Ladies Who Launch

Escape From Corporate America

At the BlogHer Business in April, I finally met Pamela Skillings who is a fellow blogger and member of Ladies Who Launch. She has blogging and consulting about how people can leave their jobs and become entrepreneurs. Las night I attended the book party at the Soho House for her book, Escape From Corporate America.  It was fun! Pamela wrote a great piece last Sunday in the New York Times in which she talks about her decision to leave corporate america. Below is a clip.

clipped from www.nytimes.com

Once I did the math and saw my finances in black and white, however, I realized that the budget cuts wouldn’t be nearly as painful as I’d feared. I was more than willing to cut back on indulgences like foamy lattes, shiny highlights and overpriced designer handbags for a while if it meant that I could escape from corporate America and strike out on my own. Suddenly, my impossible dream seemed within reach. The last step in letting go of my financial fears was facing the fact that my salary had never truly been a reliable safety net after all. Over the years, I’d seen some of my most qualified and highly paid co-workers learn the hard way that the big money and the fancy title can disappear in a flash. On the other hand, no one can ever take away your talents, your experience and your skills — the assets that constitute the only safety net you can ever really depend upon.

 

Martha Stewart Announce Dreamers Into Doers Awards

New York – May 5, 2008 – Today, on the syndicated daily television program The Martha Stewart Show, Martha Stewart kicked off the second annual “Dreamers into Doers” Awards program, which honors extraordinary women for their achievements. Launched in 2007, the “Dreamers Into Doers” program celebrates women who have turned a specific passion into a career, a business or a philanthropic program, just as Martha did 25 years ago with her first book, Entertaining.

Beginning today and continuing through July 11, women are invited to submit a 250-word essay and photos showcasing their endeavor at http://www.marthastewart.com/dreamers. From these entries, Martha Stewart and her team at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. will select one Grand Prize winner and 10 honorees who will be celebrated this Fall in New York City on The Martha Stewart Show.

“I was so touched and inspired by the women we honored with last year’s ‘Dreamers Into Doers’ Awards program. I’m thrilled to once again be celebrating the accomplishments of women who have worked hard to realize a dream, and I look forward to learning about all the wonderful ways in which this year’s entrants have turned their passion into a reality,” said Martha Stewart, Founder of MSLO.

The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000 from MSLO to help her pursue her dream, along with vacations for a lifetime provided by Wyndham Vacation Ownership. The honorees each will be awarded $1,000 [by MSLO] and also will receive a week-long vacation at the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort + Spa in Puerto Rico. To relaunch its pioneering WOMEN ON THEIR WAY®  program for female travelers, Wyndham Worldwide will sponsor the 2008 “Dreamers Into Doers” program.

Launching With A Conscience

From Elaine Gordon Evans, founder of Elaine's American Maid.

My life began, at a very early age, in the low-income housing projects of New York City where I lived with my single mother and brother.  I lived on Welfare my entire young life yet somehow never felt poor.  One of the reasons I never thought of myself as impoverished is because I knew there was a bigger world out there, much beyond a Park Avenue-bound bus ride into the city.  I also had a mother who loved me greatly and always emphasized that I could do anything I put my mind to.  With her belief in me, I felt like I could accomplish anything. All it takes is one person to believe in you to gain the courage and inspiration needed to become a success.  Sometimes that one person is only you, and it is usually accompanied with some Divine Help that truly makes your pursuit victorious.

Accomplishing the Great American Dream took a lot of hard work, determination, and passion. With the vision of being an entrepreneur, I started ironing shirts for a nickel a piece at age nine.  I never stopped pursuing my dream and eventually opened up my first housecleaning service at the tender age of 19 in South Florida.  My housecleaning service was cleaning 150 homes per week and I was launching about 90 cleaners in their own housecleaning businesses.  I was able to successfully get off Welfare, and not only take care of myself, but also my baby daughter, Shavawn.

Twelve years later in Redmond, Washington, I found myself in circumstances that left me homeless, with 4 children, and a fifth on the way.  I was able to houseclean my way to financial success a second time by opening my current housecleaning service called, Elaine's American Maid.

Since launching Elaine's American Maid 23 years ago over 4,000 housecleaners have launched themselves as entrepreneurs. My company cleans for about 120 clients per week with roughly 80 individuals working through the housecleaning referral service. I have also been responsible, not personally thank goodness, for cleaning over 1 million toilets in the Seattle area.

My passion and life s work is mentoring and empowering low-income women so they can become entrepreneurs. I help them work their way out of government assistance by guiding them in owning their own housecleaning businesses. As new, sole proprietors, they are encouraged to get out there and acquire as many clients as they can. While they are building their clientele, I fill up their open days with jobs from existing clients. The reason I don t hire employees is because I want to help and inspire as many people as possible to ultimately be entrepreneurs. The housecleaning business is a stepping-stone for many of these people to get back on their feet and eventually start a business pursuing their true passion.  For example, some of our housecleaners have opened their own business, gone back to school, become real estate agents, caterers and even lawyers. (Read more inspiring stories and articles at Elaine Gordon Evans and Elaine's American Maid.)

Not only does the entrepreneur housecleaning model help women work their way out of government assistance, but also through the many stressors related to the transition out of an abusive domestic relationship. Believe it or not, the nature of the housecleaning service affords women the time to reflect and visualize where their lives are headed. Another perk of business ownership is the ability to regulate your work schedule to be home for your children when they are out of school.  In addition, the daily cash flow enables women the ability to feed their families and pay bills, while putting them in the position of being in control. 

Elaine's American Maid cares not only for the needy but also for the sick.  I started giving away free housecleaning service to women who have cancer about four years ago when my mother-in-law, Bernice McCulley, developed breast cancer and was too sick to clean her house. I have been giving free housecleaning away to women with breast cancer ever since.  I ve established two foundations to help women: Maid for Work, which is for the less fortunate, and Maid for Life, which is for the sick and dying.

Everyone s life can be used to serve an amazing purpose.  Typically we can identify an unmet need just by looking around ourselves and deciding if and how we will help to fill that void.

My hope and prayer is that this story will be an inspiration for many to help a fellow neighbor in need. Maybe you too will incorporate your business with a humanitarian contribution to help others without hope that are seeking some guidance.

Will The Real You Please Stand Up!

By Coach Joelle Prochera, professional life coach, fellow launcher and creator of the MAKE YOUR LIFE PROGRAM where you get to experience the magic of your life lived on purpose!  To hear more from Coach Joelle subscribe to the Livloud! Newsletter or read the coach joelle blog.   

Do you ever…
1. Spend hours strategizing and rehearsing before you talk to people about your business?
2. Have that feeling like you are a fake, afraid that everyone is going to find you out?
3. Try to be that person you “think” you should be to get respect, to be good enough, or to make the sale?

If any of this sounds familiar then I have good news for you.  With the new LWL profiles, we all have an opportunity to dig deep down inside and share who we really are.  For some this seems fun and easy, for others it may be an arduous quest for the perfect words, the right “spin” and putting out a professional image so people take you seriously.  If you are willing to take a look inside and find the “real you”, your version of authentic entrepreneurship, then writing that profile and living your life is about to get a heck of a lot easier and 10 times more fun.

What is Authentic Entrepreneurship?
Authentic entrepreneurship is running your business as a true expression of who you are, in total alignment with your beliefs, values and natural talents.  It means first identifying the real you and then living and acting from that you. 

When you are acting as an authentic entrepreneur, when you know who you are and own it, a whole new world becomes available:

• You are able to show up at any situation with confidence and ease.
• You become intimately acquainted with who you are and what you stand for and you boldly allow that real you to shine through in every action taken and word spoken.
• You become free from the fear of being “found out” and the burden of having to “look good” and “do it right”.
• It means no more fake, stuffy profiles. No more talking heads. No more “status quo” and a lot more joy and ease!

Sound good?  Well then let’s get down to it! Let’s find the authentic entrepreneur inside of you.

To create your profile, start by asking these authentic entrepreneur questions:

A) What do you value and how are these values expressed in your business?
B) What are your favorite things about you? What makes you – you?
C) Why do you love your business/service?  What do you love about your business/service?
D) How does your business make a difference for people? What does it serve in the world?

Now sit down with your answers in front of you and clear your mind.  Forget everything that you think you “should be”, throw out your concern of looking silly or being “too much” and write your profile allowing these truths to shine through.  Dare to say what you really feel.  Push the limits of “normal” and “appropriate” and let the world of Ladies Who Launch know who you are, who needs to know you and why.

Why be normal when you can be extraordinary? Why be like everyone else when you can be YOU.  To dare to be your very own authentic entrepreneur is a step down the path to greatness. Have fun – I’ll see you at the top!

With love, joy and authenticity,

Coach Joelle

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR COACH JOELLE?:  I am looking for the opportunity to fully serve each of you on your personal adventure.  If you have a life or business challenge that you would like a coaching perspective on, please share your comments below or email me at [email protected].

Make your life a work of art a joyful dance a grand adventure!

Launching without a Business Plan

From Carrie Sommer of Sommer Designs  Email [email protected]

I didn't necessarily *plan* to launch a business without a plan, it's just the way it happened. I'm of the firm belief that you should go with your passions. My business started as a fluke. I began the business 8 years ago in another capacity, and it just snowballed and grew through word of mouth. When I transitioned to its' current incarnation, the same thing essentially happened: I made a bag for someone, immediately had requests for more and through word of mouth, made the transition to what it is today. I've always put everything back into the business, and since I don't really have to support myself, it has never been an issue. As I've grown, however, I could see how an actual business plan might have served to keep me focused through the years. Last summer I was thinking about seeking funding and finally took the steps to write a business plan. Even with helpful software though, I ended up throwing in the towel, and still operate without one! I believe in going where my heart leads me, and doing what I love. I love how my business has changed with my circumstances and lifestyle over the last 8 years, and I don't believe that's something I could plan.

Dream Along With Me

Goal setting for a year beyond your wildest dreams!

By Coach Joelle Prochera, Certified Professional Life Coach and fellow launcher!  To hear more from Coach Joelle check out the Livloud! Newsletter or read coach joelle’s blog.   

Hello Launchers!!

With a new year comes a fresh start, the promise of new beginnings, and the perfect time for dreaming. 

What is a dream but a thought about what could be.  If you look around, what do you see? A building, coffee mug, piece of furniture, the city you live; they all started as someone’s dream.

• Your favorite song started as someone’s dream.
• The airplane started as someone’s dream.
• Even Ladies who Launch started as a dream.

You each have dreams for your life, your family, your business. Dreams of the person you can be and the difference you can make.  Contrary to what some say, dreaming is not just idle fantasy.  Dreaming is the beginning of all things. With clear intention and specific action, your dreams can come true.

So ladies, as you launch this fresh new year….are you ready to dream?

Then here we go!

Step 1 Clear the way.

Before you can get clear on what the year will bring, you may need to first clear some clutter out of the way.  I am not talking about cleaning out your closets or organizing the garage (although those are great ideas as well). What I am suggesting is that you first clear your head.

After speaking with thousands of people as a professional life coach, I can say with confidence that the #1 thing standing between you and your dreams is your own thinking about what you can’t do and why you cannot do it.  It’s time to clear the way for your dreams.

Action:  Let go of…

• what you think you cannot have.
• what you think you could never accomplish.
• what others have told you, you could never be.

In fact…for right now, let it all go.  Yes EVERYTHING!

(Ahhhh, see, it gets nice and quiet when you clear out all that mental chatter.)

Now you have that great big space to create in, let’s fill it up with your dreams

Step 2 Ready. Set. Dream!

Whatever you are moved and inspired to create in your life, those desires are there for a reason. Following your dreams is the path to joy and fulfillment.  So let’s get dreaming!

Action:  Answer the following questions in detail: 

• If anything were possible for you and your life ….what would you want?
• Who would you have around you?
• What would you see out your window? 
• What would you create with your business?
• How would you spend your days?

Write it all down and fill in every detail.  Keep working it until you can read what you wrote and it puts a great big smile on your face.

Once you have created this masterpiece, give it the place of honor it deserves.  Put it somewhere that will demand your attention.  Put it on your bathroom mirror, the door to your office, on the front of your “personal development” binder.  Not a day should go by when you are not reminded of what you have chosen to create.

Need a little inspiration? For examples of other visions visit    www.coachjoelle.com/dreambuilder.html .

Step 3 The path to your dreams is paved with action:

Action is the key to taking your dreams out of the clouds and rooting them firmly in reality.  Your actions do not have to be grandiose, scary or painful they just need to move you forward.  In fact, the most effective actions are usually the ones that follow your interests, come naturally or feel fun to you.

Action:   Write down 3-5 things can you do this week to make your visions reality, put them in your calendar and do them!

• Schedule 30 minutes every Monday to review your vision, celebrate the week’s accomplishments and set 3-5 new actions.
• For the courageous: Call 1 person who you trust, who believes in your dreams and supports your success and tell them what you will be doing this week. I am not kidding. Go ahead, make the call now.

Make Your Dreams Reality

As you head out into this brave New Year, know that you were never given a dream without the ability to fulfill it.  In the months ahead, keep your vision close.  Keep taking action and surround yourself with people that support you and believe in your dreams.  Enjoy the ride ladies, it’s going to be one heck of a year!

To a brilliant new year!

Coach Joelle

SHARE YOUR DREAM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW: Declaring your intention is a powerful tool in making dreams come true.  Go ahead and share your dream in the comments below or commit to this week’s actions by sharing them with the Ladies Who Launch community.  Write away!  We would love to hear what you are launching!

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR COACH JOELLE?:  I am looking for the opportunity to fully serve each of you on your personal adventure.  If you have a life or business challenge that you would like a coaching perspective on, please share your comments below or email me at [email protected].

Make your life a work of art, a joyful dance, a grand adventure!

RI, NJ and NY Ranked Worst for Small Businesses

From the New York Post:

New York's punishing taxes give it the third worst business climate of any state, a new report says...

"What I see is that New York has an overly complicated tax system," report co-author Curtis Dubay told The Post...

The only states that fared worse, according to the report, are Rhode Island, which ranked dead last, and New Jersey, which came in at 49th of the 50 states.

For the complete story, click here.

How to Unleash your Inner Sexpot

Would you like to unleash your inner Sexpot?
Pole dancing is the latest trend in workouts it is true. It is Audacious. It is bold.

And fun.

It makes me feel juicy, bodacious and empowered. It trims my waistline and causes me to think differently about who I am being in the world. All that from 2 hours in a very intense and pleasurable workout?

Yes.

So consider this.
If all matter is energy and the Law of Attraction says that like
energy attracts like energy, then imagine the kind of gorgeous
energy you can create by giving the pole a whirl?

There is much to be said for my pole dancing classes and I have
noticed a change in how I approach everything in my life.

As Sheila Kelly, the founder of SFactor has said, "Soak in the
pure, unadulterated flow of your life. Breathe it in and exhale
everything in your mind until your entire being is just bliss. Let
your body float with soft, languid moves that are simply organic to
your being. When you step outside into your day you will notice
something has shifted."

I think I am (finally!) becoming the exquisite creature I was meant to be.
When you uncover your inner sexpot you also uncover your creative
center, which helps you to think of great new ideas for your
business and gives you the lift-off to actually complete what you
start!

Imagine that?

One of my coaches, Andrea J. Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia often speaks about doing activities that open you to your most sensual and creative self. For me it comes from movement and there is nothing like gathering the courage to dance with a pole...and do it gracefully. And also not be afraid to flop on the floor and try again.

If you are looking for a way to shape up your body, mind and spirit
then the Sfactor may just be the thing for you. They have intro
classes and studios are opening all over the place.

Even Oprah loves it.
You will too.
It's Pure Audacious power.

Go on check it out. You know you want to.

http://www.sfactor.com

Nancy Mindes, Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies Coaching Company
http://www.NancyMindes.com

In a Service Business? Ten thing to do NOW

Recently I received a note from a new coach wanting to know how to get off to a good start...when I looked at what I shared I realized this would be good information for any person in a service business where the emphasis in on YOU! IF you are the business YOU are in trouble....here's why

In a service business, you cannot make money unless you are available. I have been coaching since end of 1999  and I quit due to burnout...it's all about you and you cannot make money with out you. YIKES.... You MUST change this to generating other streams of passive income or you will be exhausted, frustrated and will give up eventually. I can teach you about this and I highly recommend you do this.  Read the Secrets of the millionaire Mind and attend  a Millionaire Mind Intensive.  This has literally changed my LIFE.

2. Get yourself help as soon as possible whether you think you can afford/deserve it or not. I did NOT and started to DROWN. Now I know better. Hire yourself a Virtual assistant and or live- in-person assistant so that you can work on only that which you love and focus energies on marketing not paper pushing.  As you grow get a bookkeeper, a lawyer and a business manager.

For peace of mind resign NOW as the general manager of the universe. Some places to shop for a VA check out AssistU.com for Virtual Assistants also the IVVA Get creative, hire college students, interns, your neighbors' kid or a friend who needs a job right now while she looks for a new one.

Rule: Hire slowly. Interview carefully. Make sure it's a good fit. check out: www.collegehelpers.com, elance.com or guru.com

3. Network, network, network. Make yourself well-known. Join Ladies Who Launch and other organizations where your ideal clients are. Get out and meet people. Ask questions find out what they need and want. Build relationships. See how you can contribute to others. Get a simple website if you are not online, do that NOW. As you grow update and change. A website never stays static anyway (or shouldn't) so just get one up there for starters if you haven't. If you like to write a shortcut would be to get a blog. Oh and start building your email database.

4. Rule about what to be doing: If it's a Hell YES do it, if it's not it's  a Hell NO...so pass it, delegate it or dump it.

5. Rule about cash flow: Do not give up your day job until you have your cash flow in place or get another day job that is less demanding but gives you fuel to pay for all the pieces of parts of ensuring your success as a business. A service business such as coaching or massage is not just a calling it is also a Business with a capital B.  I kept my job as special event director at the Fashion Group during my 4 years of training at Coach U and beyond.

6. Make sure you have a coach to keep you in action and accountable. My coach Margit, is TOUGH and I love her for it.

7. Never-ever undersell yourself. Do not be afraid to name your price and get it. If you put yourself "on sale" or bargain with people you will attract people who you may not want to work with and kick yourself later for agreeing to accept less. Watch for this.  People who serve others have a tendency to undervalue themselves.  Avoid it. You have much to offer the world.

And another thing: I learned this from Kendall Summerhawk...Raise your prices from time to time, especially if it makes you uncomfortable. If you have spent years training, as I did,  for what you do and you have life or business experience that is of value, monetize it. Believe it or not your clients do expect to pay you. If you want, have a scholarship for a few clients who are deserving and cannot afford to pay you at the  moment when they get successful guess what happens?, I do this and it's great.

7. Ask for referrals and refer to others. This is an important revenue stream and way of creating your business community.

8. Ask for the business when someone calls you. Service people often leave this step out and wonder why they have no clients. ASK, "so when would you like to get started?"

9. Enjoy yourself and if you are not, STOP and regroup. I left coaching for 18 months to go work on the 2004 Democratic presidential camapign which really gave me a new perspective on life along the way I used my coaching skills for enrolling people.  After a stunning defeat, I joined the Ladies Who Launch Incubator in 2005 and began my coaching business again.
LWL gave me the uplifting and the  liftoff I needed in a very big way.

10. Here's my business plan: Simplify my life. Connect with others. Have more fun.
Have an audaciously fabulous day!

The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and the Millionaire Mind Intensive changed my life. It will change yours especially if you are in a service business or a solo practitioner of any kind...

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind Book>>>get this!
http://www.secretsofthemillionairemind.com/a/joyful_deliciousness

The single most important step you take no matter WHAT service you offer is to keep learning about the business of business along with deeply understanding who you are from the inside out and who do you get to be when you are doing the work you love.
Come and see who I am at my website
http://www.NancyMindes.com/

The home for Audacious Ladies and the men they love

Relief is just a thought away

Dear Audacious Ladies who Launch

Consider this.
Your thoughts and fears are like outdated computer programs that jam up the works
and cause your machine to crash.

But you can always upgrade by getting into action.
Affirmations are a great way to do it.

Try this:
Before you jump out of bed and race off to start your day
take 5 minutes to just close your eyes again and breathe.

First take a moment to say "thank you" for having this wonderful day stretched out before you.
(even if you have a crazy one coming at you, be grateful anyway the universe will notice)
then
Take long slow deep breaths and notice your thoughts;
Avoid making lists or plans just follow the breath and watch your thoughts roll by and let them go.
They will keep coming, keep allowing them to come and go like waves on the shore.

Notice what comes up for you.
What would you like to create for the day?

Now to create a new program to replace your outdated software, create an affirmation that  you can repeat
throughout the day.

Affirmations enable us to let go of negative programming and make space for that which propels you forward.
Here's one to get you started from Louise Hay, from her bestseller, You Can Heal Your Life.

For self criticizing: "I am willing to release the need to be unworthy. I  am worthy of the very best in life, and I now lovingly allow myself to accept it."
Keep it with you.
Post it somewhere and everywhere.
Say it often. SAY IT LOUD.
Step into your Audacious Intention with GUSTO.

A BIG audacious hug to you,
Nancy

Nancy Mindes, coach
Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies get your Success In Style.
How audacious do you want to be?
516.705.8823

Go here to join my Audacious E-Zine http://www.NancyMindes.com

"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." `Goethe