Patience is a Virtue I Need to Learn or is it YOGA?
August 31, 2006
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Apparently I am supposed to learn patience. It has been showing up for me all week…
Example #1 My Video Pitch that is supposed to go up on Funding Universe any day needs one teeny tiny edit change and it has taken over 2 months to get an editor to do it. The first editor moved to Japan the day after he delivered it to me, the second editor tried but failed, and the third one is still working on another project and I have to wait yet another week. Ugh.
Example #2 Our Condo is supposed to be rented out, and we’ve had 3 failed contracts lately. The most recent one was tonight. Ugh.
Example #3 I only do laundry 2 times a week, today was the day and a turqoise crayon got the best of a load today and I had to rewash the same load 3 times, scrub, and use a variety of tricks (none of which worked) and I still have the same about of laundry to do tomorrow. Ugh.
Example #4 I learned today that NONE of my links on this site were working. Hey, 3000+ viewers, please tell me these details!! 
I spent an hour fixing links tonight. Ugh.
Example #5 I have 3 kiddos that required a heightened level of patience today.
Today’s Magic Wand: Stretch, do some Yoga and deep breathe for 10 minutes at least…Aaah…
Introducing Start Up Princess Rachael Herrscher/Today’s Mama Receives Funding
August 30, 2006
Two months ago I emailed Rachael in hopes that she would share some tips with me about finding a management team; we had never met before and I didn’t know if she would respond or even be willing to help me out. I had heard she was a go-getter from a mutual acquaintance and was in the same boat as I was. So, I emailed her out of the blue and introduced myself and shortly thereafter I received a wonderful, enthusiastic, and kind reply. I loved her instantly. She congratulated me on my new venture and offered to include me in her Linked In network. We have since chatted briefly on the phone a couple of times between putting out fires at home with kids, emailed back and forth at midnight, but never have met in person…yet. I can’t wait! I’ve been impressed with Rachael from the get go and admire all that she and her co-founder/CFO, Stephanie Peterson have accomplished over the last two years in getting Today’s Mama launched and build it to the national company it is shortly becoming.
Today’s Mama is for EVERY mama in America. It will be a household name, so, check them out, if you haven’t already. This is a multi-faceted company that offers a variety of services and products for mamas, including entrepreneurial mamas! (This is my favorite part of their business.) They offer website space for mamas to sell their handmade, creative goods and even warehouse and ship for them so mamas can tend to their little ones and not interface with consumers. Great concept!
They also have the “Mama Handbook” which is available in a few different states and regions now and they are selling franchises for these for a very reasonable fee. These books are re-published/updated annually and feature activities and classes that apply to the specific region where purchased.
Today’s Mama also has a radio show for Utahns every Wednesday morning on B98.7 at 8:30 am where she talks about events for families in the area. She also alerts families with e-newsletters, her state specific websites…there is just too much to discuss here!
Apparently I’m not the only one who is impressed with Today’s Mama because they just received funding last week and I couldn’t be more happy for them. Rachael is now planning a book/press tour and the company is going to be experiencing some serious growth in the near future. She is selling franchises like crazy too! So, congrats to Rachael and Stephanie and Today’s Mama investors!
Rachael is quite the character too. As I was complimenting her the other night on her branding/graphic design, she told me who her designers were and my mouth dropped. I couldn’t believe they could use the talent she has hired so early, but she reminded me that they have no overhead and that she works in her basement which she said was a bit “ghetto with a sippy cup, and an Elmo party hat on my desk.” Read her delightful and funny profile on our site. Can’t wait for us all to meet and get more acquainted with Rachael at our Networking Tea Parties soon. Read her profile under Start Up Princess profiles.
Bargain for Entrepreneurs! ePIFany and U Tech Conferences for only $200
August 30, 2006
If you aren’t already signed up…you need to be. I have never seen such amazing opportunities for entrepreneurs as these two conferences in October and now they are joining forces to offer a great deal; if you sign up for both it is only $200 (that is a savings of $50 per conf). A lot of people ask me how I’ve become networked with other entrepreneurs–the answer is attending conferences and events such as these! I hope to see many of you there.
Stuart Reeves is the Founder of ePIFany Network, and is launching this networking organization for entrepreneurs in Utah to PIF, “Pay It Forward” to bless the lives of young entrepreneurs by sharing insight and training. ePIFany conference is October 6th at the Davis Conference Center. Speakers of this event include Chelsea Rippy (founder of SHADE clothing), Greg Warnock, Ryan Money, and many others. One of the sponsors is Connect magazine.
U Tech Conference is October 18th in Sandy and is for any small-mid sized business that has a website and needs traffic. That should include everyone! My Family’s Founder, Paul Allen is the keynote speaker! PR Web and Overstock are also speakers. Details:
- 21 Proven Techniques to Bring in More Internet Sales
- How Spending Under $100 on a Press Release One Time can Bring you New Customers for Years. (Southwest Airlines traced over $80K in profit directly to a press release).
- How to be seen as an Authority in your Industry AND Rank Higher on Google with blogging.
- Outsource up to 30% of your Marketing to Online Salespeople who you only pay when they Bring you Sales.
Consider the growth potential from networking and learning from experienced entrepreneurs! Sign up and register TODAY, to sign up for both, go to epifany conference’s site. Space is limited.
Enjoy The Ride
August 29, 2006
Whether you are driving solo to work or driving a carpool, I challenge you to enjoy it. At times the car is the very thing that frustrates many of us…my kids are too crammed together in the back seat of my car (we are looking for a used mini-van!), however, I have been trying to make peace with it. During the summer my kids constantly were picking at each other and making life miserable for everyone until we started telling stories, playing I Spy and singing songs more often. Now, I drive carpool in the mornings and if I didn’t try and get the kids talking and telling jokes (I give prizes for the best joke of the week), then we would travel the 10 minutes in silence.
Here is a quick game/story outline to play with your kids:
I start out saying, ‘Once upon a time, there was a ………………named…….. and a ………………, named……………..
(then I make them fill in the blanks.)
They decided to …………………… and on the way ………………….. (introduce some sort of conflict here).
You get the idea….just keep it going. Name animal characters to star in their tale, give them funny and interesting hobbies, introduce antagonists, etc.
Today’s Magic Wand:
Get your family talking in the car. Turn off the cellphone, turn down the radio/iPod (or off) and spend time together, it just might become your favorite time of day.
If you are driving solo, enjoy the peace! I always love the rare opportunities to be in the car by myself to think and meditate in silence, no music!
Check Out Naartjie’s Hip Clothes for Kids
August 28, 2006
I happen to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Naartjie’s clothing for babies and little kids. I loved it even before I met the Naartjie folk in Utah whom I also love, respect, admire, and appreciate! (Joe Franceschi is on my Board, he’s their COO, Joe Norwood, Director of Marketing is also a mentor of mine in Marketing, and Brent Bishop, one of their investors/Pres. of the Board is a mentor of mine, and Jim McGuire, their Director of Real Estate is also my broker). BTW, Naartjie (pronounced Nar-chee) is South African for Tangerine.
I just went to their site today, and it blew me away! It looks like it comes from the Netherlands or France, if you know brands for children’s wear in Europe. It is very fashion forward, but it is fun and embellished in a kid-friendly way, all of their clothes are knit and comfy is a #1 rule at Naartjie, so is the dye process they use for their fabrics.
If there isn’t a Naartjie near you, you can now buy online at www.naartjie.com . I’m excited to get something cute for my kiddos, because even on my bootstrap budget, its affordable!
Sharing Links/Blog Roll
August 28, 2006
It is amazing to me when I look at my recent blog stats how many views I have received from Brock Blake’s website over the last week www.brockblake.com. He wrote an article about Mom Entrepreneurs and mentioned me and put links from his blog to mine and it sky rocketed my views on this site. It was so great! Not to mention investors read his site and I have already been contacted by one of them. I returned the favor and wrote a post that directly linked to his blog/post and that furthered the views both ways. I’ve also received views from Janet Meiner’s sites, U Tech Conference (because she has a link of sites who added info about her conference to their sites) and also from her newspapergrl blog, www.newspapergrl.wordpress.com which I appreciate and I’ve in turn referred people to her sites, so its been beneficial both ways. I am thinking of others who have blogs and sites that would make sense for both of us to link up/list on blog roll. I am looking for places/sites that discuss mom entreprenuers/women in business/women entrepreneurs/start ups, etc…if that applies to YOU, please contact me or comment below.
Today’s Magic Wand:
Consider what other businesses, blogs, etc. make sense for YOU to link to. Form relationships in this way. Consider strategic alliances.
Simple Pleasures I’ve Enjoyed This Week
August 27, 2006
Fresh Peaches from the Farmer’s Market
Holding my babies
Walking to the park
A clean house for Sunday
Dejunking my garage and passing our treasures on to others to enjoy
Seeing my friends/other Start Up Princesses succeed in business, including:
Julie Hundley in Pitsburgh started her first cooking class series
Janet Meiners is planning her first Internet Marketing conference, www.utechconference.com
Liz Rosenbaum’s blog launch, www.scrapbooks.com/blog
***Rachael Herrscher and Stephanie Peterson’s Today’s Mama received first round of funding!! www.todaysmama.com Congrats!! Watch for Rachael’s profile next week!!***
Enjoying My First Board Meeting
Taking a very long and much needed nap today
Being home on a Saturday night, knowing that tomorrow is Sunday and giving myself permission to rest from my labors, focus on my family, and connect with God
Start Up Princess Janet Meiner’s Tips for Press Releases!
August 26, 2006
My friend and Start Up Princess, Janet Meiners (see her profile, www.affiliateflash.com on this site under Start Up Princess Profiles), is an incredible blogger. She always teaches me good things about marketing!! This is the kind of thing we are going to talk about at U Tech Conference, www.utechconference.com on October 18th in Sandy, Utah.
From her most recent blog: http://newspapergrl.wordpress.com/
The most important tip is to remember the impact of an image. Send an image with your press release (both high and low res for print and for web). It greatly improves the chances of being noticed and read.
They hinted at some social media press release features coming soon. But I know they don’t get it. They talked about the short shelf life of news (a few days). So they don’t give permanent URLs to their press releases. OUCH. I hope that changes.
Anyone who uses press releases for search engine traffic knows that a permanent URL is VITAL. Search optmized press releases are one of the least expensive ways to buy traffic to your site. Put 1-2 links that are keywords you want to rank higher on in the body of your press release.
I attended a WOMA meeting yesterday (Wasatch Online Marketing Association). For $80 total spend on PRWeb a company traced several sales to that press release. Not just when it was released but sales continue to trickle in now. How many ads for that price will give you measured results? I suggest they keep writing.
I talk a lot about PRWeb. I get no benefit, I simply know they get it. I’m perfectly willing to plug other SEO press release companies. Did you know PRWeb grew like wildfire with no sales or marketing? That’s how good they are.
If you are doing traditional press releases only, Businesswire has a larger distribution with traditional media. They also include bloggers as “freelance journalists†(I like that).
I suggest re-working your regular press releases and submitting to PRWeb or a similiar service. News sells better than ads usually, even online. Who knows, you may get lucky enough to get picked up by google or yahoo news. That’s a position you can’t pay for and ranks higher than natural or paid search results.
Exellent advice, now use it!
Making Space for My Home Office/Garage Sale Tips
August 26, 2006
On Wednesday morning it dawned on me that I can no longer work in my living room. I might still type here on my favorite comfy white denim chair and ottoman, but I need an office to set up my files, my catalogs, my samples, etc. So, I visualized where in my house this “office” should be. While we are blessed with a large home and have space downstairs, I didn’t really want to have my office in the basement–I wanted it by my bedroom/laundry/kitchen area. So, I decided that I would move my son downstairs and I would move into his room. It is a cool space for an office. Last year my mom wallpapered maps purchased for $5 on ebay around the large front window, a look we copied from Pottery Barn Kids catalog. So my office, while not very princessy or girly, will inspire me to travel! I am going to make a plaque above my desk that says, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” taken from the title from a Dr. Seuss book. So, armed with my September Real Simple magazine that features how to organize a home office, I am making a lot of progress, but I have a ways to go.
We ended up having a last minute garage sale today and will have another one next week, because once you start dejunking, you can’t stop…so we went on the war path and had a successful sale this morning. Fortunately my husband sold off a lot of excess inventory that has been hanging around our garage and basement. Having a need to “set up the office” forced me to finally get around to the tasks that have been on our “to do” list this summer.
While we usually do garage sales with friends who live on more visible streets, I never had a garage sale at our home before because I just assumed we wouldn’t get any traffic. But, we paid $40 for an ad, put up posters and it was surprising…people came and came early. And we sold 85% of our stuff! Pretty good for a remote area/not a busy street. It helped that we had a gas dryer, a few antiques, electronics, jogging stroller…items that are big.
Our tips:
* Put an ad in the paper, for 3 days! Get the rain warranty ad, so if it rains they will re-run it
* Don’t mark your stuff, this is a mistake people make. Just ask what they are willing to pay for it or estimate as you go…you’ll save time and you won’t have to tag everything. And the point is to actually get rid of your stuff. So, just ask what they would like, but if they ask YOU, go higher than you think because then they will say, “can you come down on that?”
* Go to Dump & Charity Drop off location the same day for stuff that doesn’t sell, don’t put back into your house!!
* Play music!
* Try to merchandise your stuff…think of it as a store, use tables when possible, hang up stuff when possible
* Involve your kids, they can do a bake sale, popsicle sale, bottled water sale…
* Have lots of change, don’t take checks
Today’s Magic Wand: Dejunk 1 room a week, to keep up on it; (that’s the Fly Lady’s tip).
Nominate An Outstanding Woman in Technology for BlackBerry Award to be held in LONDON
August 25, 2006
Marketing Sherpa notified me via email of this award’s approaching deadline, Sept. 6th. Awards will be given in London in November to women who are nominated for the award. To nominate someone, visit: Blackberry Women Technology Awards Since London is one of the best cities in the world, it would be worth the trip to even attend!
Categories for the BlackBerry Women & Technology Awards are:
- Best Woman in Technology – Corporate Sector
- Best Woman in Technology – Public Sector & Academia
- Best Woman in Technology – Small/Medium Business (<250)
- Best Woman in Technology – Pan-European
- Best Woman Technology Writer
- Most Promising Woman in Technology – Under 25
- Best Use of Technology by a Female Entrepreneur
- Best Company Advancing Women in Technology
- BlackBerry Outstanding Women in Technology 2006
