Category: Issue 15

Evergreen and Everlasting!

Evergreen and Everlasting!

If you can collaborate, do it. When it comes to social media, events, podcasts, newsletter, campaign, emails, wherever there is an opportunity to partner with another business explore it. Don’t look at them as a threat, but as a vehicle for additional exposure and the ability to reach a new audience. Just make sure it makes sense.

This seems simple enough. However, I have seen many businesses look at anyone in their field as a threat, preferring got stand alone.

Think about data collection today. We know that first party data is the best data. A great example I read about in the tech world is virtual gamers. Now I don’t know much about gamers who live in an alternate universe, they create their characters and interact with other characters (I think!). The company who created this world has your data, but they only know so much. If they partner with another company that is able to show additional information about someone with your profile, they know what type of experiences to add to your virtual reality. This is called data collaboration in the digital world.

This transcends to all collaboration. In the real estate world, there is data collaboration in the traditional sense. Real estate agents work with mortgage lenders, insurance providers, inspectors, contractors to help elevate their business, and they all do the same with each other. There is not one conductor.

Same can go for fashion, law, finance, music, science, food, and everything else in the world. So, in business, especially when starting off, find out who you can collaborate with to help elevate your exposure and reach. And for those who are well- established, I say, always reach back. It will only provide you more momentum. the ability to make the loudest cries of success.”

Edible Fact!

Edible Fact!

The laws of attraction state that you attract what you put out into the universe. If you find yourself only attracting crazy, think about what you are putting out there. If you are a positive person with confidence and inner strength, then you will attract people who are like you or who want to be around people like you. If you are a negative person who only sees the bad, or thinks that failure is always inevitable, well then, expect that to be your world.

There so many factors that play a role in who you attract. There are the standard good looks, sense of humor, and ambition that will draw people in. But personality traits have an impact too.

So, when they say, not everyone is for everyone. It’s true and it’s okay for it to be true. In all honesty, you want to make sure your circle is the best for you and your growth.

Now if you all of sudden you look around and say ,“Crap! The people around me are so negative all the time! I don’t want the crazies anymore,” there’s good news. You can change that. Below are some suggestion (just note, I’m not certified beyond my own life experiences).

Be more positive. Life can be very difficult and for some, more than others. But to change that, you must work on being more positive. And when shit hits the fan, as it always does, try to remain in the positive. I promise you will get through it, and get through it in a better mindset.
Be in the now. I know I say this a lot, but it is so important to not focus on the past or the future. Being present makes you appreciate the present.
Organize and clean. It is true a clean space that is not cluttered physically helps you mentally. You can then tackle more.
Learn and let go. Holding onto things is not healthy. If or when someone has done you wrong, learn from it and let it go. This is something I’m still mastering. I learn, but I hold onto it. Not as a grudge, but as a building block to the wall I am building around you.

So, the next time you wonder why someone so average looking is so attractive to so many, think of what they may possess beyond their looks.

Difference Maker!

Difference Maker!

If I’ve mentioned this already I apologies for the redundancy, but if there is anything to be redundant about it’s my children. Everything I do is for them. I want them to see and to know, that…

Women are their equal partners. Thank God I have a partner who sees this as true.
Respect people, ALL PEOPLE, until they give you a reason not to anymore.
Life is not burning bridges; it’s about changing your path and who you walks beside you.
If you want something you are passionate about, go for it.
Nothing is easy, you must work your ass off for anything you want.
Stay away from drama and negativity, it will take you away from achieving your goals and eat you alive.

I want them to know and believe in all the above and do it a thousand times better than me.
I’m sure we want this for all our children.

But here’s the kicker, the game changer in my life… When my baby was handed to me to hold in my arms, I knew I was given the greatest gift in the entire world. I only knew then our true capacity to love. I hold that with me every day.

I’ll never forget telling my mother about how I was feeling. Her response… “That’s when you say, thank you.”

Sun or Shade?

Sun or Shade?

Having children has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I love them unconditionally, and want the world for them. They are my greatest creation and I’m sure any of you with children completely agree.

However, for as much as I love them, you will rarely hear me mention them. I will not mention needing to take them to the doctor’s, practice, or school events. You will not hear me talk about making them breakfast every morning before school, lunches during the week, or all of the times I feel like a shuttle service. And I’ll be damned to ever tell someone I didn’t get to it because my kids.

Why? Because I’ve learned that in the workforce having children puts you at disadvantage. A young man or woman will trump a mom. They will pick up their phones and respond to emails anytime, while a mom may have an evening routine before laying their kids down to rest. They tend to also have better boundaries. This DOES NOT make them less.

I have literally lost clients for this reason, and it was directly told me. I’ve had colleagues comment how women with a family don’t have the time they have because they’re single.

Isn’t it interesting though that this never seems to be the response to a “family man”. To the contracy of the skepticism faced by moms in the workplace, they are applauded for their time spent with family because of the expectation society places on our roles.

Therefore, I have developed this thing… do not mention my children in a work environment. When I do I make it brief, and it’s responding to a question being asked about them.

I don’t know the resolution to shift people’s mindset on this. Certainly companies having more work life balance in the world today seems completely out of reach, especially in upper-level management and c-suite levels. But for the small business owner, I we can be more flexible and never discount the mom.

Being a woman isn’t easy. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom there is judgement all around. But I can tell you being ambitious with a family is like constantly being pulled in two different directions and feeling like you have to make constant sacrifices of one to support the other.