But the desire to be creative remained. I was 22 and was newly diagnosed with a digestive illness. I had so many ideas and a drive to help others who were in my situation. But I didn’t have the maturiy or tools to make anything happen. Sure, I put some things on paper and had a false start or two. And then life happened.

I changed jobs and became more active in the community, taking on a closet-full of hats. I became a “yes” girl, saying “yes” to every opportunity to get involved that was presented to me. The problem was, I was overextended. Saying “yes” when I didn’t have time for something meant something else was not going to get done. So I learned the art of keeping a work calendar to prioritize and balance my professional duties, but that did nothing to help me out at home. Even my social calendar was stressing me out!

And then it hit me. A multi-tasking calendar was the answer! It correlated with the ideas I had had 10 years before at age 22. It would help me personally, professionally and medically, and might help others as well. And now I had the skills I needed to turn it into a reality.

It took sixteen months from my “aha” moment until I had the finished product in my hands. I wrote a business plan and asked family and friends for advice. I researched the library and Internet to see what my competitors were doing, and I learned how to protect my intellectual property. I designed draft after draft of my book. I trademarked my product name, without the help of an attorney.

Through my research I discovered that most self-publishing or print-on-demand companies use the same printer. But many of them charge inflated printing mark-ups on both ends of the process and retain all ownership over your work. After reading a book called The Fine Art of Self Publishing I found which companies to avoid and which could be trusted, including one run by a well-known writer and blogger, Angela Hoy (writersweekly.com). I submitted my book to her company, Booklocker, for consideration and was turned down. However, Angela recommended another company, Virtual Bookworm.

I submitted my PDF to Virtual Bookworm online and checked my email daily. Finally I received the message that they would print my book! I had found a publisher! I worked with the Virtual Bookworm owner through email to approve my book for printing. He was very kind and helpful, pointing out things that might not look right when printed. After a month of exchanging emails my book was done. I was expecting my first official copy of the book from my publisher in the mail any day. On a whim I went to amazon.com and typed in the name of my book. And there it was! My name in lights! I was a real published author!

I can’t tell you how successful I have been in selling my book yet because this is all still very new. I’m modifying my business plan, updating my press release and brainstorming marketing and promotion ideas. But I can tell you to be diligent in your research. Break your plan down into manageable chunks and take your time. When you think you can’t visit one more Web site, read one more book or refine your business plan, don’t give up. And don’t be afraid to ask others for help and advice. Everyone has to start somewhere. After all, it took me 12 years to birth my dream.

Angela Shipp is the author of bluehealer® diary, a unique daily planner that provides a way to track not only daily work and family activities, but also exercise and health events on one page, all at-a-glance. By doing so you can bring order and peace to your life and even make a connection between stress and your health. Bluehealer diary is available at www.bluehealerdiary.com.

Six Ways to Attract More Luck in Your Life and Business

Do you believe “luck” is something that happens purely by chance, or is it subject to our attempts to influence it and summon it to our advantage? Why do some people seem to have all the luck, while others seem to experience more than their share of misfortune? Thomas Jefferson said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more luck I have.”

I agree.  Luck results from following a plan, working hard, and adopting the right attitude.  We make our own luck. Lucky people, those on whom fortune shines brightly, seem to share some common traits.  These people:

1. Maximize their opportunities for good luck
2. Expect good fortune to come their way
3. Turn bad luck into good

Maximizing Opportunities for Good Luck

Put yourself out there:  Lucky people know that if good luck is to find them, they need to make themselves easy to find.  It makes sense, then, to make yourself known, get your name out there, be approachable and contactable.  Take advantage of social networking. Hand out memorable business cards. Send email. Talk to strangers. Get to know the people around you and establish relationships with those who share your interests. Offer help when someone needs it. And let others know what your objectives are so they will be able to send opportunities your way.

Prepare:  Lucky people are good at what they do and are ready for good things to happen. One of Rome’s leading intellectual figures in the mid-1st century, Lucius Annaeus Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Preparation will allow you to seize an opportunity and run with it.  Even simple steps like making sure you always have a pen and notepad with you to record your creative ideas and other information, or keeping cash in your wallet, could make the difference between maximizing an opportunity and missing it.

Be curious and active:  Lucky people are active and curious, continually learning and pushing themselves.  As Charles Kettering said, “Keep on going and chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.”

Expect Good Fortune (and Recognize It When You See It)

Improve your outlook: Lucky people have positive expectations and an optimistic outlook that creates self-fulfilling prophecies of further good fortune.  Luck smiles on those whose mindset is conducive to change and open to all possibilities.  Be willing to let luck lead you beyond what you may have planned, and you may be surprised at the course your success takes.  By being open to new experiences, breaking from your routine, and pushing your limits, you can create the kind of circumstances that luck requires to make its appearance in your life.

Be aware and receptive: Recognize luck when it sneaks up on you – perhaps camouflaged and giving but a small clue of the potential it holds for you. Be relaxed and open, and you will see what is there rather than just what you are looking for. Anxiety disrupts the ability to notice the unexpected.  As a result, we miss opportunities because we are so focused on something else. For example, people go to parties intent on finding their perfect partner – and they miss opportunities to make good friends. Don’t overlook lucky chances because you are too busy looking for something else.

Turn Bad Luck Into Good

An attitude of gratitude: A resilient attitude helps turn bad luck around. Try “counter-factual thinking,” a method you may recognize in people who unconsciously see a situation not as “bad luck,” but rather as a time to be grateful that things are not as bad as they might have been.  For example, say you’ve been in a car accident that totaled you car and left you with a broken arm.  With counter-factual thinking, you would consider the worst possible consequences that could have been – and feel grateful that you didn’t suffer worse injuries, or that your child was not riding in the car with you.  This type of thinking takes the focus from the negative and places it on the positive.

Want to get lucky?  Get out there, work hard, take risks, expect to succeed, and fortune will smile upon you sooner rather than later.  Good luck!

Marianne Sorenson is an attorney with Jones Waldo, a law firm in Utah with offices in Salt Lake City and St. George. Marianne is at the St. George office.

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