Been awhile since I sat down to blog! Figured I better do some updating - "practice what I preach!" 

        

I was so excited to receive this email recently from Joyce Finnigan, owner of RJT Products, LLC, whom I recently met at the Key Bank for Women event at the White Whispers Day Spa in Clinton:

I had sent in an email to Donny Deutsch (on Wednesday) requesting some advice on bringing the Rojeti bag to the next level and at 7pm last night I rec'd a call from a producer on his show asking if I could be in NYC by noon today!
 
Something in my email caught their eye and they wanted me and the bags on the show - well, they didn't have to ask me twice - I wouldn't have missed that chance for the world.
 
What happened next is somewhat of a blur.........and I still think I'm dreaming.
 
I thought I was going to be part of their 'ask Donny a question and he'll give you advice' segment - but instead they had other plans for me.
 
They have a new segment - The Big Break - and that's exactly what it is - a big break.
 
They surprised me in a big way - Larry Broughton of Broughton Hospitality (owner of 13 high-end boutique hotels) was also on the show and is going to put the Rojeti bags in the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica!!!!!!!!  I was floored - and there was no forewarning that they were going to do this - but not to worry because it has been captured on tape and you'll be able to see my reaction on Monday night (when the show airs on CNBC)!
 

Isn't that awesome!?!?  I thought she had a great product: a reusable, washable, discreet and attractive way to stash and carry your dirty laundry - that's a lot of value in one product!

        

If you're in business ONLY to make money you're in the wrong business - you need to be passionate about what you do and then the money will come because you are honest and dedicated passionately to your work.

That said, I love the song I've included as a podcast in this post, (Peter sent it to me a couple years ago) as it is something that many entrepreneurs can identify with - especially if you are in a service or "idea" industry "where what you know" is a valuable commodity but people want to pay you only for what you "do" - they want the thinking about / brainstorming / idea-generation to be free as they can't touch or quantify it.

I read a good post about problem-solving recently, and one of the commenters asked the question:

Paul, this issue has been bothering me for a long time. Any good designer would argue that defining the problem is just as important, if not more important, than generating a solution.

Bill Buxton talks about the difference between getting the design right and getting the right design. The former is when a designer is forced to use intuition and experience to iterate on a single solution so that it is well-received. It will look pretty and it will work, but it won't be useful to the intended audience. The latter happens when designers are given the opportunity to analyze the situation and identify pain points instead of simply being told what to do. Research, synthesis and prototyping together ensure that the solution is the right one.

But how do we characterize these skill sets that often go unused? How do we name the activity so that we can better sell it to our clients? Is it Strategy? Discovery? Plain old Research, which sounds dry and redundant to many companies? There's thinking and then there's doing. What can we call Thinking so that it doesn't sound like a waste of time to the people paying the bills?

Posted by: Whitney Hess 

Let me know your thoughts; do you have a story you'd like to share? How do you handle people trying to get info from you that should be charged for? How do you let clients know that "thinking" is what some people need to get paid for? People sit and think in an 9 to 5 office job and get a paycheck; how do you help them understand that even though you think on the beach, or in bed, or driving to a meeting, that your time is worthy of monitary reimbursement as well?

Here's to using your brain - and paying the bills!

V-

Download | Duration: 00:02:00

  Click to play, lyrics below

I'M BILLING TIME
(sung to the tune of "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper)
by The Bar & Grill Singers

Sometimes you call me up,
and beg me for free advice.

You're stealing from me,
and wondering why I'm not nice.

My mind and my time
are my merchandise;
Don't make me say this twice.

(chorus)
If you come to my office or call my phone,
I'm billing time.

If you stop me at parties to whine and moan,
I'm billing time.

You say you want the best,
but then you don't pay the fee.

Notions cost money,
but you think they should be free.

You cry, "Oh why
is my bill so high?"
Well, let me clarify:

(chorus)
If you come to my office or call my phone,
I'm billing time.

If you stop me at parties to whine and moan,
I'm billing time.

If I think of you when I am all alone,
I'm billing time.

If you're late for appointments,
I will be waiting.

...and billing time.

Still billing time.

I'm billing time.

        

I found this fascinating quote today:

So the question I would like to explore is this - at what point are there consequences if customers don’t live up to their part of the bargain? At what point do you stop inspiring, cajoling and yelling and just start backing off or disengaging all together? What about building monetary penalties into service agreements that kick in when a customer does not complete assignments they agreed to?Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing, Sep 2008

It is difficult to hold ourselves back sometimes; as service providers and women eager to see others succeed it is hard to watch them not do the things you feel/know will help grown their business. Sometimes they say they're invested in their business but it seems you are spending a lot more time and energy on it than they are... which means you're spending less time and energy on your other clients and YOUR business! 

Read about what John Jantsch and his followers have to say - it's an interesting conversation...

V-

        

	So excited to report that the book is out and I have an autographed copy! It is already inspiring people and the companion blog, Create The Ripples, is nearly ready as well! Teresa's journey to Colorado will have her joyously interacting with 250 women in an amazing setting... there will be ripples created there that will reach all the way back to NY!
Also thrilled to report that Julie's CD is at the printer, and should be back in less than 30 days! If you go to her site you can hear some song samples... I've already sold a copy! They will be available locally at Panache on Main Street in Whitesboro, and I think you'll find Teresa's book there as well. Her site also lists her upcoming appearances, in case you'd like to see her and the boys (Matt Vacanti & Joe Ferlo) in person! She working on a book as well... very cool to be surrounded by such literary women!
I'm working on a few literary adventures myself - but will wait to report on them until... well, until there's more to report! So, have you been inspired to begin or revisit some form of self-expression? I think it's an amazing world where you can do what you love to do and be supported by it (ie - get paid!); I know I love creating things for these women as they support my goals - not merely financially - but by being spiritually and emotionally supportive... which is the greatest reward anyone can offer you. I hope you take time for yourself every day to feed your muse, by reading or writing, listening or singing, watching or participating, learning or teaching... whatever your passion is. I'm blessed to have my passion bring really great women into my life! V-

        

    

“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” - Maya Angelou

Teresa encouraged me to visit the site of Dr Rob and that quote was what awaited me there... so today, a stress-filled day for many reasons, I choose to use this quote to it's fullest. I'm placing a very relaxing piece of music here - I like it's varied tempos, and it's title seems to fit it well, "Cradle With Love" by Samite.  For our senior yearbook we had to find a quote that we liked... I searched for music and found this quote by Anne Rutledge Out of me, unworthy and unknown;the vibrations of deathless music. I hope you take a moment for yourself today to release whatever is stressing you; music works for me but make a point of finding what works for you and put it where you can get at it when you need it - I try to surround myself with those things in my office - without creating too much clutter! Well, calmer and ready to be productive - wishing you the same, V-

Download | Duration: 00:03:42

  

Click button to play

        

I was twittering  today and noticed that one of my tweeps was pretty darn happy with Google Chrome.
I've downloaded it and it seems to work quite nicely - I like that it stores the pages I've visited most so I can click on them quickly.

Pages seem to load very quickly, and they have this cool feature that lets you add numerous "home pages" so you can open several tabs instantly at startup! Cool - my email accounts, twitter, and whatever else I choose will open in tabs automatically - like it!

They also say that if one tab self-destructs that tab/page can be closed without the whole browser closing - didn't you think it sucked that if one window locked up IE just closed everything?! Chrome will keep the other sites open so you can continue working - love it!

It works with Tiny URL - I didn't have to do anything special, it was just on my toolbar - like it!

I frequently turn to CNET when I want expert opinions, you can read what they say about Google Chrome here.

Seems to be working very well so far - does anyone have an opinion they'd like to share?

V-

        

Softball Miracle This moving six-minute clip goes way beyond softball to touch the heart.

Softball Miracle (6 min)

I was forwarded this by a member of Triiibes and felt like I wanted to share it here. It is a story of surrenduring to what is "right" and "honorable"; of letting go of the need to win; and doing whatever it takes to give someone else their moment of glory. I think I heard about this briefly, but until I saw it - the people and emotions involved - I had no idea how powerful and beautiful it was. Be inspired... V-

        

Who hasn't complained about "not having time"? Or "not having enough time"? 
So... you'd think I'd listen to someone who told me how to save time... well, apparently not at first!
But, after a conversation with Miss Laurie Ann Dowell (the nail goddess of nail 911s) I finally broke down and bought the most amazing time saver ever!

 

It's a WAGNER PAINTMATE PLUS and I don't know how I lived without it!

Now, you will find naysayers out there... but, from my experience (and Laurie's):

• it does not leak
• it can be heavy BUT there's no law that says you have to fill it ALL the way
• it saves your back
• it saves time
• it takes some time to clean (but what doesn't?)

So, inspired by Laurie, I have added the Wagner Paintmate Plus to my toolbox, and the category of TimeSavers to my blog - as I think saving time is a valuable entrepreneurial tool/pursuit!

No, the room isn't finished yet, but I'll have pics when it is... and now I must rest... although I must admit I really would love to keep painting - the chocolate paint I chose looks like pudding... pudding... pudding...

V-

        

web design,graphic design

So, what do you do? And can you describe it in a sentence? And does everyone ask you for free advice?

V-

        

They say that change is the only constant... and if you can embrace change you are on the right path! Fighting change just wastes energy and distracts you from seeing what opportunities have been created right in front of you. So stop looking around for a way to circumvent change and move forward, holding your vision as a guide but without fear... don't cling to how you think it will come about; trust that it will develop in it's own way and it's own time.   It's a good thing throughout my entire life I've been very open to change... especially when it comes my hair! I was born a redheaded, asian Rod Stewart... Yes really! That is MY baby picture - that is auburn hair, and it's all mine!

This is my dirty blonde phase; I was blonde in between - I don't remember if I had more fun then...!   This dress (sans apron) was sent from Germany for me - my mom loves this picture but always complains about the apron!   I love the pose though!

Perhaps I'll share more later... I was inspired by many people's pictures from their childhood...
thought perhaps it was time to share in return. 

So embrace change and celebrate how far you've come!

But that doesn't mean you can't you can't cover the grey!
V-
 

        

  I loved how Elizabeth answers these questions! If I didn't already have the book I would want to get it!
  It is a great book (and I know reading takes time - so if I'm going to ask you to invest time it's going to be for a good reason) and I definitely need to establish a game plan with it as my "play book".

THE INTERVIEW

1. What is one business tool or piece of software you just
couldn't live without, and why? ...<< MORE >>

Friday is the day! I've got a great interview lined up with Elizabeth Gordon, author of "The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business In Higher Heels". The book is filled with firsthand know-how and the examples are clear and tangible insights into how to start and run a business.   I'm very glad I connected with Elizabeth and her group; I read a blog post quoting them and decided to visit their blog and comment as I was impressed with what I saw. They read my blog post and went to my blog... then reached out to me to be one of the hostesses for the book tour (there are some male hosts too!).  So here's a sneak peek at Friday's interview:

Do you see a hot trend or new career out there that will be the next big thing? I am pushing for people to embrace the idea of working a Chic Schedule, meaning working 4 days a week instead of 5. I think increasing time away from work can be one of the best ways to unlock your inner genius and achieve more in less time.     There are so many outdated norms in business culture that I look forward to seeing waived as more women proliferate business. A client and I were talking recently about how great it would be if it was as socially acceptable to tell people you were out of the office on a Wednesday afternoon having a spa treatment and pedicure done with some clients, like it’s OK for men to say they’ve taken the day off to golf with clients. I believe one day it will be.  Be sure to come back Friday for the answer to this question: It’s difficult for women to ask for what they deserve monetarily; do you have three tips you could offer women to get past that feeling of fear over “the money talk”? Is this an issue you face? Elizabeth has some practical tips to help you start asking for what you are worth!

        

I have several of Seth's books and love his video on TED, http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_sliced_bread.html  - he is funny and creative!

Quoted from http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2008/08/02/seth-reopens-triiibes/:

Seth Reopens Triiibes | Small Business Marketing Blog from Duct Tape Marketing

Sat Aug 02, 2008

Seth Reopens Triiibes

Few marketers can create a buzz like Seth Godin - the rest of us are just here to learn from him.

He has created a quasi exclusive social network he’s called Triiibes and is reopening the membership come Aug 5th. Go get his book, send him the receipt and join triiibes, it’s a focused way to network with some engaged folks. Read this post to join

Posted by: John Jantsch on Aug 02, 08 | 9:09 am

        

I StumbledUpon this great article for those who deal with computer user related pain - we forget to move when we're moving - this article has some great tips for keeping healthy while getting the job done!

Quoted from http://www.howtocopewithpain.org/blog/223/exercises-to-prevent-computer-pain/:

Exercises To Avoid Pain While At Your Computer | How To Cope With Pain Blog

Exercises To Avoid Pain While At Your Computer

A reader, Tracy, asked about computer use and pain. In this series of 3 articles, we’ll look at this issue.

In the previous 2 posts in this series, we’ve looked at:

• How computer use can cause pain through poor posture and repetitive movements, and
• What good posture is for computer use

Today we’ll look at what exercises can prevent and help pain while you’re at your keyboard. Here are some guidelines:

1. Take frequent breaks, at least once per hour.

2. Neck and shoulder exercises:

• Shrug your shoulders up and down.
• Pull your shoulder blades together and then relax.
• Pull your shoulders down while gently leaning your head to each side.
• Rotate your shoulders back several times and then forward several times.
• Slowly turn your head side to side several times.

For the rest of this article, check out the How To Cope With Pain blog

        

I'm in love!

Quoted from http://www.backworks.co.uk/stokke-chairs/stokke-gravity-reclining-chair.html:

Gravity Reclining Chair by Stokke - Designer Reclining Chair - Backworks, Windsor, UK

Gravity Reclining Chair by Stokke

Please note: after a change in branding, Stokke chairs are now known as Varier chairs. The new Varier chairs are still being produced by the same manufacturer and the only change is the brand name. This means that the Stokke Gravity Reclining Chair is now known as the Varier Gravity Reclining Chair. If you have any questions about the change of branding of the Stokke Chairs please contact us on 0800 612 0664

 

Four, three, two, one: We have lift off!

Gravity is equipped with laminated wooden runners, which gives the chair four different positions. These vary from a comfortable working position at an upright table, to a fully reclined "hover-mode". Perfect for that afternoon nap! What's more, after a hard day on your feet, Gravity's relaxing position allows the spinal cord to stretch, and find its natural form.

 

Move your body and change sitting postions!

In the first position, the knees rest on the knee-pads giving the body an ideal position for working at a desk.

 

• In the second sitting position you sit back as in any comfortable chair. The kneepads are perfect support for your legs.
• In the third position you lean back and rest. A perfect relaxing position after a long day!
• Resting in the fourth position – it's so comfortable you'll probably want a quick nap! Your legs are lifted high, and the blood circulation gets a long deserved rest.
• The best sitting position is always the next. Slightly shift your body weight and off you go!

        

Don't forget to pop by and see what Elizabeth has to say - her book is great!

Quoted from http://thechicentrepreneur.typepad.com/the_chic_entrepreneur/2008/07/the-chic-book-tour.html:

The Chic Entrepreneur: The Chic Book Tour

July 01, 2008

The Chic Book Tour

Follow the Chic Book Tour August 4 – 10, 2008. There will be book reviews, interviews and more.
It'll be just like going on tour with The Chic Entrepreneur yourself without leaving the comfort of your own couch!

August 4 – Home Biz Notes and The Wealth Spa Radio Show

August 5 – The Success Blog

August 6 – Shotgun Marketing Blog

August 7 – Entrepreneur Goddess

August 8 – Women Entrepreneurs' Blog of the Mohawk Valley and Running with Quills

August 9 – Young Entrepreneur Blog

August 10 – Blog Business World and Empower Women Now

Hope to "see" you on the web!

Elizabeth

        

Trying out Contribute again..... this could be an amazing tool!

I "stumbled upon" this article about getting up early that may help some of you that are like me... I love my bed! Is 7 or 8am early? I guess most people think 5 or 6am is... that's almost impossible for me - but at least I can work in jammies at home - McQuade & Bannigan would have frowned on that!

Quoted from http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/05/how-to-become-an-early-riser/:

How to Become an Early Riser

May 23rd, 2005 by Steve Pavlina

It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.
- Aristotle

Are morning people born or made? In my case it was definitely made. In my early 20s, I rarely went to bed before midnight, and I’d almost always sleep in late. I usually didn’t start hitting my stride each day until late afternoon.

But after a while I couldn’t ignore the high correlation between success and rising early, even in my own life. On those rare occasions where I did get up early, I noticed that my productivity was almost always higher, not just in the morning but all throughout the day. And I also noticed a significant feeling of well-being. So being the proactive goal-achiever I was, I set out to become a habitual early riser. I promptly set my alarm clock for 5AM…

… and the next morning, I got up just before noon.              

Want to find out how he did it? Click here.                   Email this article to a friend

        

I'm test driving Adobe Contribute as a new way to add content to this blog - I love trying new things! V-

        

Sometimes you need to just ask for the answers! Try polling your customers to see what they think of your products and services.  
This is a software mentioned on Duct Tape Marketing. It's free and easy to use! Check it out... and answer my poll today at www.StressFreeDesign.com (bottom right corner of home page).
V-

        

Sometimes I wished I wrote a journal... I wish I could remember every link in the chain line in the story character in the play that brought me to this point... I love how people show up in my life!
Somehow I stumbled upon The Chic Entrepreneur and Elizabeth Gordon's blog. I read and commented on an article I found interesting... well, they then checked out this blog and asked me to host Elizabeth during her virtual book tour! I'm very honored... but of course, wanted to read the book before recommending it to my audience. I'm 85% through Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels" and I think it's a must read for ANY woman in business. There are some great tips about strategies and procedures that I need to re-read; the book has helped me to see what is missing in my current plan of action. By comparing two types of businesses Elizabeth shows us how to define who we are and what our company brings to the marketplace. And by using two women's stories, we can get a clear picture of some of the major missteps women can take without guidance, and how they can florish when they seek advice, research and prepare for success before it happens.
If you want a fun AND inspiring read this summer, pick up a copy of The Chic Entrepreneur - I'd loan you mine but it's going to be my "business bible" this year! V-

        

I'm not a QVC junky!

I feel I need to say that right up front as these two products are both from QVC... I was flipping channels - AFTER business hours - and decided I HAD to purchase these two items.

I'm in front of my computer 4-14 hours a day (10's about average); I don't always sit in the most perfect, ergnomically-correct position (especially around hours 3 and 9) so I finally decided to do something to help me feel better and keep my body aligned.

Sit-N-Stroll Portable Leg & Foot Exerciser with Timer - I kept tucking my legs under my chair or putting me feet on the base of the chair over the wheels - gee - then I'd wonder why my leg muscles were tight and my ankles were poofy!! With this I focus on keeping my legs in alignment with my body; I have proper posture more often than not - even if I don't move my feet! But it's pretty easy to get 2,000 steps in during an hour or so at the computer - so you can get part of the recommended 10,000 steps while you're on your butt! Whatta product! And I carry it into the living room at night and "walk-n-watch" tv; it even comes with a travel case for use in the car (as a passenger obviously!) or hotel room.

BackMagic Adjustable Stretching Device- wow - this really stretches your back - even in position #1! It feels great (I might recommend a small towel at base as plastic is hard on hips) and so lightweight you can take it traveling with you and stretch after a long day of walking or sitting/driving. It helps put your shoulders back where they're supposed to be! If you want to get started on stretching without equipment click here for some great, simple exercises for back health.

Sometimes I call Claire and we tele-walk - walk with on our cellphones on - so that we get a chance to move; it helps to have someone to be accountable to or to walk with, and with cell phones you can walk with a friend that's 100 miles away!

Hope some of these ideas keep you "aligned" and focused on working in a more body-friendly manner!

V-

        

There is a surge of breakthroughs that have happened over the past couple months...

Luckily I have my friends/life coaches Claire, from Inspired Focus, and Teresa to help me pause and reflect on the successes, releases the things that didn't serve me, and decide upon the next course of action. I recommend that everyone find at least one person that can help them slow down and regroup.

Teresa's book about "Pausing...Long Enough to Notice", is due to be released next month; and she's obviously the inspiration for this post. 

Recently I have had a number of entrepreneurial friends and business associates lose family members, deal with a personal health scare, or suffer a loss of business due to a natural disaster. I have been moved by their stories, amazed by their resiliency, and inspired by the love that continues to flow from them despite it all...

I want to encourage you today to reach out to someone you know who's been dealing with a loss and let them know what you admire something about them. By you making time to notice and speak it, you can open a space for them to pause to receive it - and in that pause they may find joy, or peace, or stillness... they may find what they need to move forward to the next minute, the next hour, the next day...

V-

        

Letting your worries go... Got this in an email from Craig at Learn Web Development; I thought it was interesting as Kevin Stilwell, member of my mastermind group, is from Northwestern Insurance!
Fire away, and send those worries flying!
V-

        

Wow! Jack Canfield held two seminars in Verona on Tuesday and most of the women I spoke with (many of whom are in my "network") are still on a high! We just can't wrap ourselves around all the info we learned and all the inspiration we have received for ourselves and seen other experience!

It is just incredible how the electric the room was; so many people got tuned in to exactly what their passion and mission was... I hope you take the opportunity to check out the blog for the event and read some of the stories for yourself!

The afternoon session focused on The Success Principles, a book I personally own and would recommend to anyone for professional and personal development. I own the CDs too - get for driving to or listening to while working - I get something new from them upon each listen (good thing they're not vinyl or they'd be worn through!). Here are some great videos of Jack describing some of the principles - if you've never heard him speak this is a good place to get a feel for his style. There were about 350 people at the afternoon event - 300 was the goal - and was amazing to see that many professionals in one room who are interested in self development and professional growth.

The evening session focused on The Law of Attraction, and Jack's new book, "Jack Canfield’s KEY to Living the Law of Attraction" - a simple guide to creating the life of your dreams. "This book is your guide for using the Law of Attraction to create the life you desire. Within these pages, Jack clearly explains not only what you need to know, but what you need to do in order to attract what you want in your life. The Key to Living the Law of Attraction addresses the important issues of clarity, purpose and action. This thought provoking book will take you step-by-step through the processes of defining your dreams, goals, and desires. Along the way, you will also gain a greater understanding of yourself, a sense of who you really are and why you are here."

I challenge you to pick one area that you'd like to make a change in and find a mentor - whether it be Jack, through one of his books or coaching programs or attending an event - or a person in your life that has the skills you need to develop in yourself, and get started TODAY on making a change that will affect your whole life!

V-

        

8hands is a cool software that helps keep you socializing at the speed of light while clearing your e-mail box of flurry of updates from your friends. So... you can focus on work at work... but still keep track of all your friends!

From their site:

8hands is a small and friendly desktop application that will simplify your social networking experience. Forget all those logins and refreshing of a million tabs – let 8hands do the dirty work for you! With 8hands, you can organize and optimize your different online profiles from one place, while receiving real time notifications of your events.

It currently works with:

	Facebook			Flickr			MySpace
	YouTube			WordPress			Twitter
	LiveJournal			Blogger			FeedBurner

and will soon support      

I'm hoping that they hook up with LinkedIn - my new absolute favorite professional networking site.

Check it out and let me know what you think!
V-

        

If you follow me on Twitter then you know why I've been absent here awhile... but I have two great new tools I need to take a moment to share with you!

LinkedIn is a professional social network with great potential to help you interact with other professionals and headhunters. My profile is listed here and I've made a lot of valuable connections since I started seriously working on it two weeks ago - right before I saw Dan Nye speak at Hamilton College. I really do mean to make the time to write that up... very cool info!

Visual CV is just that - an online CV (resume) on which you can place graphics, links, videos - there's no limit to how creative you can be in creating a visual, interactive representation of you and your talents! Saw this on John Jantsch's emailer... I can't wait to get into this program and upload a video with my new webcam monitor!

I'm thinking about holding local workshops for both so that I can help people that think they are tech-challenged get their info up "without stress"!

All for now, need to get back to work!

V-

        

I receive an e-mail newsletter called Women for Hire(among the dozens of other publications I peruse on a weekly basis. Today's message led with:

In the hot-off-the-press February issue of Vogue magazine, editor in chief Anna Wintour writes:
Imagine my amazement, when I learned that Hillary Clinton, our only female president hopeful, had decided to steer clear of our pages at this point in her campaign for fear of looking too feminine. The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying. How has our culture come to this?

It was interesting to read the three responses they received from when it was posted at 7:40pm to the last comment at 9:15am...

I would like to have seen the exact quote of what Hillary said, as the articles take on it was very different than the women commenting on it; which makes me wonder at how we interpret the "same" piece of information....

Later in the same e-mail they discuss their national job fairs, and this - Business Attire Required - grabbed my attention.... so what is Business Attire anymore? Is that the power suit they're making a statement about in the other article?

How do you feel you need to dress to succeed?

V-

        

Elwood's Coffeehouse & Roadshow Fundraiser
Sunday, January 13th, from 1pm-7pm
Benefit for Elwoods at The Electric Company, 700 Varick Street, Utica
I am gathering door prizes for them. If you need more info you can contact me (793-2025 or veronika@dotcalm.ws) or "Zee" at Electric Company 792-9271.
Joe Sweet, Choke Slam, Dave Snedicker, Jeremy Petrie & Steamboat Ferguson will be playing.
They are having raffles and a silent auction.

        

Friday a.m. the building that housed Elwood's Coffeehouse and Roadshow was destroyed by fire, but it will be rebuilt by all the friends of Elwood, Dan and Cathy.
Please go to their website to register to be notified of ways you can help and updates on the rebuilding.
I'm posting a link here to the video posted on Mohawk Valley Living when Elwood's first opened - let's focus on this great positive energy and remember the place as it was until we can recreate it anew.
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Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning." Are you comfortable with dreaming? Do you know that the greatest minds ever have believed in the power of their dreams?<< MORE >>

        

        

        

        

        

My favorite Pampered Chef, Tracy Black, offered me this recipe for the abundance of tomatoes I purchased yesterday - it's awesome! Feel free to modify it - try black/green or mixed olives, you could add carmalized union, throw in some spices like cilantro, red pepper flakes, celery seed, or even a little hot sauce to spice it up!

Easy Pampered Salsa
One jar marinated artichokes

Two tomatoes (seeded if very juicy)

One small can sliced olives

1/4 red onion

One clove garlic
Chop all in large bowl, Tracy uses her Pampered Chef Salad Chopper, but you could use good kitchen shears or the tool of your choice. You can serve it immediately or chill it if you like it cold.

        

Have been swamped with work - but lovin' it! Will be back later this week... but for now - have a cup on me!

        

        

Download | Duration: 00:00:28

So it's not just who you know and what they can do for you, it's also what you can do for them - I challenge you to make a list of "what I can do for you's" - and I will do the same. That would be the second most important piece of "marketing must-haves" (of course, the first is the 10 second elevator speech - which I will cover another day!).

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"Financial limitations can lead to unlimited possibilities" A brief post today about marketing and networking...<< MORE >>

Three Google products you may not be aware of could be great additions to your marketing strategy:<< MORE >>