Introducing Start Up Princess Natalie Goddard

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Natalie Goddard is the co-founder of the successful non-profit organization, Family Life Education Institute, www.familylifeeducation.org, founded in 1997. Their mission is to support families and family life educators in their quest to strengthen marriages and families.

Here is an impressive quote:

“Family Life Education Institute fills an important niche and a critical need within the Family Life Education profession. Many who are knowledgeable about strong families want to reach out, but lack the resources needed to offer assistance. Family Life Education is a boom industry in this country, and these dedicated folks are on the ground floor.”
–Dr. Alan J. Hawkins, Director, Family Studies Center, Brigham Young University

Family Life Education Institute writes articles and books for family life educators and organizes national conferences for BYU. They also sponsor www.familycollege.com, a searchable database for families and couples. They make book recommendations and have links to other related sites. One of Natalie’s favorite books on parenting is the classic, Between Parent and Child by Haim Ginott, edited and revised in 2003 by Alice Ginott and H. Wallace Goddard, Natalie’s father-in-law who is a major leader in this field.

Besides running the day-to-day business of Family Life Education Institute, Natalie is also a mother, wellness and family educator, iridologist, architect and general contractor on her family’s new home. She is also very involved with her husband’s design and marketing business, Goddard Hewett, www.goddardhewett.com.

On the personal side, I’ve had the privilege of knowing Natalie for the past 9 years. She is one of my “Fairy Godmothers.” Hardly a week goes by that we don’t “check in” because we share life. We exchange parenting tips, make double and swap meals on Tuesday nights, share business and marketing strategies, and we share an interest in natural health. She taught me how to build a useable rotating food storage, inspires me to eat more raw foods, she helps me take care of my kids when they are sick, and most importantly she teaches me how to draw closer to God. She is incredibly patient, sensitive, intuitive, and has a “what’s mine is yours” mentality and literally gives people the shoes off her feet! (I somehow lost my shoes at her house on Saturday night and I had to borrow some flip-flops to drive home!) I admire her for all that she has achieved in life, which she is quick to say “is all because of God’s blessings.” Please view her page on this site for more about my dear friend, Start Up Princess, Natalie Goddard. www.familylifeeducation.org

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Why I Love Business Plan Competitions

Lately I’ve been thinking about how very blessed I am to have such a strong support system (look at my Gratitude Corner page). It has not always been the case, however. I have had to find people who believed in my business idea and who would be willing to help me get it off the ground. The business plan competitions have been key to my success.

When I first had the idea for Sweet & Charming (November 2005 and it was originally called Princess Sweet, just changed the name a few weeks ago), I didn’t know anyone who could help me get it off the ground. My husband is an entrepreneur also, but specializes in wholesale consumer electronics. Nevertheless, he suggested that I go see the Center for Entrepreneurship at BYU where I was finishing my Master’s Degree in Theatre for Young Audiences. I met with their advisor who suggested that I might do well in the BYU Business Plan competition. Winnings for that competition are 1st place $25k, 2nd place $15k, and 3rd place is $10k with semi-finalists winning $1,000 each. I thought that it would be impossible to write a business plan since I had never taken a single business course, never mind that I was also trying to finish my master’s thesis in the same semester, and I had 2 young children! But, I wanted to try.

I started to attend some meetings with other entrepreneurs and see if I could find a “team” for the competition. No one was interested at all. I was really disappointed! There were a lot of MBAs at these meetings that were interested only in tech related fields and a princess idea seemed so unmasculine, so I didn’t have any takers. Then I entered the elevator pitch competition at BYU and surprised myself (and probably the MBAs) and I won 3rd place. I didn’t really even know what a pitch was until I read about how to “deliver a winning pitch” on the internet.

A week before the deadline for the BP competition, only 1 person was interested in my idea. So, with an approaching deadline for the competition and no clue how to write a BP, I got serious about looking into the Palo Alto software that is a tutor for writing BPs and I wrote it without sleeping for two days straight and turned it in at the last minute. My dad who is a CPA/attorney generously helped me with the financial end of it.

I didn’t think I would be accepted into the competition, however, I also tried for some other national ones (Wake Forest and Rice). To my surprise, and to everyone at the MBA school, “a Theatre girl” got into all three competitions. Once this happened, as if by over night, I suddenly was very popular at the BYU business school. MBAs were commenting (I should have been on your team, my idea didn’t get in…) and they were interested in helping me.

Once the announcements were made I had three weeks to prepare for the competitions and I didn’t have a clue of what I was supposed to do. I was fortunately assigned two excellent mentors, Joe Atkin, MBA student (now at Sorenson Capital as Manager) and Mike Eyre, a finance emphasis and they both dedicated at least 40 hours to preparing me for the competition. I also met Mandy McAllister, a marketing MBA student who generously helped with marketing strategy and accompanied me to the Wake Forest and Rice compeitions to compete.

While I didn’t make it to the top 3 at BYU, I did make a lot of amazing contacts and received real, honest feedback. I met so many wonderful venture capitalists, MBA students (who are now graduated), and got my “story” out there. I had stacks of business cards with names I could call for additional help. People who wished this store was in existence for their children and wanted to continue helping me. I also learned that I still didn’t know what a good powerpoint presentation looked like and that when investors ask you questions about your finances, etc. you better know the answers. (Business plan competitions are a bit rough, I have to say that intimidation is part of it.)

Next Mike and Joe helped me revamp the whole presentation for the national competitions and we practiced a lot more. Then Mandy and I went to North Carolina and competed. The first night I was completely overwhelmed by all of the students from Duke, University of Chicago, etc. They all had such great ideas! I didn’t think that we would even have a chance, so I decided we would just do our best, enjoy ourselves, and meet other students. But then after the stressful first round, I got a tip from one of the judges to “slow down” in my pitch (which was pitching on elevators to VC’s). After the second round they announced the top 5 and we were part of that group. Then I almost fell over because we had to be “in the board room” to present our powerpoint in 5 minutes to the VC’s. The intimidation level at this competition was much more severe than at BYU. They were cutting us off, asking us hard questions and pushing us to the point of near tears. But, somehow, some way, we were convincing enough and won 2nd place. Two of the judges, Daniel Egger and Flip Filowski took a personal interest and have continued to be in touch with me via email and have given me referrals.

The 2nd place title (unfortunately only won $1500 that paid our travel expenses), got me a bit of press (radio interview, BYU Business Plan Alumni magazine article 40,000 circulation, local press). This win helped me to met more people in high places and generate a stronger support system.

Then the Rice Competition was next. This was international: 160 MBA schools, we made it to be a finalist 12th place. Again, I collected business cards, talked to every judge I could and asked who they knew who took an interest and asked them, “who do you know who funds retail deals?” And again got some ideas and contacts.

After the competitions, Don Livingstone, Center for Entrepreneurship Director, and Ned Hill, Dean of the BYU Business school offered a great deal of support and introduced me to key individuals that helped me further.

Gary Williams, the advisor of the BYU Business Plan competition and an accomplished entrepreneur and angel investor has continued to mentor me and offer suggestions and introductions. I have been so fortunate to have Gary on my side this past year since the competitions have concluded. I’ve emailed him and asked him questions and he’s been so kind to quickly respond. He believes in me and my idea. He’s also invited me to speak at last year’s opening BP kick-off event and to be a judge at the elevator pitch competition.

Now I am also affililated with the CEDO incubator group in Orem, I’ve just solidified my board of advisors, and I’m getting ready to pitch for REAL. I’m finally lowering my intital investments as I’ve been advised and revised the business model. I now know that even though presentations and competitions are nerve-racking events, you can always make a new friend, a contact, at least one supporter, regardless of how the points add up and whether or not you “win.”

Today’s Magic Wand:

Enter a Business Plan competition, make some contacts!

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What Color Are Your Eyes?

Today my son was looking at our family’s eyes. “Blue, Blue, Blue, Blue, and mommy has….RED.” In case you were wondering, that is NOT the right answer. I had to laugh right out loud (and this little game was during church)! So, how do I get my eyes back to the intended shade of Hazel? The correct answer would be…SLEEP. So, I’ve decided that if I’m going to continue my “early to rise” work schedule, I need to do the other half, “early to bed.” Impossible? Not sure yet, but I’ve got to try.

When you are getting babies and toddlers back into a proper sleep routine after they break it for a vacation, holiday, etc. and won’t resume their regular bedtime, then they recommend putting them to bed 15 minutes earlier each night is the trick. So I am going to assign my husband to “put me to bed” at 11 pm tonight (or earlier if I can), and then by Wednesday I should be at a more appropriate bedtime, 10:15pm (which means at 9:30pm I have to start the process, it always takes so long to actually go to bed…trash out, dishwasher started, face washed…). Wish me luck.

By the way, what color are your eyes? Ask a kid near you, they’ll be honest.

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Networking: it’s just making a new friend

I am not sure why but I seem to boogle some of my friends’ minds by my networking skills. I never really ever think to myself, “I’m going to go network now,” rather, I think to myself, “there’s another entrepreneur that I think is really interesting, I’m going to introduce myself.” I am comfortable with myself and who I am so I’m not scared of meeting new people. Maybe just a bit nervous, but it’s kind of a thrill to meet new people. I love to “interview” them about their success. It is true that people (especially successful entrepreneurs) love to talk about themselves. And I just listen and ask questions, etc. I try to exchange info (business cards, scraps of paper if we’re unprepared,) and then I contact them within a few days if I still want to meet with them and learn more from them. Generally entrepreneurs love to help other entrepreneurs because we’re all in the same boat; if we can share info that doesn’t reveal trade secrets, both people usually benefit.

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Side Coaching Your Kids

What is “side coaching”? It is basically talking with your children about their play when you are doing something else, for example:

Today I was typing on my computer and my daughter was playing with her doll and putting her baby to “sleep,” I wasn’t fully engaged with her in pretend play, but I was “side coaching” by saying, “is baby hungry?” then my daughter took my clue and ran to the toy basket to find her baby’s bottle, I just bought another few minutes on my email. Then after the bottle is done, I say, “is baby ready for a walk?” and then she goes and grabs her stroller…you get the idea.

Side coaching works well with kids aged 18 months and up. I even do it with my son and his legos. I give him ideas of what to create, suggest potential storylines, conflict (dinosaurs coming to attack), I’m able to watch them play in my living room and get more done on the computer that way. Then we take a break, eat snacks, go change diapers…

Just a tip if you’re a mom entrepreneur.

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www.103Bees.com/FREE Search Engine Optimization

I found a new site this week, www.103bees.com and signed up for their FREE search engine optimization…what a great service, if it works. I have to figure out how to use the “code” on my website “footer”, but I am looking into it. I am grateful if any company wants to help me get more viewers to my sites, I will be trying it out. Maybe you should too.

This company has clever branding too. I like their style and approach to make SEO fun.

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Get The Inside Scoop with Google Alerts

Do you get Google Alerts about your industry? your competition? Alerts are sent via email. If you don’t, I would suggest setting  that up to help you stay on top of the latest-greatest in your category. Basically all you do is type in key words and phrases that you want the internet to track and it emails you the link.

I have several Google Alerts and it has helped me to be aware of key players, marketing strategy, new products, store openings, articles in the media. One article from The Washington Post was emailed to be about on my industry that has been vital to the development of my strategy and approach with investors, it gives me support for the potential success of my company.

Google Alerts should also be set up for your own company name, so you are notified when others blog about you or write about you in the press! This has been very helpful several times so I could comment and send thanks to kind comments.

Here is the link, set up a FREE account and start to receive your Google Alerts today. ** Make sure you put the name or key word in “quotes.”

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A Little Start Up Princess Pampering

It’s Saturday and time to rejuvenate. It’s been a long, crazy week. I’m sure it’s been for you too…I’m doing final revisions on my Business Plan for the 11th time, meeting with various mentors, trying to keep my kids safely entertained (limiting jumping off the couch and wrestling to a minimum), making a “shark” costume for the neighborhood parade and manage my other priorities. What have I done for myself lately?

I use plain yogurt. Not in my smoothies, but on my face. Yep it’s a mask. Spread a thick layer of plain (higher the fat content the better) on your face and wait 10 minutes, but don’t let it dry, keep it moist. Then jump in the shower and wash it off.

Why yogurt? It naturally has healthy acidopholis and restores the pH balance in the skin. Cindy Crawford does it too, ok? It works and your skin will be soft and “glow.” I’ve been using this mask for 10 years, a trick they don’t tell you at Nordstrom. Start Up Princess, Rosa Weber, a fabulous Esthetician I’ve known since I was 18 told me to do a yogurt mask once, if not twice a day. She looks 35 and she’s 50, one of her top secrets.

Today’s magic wand:

Buy some plain yogurt and try it out. Pamper yourself, even bootstrapping Start Up Princesses can afford to feel wonderful.

* This is great on sunburns too!

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“Manage Your Priorities”

I’m very fortunate to have excellent mentors. I spoke with one of my CEDO www.cedo.org mentors, Ben Peterson today (founder of Mingle Match, sold in 2005) I was speaking with him specificially about internet marketing strategy and a very complex concept I have for our online presence/ecommerce site. Ben had read my plan, knew my business model, and offered me some excellent advice that I’ve been thinking about all day. He said, “there are a lot of great things you can do, but you have to manage your priorities.”

A little while later I was folding laundry and the thought came to me, “are you managing your priorties?” I immediately looked for my kids and realized that my toddler had slipped out the front door and was headed down the street.

Tonight while I was doing my third load of dishes in the dishwasher (yeah, so it has been piling up on the counter!) I thought again about “managing priorities” and I decided that dishes really wasn’t one of them! However, having a peaceful home is a priority and done dishes leads to that peace.

So, it seems that I have a lot of managing priorities to do.

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Introducing Start Up Princess Melissa Chappell AKA “Raw Melissa”

Melissa Chappell is an inspiration to the field of natural health, who is making a difference every day. She’s concerned about women’s issues globally, managing to stay at home with her children, and provide an income for her family with her two businesses as a Natural Child Birth assistant (doula) and also as Raw Food personal chef and educator.

Melissa has a great deal of compassion and enthusiasm for life. She is an entrepeneur with a heart! She offers many helpful insights in her profile page, so please take time to visit her page and learn more about this amazing young entrepreneur!

I look forward to getting to know Melissa better through her Raw Food cooking classes and at our networking tea parties! www.rawmelissa.com

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