Working Women of Tampa Bay blog

Empowering Women in Business

Working Women — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:21:58 GMT

Empowering Women in Business: Building Community Through Collaboration

By: Anita Camacho, CPA, CEO & Founder

Supporting and collaborating with women-owned businesses has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my entrepreneurial journey. It’s inspiring to see women uplifting one another within our local business ecosystem, creating an environment rooted in connection, empowerment, and growth.

Organizations like Working Women of Tampa Bay play a vital role in fostering that spirit of collaboration. Through their thoughtfully curated events, they provide valuable opportunities for business owners to network, share ideas, and showcase their work. During their recent brunch event, I had the pleasure of connecting with three remarkable entrepreneurs: Pami of Pami Pockets, Michele (known as SaucyQueen), and Heather, owner of SimplySinful by Heather.

Each of these women has created products that are not only unique but also crafted with care and purpose — qualities that align perfectly with the values of Little Red Wagon Gift Shop. Our goal has always been to provide customers with a thoughtfully curated selection of locally made products while encouraging support for small businesses.

As Little Red Wagon Native Nursery and Butterfly Tampa continue to grow, our customer base has expanded beyond plant enthusiasts, allowing us to introduce exciting new offerings in our gift shop . For example, SaucyQueen’s gourmet condiments and seasonings have been a wonderful addition — one product sold the very same day it hit our shelves! We take pride in promoting local products we genuinely love and use ourselves.

Pami Pockets also stood out to me during the event. I found myself all dressed up without pockets — a familiar dilemma — and Pami’s beautifully designed purses provided the perfect solution. Functional, stylish, and available in a variety of nature-inspired designs, including butterflies, frogs, strawberries, lizards, and hummingbirds, her creations were a natural fit for our shop.

Then there’s SimplySinful by Heather, whose decadent treats captured not only my attention but also my entire team’s. Her products are as delicious as they are beautifully presented, and we’re thrilled to share them with our customers.

It’s truly an honor to be a woman-owned business supporting other women in our community. The network of encouragement and authenticity that grows from these connections strengthens us all — no matter where we are in our professional journeys.

This year marks special milestones for our businesses: Little Red Wagon Native Nursery celebrated its fifth anniversary earlier this year, and Butterfly Tampa celebrated its first anniversary this summer. We’re deeply grateful for the continued support from our community, which has allowed us to flourish through word-of-mouth and a shared commitment to giving back.

Together, we’re proving that when women support women, everyone thrives.

Anita Camacho, CPA, CEO & Founder

Plant Shop & Education Center: 4113 Henderson Blvd

Business office: 4110 W Estrella St

Tampa, FL 33629

Plant & Gift Shop 813-755-9579

Conservatory 813-551-2359 (Bfly)

Direct 813-748-7098

www.ButterflyTampa.com

www.LittleRedWagonNativeNursery.com

www.TampaBayButterflyFoundation.org

Deep Roots Grand Opening

Working Women — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:26:45 GMT

Stylists Wanted in Tampa

Working Women — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:03:28 GMT

PHDermatology Open House - Nov 1 430-730pm

Working Women — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:47:06 GMT

100 Women Who Care St Pete

Working Women — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:25:20 GMT

Business Women Who Brunch

Working Women — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:20:37 GMT

Stageworks Honors Company Founder, Anna Brennan

Working Women — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 16:05:21 GMT

Stageworks Theatre, Tampa’s first and longest-running professional theatre company, will present “Talking With…” an empowering work of 11 female-focused monologues, on April 28 through May 14, 2023.

This heartwarming and quirky play was a favorite of Stageworks’ founder, Anna Brennan, who directed several productions during her tenure. Brennan died in February, 2021 at age 82.

“Talking With…” shares the unique and revealing stories of eleven diverse women from a baton twirler, a fundamentalist snake handler, an ex-rodeo rider, and an actress willing to go to any length to get a job. Their personal survival is almost always linked in some way to a dream, a desire. It is this unbridled dream world that holds them steady and though not ever speaking together, very much attached and connected.

The cast includes several actors who performed in the show under Brennan’s direction, including Dawn Truax and Rosemary Orlando, who will reprise the monologue, “Clear Glass Marbles” and direct the production. Stageworks’ Producing Artistic Director, Karla Hartley will serve as co-director.

“Anna had such an affinity for this play,” said Hartley. “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary and honor the impact she had as Stageworks’ founder, it just felt right to perform a play that was so close to her heart.”

Added Rosemary Orlando, “In one of the monologues, the character shares, ‘It’s just a dream. Just a beacon in the storm. But you got to have a dream. It’s our dreams that make us what we are.’ It is that dream world I envision, with voices and emotions that struggle and wrap around our hearts. It is where the listener identifies and finds a fragment of themself in each story.”

Performances of Talking With… take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Stageworks will hold a special Remembrance of Anna Brennan’s life in May, 2023. Details will be released soon. Theatre-goers can also pay tribute by making a donation to the Anna Brennan Memorial Fund which supports Stageworks’ work with artists of color. Donations are being accepted online or by check made payable to Stageworks Theatre and mailed to the theatre company at 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 151, Tampa, FL 33602.

Tickets to Talking With… are available for purchase online by visiting www.StageworksTheatre.org. Season passes with three separate options, as well as several monthly memberships are also available.

Stageworks is grateful to Norma T. Caltagirone, Judy Grenshaft, Ami and Santosh Govindaraju, Andrea Graham and Geoff Simon, Elizabeth Harris, Peter and Nancy Hughes, Scarritt Law Group, Alex Sink, and Enrique Woodroffe for their sponsorship of “Talking With…”

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” wraps up Stageworks’ milestone season. This show about Armadillo Acres newest tenant will have audience members laughing out loud. At Florida’s most exclusive trailer park, Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving Jeannie and her toll booth collector husband. That’s when the storms begin to brew. This toe-tapping musical starts June 9th and runs through June 25.

Stageworks is Tampa’s longest-running professional theatre company. Its mission is to ignite the human spirit and be a catalyst in eradicating intolerance through performing arts and education. In addition to a full season of performances, Stageworks provides acting and improvisation classes and workshops. Its partnership with Academy Prep brings drumming classes to students at three campuses to support their overall learning, and the theatre company has also provided its drumming and arts education curriculum to students in the juvenile justice system. Over the years, Stageworks has been honored with numerous local and regional awards for best theatre company, best actor, and best director. To learn more, visit www.stageworkstheatre.org or get social with us on Facebook and Instagram.

D Mar Construction - Construction Finance AP/AR Opening

Brandi Morris — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 21:28:41 GMT

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION FINANCE AP / AR

We are a Commercial General Contracting and HVAC Mechanical company experiencing explosive growth! We are seeking an accounting professional with experience to join our outstanding team. This individual should be exceptionally responsible, flexible, able to think strategically, understand the importance of accurate financials and in making good decisions. We want someone with a strong accounting acumen and able to perform multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

Monthly closing and reconciliation of all accounts.
Research vendor discrepancies by reconciling vendor accounts.
AP and AR inputting, auditing, processing, and reconciling
Request lien waivers before release payments
Respond to customer and vendor inquiries
Maintaining and reconciling multiple credit card accounts. Audit, process, allocate and reconcile credit card transactions
Create financial reports

Requirements

3 years construction accounting experience
Proficient in QuickBooks
Procore and ERP experience preferred
Revu Bluebeam and Bluebeam session experience
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Knowledge of AIA Payment Applications
Knowledge of Certificate of Insurance
Knowledge of NTO’s, NOC, and Lien Waivers
Strong written and oral communication skills
Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
Attentive to detail and strong organizational skills
Maintain a high level of integrity and confidentiality
Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities
Prioritize tasks efficiently and execute them to completion
Professionally communicate with internal teams and external clients and vendors
Organize, maintain, and prepare documents with efficiency and accuracy
Perform research, report, and respond to correspondence for our business, customer accounts, and vendors
Must be a self-starter that can demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as cooperatively as a team
Have high energy and a positive attitude

Position is Full-time Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), 7 paid holidays, Vacation and sick time

Pay based on experience

D Mar Construction - Administrative Assistant Opening

Brandi Morris — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 21:21:32 GMT

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDED

Job Description:

We are a Commercial General Contracting and HVAC Mechanical company experiencing explosive growth! We are seeking an Administrative Assistant with experience to join our outstanding team. The ideal candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills and have a positive “can do” attitude.

Responsibilities

Answer and direct phone calls
Organize and schedule appointments
Plan meetings and take detailed minutes
Write and distribute email, correspondence memos, letters, faxes and forms
Maintain our filing systems; both paper and electronic
Order office supplies
Maintain a master contact lists for Outlook
Book travel arrangements
Liaise with Executives and Senior Administrative assistant to handle requests as needed
Be flexible to training and multi-tasking.

Skills

Proven experience as an administrative assistant or office admin assistant
Knowledge of office management systems and procedures
Working knowledge of office equipment, like printers, scanners, and fax machines
Proficient in MS Office
Knowledge of Procore, ProEst, Revu Bluebeam and Quickbooks a plus
Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work
Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
High School diploma; additional qualification as an Administrative assistant or Secretary will be a plus

Job Requirements:

High School Diploma Required
Monday thru Friday Full time

Position is Full-time Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), 7 paid holidays, Vacation and sick time

Pay based on experience

Apollo Beach Society Wine Bar St. Patrick's Day Event!

Brandi Morris — Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:32:02 GMT

August New Members

Working Women — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 22:37:27 GMT

Nickole Davis | All Good Things

Paty Johnston | The John Maxwell Team

Kelsey Leggett | Jaffe Tilchin Insurance Services

Pam Ora | Habitat for Humanity

Angela Scroggins | Tarpon Barbell Company

Patsy Stills | Gulf Coast JFCS Heart Gallery of Pinellas and Pasco Program

Lauren Stuart | USI Insurance Services

Barbie Winterbottom | The Business of HR

First Home Bank - PPP Funds Still Available until August 8!

Working Women — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 19:46:39 GMT

First Home Bank is helping small businesses nationally by funding Paycheck Protection Program Loans. By helping business owners get through these tough times, we help keep doors open, people employed, and dreams alive.

We are accepting PPP loan applications through our website until August 8.

Click here to get started!

July New Members

Working Women — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 21:54:39 GMT

** VIP ** Bethany Jett | Platinum Literary Services

** VIP ** Starr Tyrka | Shining Star Insurance

Alyssa Feliho | SMPLCLS

Amber Mathas | Sweet Stuff by Amber LLC

Angel Williams | The Shine Firm

Avery Stephenson | 1 Degree Change, LLC

Crystal Holloway | Florida Boys Company

Dolly Brown | Extravaganza Productions

Eliska Poirier | Logo Out Loud

Ellan Otero | HeartsFlourish LLC

Jo Bakal | Tezoona | Parvelicious

Lisa Smaga | Slip and Fall Prevention Services, LLC

Liza Marie Garcia | NOW Publishing US

Lynda McDermott | EquiPro International

Maggie McCleland | Academy Prep Center of Tampa

Natalia Levey | Healthy Intent

Sally Harris | Circle "C" Ranch Academy

Sarah Laracuente | Sail Marketing LLC

Stephanie Wilson | Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation

Wendy Doolan | FunGolf.club

Yolanda Harper | Harper Therapy

Webinar: August 11th - Reverse the Effects of Aging with Hormone Replacement

Working Women — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 14:11:21 GMT

Webinar: August 11th
Reverse the Effects of Aging with Hormone Replacement with Dr. César Lara.

To register go to:
https://drlaraweightloss.com/events/

Need help registering? Please let any of our team members know. We will be happy to help. Have a topic you want to learn about? Send us your suggestions at info@cesarlaramd.com

June New Members

Working Women — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 17:08:41 GMT

Sarah Laracuente | Sail Marketing LLC

Lisa Smaga | Slip and Fall Prevention Services, LLC

Sheli Aguirre | Journey Forward Counseling & Wellness

Jo Bakal Tezoona | Parvelicious

Yolanda Harper | Harper Therapy

Stephanie Wilson | Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation

** VIP ** Bethany Jett | Platinum Literary Services

Amber Mathas | Sweet Stuff by Amber LLC

Ellan Otero | HeartsFlourish LLC

WWOTB Adopts Virtual Programming

Working Women — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 15:36:02 GMT

When the global pandemic hit a turning point in the United States in early March, life as we knew it changed practically overnight. As COVID-19 cases spread across the country, the disruptions to daily life were swift and dramatic. Many businesses, schools and organizations went dark, uncertain when they might open again, or were forced to adapt their operations.

Working Women of Tampa Bay embraced the changing world with gusto. CEO and Founder Jessica Rivelli acted quickly to create a full calendar of virtual events, recognizing the importance of connecting with the organization’s base of professional women during this crisis.

“We chose to pivot to virtual events after the (Center for Disease Control & Prevention) recommended that events or gatherings of 20 or more were discouraged,” she said. “All of our events draw 20 or more. We were encouraged to pivot and because all of our events prior to COVID-19 were in-person events, this meant we had to completely change our business model and the way we operate.”

Since mid-March, the organization has turned to Zoom, a video and audio conference call platform, to double the number of events it would typically host in a month.

Working Women of Tampa Bay held its first virtual event, a workshop entitled “Surviving & Thriving During Unsettling Times,” led by Beth Kerly, an associate profession of business and entrepreneurship at Hillsborough Community College, March 18.

Two months later, by May 15, WWTB has hosted an astounding 50 virtual events with more than 550 attendees. While several of these events have had a networking component to them, such as the Coffee Connections or Happy Hours, the majority have focused on e-learning and workshops.

“By far the Zooms that have a learning component are much more popular than just the traditional networking,” Rivelli said, which deviates from the norm for WWTB. “In the past, the needs of our members have been equal on the networking and education front. Now there is an increased demand for online education. You have a captive audience of women, particularly women businesses owners, who have this time to better themselves.”

Educational topics have run the gamut with a focus on skills that are useful to business owners in these uncertain times, she added. Workshops have included “Take Your Business Virtual Using Zoom,” “Be Your Own Publicist,” “Apps for Creating & Curating Content,” “SEO Tips & Tricks,” “What’s Your Plan B” and “Selling with Integrity and Ease.”

The workshops have been met with rave reviews.

Michelle Turpeau, founder and president of Social Vive Marketing who has taught Instagram workshops and attended several others, said she is impressed by the organization’s ability to change gears quickly in order to further its mission of supporting working women.

“WWTB is an organization where we are not only supporting and empowering women but also building relationships and educating ourselves,” she said. “During this pandemic it is super important to continue to do so virtually. We have to stay connected, continue learning, growing and keep some sort of normalcy…The value of these events is not only how we continue to keep our relationships strong but also for us to learn and share our own experiences on how we pivot our businesses for the benefit of others.”

Theo Prodromitis, the co-founder and CEO of Spa Destinations who led workshops such as “Creating New Rituals & Routines” and “Online Selling Opportunities,” agrees.

“It’s more important than ever for our WWTB community to stay connected,” she said. “Sharing many members’ expertise is an enormous gift. It provides us a chance to stay in touch, help each other, learn new and necessary skills, and stay positive.”

While many organizations are figuring out how to navigate the new normal, WWTB is ahead of the game, said Michelle Turman, CEO for Catalyst Consulting Services.

“Out of all the organizations (membership-based and otherwise) in our Tampa community, WWTB really provided the best and almost immediately. They did not miss a beat in transitioning to a virtual platform for members to feel that their membership still had value,” she said. “Founder Jessica Rivelli also led by example in supporting women-owned businesses who were hurting during this time and encouraged others to do the same. The organization has always been about women supporting women and the support (emotional, financial, and mental) were very valuable to me and other women.”

Rivelli is proud of what WWTB has accomplished during the pandemic.

WWTB will continue its digital programming while Rivelli monitors the CDC recommendations for events and gatherings.

“Once social distancing recommendations relax, we’ll start to blend in some smaller group in-person networking,” she said. “We’ll continue our virtual programs until it’s completely relaxed.”

A full schedule of upcoming workshops can be found here.

Rivelli strives to keep costs low for attendees – just $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

During the first 30 days of online programming, half of the proceeds were donated back to the Working Women Foundation, WWTB’s nonprofit arm that has provided around $50,000 in seed money to women-run start-ups in five years.

Zoom programming proceeds were used to purchase about $5,000 worth of gift cards from women-owned businesses that shut down or had limited capacity because of COVID-19. These gift cards will be included in raffles at future fundraising events.

“It was important to us that we also help women-owned businesses struggling. Some of the women on these Zooms were also the women who were not able to keep their business open,” Rivelli said. “There was a full-circle feel to it.”

JUNE 2ND | Empowerment with Dr. César Lara

Working Women — Fri, 22 May 2020 18:49:09 GMT

Webinar - June 2nd @ 6pm
An Evening of Empowerment with Dr. César Lara.

Join us to learn about Formnovélle.

To register go to:
https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/Formnovelle

Need help registering?
Please let any of our team members know. We will be happy to help.
Have a topic you want to learn about?

Send us your suggestions at: info@cesarlaramd.com

Leadership 101 Class is Now FREE

Working Women — Fri, 22 May 2020 14:58:40 GMT

Leadership 101 Class is Now FREE!

Troy University, a public university whose main campus is in Troy, Alabama, announced today that it will be making its class Leadership 101 available online for free to anyone.

The course content will equip students to thrive in a post-pandemic world, regardless of where they are now in their lives and careers. It will explore personal development, leadership style and action, cultural diversity and current events, all through the lens of effective leadership. The course will be taught by some of Troy University’s most well-known faculty, including Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor; Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Dean of the College of Education; Dr. Kerry Palmer, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Dr. John Kline, Executive Director of the Institute for Leadership Development.

“Thomas Jefferson said ‘The preservation of our democracy will require leaders of ability, integrity and vision.’ That has never been truer than in today’s world, and we believe that universities must lead that charge,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We are responsible for building the leaders of tomorrow and that is something we do not take lightly. Troy University is nationally recognized for its online education. This is a wonderful, free introduction to all that TROY has to offer.”

The online class will be offered free of charge in two identical four-week sessions, starting on June 1 and July 1. Students can pick the session that works best with their schedules and study at home at their own pace, which is increasingly relevant during the COVID-19 crisis.

May New Members

Working Women — Sun, 10 May 2020 19:00:45 GMT

Susan Alley | Appraisal Aid

Laurie Diaz | Hammer and Stain - Riverview

Jennifer Kilburg | Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay

Johannie Turpeau | Jo’ Sephine Bohotique

** VIP ** Sue Englander | EEI MANUFACTURING SERVICES

Liza Marie Garcia | NOW Publishing US

Janira Rodriguez | Inspire Wardrobe

Marc Walker | Waddell & Reed

SaucyQueen Donates $1,000

Working Women — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 15:30:40 GMT

Your browser does not support the video tag.

April New Members

Working Women — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 18:11:21 GMT

Holly Noah | Eat Your Words Custom Cookies

Shannon Sharesky | Creative Apogee

Judithanne McLauchlan | USF St. Petersburg

Nancy A. Allen | WBDC of Florida

Ramona Andrews | Speaker's Ink

Bonnie Campbell | Mahalos Sweet Ice Co.

Cindy Cicala | Sassy Cucina

Shandra Davis | Davis Synergetic Development

Karen Feuer | Moon Light Sticker Co

Holly Fossen | Premium Field Services

Emalee Gabriel | Gabriel Counseling

Christine Hardway | Creating Positive Outcomes

Dawn Hudson | Your CBD Store - Tampa, FL

Tammy Morath | Tammy Morath, LMHC

Holly Noah | Eat Your Words Custom Cookies

Michelle Robertson | Glo Skin

Candace Rotolo

Shannon Sharesky | Creative Apogee

Vanessa Solis | AMPLIFY

Cassandra Strickland | New York Life

Mary Wiliams

Carole Yoder | Alices Macarons and More

Diane Kutz | Modern Concept Media

March New Members

Working Women — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 02:20:36 GMT

* VIP * Ashley Shenefelt

Debbie Yones - Voices of Hope for Aphasia

Angie Watts - Vacasa

Christine Smith - Host by Design

Lana Saba - Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

Mary Ridgeway - Prior Bloomin’ Brands

Stacy Ninan - Holcomb Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

Natalie Colgan

Gina Cummings - Ackerman Jewelers

Norma Berrios - BrightCare Consulting LLC

Ingrid Bredenberg - Bredenberg Associates

Abigail Burge - KDM Counseling Group

* VIP * Wanda De Boer - RPM Realty Management LLC

Alexandra Hernandez - A.W.E.O. Accounting Solutions, Inc.

Jenny Holla - State Theatre

Gargee Joglekar - Modern Design Home Interior Design

Iryna Kononova - IK Photoart

Berkley La Porte - RockShop Jewelry

Sushilla Maharaj - SKM Mortgage LLC

* VIP * Heather McMillan - Tampa Bay Wave

Cynthia Millane

* VIP * Julianne Nowicky

Jenn Possick - The Ads Maven

Danielle Redd - Lime Street Boutique

February New Members

Working Women — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 13:15:25 GMT

*VIP* Luisa Mayer - AFC Urgent Care

Rose Coleman - Optimum is Now Promotional Products

Eve Epstein - SoleVenture

Tina Fontaine

Amanda Jacobson - United Way of the Suncoast

Karen McGlashan - Infinite Health and Wellness Center

Jessica Muroff - United Way Suncoast

Gail Nursey - United Way Suncoast

Lauren Palmer - Amy's Day Spa

Nikki Pardo - Global Alliance Solutions

Donna Rayburn - Rayburn Business Strategies

Denise Reddick - Brisk Coffee Roasters USA

Natalie Thomas - Shankman Leone, P.A.

Kristine Hammett - Bloomin' Brands Inc

Regina Hardin - MyKidzMD Pediatrics

Christie Lopez - RockShop Jewelry

Nikki Pardo - Global Alliance Solutions

Amanda Ryan - Weisner Insurance Network

Mary Shields - Insurance and Trust

Melanie Velez - Midori Eco Salon & Spa

Laura White - LW Consulting Inc.

Wendy DePaul - Political Candidate

Gayle Dicus - Pollo Tropical

Faithe Estes - Tucker/Hall

Maria Gianfilippo - Organic Speech Therapy

Jennifer Jenkins - Rooted Holistic Health

June Kittay - Tampa Bay Bodies

Christina Paylan – Political Candidate

Debby Wallace - Clarity Communications Group

*VIP* Julianne Nowicky

Abigail Burge - KDM Counseling Group

Michelene Everett - Hyde Park Event Design

Gargee Joglekar - Modern Design Home Interior Design

Berkley La Porte - RockShop Jewelry

Sushilla Maharaj - SKM Mortgage LLC

Cynthia Millane

Jo-Anne Newby - Jo-Anne Newby, LLC.

Jenn Possick - The Ads Maven

Women Entrepreneurship Day

Working Women — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 22:10:45 GMT

At Working Women of Tampa Bay, we celebrate Women Entrepreneurship every day but November 19th is a day designated to celebrate, embrace and empower women entrepreneurs. Women Entrepreneurship Day (WED) began in 2013. Today, WED is celebrated at the United Nations and in 144 countries.

According to the National Association of Women Business Owners, there are almost 12 million women-owned businesses generating nearly $2 trillion in revenue every year. Data shows that since 2007, the number of women-owned companies has grown at five times the national average, with 1000 new women-owned businesses starting every day.

Tampa Bay often ranks in the top metro areas for women entrepreneurs in studies like one done recently by Business.org. Their researchers found that 25% of small businesses in Tampa Bay are owned by women. That's not surprising. As the Founder of the largest women's networking organization in our area, I've seen the excitement and interest in female entrepreneurship steadily climb over the past 10 years. Four years ago, we launched a non-profit, the Working Women Foundation to help boost business ownership among women in Tampa Bay. Since then we've had 200 apply for seed money and we've awarded $35,000 to 50 of those applicants.

One of those recipients, Michelle Turpeau, Founder of SocialVive Marketing shared why she thinks Tampa Bay is a great place to start a business. “I'm grateful to live in this amazing, supportive area full of opportunities and authenticity! There are so many valuable resources for minority-owned businesses like mine."

Lori Bishop also recently opened a business. Blush Tea and Coffee has been open for about a year now in St. Petersburg. She recalled how supportive her tribe was when she shared with them her plans to open the shop. "The support was amazing, from my loved ones, neighbors, total strangers, and everyone I met through the Chamber. St Pete is incredibly supportive of local small businesses."

Chambers play a key role in helping start-ups succeed. Ami D. Govindaraju is the Operating Partner of DryBar Tampa. She belongs to the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce which is led by female CEO: Kelly Flannery. "Tampa Bay is a diverse, growing market with a healthy environment for new businesses to launch and succeed," Govindaraju explained. "The days of the 'good ole’ boys club' is coming to an end."

There are countless free or affordable resources for women entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay including more than a dozen chambers, SBDC, SCORE, The WAVE, STRIVE, The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, Rising Tide Innovation Center and the list goes on.

"Tampa offers the best combination of community and resources for female entrepreneurs to grow and support each other. The connection of a mid-size city where female leaders are accessible like Mayor Jane Castor and Rita Lowman along with big-city resources like Embarc Collective, funded by Jeff Vinik. It's truly a unique place to do business," shared Out Front Brands CEO Theo Prodromitis who recently testified in front of the Small Business Committee on Capitol Hill.

Tampa Bay is the best of both worlds when it comes to doing business. “It’s a large metro area that has a small town feel and is incredibly supportive of small businesses like mine,” explained veteran business owner Cindy Dervech of Breezin Entertainment. Sharon Fekete AKA The Doctor Whisperer agreed. "Tampa Bay is big enough to sustain a company and small enough to stand out."

Island Massage Therapy Owner Suzanne Andrew has been in business for more than 10 years now. Just like Working Women, she's seen quite a few changes in the landscape for small businesses. "I especially appreciate the constant influx of new people with new ideas. Living in a growing city brings lots of new opportunities, new people, new ideas every day!

Tampa Bay has a huge military and veteran community and with that comes lots of military spouses. According to a US Chamber of Commerce study in 2017, Military spouses are often unemployed (4x the national average) and under-employed (71%) as a result of moving so often. Stacy Miller is a Partner at Bright Investments and a military spouse to a retired US Army officer. She explained "because of the challenges of military life, we've mastered resilience, creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability and time management, some of the top skills needed to become an entrepreneur. So many military spouse entrepreneurs have and continue to come from Tampa Bay."

Finally, it all comes down to connections and collaboration. Kelly Mothershead who has owned several businesses in Pasco County summed it up perfectly. "Building relationships and building up other women is something Tampa Bay does very well!"

For those who have dreams of entrepreneurship but haven't taken the leap yet, we asked some of our members to share their advice. Here's what they had to say to celebrate this Women Entrepreneurship Day.

"Don’t be afraid to take the risk, be prepared to put in the hours, and love what you do!" - Amy Hathcox - Amy's Day Spa in Tampa

"Get out and meet people! There are so many organizations to be part of that you’ll be able to find your tribe in no time!” - Dr. Madalyn Turner - Atlas Chiropractic Center in St. Petersburg

“Get a bookkeeper right away. Surround yourself with advisors who you trust for advice." - Sophie Bel - Beyond Beauty Studio in St. Petersburg

"Find an organization that provides continued support not just during the start-up phase." Kristin McKinney - Pro Kitchen Hub in Tampa

If you're building a business and need financial support, check out WorkingWomenFoundation.org for details on our seed money program. Most of our recent donations have come directly from successful women business owners who want to give back through our Power of 100 Project --- a campaign that encourages 100 women to donate $100 in honor of our 10th anniversary.

Dynamic Woman Beth Kerly's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:30:48 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Beth Kerly, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Beth's list:

1. Speak up! Use your voice when you have something to say.

2. Be intentional

3. Be paid what your worth and don’t be afraid to demand it

4. Working mothers are da bomb, don’t feel guilty

5. Tell your mother you love her any why

6. Hire a cleaning service

7. No one can tell your story better than you

8. Don’t think small, take action

9. Get into an exercise routine

10. Cut negative people out of your life, surround yourself with positivity.

Beth Kerly – Hillsborough Community College

813-732-8470

mkerly@hccfl.edu

Dynamic Woman Jen McDonald's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 00:13:40 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Jen McDonald, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Jen’s list:

1. It is ok to hit the RESET button on your whole life. Once you have concluded through a thorough review that this is ultimately what it is needed take the 1st step. The longer you wait the more time (of everyone’s) you are wasting.

2. Trust your gut, think it through, discuss with your mentors, & take the calculated risks.

3. You can make a living doing anything. Choose what you love and you will have a more fulfilling career.

4. If you need help ask.

5. No. (Period) is an acceptable answer.

6. Timing is not as important as persistence.

7. The only person who can set your priorities is you. If you feel like someone else has control of your life it is only because you are allowing them to do so.

8. You must schedule time for your “oxygen” the moments that are the breath that fuels the fire in your soul.

9. Everyone is on their own journey. Respect their process and respect yours also.

10. Schedule management is critical.

Jen McDonald – Merchant Insurance Solutions

813-215-833-7353

jenmcdonald@merchantinsurancesolutions.com

www.merchantinsurancesolutions.com

Dynamic Woman Kristi Campbell's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:27:02 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Kristi Campbell, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Kristi's list:

LAUGH every day. Find something to laugh about or make your heart sing.

1. “No” means not now. Have the patience, stick to the vision, amend the plan as needed, just keep fighting for what you think is important. Knock or push on every door until one opens.

2. Listens to what feels “right” for you. So often we doubt our instincts, both good and bad. Slow down. Listen

3. Forgive yourself. You made the best decision with the information you had at the time. Forgive. Apologize. Fix. Move on.

4. Prepare/Plan for chaos. Change is the only thing consistent. By planning for chaos/change the normal affect of chaos lessens.

5. Be or do what fits for you. Your passion for who you are or what you do will help define your happiness which relates to your success.

6. Your greatest success is emotional and not financial.

7. Faith is knowing my reality will work out in the end.

8. Success is the momentum of multiple decisions. – Jim Collins

9. Treat Everyone as if They are important.

10. Share the Credit. – Pam Iorio

Kristi Campbell – Home Instead Senior Care

813-684-1972

kcampbell@aaxiomhealthservices.com

www.homeinstead.com/482

Dynamic Woman Laura Sokolewicz 's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:06:40 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Laura Sokolewicz, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Laura's list:

1. Have patience. It’s going to happen.

2. Hard "work always pays off” is not just a slogan.

3. Don’t get consumed by what the competition does. Listen to your instincts and stay the course.

4. Make everything simple and short, so everybody understands and complies.

5. Know your worth and believe it!

6. Do it, even if it’s not in your job description.

7. Be kind and patient, even if you don’t feel like it. “Fake it til you make it” is really working!

8. Keep your calm. Very important.

9. Sleep on it. It will wait.

10. Help others. It will come back.

Laura Sokolewicz – Academic Alliance in Dermatology

813-245-9162

lsokolewicz@tampadermatology.com

www.tampadermatology.com

Dynamic Woman Michele Northrup's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 12:31:36 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Michele Northrup, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Michele's list:

1. Jump first figure out the details as you go. 

2. Always be braver than you are.

3. Be your brand everyday everyway.

4. Give folks more than they expect.

5. Co-promote as much as possible.

6. Figure out what makes you unique and make that SHINE!

7. Buy stock in Facebook.

8. Take time to thank people who help you.

9. Tell Jessica she is about to change hundreds of women’s lives forever.

10. Figure out how to make a flux capacitor work. (Just watched “Back to the Future”)

Michele Northrup – The Intensity Academy

813-299-3600

michelenorthrup@verizon.net

www.intensityacademy.com

Dynamic Woman Brandi Morris' Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 13:40:36 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Brandi Morris, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Brandi's list:

1. Nobody really knows what they’re doing all the time, we’re all winging it sometimes.

2. Better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.

3. Don’t be afraid to take your time and do it right. It doesn’t matter of someone else can nail it in 30 seconds and it takes you 3 days. Make it right- unless you can just pay them to do it in 30 seconds.

4. Success can be just as terrifying as failure.

5. Take your space and be unapologetic about it. You have just as much right to be where you are as anyone else.

6. Be you. Authentic + Honest = Best fits in clients and networking relationships.

7. There is no such thing as work/life balance. It is all happening, all at once and you roll with it as comes.

8. You may not be your ideal client. Don’t assume what you would want, could pay for, or what attracts you would be the same for your client.

9. Busy does not mean productive.

10. It’s ok to say no.

Brandi Morris – Brandi Image Photography

727-515-6659

brandi@brandiimage.com

www.brandiimage.com

Dynamic Woman Lana Walsh's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 14:48:52 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Lana Walsh, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Lana's list:

1. Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody!

2. Smile a lot, a smile can make someone else’s day!

3. What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows!

4. Invest in yourself, you are awesome & worth every penny!

5. Don’t waste time worrying about what other people do, think, or say!

6. Have fun, enjoy what you do no matter what it is!

7. Count your blessing every day & give thanks to God!

8. Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable!

9. Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it!

10. Be TRUE to yourself, be authentic, reliable, & trustworthy!

Lana Walsh

727-798-8846

Lana.walsh@growfinancial.org

Dynamic Woman Effie Santo's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 12:10:14 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Effie Santos, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Effie's list:

1. Know your personal values and stay true to them always…it is who you are.

2. You cannot change ANYONE…you can be the role model, lead by example and encourage.

3. You truly become the people who you surround yourself with.

4. Create written house rules with consequences for your children starting when they are toddlers. They will learn, become independent and feel accomplished. And you will stay a sane Mom.

5. Spend money on experiences and not “things”. At the end of the day all we have is our memories.

6. There truly is a Cinderella story…you just have to find him and not compromise your values and standards in the process.

7. Give yourself “permission”…to rest for a day, to start over in life, dive into your next chapter, etc.

8. Listen to your mom, she does have more experience than you and loves you unconditionally.

9. What you think about you bring about.

10. The only thing we cannot create more of is time…take time to be still. You will be surprised how much clarity you will gain.

Effie Santos – Red Root Strategies

727-688-9630

effie@redrootstrategies.com

www.redrootstrategies.com

Dynamic Woman Patricia Rossi's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:50:56 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Patricia Rossi, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Patricia's list:

1. Backdoors, side doors, basement doors…more welcoming and opens faster!

2. Deep breathe, eye squeezed shut, ask for triple fee.

3. Side step gossip, embrace goodness.

4. Find mentor, latch on and listen. Be mentor, latch on and listen.

5. Childhood interests and troubles are short cuts to adult success. “Flaunt your Quirk”.

6. Your social sixth sense is your GPS. Trust it.

7. Fancy people are fearful too!

8. Give others the grace that you so hope to be given!

9. When you smell cra, cra…back away!

10. You, do you! Boo!

Patricia Rossi – Etiquette Coaching

727-375-0375

etiquettecoach@gmail.com

Dynamic Woman Sharon Fekete's Top Ten Wish I Knew Then!

Working Women — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:46:23 GMT

Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration at the Decade of Dynamic Women dinner where we will be celebrating honoree, Sharon Fekete, Founder of The Doctor Whisperer, among other dynamic women in Tampa Bay! Learn more here!

We asked each honoree if they would share 10 things they know now they wish they knew 10 years ago. Here’s Sharon's list:

1. I wish I knew I didn’t have to join any other organizations besides WWTB when I opened my business. 

2. I wish I knew lunches could be an enormous waste of time.

3. I wish I knew how many events I would have to attend; I would have invested in uniforms.

4. I have always known the value of relationships in life and business.

5. I know now that when I see crazy, cross the street.

6. I know now to absolutely trust my gut.

7. I know now that happiness defines my success, not money.

8. I know now that my adversity in life is a strength in business.

9. I know now how vital it is to take care of my mental and physical health. Your health is your wealth.

10. I know now that it is simply a gift to choose what I want to do today versus someone dictating it.

Sharon Fekete – The Doctor Whisperer

727-420-2481

sharonfekete@gmail.com

Decade of Dynamic Women Honorees Announced

Working Women — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 17:02:56 GMT

Over the past decade, the number of women-owned companies has grown at a rate five times faster than the national average, with Florida leading the way. Working Women of Tampa Bay has lead the way in celebrating and cultivating connections for women and becoming the largest women’s networking group in Tampa Bay. As we approach our ten-year anniversary, we look to honor ten women who have played an integral role in our growth during a Decade of Dynamic Women Dinner on Thursday, September 5, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center.

These powerhouses have helped WWOTB become more than a simple networking organization but an avenue where meaningful connections are forged and women lift each other up—often in life-changing ways.

Honorees include:

Kristi Campbell - Franchise Owner, Home Instead Senior Care Tampa - Brandon
Sharon Fekete - Founder, The Doctor Whisperer & 13th Avenue Media
Beth Kerly - Associate Professor Business & Entrepreneurship, Hillsborough Community College
Jen McDonald - Vice President, Merchant Insurance Solutions
Brandi Morris - Founder, Brandi Image Photography
Michele Northrup - Founder, Intensity Academy Sauces
Patricia Rossi - Business Etiquette Coach, Speaker and Author
Effie Santos - Founder and CEO, Red Root Strategies
Laura Sokolewicz - VP of Marketing & Aesthetics, Academic Alliance in Dermatology
Lana Walsh - Membership Development Representative, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union

Proceeds from the dinner will go to support the Working Women Foundation that builds a supportive community of mentors and offer start-up grants to women entrepreneurs. Founded in 2016, the Foundation has given more $20,000 in seed money to more than 30 women-owned businesses. These financial awards have led to tremendous growth on the part of their recipients.

Sponsorships for the event are available. For more information, please contact Michelle Turman at 813-839-2282 or via e-mail mturman@catalystcs.org

This event will take place during the two-day Working Women of Tampa Bay Annual Conference September 5th & 6th, 2019. Register for both events at workingwomenconference.com

10th Anniversary Dinner

Working Women — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 14:40:21 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jessica Rivelli

Telephone: 7274249192

E-mail: workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com

Celebrating 10 years of Connections & Collaborations

These powerhouses have helped WWOTB become more than a simple networking organization but an avenue where meaningful connections are forged and women lift each other up—often in life-changing ways.

Kali Rabaut of Suncoast Compost, which offers curbside composting as well as event support, tells us:

The seed money grant was an incredible help. We were able to purchase five portable waste stations, and our events just love them. Because these stations can fold up to fit in the back of the car, I am able to let a team member transport the bins. This has freed up my time and allowed me to grow my business.”

And Lisbeth Pacheco with Ethos Roasters, a craft roaster of Fair-Trade Organic beans, says:

The grant helped us build up our inventory and display for the 2017 Tampa Bay Holiday Gift Market by the Junior League. Our business grew 300% after that event! And we now just bought a second roaster.”

We hope you’ll consider attending or sponsoring the dinner to celebrate 10 years of connections and collaborations. By working together, we can continue our efforts to educate, motivate and inspire female entrepreneurs in Tampa Bay to achieve their goals so that they can become women, like you, who lift others to success.

Sponsorships for the event are available. For more information, please contact Michelle Turman at 813-839-2282 or via e-mail mturman@catalystcs.org

This event will take place during the two-day Working Women of Tampa Bay Annual Conference September 5th & 6th, 2019. Register for both events at workingwomenconference.com

10th Anniversary Specials

Working Women — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:11:12 GMT

In honor of our 10th Anniversary, several of our members are offering discounts on their products and services. They've also offered to give a donation to the Working Women Foundation for each referral.

Lorien S. Johnson, PLLC is offering 10% off all Will and Trust Packages. Each package includes a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care documents, and a Living Will.

MediaSource is offering One Hour of Advertising Media Consulting at no charge for Working Women of Tampa Bay members.

Have you S.M.I.L.E.d Today? Experience #TherapyInColor and peace of mind & body. Receive 20% OFF your Initial Session, plus a FREE 20 minute Stress Relief Massage. Call S.M.I.L.E. Today! Hope, Healing and Happiness are just a phone call away. (727) 569-6305

Amy's Day Spa is offering 10% off products and services at their Kennedy Boulevard location in Tampa.

Maggie Sinclair is offering 15% off Websites By Design. Use promo code: wwotb.

Academic Alliance in Dermatology is offering $10 units of Botox and 10% off all retail products.

Carla Robinson is offering 10% off your first promotional product order at Professional Systems Printing & Promotions. She also does standup banners and branded apparel.

Jo-An Thomas is giving away a Free Vintage Cloisonne Ballpoint Pen Encased in Chinese Fabric Box with Bone Handles ($29 Value) FREE with the purchase of any item in the "Gift Ideas" section the Asian Home Gifts website. Click the shop button to see the "Gift Ideas" section.

Women of Red Tailgate Party!!!

Working Women — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 22:05:23 GMT

Goodwill Job Fair & Career Expo, May 9th!

Working Women — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 17:56:35 GMT

Your Emotional Thermostat: How to Control (or Recover) From Emotional Surges© by Dr. Pat Baxter

Working Women — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:42:20 GMT

Your Emotional Thermostat: How to Control (or Recover) From Emotional Surges© by Dr. Pat Baxter

Chief Consultant, SmarterEmotions: Balancing Head & Heart©

Emotional Intelligence Coach, Professional Speaker, Corporate ‘Veteran’

Did you know people like you, me, your best friend, the dentist’s receptionist, the person who drove way too close behind you today, can experience between 45,000 and 70,000 emotions in a 24- hour time span all of which could be acted upon?

I’ve come to see emotions as gifts, not nuisances. Emotions help us to understand ourselves, connect with others and help interpret our daily experiences. Women are especially attuned to emotions, their own, as well as those of others. Sometimes, emotions are the only data we get to navigate through the world.

One thing that can stunt our work with emotions is a limited emotional vocabulary. The words we use may not accurately express what we are truly feeling. For example, if you say you are ‘angry’, think how wide that emotional range can be - you may be anything from being mildly annoyed (sigh) to uncontrollable rage (AARGH!). ‘Angry’ can show up in many ways.

Monitoring our emotional thermostat

Though you may meditate (or medicate) on a regular basis, you may still find yourself engulfed by a surge of emotions, especially in the workplace. A recent survey identified the most common emotion experienced in the workplace is FRUSTRATION. Tell the truth: Did you just flash back to a recent experience of frustration? That’s okay – you’re only human.

How do you know your emotional thermostat is climbing? Well, the mind-body connection is alive and well when it comes to that. If you are in tune with you, you’ll pick up on body sensations – describe them as you feel them: ‘My neck is so tense it feels like concrete’ or ‘My heart is pounding out of my chest!’ Also, observe the body language of those around you – you’ll see how your emotions may be affecting others.

Prevent or Self-Manage?

What can we do to manage emotions in the heat of the moment, so they help us and our relationships? Here are a few tips:

· Frame It and Tame It - Is It Really That Bad? Our reactions, often caused by our ancient ‘fight or flight’ response, can be intense. So, to roll back on a reaction, ask: ‘Given everything else going on…’ or ‘Given what I have experienced in my life so far, is it that bad? Would it violate my core values or someone’s safety if I didn’t immediately respond?’ These questions may lessen the potential of a ‘can’t-take-it-back’ moment.
· Mom was right - Engage brain before mouth: My mother said,’ You never know what’s boiling in someone else’s pot.’ So true. Unless you read minds, you’re not likely to know for sure why someone says or does what they do. I think Mom was teaching me not to assume I know the path another has walked. When an exchange heats up, I work to shift the energy, to break the tension by being curious about where the other person has walked, allowing space for a meaningful and relevant dialogue to emerge.
· Focus on what’s going right and own it: It’s very human to focus on what’s going or gone wrong rather than what’s gone right. Recognizing and applauding what actions we, and others, have taken to make things better in an emotionally charged situation can change the outcome.

What if we do ‘lose it’? How can we recover? In my book, ‘Cool Change: Turning Emotions into Leadership Strengths’ I share several case studies of leaders who ‘lost it’ and recovered. These tips may save the day:

§ Be genuine – if you lost control with someone, apologize sincerely; ask for forgiveness and remember to show yourself some compassion as well.
§ Walking away: If you feel you are headed for a blow-up, physically excuse yourself. Come back when you’ve calmed down. (Say that you have a stomachache from sushi you got on sale – no one will stop you from leaving.)
§ Schedule another time and place to talk – let the 24-48 hours go by to allow the hormones your brain spit out as conflict was building to process out. When you resume, find a different place to talk to signal a fresh start.

One last thing: SMILE! As babies, we mirrored the smile of the adult who looked happy to see us. It’s a reflex that works whenever and whatever emotion shows up.

___________________________________________________________________________

Have emotions ever kept you from making a GOOD decision? Ready to use emotional intelligence to LEAD with awareness and empathy?

Contact Dr. Baxter if you’d like to set up a free ‘Strategy Session’ to learn how to create balance through emotional intelligence.

pat@patriciabaxter.com

February 2018 News & Notes

Working Women — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:21:13 GMT

2018 is here! We've been busy loading up the calendar with events and signing up new members. This is always a great time of year to join or renew because you receive a complimentary listing in our 2018 directory which prints in March. We've already had 40 new members join and more than 100 existing members renew this month. We also offer advertising in the directory. Contact us for pricing!

Coffee Connections continue to be our most popular monthly events. New this year, we've added morning meetings in Brandon, New Tampa, & Westchase. If you'd like to suggest a location, feel free to e-mail workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

This month, we celebrated the 2nd year anniversary of founding the Working Women Foundation. Since its inception, we've raised more than $10,000 for seed money for women start-ups and mentoring programs. Meet our new board chair and one of latest recipients later in this newsletter. If you'd like to apply for seed money, click here. If you'd like to apply for the mentoring program, click here.

This is a great month to celebrate the women in your life who empower and inspire you. Take them to lunch, drinks, a pedicure or if you can't connect in person, pick up the phone or send a hand-written card. These are your soul sisters. Treat them extra special this month.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE NEWSLETTER

New Chair of Working Women Foundation for 2018

Working Women — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:06:23 GMT

WWOTB Girls Cruise 2018!

Working Women — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 22:00:00 GMT

WWOTB Teams Up with Uber to Present UberMENTOR

Working Women — Tue, 17 May 2016 14:45:53 GMT

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Contact: Bill Gibbons, 708.932.6123, Bill.Gibbons@Uber.com

Working Women of Tampa Bay Teams Up with Uber, Local Business Leaders to Present UberMENTOR

(Tampa, Fla.) - In partnership with Working Women of Tampa Bay, Uber is offering local professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and aspiring executives the chance to meet and learn from Tampa Bay’s female business leaders.

On Thursday, May 26th, riders can request UberMENTOR for the opportunity to ride with top female business leaders from Tampa Bay. Get career advice, pitch an idea, or just glean as much wisdom as you can.

“Working Women of Tampa Bay is proud to partner with Uber on this mentoring opportunity. As the largest women's networking organization in Tampa Bay, we see first-hand the benefits when women connect, collaborate and share their knowledge and resources with one another,” says Jessica Rivelli, Working Women Founder.

ProTip: Get the most out of your session by being prepared for your trip. Have your resume available or a clear list of goals you’d like to discuss during your ride.

Here’s how it works:

On Thursday, May 26th, enter promo code TBMENTOR to unlock the special MENTOR option.
Between 11am – 2pm open the Uber app and slide over to request using the MENTOR option.

If available, you’ll be randomly matched with a mentor and picked up curbside for a FREE 15-minute mentorship session.

At the end of the trip, you’ll be dropped off at your pickup location.

Demand will be high and availability may be limited.

Meet the Mentors
(Subject to change)

Trimeka Benjamin | CEO, Swim Digital Group

As President of Swim Digital Group, Trimeka Benjamin rolls up her sleeves and works directly with clients to understand the current state of their situation at the start of a project to get the best results as the process unfolds. Her ability to attract perspective customers who have varied needs, from traditional marketing to process re-engineering, keeps the agency consistently abreast with industry trends. As a facilitator, a large part of her role consists of bringing groups of stakeholders together to have critical conversations and mapping out pathways to scalable solutions that are viable for client success.

Dion Lim | Anchor, 10 News CBS Tampa Bay

Dion Lim is the 5/6/11pm anchor at WTSP-10 News, the CBS affiliate in Tampa Bay. Recently named one of Broadcasting & Cable Magazine (B&C) 18 Top Leaders in TV Under 34. Known for her energy and community involvement, Dion was also voted Best TV Personality by Charlotte Magazine, and named Best Morning Anchor in Kansas City. Versatile with breaking news and live news, along with her ability to connect with her audience makes Dion much more than your typical news anchor. She is currently shopping her book titled Life During The Commercial Break, a book to empower millennials in the workplace.

Lori Rodriguez | Business Development Executive, Frazier & Deeter

Lori is Frazier & Deeter's Business Development Manager for the Tampa Bay area, responsible for advancing the firm’s strategic initiatives across the region through the firm’s Women Business Leadership program, entrepreneur programs, industry practices, CFO thought leadership and other programs designed to provide knowledge to business leaders and others in the community.

Jenn Greacen | Executive Director, Clear Labs

Jenn Greacen is a Serial Entrepreneur, Branding Expert, and community leader. She is known for arming entrepreneurs and executives with actionable items and a new, purposeful direction with her ASK WHY NOT HOW philosophy in business. Jenn is the Founder of CoLabR8 LLC, which fosters collaboration and creative sharing in the advertising and communications industries. She supports her community by serving on the board of directors for the St. Pete College Foundation, The Grand Central District Association, and more. Under the CoLabR8 movement, Jenn is the Executive Director of CLEAR LABS, an "un-agency" concept that is a fully transparent marketing solution and consulting hybrid between the agency who holds you hostage and the freelancer you don’t have time to manage. CLEAR LABS provides totally free workspace to freelancing creative professionals in exchange for their time mentoring talented associates through the CLEAR LABS internship program.

Kathleen Shanahan | Chair, Uretek Holdings

Kathleen has been active in business and policy/politics. She has run two Tampa based construction companies; WRSCompass and Uretek Holdings and as well as served as VP Cheney and Jeb Bush Chief of Staff and on the Florida State School Board. She currently serves on the HART regional transportation board and several private company boards eg Turtle & Hughes, Bio IQ, Digital Bell as well as one public company board, TRC. She enjoys a full life with family and friends based in Tampa, Florida.

Jessica Rivelli | Founder, Working Women of Tampa Bay

Jessica Rivelli is the founder of Working Women of Florida, which includes Working Women of Tampa Bay & Working Women of Central Florida. The organization is the largest women’s networking group in the state with 850 members and 35,000 social media fans/followers. Jessica launched Working Women of Tampa Bay after leaving a successful career in Television News. She credits her 12 years of multimedia experience for her ability to create dynamic & relevant programming. Since its 2009 launch, Jessica has produced more than 1200 events for women in the Tampa Bay & Central Florida regions. Many of those events include educational workshops designed to help women entrepreneurs follow their dreams of owning their own businesses.

Yvonne Fry | Chief Fry Cook, Fryed Egg Productions

A native Floridian, Yvonne is an expert in the telecommunications and IT industry. She owns Lines of Communications, a full service telecommunications management and auditing company which serves clients in the government and private sectors. Yvonne is also CEO of Fry Entertainment Inc., which holds several companies including Fryed Egg Productions, a branding, marketing, film and event management company. Founder and producer of NRG, Next Radical Generation, a youth performance group singing positive pop, Yvonne manages talent and produces a variety of projects including commercials, PSAs, television series and stage shows.

Yvonne was honored with the Plant City Chamber Chairman’s Award in 2014, was named one of Florida International University’s Top 25 Women Entrepreneurs in Florida in 2011, and was named one of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida's Women of Distinction in 2016.

We'll be adding more Mentors in the coming weeks - be sure to follow @Uber_Florida on Twitter for more details.

###

About Uber
Uber is evolving the way Florida moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make communities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers.

New VIP (Visionaries in Pink) Membership

Working Women — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 16:30:12 GMT

We are super excited about launching a new level of membership. Becoming a V.I.P (Visionaries in Pink) will give you access to at least 10 exclusive events free of charge (Value - $300). Events include behind-the-scenes tours, private receptions with authors/local celebrities and spa nights. VIP's will be notified first about signature events open to all members and will have front-row action to some of the best events on our calendar with no upgrade necessary. Get an all-access pass to VIP events not open to the public at no extra charge!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN AS A VIP

If you are already a member and want to upgrade, email workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

Valspar hosts Executive Women's Day

Working Women — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 13:03:51 GMT

It doesn’t get any better than hosting an Executive Women’s Day at a golf resort owned by a WOMAN! Sheila Johnson welcomed us to her house & encouraged us to get involved with golf; it is NOT a man’s sport! Deborah Fiedorowicz, Senior VP of Tournament Activation with the PGA tour, encouraged us to sit back and soak up the awesomeness as she introduced our vibrant moderator, Angela Ardolino, Founder of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.

We were here to share a day of corporate dialogue. The panel consisted of:

Elizabeth Frazier, Exec Director of TB Lighting Foundation
Dr. Catherine Lynch, Assoc VP, College of Medicine OBGYN, USF
Karyn Talaric, Senior VP, BB&T
Kim Welch, VP Communications, Valspar

Dr. Lynch kicked it off by sharing how physicians stay in their own space. She encouraged the implementation of personality tests & how they are paramount for improving relationships. We all need to understand WHO we are working with in business.

Kim Welch agreed and shared about leveraging the understanding of each other’s differences. You need to know your negotiating parts. She had a male mentor that led her down a successful career path. The path might not always be straight, it can lead you in a lot of directions, but it’s all preparing us for the bigger plan.

Karyn Talarico also had trusted advisors that encouraged her to take presenting opportunities, even when you don’t understand where they will lead.

Elizabeth Frazier stepped out of her comfort zone after initially considering a career as an attorney. She would not change the course of her experience because it helped her decipher what she did NOT want to do!

Dr. Lynch tickled the crowd when she shared that her entire family lacked creative intelligence because she grew up surrounded by physicians. She also spoke of the importance to have good mentoring & recently spent time talking with Chief Jane Castor about this as a necessity to incorporate in your career path. It was suggested for all of us to listen to Sheryl Sandberg’s TED talk where she drives this point home.

We all nodded our heads with approval when Elizabeth spoke of bearing your soul to connect with others. When we speak from the heart, it touches the heart.

All the ladies spoke of the importance of taking care of ourselves. As women, we tend to put everyone first before our own needs. In business, we need to stay healthy and exercise along w/ proper nutrition as it is vital to keep us sharp.

The message was strong from each leader in business up on stage. Stay true to yourselves; be authentic and assertive along your desired path.

The excitement to hear our keynote speaker, Carey Lohrenz, was evident in the crowd. We all had autographed books on our table and lucky ME….she was sitting RIGHT next to me & said “your question was very good.” Validation, sometimes that’s all we need to put a little skip in our step!

How can you even compare yourself to the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the US Navy! Her career will leave you breathless and her humor will put you right at ease. She was simply refreshing and full of personality and vigor! I felt honored to sit in her presence and listen to her wisdom.

She told the crowd of awe struck women to have extraordinary focus, be a catalyst! Choose your priorities intentionally and NO is a complete sentence. My personal favorite moment was when she showed a video of the fighter jets with the song, Best of Both Worlds, by Van Halen in the background. It was a true TOP GUN moment!!

We learned a lot about Carey in her talk but the question that choked her up was “what is your biggest fear” and she replied, “Fear that I won’t be good enough.” The room was silenced as we all at one time have felt the same way. Hard to believe that even the first female fighter pilot can endure & overcome the same fears we all have!

Sharon Fekete

The Doctor Whisperer

Working Women Ambassador

Fearless Leader Keynotes Executive Women's Day at Valspar

Working Women — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 02:28:58 GMT

Fearless Leader: Carey Lohrenz

Carey Lohrenz knows what it’s like to work under extreme pressure. As the U.S. Navy’s first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, she flew missions around the world. In the cockpit, there’s little room for error. Fearlessness is part of the job description.

That’s a lesson Lohrenz wants more professional woman to master, and it’s the topic of her keynote speech at this year’s PGA TOUR Executive Women’s Day, which will be held Tuesday, March 10 during this year’s Valspar golf Championship at Innisbrook.

“I learned some unforgettable lessons in life and leadership,” Lohrenz says of her time in the Navy. Her experiences led her to the realization that fearlessness is the common denominator in success, whether it’s as an aviation pioneer or a high performance leader. Regardless of their workplace, women must learn to lead and excel in spite of their fear, and that being uncomfortable is not something to avoid. Too often, Lohrenz says, women play small for fear of how they’ll be perceived. “It’s a safe path not to engage.”

That lack of courage even shows itself in networking, a skill Lohrenz also believes is critical for success.

“Women don’t always value networking as much as we should because we think our performance should speak for itself,” she notes, adding that having a strong network when life gets rough– both personally and professionally – is key.

“You can’t get to the top alone. It’s too easy to become overwhelmed and overburdened. A network helps you prioritize the things that matter.”

Lohrenz praised the PGA Tour and Executive Women’s Day sponsor Astellas Parma US, Inc. for bringing together women in a powerful way. Women who attend the event will take away lessons on how to live well and work smart. It’s for women who have been in leadership roles for years, or others who want to learn how to overcome the barriers that may keep them from success.

“I learn as much as everyone else. These women talk about their path and journey. It’s amazing to hear how other women succeed.”

Retired from the Navy, Lohrenz is a married mother of four who owns an executive coaching and leadership training firm. She is the author of “Fearless Leadership,” which earned a place on the Wall Street Journal’s Best Seller list for 2014.

She’s looking forward to returning to Central Florida, where she often visited relatives as a child. “There’s no other place on Earth that has beaches like the west coast of Florida!”

More than 200 women are expected to attend PGA TOUR Executive Women’s Day, which will includes panel discussions moderated by Angela Ardolino, Founder of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine and talks by Elizabeth Frazier, Executive Director, Lightning Foundation & Vice President, Philanthropy & Community Initiatives, Tampa Bay Lighting; Dr. Catherine Lynch, Associate Vice President, USF College of Medicine; Karyn Talarico, Senior Vice President, Private Advisors, BB&T Wealth; and Kim Welch, Vice President, Communications, Valspar.

Women Leading the Way at C1 Bank

Working Women — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:50:33 GMT

Look at the Board of Directors, Officers and Executives of St. Petersburg-based C1 Bank and you’ll find something unusual – the names of women. While the banking and financial industry has long been dominated by men, the women of C1 Bank are proof that hard work and networking are the keys to success – no matter your gender.

The number of women in the corporate suite at C1 “was really through networking,” says Lynn Woods, executive vice president for human resources. After bank president and CEO, Trevor Burgess, tapped Katie Pemble for the job of executive vice president and Florida Market President for C1, she reached out to Woods and former colleague, Rita Lowman, who now serves as chief operating officer and is the highest-ranking woman at the bank. The three women worked together at other financial institutions, or served on community boards together.

Not only does C1 have a significant number of women at the helm, its workforce is 64 percent female. C1 made national headlines in April, 2014 when it announced it would provide a minimum living wage of $14 per hour to all full time employees, a change that bank officials noted would have an impact on families that have women as the sole or primary breadwinner.

A predominately female workforce is also a reason C1supports community organizations such as Working Women of Tampa Bay and events such as the Go Red for Women campaign to raise awareness of heart disease. On the career front, Woods notes that the bank also encourages talent within the company. “We reach out to individuals that we think have a future and make sure they have leadership opportunities, not just in the company, but within the community.”

Lowman, the COO, states that women continue to assist and encourage her throughout her career. “My strongest mentor and advocate is Alex Sink,” says Lowman of Florida’s former chief financial officer and a C1 Board member. “Alex gave me the opportunity to grow as a banker and as a woman.”

As a result, Lowman now pays it forward. “One of my passions is developing young people in our industry. My goals and dreams are now a reality. I am always honored when a person shares with me that I have touched their life.”

C1 Bank is a proud sponsor of Working Women of Tampa Bay’s Leadership Series, and provides space for networking and other events throughout the year.

Executives see the benefits in an organization founded by women to help inspire and foster women “Working Women is unique,” Lowman adds. “It gives women an opportunity to network weekly, or if monthly and quarterly are better for an individual they can select that option. The one thing that is most beneficial for me is that at least quarterly there is a program that I feel will lift me in my professional and personal world. Great programs, great speakers, great participants are important to me.”

Wherever you are in your career - executive, entrepreneur or intern – Working Women of Tampa Bay you’ll give you the chance to meet dynamic women who share your interests, learn new skills with our valuable programing and gain the support of others who revel in your success.

Working Women Names New Director of Development

Working Women — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 14:56:01 GMT

Lauren Tice is proud to be the newly appointed Director of Development for Working Women of Florida. She was born and raised in Temple Terrace, Florida and attended Blake High School for the Performing Arts with a concentration in music.

A proud alumni of the University of South Florida, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a concentration in Relational Communication. While in college, Lauren was active in the University Singers along with several organizations, including Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society and Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society.

Lauren is no new comer to the world of networking, she worked for the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce for nearly five years as their Coordinator of Member Services. Among her responsibilities she planned several networking events, was in charge of member services and had a key role in maintaining all social media for the organization. She was the original founder of the YEP (Young Elite Professionals) networking organization within the chamber and planned numerous events and programs for several years.

Lauren, a natural entrepreneur by heart then started her own social media training consulting business to help individuals and small business owners learn how to use social media.

Most recently,she worked as Director of The Regent, an event venue. Lauren was in charge of several events including weddings, community events, fundraisers and more. As part of her role in the community she was involved in several networking organizations such as both the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, Brandon YP, Southshore Young Professionals and of course Working Women of Tampa Bay.

A proud resident of Riverview, Florida she loves to travel and get the most out of life. In her spare time she enjoys visiting the beach and supporting the USF Bulls whenever she gets the chance.

Shark Tank Winner to Share Story of Sweet Success

Working Women — Tue, 27 May 2014 20:55:33 GMT

We've got a sweet success story to share at our 2nd Annual State Conference at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

Kim “Daisy,” of Daisy Cakes has always had a passion for cooking. She started cooking before most kids learned how to ride a bike! By the time she was 10 years old, she had sold her very first cake, now named the Jilly Vanilly.

Kim has a lot of experience up her sleeve. She has been in the food business for over 30 years and started out waiting tables during the summer in South Carolina and slowly began learning the tricks and trades of cooking and running a restaurant.

After Graduating from Wofford College she and a friend, Sophie Copses, started a catering business and then four years later, in 1990, Kim opened her first full-service restaurant, As You Like It in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

To further spread her love of cooking she started Cooking Up A Storm in 1998, which was a hands-on cooking class that allowed students to bring their own groceries and explore their love for cooking. She taught over 300 students!

And then there was Daisy Cakes. Daisy Cakes began in June 2009 when Kim really wanted to share her family cake recipes to a much larger customer base. She and her mother individually hand-sift, bake, and frosted each 4-layer cake. They would travel to Junior League and other holiday and food shoes where folks can taste just how delicious the cakes are for themselves. The cakes are always available to take home or they can be ordered online and shipped directly to the home of the consumer.

Daisy Cakes really took off when Kim and her cakes appeared on the hit ABC show “Shark Tank,” and aired in April of 2011. Since then, her business has really boomed. She received an investment from Barbara Corcoran, and with the help of her new business partner, Kim has had many great opportunities. She has been on “The Nate Berkus Show, Anderson Cooper, ABC World News, The Today Show, The Taste, and QVC.

Her cakes have even been featured as prizes on “The Price Is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune.”

Kim continues to inspire individuals with her passion for cooking and her sentiments on life and business. She says, “Never give up. I have never given on this. I knew in 2009 when I started doing this that it would work…. I cook dinner almost every day for my family but I really love the cakes. They are delicious.”

Look for her first cookbook, Daisy Cakes, Share a Slice of Love, coming out in Summer 2014.

You can hear Kim speak on September 12th at the Working Women Annual Conference.

Editor of Cake & Whiskey to speak at 2nd Annual State Conference

Working Women — Tue, 27 May 2014 20:50:50 GMT

Working Women of Tampa Bay is pleased to announce Megan Smith, Founder, Publisher, and Editor of Cake & Whiskey; the Sweet & Spirited World of Business magazine will be traveling to Clearwater in September for our 2nd Annual Conference.

Before starting Cake & Whiskey, Megan was a freelance writer, a blogger with over 50,000 readers monthly, and a magazine columnist. She has owned three successful companies and still occasionally writes for other national publications with her latest piece for the Huffington Post garnering over 19,000 “likes” in two days.

Cake & Whiskey magazine is devoted to women in all stages of their business journey. It seeks to motivate and spark women to dream bigger, reach higher, and achieve greater things.

For modern woman, successful navigation of today’s business landscape requires mastering the fine art of Cake & Whiskey, finding the balance between spirited strength and life’s sweet indulgences.

Cake & Whiskey seeks to provide current, engaging and sophisticated perspectives into the modern business world through casual interviews conducted over a slice of cake and a glass of whiskey.

Megan’s love of business and her disappointment with the currently available business publications in the marketplace led her to launch Cake & Whiskey magazine without any initial investment money, contacts, or leads. She has grown the magazine and the brand to an international level in a little over a year on loads of ingenuity, creativity, and massive gumption.

Megan is the mom of three young boys. When she’s not inspiring women worldwide, she’s playing an OK game of tennis, and thinks a perfect day should include a car ride on country roads in hopes of finding a great antique shop and diner.

Learn more about the conference at: www.workingwomenconference.com

Dawna Stone to Headline Keynote Lunch at our First Annual State Conference

Working Women — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:05:37 GMT

Working Women of Tampa Bay is proud to announce we've chosen Dawna Stone to headline our Keynote Lunch at our First Annual State Conference.

Dawna Stone is a health, fitness and wellness expert who has appeared on The Today Show, MARTHA and morning news programs on NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. She founded Women’s Running magazine and the Women’s Half Marathon series, which has helped thousands lead healthier lives.

Dawna won NBC’s “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” show, hosted “Health and Fitness Talk with Dawna Stone” on Sirius Satellite Radio and “Healthy Living with Dawna Stone” on FOX. Her first book, “Winning Nice” made Amazon’s list of top 100 business books, while her latest book, Healthy You!, was just released to rave reviews.

Working as a Wall Street financial analyst, being President of a $20 million sports nutrition company, and serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a $700 million publicly traded company taught Dawna a great deal about success. Dawna credits several key factors for her corporate and entrepreneurial success. She’ll show you how believing in yourself, setting big goals and asking for what you want can catapult you to incredible new heights!

Dawna graduated from UC Berkeley and the Anderson School of Business at UCLA (MBA). In addition to launching and selling her own companies, Dawna is an avid runner and Ironman triathlete. She lives in St. Petersburg, FL with her husband, five-year-old daughter, four-year-old son and 13-year-old puppy.

About the First Annual State Conference:
Are you ready to be motivated, educated, and inspired? Our two-day program isn’t about sitting around and listening to other women tell you how they achieved success. It’s about YOU… moving your vision forward and finding real solutions to the challenges working women face every day.

What It Will Do For You
    •    Break through your personal barriers & position yourself for success
    •    Capitalize on one of your greatest gifts: Your Intuition
    •    Sharpen your response to conflict and challenges
    •    Learn creative, real-world strategies to turn your purpose and passion into profits
    •    Refocus your energy on tasks instead of fears to take your life to the next level

This is NOT your average conference. Are you ready to learn more about our State Conference on September 5-6, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Fl? Register now.

Mahaffey Theater
400 1st St | S St Petersburg, FL 33701
September 5 – September 6, 2013

Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to Headline Keynote Breakfast at our First Annual State Conference

Working Women — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:27:16 GMT

Working Women of Tampa Bay is proud to announce we've chosen Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio to headline our Keynote Breakfast at our First Annual State Conference.

Pam Iorio is the former two-term Mayor of the growing, vibrant city of Tampa, Florida, as well as a leadership speaker, advisor and author. During her terms, Iorio focused on economic redevelopment, helped revitalize the downtown area, and left office with an 87% approval rating.

First elected to public office at age 26, Iorio was the youngest person ever to win a seat on the Board of County Commissioners for Hillsborough County, Florida. At age 27, she was selected as chairman of the board. Now, as a leadership speaker, she delivers an inspiring and empowering message about straightforward leadership – the importance of leading yourself successfully so that you can effectively lead others.

Each guest at the Keynote Breakfast during our State Conference will receive a copy of Iorio’s leadership book Straightforward: Ways to Live and Lead (2011), which was called “the best business book of 2011” by Florida Trend Magazine.

In addition to her leadership speaking, Iorio is the Leader-in-Residence at the John H. Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa; serves on the advisory board for Celestar Corporation, a fast-growing knowledge and technology consulting company; serves on the board of the USF Foundation; and served as the interim CEO of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

Along with a BA degree in Political Science from The American University, Iorio holds an MA degree in History from the University of South Florida. She is married with two children.

About the First Annual State Conference:
Are you ready to be motivated, educated, and inspired? Our two-day program isn’t about sitting around and listening to other women tell you how they achieved success. It’s about YOU… moving your vision forward and finding real solutions to the challenges working women face every day.

What It Will Do For You
    •    Break through your personal barriers & position yourself for success
    •    Capitalize on one of your greatest gifts: Your Intuition
    •    Sharpen your response to conflict and challenges
    •    Learn creative, real-world strategies to turn your purpose and passion into profits
    •    Refocus your energy on tasks instead of fears to take your life to the next level

This is NOT your average conference. Are you ready to learn more about our State Conference on September 5-6, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Fl? Register now.

Mahaffey Theater
400 1st St | S St Petersburg, FL 33701
September 5 – September 6, 2013

Top 10 Tips for Adding FUN to the Workplace

Working Women — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:11:37 GMT

Blog by:  Shannon Spring - JustHumorMe.com

Traditional business “wisdom” was that work was not supposed to be fun, that’s why it’s called work.

In reality, this is neither true nor wise. Humor is a great way to reduce stress at work. Happier people at work are more productive, better team players, and healthier, which translates into greater profits.

Chris Robert, professor of management at the University of Missouri College of Business, says joking around on the job and humor can actually have a positive effect on productivity and employee retention.

Proclaimer: Choose the ones that suit your sense of humor and are likely to be successful in your office, then label yourself Fun-Inspired!

Here are 10 Tips for adding fun and productivity to your workplace beside being a likeable person!

1. Have a company team-building day! This does not have to involve swinging from ropes or falling into the arms of the person you can’t stand. Hire a professional to customize a day of fun and games that will appeal to the personalities of your team and address the issues you face and goals you want to achieve. The grouchiest person in the office often lightens up when given the chance to play. Teambuilding helps coworkers create a new dynamic based on shared laughter, not forced trust.

2. Humor encourages teamwork by building a sense of camaraderie. Have your group(s) come up with its own goofy cheer with each person contributing a line. Use it to start or end each meeting or as needed to reduce stress.

3. Even a candy jar can be fun. Put one on your desk and anyone who takes a piece must pay you a compliment. This is a win-win!

4. Have an office mascot - any funny looking doll, puppet, or inflatable dinosaur will work. The mascot will travel the office once a day, with each employee writing down the 1st thing that comes to mind when it reaches their desk. Read some of these musings at the next meeting and try to guess who wrote what. Be sure the mascot is included in all company photos.

5. Have a contest for ways to improve workplace morale. Vote on the best idea and implement it! Be prepared to hear “Fire Management”. Have a sense of humor and “fire” yourself at the next meeting, then rehire yourself on the condition that you’ll value employee input and start putting their fun ideas to work.

6. Liven up meetings by using silly props such as a funny microphone shaped like a bird. You can only talk when it’s your turn to “squawk”. Any prop will do, but the wackier the better.

7. Have a humorous celebration once a month giving small awards or certificates to people for “nonsense” things such as, who had the neatest desk, who broke the copy machine, whose hair is never out of place.

8. Simple praise and recognition are fun to give and fun to get. Appreciating people goes a long way towards creating a happy workplace. Have a crowning ceremony for shining stars with a crown, music, and receiving line to pay the VIP personal and public praise! Don’t just think good things, say them.

9. Have a team brainstorming session to resolve workplace challenges such as a specific customer service issue, or how to increase sales. Each staff member will write down a serious suggestion and a humorous one. Give prizes for the best idea in each category.

10. Create monthly opportunities for people to know something about each other outside their work role which creates a fun-friendly environment. Try a talent show in the office where everyone can showcase a personal talent they have, or a group trip to the local bowling alley for some lighthearted fun.

What are some of the things you think add fun to the workplace?

For more information on how Shannon Spring can bring more fun and productivity to your workplace visit JustHumorMe.com.

First Impressions Can Be Lasting Impressions

Working Women — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:28:28 GMT

By: Robin Lavitch

When I ask people how long it takes to form a first impression, I receive the typical response of three to seven seconds.

Mind Model

Did you know that it actually takes only a tenth of second to form an impression about whether someone is attractive, trustworthy and/or credible, according to relationship expert Tonya Reiman? We mentally make judgments about people so quickly we are not even conscious of having made these judgments.

We quickly assess the appearance of an individual from their hair, dress, posture, and other subtle body gestures to see how similar we are to others. We are aware that first impressions do exist, so we attempt to put our best foot forward, but what we think is our best foot, just might not be.

Imagine what happens if we believe our right foot is our best foot, but someone else believes our left foot is best. In the 1920’s Dr. William Martson, behavioral assessment psychologist identifies four different behavioral styles in his book titled The Emotions of Normal People.

The information is now currently packaged as the DISC Model. There are other variations relating to animals, colors, and behavioral concepts called MIND the Matters, where MIND is the acronym describing the four distinct styles: Motivator, Investigator, Nourisher, and Dominator.

When we create an impression, our own behavioral style will influence
how we judge and evaluate others and how they judge and evaluate us.

As a Motivating Style, it is natural to dress in a trendy fashion with colors, patterns and textures that draw lots of attention. Whereas the more reserved Nourisher Style would much prefer to wear natural and neutral styles to blend into the background and even walls as if they were a chameleon so they don’t get a lot of attention. In this scenario, the styles are literally opposite and given how quickly we form first impressions, the first impression from either party would not be favorable. The Motivator would think the other person is too reserved and the Nourisher would think the other person is over the top!

Can we undo first impressions or are these lasting impressions?

Body language expert Carol Kinsey Goman suggests 7 non verbal ways to make a first impression. She confirms studies have found that nonverbal cues have over four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say.

The key to managing our relationships is to acknowledge how we are being perceived. If we pay attention more to this and interact with others interests in mind, identifying the best foot is irrelevant because our focus shifts to connecting.

To learn more about Robin Lavitch visit www.SurpassYourGoal.com, Robin@surpassyourgoal.com.

Success Themes Emerge for 2013

Working Women — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:26:43 GMT

As 2013 continues to unfold, some clear, important success themes have emerged from our community.

Here are some of the highlights so far:

   •   Personal Brand and social media strategist Deborah Shane opened our year in January highlighting 13 Marketing Musts for 2013, focusing on content marketing via social media.

   •   Jennifer Samuel-Chance led a series of exercises to help you build the confidence to articulate your story.

   •   Entrepreneur panel with Fran Powers, Dawn Pici and Elizabeth Markie presented the best tools to connect with your audience and deliver solid, impactful content to become better presenters. 

   •   Certified business coaches Barbara & Juliet Kyes outlined the top 10 strategies successful business owners use to get more out of their time and self manage their 24 hour clock.

   •   Our social media Panel with Charise Strandberg, Kim Garst and Deborah Shane talked about the latest social media trends and best practices for small business success.

   •   Author and expert Lisa Huetteman, presented best practices of value-centered leadership highlighting why creating the right culture is essential for long term business success.

   •   Our First Annual Leadership Lunch in honor of International Women’s Day brought together Tampa Bay’s top women in business for networking, leadership, building core strengths and mentorship.

Some of the questions we are tackling and working on this year are:

What does it take to sustain success?
Every one of us has to create their answer for this question. Depending on our situation and stage in life, we must create our best formula and strategy for sustaining our success.

What do I need to do every day to make sure I am advancing professionally?
Keeping up with your skills, industry information, market connections are all paramount. Keeping up with the pace of change is a daily occurrence.

How do I know when to change my course and tweak my plan?
Things change so fast that a plan we put in place may not be applicable or working. Don’t wait or procrastinate. Make changes when you know things are not working or moving in the best direction.

The course, path and professional advancement continues to unfold for women in business.

The latest State of Women-Owned Business Report by American Express Open published in 2012 provides some interesting insights into the current trends among WBEs.
   •   There are 8.3 million+ women-owned businesses in the United States
   •   WBEs are generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing 7,697,000 people
   •   Between 1997 and 2012, women-owned firms increased 54%, 1½ times the national average of 34%

“There are many reasons to be positive. I strongly believe that the next five to 10 years will see a dramatic change for the better. Women managers can contribute to this by understanding that there are certain expectations related to organizational leadership, and developing their skills accordingly” says Professor Ginka Toegel, in her Forbes article Disappointing Statistics, Positive Outlook.

As we continue to work on all of the areas, skills and fundamentals for success, we know that our commitment, dedication and consistency to them are what moves us forward.

Was the Dali Lama on to something, when he proclaimed “Western Women will Save the World, or will women worldwide save the world?

Qualifying Prospects Critical to Business Growth and Lead Conversion

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:36:51 GMT

Guest Post by Julie Robbins-Founder IdeaWorks and IdeaActive

If you’re like me and run your own company (no matter what the size or stage of growth), you know exactly what it’s like to burn the wick at both ends to build even the tiniest bit of business momentum.

At the top of every entrepreneurs “lessons learned” list should be qualifying prospects. This is the key to enjoying your work, building client successes and growing your business faster and more efficiently. Qualifying relationships saves precious energy, money and our most important commodity, time!

Here’s an 8 question prospect qualification checklist that has worked well for me and can help you attract, qualify and retain the best customers and determine if a client is a good fit for you and your company model.

1) Does this company or individual have a favorable reputation as a highly regarded company?
2) Do they understand the value of a strategic business plan?
3) What is their growth potential in the next 2 years?
4) Do they have a realistic sales strategy and marketing plan and objectives?
5) Are they principled and realistic?
6) Do they have a budget that will allow for the proper attention and resources needed to dedicate to achieving growth and revenue goals?
7) Do their company values mesh well with your own?
8) Do you sense you can we work well together in long-term, close professional relationship?

Always lead with your heart, head and gut. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you sense red flags of any kind, don’t ignore them. Finally, if a prospect stands for a shred of something you and your company cannot get behind; move on, as they probably are not a good fit.

Here are 26 additional questions you can use for qualifying, building rapport and handling objections.

What are some of the techniques and tactics you use to qualify new business and customers?

Julie Robbins is the founding partner of IdeaWorks and IdeaActive, a new type of Performance Management Company that designs and implements marketing roadmaps fully integrated with clients' business plans while focusing on measurable growth. For more information connect with Julie on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/julierobbins.

9 Things That Can Increase Your R-O-N after an Event or a Conference

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:33:48 GMT

What’s your R-O-N or Return on Networking?

We spend a considerable amount of time networking in person because we know it’s still the most important way to meet the right people and build relationships with our colleagues, peers and potential new customers.

When you return from a networking event or conference, sorting it all out in an organized, systematic and timely way is the key to beginning the conversion from connection to relationship.

The National Association of Sales Professionals reports 48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect and 80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact. So, getting your follow up in motion as soon as possible and being in the 52% who follow up is smart. 

Set aside some time immediately to prioritize the contacts you made, think about your follow up strategy and make sure you follow up in a timely manner. You will want to get back to people while you are both fresh in each other’s minds.

Here are 9 things to do that can increase your R-O-N and accelerate converting connections into actionable relationships.
1) Sort through all the cards and contacts you made and prioritize them. Review all the cards and contacts from the people you owned a moment with, or had a meaningful exchange with. Tip: write notes on the back of the cards to remind you of what you talked about.

2) Prioritize who you need to follow up with first and why. Although we gather cards at these events, prioritizing the warmest connections and ones that make the most sense to follow up on should be followed up on first.

3) Review all the sessions you attended and notes you took. If you attended a conference, take the program and review all the sessions you attended and what was presented to remind yourself of the flow of how the content was presented. This will help you with your follow up strategy. Set aside time to go through all your notes and highlight the key ideas from the speakers and presenters and list the key take away you got from them. Think about and plan how can you implement the information or tactic immediately.

4) Review the handouts and information you took home. Review all the handouts, worksheets, post cards you took home and educate yourself for the follow up process. Visit blogs, websites and social media pages. Take advantage of any incentives offered to you by the speakers and conference presenters.

5) Draft a customized follow up letter or email to each person on your follow up list. Personalize and compose a thoughtful note to each person that shows them you paid attention to what they said and the commonality of your conversation.

6) Invite people to connect with you on social media. This is the bridge that can help you get into people’s communities, streams and conversations and get you noticed. Use the social media that they are most active on, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter as engagement points. Get into their conversations and invite them to get into yours.

7)   Create a follow up phone call list to prospects you want to contact immediately. Don’t wait, pounce and be proactive with people you feel a strong intuition about. Qualify specifically, what you see as the synergy and prepare to lay out and discuss some collaborative ideas.

8) Plan on connecting and introducing people in your network immediately that can benefit from knowing each other. When you demonstrate your “give” first, you set the tone for your brand in the relationship.

9) Create a 30 day follow up plan. Relationships take time so plan on a 30 day custom follow up plan. Be specific, thoughtful, and consistent and interact with them as regularly as possible.

These 9 actions can demonstrate your professionalism, mutuality and genuine interest in developing relationships with people that you meet in person.
MarketingCharts.com, reports when planning your follow up strategy:
•   Facebook is the top driver of leads 54%, followed by Twitter 32% and LinkedIn 14%.
•   Twitter was best for generating leads that had the highest conversion rates.

A thoughtful, dedicated follow up strategy is essential for networking success. Get organized, make the plan and work the plan and watch your relationships grow!

What follow up strategy has worked best for you after a networking event or conference?

LinkedIn Takes Top Spot as Social Tool

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:31:29 GMT

Blog By: Deborah Shane

LinkedIn Takes Top Spot as Social Tool and Perfect Eco-System for Professional Advancement

Working Women of Tampa Bay has been a BIG fan of LinkedIn since launching our business in 2008. As a weekly in person networking group for women in business to connect, educate and support each other, LinkedIn is the perfect online platform that compliments in person networking with the online connectivity in between events.

According to a study by the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Center for Marketing Research, under the direction of researcher Nora Ganim Barnes, PhD: LinkedIn replaces Facebook as the top social tool!

This is pretty impressive but not surprising given the importance of online professional networking for branding and credibility. LinkedIn offers a turnkey, intuitive and resourceful eco-system for building professional connections and relationships, job search, business information and endorsing connections.

Three key social media trends and statistics worth noting according to the 2013 study report are:
    •    8 in 10 companies, 81% use LinkedIn, up from 73% a year earlier.
    •    Blogging was up 44% from 37% a year earlier.
    •    YouTube is down from to 30% in 2012 from 45% in 2011

This is the year to get more active on LinkedIn and take advantage of all of its resources to find key people, connect with them, stay up to date on the latest industry articles, sharpen the skills needed to compete and brand yourself in your professional space.

Make a stand on LinkedIn and develop your profile so you are considered an “all star” and be dedicated to using it consistently.

Read the entire Inc 500 article here, and see more studies from The Center for Marketing Research.

The Keys To Social Media Etiquette

Working Women — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:51:58 GMT

Blog By: Patricia Rossi

Social media is the new frontier...for business and personal communications. It has taken communication and marketing to a global scale at the speed of light. If you are using social media, then you have already experienced the magic, wonder, and value of it. If you haven't harnessed social media be careful as you don't want to appear as if you are sitting on a donkey while holding the keys to a Ferrari.

Here are 20 keys to help you shine, be successful and strengthen personal and business relationships via social media.

    1.    Always make an appointment to video chat.
    2.    Make sure your surroundings are presentable when video chatting.
    3.    Resist the temptation to multitask.

Click here to read the complete article.

Many of our relationships that began in business turn into valued friendships. Barry Moltz helped me with the launch of my book by writing an article and also interviewing me on his radio show. Barry, along with coauthor Becky McCray, just released Small Town Rules: How Big Brands and Small Businesses Can Prosper in a Connected Economy.

The secret to self confidence is to know and understand the rules of social engagement before you are in the middle of an uncomfortable situation. Check out Everyday Etiquette for tips.

My Business Success Series will show you how to navigate common and uncommon social situations that present themselves in professional as well as personal settings. We are all walking biographies – what story are you communicating to others through your unspoken soft social skills?

Check out the 15 videos that are available in my Business Success Series.

Are You Settling for “Mr. Right Now” Instead of Waiting for “Mr. Right”?

Working Women — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Blog by: Brenda Tillmann, The Sales and Client Relations Mentor, founder of Brenda Tillmann International

When you are in business, you are in sales and at some point in our business; we all have experienced dry spells - just like in the dating world. So when that happens, what do you do? Do you become desperate? Does every potential client start looking like "Mr. Right" to you, no matter if he fits your ideal client profile or not?

Settling for the wrong customer can be a huge waste of time and money. You'll find yourself running around in circles trying to please this high-maintenance customer and miss viable opportunities to truly make a difference in your best customers life or business.

Develop a profile for your ideal client so that you are not tempted to close any old Joe Smoe that comes along. To assist you getting really clear who this may be, take a look at your existing clients. This is the ONE individual in your business that you simply can't believe you get paid to work with. The one who happily pays your fees and appreciates the value you bring to their lives. What does this person look like?

Take a few minutes to reflect on all of your clients and write down demographics of each person, make a list of...

   •   What problems your ideal clients have?

   •   What issues they need a solution for to get to the next level in their business or personal life?

   •   What roadblocks do they face when trying to achieve their desired goals?

A pattern should emerge so look for it. What do they have in common? When you know who your ideal clients are, you will stop wasting time by chasing the wrong kind of prospects.

As you enter the "dating" stage, you may have a list with thousands of prospects on it. But just as in love, so is it in business: Timing is everything. Not everyone will want to work with you or as I like to refer to it, have a relationship with you. It’s important to realize, these prospects will move forward according to their time frame, not yours. Now that doesn’t mean you have to wait around for them to take notice of you.

You will need a plan, a strategy, to move them through your sales funnel allowing them to essentially raise their hand to let you know they are interested in you. You will become more efficient when following up if you have a system in place to find out who’s really into you, who kind of likes you, and who is still deciding what they think of you. What are the deal breakers?

Don’t be a serial dater and don’t wait too long to call after a date! Failing to follow up is a common problem for many entrepreneurs because they are busy chasing other opportunities. Too many business owners give up on their prospects way too early by thinking that if the sale doesn’t happen on the first meeting, it never will. Statically it’s been proven most consumers (81%) do not buy until at least the fifth contact.

What system do you have in place to make sure you are not the guy or gal who didn’t call? To ensure that your leads don’t get lost, automate your email with auto-responders that deliver quality content from free reports, video tutorials, email series that they can learn from so that when they are ready to buy, they buy from you. This is called nurturing your prospects.

But be careful not to move too fast! Give the relationship time to grow before you ask for the sale. Would you ask someone to marry you after only knowing him or her for five minutes? Put yourself in his or her shoes, would you say, “yes” to a marriage proposal to someone you just met? There are still discoveries to make about your prospects and they most certainly want to know more about you, too. It’s crucial to their success as well as yours to make sure you are a right match before asking them to commit to a purchase.

So before you get down on one knee to propose, make sure:

   •   Your prospect knows the benefit you provide by educating them.

   •   Use social proof to demonstrate how you’ve served others and the successful outcomes of working with you.

   •   Give them a free trial so they can experience the benefits you provide. This will make them realize they can’t go another day without you!

   •   Implement an automatic “warm fuzzy touch” plan with email or direct mail that will gradually take them by the hand and lead them through your sales funnel.

When you take your prospects through this simple and easy process, your ideal clients will naturally progress forward while the others opt-out…this is a beautiful thing!

Marketing is like dating and can be fun. Especially when you provide a valuable product or service that people really need and can benefit from. You’ve got something worthwhile to offer the world so get out there and get in the game! Attract your ideal clients by playing up your positives, differentiate yourself from the competition, build meaningful relationships, and apply the rules of dating to your marketing and you’ll see your nurturing efforts consistently turn interested prospects into sales.

Brenda Tillmann, The Sales and Client Relations Mentor, is founder of Brenda Tillmann International and the creator of the Romance of Selling System™, the proven step-by-step program that shows women business owners exactly how to utilize their natural relationship skill set to sell with ease which literally transforms their sales results...guaranteed! You can get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD and receive her weekly sales & client relationship building articles on establishing more high-value relationships while consistently closing more sales at: www.brendatillmann.com

Does Your Business Card Make An Impact?

Working Women — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Blog By: Patricia Rossi

Your business card matters. It’s like a resume. It lets people know how you feel about yourself, your business and most importantly them. Your business card gives you an opportunity to make a stellar first and lasting impression.

Here are a few ways to make sure you are making a memorable impact with your business card.

It represents you. Your business card is a visual reminder of your company and most importantly you. Make it visually appealing. Use high quality graphics that are appealing to the eye. Invest in a nice heavy card stock not printing paper thickness.
You can get 4,997 cards for 49 cents. Just kidding! But you can buy cards for a minimal amount of money. So, no marked out phone numbers or emails… if your information changes invest in new cards. You are worth it and so is the recipient.
Never present your cards like you are in the middle of NYC’s Times Square handing them out in a wonton manner. If you respect your business card, hand it with grace and respect. Then, other people will treat it in the same manner and hopefully keep it as a reminder to build a business relationship with you in the near future.
Before heading out to a networking event,know where your cards are. Put them in a place that you can easily locate in a smooth, relaxed manner. You don’t want to appear to be break-dancing or putting out a fire by patting yourself down like your clothes are on fire in search of a card.
Always have some cards with you. If you say you have forgotten your card while at a networking event, it might appear as if you aren’t credible and competent.
If you want to quickly and easily convert business cards into contacts. Check out cardmunch.com and download the app. You will be able to snap a picture with the app, a business card is automatically converted into a contact. It will also show your LinkedIn profile.

My Business Success Series will show you how to navigate common and uncommon social situations that present themselves in professional as well as personal settings. We are all walking biographies – what story are you communicating to others through your unspoken soft social skills?

Take a peek at the 15 videos that are available in my Business Success Series.

Take a leap of faith to entrepreneurship!

Working Women — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:37:26 GMT

Blog By: Vonda White, founder and CEO of Collegiate Risk Management and Student Insurance Inc.

Recently I read an interesting article on CNN.com, called “The fastest-growing job in America.” It discussed how the bad economy has taken away once-upon-a-time great jobs and how people are trying to make ends meet. They found a trend in how people are making money and surviving in this low job market.

What’s the fastest growing job in America, you ask?
That would be… the entrepreneur or in their words, the “hustler.”

That word seems a little distasteful, but a lot of Americans have to “hustle” now and work 2-3 different jobs – as much as 20% of people are deemed underemployed, or juggling multiple gigs to pay the bills since the recession started in 2007. Yes, there will always be careers and work… but probably not how it used to be. Unfortunately, you might as well forget all about pensions, retirement plans and a guarantee of 40 hours every week. And if you’re lucky, your career won’t vanish because of technology or new social trends. Like CD store clerks, bookstore owners and even newspaper journalists.
There is a fascinating dynamic reshaping of our thinking, in regards to what we do for a living. Some people will go into professions, but others are learning to become professionals or multi-skilled job creators for themselves. Yes, it can be a little scary to start your own business. Most people are afraid because they don’t want to lose the security of a paycheck or health insurance. However, the reality is that layoffs and buyouts are happening every day and the economy isn’t going to get better anytime soon.

Take a leap of faith and hustle your way to entrepreneurship!

That’s how this great nation began and that’s what America is all about! You can be and do anything. Don’t let the bad economy get you down. You can succeed even when the odds seem to be against you!

Vonda White, founder and CEO of Collegiate Risk Management and Student Insurance Inc., built two companies that serve thousands of students nationwide with student health and accident insurance and various ancillary insurance products. A highly successful entrepreneur, Ms. White has received numerous awards and much recognition for her efforts.

To learn more about Vonda White, visit: www.successagainsttheodds.com/vonda-white

NETWORKing is a Full-time, Full-contact Sport!

Working Women — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:10:50 GMT

Blog by: Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching

While there are a lot of suggestions for networking and attending various functions, there are few that we believe serve you best. You will find each of our suggestions are easy to remember, require action on your part and focus more upon the other person than upon yourself.

Just know, networking is not synonymous with communicating. It is your responsibility to make the other person feel connected and interested!
Network by focusing your attention on results, and not just the action of being at an event. Before you use any of the ideas for networking, commit to the following:

1) If you go to a networking event with someone, agree to drive to and from the location together and have minimal (or even no) contact at the event. Having a conversation with your friend while at a networking event just means you wasted time and energy driving to the function when you could have just met where you usually do. If you want time with your buddy, go get a coffee or drink after the networking function; just do not spend your time together since that is not productive!

2) Have enough cards for two per person you can potentially meet. Make sure those cards are up-to-date with no changes in name, email or phone scratched out and written in pen. Is the focus a change in your career? If so, then get professional cards printed with minimally your name, email and phone with your 2-4 areas of professional prowess listed. Make sure your cards are only UV coated on the front so that people can make notes on the back.

3) Have easy access to your cards and place those you receive from others in an equally convenient location. Ladies…no purses at networking events, or at least carry small ones and ensure you do not need to fumble with zippers, etc. when getting your cards. Go for functionality at the events and use your pockets for your card and cardholders.

4) Check your attitude and outside interests at the door. Keep in mind the situation, opportunity and focus, and know that your truly do not get a second chance to make a first impression!

A quick way to remember how to communicate is with the acrostic NETWORK:

N - Names
E - Event
T - Target
W - Work
O - Offer
R - Reach
K - Keep

Now that you have a way to remember the sometimes seemingly daunting experience of networking, here are a few ideas for being successful in a NETWORK:

N - Names - Get names, in advance, of who will be there.
E - Event - Attend for at least one hour or more.
T - Target - Plan to make 3-4 solid contacts per hour.
W - Work - Act as if the event is one that you created – work it.
O - Offer - Decide what ideas or benefits you can provide for others.
R - Reach - Reach out to people afterward.
K - Keep - Keep in touch and keep networking.

NAME: Locate the person in charge of the event a few days prior to the date. Ask for a list of attendees. Sometimes these lists will not be disclosed, but it’s worth a shot. If you do not get the names, arrive early and review the name tags to come up with a plan for who you would like to meet. For your name, wear a name tag. Go ahead and have one made so that you are comfortable with it.

EVENT: No matter how long the networking event lasts, commit to attending minimally for an hour. When people “blow in” and “blow out”, others notice. Additionally, staying at least one hour gives you the opportunity to catch latecomers. You already arrived early to see the names and prepare for whom you wish to meet. Now you are poised as the person whom others wish to meet.

TARGET: Target people or companies when you arrive early and plan for whom you want to interact. Target 3-4 solid connections for each hour you are at the engagement. This does not mean you can only speak with 3-4 people, but focus on quality over quantity. Collecting business cards is one thing…getting the perhaps few cards of people who can be a collaborator, is another. This is communicating versus networking.

WORK: Work the room. Yes, work it! This is where you take on the role of a host or co-host. This is not to say you take credit for the event or the party, rather you make it a point to welcome others and introduce them with a firm, quick handshake of 2-4 pumps of the hand, and interested, interactive conversation. When you appear as the person to meet, you become the person to meet.

OFFER: Even though you are looking to advance in your area(s) of life focus and move forward with your approach or business at each networking event you attend, make sure you devote equal time and attention to listening to and learning about the other people you meet. They may also have areas of life focus and business plans, and good communication is a two-way street. If your experience can assist someone else is attaining his/her goal, they will be much more likely to assist you with your focus/goals. Make an offer to follow through with information, a contact or something else, and you will endear yourself to that person. When you follow up with him or her in the future, you are now a welcomed call, e-mail or letter coming across his or her desk, rather than another person just looking for a favor. This is a value position that must be sincere in the offer and quick in the execution.

REACH: You have made the new contact and figured out a value-added connection you can provide. Now be sure to reach back out to him or her after the event. Typically, a follow through outreach within 24 hours is optimal. Keep in mind, a phone call can appear pushy, and an e-mail can be impersonal. Contrarily, a handwritten note is quite personal, and a note with a relevant article or bit of information is a real connection (if you have agreed to follow up via phone or email do that, but if there is no commitment, go for the personal note). Think about it…how many people display, or even save, phone messages or emails? Not many. However, many of us keep handwritten notes as keepsakes because they create a personal connection.

KEEP: It has been stated that you must network regularly…not just when you need something. Networking is a function that you must constantly keep on your weekly to-do lists, not just something to do if you need a new job or referral. Keep also stands for keeping in touch and keeping your word. When a person says he or she will be somewhere or do something on a particular date and then lets it slide, this becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons. Keeping up with your commitments keeps progress on your personal and professional goals heading in the right direction!

Make the most of your full-time, full contact “sport” of NETWORKing. Have fun, make connections, and look for the value in your efforts. I’ll see you at an event…engaged in conversation, and engaging others to do the same!

Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching
"Partnering to Develop, Inspire, Train & Coach."
www.DebbieLundberg.com
P.O. Box 13248 | Tampa, FL 33681-3248
813.835.0196
http//www.youtube.com/debbielundberg
http://debbielundberg.blogspot.com/
www.ReversingTheSlobificationOfAmerica.com
facebook.com/DebbieLundbergLifeandBusinessCoaching

How SEO Can Make or Break Your Business

Working Women — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:25:31 GMT

Search Engine Optimization, SEO, is critical to the success or failure of your business. As the Internet, social media marketing and mobile marketing continue to change the landscape of business, SEO has become more important than ever. Building a website without a plan for SEO, is the single most expensive lesson any business will learn. A quality design is essential but that is only 50% of the job. Your efforts must continue long after the initial launch of the site and it is an ongoing process.

A great website that’s user-friendly and filled with constant, fresh content is important – in fact it’s crucial to the success of your business. But what if nobody can find your site? Sadly there are tons of great websites all over the Internet that nobody can find – thanks to not using SEO techniques properly.

If you’ve done any website work, even if it’s only for your own, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase “SEO game” when it comes to promoting your site. The fact is, SEO is no game at all, it’s actually very serious business when it comes to driving traffic to your website. What should you do?

First, you have to have an SEO plan or strategy. When you are promoting your website to the search engines, make sure you are using keywords and phrases that are completely relevant to your website and niche. For example, if you have a website on natural treatments for diabetes but you’re using keywords that have to do with aviation, you might get people to visit your site, but they sure aren’t going to stay. If you are trying to solve a problem for your readers and visitors (and that’s exactly what you should be doing) then you need to provide them with the keywords they need to find you.

Another big tip – don’t rely entirely on an SEO “expert” for all of the work. It’s important that you understand the process of SEO and have some say in it – after all this is YOUR business and nobody knows it and understands it like you do.

Limelight Marketing Consultants is a full-service marketing company assisting businesses with online and offline marketing efforts through creative design and strategic marketing approaches. Limelight has the tools and expertise to get you to the top of the search engines. Call (813) 388-9384 or email Liane Caruso at liane@limelightconsultants.com if you want to learn more!

Your Significant… Self? How to be the best YOU for any relationship!

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:51:33 GMT

Your Significant…Self? How to be the best YOU for any relationship
By: Michelle Phillips, Author of The Beauty Blueprint

That famous country song said we were looking for love in “all the wrong places” but maybe we were actually looking in all the wrong ways. You might have a “list” of what you are looking for in your ideal mate or you might be looking for that special someone who “completes you”. In the process you might be bringing in that same person who we may think is our type yet the reality to finding love successfully may be asking the question, “What type are we?”

Before you put on your Friday night best or log back on to your favorite hook-up website again let’s take a minute to look and feel your best about the most important person in the next relationship, YOU! It is absolutely true that we attract what and who we are in to our lives. When it comes to bringing in our friendships and romantic relations what we radiate is something I call, “The Law of Attractive”. It is the true beauty that can’t be painted on or pumped up in the gym, instead it is the kind of amazing that, when you have the confidence to let it shine, will bring in the perfect person who compliments you not completes you.

I recently had a client I was coaching and after we conquered her work fears she said that her next goal was to get back into a relationship. Of course, no one who wants a relationship truly wants just anyone, they want Mr. or Ms. Right! And most of us know in our hearts exactly what that means, when someone asks we unfurl that dreaded “List”! It is the magic, 10-foot long scroll with every physical, emotional, and spiritual quality that we think we need in a mate to be happy. I asked her what was on her list and she rattled off things like; patient, extroverted, and easy-going. I have to back up by saying I had already been working with her for a few months, and, while she was working on herself currently, she was none of those things. So when I asked how her manhunt was going she said sadly that the people she was dating were none of those things. Shocker!

So where do you start? Think about the phrase, “He” or “She” is a good match for me. You don’t match socks by finding some that go nicely with each other, you match them by finding two that are as close to each other as possible.

- Make your list. Make a note of all the attributes you would find important in a long-term or forever type relationship. Be sure to list more than just physical qualities like dark hair and full lips, the values that you find important such as; honesty, integrity, loyalty, and compassion, will play a much bigger role in the long-term success of your partnership.

- Check it twice. Before you start on your scavenger hunt for love, check the list once for yourself first. If there are areas that you find important in someone else think about if you have them. If you don’t, there is nothing wrong with taking some time to work on you.

- Pay close attention to who is naughty and who is nice. All too often when don’t stick to our list out of fear of rejection, (something), or maybe just a physical connection that we mistake for love but the whole time the alarms are going off inside us to run. Trust your gut here and know that when the time is right for you and that special someone it will work out.

While there may not be a club, church, or online dating site to find true love there is one place that holds the magic of cupid’s arrow, your heart. Find that and honor it and you will be fully capable of loving someone else. Love and be loved, it starts with you!

Michelle Phillips is the author of the bestselling beauty and self-esteem book, “The Beauty Blueprint- 8 Steps to Building the Life and Look of your Dreams” (Hay House) is now available on major book sites. You can listen to her live on Mondays at 12pm est on www.HayHouseRadio.com . She is also a regular guest on the national TV shows, The Daily Buzz, GalTime, and Daytime. www.michellephillips.com

Beware Of Experts

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:45:56 GMT

Beware Of Experts
By: Etiquette Coach, Patricia Rossi

The second I hear an Expert…

I immediately start sniffing for the nearest escape hatch.

INTERNALLY: I’m in a fight or flight stance ready to launch.

EXTERNALLY: I hold a steady gaze while turning their voice and verbiage into Charlie Brown’s teacher undefined Wa Wa Wa Wa…

So thank you Experts for this coping pattern given to me at the tender age of 10, where I was tested and told about my gift. I was a carrier. The diagnosis of my ‘gift’ wasn’t well received and caused fear, ridicule, and confusion in my pre-Oprah 1970′s working class community.

Another event at age of 10 presented itself to me without warning; the untimely death of my mother. So, here I am trying to balance the news of my gift (that the experts forecasted) would never let me process information in a normal manner and no ‘Mama Duck’ to give me the most basic of survival and thriving skills while I navigated the pond.

As I treaded water; I would try my best to learn from the other ‘Mama Ducks’ and their families. I would approach them at times to be included, to learn, and hopefully grow and graduate myself to the big pond. However, many rejected me; one even telling me that they might catch my gift of dyslexia.

A few… an amazing, beautiful and vital few did give me a peek in… as what to do and I made it out of the little pond. So I latched on to the vital FEW.. and my journey continued. I had the good fortune to find a tutor that taught me how to tame the letters and numbers that gyrated,danced and jumped across the page every time I gazed upon it.

Those early rejections and learning to live with Dyslexia gave me wings I would not have normally sprouted and those wings lifted me up and out to the mecca pond of life where the BIG experts dwelled.

With my pencils sharpened and sitting in the front row of life the experts had one message for me and shared it with me time and time again.

They said Patricia, “You talk too much” and I felt ashamed. But I kept on talking. The Experts would put big red gooey X’s on my report card that highlighted my excessive talking. There it was! Not just in verbal form but in written form as well. Whew! Did I feel shame. But I kept on talking.

The Experts were right about one thing. They shared with me once, “Patricia you can’t sing undefined you don’t have a singing voice” and you know what? They were 100% right! Even Experts aren’t wrong all the time. So I guess I will just keep talking!

In my present life, I talk on television, I talk on the radio, I talk in magazine and newspapers. I speak to large audiences, business professionals, professional athletes, and everyday moms and dads. I recently just talked 65,000 words into a book that was published by St. Martins press, that just went into it’s 3rd printing in 16 weeks undefined another thing the Experts said was impossible.

I teach people how to build, maintain, and grow social and business relationships by being at ease in any and all situations they might find themselves in. From the big pond to the small pond our interactions either propel us ahead or hold us back. Whether you are a Rhodes scholar a Mensa member or a little duck trying to make it out of a small pond; your social skills if intact will take you to places unimagined.

To book Patricia Rossi for a speaking engagement, personal appearance, TV, radio, or print media, please contact:

Patricia Rossi
Post Office Box 814
Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: 727-375-0375

Email: patricia@patriciarossi.com

The Business Card Blues

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:42:33 GMT

The Business Card Blues
Written by: Debbie Lane C. Ht.

One of the first things a new hypnotist does is get a business card. We are proud of what we do and anxious to get the word out. We have been told to put that card into the hands of everyone we meet. I know I did the same thing. I looked at who was successful in other arenas and followed their example.

At the time I began, real estate was booming and everyone was swimming in prosperity. I noticed that the most successful people had their pictures on their cards. People are more likely to hold onto a photo, so my picture went onto my card.

It is best not to try and be all things to all people in an ad. So, rather than put a laundry list of everything hypnosis could do for an individual on my card, I put my contact information (especially my website once it was up and running). Using top quality, glossy paper, in order to appear successful, I ordered 1000 cards to start and was off and running to networking meetings.

Like the rest of the crowd, I put my cards at a table where people could pick them up. I pressed my cards into as many hands as I could. I swapped cards like a trading card fanatic, greedily counting the number of cards I held at the end of every meeting.

When I got back to my office, I placed the cards in a “to be filed” pile. Some even made it into my data base. At one point in time, I could have papered my office with other people’s business cards. Not any more. Nor do I give my card away so freely. I have stopped putting them at the materials table as well. If you want my card you have to ask for it.

I realized that when people were loaded into my database without any kind of personal relationship or request, they weren’t happy getting newsletters. Some might even call it SPAM, even though my name was being added to every list in town. This was a solid reason not to give my card out so freely. Further more, if a card is shoved into my hand, it ends up in the trash bin.

I now ask for cards when I make a real connection with someone. I ask for several cards, so that I can refer my clients to them when appropriate. I place those in a card holder I keep handy. I will send a short hand written note after receiving the card, mentioning our meeting and offering help if and when appropriate.

No more feeding frenzy at networking events has actually improved my relationships with those I do encounter and increased my enjoyment of the event. Try it, go ahead, leave the cards behind and find out how much better known your reputation becomes!

© Debbie Lane C.Ht. (727) 781- 8483 www.wisdomhypnosis.com

Name Game: 5 Simple tips for how to remember names

Working Women — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:30:00 GMT

In my hmmm hmmm years of living on this earth, I have never met one living soul that didn’t like to hear their name.

If you want to impress someone, bypass the diatribes about your oxford degree, surviving 30 days at sea on a raft made of shark skin, or how you won that contest in college eating the most hotdogs. Make an instant impact, the fastest and simplest way, by remembering and voicing their name.

But….what if you can’t remember the name of the person you’re speaking with?

Whatever you do, never say “I forgot your name,” or “I can’t remember your name.” Those kinds of statements will just make the other person feel unimportant, and forgotten.

Instead, say something like, “Your name is right on the tip of my tongue,” or “It’s been such a long day, could you tell me your name again?”

Of course, you’ll make an even better impression if you can remember the person’s name in the first place. Try these 9 simple techniques to help remember names:

Listen. Really listen when someone is telling you his or her name. Sometimes instead of listening, we’re thinking about what to say next. Don’t do this. Listen to the person’s name and say it out loud as soon as possible, “It’s so nice to meet you, Tammy.”

Repeat. After meeting someone new, say the person’s name a few times to imprint it in your memory. Use it while speaking to the person, but not so frequently that it feels awkward.

Nickname. Give the person a nickname that helps you remember them (Tall Tammy, for example). If you use this technique, make sure you don’t say the nickname out loud, keep it to yourself!

Write it down. Write down names and identifying information (or enter them in your Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, etc.). After you meet someone and go your separate ways, write down the person’s name, where you met them, and something that will remind you of what you discussed. This is especially helpful at networking events.

Spell it. If a person has an unusual name or the name has more than one spelling, ask them how they spell it. If a name is generally spelled only one way, like Robert or David, you could ask if they prefer Bob or Dave. Always ask before shorting another person’s name. Don’t assign them a nickname.

If you have trouble remembering names, use these simple tricks to help names stick. Use them to make a bigger impact by calling others by name and making others feel as special as they are!

For 4 more tips, check out Patricia Rossi's blog at http://www.patriciarossi.com/2012/01/how-to-remember-names/

To book Patricia Rossi for a speaking engagement, personal appearance, TV, radio, or print media, please contact:

Patricia Rossi
Cell: 727-457-0070

Phone: 727-375-0375

Email: patricia@patriciarossi.com

Have you stuck to your resolve?

Working Women — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Every January 1, I would wake up with the best of intentions. Each year I had resolved to improve and live a better life. Then, by February, all thise ideals are out of the window. Failing to fulfill New Year's resolutions can be soul crushing. I felt weak and I didn't want to think I would be stuck living the same dreary life, slogging through the days forever.

Then I discovered the secret to keeping my resolutions and meeting my goals!

Now, when I set a goal, I know I can reach it and so can you!

I can help you reach and keep your goals!

A few tips to keep in mind:

Be sure your goals are realistic. It sometimes help to chunk down your goals into small steps that you can track. Keeping track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal will keep you motivated.

Write your goals down. It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.

Talk about your goals, don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health.
Use the buddy system. Find yourself a buddy who shares your goal and motivate each other.

Debbie Lane C.Ht.

"Unlock Your Natural Potential"

(727) 781-8483 office
Facebook
www.wisdomhypnosis.com
http://wisdomhypnosis.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon! 2012 Printed Directory!

Working Women — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:55:59 GMT

We are excited to announce that we are working on the 2012 WWOTB Directory due out in January. We are printing 700 copies this year. They will be distributed free to members as a pocket guide of resources. This is a supplement to the web directory that is more for searching key words than finding people based on industry.

In order to be listed in the directory, you have to be renewed through 2012. So for those of you up for renewal - it's best to consider annual membership to take advantage of this perk.

There are several advertising opportunities to benefit your business.
- Full page ads (B/W and Color)
- 1/4 page color profiles
- Business card size ads

Advertising rates start as low as $50!
Ad packages with renewals start as low as $125!
80 1/4 page color profiles available! First come, first serve!

As a perk of being a member, you can be listed under one industry category but can pay an extra $10 to be listed in other categories as well. You can also pay an extra $25 to be listed at the top of a category.

If you are interested in advertising opportunities, email wwotbdirectory@gmail.com. Some of the advertising is "one franchise per category" - so don't delay. Also, the first 20 members to sign & pay, get to choose a cool freebie!

Ad orders will be taken starting December 1st.

Take the Stress Out of Your Holiday Shopping at Think Pink!

Working Women — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:28:19 GMT

It’s a well known fact that women can do it all; now they can have it all too! Working Women of Tampa Bay has coordinated the ultimate shopping experience for busy woman who deserve indulgence and need to prepare for the holidays! The Think Pink Women’s Boutique & Expo is a night of mini spa treatments, exciting makeovers, free samples, gourmet food and wine tastings along with a selection of dozens of local vendors showcasing their unique holiday gift ideas.

The only way to shop is by turning your to-do list into a night out with the girls! You’ll network with other female professionals and chat over a glass of wine while supporting local women-owned businesses. Relax, rejuvenate and connect with some complimentary spa treatments and retail therapy!

This private shopping event is free for members and only $5 for non-members. The first 150 women will receive a complimentary glass of wine, appetizers and a Yelp tote filled with goodies! Avoid the craziness of Black Friday at the mall and join us at our 2nd Annual Holiday Shopping Expo hosted at the Shriner's Activity Center in Tampa on November 30 from 6pm-9pm.

We are proud to present our generous sponsors: TBT, Yelp, White Book Agency, BABM Magazine, Good Living Magazine, Health and Healing Touch Wellness Center, Exploracise, Motivating Other Moms, Vault Denim ~ Pinellas, Grow Financial, Chevy - Night of 1000 Toys, Rinnova MedSpa, Darren Pena Salon, Brandi Kamenar Image Design Studio, Center for Weight Loss Management.

Succulent snacks and wine will be provided by: Quintessence Catering, Napa Flair, Carrabba’s, Costco and Melting Pot.

Our fabulous vendors include: Scentsy, Miche Bag, DP Fitness & Wellness, Thirty-One, Stella & Dot, Intensity Academy Sauces, Arbonne International, Willow House, Park Lane Jewelry, Mary Kay, Silpada Jewelry, Sickle Hunter Financial Advisors, Jewel Kade, Sencere Moments Photography, Indigo Blue Boutique, One-Stop Cruises, Marcus Designs, Growing Up, Connect for Success, Falling Star Photography, HaleyGrace, Spa Sundara, GiGi Hill Bags, The Chrysalis, Nikken and Illuminated Publishing.

Jessica Rivelli, the founder of WWoTB says, “The mission for the Think Pink Expo is to give our members and other women in the community the opportunity to shop from each other during the holiday season. Local retail sales help support friends, family and neighbors. We believe events like Think Pink help boost our local economy and increase consumer confidence in our community.”

Working Women of Tampa Bay has over 10,000 social media fans and more than 600 members between in its flagship chapter and the newly launched Working Women of Central Florida. The organization’s core principles are to help educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners. Visit the website to register to attend and to learn more about membership and our extraordinary events calendar!

You can register for Think Pink at www.workingwomenoftampabay.com. For more details email workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

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5 Simple Strategies to Create Repeat Customers

Working Women — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:49:27 GMT

Blog by Brenda Tillmann

Having been born and raised in the Deep South, one of the most hospitable sayings I remember is “Y’all come back now, ya hear”. It was (and still is) as common as “please” and “thank you” and served with a smile on a daily basis from just about anywhere one would find them selves whether it is at church, a neighborhood cookout or a local business. You’ve surely heard that expression while watching a television show or during a movie at some point in your life. But for any business owners, a returning customer is essential to survival.

For the entrepreneur, it’s vitally important to learn how to build a base of customers who return to your business time and again. Here are five tips and strategies to foster loyalty with your customers with style, ease and grace:

1. Be Committed. Being committed doesn’t mean that you have to leave everything else and cater to the needs of just one client and forget about the others. It means being fully invested in their success; dedicate yourself to helping them achieve the results they desire. Go out of your way, do what needs to be done, what you agreed on in the first place, and above all, treat your customer’s as you would want to be treated.

2. Appreciate your customer’s  You can never thank someone enough if it is sincere. A "thank you" can go a long way. Tell someone you appreciate his or her business in person, on the phone, or better yet, a personal hand-written note by mail. When was the last time you received a note saying, "Thank you for your business. I appreciate the opportunity to have you as my customer"?

3. Provide Quality, Not Just Quantity. Make sure your services are the best value for the money. You do not need to lower your prices simply because your competitors do, make sure your customers know that you are worth the extra money and why. To do this, you must give value first, don’t add it. Put value in your customer’s hands before you even ask them to buy anything from you. Find something you customer’s value and give it to them.

4. Continue To Understand Your Customers Needs. Ok, so you’re good at what you do, but that doesn’t make you the best there is, because there is always someone that can do better than you on your heels. You must stay current with what your customers expect and need from you. It’s a terrible feeling to discover your customers have left because you were not providing what they needed. Needs change, so thrive to make yourself better, sharpen your skills everyday, that’s what makes you money.

5. Keep In Touch. One of the most important, and so often over-looked, ways of getting repeat business is to simply follow-up with your customers. If you’re in the habit of providing a service/product to a customer, then you cash the check, and forget about him or her, I can assure you that you won’t get business from that client again. With a Follow Up Strategy in place, it only takes a minute to send an e-mail, a post-card or give a call to a previous client, tell her you really enjoyed working for her, was a fun project, and that you’re always available to answer any questions she may have. Build a relationship with your clients, get to know them, they’ll come back and be more likely to send business your way.

Bottom line: You cannot afford to lose your hard earned customers. What are you going to do today to make sure they continue to do business with you?

Brenda Tillmann specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract idea clients, build strong client relationships and close more sales in less time with her customized programs and mentoring. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you chasing them, visit her to schedule your complimentary 30-minute 1-on-1 Define Your Sales Success Analysis and Strategy session at http://www.BrendaTillmann.com.

How to Make a Lasting Impression

Working Women — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:45:23 GMT

Blog by Brenda Tillmann

It’s important to remember that when you meet someone for the first time, you have an opportunity to make a real connection, or you can simply pass on your name and be forgotten. Successful relationship-building requires more than just handing out business cards. To build long-lasting, solid and mutually-beneficial relationships, a little homework and a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. Here are my tips for making a powerful impression that brings lasting results.

Do Your Homework - Research the People You’re Meeting
If you’re meeting someone in particular, research the person or people you’re meeting. Lots of resources exist that can give you both professional and personal reference material. The Web is a source of unlimited information, with things like company websites, personal bios, work histories, resumes, and portfolios; depending on who you’re meeting, you may be able to find a wide range of information about your contact. If the Web doesn’t produce any useful information, you could check with the company where your contact works, to see if they have any marketing information containing professional info about your contact. You could also check your local library for periodicals, such as magazine stories, newspaper articles or professional interviews. Depending on how public the person is that you’re meeting, you may be able to find everything from the name of a spouse to the first place they worked after college. Use the information you find when you meet your contact. Talk about common interests, such as being a parent, alma mater, hobbies; whatever common bond you can form with your contact can help you form a good relationship. Ask about things near and dear to the person’s heart – not just business talk – and you’re well on your way to forming a real connection.

Show Genuine Interest by Asking Questions
Getting to know people to form real connections is an art that can easily be mastered. Ask questions about everything; not just their professional life, but their personal interests and family life, too. The more you show that you’re genuinely interested in them and understand, know and really “get” the person, the better your relationship will be, and the more business opportunities you’re likely to gain. Be a real person to your connections, too – if your new business partner volunteer’s information about their spouse then open up and talk about your spouse. The more personal you can make your relationships with people, the better your long-term success with those relationships will be.

You Must Be Sincere
Everyone can have fun building good relationships – all you have to do is be genuinely interested in people. Enjoy getting to know your business colleagues, or even the person you met in the coffee line today. Forming connections with people can help in all aspects of your life, and even random connections can help your business in unexpected ways. You never know when someone will refer a key contact; an affiliate who may have great products for your prospects, or a business associate that could make your product a high-demand success!
Remember what your mother taught you as a child, to have friends you must be a friend. Don’t just see people as stepping stones to a better business. Take the time and make the effort to form real, legitimate connections by getting to know people, and I promise good business will follow naturally.

Brenda Tillmann specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract idea clients and close more sales in less time with her customized programs SMART Marketing TM and Sell by Not Selling TM. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you chasing them, sign up at http://www.BrendaTillmann.com.

The Importance of Marketing Planning for New Businesses

Working Women — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:44:42 GMT

Blog by: Liane Caruso of Limelight Marketing Consultants

Women entrepreneurs are truly fabulous. We commit ourselves to owning a business, diving in head first and sharing our business dreams with anyone who will listen. One of our biggest strengths is one of our biggest weaknesses, and as women entrepreneurs, we overcommit! We naturally take on too much, wear way too many hats and can quickly become overwhelmed. And before you know it, we can easily – without intention – set ourselves up for failure. One way to avoid that is have a solid, strategic marketing plan in place. Haven’t you ever heard “He who fails to plan, plans to fail?” Ladies, we love planning parties, dinners and events, so let’s plan for our business!

Many new business owners don’t take the time to create a plan because the plan in itself is overwhelming. But, without a plan, how do you know where you’re going or where you’ve been? Have you laid out a budget? Who is going to help you execute your plan? How can you tell if your efforts are successful or where are the budget pitfalls? The purpose of the marketing plan is to define your market, identify your customers and competitors, determine your strengths and weaknesses, outline a strategy for attracting and keeping customers, and to identify and anticipate change.

Knowing your customers is the cornerstone to your success. If you don’t know their likes, dislikes or expectations how do you assume to fulfill their need? If you’re marketing to the wrong target market, you’re wasting a lot of time, energy and hard-earned money. Also, make sure you have identified your competition including their strengths and weaknesses. How and what are their marketing efforts? What is successful for them?

Set your goals and objectives. This is like a big To Do list for your company. What woman doesn’t love a To Do list? Be bold! If you want to be a 3-million dollar company in three years, why not set that expectation for yourself and your company? Mary Kay Ash, one of the most successful women in business said, “Shoot for the moon and you’ll land among the stars.”

Establish a budget. “What should my marketing budget look like?” You have to spend money to make money. However, there are MANY cost-effective marketing options out there to explore so make sure you’re weighing your options and getting multiple quotes.

Basically, without a well thought out plan, you will be reacting, which could lead to additional spending that is not aligned strategically with your sales objectives and goals for the year. Give yourself a couple of months to create the plan and it does not have to be set in stone. Your company and marketplace will evolve and your plan should too. It’s a living, breathing document that will help guide your day-to-day activities.

Need help? There are consultants out there who can help you create a strategic marketing plan for your business. One comes to mind that I’m particularly fond of: Limelight Marketing Consultants. Call or email anytime with questions to liane@limelightconsultants.com or (813) 388-9384.

Social Success Tips: 5 Tips to Conquering Networking Phobias

Working Women — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:44:10 GMT

Blog by Patricia Rossi

I am frequently asked by people who find themselves uncomfortable in social networking situations, “What can I do to become more relaxed?” Many people,not just those who consider themselves an introvert or shy, find it difficult to communicate with people they don’t know very well. As a result, they may find they lose out on business opportunities.

Keep in mind, people like to do business with someone they know and feel they can trust. So, the next time you are heading to a social networking event, see it as an opportunity to make new friends and this will naturally turn into new business contacts.

Following are a few tips to improve your networking experience:

Practice conversation. Wherever you go, see it as an opportunity to practice conversing with people you don’t know – the grocery store, coffee shop, bus stop, gym, doctor’s office, or spouse’s family functions. If you see someone idle, strike up a conversation. What’s the worst that could happen? Every opportunity gives you a chance to reflect and then build upon the next experience, making it easier each time.
Wear a smile. Just keeping a smile on your face gives others the overall impression that you are a positive person. If you only maintain a blank stare, people will write you off pretty quickly. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and your expression may be the first thing people notice.
Remember names and faces. All too often people say they forget someone’s name immediately after an introduction. Make a point of paying attention at introductions and remembering the person’s name. Equally important is to remember the face that goes with the name. This makes a person feel important and they will have a positive reaction toward you as well.
Ask questions. If you don’t know what to talk about with someone, ask something you would like to know about the person. Ask them about their hobbies, what they like to read, something about the meeting, where they got their designer shoes that you just love and have to have. People like to talk about themselves, so you can take the focus off of your own uneasiness and put it on what you would like to know about the other person.
Listen, listen, and listen some more. Often times we are focused on what we should say next and we are not really listening to what the other person is saying. Make direct eye contact with the person you are speaking with and listen carefully to what is being said, then the conversation will flow easily. It won’t take long before you and this person who was a stranger only a moment ago now feels like a new friend.
All of the above suggestions are things you can and should practice in public settings. Then, the next time you go to a networking event, you will be much more comfortable with making conversation, making new friends, and ultimately developing great business contacts.

Wishing you much happiness and success!

Patricia Rossi, America’s Etiquette and Protocol Coach, www.patriciarossi.com

Time is Money: Learn How to be an Efficient Entrepreneur

Working Women — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:43:25 GMT

Blog by Leah Turner of Turner Time Consulting

OK, I must admit, Time Management is not the most exciting topic to discuss in a blog. We are all adults, and basically we should know how to manage our time, right? We all know about the Stephen Covey - Franklin Quest systems. And we all know that if we don’t manage our time, our time will manage us, blah, blah, blah. So, what the heck am I doing writing a blog about boring old time management? Well, I want to change the way we look at time management and make it Sexy, Fun, and Exciting!! Impossible, you say? Well, give me a moment of your precious TIME and let’s see if I can change your mind!

When I left the comforts of the corporate world several years ago to start my own business, I had to make a shift in the way I looked at and managed my time. I used to do exactly what we are all told to do; I would make a list of everything I needed to do, prioritize that list, and then schedule each task into my day. Once a task was complete, I happily CHECKED it off the list and moved on to the next item.

Efficient, but boring! So, when I started my own business, I realized this system just wasn’t working for me. Why not, you ask? Well, when you own your own business the phrase ‘Time is MONEY’ takes on a whole new meaning!

You see, it is not so much about completing a specific task in order to check it off your list as it is about building your business, your referral base, and your revenues. Here are three time management tips:

1. ASSIGN A DOLLAR VALUE TO YOUR TIME: This was probably the single most important step I made in my new sexy, fun, exciting Time Management program. Let me explain….let’s say you want to gross $100,000 in one year. That breaks down to $8,333 per month, or $2083 per week (based on a 40 hour work week), or $52.08 per hour.

So, basically, every hour during your workday is worth $52.08. So, how is that best utilized? Is meeting with a vendor you KNOW you are never going to use worth your time or would that time be better spent asking them to send you over their information via e-mail? Do you really need to have that 45 phone conversation with your friend at 3 pm in the afternoon? (Not unless he or she is paying you for it!). Is it really worth your $52.08 per hour to attend that workshop, luncheon or event?

I have several realtor clients, and it is amazing what happens to them once they ‘get’ this concept. No longer are they spending seventeen hours schlepping potential buyers to 35 properties on a weekend! They do a much better job of pre-qualifying and determining their clients’ needs before they waste their precious time (and gas!) driving them across the city!

2. NO LONGER DO THOSE THINGS WHICH DO NOT BENEFIT MY BOTTOM LINE: It’s ALL about the ROI (return on investment), baby! I am a firm believer in networking, but I am a firmer believer in ROI. Take a look at your networking schedule. If you client base is new home builders, how much sense does it make to network with a group that has no builder members? None. Or, let’s say your job or business requires you to conduct or attend a lot of meetings and there is NO WAY you can avoid it. Make sure those meetings are productive. Set an agenda. Do you really need to waste the first thrity minutes of a meeting talking about who got booted off ‘Dancing with the Stars’?

3. SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOU: Just as it is important for you to schedule your money-making activities, it is equally important for you to schedule your personal time. And, I promise you this, once you have put steps 1 and 2 into place, you will be amazed at the amount of additional time you will find in your day! Make that a priority as well. After all, YOU deserve it!

People, there are never going to be more than twenty-four hours in a day. So, it is critical that you make the best use of your time in a way that is going to be profitable and productive to you! Look at managing your time the same way you look at planning a vacation! You do the upfront research, you plan the activities you want to do, and then you DO IT and have a great time! Remember, time flies when your having fun!

Founded by Leah Turner, Turner Time Consulting offers marketing services, business coaching and company training programs. Turner Time Consulting partners with businesses and individuals to create a 'blue print' for professional success, and then we provide the solutions to get you there.

info@TurnerTimeConsulting.com
(407) 709-6816
http://turnertimeconsulting.com

The Votes are In: We are Number One!

Working Women — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:39:49 GMT

The Votes are In: Tampa Bay Networking Group is Number One

Tampa, FL September 7, 2011: Despite competition from some of the largest and most well- established professional networking organizations, Working Women of Tampa Bay took the top spots in the Best Leads Group and the Best Networking Event in the Best in the Biz Awards sponsored by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

With nominations spanning a seven-county area, over sixty categories and 750 businesses; TBBJ’s Readers’ Choice Awards attracted almost 6,000 people who cast their votes for the organizations that are the most effective in developing and supporting business-to-business relationships.

As the fastest growing network of women in the bay area, Working Women of Tampa Bay (WWOTB) just celebrated their two year anniversary in June and is 600+ members and 10,000 social media fans strong. Their goal is to help educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners.

WWOTB has accomplished these objectives with a unique blend of contemporary and traditional networking techniques that inspire and genuinely unite their members. According to founder Jessica Rivelli, “Working Women has a solid place in the economic recovery as more women make the effort to start their own enterprises, build relationships and start strategic sponsorships. A lot of women have taken that challenge, and I believe women entrepreneurs are going to shape the new economy.”

Hosted in a variety of Tampa Bay venues, WWOTB’s eclectic events calendar includes workshops and wine tastings, spa trips and museum visits, as well as two monthly power luncheons that feature presentations by renowned speakers and offer plenty of open networking time.

Throughout the year, members are given the opportunity to sponsor events and donate products and services for contribution to charitable causes.

The cost of joining WWOTB is $50 for a half-year membership or $90 for a full year. For additional information visit the website or email workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Taking Care of a Senior Dog

Working Women — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:34:20 GMT

Taking Care of a Senior Dog
Jennifer Fadal
Pet Wellness & Lifestyle Expert

You know the old saying that one human year equals seven dog years! So, if your dog is seven years old…his body is really more like that of a 49 year old human. What should you expect as your dog ages? How can you better care for him so he is comfortable, pain free and happy?

Many people ask: When is my dog considered old? A good rule of thumb is to bring this discussion to the forefront when your dog is approaching his seventh year. Keep in mind however that smaller breeds are considered adult dogs for a few more years since they typically have a longer life span.

A seven year old Great Dane is definitely considered a senior dog whereas a seven year old Maltese is hardly that. Discuss your dog’s age with your vet especially if you begin to notice signs of aging.

Signs of aging: Hearing loss, greying around the muzzle, decrease in appetite, blueish or cloudy look to the eyes, hair loss, decrease in energy level and an increase in water intake.

Small lifestyle changes can make your senior pooch more comfortable.

Bedding: Senior dogs really like their zzz’s so a clean comfortable bed is a must. There are many varieties of orthopedic beds out there that will take pressure off of sore muscles, joints and ligaments.

Food: A slight shift in dog food may be helpful as well. If your dog has become less active, try a senior formula that offers a bit less fat and protein but more glucosamine. The latter serves as an anti-inflammatory and can promote joint health and manage arthritic pain.

Supplements: Speaking of glucosamine and chondroitin. Try adding a supplement to your pet’s daily diet to further relieve the effects of aging joints. Glucosamine and Chondroitin can help to reduce inflammation, therefore reducing stiffness and pain. Fish oil is also a great supplement to add. It aids with skin and coat and is an anti-inflammatory.

Toys- Opt for toys that are a bit softer. As your dog ages his teeth can become more sensitive. A softer toy will still give him a ton of fun but will be gentler on his mouth.

Coat- Keep him clean. Some of my clients say that their senior dog seems more smelly. Opt for an in between bath spritz that will keep him smelling fresh!

Fresh water- Other recommendations are to always have fresh water for your senior.

Manage your expectations of what they can do physically and make sure they don’t over exert. Especially in hot weather, monitor their outdoor activity closely.

Senior dogs have a lot of love to give. And if you are considering adopting a dog, you just might want to think about a dog that has a few years under their belt. As you look into those soulful eyes, just think, potty training is taken care of, they know their manners indoor and out and they are more than happy to have you cuddle up with them for a nap!

© Jennifer Fadal, Jenn Fadal is a Pet Wellness & Lifestyle Expert. She is a frequent contributor to the South Tampa Community News, BellaDOG magazine, Pet Product News International as well as other area and industry wide publications. Jenn is the pet correspondent for Daytime, a syndicated lifestyle show on NBC and the pet correspondent for Better TV, a syndicated lifestyle show part of the Meredith network. She can also be heard on Martha Stewart Living Radio. Jennifer owns Wag Natural Pet Market on Davis Islands and can be reached at jennfadal@yahoo.com or www.jennfadal.com.

If You Are Not a Runner

Working Women — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:00:32 GMT

If You Are Not a Runner
Debbie Voiles deb@debbievoiles.com

“I’m not a runner. I’d like to be, but I can’t run.”

I get that a lot, and this, too:
“I run a little bit, but I mostly walk; I’m not a runner.” They say that with great emphasis on the word “not,” and always follow it with an apologetic laugh.

I remember when I was eight. The 6th graders at the bus stop seemed like grown-ups. I couldn’t imagine ever being that big, or that old, but I did get that big and that old. Yet, it didn’t seem big or old when I got there.

It’s that way with running. It’s all about perspective. Where you will go and what you can achieve is based largely on where you have been and what you have done. You won’t believe you can do a 5k until you have run a mile, and that is the secret to becoming a runner. You have to start where you are today. If you are not a runner, then simply making the decision to become one is enough. The single, biggest obstacle is the mental one, believing.

You will find it surprisingly doable if you start with only slightly more activity than what you’re doing right now. That’s Day 1 of my Very Easy, Very Gradual Beginning Running Program. Tomorrow, you will walk a mile, but every two minutes, you will run 10 steps, and that’s all the running you’ll do. In fact, that’s all the running you’ll do for each workout the first week. Then, we only bump it up to 15 steps of running at a time for the next week. This gradual progression gives your body time to adapt to your new activity level and your mind time to grasp your new identity, that of a runner.

That’s right, on Day 3, you will wake up a runner. You will have already completed two days of the program and now it is time to start adjusting your self-concept. You can no longer repeat the “I’m not a runner” mantra. You will have completed the hardest part, making the commitment and getting started. After that, count on the sweet sensation of accomplishment to keep you going.
When I was growing up, I dreaded the day we did the 600 yard walk/run in school. It was always a disaster for me. That’s less than half a mile, but although I was athletic, I felt crippled any time I tried to run more than a quarter mile.

When I was in my twenties, my grandfather told me, “If you pick up a calf every day from the day it’s born, when it’s a cow, you’ll still be able to pick it up.” I’m not sure if that’s really possible (probably not) but I understood his point.

Many years after those miserable days at P.E., with much more wisdom and 20 pounds to lose, I tried running again, but this time I did it my way. I started with just a little bit of running mixed with much more walking and over time increased the running while decreasing the walking. Turns out that was the secret. That was 34 years and over 200 races ago.

What do you say? Today can be your Day 1.

There’s no shame in baby steps, but standing still won’t get you anywhere.

Interviewing & Dating

Working Women — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:35:42 GMT

Interviewing & Dating
By Fleming Ford, President, SHOREforce

So many times my clients are surprised and frustrated with a candidate that turns down a job offer. After going through the expense and multiple, disappointing interviews, they are so thrilled to have found “THE ONE”. So you can imagine they are simply shocked and even a little glum when the candidate declines the offer. This is when we talk about the rules of dating.

Now for some of you it may have been a while since you last experienced the dating scene and for others it may have been as recent as last night. Regardless, the truth remains, “playing it cool” is a critical part of the dating process. How about the date that asked if we could meet his parents when we just dipped our spoon into dessert or the lovely “gentleman” that assumed we must want him to hit on us, just because we sat at the bar he was holding up. Let’s face it, desperation is never attractive, coming on too soon or too strong is a game changer. It’s possible, those guys may have been amazing, but we’ll never know because our personal alarm was shoutingundefined“He must be a loser to be so desperate--WARNING, WARNING, ESCAPE NOW!”

Frequently, hiring managers have spent a lot of time and money to find a skilled, professional or simply a showered and sober candidate, so it is no surprise we can get a little over-excited to find a good one. Dare I say it? WE too can come across as too desperate and so that our candidate thinks “WARNING, WARNING”. They wonder, “Why is it so easy to get a job here? Why do they want me so badly?” So, my advice is to try “playing it cool”. Be on time, be prepared, be interested, be friendly but most importantly, play a little hard to get, even if you have to fake it. Remember, many Americans want what they can’t have (remember that guy that never looked your way??).

So next time you find yourself getting excited that you have found “THE ONE”, play hard to get and make them work for it! That’s right, bring them back for a 2nd interview, and a 3rd, tell them you have other good candidates and it’s critical you make the best decision, ask challenging interview questions, make them wonder if they are good enough and by all means do not offer them the job before dessert!

Fleming Ford is the President of SHOREforce, which provides tools and training to Select, Hire, On-Board, Retain & Engage top talent. Give your managers the skills they need to build a top performance team.

Want to stop procrastinating?

Working Women — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:28:08 GMT

Want to stop procrastinating?
by Kathy McDonald, productivity expert, business coach, author and speaker
www.GetClearGetGoingCoaching.com

Think of something on your to-do list that you “should” do, that has been on your list long enough it’s growing mold.

Give yourself permission not to do it. Yep, channel your inner slacker.

Now pay attention to the feelings that show up next. This is where it gets interesting.

One of two things will happen:
You’ll feel relief like my client Bridget*, who realized she was sweating over something that didn’t really need to get done. If this is your case, enjoy the energy you just released that can be channeled towards something that matters more to you.

Or....

You’ll feel resistance, like my client Margaret*. She had been putting off getting another level of certification for her profession. No matter what she tried, she couldn’t get into action. “Great. Don’t do it,” I prompted. There was a long pause. Then the discussion began. She realized the certification was critical to her staying competitive in her field. It meant the financial stability of her family. We just uncovered the motivation she needed to get off the fence and get the certification done.

What’s your motivation?

Deciding not to do the project you’ve been avoiding will help uncover what matters enough to you to move forward. You can always add a reward to sweeten the pot. In addition, imagine what it will feel like to complete. Feel that sense of relief and satisfaction in your belly and mind. The energy you free up from completion with give you new drive to tackle the other things on your list.

*Names are changed to protect client confidentiality.

What’s the Real Scoop?

Working Women — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 15:51:56 GMT

What’s the Real Scoop?

By Chris Kuhn, Freelance Writer & Editor

www.ckuhntampabay.com

When you ask business owners to stand up and talk about themselves and their business, some have their 30-second commercial prepared and ready to roll off the tongue. For others, the phrase “deer in headlights” comes to mind. But what happens when those opportunities arise that can offer business owners a little more time, attention and exposure, such as speaking engagements, business profiles, or radio or TV interviews? As someone who frequently dons the “media hat,” I’m always fascinated to hear what entrepreneurs will focus on when telling about themselves and their products and services when given the chance to do so. They may think that they know the most compelling aspect of their biz “story” but do they really? Quite often, they don’t.

So how do you determine what are the most compelling points of your story? There are several questions you can ask yourself to help guide you to the real story behind what you do.

Why did you go into business?
Is there a personal connection to what you’re doing? If it’s a cause, why is it so near and dear to your heart? If it involves a particular audience, what is it about this group that means so much to you? By sharing what inspired you to pursue your dream, you can inspire others, and inspiration is always compelling.
What was your path like to get to where you are today?
For some business owners, things seem to line up just perfectly but for others, there may be challenges to overcome and by sharing some of these with others, they not only gain an appreciation for your dedication but also for your fortitude and determination to beat the odds. Never underestimate the power of the underdog’s tale.
What would most surprise an audience to learn about you or your business?
As interesting as your business may be, sometimes it may be a characteristic, hobby or talent that a business owner has completely outside of what they do for a living, that will attract someone to the story. Perhaps you sell real estate for a niche market but it also turns out that you’ve won multiple triathlons. Or maybe you’re a financial planner who just so happens to have a real talent for art. In the process, we learn why you followed the professional path you did but see another side that may draw us to you as a business professional as well.
What information about you or your business could benefit your audience?
If you ask an inventor to talk about the most valuable part of their creation, you soon learn that what the innovator is most excited about isn’t always what the target market cares about. Yes, it has all of these bells and whistles, and isn’t that nice, but how does it help the customer? If however, you bring a marketer into the mix, he or she can quickly surmise that this new gadget will allow moms carpooling kids to speak their texts to friends by headset while they drive; or save them time preparing business proposals for clients with some automated voice-technology feature. We’re reminded that bells and whistles sound pretty but must know what value they offer to the customer. Stories work much the same way. Why do I want to hear from you? Is there some useful information – maybe from a personal story behind an idea or the outcome of a bad business decision – that I can learn from you? Interest me, yes, but educate me, too, and I’ll want to hear more.
If you were reading a story about someone else, what would interest you enough to continue reading and can you draw parallels to these characteristics in your own life?
We forget as we’re being storytellers that we ourselves are readers, too. No one likes to read a story they’ve heard before, yet each of us is a unique woman with very distinct experiences that have shaped who we are today. So what moves us? What compels us to go beyond that first paragraph and want to know more? As we consider what factors motivate us to read another’s story, we can take a closer look at our own life, examine our career path and ask honestly – if I were learning about how I reached where I am today, what experiences along the way and elements of my personal and professional background would make me click on “Read More”?

Through our social media avenues, outside media outlets, speaking opportunities or even through our own marketing communications and website, we hold the key to telling the most compelling story about ourselves and our businesses. While we may not have control over how that story is told through certain channels such as traditional media or others’ blogs, we can take the reins each time we have the opportunity to share with others. The “real” story may not be what you anticipated at all, but may allow your customers and prospective clients to see a different side of you that is memorable, inspiring and a true lesson for us all.

Pinkberry with Rivelli

Working Women — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:26:29 GMT

Pinkberry with Rivelli
Article & Photography by Leslie Joy Ickowitz

You never know what will transpire over the course of a visit with Jessica Rivelli but you can pretty much count on something wonderful.

Something like the permanent smile I wear in her presence...

Or the stories we share…

Or the support we lend one another...

And in this case...the Salty Caramel Pinkberrys we devoured. Hers with milk chocolate shavings and mine with milk chocolate crunch. Both sprinkled with sea salt, which we agree took the salty caramel to the next level.

Later we sulked after realizing we missed the caramel drizzle. Soooooo, naturally we'll have to go back. Perhaps not as frequently as WWOTB member Tracy Guida who we learned today is the "Mayor" of Pinkberry on Foursquare. But we will go back.

On my drive over to our midday rendezvous, Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" blared from the car stereoundefinedher powerful, expressive voice epitomizing girl power and moving me. In the moment, I was struck by how rich my life has been since finding friends among you wonderful women.

Originally, this guest blog post was going to be an outpouring of affection for WWOTB as a whole but for now, I'll leave you with a little taste.

My love for Working Women of Tampa Bay starts at the top (much like Heath Bar Crunch atop a Pinkberry). So this time, it's my pleasure to send Jessica Rivelli this Pinkberry kiss, for hers is a soul that deserves so much sweetness.

~Leslie Joy Ickowitz
Publisher & Creative Director
VERTICAL Tampa Bay
http://verticaltampabay.com

WANTED: Women Entrepreneurs!

Working Women — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:01:00 GMT

In July, Tampa entrepreneurs will get the unusual chance to participate in a weekend of business building and pitching where real businesses are thought up and real partnerships are formed. 54 hours is all it takes to take a business from idea to pitch stage, and that is exactly what will happen at the Microsoft Corporate building July 8 – 10. Tampa is one of many Startup Weekend events that take place around the world throughout the year.

How successful are these events? Roughly 2,450 startups have been created including Food Spotting, Zaarly, and Pocket Tales. The most common question we have been asked while planning the Tampa event is; what if I’m not technical or don’t have a business idea? This should not discourage anyone from attending the event, because businesses are intended to offer services and make money, the sky is the limit with opportunity. Everyone has something to offer. Startup Weekend gives attendees the opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals, mingle with local startup leaders and perhaps even take a shot at learning a new skill.

Some of the women behind Startup Weekend Tampa:

Startup Weekend Organizer and WWOTB Member Susie Steiner is no newbie when it comes to startups. Susie has her hands in many ventures including Fido’s Laundry, an online upscale dog boutique. She is the founder of Geek is Single and operates a highly successful freight brokerage business here in Tampa.

Co-organizer - Kim Randall is a Social Brand Strategist and serial entrepreneur. Her companies and partnerships include KiMedia Strategies LLC and Geek Is Single.

Mentor - Linda Olson is the founder of Tampa Bay WaVE, a local nonprofit organization with a mission to enable & support high growth web startups throughout Tampa Bay. Currently, WaVE has over 3 dozen members, one of which you may have heard of Wufoo.com (who was recently acquired for $35 million). She is also the founder of 3 different web ventures of her own - WOMbeat!, StudGuru and Total Web Concierge. When she is not working on WaVE or one of her ventures, Linda is an active board member for the TBTF Foundation and an advisor to several small and mid-sized local companies.

Mentor – Katy Richard is a front-end web developer for Grooveshark, she has a passion for clean code, usablilty, web standards, and design of all kinds - plus an unhealthy fetish for office supplies.

Pitch Coach – Elizabeth Colón, National Speaker Trainer and Program Manager, will coach attendees on how to pitch their ideas and startup company to investors, both technical and financial.

Please join us and many other wonderful Working Women of Tampa Bay for the first ever Startup Weekend Tampa. Use the code WWTB for 20% discount.

Startup Weekend Tampa July 8-10, 2011 For more information visit www.tampa.startupweekend.org

Working Women of Tampa Bay is an official sponsor of Startup Weekend Tampa.

Charity For Birthday Bash: T.E.A.R.S Foundation

Working Women — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:37:44 GMT

Working Women of Tampa Bay will donate all proceeds from this year's Birthday Bash to the T.E.A.R.S Foundation. If you would like to donate a product/service/gift certificate, please email workingwomenoftb@aol.com.

Here is more on this wonderful cause....

In the early hours of June 29, 2010, Tampa Police Officer Jeff Kocab and his Zone Partner were murdered during a routine traffic stop. This tragedy brought with it many mixed emotions--sorrow, anger, frustration, fear, etc. It was truly a "roller coaster" ride. Five months later, after contacting various support organizations and finding no resources for parents and siblings of fallen officers, the T.E.A.R.S. Foundation was formed.

The T.E.A.R.S Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and was founded by Sandra Kocab (mother of Fallen Officer) and Stephanie Kocab (sister of Fallen officer) in January 2011. These two amazing and strong woman somehow found away to turn their grief and tragedy into helping others. The foundation will help provide funds for Extended Family Members of Florida Fallen Officers to attend National Police Memorial Week in Washington D.C. each May to honor and pay respect to their loved one lost in the line of duty. They have also recently taken the foundation to higher levels as well. The Kocab Ladies and The T.E.A.R.S. Foundation are joining hands with Law Enforcement Agencies all across Western and Central Florida to help educate the young youth of today on respect when it comes to our men and woman in uniform. The foundation believes that we need to help educate our communities in a whole in order to try our best to stop all the tragic murders on the true heroes that serve and protect us daily.

This past May, both ladies had the chance to attend the Services and Ceremonies in Washington D.C. They have already made in very clear that they will be returning next year and every year to follow. They found a sense of peace with Jeff at the Wall of Fallen Officers, a feeling they have yet to find anywhere else since they lost him almost one year ago. They say it is hard to explain, that is just the inner peace they found within. Sandy and Stephanie where able to attend classes and support groups there as well and had the opportunity to meet other mothers and siblings that experienced the same tragic loss they did. Both feel that it is of the utmost importance for all that suffer the sudden tragic loss of a fallen officer be able to attend and join all others from all across America in services, ceremonies, candle light visuals and prayer as one at our Nations Capital.

Published By: Kristin Vogt-Wilson of It's Your Home Trinity Magazine/Topaz Marketing Group, Inc.

Local restaurant group helps raise Treats for Troops!

Working Women — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:12:59 GMT

By: Emily Harrison
Director of Marketing and Sales
The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.
eharrison@meltingpot.com

I first met Karin King from Treats for Troops about a year ago at a WWOTB networking event. Treats for Troops sends care packages with items ranging from toothpaste to beef jerky over to United States troops serving in remote areas of the world who don’t have access to a store on base.

I remember thinking, “that’s nice, I bet she has a son or daughter fighting in the war and this is a way that she can support and honor them.” However, fast forward to a year later when The Melting Pot of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Oldsmar and Sarasota partnered with Treats for Troops to collect donations for the organization when I realized that was not the reason she is so passionate about caring for our troops. When Karin King is asked why she does what she does for the troops, she says, “because of my freedom.” Upon getting to know Karin better, I found out that Karin is, as she says, “a brand new American.” She became a U.S. citizen in 2006. Karin met her husband in the 90’s when he was working in her native country, Suriname in South America. They eventually married and moved to the United States.

Karin King founded Treats for Troops during the holiday season in 2007 when a family friend asked her to bake cookies to send overseas to the troops. The funny thing is, she did not know how to bake and says, “I almost burned the house down!” However, she did bake some cookies, which turned out to be delicious and the overwhelming response she received in letters back, thanking her for the cookies and asking her to send more supplies led her to the realization that these soldiers needed more than just cookies. With that, Treats for Troops was founded. Karin spends her time creating awareness in the community, while she has a team of volunteers back at the warehouse who arrive at 4 a.m. every morning to pack and ship boxes. Treats for Troops ships six tons of supplies per week and its postage bill can top $65,000 per month. The organization is run completely off donations and none of the volunteers are paid a dime for what they do.

Treats for Troops receives donations from many different donors including Lance, Boy Scouts (which donates popcorn), Girl Scouts (which donates cookies) and even Zephyrhills Water Company which donates hundreds of dollars in boxes each month to pay for shipping. Many of the treats and goodies that are sent to the soldiers are eventually shared with young boys and girls in the communities in which they serve. Karin shared with me that over 90 percent of the intelligence the soldiers receive is received directly from the children in these countries. The children tell the soldiers information such as where the bombs are hiding and where members of Al-Qaeda are located.

The number one request from the soldiers is for coffee, as the soldiers need to stay alert at all times. The second most frequent request is for baby wipes, as showers can be few and far between when the troops are stationed in remote areas.

I recently spent some time in the Treats for Troops warehouse and was moved by the number of men and women who donate their time to the organization to send care packages to people they have never met. These men spend hours a day, covered in sweat, packing and shipping. Many of them being veterans themselves remember how nice it was to receive a care package when they were serving years ago.

The Melting Pot Restaurants of Tampa, St. Petersburg, Oldsmar and Sarasota are currently collecting ‘a bag and a buck’ for Treats for Troops in honor of Memorial Day, July 4th and the launch of our American Big Night Out menu. From now until July 3, when guests bring in a gallon-sized bag filled with items to be donated to our armed forces and a dollar bill for shipping costs, they will receive a free chocolate fondue with a $50 purchase. For more information on what to include in the gallon-sized bag, visit meltingpot.com or treatsfortroops.info

"The Coolest Outdoor Lounge Party"

Working Women — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:37:00 GMT

Who wants to attend the "The Coolest Outdoor Lounge Party" in St. Pete? Working Women of Tampa Bay is giving away 2 VIP tickets to the 3rd Annual Chillounge Night on Saturday, November 20th.

The tickets are for The VIP Lounge - which is currently SOLD OUT.
Inside the VIP Lounge, food, drinks, cigars and gift bags are complimentary!!!!

Here's what you have to do to win!
RSVP to Chillounge on Facebook
Become a fan of the Working Women of Tampa Bay
Post a comment about why you deserve to have a "license to chill" on this blog
Be present at the St. Pete Happy Hour sponsored by Florida Lifestyle Pools and American's Business Manager to receive your tickets!

Drawing will take place at the Happy Hour at 8pm on Wednesday (11/10) at Queenheads Restaurant. Hope to see you there!

More about:
3rd Annual Chillounge Night on Saturday, November 20th, 2010
6 pm - 11 pm.
Straub Park will transform again into a magnificent outdoor lounge with 6 trucks of beautiful lounge furniture. Benefiting Creative Clay and The Woodson Museum.

Be part of the transformation...this unique event, where the live broadcast and Park setting under the stars will be filled with life...and everyone will remember this enchanting evening.

Again with a huge fireworks display presented by Gold & Diamond Source

New Atmosphere Productions, the Gulf Coast's Premier Full Service Special Event Company who is responsible for Stage Light and Sound.

Producer and Director Rainer Scheer.

Buy tickets now at : http://www.stpetersburg.chillloungenight.com/tickets

Get Out the Vote!

Working Women — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 22:11:44 GMT

Working Women of Tampa Bay is teaming up with members Cindy MacRitchie and Tonya Seay to host a special Fondue Night at the Carrollwood Melting Pot on Election Day, November 2nd.

One lucky winner will get to come to the event for FREE!

To enter to win, you must be a fan of Working Women of Tampa Bay, Keep ing the Balance and Strategic Success Builders. Plus! Post a comment on this blog about why Working Women should exercise their right to vote.

Guests who come to the event wearing their "I Voted" sticker will also get an extra raffle ticket for the prize drawing!

We'll announce the winner on Friday! Good luck!

Working to 9 to 5.... What a way to make a living!

Working Women — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:08:34 GMT

Want to win (2) free tickets to see the musical hit comedy 9 to 5: The Musical? Working Women of Tampa Bay is teaming up with the The Straz Center for the Performing Arts to kick off their 2010-2011 Broadway season with a super fun giveaway.

To be entered to win, you have to be a fan of Working Women of Tampa Bay and The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and post a comment on this blog about what you love about being a Working Woman!!

Winner will be announced on Monday at 10am. The tickets are for Tuesday night's show. The winner's name will be placed at Will Call.

By the way, Working Women of Tampa Bay can save 50% off select seats ! Use promo code DORALEE and save on tickets to the Tuesday or Wednesday evening performances in price levels 1, 2 or 3. Each purchase is limited to 4 discounted tickets. Offer not applicable to prior sales. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Subject to availability.

Tickets can be purchased at the Straz Center Ticket Office, by calling 813.229.STAR (7827) or visiting STRAZCENTER.ORG.

You can learn more about 9 to 5: The Musical by visiting STRAZCENTER.ORG or by clicking here: http://www.strazcenter.org/Events/1011-Broadway/9-to-5--The-Musical.aspx

Halloween Contest

Working Women — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 15:18:39 GMT

Want to win tickets to the Halloween event of the year? Working Women of Tampa Bay is teaming up with Busch Gardens to give away (2) tickets to the Howl-O-Scream!

It's 11th season has MORE haunted houses than ever before, ALL-NEW scare zones, Alone – a revolutionary idea in how guests experience haunted attractions – and a live concert each night of the event by the rock stars of horror – Sylvie and her killer band, My X.

Howl-O-Scream is $74.95. You can cash in on discounts participating Publix Supermarkets and at MyXRocks.com for Passport Members and Florida Residents. Discounts are also available with promotional codes from select Pepsi, Domino’s Pizza, Applebee’s, Smoothie King and Muvico theaters.

To enter to win - you must be a fan of Working Women of Tampa Bay and Howl-O-Scream and post a comment on this blog.

Winner will be drawn at random on Friday, October 15th.

Good Luck!

PS: For an inside peek at this year's Howl-O-Scream fun, check out this photo gallery from Metromix.

Know Your Brand!

Working Women — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:26:53 GMT

What’s your story? Do you have one? Is it consistent and relevant? Without having a strong consistent brand/story developed for your organization all of your other marketing campaigns will fall short. Many organizations become so excited about launching new and exciting marketing strategies they overlook the importance of building this important foundation first.

Just like life, you need to know who you are before you can attract others. Building a brand is more about a snappy logo or catchy slogan. Building a brand is about telling your customer a story about who you are, what you believe in and why they should trust you. If you developed a strong business plan you should already have this information written down, if not follow these steps to get going in the right direction.

1) What is the goal of your business/service/product? This should have nothing to do with sales or your personal profit/success. This should have everything to do with how your business can make your customer’s life better. Why in the world, with all the many products and services out there, would your customer benefit by choosing you?

2) What makes you unique? Why would your customer choose you over the 15 zillion other ‘yous’ on the market?

3) What personality do you want to convey? Make your business human. People like working with other people, not other things…why do you think everyone moans when they have to navigate through a computerized ‘customer service’ phone answering service, or stand yelling at the ’self-check-out’ computer at the grocery store. Person to person interaction is always a better experience. Develop a personality for your business and keep it consistent in everything you do. It could be your personality, it could be one you make up….have fun and always consider what will best appeal/resonate with your target audience.

Laura Petrolino is a Public Relations Consultant at Flying Pig Communications

You can learn more about branding at this month's Girls Night Out on 2/25!

Wellness: Small Steps for Big Change

Working Women — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:39:33 GMT

Are you an incredibly busy, highly productive, goal oriented, multi-tasking, sometimes freakishly organized, wife/mother/girlfriend, who slave drives herself to the break of dawn? Or maybe you only wish you were. How can you increase your energy; your vitality? A good philosophy to consider is an oldie but a goodie. Just take the time to consider your own wellbeing and you are well on your way.

We talked to two wellness experts, who have some sage advice for those looking to attain a better quality of life. Their advice sheds light on a common theme. Only making small changes, not drastic ones, is the best way to achieve your optimum self.

Suzanne Andrew specializes in Thai yoga massage provides Ayurvedic Therapy to her clients. She also teaches yoga, and is an accomplished Reiki Master. She says that for her, “the journey to wellness has been about stripping away all the unhealthiness (extra weight, bad habits, limiting beliefs and negative thoughts) to reveal the true me. I do believe, at our core, we are all healthy, whole and complete.”

So how can we embark on that journey? She recommends “the ayurvedic advice of slowly changing habits for sustained success. Can't do an hour of yoga every day? No worries. Commit to 15 minutes on your mat, or 5 minutes of stretching before getting up, or even 2 minutes of deep breathing every time you stop at a red light. Eventually, all the good work adds up and changes your life!” According to her, tiny changes can make a noticeable difference in your wellness.

Liz Sylves is a Wellness Counselor whose expertise is weight loss and life coaching. We wanted to know to what extent wellness has had an impact on her. She says that “focusing on wellness has changed my whole life. I went from being lazy and unmotivated to driven and very motivated. I used to be over 200 lbs and now I am 67 lbs down. I feel I can do anything. My body feels better, my mind is stronger, and my spirit is free.”

How can a busy working woman can incorporate more wellness into her life? She attests that any woman can do this very easily, “by making herself a priority and scheduling time with herself like an appointment. This will allow her to focus on her wellness goals.”

To celebrate how you can re-connect with yourself, we invite you to join others in the pursuit of wellness this weekend at the Working Women Wellness Expo. Attend 3 seminars of your choice from a variety of compelling experts in the field. Check out WorkingWomenofTampaBay.com to find out more.

(Besides, its going to rain this weekend anyways. )

Discover more about Suzanne Andrew by visiting www.TryThaiYogaMassage.com

Learn about Liz Sylves by visiting www.hytechslim.com, or www.facebook.com/hytechweightloss .

You can connect with Megan Daniel on Facebook.

The Net Worth of Your Networking

Working Women — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:20:44 GMT

Do you network? Many of us could not imagine life without being involved with either a face to face or an online network. Whether you show up personally to Meetup events or, perhaps you prefer to do your networking from home using Facebook, you may be asking yourself: why is this important to me? What you should be asking yourself is what your importance is to your network.

It is deeply ingrained in human consciousness to be connected. The reason, as the poet John Donne stated, is that “no man is an island.” Sexism aside, imagine yourself on a raft in the middle of the ocean. You are perfectly happy with your little space; you don’t see anything bad on the horizon. You continue to float along on your little happy raft without worry. Suddenly and without warning, your raft springs a leak and you begin to sink at an alarming rate. You shout for help until you lose your voice. No one answers.

Now, imagine your raft is connected to a circle of other rafts, which in turn are also connected to many other rafts. In that same terrifying situation, everyone’s buoyancy combined can keep you from sinking. I believe the mantra is: “I have a friend who knows someone who can help you with that!” This is the power of networking. It is also a basic human survival technique.

But let’s not oversimplify things. Consider also the more technical ways to more concretely understand how you stand in your social network. Think of yourself as a small node: for example a single brain cell, or one home computer connected to network. Scientists and technicians use two factors, known as “betweenness” and “closeness” to determine a particular node’s usefulness on a network.

Your “betweenness” factor measures how much control you have over what flows between yourself and other members of a network. In quantifiable terms, this is the number of times you are able to connect to others around you. Ask yourself: “how often is my node a connector in the pathway of communication between other nodes?” So from this we know that the amount of people you introduce to others in social settings, either directly or indirectly, is very important.

The other factor of measuring your influence in a network is your “closeness” factor. This reveals how easily you can access what is available on a network. If you had an emergency, how quickly could you get your request to the entire network? Appraise what resources are available to you, should you need them. What are you personally making available to other members of your network?

When a brain cell fails, the other cells around it extend their growth to keep the brain functioning properly. Computers aren’t yet this advanced, however a single computer can make available to the other machines around it greatly increased availability of information and speed of retrieval. We can learn from these examples that routinely examining and enhancing our own levels of betweenness and closeness can make our network stronger, which will in turn make you a stronger member.

You can connect with Megan Daniel on Facebook.

Holiday Shopping Spree Contest

Working Women — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:41:53 GMT

Big thanks to everyone who helped support the Working Women of Tampa Bay during the Holiday Season. Early estimates indiciate that more than $1000 changed hands between members thanks to the contest. We are pleased to announce the winners on the raffle. If you're on the list, please send us an e-mail to claim your prize. Happy Holidays!

OLGA CARR – MAKEUP SESSION W/ TAKE HOME GIFT & HEAD SHOTS BY BRANDI MORRIS

SUZIN CARR – $100 SPA GIFT CERTIFICATE

ROBIN BORLAND - THE CHOICES PENDANT FROM OAC DESIGNS

DANIELLE LEE – JK FLOWERS GIFT BASKET

CRYSTAL ESTES – LIFE BALANCE GIFT BASKET & SACRED GLO CANDLE

STEPHENIE ENSOR - 5 HOURS OF STYLING WITH KRAYL FUNCH

CAT ANDERSON- KOOKIE KRUM GIFT CERTIFICATE

STEPHENIE FENTON - PAMPERED CHEF GIFT BASKET

SUSAN LEONIDAS - FLIP FLOP EMBROIDERY GIFT CERTIFICATE

CHRISTIE BRUNER - TALK OF THE TOWN GIFT CERTIFICATE & “I CHOOSE” BOOK AND T-SHIRT

FAITH SMITH - AVON GIFT & DEBRA DAKIN SIGNATURE EYEBROW WAX

KIM FRANCIS - VUE SPA AND SALON GIFT CERTIFICATE

BILLIE JO GRASSINGER - FIT FOR FASHION TRAINING SESSION

ANGELIQUE CARTER -GENERATIONS YOGA PACK OF CLASSES

WENDY GIBSON -EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS GIFT CERTIFICATE

PAULA ROMAN – PILATES LOFT CLASSES & MY UNICITY GIFT CERTIFICATE

PATRICIA HUNTER – INTENSITY ACADEMY SAUCES

SUSAN ORNECK – ARBONNE GIFT CERTIFICATE

MEGAN DANIEL – POINTS OF WELLNESS GIFT CERTIFICATE

REBEKAH REIDY - RODAN AND FIELDS SKIN CARE BOOK

Happy, Healthy Giving and the Science Behind the Season

Working Women — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:50:16 GMT

The holiday season, also known as the time of giving, is once again in full swing. But is it centuries of tradition that drives us to give gifts to others at this time of year, or is it perhaps something much more primal? Recently, I was intrigued by an article in the New York Times that suggests that brain chemistry and deeply ingrained instinctual drives are the true cause of the holiday spirit.

The article tells the fascinating story of a woman named Cami Walker, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. After many unsuccessful attempts to relieve the physical and mental pain that accompanies her disease, she resorted to an unusual form of therapy suggested to her by a holistic medicine specialist. The prescription was to give a gift every day for 29 days.

Although skeptical, she was desperate for relief, and decided to give it a try. The result? At the end of her treatment, test results showed that her MS had stopped progressing. She was also able to stop taking her pain medication. The effect of this “giving treatment” was so profound she decided to write a book about it, entitled “29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life” (Da Capo Press).

University studies have shown that giving to others releases endorphins in the brain. Those chemicals in turn provide us with feelings of well being and a marked reduction in stress levels. New studies now show that higher endorphin levels correlate with increased healing, and can even stymie the progress of diseases, as Ms. Walker’s case exemplifies. However, there is a converse side to this process. When we do things that cause our brains to release endorphins, instinctually we will seek out ways to continue to get that natural chemical reward. This is what the article refers to as “the giving high.”

Unfortunately, a syndrome I will call “over-giving” affects many people at Christmas time, and I believe the underlying cause of this is the unconscious thirst for the rush of endorphins that comes from giving. It is estimated that banks will earn $1.8 billion in overdraft fees during this year’s holiday season. Are these financial institutions taking advantage of the primal human drive to give - and give more than they can afford? Times are tough and everyone is under extra stress this year, which leads me to suspect that there will be a lot of overcompensating for negative feelings through over-giving.

I will be the first one to admit that I have sought relief from my troubles by shopping my sorrows away for holiday gifts. Although this practice definitely elevated my spirits, the end result is usually increased stress due to strained finances come January. Now that I am more aware of the bio-science behind giving, I can consciously channel this urge in more constructive ways. Because we are all under an inordinate amount of stress this particular holiday season, I think a wise choice would be to satisfy this increased need for endorphins by balancing gift giving with giving of yourself.

As illustrated in Ms. Walker’s book, therapeutic levels of endorphins can be attained by simply doing something kind for a stranger. You don’t have to buy a lavish gift for someone to produce the “helpers high.” You can feel just as good, if not better, by doing something simple, thoughtful, and inexpensive. Additionally, the altruism must be completely voluntary to produce the desired effects.

Ms. Walker credits her success to spending time with people, offering emotional support, and small acts of kindness. So you don’t necessarily have to run out and join the Peace Corps if you are feeling blue, all you need to do is be more patient and kind in your everyday life. You will be surprised and satisfied by both the psychological and physiological results, and perhaps avoid over doing it on presents this year!

To learn more about giving and how it can improve your overall health, visit 29gifts.org.

And to all my loyal readers, have a happy and healthy holiday season! I look forward to connecting with you at Working Women of Tampa Bay events in 2010.

You can connect with Megan Daniel on Facebook.

Decorating for the Holidays: How to Get More For Less!

Working Women — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:09:01 GMT

When decorating for the holidays, it’s not about how much money you spend, but how creative you can be with what you already have!

Start by thinking about what kind of style and / or color scheme you want to incorporate. Once you have your direction, it’s time to start to illustrate it. Before you hit the store, take a look at what you have in your home. Chargers, china, or even that mirror on your wall can be the perfect base for a beautiful display to adorn your coffee table.

Sure, ornaments look great on your tree, but they can also create a focal point on your dining table. Grab a clear vase, and fill it up with some ornaments, and scatter a few around the base. Don’t have that many ornaments? Fill the center of the vase with crumbled tissue paper and push the ornaments around the paper, against the glass, but be sure you can’t really see the tissue paper from the outside. It will look like you have 60 ornaments instead of 20.

Don’t buy expensive napkin holders to only use for one month, make your own! Take some ribbon and tie it around your napkins and adorn it with a small ornament and accent with a sprig of evergreen. Are your dining chairs not festive enough for your pretty holiday table? Take some thicker ribbon and tie a bow around the back of each chair. You could also add some extra special flair to your chairs by again adding an ornament or bit of Christmas tree. Don’t forget your chandelier over the table. Add some touches of the season to your lighting fixture with some garland and intertwining red bows. Your guests marvel at your innovation!

When it comes to creating an environment, you must take into account more than just your sense of sight. Think about your sense of smell as well. Yes, scented candles will do the trick, but the good ones can cost a pretty penny! Grab some unscented candles from around your home and hit your spice rack! Scatter nutmeg and cinnamon sticks around the candles. Other ways to add scent is with extracts. Vanilla and peppermint are popular holiday scents. I would not suggest putting the extracts directly near the wick, because a number of extracts can be flammable. Tie a ribbon around the base or scatter some rocks below, and put a few drops on that instead. If you have a live tree, cut some twigs off the back of the tree and use the fresh pine to accent a display. All of these scents will fill your home with the smell of the holidays.

Do you have a corner in your home that just needs something? Wrap some empty boxes with some pretty paper and bows, and stack them there. You’ll be able to enjoy them longer than December 25th! Is your guest bathroom not welcoming guests with the holiday spirit? Don’t purchase a whole Christmas bath set. Instead, drape some holly and a red bow or two around your mirror, and voila!

Be creative this holiday season and your wallet will thank you!

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Staci M.

Unique Event Design

Holiday Shopping Spree Contest

Working Women — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:36:09 GMT

It’s the most wonderful time of year again - the time when we all think about the ritual of holiday shopping. Instead of fighting the crowds at mega stores or limiting your gift choices to things that have cheap shipping from online stores, why not consider fulfilling your gift list by shopping from members of Working Women of Tampa Bay?

After all, the holiday season is indeed entwined with the spirit of giving. When you support WWOTB members, you give your community a great holiday gift: a boost to the local economy. Your purchase is also helping make the season brighter for a fellow Working Woman of Tampa Bay

We are helping spread Holiday Cheer this year with our Holiday Shopping Spree Contest. From Black Friday until December 20th, any WWOTB member who buys from (3) fellow members will get a virtual raffle ticket for a prize drawing. There will be more than 2 dozen amazing gifts including a $100 spa gift certificate given away on 12/21.

To enter the contest, buy from (3) of our particpating vendors and tell them you are a WWOTB member. We will notify you on the night of the 20th what your virtual ticket number is and then we draw on the 21st. If you have any questions, e-mail us at workingwomenoftb@aol.com.

Here's a list of participating vendors to choose from:

Dawn Termani – Avon South Tampa

Michelle Northrup – Intensity Academy

Olga Carr – OAC Designs

Robin Borland – Art Rob Studios

Kathy Glenn – Pampered Chef

Kathy Glenn - Special Thymes

Luisa Mayer – Rodan & Fields

Kristen Mory – Generations Yoga

Suzin Carr - Illuminated Publishing

Karen McCrae – Arbonne Tampa Bay

Michelle Langlois – Edible Arrangements

Ederle Greene - Sacred Glo

Megan Henry – Vue Salon & Spa

Janet Landis Long – Kookie Krums

Ginger Rockey-Johnson – Mary Kay

Rebekah Reidy – Fit 4 Fashion

Joan Putrino – Silpada

Stephanie Ensor – Flip Flop Embroidery

Emily Shapiro – Body & Mind

Melissa Gallagher – Healthy Being

Billie Jo Grassinger – BiosLife

Angelique Carter – Life Balance Management

Krayl Funch – Event & Home Stylist

Elena Minton – Talk of the Town

Karen Rodowicz - JK Flowers

Debra Dakin – In the Pink

Suzanne Shamblin - Spa Hyde Park

Jennifer Kenny – Tranzitions Salon

Catalina Anderson – Makeup by Cat

Terri Long – Scentsy Candles

Thanks to Chief Blogger, Megan Daniel for help with this blog! She'll be blogging more about The Holidays in coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Ways your Show Your Thankfulness During the Holiday Season

Working Women — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:06:18 GMT

Businesses are tightening their belts during this economic climate, but it’s important to show your thankfulness and gratitude to those clients, vendors, and co-workers twho help provide you with the means to put that turkey on your table.

Here are some ideas for you to implement:

Holiday cards are a typical means to thank your clients and wish them a happy holiday season, but rather than sending out a stack of cards with a pre-printed signature, why not set aside some time and write a short note in each card. It will be meaningful to that individual, that you took the time to truly think of them.
Another option is to share the thoughtfulness and give to a cause that is close to their heart. If you have a client that runs in Race for the Cure every year, why not make a donation in her name to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
To thank those loyal customers, have a special discount or offer that only they are eligible for. Also, be sure to give them last dibs before any price increases. They have been loyal to you and it’s the least you can do.
For those few very special clients take the time to personalize a gift for them. For instance, if you know that Sandy is an avid golfer; give her a gift certificate to a local golf store. They will appreciate that you know them not only on a professional level, but also on a personal level
If you have had a great year, why not have a “Customer Appreciation” celebration. It can be as small as dinner at your location for a selected few, or a picnic at a local park, complete with food and activities.
However you decide to show your thankfulness, you don’t have to break the bank, just be creative. It’s true that it’s the thought that counts, so show them that you are thinking of them during this season of family and togetherness.

Staci Mandikas is an Event Designer & Planner and owner of Unique Event Design, LLC. She's been planning everything from weddings to corporate events, for more than three years. Learn more about her online.

Getting the Most Out of Microsoft Office 2007: Outlook

Working Women — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:26:23 GMT

You are probably familiar with Microsoft Office, the uber-popular productivity suite in use by many of today’s businesses. What you may not know, though, is how effective the program is when put to full use, and how it can impact you and your business specifically.

MS Office is sold in four different “flavors,” but the most basic Standard version comes with Outlook (for e-mail), Excel (for spreadsheets), PowerPoint (for presentations), and Word (for documents). The Microsoft Website offers a convenient comparison page so you can analyze the different versions, including features and cost.

Each of the different modules offered within the Office suite deserves an entire blog in and of itself, but today we’ll focus on just the basics of Outlook, which happens to be my personal favorite.

The Outlook website states: “Office Outlook 2007 provides an integrated solution to help you better manage your time and information.” What does that mean for you, exactly? It means that Outlook provides you, the time-starved-multi-hat-wearing-woman the tools necessary to manage your e-mail, calendars, notes, contacts, tasks and more in one convenient location. One location, that is, unless you are interested in mobile access. Yes, you can take it with you! For example, I use the calendar feature of Outlook to track both of my kids school activities/days off, after school events, holidays, work commitments, jewelry parties, bill paying, doctor appointments, and even gratitude e-mail reminders.

I classify each event within its appropriate category and then assign it a specific color so that I can see how my month (or day, or week) looks at a glance. I can also create multiple calendars and overlay them, one on top of the other, in order to keep separate calendars but see all events in a given time-period. I can then set up my iTouch to synch with Outlook (including contacts, mail, etc) in order to have my calendar with me at all times.

As if the basics of Outlook weren’t exciting enough on their own, if you take into consideration the various add-ins available, a whole new world of improved organization opens up to you. Two add-ins that I regularly use include Evernote and MAPILab’s Attachments Processor. Evernote is a free add-in which among other things allows you to take any bit of information found in an e-mail, or on a calendar item, and organize it effortlessly. The Attachments Processor is a handy add-in for those who get many (or very large) attachments, and are concerned about mail files growing too large too quickly. There are add-ins compatible with Outlook for just about anything that you could imagine having a need for, and many are available to download for free.

What we’ve covered today doesn’t even begin to do justice to the tools available just within Outlook itself, but it may whet your whistle a bit. If you’re interested in more information regarding Outlook specifically or Office in general, the Microsoft Office website is a great place to start researching. Have fun with it, productivity tools don’t have to be boring!

Connect with Angel Sullivan on Facebook.

Ghouls, Goblins, and Germs

Working Women — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:11:56 GMT

This year, Halloween festivities are tainted by the ghastly pallor of something truly frightening lurking in the shadows: a deadly pandemic flu. But don’t let this very scary threat spoil your fun. With a little bit of extra precaution, you can safely celebrate the day of the dead without you yourself becoming a casualty.

It is not necessary to trade in your monster mask for a surgical mask, although I suspect doctor costumes will be a very popular choice this year. The Centers for Disease Control gives some good practical advice: if you are very ill, running a fever, or have a bad cough, you should stay home! You might miss out on the party this year, but you will be preventing others from sharing in your misery.

The CDC even has a special page dedicated to Halloween germ safety. There they have information about how to protect yourself from both the H1N1 virus as well as the standard seasonal flu. You can even send animated “Don’t Be Afraid of Halloween” e-cards to your friends and relatives that include germ safety tips. One way you can help prevent the spread of germs this holiday is to place candy directly into the bags of eager trick-or-treaters, instead of letting them grab from your candy bowl.

The most potent protection against any type of flu is to get vaccinated. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, and if you must scratch or rub your face, using your knuckle rather than your fingertip is a more sanitary option. Wash your hands with soap and hot water as often as possible throughout your day. Avoid sharing utensils and cups. In addition, the CDC suggests that you avoid kissing, if at all possible.

Remember that hand sanitizer is not necessarily for the purpose of protecting yourself from germs. Using it will protect others from picking up any germs you may be spreading. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, do sanitize them before you touch anything. Consider it a part of your daily commitment to social responsibility.

All sanitizers are not created equal: make sure you read the label. Select one that uses alcohol rather than triclosan as its active ingredient. Only alcohol (or bleach) will kill the flu virus. My personal preference is alcohol wipes, because they come in convenient individually wrapped packets that fit easily into even the smallest purse or pocket. I have also noticed that many pharmacies now offer alcohol based hand sanitizer in a variety of pleasing scents. You can also usually find a soothing lavender scented hand sanitizer in the baby care aisle.

Even though the old tradition of bobbing for apples may now be a thing of the past, many Halloween traditions still live on. If you are thinking about giving out bottles of hand sanitizer this year instead of candy, you can expect to fall victim to another time honored tradition: egging.

You can connect with Megan Daniel on Facebook.

Need money for your business? Ask Uncle Sam!

Working Women — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:24:22 GMT

In 1953, Congress enacted the Small Business Administration with the passage of the Small Business Act. If your business could use a helping hand, an SBA loan is something you should consider. Even if you aren’t necessarily looking for a loan, www.sba.gov offers a multitude of important information any business can benefit from.

Contrary to popular belief, an SBA loan isn’t something specifically for people looking to start a new business, but is more so to help fund new businesses that need help getting established. SBA loans offer longer repayment periods and less strict affordability requirements than normal commercial business loans. A very popular use of SBA loans is for commercial mortgages on buildings, because unlike most bank programs, borrowers are not required to refinance every five years.

So how do you get started? First, spend some time familiarizing yourself with their website. Then, go apply for business loans at private banks. I know this sounds contradictory, but before seeking an SBA loan, you must first provide the SBA proof that you can't get a loan from a private source. You must be turned down for a loan by at least two different banks before you can apply. If you live in a rural area, one turn down might be enough.

Once you are rejected (don’t take it personally), ask your banker if they would grant you the loan under SBA's loan guarantee plan, or if they would work in conjunction with the SBA on a loan. If your banker is interested, ask if they will contact them using the SBA’s hotline number, which is 1-800-827-5722, to discuss your application.

If your bank is just not interested in working with you, then you'll have to apply directly to SBA for a loan on their website. You'll be required to fill out the SBA loan application, and submit other forms designed to help SBA assess the soundness of your business. You will need to write a business plan, a statement of personal history, and a monthly cash flow projection. Although this may sound daunting, the website will walk you through completing these documents with ease.

After you have submitted your application packet, SBA will evaluate your request to determine your chances of success. If you plan on operating the business by managing all the day-to-day details on your own, that's an important plus. Another aspect that will help tip the scales in your favor is if the business will be your sole source of income. The SBA figures that you'll work that much harder at keeping the business afloat if your family’s livelihood depends on it.

The SBA will also look at your ability to repay the loan. They will look over your credit history, and although it won’t preclude you altogether, if you have a bankruptcy on record or a default of another loan, your application will receive an extra level of attention that may considerably slow down the process. The most important thing to remember is not to give up. Don't count yourself out no matter how weak your financial condition may currently seem.

This program was designed to help American business grow - including yours. Even if you aren’t looking for a loan right now, the SBA also offers several management assistance programs that could prove to be very valuable. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of everything Uncle Sam has to offer!

You can connect with Megan Daniel on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

The Law of Attraction

Working Women — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:15:08 GMT

Chances are by now you’ve heard of the phrase “The Law of Attraction.” The concept has been made popular by the hit movie, “The Secret.” Even Oprah has shared her thoughts on the topic. When it comes to business, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. It’s all about keeping an open mind and an attitude of thankful expectation.

There are many exercises for playing with this law. One involves thinking of a particular object or experience (something small to begin with). Put all of your focus on it. I used a very juicy & ripe tomato when I tried this the first time. Picture it in your mind’s eye with as much detail (and using as many senses) as possible. Once you’ve vividly imagined your test item in detail for a few minutes, let it go. Don’t think about it again… Just be aware. My tomato showed up for me within a couple of days. It was on the side of a large semi-truck, advertising the restaurant: Sweet Tomatoes.

So, now you’re excited by the idea… you’re probably wondering how you can use it in your life and in your business, right? You can use a vision board to picture a goal you’ve got for yourself and/or your business. Click here for an example. There’s also an amazing digital vision board – for free – on Oprah’s website. You can combine the use of the vision board with the exercise above and your own imagination. There are so many amazing tools available, for those who are interested. Once you start practicing, I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the ‘coincidences’ that start coming your way.

My best advice: keep an open mind, express your gratitude on a daily basis, then watch and wait with wonder as your life and business begin to shift!”

Angel Sullivan

“A Grateful Heart; A Joyful Life”

Angel@AnExperimentInGratitude.com

http://AnExperimentInGratitude.com

The Color of Money

Working Women — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:56:02 GMT

“Going green” is all the rage these days, and from what I can see, being eco-minded not only helps the planet, but can also help your wallet. I know that many of our Members have a home or small office, so I ask: what two major consumables fuel your operation? I’d bet the answer is power and paper. With that in mind, here are just a few earth-friendly, money saving tips.

Electricity:

You can have save approximately $143 a year in electricity costs by simply customizing the power settings on your computer. For example, if your computer system sleeps for 21 hours per day, it uses just 5 watts. Leave your computer running for 24 hours a day, and you will use a comparatively large 160 watts.

To customize your power settings in any version of Microsoft Windows, go to the Control Panel, select Hardware and Sounds, then choose Power Options. Alternatively, you can get there by right clicking anywhere on the desktop, choose Screen Saver, and then click on “change power settings” at the bottom of the pop up window.

Windows will not tell you exactly how much power you’ll be saving buy altering these settings, but you can find out by using a utility called “LocalCooling,” available as a free download at http://shareme.com/download/local-cooling.html. This program will give you much greater insight into the amount of power that each component in your computer is drawing.

To make you feel good not only about the money you are saving but also about the reduced impact you are having on the environment, LocalCooling keeps a running tally of how many trees, gallons of fuel, and kilowatt hours of electricity you are saving by employing the various power saving schemes. You can even use the utility to view how much energy you are saving relative to other LocalCooling users.

Another easy way to shrink that power bill a little is to make be sure you unplug these same machines when you go on vacation or leave the office for the weekend. Be aware that even when the computer is turned off, it may still be drawing power for certain components that have stand-by functions. Using a power strip, surge protector, or battery backup system can make this task more convenient: just pull the main line once everything is safely shut down.

Printing and Paper:

Surprisingly, black-and-white laser printers are much cheaper to run than inkjet printers. Typically, the cost per page of running a laser printer is about half that of the average inkjet printer, due to the great difference in the cost of consumables - and that's assuming that you print only in black ink with your inkjet. If you print using any colors at all, the cost per page skyrockets over the cost of using a traditional laser printer. While you may pay a bit more up front for the cost of a laser printer, you should quickly recoup that money in regained overhead.

If you love your inkjet and don’t want to make the switch to laser, don’t be afraid to refill your ink cartridges. In my experience doing this, I have noticed no difference whatsoever in the print quality, nor has it damaged my printer in any way. At local shops like Walgreens, a refill is only $10 and is usually ready in 1 hour. The last stop for completely spent ink cartridges should always be a designated ink cartridge recycling bin.

Whether you are running an inkjet or a laser printer, you can drastically reduce your ink or toner consumption by utilizing the settings in the print driver. If you are using Windows, open the Control Panel's Printer section, right-click your printer driver, and select Properties from the pop- up menu. You can also get to the printer’s Properties by right clicking on the small printer icon in the notification area in the lower right of your screen. From within the printer's Properties panel, look for a setting such as "econo-mode", “fast draft” or some other setting that allows you to specify 50 per cent ink usage (this depends on your brand of printer). This change will generally result in printouts that are a bit lighter than they otherwise would be, but they will still be perfectly legible, and you'll save a lot in ink or toner costs.

You can also save on paper costs if you minimize your usage. It is estimated that paper accounts for more than half of all municipal solid waste. Setting up good paper usage habits can really help the Earth in a myriad ways, and reduce the number of those pricey reams you must buy. A good way to start is to “think before you print.” Ask yourself: do you really need a hard copy of this document? Use a hard drive backup service or device and just save a copy of everything important.

Here are some more nifty printer tricks you can use: Only print the page you need to review from Word by hitting Ctrl + P then Alt + E. This will move thee curser to “only current page”; then hit enter. Try printing on both sides of the page. This is only for hardcore savers! First print the odd pages, then flip the stack, and change the output to only odd pages. When possible, print in “two up” mode by hitting Ctrl+P, look for “pages per sheet, clicking the drop down arrow, and selecting “2 per page.” This will make a printout on one page that looks like a book. Make a scrap paper pile and use that stack when you want to print drafts. Finally, paper that is too used to put back in the paper tray can be cut into fourths and used to jot quick notes or phone messages.

You can make a difference in your consumption if you pay attention to what you are using and work small, effective changes into your daily routine. The payoff will be tangibly reflected in your bottom line: the amount of which will be a direct reflection of how much you are willing to change.

So tell me, what will you do with your newfound green money? I’ll be spending mine at the next Girls Night Out, proposing a toast to all our hard work!

Your E-volving Business

Working Women — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:16:47 GMT

Web commerce is growing exponentially, and should be considered a critical component to your business plan. If you don’t already have a proprietary web sales portal for your product or service, I encourage you to try your hand at entering the online marketplace through Ebay or Amazon. These sites are a great way to reach a national or even an international market.

You can design your own professional looking “store front” which is hosted by the parent site for a monthly fee (between $10 and $15 per month). If you prefer, you may simply sell items under your username, in which case you will only be charged a small fee to list an item, and another small fee if the item sells. In both cases the fee is anywhere from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on the level of features you select for the listing and the final selling price.

You can choose to sell your products in either an auction style or “buy it now” format. To set the price, take into consideration the lowest price you would want for the item, but also weigh that against the price other sellers have listed. The best way to determine what a reasonable price for your item would be is to do a background check on it first by running a search as if you were a buyer. Remember that something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it! If you have a unique item or service, you can set the price as you like. However, if you see that there are hundreds of your item for sale at $10 each, for example, you will have the competitive edge by selling yours for $9.50, and your item will appear at the top of the list of search results.

Try Ebay’s “Turbolister” program to really simplify and speed up the listing process. This software is free to download from the “seller’s tools” section of the Ebay website. With Turbolister, you can set a template of parameters that will remain unchanged in all your listings, so you will not have to type things over and over again. This is especially valuable if you are selling high volumes of identical items. Take a few close up and very well lit photos of your item, which the software will then easily import into your completed listing. Make sure you set up specific terms in your listings, and follow through with what you say, or you will end up with negative feedback. You are the boss of your site: make sure you clearly and concisely state the terms of the sale in each listing, as this will trump any conflicts that may arise. Otherwise the customer is right!

If a customer has a problem or issue with the transaction and contacts you about it, you will want to attempt to resolve the situation as quickly and as diplomatically as possible. Even one negative feedback can severely affect your feedback percentage, and if that figure falls below about 98% positive, customers will look to buy from other sellers with higher marks. Usually buyers will not leave negative feedback unless you straight up lie about the product, and only then after you have ignored their emails. The more positive feedback you get, the more reliable and trustworthy you will appear to your potential customers. This is one of the ways that e-commerce differentiates from the real world – wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a similar scorecard next to the front door of every brick and mortar business we venture into to make a purchase?

Don’t worry about calculating shipping either: the United States Postal Service is very smoothly linked to your Ebay and PayPal accounts, allowing pre-filled shipping labels to be printed immediately after the transaction. All you have to do is print out the label and tape it to the box, so there will be no troublesome mistakes in copying the recipient’s address. I recommend priority mail flat rate boxes: you can then give customers a discount for combined shipping on multiple purchases (always an attractive selling point) no matter what the weight is. Best of all, USPS will deliver as many boxes in whatever sizes you need (free!) to your home or business, and will pick up your shipments for delivery once they are packed and ready to go.

Once you have uploaded your completed listing, you will want to search for your own item. This way you can see exactly how it will appear to someone who might be looking to buy it. If your listing doesn’t come up on the first page, try adding additional terms to the title of your listing. What key words are other sellers using to describe the same or a similar item? For an additional fee you can also add premium selling boosters such as bold or highlighted words, or a giant sized picture. You can freely edit your page until the item sells or is bid upon, so check it as soon as it is made public to ensure there are no errors.

Even if you don’t have one of these stores, you can always benefit from having a PayPal account, which will allow you to avoid the cost of traditional methods of accepting credit card payments. Additionally, you can accept payments from your face-to-face sales by simply asking the customer to use PayPal and giving them your designated email address for payment.

And finally - don’t forget to ramp up traffic to your e-commerce sites by including links to them on your social networking pages and your website. You could even create a Facebook Fan Page for your online store and post pictures of new items you've uploaded. There is nothing like a little free advertising. Happy Selling!

You can connect with Megan on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Tips for Polishing your Internet Persona

Working Women — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:24:03 GMT

Since this is the inaugural blog, I feel a bit of an introduction of myself is in order: my name is Megan Daniel. If you want to know more about me, you can check my Facebook, MySpace, twitter, or LinkedIn pages for more detailed info. If you really want to stalk me, you can also view my ridiculously boring photos on flikr, or even check out what kind of cheesy B movies I enjoy on Netflix.

Sound familiar? You probably also have a presence on one or more of the above websites. If you are a professional woman looking to increase your product or company’s exposure, the internet is a fantastic place to do it. It is also a great way to market yourself for free. However, unlike getting yourself all gussied up and putting a polish on your resume to pitch yourself to clients, your web presence is on public display 24/7, and is accessible to a huge number of people worldwide. You should treat your online persona with the same attention to detail and mindfulness of the impression you want to make as you would on potential clients (or employers) in person.

Try these tactics to make sure your online information is an accurate, sparkling and polished representation of yourself:

You probably already know about Google-ing yourself, but don’t forget to try other search engines like Yahoo or the new search engine Bing, to cover all the proverbial bases. Also search the name of your business, to see if anyone has perhaps started a “gripe site” against you. Remember that on sites like Yahoo, people can leave comments or give ratings under your yellow pages listing. You can also use these sites to check what people are saying about your competitors, which could give you a strategic edge. If you have a very common name, or have trouble finding anything at all, try searching deeper: you can get information that might be in the metadata of web pages by clicking on “advanced search” at the top of the search engine’s page. Some pages will also let you use signals, which are punctuation marks used to refine your search. For example, using parenthesis around multiple words will return results only for that particular phrase. Also be sure to run searches for any usernames or handles you have used in the past, as this may produce long forgotten posts to message boards or comments on websites you might not want to have floating around out on the net anymore. Usually you can’t delete past posted items, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page, click “contact the webmaster,” and you can send them an email asking to delete the undesirable text.

Remember that even if you have your privacy or security settings set up on your social networking pages, there are some things that people will always be able to see. Try checking your pages at a computer where you are not logged on to see what is accessible to the public. It is wise to have almost everything set to “only friends.” Be sure to tweak what you are a fan of on Facebook: no matter how high you crank up the privacy settings, everyone can see what you are a fan of, so use discretion. Set your profile picture to the most professional looking one you can find. Recently, Facebook added a new security setting in response to complaints that pictures left on “public” were being dubiously heisted and used by advertisers. You certainly wouldn’t want a photo of you attached to some inappropriate product or service, so make sure you lock down your photos. Make sure no one tags you in a photo you find unprofessional. Un-tag yourself, and politely ask the friend to refrain from tagging you in the future without your authorization. If they do it again, un-friend them: they are not worth the bad PR. It’s also worth mentioning that you should be very observant of undesirable things, people, or activities that may be going on in the background of any photos you post. If possible, check for privacy settings on any sites used for managing photos such as flikr. If you still have a MySpace page, you might want to consider minimizing it or even shutting it down entirely. Many people these days view MySpace as a chaotic hangout for teenagers and lonely singles, which may not be the right forum for you or your business. If you are a Twitter user, you may want to start posting positive messages that reflect the professional, dynamic, creative person that you are. If you don’t have a LinkedIn page yet, you should consider setting one up. This site is more geared to the exchange of professional information via a repository of resumes.

Your email address is something else to keep in mind. If your email address begins with something like “lovestoparty” or “sexyvampress,” you will want to change it. This is a surprisingly common faux pas that is easily remedied using free email services such as Gmail. My best advice is to set up an additional email account using your name, or something that relates to your business. You can then use the POP3 settings on your main account to forward all your emails to one convenient place.

After you’ve done your “online” housekeeping, sit back, relax, and relish in your newfound e-confidence. You might want to link your pages to one another, which gives the impression of openness and honesty. Another benefit is that potential clients will feel that they have a deeper connection to you as a person, and will be making a more informed decision when doing business with you. Don’t be afraid to list links to your sites on your business cards. This will demonstrate how techno-savvy you are. Be proud of your digital self!

You can connect with Megan on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn