Introducing Robin Feltner, Founder and CEO of Supernatural Botanicals

We are happy to introduce to our readership Robin Feltner of the eco-chic bath and body line, Supernatural Botanicals. This self proclaimed girly-girl knows the science behind formulating gentle and pure skin products while keeping the “grown sexy woman” in mind. An entrepreneur since she was little, Robin continues to expand her business all while making dinner for her family every night. Read below to find out Robin’s favorite motivational quote and just how she balances her family and business. Enjoy!

Hometown: Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Current Residence: Cincinnati, Ohio

Education: University of Cincinnati, Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy

Professional Background: Writer and editor, writing on women’s health, fitness, fashion, beauty, and food.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  Fashion Designer..and a Rockette!

What you are:  Founder/CEO of Supernatural Botanicals

Brief Summary of your Start Up:  Supernatural Botanicals, Eco-Chic Bath & Body.

Company Website? www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com

Blog: www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com/blog

What inspired you? I was born with the inspiration.  I believe I was born an entrepreneur (first job was selling homemade cards to housewives that I designed at the age of 4.)  Also being born a true girly-girl, beauty and skincare was a natural gravitation for me.  Wanting to enjoy what I do for a living combined with the God-given drive for entrepreneurship and to really enjoy my career were the main motivators that drove me to creating my bath & body company.

How long have you been in business? Since 2008.

How did you fund it? Personal funds.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My mentor is advertising exec David Esrati (The Next Wave, Dayton, Ohio) who taught me how to build a strong foundation.  He also taught me the importance of social networking at the inception of networking, i.e., using Twitter and Facebook, etc., as routes of PR.  In actuality, he was tough as nails with me, and many times I left our meetings in tears.  But it was exactly what I needed.  I needed a “tough as nails” approach to endure the many twisted roads ahead of me.  And it worked!

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I’m a member of Cincinnati Women Bloggers, a group of ultra-informed and fascinating women bloggers in the Cincinnati area.  Social Media Cincinnati, an even larger group of Cincinnati social networkers.  I’m a member of Live Green Cincinnati, as I’m deeply passionate about eco-issues.  I’m also a member of Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association, a group of skincare formulators that are driven to create pure and natural products.

Current Business Challenge? Capital!

What are you doing about it? Constantly networking, continually looking for new routes in which to expand and spread my brand to the masses.  Hard work pays off…Supernatural Botanicals is being featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray September issue!

Favorite motivational quote: “If you are not making mistakes, you are not putting yourself out there…you are not taking the sort of risks that are inherent in any degree of meaningful success.  Mistakes are tuition.”  -Sally Hogshead, advertising guru.

Family? Blessed with a super-supportive amazing husband, known as the Irishman on my blog, two gorgeous and multi-talented (truly!) sons, 21 and 12, and a Bichon Frise named Ginger.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I positively make time for my family, even if it means delaying what I perceive to be important business tasks.  For instance, we all go to the library together once a week.  I make dinner every night for my family and consider dinner time our “connect” time.  We go to church together, go out for dinner together.  Both family and business are extremely important to me, so I assure that I’m continually nurturing both of those aspects in my life.  At the end of the day, family wins.  Always.

Favorite book? I’m certainly a bookworm. One of the great joys in my life is the New Release section at the library.  I have probably at least thumbed through every new non-fiction release for the past 25 years.  Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert does, however, hold a special place in my heart.  It’s a book I can read (and quote from) over and over, and never tire of it.

What do you do to relax? Yoga, Pilates, listen to classical or ambient music, read, and at times, literally force myself to lay down on my yoga mat and be still.  I have found that deep breathing is very soothing to the central nervous system and is an effective tool in calming the body and mind.

What do you want to change most about your world? I live in a rather blessed world, in my estimation.  Certainly the growth of Supernatural Botanicals is my goal, but I have to say, I feel fortunate to have the world I have now.  Additionally, expanding the square footage of our workshop at Supernatural Botanicals would be a welcome change.

What are you most proud of? My family.  Not only my sons, but my family unit as a whole.  I’ve worked hard and have dedicated years into making and building my family unit as a healthy, strong, whole, compassionate and empathetic family.  We stand as a united front, and that makes me most proud.

Secondarily, building a business from scratch, creating and growing a brand, building a website, and taking my company from dream to fruition is one of the bravest and most spectacular things I have ever accomplished.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Go with your gut.  Once you do your due diligence and research your product and service, write your business plan (don’t skip those two steps), then go with your gut.  I have found that everyone under the sun has advice for me on how to operate my company…many of whom who have had no experience or credentials to extend such advice.  Don’t let anyone, even your advertising agency, tell you the direction you should travel.  Certainly consider good business advice, but ultimately make your own creative decisions.  I have found over and over again that sticking with my true vision for my company has helped to shape my brand.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? As simplistic as it sounds, Linked In is a wonderful resource to network, creating wholesale customers, e-commerce customers, advertising opportunities, etc.  I also love websites for women entrepreneurs, such as Pink Magazine, Savor the Success, Ladies Who Launch, etc.  Being connected to like-minded people will always spur your creativity and multiply your knowledge.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Gorgeous, glistening green emeralds.

If You Build it, They Will Come…or Will They?

Fairy Godmother Tara McCausland shares the following advice on sales:

Remember that film Field of Dreams? Yeah, I love that movie. If you haven’t seen it, here’s a little snippet of the plot to give you context. Ray Kinsella is a farmer who becomes convinced by a mysterious voice that he is supposed to build a baseball diamond in his corn field with the promise that if he builds it, they will come. Well, “they” ends up being several deceased baseball players, his late father, and in the final moments of the movie scads of random people who come to watch the game. Confused? Okay, so I guess you will just have to watch the film. But my point is he built it and they did come.

Many bright eyed, novice entrepreneurs also believe that if they simply “build it” they – or a multitude of sales – will naturally follow. Well, I hate to break it to you, but this ain’t the movies folks. Reality is that many businesses fail in their first 5 years. Yes, that is reality for many BUT that doesn’t have to be YOUR reality. Armed with the right information, tools, and a lot of persistence – you can be successful in building a thriving business.

Here are 4 tips to keep the sales coming:

Give ‘em what they want: What is your unique value proposition? What need does your product or service fill? People won’t purchase something that they don’t need or at least don’t perceive as something they need. It’s your job to figure out what Sara and Sam want and then market your service or product in a way that shows them that what you have to offer will make all of their wildest dreams come true (or at least make life better in some form.) If you don’t have a unique value proposition, I suggest you do your due diligence and figure it out. Don’t know where to start? Look around you and see what’s selling and how they sell it. Then, take your awesome product/service and angle your marketing toward just that. Then, if you provide true and consistent value, you will have won yourself a happy and devoted customer.

Evolution is necessary: It’s easy to get into a routine in business. Chances are if you’ve hit a sales slump, you’re in a creative rut. The world is ever-changing and so are people’s needs, wants and interests.   I encourage you to try new things and approaches with marketing, publicity, and with your product/service.  Experimentation is the key to finding out what works (and also what doesn’t work). Sure you’ll make a few blunders along the way, but if you try, try and try again – you are bound to find a winning formula. It worked for Edison; it can work for you.

Provide free value again and again: We are living in a world of freebies. People are no longer interested in paying for a service or product they haven’t already tested and proven. What am I talking about? Just take a walk through Costco on a Saturday morning and you’ll know what I mean when you come out with a full belly of food samples.  Look for ways to provide free value to your prospective customer through free products, services, or events. Note that this isn’t just a one time deal. Most sales are made after 5-15 contacts so keep following up and providing the free value. Once you’ve proven yourself, you’ll  have them begging for more.

It’s who you know: People do business with people they like. Building and nurturing relationships is crucial to your success because your best source of business is a good referral.  Twitter, facebook, and Linked In are fabulous tools, but don’t forget to get out there and actually talk with people face to face. The value of effective networking cannot be overestimated. Block out some time every week to do this. To fill the pipeline network, network, network. If networking sounds scary to you, just go and make friends.

If you build it, they WILL come – if you build it right. Now get out there and make those sales!

Tara McCausland is a speaker, author, and the owner of her own success coaching business. As a coach, Tara specializes in helping her clients become masters of their minds, their time, and their lives – building prosperity from the inside out. She’s also the happy mommy of two little boys and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 5 years. Best way to contact Tara is by email at tara@myjoyquest.com or by phone at (435)680-2901. Twitter @myjoyquest

How to Cut Your Time at Work, Get More Done, & Stay Close to Your Family

Fairy Godmother Heather Madder shares the following inspired tips:

I’ll always remember the day I went to teach my Sunday School class of 12 year old girls and my co- teacher had hand crafted cute little bookmarks to give to them.

They were cute–just adorable.  And when it came time for the lesson, she said, “I didn’t get to it. I spent all my time making these bookmarks.”

This story reminds me of a principle that some people in business really need to know to be successful.  Do the Essentials First. Take an inventory of all the activities you are doing and select the most important things.

In other words, stop with the busy work.  Really.

“Put–the–glue-gun–down, Sally.”

There are essentials in business, and then there are extras.  You need to make sure that you always have time to complete the most critical things. These always get done…First.

You can’t pay your bills and feed your kids with how many people follow you on Facebook.  If you have a thriving business, or a really great coaching program, or stellar products you are already selling….Twitter, Facebook and all it’s social media counterparts, can ADD to what you are doing.

A slow drip of tweets & posts are great icing on the cake.  But if Social Media is your cake–if it’s the only way you think you can people to find you–you’ll be extremely busy, and unless you are Gary Vaynurchek (Crush It), probably poor.  The fact of that matter is that compared to other ways of marketing, like joint partnerships, affiliate marketing or pay per click for example, they are somewhat slower on yielding direct financial results.  Categorize these tasks appropriately where they go…they are not first on your list.

#1: Do the Essentials First; delegate the “extras” or do them as quickly as you can.

Consider perhaps….

**Writing a page or two of posts yourself (so you’re authentic) and have someone else put them up throughout the week. Hire a VIRTUAL ASSISTANT! I love it, I found mine atwww.VirtualAssistants.com.

**Use PING or HOOTSUITE, to link all your social media networks together.  Once you link everything to Hootsuite, for example, which is what I use, it sends the same message to all your social media networks.

One Post at Ping =  a 10 Site Show (FB, Twitter, Linked In, etc.)  Pretty cool.  This is what we call “leverage.”  Same amount of effort, maximize results.  This is the only way for moms with big missions to live, breathe, and be good at all of what they do.

**Also, let go of perfectionism on your Blogs (and tweets.)  Be passionate.  Be real.  Bring Your knowledge.  And by all means, Be You. You don’t have to look a certain way for people to like you and want to hear what you have to say.  It’s like when I used to make sure that every little corner of the house was clean before people came over to dinner.  They came for people & food–not to see my clean linen closet (it was nice though, all those towels folded exactly the same way), but blah…who cares?  Your Blogs, You Tube videos, and posts do not need to be perfect.  Far better that they be done.

I remember when I recently did 4 video takes to launch a new coaching program.  My hair fell in my face twice and the lighting wasn’t great.  I wanted to do another take, but if I did, I would be a few minutes late to pick up my daughter from school.  There was no way I’d make my angel wait for me.  I sent what I had to my marketing manager, Seth, and he said, “It will do.”  (that was not exactly praise 

That video has brought in $15,000 of sales already, whoops, looks like $25K actually.

If you want to be efficient in business learn to have a laser focus on what is essential, and get it done swiftly, as you do it well.

All the other “extra” tasks get put into one of 3 piles.

1. Delegate
2. Do another Day
3. Let go of it

Let’s do some math here. (Math is not my strong subject, but I have a calculator handy just in case)  I recently wrote an article called, How More Conversions Mean Less Laundry for You.  Conversions means the number of people who choose to participate in what you are offering them.

In it I explained that if I sell one program at a $1000 and I pay my home assistant $10 an hour…I just bought myself 100 hours of laundry folding.

Now, maybe for some, that might not resonate.  For a chic like me who thinks matching socks is like serving prison time…that’s fine freedom, baby.

Everyone has 24 hours in a day.

Not everyone has the same amount of wisdom, passion, skills and energy.

L-E-V-E-R-A-G-E is what we are talking about here.

Use your talent, skills and the big beautiful brain of yours in ways that actually bring in people to your company.  Real people.  Real people with real money who really want what you have.  Do those items FIRST.

Then pay people to do the other stuff and get rid of all that you don’t need to be doing. This is the only way that we can grow our businesses and stay happy and present at home.

For a long time people said that you can’t be great at business and great at home, especially if you are a woman.

That’s B.S.  (A Belief System)

You CAN BE.  Only if you cut out all the excess in both places.  If you are wise, disciplined, talented, and you leverage your time–you can spend all your energy in your most important relationships and the most important parts of your business.

Show me a person that can do that… be disciplined with their time, be a visionary who grows their company and shares the burden through delegation, while always being loving, dedicated and connected to their family….

That is ONE POWERFUL CREATOR… the whole world is changed by you.

Heather Madder is a professional speaker, writer, and former-talkshow host turned business coach. She is the successful owner of HeatherMadder.com. In her own words, “The mission of my organization is to empower humanity to awaken to love, peace, joy, power, abundance, and freedom by offering educational and hands-on tools in the form of books, audio CD’s, articles, and live presentations.” Connect with Heather on twitter @heathermadder

Meet RaNelle Wallace, Author and Professional Speaker

Meet inspirational RaNelle Wallace, tomorrow at our 4th Annual TouchPoint Conference in South Jordan, Utah. Plane crash surviver and burn victim, RaNelle will be sharing her amazing Story of Courage that will definitely touch your heart as it did for Kelly King Anderson. Kelly was only 14-years-old when she first heard RaNelle speak. It impacted Kelly so much that she knew she wanted to meaningfully effect and contribute to the world. It was just last year that RaNelle and Kelly officially met and connected. Read below to learn more about RaNelle.

Hometown: Everywhere

Current Residence: American Fork, Utah

Education: College Graduate as well as certified in many areas such as Life coach, Mentor, Counselor, NSA national professional speaker too many to count.

Professional Background: I’ve been featured in television, radio and magazines. I can be heard on my own podcast.  My work has been recognized by presidents, celebrities and CEO’s. I’m also an author and I’ve ran for state Senate. Some of my achievements include: Woman of the Year for Service by State Legislators of California, National Hero by the President of the United States and founder of National Burn Assoc.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: At the age of five I always wanted to have my own talk show.

What you are: Professional Speaker, Author, life coach, Trainer, National Hero, TV reporter, writer, Public Relation and Marketer, Mother and great friend.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: It has been a long and active life that I have worked to always continue my education even when at one point became homeless. I had great mentors and searched out those seminars that would increase my profile.

What inspired you? God, wonderful mentors such as Jack Canfield, Marie Osmond, Gene Becknell who have assisted, but at the end of the day I have learned if its going to be, its up to me…

How long have you been in business? 30 years

How did you fund it? ME, school, internships, and the grace of God and courage.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Marie Osmond and Gene Becknell founded and owns all the PizzaHut, Jack Canfield Chicken Soup for the Soul, Nancy Reagan.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? NSA National Speakers Association, CHT Assoc, Tribal Women, Chamber of Commerce National Board, National Fireman’s Assoc. National Burn Assoc. National Self Esteem Board of Advisory.

Current Business Challenge? Making money in a struggling economy.

What are you doing about it? Finding others who haven’t given up, have profoundly touch the lives of others in there work, and inspire me, take ACTION AND WORK.

Favorite motivational quote: W.I.N WHATS IMPORTANT NOW, LOVE IS THE KEY, NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP, LOVE IS A POWER LOVE IS THE KEY.

Family? I have Four amazing powerful children and one of the oldest of seven children and a grandmother to three.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I take a lot of energy, time management, but the most important thing I have found is by letting them know how valued and worth they are to me and that the are my most important priority. That their lives matter to me, I involve them in my work when and where I can. Teaching them to respect the work that I do.

Favorite book? Bible, Change Your Thoughts Change Your Mind, As a Man Thinketh, Chicken Soup for the Soul, What the Bleep do We Know.

What do you do to relax? Walk in the mountains and put my feet in a cold stream and meditate, and talk to my very best friend.

What do you want to change most about your world? Bring a level of hope and joy to others lives.

What are you most proud of? My children, my accomplishments as a women, in my home, in my personal accomplishments, Establishing the second largest non profit in the world, my faith in God even in the most tragic circumstances, watching others succeed after my programs.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Always stand tall and see the divine strength of who you really are and that nothing is impossible, never ever give up on your dream, LISTEN to the spirit and your inner compass, don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help. You will be turned down a lot, but there may be one really wonderful Fairy Godmother or Fathers out there.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Listen to your inter compass, determination, courage, confidence, internet, social marketing, networking, and finding mentors.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds and a large sapphire. It is the stone that represents the gift to see all things as they really are.

Danielle LaPorte, Keynote Speaker of This Year’s TouchPoint Conference

This year’s 4th annual TouchPoint Conference starts TOMORROW! Danielle LaPorte, creator of White Hot Truth will be one of our keynote speakers on Friday the 24th,  along with Vickie Walker of Circle the Wagons and our very own Startup Princess, Kelly King Anderson. If you haven’t registered yet, DO! It will be worth your time! Here’s a little slice of the delectable Ms. LaPorte: http://ht.ly/2HKbB

Meet Nicole Bruderer, Co-Owner of Lime Ricki Swimwear

Attention All Startup Princesses: Only 7 more days before the 4th Annual TouchPoint Conference in South Jordan, Utah! If you haven’t registered because of lack of funds, we completely understand. That’s why we are offering “Pay-What-You-Can” Day. For 1 day only (TODAY until MIDNIGHT PST) you can make an offer for what you’d like to pay for Touchpoint and we will grant all reasonable requests. Once again this years TouchPoint Conference is loaded with amazing speakers including Nicole Bruderer, co-owner of Lime Ricki Swimwear. Nicole will be speaking on How to Increase Online Sales. We are SO looking forward to this instructional and motivating event and we’d love to save YOU a spot!

Hometown: Provo, UT

Current Residence:  Salt Lake City, UT

Education: I attended Brigham Young University and University of Utah.  I’m still one year shy of my Bachelors of Communications.  One day…

Professional Background (brief, please):  I worked for a non-profit while in college as an assistant and then a jr. account manager.  Then I was home for 9 years with my kids before starting LimeRicki Swimwear.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  Besides a wife and mom, I wasn’t ever sure—I just knew I wanted to do something creative.

What you are: Marketing Director/Graphic Designer/Co-Owner

Brief Summary of your Start Up: My two sisters and I started a line of fun and modest tankinis and one-pieces.

Company Website? www.LimeRicki.com

What inspired you? My teenage niece was struggling to find a hip and fun swimsuit that wasn’t too revealing and challenged us to come up with some options for her.  We had been looking for a small business that we could start, and this just felt right for us.  So we jumped in and came up with our first line of tankinis.

How long have you been in business? 4 ½ years

How did you fund it? SBA loans, credit cards, personal money

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? We have had lots of Guardian Angels along the way who have provided valuable insight and advice.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups?

Current Business Challenge? Managing our growth

What are you doing about it? Talking to a lot of people, doing research and praying!

Favorite motivational quote:  “Don’t let fear of failure discourage you.  You are a power for good. You will make the world a better place.”  –D.F. Uchtdorf

Family? I have a fabulous husband and 3 beautiful daughters.

If so, how do you balance family and business? That’s one of my greatest challenges.  It’s hard not to bring work home with me, but I find we are all happier when I can give my family my attention when we are home together.

Favorite book? A new favorite is The Anatomy of Peace (by Arbinger Institute).  It’s a life changing book that I’ll just keep reading over and over.

What do you do to relax? I love to do projects around my house.

What do you want to change most about your world? More hours in the day.

What are you most proud of? Definitely my family is first, followed by LimeRicki.  I’m also proud to be have fought {and beat!} breast cancer three times!

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Don’t get discouraged when everything doesn’t come easily.  Sometimes a disappointment or failure leads to creative problem solving and new ideas.  We all have failures along the way, so learn from them and move on!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? The internet!  How did we ever live without it?

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? ??

6 Ways to Package Your Services, Products and Knowledge so You Make More Money in Less Time

Fairy Godmother Laura West of Center for Joyful Business shares the following:

One of the most important intentions in your business, even in passion-based business like yours, is to make a profit. Yes, you want to make money while making the world a better place by contributing your magical gifts. In order to keep contributing and changing the world in your unique way through helping your clients, you need to also be financially successful. This is part of the holistic model of success.

The secret is to look at how you can bring your creativity into your pricing and services so that you make more money and give more value with out taking so much of your time that it starts to drain your energy. You want to look for energy-enhancing business models!

I recently had a new Platinum client who was resisting this idea. She loves her clients and didn’t want to become so expensive for her clients that she was no longer accessible to them. The thing is she also told me how she is running all over town delivering her services. An hour there, 45 minutes there and she’s booked up solid. Sounds great until you get inside and realize that all this running around is taking a toll on her physically – her energy is way down (which impacts her enthusiasm, confidence and creativity) and physical symptoms were screaming at her to “pay attention.”

Don’t wait until your body rebels! There are ways of serving a variety of client needs while serving your need to develop a financially sustainable and flourishing business – all without depleting yourself physically, spiritually and energetically.

Here are six ways to create packages for your services, products, experience and knowledge so that you can joyfully serve more clients in less time and make more money doing it!

Strategy #1: Offer Options with Your Time

The idea here is to offer three ways a client can work with you – a small investment option, medium option, and top of the line option. Clients love choice. If you tell them that you have one price or one package, they will often not take it because the question becomes “Do you want this service? Yes or No?” With three options, the clients have a choice. The question becomes “Which one would you like?” This is a totally different question which will lead you to more clients. You’ll also be surprised at how many people will take the top of the line or premium option. This is a great way of stretching into new pricing options that might have been higher than you were used to charging.

Strategy #2: Package Your Process

Potential clients like to know that you have a process. It helps them to know what to expect from you so they can get their arms around the commitment. Most of all, it gives them confidence in you. When you share that you have a process, they trust that you know what you are doing. Funny thing is…they don’t really care about what your process is – they really care about the results for them. They just want to know that you have a system for what they are going through. For example, you may offer a six-hour package where you take them through five steps that will change their life or business. Or you may have a 90-day program or a four-week series. When you package your process, you will get more and better results from your clients as well. It creates a win-win. Your clients get more value and better results – and you get clients with amazing results – which feels great!

Strategy #3: Create Products From Your Process

Have you determined your five-step process? Now is a great time to put it into a workbook, an e-course or create an audio series. Some people may want to just buy the product and apply the principles or tools themselves. You’ll be surprised by how many people will buy the product and still want your help in taking them through the work. They need the accountability and partnership for success!

Strategy #4 Create A Membership Program

You attract people to your services who are at different places in their buying process. Many people want just a taste of what you have to offer. Maybe they are new business owners and aren’t quite ready to invest in an entire coaching package with you, or they are just new to your services and want to experience more before they invest in a full program. Offering a membership program is a way of creating a community of these similar clients and giving them a taste of what you offer. You’ve seen examples of free membership clubs like Starbucks, an Amazon Prime Account, or airline frequent flyer mileage programs. Then there’s the small fee membership club that for $24, $47 or $97 a month they can join your membership club and get access to certain services. For example, you could offer a group teleseminar and then mail the audio CD and transcript to them each month. It’s a great way to get them in a relationship with you and usually once people experience your magic – they are going to want to upgrade and they’ll want more from you.

Strategy #5: Offer a Continuity Program

A continuity program is typically a long-term relationship where clients consistently get to work with you in a variety of ways. It’s often offered over a year. You can package together products, ebooks, audios, teleclasses, transcripts, online forums and even in person retreats to create a program throughout the year. For an example of one of my past continuity programs, visit www.joyfulbusiness.com/ammmp Review the program for ideas on how you can design your own program. I’m not just trying to get you to my information page, (wink) I’m offering up my program as a model or template for what you could create for your own continuity program. Remember – don’t copy anyone’s program exactly, and you can use other programs as a springboard to design your own unique offering.

Strategy #6: Premium Programs or Platinum Style Programs

Look around you and you’ll start to notice how often the word “Platinum” shows up to describe an upscale or premium offering. Delta Airlines and their Platinum program comes to mind for mega flyers. A premium or platinum style program is ideal when you are ready to scale back your hourly work and create a premium program (with a premium price tag) for more one-on-one work, special retreats, or small group coaching. There are some of your clients who are ready for this type of intense work. The greatest reward is that the type of clients who come into this program are usually very committed to their success. Again, it’s creating a win-win program. They get flourish with big results, and you see the impact of your work! Every time a client commits to this type of program with me, just the power of this big commitment within themselves creates a jump in their business, new clients, a big PR opportunity or other major success.

What ideas has this article sparked in you for your business? Pay attention to your inspired energy. That’s where you want to start. Don’t try to do all these ideas at one time. Pick one idea and focus on it for the next 90 days. Clear, focused energy is powerful creation energy!

Laura West is an award-winning entrepreneur, and president and founder of the Center for Joyful Business. As a certified business coach, author and speaker, she helps thousands of women entrepreneurs create successful businesses filled with passion, purpose and prosperity. She is known for making marketing simple and fun for passion-based business owners. She is also the author and creator of Joyful Business Guide™ Home Study System, and she is author of the upcoming book, Awakening Your Inner Business Goddess. She is also the Fresh Entrepreneur Expert at Ladies Who Launch.com and creator of their Fresh Entrepreneur workshop and workbook program.

Startup Princess Touchpoint “Pay What You Can” Day

We are pleased to announce that THURSDAY Sept 16th is The Startup Princess “Pay What You Can” Day for our 4th Annual Conference for Women Entrepreneurs, “Touchpoint”

Startup Princess’ motto is “Make a Wish, Make it Happen” and we’re thrilled to grant wishes for women entrepreneurs who desire to attend our 4th annual conferernce, Touchpoint and yet are a bit strapped for cash. We hear your pain, as bootstrapping entrepreneurs  ourselves we remember well the days when we’ve longed to be at cool business events and the disappointment when desire didn’t match the funds available in our accounts. You might have wondered, “how am I supposed to grow my company and learn from experts if I can’t afford to go?” Wish granted. Through the generosity of our sponsors we’d love to make it possible for you to attend Touchpoint and invite you to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. (We also want to thank Danielle LaPorte, this year’s Keynote speaker for inspiring us with the “pay what you can day” idea!)

DETAILS:

For 1 day only (TODAY until MIDNIGHT PST) you can make an offer for what you’d like to pay for Touchpoint and we’ll grant all reasonable requests.

This offer is for a 2 Day Touchpoint Ticket – Regular Price is $175

It includes:

- 2 Hour Image and Media Session on Thursday

- Pre-party and Networking Event on Thursday Night

- Full day Friday Touchpoint Ticket (Which includes: networking, keynote speakers, breakout sessions, boutique, video marketing competition and fun swag…)

including Lunch on Friday (It’s going to be a yummy meal by David Boswell, a former Sundance Chef)

Here’s How It Works:

1. Send us an email and we’ll review your “pay what you can” request privately.

2. Or, if you want, you CAN leave a comment below with your offer, and we’ll get back to you via email. Either way, we’ll send you a PayPal invoice

3. Please spread the word via twitter, facebook, and by emailing your friends who could benefit

4. Pay the PayPal invoice within 24 hours. (Touchpoint is only 1 week away!)

5. Once you pay, we’ll register you into our system and you’ll receive an email confirmation that you are registered for our two day event!

6. Come to Touchpoint prepared to make the most of your experience and truly help your business take off.

Some Fine Print:

1. If you decide that Touchpoint is worth full price or is worth WAY more than $175 before or after the event is over, we won’t turn away your cash.

2. This is an honor system activity. We invite you to pay what you truly can pay.

3. We reserve the right to refuse crazy offers.

4. This offer is not retroactive.

5. We’re here to answer any questions you might have. Just email us.

6. If you hear about this offer after Sept 16th or your internet was down, etc., so sorry, but this is ONLY for 1 Day. Ends at Midnight Sept 16th. The end.

How to Shift into Abundance

Be energized  by  Christine Kloser of Love Your Life as she helps move you from fear to living in abundance!

http://startupprincess.com/how-to-shift-into-abundance/

Meet Sarah Jane Wright, Founder and Owner of Sarah Jane Studios

The count down continues to this year’s 4th Annual Touchpoint Conference with only 14 days left! We are so excited for this years line up of talented and successful women who will be participating, one of which is Sarah Jane Wright who will be sharing tips on increasing online sales. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, you can still register here. We look forward to seeing you!

Hometown: North Potomac, Maryland

Current Residence: Provo, UT

Education: I have a BFA in Musical Theater.

Professional Background (brief, please): (THE VERY BRIEF VERSION:) I don’t really have one. (THE NOT SO BRIEF ONE)  I have been an artist all my life, and have been drawing and creating since I can remember. I studied art privately until I went to college where I chose to get a BFA in Musical Theater (another love of mine!) I graduated from college and actually started my private studio teaching voice lessons both at the university and in my own home studio where I started to get a feel for what it takes to start my own business. After the birth of my first child, and being pregnant with my second, I decided it was time to move back into my first love, illustration, and start my dream which was to illustration children’s books and create artwork for children.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A children’s book illustrator and artist.

What you are: I am an artist and owner of Sarah Jane Studios: art and stationery for children

Brief Summary of your Start Up: I illustrate and sell vintage inspired original designs as giclee prints, stationery and paper goods both in my online shop and to retailers worldwide.

Company Website? www.sarahjanestudios.com

What inspired you? our family needed extra income, and I wanted to create art for children. I was inspired by other female artists who turned their art into companies, and thought “I could do that!”

How long have you been in business? 3 years

How did you fund it? I had very low start up costs which we paid for with our savings. Since then, we’ve boot strapped…investing more as we made more.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Kelly King Anderson! Other ETSY artists and businesses as well as gracious people in the publishing and licensing industry who have shared their knowledge

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Startup Princess!

Current Business Challenge? Balance. But who doesn’t have that challenge! For me, it’s challenging to know where to best put my creative energies: books, design, fabric as well as my managing energy into building the business. I don’t have much time, and I know that I can’t do it ALL, so I have trouble sometimes knowing where to best put my efforts that will support my business but still leave me time to be with my family.

What are you doing about it? I have learned that it’s ok to take time to see where things flow naturally. Trying to build too fast has it’s downfalls. I have learned that pushing too hard in a direction that doesn’t seem to “fit” is usuallly  a good sign to back off. Learning to build where doors fall open naturally, or where your drive and passion is strong enough push through is important. I’m learning to trust my instincts better.

Favorite motivational quote: “Nobody told me I couldn’t”  Sandra Boynton in response to being asked “What gave you the confidence to start your business when you didn’t even have a degree or any background?”

Family? I am the mother of 3 children ages 5, 4 and 1

If so, how do you balance family and business? In the beginning it was really hard…and I ended up doing family and business together all day. But after a few months, it was too draining and no body was happy. I have since confined myself to naptime and bedtime. Naptime went away for a good while, so most of my work is done at night…which means I’ve had to really simplify and cut back on all the extranius stuff that I could do for the business, and focus on the most imortant things.

Favorite book? I’ve had to cut back reading novels it seems…all my free time is spent doing productive things! But since my professions revolved heavily around children’s picture books, I’d have to choose: The Little House and Frog and Toad.

What do you do to relax? Hang out with my awesome husband, take hot baths, reading and looking at blogs/websites/magazines that inpsire me.

Thank you Sarah for the interview!

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