expert advice

tips from ladies who have been there, done that

Why 2012 Looks To Be the Year of the Entrepreneur

1.30.12

In an article for TIME Moneyland, Scott Gerber suggests that “2012 looks to be the year of the entrepreneur.” His reasoning:

IT’S NEEDED:

Taking up entrepreneurship is now an extremely doable means to overcome unemployment and underemployment, and perhaps even get rich.

There are certainly enough global, national and local problems that need solving–and worldwide, 2012 must be a big year for innovative problem solvers.

IT’S EASIER THAN EVER BECAUSE OF:

  • Technology
  • Crowdsourcing Platforms
  • Rise in Virtual Offices
  • Mentoring through entrepreneurial communities

We couldn’t agree more. Join us at ltdLIVE this week– February 1 and 2, 2012– to get connected to all of these resources, and more, and to be inspired to make 2012 the year you launched your dream!

What are you waiting for?

Extra! Extra! Learn all about it!

1.27.12

Look at this fabulous ad that our graphic guru Kristen Gara of www.threeknocksdesign.com just created.

I just opened the newspaper to see it in all it’s glory! Along with a full page ad comes a long list of questions about LTD.

People ask me all the time “what is ‘LTD’, a blog? A conference? A community?” Yes, and no, is often my short answer and if they are looking for more (I check to see if they are really curious or simply polite) I tell them that LTD is a multi-media platform curating the entrepreneurial life.

  1. ltdLIVE is a conference for the existing entrepreneur or the curious woman looking for her next venture.  We gather the best resources, communities, consultants, experts and the women who are looking to access them.
  2. ltd365.com is our website with resources, stories, tips and tools for that same audience.
  3. Our soon-to-be launched ltdMag is a digital lifestyle magazine for the entrepreneurial women who want to live with purpose and live well.

And since I can’t “check to see if you are really curious,”  I will leave this link for those that might be…http://www.ltd365.com/press/pasadena-outlook-january-19-2012-page-1/

The secret to public relations success

1.11.12

Check out this video where Alle Fister, founder of Bollare PR and founding employee of Shopbop, explains how the key to public relations is making yourself a resource!

If you enjoy this clip of our public relations panel from last year’s ltdLIVE conference, than make sure you sign up for ltdLIVE 2012.  You won’t want to miss it!

Live the Dream Screening: Miss Representation

We are thrilled to announce that together with Wells Fargo as our Presenting Sponsor, we will be screening the documentary Miss Representation on January 31, 2012 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

The documentary Miss Representation, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in October.  The film explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.

Tickets to view the documentary are  free if you have purchased a ticket to ltdLIVE (either 1 or 2 day ticket) and $10.00 without ltdLIVE ticket.

Click here to purchase tickets: http://ltdlive2012.eventbrite.com/

Glassybaby Founder, Lee Rhodes: Entrepreneur of the Year

1.10.12


Sometimes you get news that you can’t wait to tell–you are simply bursting at the seams to share.  This is one of those times.

Glassybaby Founder, Lee Rhodes was just named Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine and we are thrilled for her, but selfishly we are even more excited that she will be sharing her story with us at ltdLIVE 2012 in the flesh!  That’s right, we just hooked you up with your very own ticket to hear how Entrepreneur of the Year, Lee Rhodes did it!

Check out her story here:

And if you live in LA, come meet Lee (tell her Nada sent you!). She is in town to receive her big award and will be at the W Hotel with her beautiful glassbabies in tow so go take a look and just try to resist one of those glowing little numbers.  If you can, get up close and talk to her, this is one infectious lady who has put her money where her mouth is and is making a difference everyday!

“This Is How She Does It” – Join us Thursday at 11am for an ltdLIVE Twitterchat

Sometimes the questions that seem so basic are actually the most important. Many of us just want to know how someone does it (raise kids, run marathons, cook dinners, etc.). When does she wake up?  Does she exercise?  Does she sleep?  This is why we have a breakout session on the topic and why we’ve invited a few of our panelists to join us for a Twitterchat on the topic.


We call intentionally called ltdLIVE’s breakout session on the topic “This Is How She Does It” because we know women – in any stage of business – have questions or want to know what works for someone else because life evolves. Join us this Thursday, January 12, at 11am Pacific for a Twitterchat with Andrea Fellman (@SavvySassyMoms), Elizabeth Hardig (@elizabethhardig), Wanda Wen (@WandaWen) and Amy Swift (@SmartyAmy.) They’ll share the good, the bad and the ugly of how they do it!

Follow @ltdLIVE, @Karie_Reynolds and @NadaJones and use the hashtag #ltdLIVE to join the conversation and ask questions. You can also submit questions in advance by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook page.

Join us!

Social Media Girlfriends Twitter Chat

1.4.12



Meet the Experts - Join us Thursday Mornings in January for #ltdLIVE Twitterchats

One of the highlights of ltdLIVE is having the opportunity to ask an expert (or two or three…) the questions you need answered. It’s one of the reasons we have lots of experts speaking on almost a dozen breakout session panels on Day 1 of ltdLIVE and this year we’re thrilled to give you a chance to get to know a few of our panelists and get your questions answered before the conference.  Join us every Thursday morning at 11am Pacific this January for Twitterchats with experts participating in ltdLIVE.

We’re thrilled to be kicking things off Thursday, January 5th with Britt Michaelain (@MamaBritt) and Dabney Porte (@DabneyPorte), the founders of Social Media Girlfriends. Britt and Dabney are experts at utilizing social media to create community and build business. In the weeks ahead we’ll chat with experts on money & funding options for your business; tools and systems for getting it all done; and PR & Marketing.

Follow @ltdLIVE, @Karie_Reynolds and @NadaJones and use the hashtag #ltdLIVE to join the conversation and ask questions. Submit questions in advance by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook page.

We look forward to chatting, answering your questions and getting to know you on Thursdays at 11am Pacific!

 

Go virtual and grow

11.8.11


Step One of Delegating to a Virtual Assistant: Relinquishing Control of Your Calendar

There comes a tipping point for every entrepreneur when there are simply not enough hours in the day, and they are drowning in a sea of post-it reminders and an ever growing to do list.  This is a pivotal time for a business owner to start delegating… and why God created virtual assistants.

Virtual assistants can take over a variety of projects ranging from newsletter distribution and website updates to calendar management and client services.  If you are contemplating hiring a virtual assistant but don’t know where to start, I suggest delegating the task of day to day scheduling.  This is a great way to test the waters with your new virtual team member.

It is easy to discount how much of a time suck scheduling is until you stop doing it yourself.  As a virtual assistant, I know the concerns business owners have when it comes to letting go of their calendar and client correspondence.  However, once they commit, it unlocks the freedom to truly focus on the vital activities needed to grow their business.

Here are the most common questions I receive from all of those controlling business owners in regard to someone else virtually managing their calendar:

1. How will a virtual assistant have access to my calendar?

If your business is based online you know how many digital sharing tools that exist.  Personally, I have had great results with Google Calendar and Central Desktop.  These programs allow you AND your virtual assistant to update and edit your calendar, which will sync real-time, so nothing slips through the cracks.

2. How will a virtual assistant know what times to book my appointments?

This does require a bit of planning initially as you will need to map out certain times that you are available for both business and personal appointments.  For example, I have a client who owns an online branding consulting business.  She speaks with clients during the following times:

Tuesdays: 11:00AM

Wednesdays: 10:00AM, 1:00PM and 4:00PM

Thursdays: 10:00AM, 1:00PM and 4:00PM

Her virtual assistant never has to question when to book a client because those designated time slots are for client meetings only.  The assistant is then free to book personal meetings on Mondays and Fridays between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Also, if you know you need a day off and don’t want anything scheduled, mark “No Appointments” from 8 AM to 6 PM on your calendar.  This will inform your virtual assistant that you are not taking appointments that day.

3. I am concerned that my virtual assistant may not always act professionally and I am nervous about her representing me via email and telephone.

First and foremost, you need to thoroughly interview your virtual assistant before you hire them and ask for references.  You will more than likely not be able to hold the interview in-person so you need to ask well thought out questions and speak with others that have worked with her.

I also suggest writing an email template for your virtual assistant as a guide for them when contacting your clients and colleagues.  Providing the structure, general verbiage, and correct email signature will minimize any unprofessionalism or brand inconsistencies.

 

Thanks to guest blogger Elizabeth Hardig (that’s her fabulous face up top).  Elizabeth is the founder of Virtual Visibility Inc. is a Certified Ecommerce Virtual Assistant Specialist ™ and WordPress website developer. She supports small-business owners in growing their online presence to help them reach a higher level of success.   To find out more information on Elizabeth Hardig and Virtual Visibility Inc. services, please visit www.virtualvisibilityinc.com.  And by the way, if you’re looking for a virtual assistant to take over your scheduling?  Contact elizabeth@virtualvisibilityinc.com. Tell her I sent you.

 


 

 

X vs. Y

10.25.11

The HuffPo just ran an article written by Adelaide Lancaster, who I coincidentally blogged about last week (nope–don’t know her). The article’s title is 10 Reasons Why Women Make Better Entrepreneurs. Here is the at-a-glance version, but I highly recommend you take a minute and click through to read the article in it’s entirety.

1. Women are better connectors.
2. Women are better at multitasking.
3. Women are perfectionists.
4. Women take others into consideration.
5. Women think success comes from hard work not just from being “awesome.”
6. Women share the credit.
7. Women second guess themselves.
8. Women don’t take as many risks.
9. Women don’t fiercely negotiate for the best they can get.
10. Women value their life outside of work.

Thanks Adelaide!

image from Vineet Kaur

 

See Jane run. See Jane succeed!

10.17.11

I had the pleasure of hearing Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica, speak today and was so refreshed and inspired by her words I thought I would share my notes with you.

1. No such thing as balance–it’s about resiliance.

2. If you come across the greatest pain, you’re on to the best idea.

3. Who are YOU? It all begins (and I would add, ends) with you as an entrepreneur.

4. What would you be really excited about doing even if you didn’t get paid for three years?

5. You must have unrelenting enthusiasm for your idea.

6. Don’t be mediocre. Don’t be oatmeal when you can be Huevos Rancheros–even if some people don’t like hevos racheros other LOVE it.

7. Don’t do what everyone else is already doing.

8. Thrive on pressure. When the heat is on, don’t take a break go harder and faster. She used the example of giving birth and saying to the doctor at a critical moment during labor that she was too tired and needed to take a break–doesn’t work!

9. Be very good enough.

10. Saying no to something is saying yes to something else. Saying no is easier to do and saying is easier to say.

11. Do what ONLY you can do and delegate the rest.

12. Eat the frog. Do the worst thing on your list first. Waiting to eat the frog is better in the am because you have the day to digest it. Keeping it on your desk makes you tired.

13. Tell your story. Build relationships using social media. Relationship–Purchase–Advocacy.

14. Be frugal. Spend where it matters and effects the bottom line. It’s not about cost, it’s about value.

15.  You must have a clear company culture.

16. Hire the person not the resume.

17. Be a dream believer.

18. Have established core values. Dermalogica’s core values are:

-Embrace drive and change
-Allow for fun and weirdness
-Be enthusiastic, kind and friendly
-Build open and honest relationships by talking
-Don’t keep dream destroyers around
-Be authentic and humble
-It’s all about the product all the time, always!

19. Don’t loose site of the product because of the process

20. Seek a higher purpose.

Thanks Jane, for living out your own purpose and teaching us to do the same!