Lori Richardson of Score More Sales

In this interview Lori Richardson reveals what worked and what didn't when she launched almost 10 years ago.

What do you know now that you wish you would have know before you started?
I wish that I would have reached out to more people. I tried to do everything myself and I try to learn everything myself....it cost me a lot of time.  I wish I would have gotten good support on my branding.  I had the wrong name for my company and so I rebranded my company in 2005…I thought I was on the right track.  Always hire the pros. It’s funny because I thought I was on the right track.

Are you more of a collaborator or go it alone?
My whole tour this year is talking to business owners about the value of collaboration and the value of innovation. These two topics because so many us stay in your shell and we recreate the same problems in our businesses.

Do you have any mentors?
In every aspect of my business I have strategic partners or mentors. Businesses who are experts in their fields.  This is very valuable.

Favorite:
Movie: Miracle about Team USA beating Russia

Song : Anything with an upbeat…forward thinking.

Book:  Asset Based Thinking by Kathryn Cramer and Hank Wasiak.   It calls for small shifts toward what's working instead of moving away from what's not.  It's positive thinking about what you have instead of what you don't have.

Linda Snyder of Ladies Who Launch Seattle

Please meet Linda Snyder, owner of Ladies Who Launch Seattle.  Her drive and dedication to the Ladies is legendary.   For authentic business connections join savvy business owners at Ladies Who Launch.

What was your prior business experience and how did you get into Ladies Who Launch?

I got into LWL through my prior business.  When I moved up here from Eugene I opened a UPS store and although it was fabulous, it didn’t grow my soul.  So I started meeting with women who had small businesses and  we’d have coffee and I’d give advice. Then one day driving home I thought “Why aren’t you doing this full-time?”   I thought this is what I should be doing and I called a business broker and said here’s my price.  I started doing some coaching and I’d heard about Ladies Who Launch and had taken a client there.  I was in love with this organization, this is my tribe, so I did an incubator.  After six months my UPS store sold so when the opportunity came up to buy the business I didn’t even hesitate.  And as crazy as it sounds I didn’t even ask the price – which I don’t recommend.

What do you know now you wish you known before buying LWL?

How much work it is…I’m a hard worker but taking over another business is different than starting it on your own.  So part of the first six months was me putting my stamp on the business.

Have you had mentors or role models along the way?

My mom who is generous, warm hearted , and well spoken.  She’s done everything in her life with integrity and grace.   No business mentors in my life.  I worked in a male dominated organization and their style didn’t fit my style.  

As you business grows how do you get it all done?

Hours upon hours of work.  I love doing it and I’ve always worked hard and I’m passionate about it but prioritization on what I spend time on works well.  I love QuickBooks and recommend it to everybody I know.   Stay off CrackBook but Hootsuite is a huge time saver.  Lastly, stop being a perfectionist.

What personality trait serves you best?

Empathy…understanding of the creative process and where the incubators are going.  I'm great at visioning... to see what’s on the paper and where the business can go from there.

Did you dream of owning a business as a child growing up in an entrepreneurial family?

Yes,I played store, we had the setup in our room to play dolls.  We had fashion outfits for Barbies…putting on shows as the director…loved being the star in the neighborhood performances when I was really bookish and shy and introverted.  It's interesting that those facets of my personality came out in my childhood.

What was your first job?

At age five I got paid 1 penny for every bow I made for the store my parents owned.   Every Sunday I worked making bows.  Then summers I worked in the store at whatever make-work job in the  business until l I was 14 and got an actual paycheck.  

Do you trust your intuition?

Absolutely, but I also believe in Trust but Verify.  Take intuitive leaps and it's smart to back up and look at the tactical pieces that it take to get there.

What's your favorite: 

Movie - Pretty Woman....the chemistry makes me happy….it's a princess fairy tale

Song -  Ronnee Blakely  She Lays It On the Line....that's how I live my life

Book -  Qualities of a Leader  It's got real gems throughout it.

Susan Anderson owner of Forza Coffee Fisher Plaza

Please meet the incredible Susan Anderson of Forza Coffee.   Her high energy and spirit bring customers back again and again.  Check out her Facebook page and hit the LIKE button. 

What got you into the coffee business?

I worked for UPS for 25 yrs and went to Starbuck’s quite a bit.   And then down in Puyallup  a Forza Coffee opened about four years ago.   I went there quite a bit, they made me feel important and then when I tasted their coffee I thought "Wow, this is great." And it was the place to be…near high schools, churches, and I thought “I want to own one of these”….it just felt right....I just said it to myself.

About a year ago the Puyallup Forza Coffee put out a sign “Looking for Franchise Opportunities"  and for 2 weeks I walked by it and memorized the phone number and kept thinking about it.

So I took one of my co-workers to get their opinion and he was impressed too when the baristas knew my name and my drink.  Not only did he think it was a good idea but he wanted to be my business partner. We’d been in negotiation and were looking for the right location when the economy started tanking and we couldn’t get a bank loan. We tried six different banks with no luck.

We were going to be the first Forza in King County and were trying to move forward but then the officers were killed in Lakewood and nothing happened for a month.  It was a sad time for everyone associated with Forza Coffee.

Then in December we got a call from Fisher Plaza that not only are they a huge supporters of law enforcement,  they want a Forza Coffee in their building.   It was a remodel and not a build out so we could get into for a lot less.   And my business partner and I said YES!

What do you know now that you wish you knew before you moved in?

Perhaps doing more Due Diligence....it’s be a bit tougher without neighborhoods, churches, schools, but on the other hand the location cost us so much less and we’ve only been here for six months so we’re trying different marketing methods.  We thought being across from the Space Needle we’d be busier than we are. 

Do you have any mentors or role models that inspire you?

I was in management at UPS but I never consciously thought about it...

In your business how do you get it all done?

That’s what I’m in the process of working on.  I live in Puyallup and I work long hours and I’m trying to do it all myself but it’s just too much.  The more I work the less I have to pay out but I need to make a change.

What personality trait serves you best in business?

My nature is to make people feel good and this is a perfect job.  I welcome people and make them feel good like they’re at home.

How much do you trust your intuition?

I’m learning that right now…the timing of opening this…I’m learning that trusting your intuition is important.

Are you more of a collaborator or go it alone gal?

A collaborator..I was doing it all and trying to please everybody and now I'm enjoying collaborating.   My business partner does negotiations and finances because he also works full time.

What’s your fave movie?   Rudy or Field of Dreams…The Princess Bride,  Pride and Prejudice.

What’s your fave book?  The Gospel according to Starbucks by Leonard Sweet 

Fave song?  Music plays such a strong place in my life…Snow Patrol "You Could be Happy"

Jill Pagano of NiaDivas

The energy and passion of Jill Pagano really lights up any room.   As a former aerobics instructor and current Nia (non-impact aerobics) Black Belt she "puts fun back into fitness".     Her business NiaDivas in W. Seattle helps those with an injury or physical challenge get moving - Sway and Shift in a safe way.

 As a business owner Jill shines.  She understands the benefit of business planning, working IN the business, and creating value for her clients.

Enjoy my interview with Jill. 

What got you into the Nia business?
I was a personal trainer and fitness instructor and while attending  an IDEA Health and Fitness Convention I read this description of Nia class.  I tried it and loved it.  That was in 1995.

What do you know now that you wish you knew before you started your Nia business?
For me, I think to stay with it more.  I fractioned off a lot.   Nia has been a constant and I've had other side businesses along the way.  Nia has been a business/hobby that I dabbled in and now want to grow into a successful business.

Did you have any mentors or role models has you launched your Nia practice?
There are many Nia trainers that are role models to me around the world.  Helen Terry, a teacher and trainer in Houston has a very successful business.   Ann Christiansen, a European trainer for Nia.   They make their living very successfully at educating people in Nia.  And of course, Debbie Rosas Stuart and Carlos Rosas who founded Nia are my mentors.

As your business grows how do you get it all done?  Any tips on streamlining or
outsourcing?
I do believe in outsourcing.   What I've discovered recently is outsourcing to other people that do what I do.  That was a big aha moment for me.  I'm a Nia teacher and I have a graphic designer that's also a Nia teacher and the ability for her to understand what I want is so streamlined and so much easier.  There are 2,500 Nia instructors around the world and potentially they all do other things so it's a great community for me to jump into and use.  My postcard came together in just days because she got Nia.

When you get to the point of hiring people in your business what trait will you look for that will complement yours?
Consistency...detail oriented...someone who is able to track projects and know where we are along the way.  Right now I have an assistant that tracks our numbers...how many attendees, how many memberships sold, and if someone hasn't shown up for class she'll send a note. 
As I hold the container for the big vision of Nia and bringing the education and inspiration I need someone to also maintain the details.   It makes me a better teacher.

What personality trait serves you best in your business? 
Creative vision...seeing the big picture....thinking outside the box. It's a huge bonus that I bring.    As I develop that ...to follow through on ideas that are very good...that will propel the business.   Definitely, follow through on the big ideas.

Did you dream of owning a business as a child?
I knew I didn't want to work for anyone else.   When I was a junior in college I wrote a training manual for aerobic instructors.  I had the vision of working with and training people in the area of fitness.   I could never sit at a desk and wear nylons everyday.

What was your first business?
Where I went out on my own and hung my own shingle?   It was called Iron and Oxygen and that was in 1992.  I worked out of ProRobics as a contractor...I taught aerobics and also contracted as a personal trainer.  I had a logo and brochures and everything.  It was all about lifting weights and aerobics.   All the pieces were there for great success and it was a dream job.

How much do you trust your intuition?
I really don't and that's a weakness of mine.   I'm not even sure I know what my gut is saying half of the time.  I'm very transparent about how I question my gut all the time.  So as I move into this next phase of Nia it's all about understanding the sensation of the body that says "Look at this."    I'm excited about this since I haven't learned to value or trust my intuition. 

Are you more of a collaborator or a go it alone kind of gal?
I'm naturally a go it alone  gal....that's my instinct but I'm surprised at how much I like to collaborate.  I like to do what I do...I don't need approval of a bunch of people and I'm learning the importance of collaborating as long as I'm in the driver's seat....ha ha ha!

Your Favorite Song - Shimmer by Shawn Mullins  It's all about understanding that we're all born to Shine.

Your Favorite Book - Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman.   I read it during my 20's and on a personal level,  when I needed it, it showed up.

Your Favorite Movie - Sliding Doors  A brilliant movie that shows how one split second influences our lives one way and also shows what the parallel view too.  What's our destiny?

Measure ROI for your Social Marketing

All you savvy women entrepreneurs and wanna be's too, have a knock out Social Marketing Strategy, right? That's what everyone is talking about - Mashable, Seth Godin, Keith Ferrazzi, Mari Smith.  That's why we're all on FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and are blogging.  So how is it working for you?  How do you know? 

Google Analytics shows what happens on your website but what if you're a brick and mortar store front; say a salon, spa, or boutique how do you track where new customers find you.

Here's a simple method to measure your ROI for each piece.

ROI Question:  How did you find us today?  (Friendly and engaging works...ask about why they're shopping today....have they visited other stores they found on X, Y or Z site.)

Ask the question of EVERYONE that comes in or phones your shop and write down their answers and ask for their email address too.   When you track like this you have far more accuracy than when you just guess or as I call it the "Shotgun" approach to marketing.   

Your Social Marketing is an investment whether it involves your time and no cash or your time + cash.  Small businesses rarely can waste their time and money without some  kind of return. 

Earlier this year I was in shop I had seen in the Sunday Times
Pacific Magazine for the past few months.  While I was at the counter paying for my goods, I asked the owner how the ads were working for her.  She looked a bit chagrined and said she didn't know.  A friend had suggested she advertise in the magazine so she did.  But with no plan she had no idea how many, if any, new customers she got.

The next time I was in she said she had cancelled the ads and was trying a different approach which involved engaging new walk in's and collecting email addresses...a much better plan.

If you use QuickBooks create a custom field for Marketing and add your customers answers to your ROI Question.  You can then run reports and evaluate where you're getting the most bang for your buck....ads on FaceBook, Google Adwords, Twitter specials...well, you get the idea. 

Ditch the shotgun approach and ask customers and clients where they found you...it's easy and they'll want to share with you.

Any questions...just shoot up an email.

New Kids on the Block

QuickBooks has long been the leader in small business accounting.  Intuit estimates their market share at around 85% and that 4 out of 5 accountants recommend QuickBooks.  This sounds great if you are a QuickBooks stockholder but can they hold on when there's more and more competition.

Here's a review of a three new competitors for the standard accounting program.  I've done the research, now see what you think.

FreshBooks looks good...lots of talk about managing, tracking, sending invoices but when I  got down deeper it seems like all they do is Time Tracking and Invoicing.  Hmm, seems like a lot of money at up to $39.95 a month for Accounts Receivable.   What about Accounts Payable and Expenses, Assets and Liabilities?
On the FreshBooks site you can find out how to integrate their program into QuickBooks, which leads me to a big, huh?

shoeboxed sounds cool but the more I flipped through their site the more  I went, Why?  The company is all about organizing YOU.  There's  an IPhone App so you can take a pix of your receipts, send it to shoeboxed where they'll categorize it and enter the contact info too. Again this program integrates with QuickBooks, and it saves you time and money, right?  Not at this price....Free, which pretty much what most business owners do now.  It steps up pretty fast from $9.95 to $49.95 a MONTH.  Kinda pricey when you're doing the picture taking and sending.  Oh, you can also snail mail your receipts...now that's so last year!

And finally, inDinero, intrigued me.  It's simple to set-up, monitors trends, and there's a cool dashboard.   You can say "Good bye Accounting"  and "Hello, inDinero".  Wow, these guys might really be on to something.  Most of my clients over the past 20 years haven't fully understood the accounting process or terms...this might be just the best thing in years.

But I'm still not convinced and the price is pretty steep.  The Free version allows only 50 transactions a month which isn't much when you're dealing with Invoices, Bills, Checks, and Credit Card charges.  The next level is $29.95 a month and then a whopping leap to $99.95 a month.

I did some simple math.  Let's just call it $100 per month X 12 months and you're at $1200 just for the inDinero.  The transactions have to get into the program whether you're downloading your bank accounts, hiring a bookkeeper, or have staff to do it. 

Back to the QuickBooks website to see what's new for 2011.  Not to be out done Intuit has been busy integrating new features to make "Everyday Tasks More Efficient".     Easily download bank transactions; email Invoices and Statements; Company Snapshots show trends from year to year. 

My recommendation - stick with a full on program.  Everything's in one place and best of all it makes filing your Year End TAXES a piece of cake.

Filing can be Fun!

Ok, I think filing and organizing get a bad rap.  It's not the funnest part of running a business but it sure makes finding that all-important receipt when you need it.



To liven up the task, check out these fashionable supplies available at Office Max and Office Depot.   Too much brown and beige can be so dull and boring.

These trend-setting supplies will set the tone in your office and you'll feel so up-to-date when meeting with customers and clients.

Spice up your office space with colorful desk accessories like these red organizers.  I'd choose jazzy and functional over boring and unuseable any day.   As you're browsing through the aisles look for items that might be for another purpose but will work great in your office.

I like these woven totes with handles for stacking on the shelves in my office.  They're easy to life and move to another room.  If I'm working on a big project I will find an engaging movie and get my filing done practically painless.   A glass of wine isn't out of the question either....fun is in.


Here's a short list of supplies you'll need to get started:
File Box

File Folders

Correction Tape
Binder Clips
Favorite Pens
White Board(a great place for your To-Do list)
Stand-up Stapler - very handy!
Sharpies
Envelopes

Getting organized and creating systems saves time, energy, and frustration...which all translates to saving money...that's smart.

The Power Chicks' Founder Lynn Baldwin Rhoades as Featured Friday

As this week's Featured Friday interview Lynn Baldwin Rhoades shares her inspiration and challenges with us when starting out as an entrepreneur.   Lynn is a smart writer who really delivers for women with Marketing Shebang and appeals to women entrepreneurs with The Power Chicks. 

What was your motivation to start The Power Chicks?

I was a new business owner myself and leapt out of a corporate environment, not prepared to be an entrepreneur. So I wanted to get a small group of women together to network, support each other, and help each other find resources. But the “small” Power Chicks group got super-big…so many women needed the same kind of support I wanted, too.

What do you know now that you wish you would have known before starting The Power Chicks?
How much my own individual need would be mirrored or shown in other’s lives. Power Chicks is in about 10 countries – and there are around 3,000 members. The majority is in the US and small group in Canada and the rest across the globe.

Have you had any mentors or role models?
I confess I’m a full-fledge “online stalker” – I watch and learn from what others are doing. I’ve been watching Lisa Rankin of Owning Pink for a long time; I love what she’s doing in her authentic manner. As for “real-life” mentors, I’m looking for one. I think we all need mentors.

As your business grows, how do you get it all done?  Do you have any systems or streamlining in place?
I have a lot on my plate, and I am not very organized. I actually get quite blocked with the chaos of it all! In the next several months, I’m determined to find new strategies – ways I can accomplish my goals without being so mucked up in the details that sap time.

What personality trait serves you best in The Power Chicks?
I think being real. Being honest. Although, this can make me feel vulnerable sometimes!
I was on the Sisters of Sizzle radio show yesterday and shared a story about being insecure at a women’s networking event. Afterwards, I thought, “Why did I share that?” I didn’t let my brain take me down that slippery slope of self-criticism, but I do think because I’m willing to be open, people can relate to me. I mean – don’t we all have those moments? And at the end of the day, I want to see us all succeed at our biggest dreams; who we’re supposed to be...and not just our businesses.

Did you dream of being an entrepreneur?
No, I was going to be a nurse, a missionary, a firefighter and then a writer -- which I ended up being.

How much do you trust your intuition in your business world?
I go back and forth a bit…some days I trust myself a great deal and other days, not so much. I do know the more grounded I am, the more I trust what I have to offer the world.

Are you more of a collaborator or more of a go-it alone gal?
I’m actually both. I’m introverted at heart, which means I process things individually in my own head. I need to come to my own solutions, so in that way I’m “go it alone.” But as for collaborating, I love working with people. I have certain strengths and you have certain strengths, and when we come together, we are that much more powerful.


Favorite Movie : The Whale Rider, because it makes me cry. Gran Torino, because it makes me think. 50 First Dates, because it makes me laugh.

Favorite Song: I don’t have one.  I do enjoy music, but rarely remember the names of the songs!

Favorite Book: Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg.

How the.....?????

Cruising around Facebook, Twitter, blogs, newsletters, webinars we often hear WHAT we need to do to be successful but rarely do we read about the HOW to do the WHAT.

Recently, I had conversations with several women entrepreneurs that were so frustrated they are running in circles reading information from five different sources and each suggesting something different.  How's a savvy, smart, and resourceful business women supposed to know which way to turn?

I feel your pain.  My expertise is on the business side of business.  I've owned and operated businesses for over 30 years so I'm good there. Where I get stuck sometimes is in figuring out which Social Marketing site gets me the most traction or figuring out which hosting site is best, and blogging vs. websites.

So where do you get stuck?  Do you know What you're supposed to be doing every day but have no clue the How of it all?

Post your questions and we all might get this all figured out together.

Sherry Sexton of Imagine Coaching - Featured Friday

Imagine Coaching founder Sherry Sexton has a broad and deep background in business.  I had a chance to interview her recently and was truly inspired by her insight into women and their issues in business and with money.
Sherry is currently taking nominations for women to have a chance to work with her Paying it Forward program.   You nominate another women entrepreneur and she gets a one hour phone coaching session with Sherry - talk about generous. 

What do you know now that your wish you knew before you started this business?
The fancy website and tri-fold glossy brochure were totally unnecessary- who was I trying to impress?
That I would have asked for more help from others- not go it alone!
Lastly, that it was ok to keep a day job and start my company part-time

Do you trust your intuition…what happened when you ignored it….or embraced it?
Try to trust my intuition most of the time- if I ignore it, I may work with a client who was not a good fit and tends to create more negatively in my life- which I try to avoid.
When I embrace it the possibilities are endless.

What mentors or role models have inspired you?
Personally, I am an avid Oprah fan in regards to helping other women and making a difference in the world
Professionally, the many coaches who have guided me along my path, especially best- selling author, Robyn Spizman and my greatest mentor and close friend Mike Michalowicz, author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.

Do you have any streamlining or systems in place?
Still learning that lesson- I use Constant Contact to keep in touch with clients, excel spreadsheets to retain new client database, and excited to start a new blog service- http://www.blogstampede.com/.
Oh, and did I forgot to mention my personal assistant who helps me both physically and virtually.

What personality trait serves you best in business?
Tenacity - never, never, never give up on your dream.

Are you better at collaborating or going it alone?
Absolutely better at collaborating, I totally promote co-affiliations and joint ventures to my clients.  Mainly to ensure you are on track and have someone to help with your projects. Everyone wins- those collaborating and the clients as well!

What was your business before you were a coach?  Why did you know you wanted to be a coach?
I was in sales and marketing for over 20 years, went back to school at a mature age, hired by major pharmaceutical company but knew there would come a day when I would not want to jump in and out of a car everyday.   I was always searching for my passion and interested in helping others, so while working my day job in pharmaceuticals, I decided to pursue a masters degree in mental health with plans to be a therapist. After graduation, I met a coach and felt that would be a better fit for me- helping others find their passion!

Fave Song and why?

Wind Beneath my Wings - unconditional love and support between women.
Fave Book and why?

Of course, mine, The T-Shirt to Prove it!- because it speaks to the journey of 25 passionate women entrepreneurs, their successes as well as their challenges

Fave Movie and why?
A Beautiful Mind - because I believe in the impossible.

Virtually Savvy owner Katie Kay - Featured Friday

With social media and social marketing, keeping up with your books, selling your product and services, email newsletters, how do you get it all done?

That's where using a virtual assistant comes in - outsourcing the jobs you don't want to do or don't know how to do is the way to go.   As business owners we have more and more tasks every day...keeping up with Facebook, working with clients, and having a personal life it's smart to use a savvy virtual assistant - Virtually Savvy!  

Katie Kay, owner of Virtually Savvy, and I sat down for an interview recently so my readers would know more about using a VA and the services they provide.

Here's our interview...

What was your first job experience?
I’ve always worked….1st job at 15 was a phone sales person…always in sales. I like people and I like to talk to people.

What got you into Virtually Savvy?
Being technically savvy…I love computers and technology.  With katiekay.com, my online accessories store, I just dove into marketing and did it myself. The best advertising was on the internet and not paper based.   Five years ago social marketing was emerging and as it became more mainstream people started asking me to do it for their business.  I’m passionate about it and get a thrill showing other people what they can do online.

What do you know how that you wish you knew before you started?
How to price my services...I wasn’t charging what I am worth when I first started.

Realistic price point…I wish I would have known how to gauge my pricing better.   How to better value myself.   Through coaching from different women entrepreneurs and joining Virtual Assistance Corporation,  I learned my pricing was undervalued for me and the industry.   I also found myself spending a lot more time and doing so much more then originally discussed with the client, (and still do), for not much money.   In the beginning, I wish I would have put more time into researching how much other VA’s and social media marketing consultants were charging.

Do you have any mentors or role models?
I am constantly reading and searching online for the newest, latest, greatest information and training.   There are 2 fabulous experts that I really love to work with online, they keep it fun and really know their stuff, and they are very generous with their knowledge.

As your business grows how do you, the virtual assistant, get it all done? Do you have any systems in place? 
I use Hootsuite and recommend it to my clients. Their dashboard allows you to enter many different posts at one time to all your marketing sites, such as, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and your blog.   That way I’m able to see what I posted each day and mix them throughout the week.


I have money-saving pre-paid packages for my clients, this allows them to purchase blocks of time at a discounted rate. For in-person consultations they pay by check or PayPal at the time of service.

What personality trait that you have serves you best in your business?
I understand that not all people are technically savvy and tailor my teaching to each individual’s skill level.  All questions are valid and I respond to them sincerely.  Patience and a sense of humor are very important to me…this is free marketing and it should be fun.

Do you trust your intuition? Any stories about when you did or didn’t?
Yes, for sure I do.   I really try to listen to that inner voice.  While running a retail business I had clients asking for my help with online marketing and computer navigation. This was not at all the focus of my business but the need and desire was apparent, so on Jan 1st 2010 I launched Virtually Savvy and re-directed my energy to this new venture based solely on a gut feeling.   Listening to my instincts allowed me to transition from a business that was not growing into a potentially lucrative endeavor.

Are you better at being a collaborator or going it alone?
I’m good at both.  I am very particular and like things done a certain way.  Being a self-starter and self-motivated I have never really needed anyone pushing me or peering over my shoulder, I always get the work done.  

Collaborating and brainstorming with associates and clients is enjoyable, inspiring and can have an empowering effect on all.   So, I do like to collaborate on creativity and design but go it alone when it’s time to get the work done.  As Virtually Savvy grows I have hired help to get special projects done, but I oversee it all making sure it’s their best work and up to my standards.

What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book of all time Memoirs of a Geisha.  One of the best written books and I’ve reread it many times.

and your favorite movie?
The Wizard of Oz.   One my favorite memories is rushing to my Dad’s lap when the witch or the flying monkeys came on screen to hear him whisper to me …”It’s ok. It’s not real. It’s a movie”.

and finally your favorite song...something that really inspires you?
Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox's ..."Sisters are doin' it for themselves".


Thanks Katie for the interview...loved learning more about you and your business.

Top 3 Ways for Social Marketing

The best ways to Communicate, Connect, and Contact

to BOOST your performance.

Communicate

Word of Mouth Marketing

Be Irresistible

Facebook

Contact

Socialize with Clients

Constant Contact
Virtual Response

Connect

Engage your followers

Show off your stuff
Blogger
Wordpress

Lynnel Jones of Bien Ella Skincare

WooHoo...this is the first Featured Friday.  We'll be interviewing and recording fabulous women business owners and sharing their stories with you. 

As the founder and head developer of BienElla Skincare, Lynnel Jones, is developing cutting edge formulas for organic, clean skincare including SunCare and Bug Repellent, doctor recommended Healing Hands Balm and best selling Eczema Butter (BTW, it's not just for eczema). 

She started because a family member had a severe burn injury and had trouble healing...son had super sensitive skin...eczema and pediatrician support.  Friends also needed creams for their babies....packaging has been revamped over and over.

Q: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

A: How expensive really good ingredients are...refined white cocoa butter, shea butter, mango butter...oils from a tribe in the Amazon rain forest, lavender and spearmint are local; sea buckthorn is amazing and it kills cancer cells on the surface...a surgeon read my labels at one of the Saturday markets and said one of her nurses used it on her skin.
Tamanu  is a wound healer...case studies show that when applied to new injuries the scars will be less red and angry.  There are amazing healing properties throughout nature...


Q: What mentors or role models have you had on your journey with Bien Ella?

A: I haven't had any...that's the kind of person I am.  I do my own research until I get my answer.   Some of my suppliers have given me industry information...like fragrance oils contain phalates which can be endrocine disruptors causing abnormal development.  Uncharted properties....so I don't go there.

Q: In an effort to get it all done, have you developed any streamlining or systems?

A: I use QuickBooks and it's fabulous. I send invoices, retailers estimates and then invoices from that.  Takes a bit to get going...QB's support is not very helpful...

I use a To-Do List...it gives me a sense of accomplishment every time I cross something off...it looks like I'm getting stuff done.  Have an IN and OUT basket.  Make sure your filing system is flawless.  January 1st have your files set up and then you dont' have to think about it.  Think years ahead... if you're ever in an audit you'll find what you need.

Q: As a child did you dream you would own your own business?

A: Yes, my grandmother reminded me that I was going own things and my dad reminded me I would say "Take a memo".    Cracks me up that I have a degree in Economics and when I was eight years old I got the Barbie perfume maker.  How fortuitous is that???  Hilarious

Q: How much do you trust your intuition?

I have to.  I made huge mistakes not listening to my gut and making decisions based on trusting other people ...I find that when I building a new scent I go with whatever my gut tells me to grab. .if I start over analyzing I ruin it.

Customers feedback...I'm always available by email...I want to hear from my customers and I mean it.  I have customers for life....I started Bien Ella 8 years ago and I have customers from right after I started  back when I had screwball packaging...everything has changed and improved over the years.

Bien Ella loosely translated in Spanish is "Good for Her"  and we all know that "If Mama not happy ain't nobody happy"....so make your mama happy and take care of your skin.

Contact BienElla for their weekly market schedule and shop at their online store.

What do you know?

As I meet new entrepreneurs and some not so new,  I'm surprised to hear a recurring theme.   They are lacking skills as a writer, marketer, developing operations and other tasks essential to owning and running a business, and they just shrug it off and move blithely through their day.

So if you are an entrepreneur is it your job to learn at least rudimentary business skills?  There is a plethora of amazingly good information on Facebook alone which will boost your knowledge of Sales, Marketing, and Operations.  This got me to thinking about what characteristics are not just necessary but mandatory for entrepreneurship. 

Here's a start - add your thoughts...

Curiosity - What do your clients really want?
Determination - Find a way to provide what your clients want.
Consistency - Give your clients the same experience...every time.

Are you ready for your close up?

For the past few months the idea of GIVING instead of getting when networking keeps showing up.   This fits my philosophy personally and in business but how best to start giving...you know the kind where it's not a veiled attempt to get something back...in other words a quid pro quo.

Inspiration hit yesterday while I was listening to an interview of Danielle Laporte of White Hot Truth  by Pace and Kyeli of World Changing Writing Workshops.    My light bulb lit up and said "Interviews"...hmm,  Seattle has lots of fabulous and generous entrepreneurs and who doesn't want to talk about themselves.  Suddenly, my brain was clicking through all of the area women business owners I know and some I don't know but I want to know and voila, a new idea launched....Featured Friday.

So it'll work like this...

Every Friday will be a new interview along with a short video of local women business owners.

First up is Lynnel Jones of Bienella Skincare.

From her web site "Our manufacturing techniques are specifically designed to preserve the purity and potency of our products, so that our customers will receive the full benefit of nature's healing power."  

Lynnel churns the butters herself and she has the guns to prove it.  Her passion and dedication to healthy, clean products shows up at the local markets when week after week her customers line up to buy her products. 

Learn more about Lynnel and her products on Friday.

If you want to be a Friday Feature send me your contact info and your bio.

Are you ready to hire?

The Seattle Gift Show is in open down at the Convention Center and I was there opening day with a friend who is in the process of opening a business.  After we got our badges, were scanned in and walking down aisle after aisle of booths, she starts telling me about hiring an employee.  Her business isn't open...she's not generating any revenue yet...and doesn't have a business or marketing plan.

So this go me thinking - how many business owners get frustrated with the long list of tasks it takes to launch a business and wistfully dream of having someone do the work for them.    Over the years I've started three businesses and I can testify that I had the same dream.  But if your bank account is low on funds, you have no sales or revenue coming in, you certainly can't justify the expense of hiring an employee.  And if you have no business or marketing plan what tasks would this person be doing??? 

Instead find a buddy to partner up with.....maybe someone who will trade their expertise for yours....or even better dig down deeper to find out if you really have what it takes to be a business owner.  

There are no short cuts in business....just lots and lots of work and the reward is the business is yours...that's a good thing.

5 Fashion & Function QuickBooks Tips

Working in QuickBooks can be boring...confusing numbers, dull desktop colors, and perplexing navigation....so jazz it up with our tips.

1.  Personalize Desktop View 

Under the Edit tab, scroll down to Preferences & choose Desktop View. 

Make Navigation easier when you click Multiple Windows box. 

 Next scroll down to the Color Scheme, find the one

that fits your personality.

 Sure, you're still working in QuickBooksTM but now you're snazzier.

2.  Use Enter  between fields.

Move down the list to General.  There are lots of choices here but the number one time-saver is "Pressing Enter moves between fields".  

We are all  used to using the Enter key it's   a no-brainer to activate in QB's.

3. Customize the Icon Bar.   

QuickBooksTM sets up a general Icon Bar during installation so customizing it gives you the control     for the way you work.

Add the Calculator, Delete Estimates, Edit the layout...move the content around anyway you want....you're in charge and that's a good thing.

4. To Do Lists

As we get busier and busier, having up to date lists gets critical.  Open the To Do List when you open QuickBooksTM for a glance at what's important today. 

Add a reminder, mark as done, or print out the list to keep on your desk...that's smart.

5. Business Reminders  

To keep on top of everyday transactions use Reminders.  You'll never lose track of Bills to Pay or Invoices to send, and more importantly, those that are overdue.

Just another way to work smarter.

+1 Bonus:

IntuitTM  adds extra value every year to help entrepreneurs use QuickBooks to grow their businesses.  Now you can create newsletters, invitations or special notifications using      your customer contact list in QuickBooksTM. 

Savvy Women's Guide to Bank Deposits

What do you love? That's right....getting paid by your clients!  So when they want to pay with a credit card or through Paypal do you cringe?  Oh, the headache of entering these tricky transactions into QuickBooksTM....is it a Payment or a Deposit?

 It's all so confusing, what are you to do?

To simplify the process we've created this easy to follow visual Guide...just for YOU!

Click to download

FYI:  New Solutions for QuickBooksTM
Scan and deposit your checks with Intuit Check Solution for QuickBooksTM. Eliminate almost all the time you spend depositing and accounting for check payments. Subscription required; scanner required. Scan. Deposit. Done.

Your Business needs a Bank

Often when you're starting up a new business it       doesn't seem practical or necessary to open a new bank account especially if you're not making much money and are using your own cash building the business.

But if you are serious and want the IRS to be serious too, you'll want to open a separate business account.  The Internal Revenue Service recognizes a business as a business rather than a hobby if you have a separate business bank account, business cards, and a well-maintained set of business records.

The IRS is very tough about showing that your business is actually a business and not a hobby.  Basically, you have to show a profit on your IRS Schedule C three years out of every five.  If you have losses that you deduct from your income three consecutive years, then the IRS may decide you are conducting a "hobby business" which would impact the deductions you took on your personal tax return too.  You may owe more taxes after your income is restated...worse than a bad hair day!

But there are many businesses like Amazon, that started in 1994, and didn't turn a profit until 2001 and, because the intention was always there, were not a target for an IRS audit. So don't stress losses as long as you back them up and you have the receipts and bills to back up your expenses.

 Of course, you'll want to appear professional.  It's much classier to have your clients and customers write a check made out to your business instead of you....no eye rolls or weird looks,  then either.   Serious business owners have all the tools they need and a bank account is a must-have for your toolkit.

Bank regulations now require State and/or Federal licenses and registrations, 
especially if you are an C or S corporation, to open an account.  Before you
head off to bank, make copies of your documents and you'll feel so proud
leaving with your brand new bank account....now you're legit.

What do Skills have to do with Your Success?

Starting and running a business is exciting and most of the time a little (or a lot) scary.  Every day there's work to be done...some tasks are in our comfort zone and some aren't.  It's only natural that we avoid the work we don't understand or is more challenging to us.

Preparation is key whether you're just launching your business or ramping up to the next level.  Take some time to analyze your skill set...what do you need for your craft and what do you need for the business side of your business.

No doubt you are accomplished at your craft whether you're a graphic artist, web designer, or plumber.  You feel confident reviewing the scope of work to land your dream client, and jump starting your creative juices to finish in time, and your attention to details keep clients coming back for more.

But back to the Business of Business....I see very accomplished business women struggle when it comes to their business skills.

At a minimum business owners need these skills:

Sales - We're all selling something

Marketing - How customers find us

Bookkeeping - Tracking the in & out of money

Customer Service - Creating a tribe of evangelists

Master these skills even if you will end up hiring or outsourcing some of these tasks...a smart entrepreneur can do everything.  And when you build a firm foundation you'll confidently and skillfully maneuver your business in a new direction, drop products that aren't profitable, or improve your sales.

"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft.  Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave  you eager but floundering.  Combining the two is the essence of the creative life."  The Creative Habit, Twyla Tharp

Focus, Focus, Focus

Here's the real low-down on what's going on in my world right now and maybe yours too.  My Dad is on hospice care which means six months or less and he's been on hospice care for two months.  It's excruciating to visit him now...my vibrant, hard charger of a Dad is fading away.  My heart breaks every time I leave wondering if this is the last time I'll see him.  As with many families in times of stress, some family members are becoming more prickly, more isolated, and more edgy...and this might be me too.

My decision to talk about this came as I heard from more and more friends and fellow business owners they were facing the same thing and struggling to keep their business afloat at the same time.  I'm sure it's no coincidence that it was women sharing their stories of balancing their parents, children, grandchildren and their business.

During the first month or so I found myself having a glass of wine every night or reaching for the bag of chips or taking a Tylenol PM and going to bed at 8:00.  Well, that's only helpful for so long and not very practical but I was still struggling emotionally on so many levels...how do I maintain my emotional equibrium and how do I nuture my business at the same time?

At networking events, on teleseminars, any business book or blog there's lots of chatter about focusing on our business and we do except when we don't.   Our personal world collides with our business world on a daily basis and mostly we smoothly transition from one to the other but when a game changing incident rocks our world it's disorienting.  What is our priority.....what's a need...what's a must...and what's a should...and what's a nevermind?

When we take diving into a bottle of wine or a package of Oreos off the table what's left?  Rational, thoughtful choices, that's what.  Sit still with the swirling emotions and find the quietness.  I write a list of what I can change and what I can't and remind myself that really I'm in charge of very little in this big, wide universe.  So I take long walks whenever I feel out of control or head down tohe beach and watc the tide...a bit of calmness in nature.

What's your story?  Where do you find calmness?  Please share so we can all support each other through these life altering times.

What's your Attitude?

Money drives your business.  Can you afford to hire employees?  What's your budget for marketing?    What's your total sales for the day....the week....the month?

If you're just starting out or perhaps your business is gone stagnant while you weren't looking you might be thinking YIKES, now what do I do?

Well, don't panic.  Take a moment to breathe, jot down some notes of what you're really good at and what lights you up.  If you can't up come up with anything call a friend or two or even three and ask them what your good points are.  It's important to ask people who will tell you the truth rather than those that will just shine you on.

Ok, next is the money part.  When sales are down, creditors are calling, and the rents due it's hard to stay positive and easy to blame the economy, the neighborhood, your bad customers.   Really, though...is that why your broke? 

The world is full of millionaires and even billionaires.  While some businesses are floundering others are thriving....ever wonder why?   It's all about Attitude...scarcity versus abundance.....fear versus confidence....uninformed versus curious.

As a business owner we must have an attitude of Abundance, Confidence, and Curiosity. And when doubts creep in, as they do for all of us, keep moving towards your goal...just do it.

Read Set Start

A long time friend, I'll call her Jane,  recently phoned to tell me about the adventure she had in getting her business licenses, permits, and registrations.  Oh, let me back up...she's buying an existing business and first thought she would just take it over.  She called the WA State Department of Revenue and Department of Licensing to see how to get the business in her name.

Whoa....the business which had been operating for over 5 years was never properly set up and the State of WA didn't have records of any business being conducted.  Smartly, Jane, applied for new licenses and permits along with forming an S. Corp with the Secretary of State.

It really surprised when Jane mentioned the previous owner had used a very well known online business website to initially setup the business and had paid quite a bit of money.  Hmmm, this really got me thinking...how many other businesses think they're legit but aren't.

To navigate the State, County, and City laws you have to really be on your toes...in fact, Jane was given incorrect info from the State Help line.  And it's not the State's fault if you use the bad info and you're not in compliance with their regulations.  What's a small business owner to do...how are we to keep it all straight while you're missing sales, setting up websites, negotiating a lease, etc etc.

Flaunt! is now offering Business Packages to entrepreneurs who need to work in their business and let an expert do the paperwork.