Own Your Power,

Simone

April is Procrastination Awareness Month, which makes it time to step back and take a look at what you’re doing. To look at what you’re putting off and what’s really up with that; what’s really going on with you and why you’re procrastinating.  I put together this series of short audios to give you a look at procrastination and some practical steps that you can take to start to reveal what’s behind your behavior.

LISTEN HERE!

Once you listen to this audio you’ll have another piece in the process of learning about why you procrastinate, but you can’t stop procrastinating until you get to its root cause; until you know why you’re doing it.  The “why” is the key to you being able to stop procrastinating for good.  The solutions that will help you stop procrastinating are in my Procrastination Annihilation program. If you’re ready to be stop procrastinating now, click the link to get started.

Calculating your annual cost structure? Be sure you count these.

I had a whiz-bang financial model when I set out to ramp up Kohort, the social media start-up I co-founded. But even the best formatting and niftiest Excel tricks won’t overcome the wrong inputs in your expense line.

Here are the top five expenses you could easily forget to plan for:

• Benefits & Employee Taxes: If you haven’t made payroll before you might not know that the government charges you for employing people. The taxes vary by state and city, but be ready to pay above and beyond salaries. In addition, if you offer your team benefits, which you’ll likely need to do in order to be competitive in the labor market, that’ll add to the bill.

• Office Brokers & Equipment: When you get your first office (which might take a while, even after a seed round), the building will typically pay the broker fee. There are some instances, however, in which the building won’t pay it and you’ll need to. You can probably avoid this fee by asking brokers about it upfront, but you ought to set aside a little money for it if you’re planning to get an office during the horizon of your budget. The other thing to consider is office “fitup” costs—furniture, electrical wiring, Internet installations, cleaning, and appliances. You might end up paying for these in addition to monthly rent…and it can easily exceed tens of thousands of dollars.

• Property & Casualty Insurance: Another line item that blindsides most entrepreneurs is insurance. There’s insurance to cover you if your programming code doesn’t work, insurance to protect your board members from lawsuits, and life insurance on “key” employees (founders). Insurance can add up. In the early days of the company, you could be looking at a $10,000 to $15,000 annual insurance bill.

• Trademarks & Domains: While most of us budget for legal fees tied to corporate formation, partnership agreements, and investments, there is a sneaky set of expenses that lurk around the corner if you’re building a consumer-facing company. If you have a brand you’ll want to protect, you’ll need to file for a trademark, which can quickly run you a few thousand dollars, even on the cheap. Furthermore, you might find yourself needing to gobble up all of the domain extensions relating to your brand to ensure that there isn’t a gambling site being operated offshore on your URL. If you rack up all of the offshore domains you might add $3,000 to $5,000 per year.

• Software Services: You and your team will need to use services to build your company. One company will need to host your website, another party will charge you to provide an email service, and if you have developers they’ll need to license development software. While these expenses usually won’t break the budget, they typically scale with your team. An incremental hire could cost more than you think.

About the Author:

Mark Peter Davis is co-founder and chief executive of Kohort, a social media start-up in New York. He is also a venture capitalist at High Peaks Venture Partners, where he invests in information companies. He blogs at mpd.me. @mpd

We’d like to welcome new member Marsha Sims to the family. She’s the founder of Sort-It-Out which focuses on:

1.  Hands-on professional organizing services. She organizes files, offices, space, garages, kitchens, closets, etc.

2.  Clutter-free University – where she teaches online classes to help people get organized.

3.  Certification of Professional Organizers to be “client-focused” professional organizers.

How long in business Since 1992 (20 years this month!)

What exactly does your business do?

We help people get organized. We help them organize their space, their time, and their lives.

Any interesting facts you can share about your industry?

1.  Clutter is simply postponed decisions.

2.  We get more mail in a day than our parents got in a week; and we get more mail in a week than our grandparents got in a month!
Most popular problem you help people solve?

1.  Organizing their papers / files.  Papers are never going to stop coming in.

2.  Organizing their time.  We have more commitments today than ever.
Book You’d Recommend and why …

1.   Organizing Your Day by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims

2.   Smart Office Organizing by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims

… because these are books I’ve written to help people get organized.

How do you stay motivated?

I keep remembering how much I absolutely LOVE helping people.  My clients are grateful and they keep telling me that they appreciate my work.  My clients keep me motivated!

Biggest pet peeve in business?

1.     People who can’t listen.

2.     People who are quick to make assumptions about other people.
What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?

I created a Professional Organizers certification program to certify people to do what I do.

What’s a networking tip you use to help you gain and/or maintain your relationships?

1.   I do 90% listening.  I never try to push my card (or my agenda) on other people.  I ask about them and their work.

2.  I take along a book of before and after pictures so in case someone asks what I do, I say, “I am a professional organizer. I can show you better than I can tell you.”  Then I pull out my book and let the amazing pictures that tell the story of what I do.
It’s sadly time for your last meal on earth, what would it be?

Lasagna with lots of meat sauce and cheese (I’m a vegan)… with peach cobbler and banana pudding (I don’t eat sugar)… but it’s my last meal, so it’s okay.
Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results?

Yes.   I use Facebook groups for my students.
Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine?

1.     Keynote speaker at an IAAP Conference

2.     Speaker at Black Enterprise’s “Women of Power” Summit

3.     Speaker at Odyssey Media’s Conference

4.     First TV interview

5.     Company profile appearing in COSTCO magazine

6.     First time appearing in Woman’s Day magazine, SELF magazine,  Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Wow… there are so many… and whe my first book was published!

What was your last barter and what was if for?

I bartered with my dentist and I organized his offices.

Who in your circle do you want to thank for helping you build your business?

1.     All of my clients, for teaching me everything I know.

2.     My three sons, for never giving me a problem and

3.     My organizing students and my certification students, for taking me to new vistas.
Get in contact with Marsha!

http://www.sortitout.net

http://www.clutterfreeuniversity.com

Marsha Sims

marshasims@sortitout.net

305-628-0075

The Own Your Power Resource Directory Wants To Promote YOUR Biz!

DIDN’T GET YOUR LISTING YET? They are on sale now for as low as $39! $19 for an additional listing.

www.ownyourpower.biz/directory

There is finally one place you can go to get connected with the lifestyle and business connections that you crave! We always encourage our members to “KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY” by using our network.   Now, all you have to do is go to the OYP Resource Directory online to see if any of our members in there can help you with their services or products!

 This is THE Resource Directory  where your business can be positioned alongside the movers and shakers of the Own Your Power Community!

Need help in building up your power network?

As a visitor of the directory, you can get easy access to meet our partners, favorite experts, holistic businesses, printers, designers, coaches, lawyers,  business leads and much more!

Category Sponsorship– Limited Opportunities You Can Take Advantage of NOW!

And if you really want to get noticed, you can stand out from the crowd by sponsoring any Category Section Tab for only $199 a year.  The categories include, but are not limited to: Consultants, Marketing, Design, Finance, Nutrition, Yoga. And, if you don’t see your category listed, just ask!

What’s Included As Category Sponsor?

1. Your Business Listing at the very TOP of your category. Get seen FIRST!* (yellow company highlighted as example) No MORE THAN 5 PER CATEGORY!
SEE OUR FULL SELECTION OF CATEGORIES HERE!

•    An image of your company logo or your head shot (125×125)

•    Up to 250 words to describe your business, service or product

•    Main Contact Name

•    Phone

•    Contact Email Address

•    Web Address

* Available on a first come, first served basis.

2. One  30 second  mention from hosts or 30 second commercial (you provide) on the Own Your Power  radio during the year of your listing.

3. Easy-to-find listings that are searchable by keywords and zip code!

4. We’ll promote these listings to our members, our email database, and through our prestigious partner’s emails/websites which, in total, covers a reach of well over 500,000 potential customers and partner contacts!

5. All paid directory listings  received before August 1, 2012 will automatically be included in our PRINT VERSION, as well as the PDF version available online, which will be distributed to all Directory Members!

What’s Included in  a General Listing?

•    An image of your company logo or your head shot (125×125)

•    Up to 150 words  to describe your business, service or product

•    Main Contact Name

•    Phone

•    Contact Email Address

•    Web Address

1. Easy-to-find listings that are searchable by keywords and zip code!

2. We’ll promote these listings to our members, our email database, and through our prestigious partner’s emails/websites which, in total, covers a reach of well over 500,000 potential customers and partner contacts!

3. All paid directory listings  received before August 1, 2012 will automatically be included in our PRINT VERSION. All paid directory listings  received before August 1, 2011 will automatically be included in our PRINT VERSION, as well as the PDF version available online, which will be distributed to all Directory Members!

How Much Is It?

It will be FREE to view, but to be featured just sign up today for only $39 for an individual listing for an entire year!

Note: Any additional listings are only $19.00. A great way to expand your personal branding if you have more than one business!

You’ll be billed via Paypal.com as a subscriber that will automatically renew yearly. You’re free to unsubscribe at any time!

SIGN UP NOW!

Category Listing: $199 Yearly

General Listing: $39 Yearly

Additional listings: $19

Once your payment is processed email your submission to directory@ownyourpower.biz.

•    An image of your company logo or your head shot (125×125)

•    Up to  250 words (GENERAL) and 400 words (CATEGORY SPONSOR)  to describe your business, service or product

•    Main Contact Name

•    Phone

•    Contact Email Address

•    Web Address

SPECS: Include 125×125  imaged cropped to size. SEND YOUR IMAGE ALREADY SIZED PLEASE.

Stay within your assigned word limit please.  If not we’ll have to send back for your edits.

If you’re a  Category SPONSOR please include: Your 30 second spot in Mp3 format or provide general copy you’d like us to say on the show about your company. Include web address and/or number.

Once your listing is complete you’ll be alerted via email that it is live.

WELCOME TO THE OWN YOUR POWER FAMILY!

Have questions? Call us! 877-545-7352

LIGHTWORKER MARKETING INTENSIVE

ENROLL TODAY!

With Coach Simone Kelly

Saturday, April 7

10am-3pm

Are you frustrated about having an amazing holistic/spiritual offering, but not quite sure how to market yourself?

Are you a spiritually-minded person who has a hard time asking for payment or have a negative feeling towards self-promotion? Yet you know it’s absolutely necessary to learn how to offer your services so you and others can benefit.

Would you like to know the basic tools that will help you build or enhance a holistic practice?

Well,  good news! I have designed the Lightworker Marketing Intensive to help you with breaking through these obstacles and much more!

Who Should Sign Up:

• Anyone who has a full-time job and a side business and wants OUT of Corporate America!
• Healers and holistic businesses  of any kind such as Massage therapists, Acupuncturists, Reiki Practitioners, Spiritual Coaches, Intuitive Counselors and Life Coaches.
• Anyone who wants to help those in need, but also need to pay your bills. Learn how to strike a balance and do both!

Would you like to learn how to share experiences of your clients as opposed to feeling like a used-cars dealer and SELLING yourself? I know, I know…many Lightworkers feel uncomfortable with the idea of marketing and selling, but if you want to have a successful business, you have to do it. I’ll show you how and make it a fun and painless  intensive.

Even if you already have ahttp://ownyourpower.biz/blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=2361&action=edit somewhat successful practice, this course will take you even further with the  right marketing tools, mindset, and support to help you gain results at a faster pace!

WATCH VIDEO FROM LAST CLASS! SEE HOW THE STUDENTS LOVED IT!

How You Will Benefit:

In this five-hour intensive, Coach Simone will help you break through all of those issues already mentioned and you’ll also learn  how to:

• Get More Clients
• Keep More Clients
• Get CRYSTAL clear on target market
• Price services
• Increase referrals
• Transform your vision and begin doing something you LOVE, which is aligned with your goal, and is not just a JOB.
• Think like a marketer…even if you don’t have a business background.
• Develop new creative Ideas for Increasing Income
• The importance of your branding image and signature style
• Learn her top 10 marketing strategies (such as blogging, video, and email marketing)
• The key to following up effectively
• Developing marketing materials (flyers, books, cds, dvds,etc.)

By the end of the course, you’ll have more clarity on your marketing efforts and you’ll even walk away with marketing copy that you can ACTUALLY use for a flyer and or website!

Our very first Lightworker Marketing Intensive is April 7th, 10am-3pm.

Be there for this fun and informative experience to TRANSFORM your Lightworker business!

ENROLL TODAY! Cost: $75 CLICK HERE!

REGISTER NOW. We expect this class to be sold out, so act quickly!

TIP: If you already have a website or marketing materials, bring a print out or examples so that Simone can offer feedback on them.

Also…Bring a brown bag lunch for our break

BONUS: All attendees will also receive a e-workbook with all that they learned in the class AS WELL AS A one-one coaching session with Simone valued at $100!

LOCATION:

Johane Rutledge School of Intuition

2929 EAST COMMERCIAL BLVD, SUITE 304

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33308  -CORNER OF BAYVIEW

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR, Coach Simone Kelly

• Assistant Teacher at the Johane Rutledge School of Intuition
• Certified Master Life Coach on Law of Attraction, Holistic Business Coach and Intuitive Life Coach
• Reiki Master Teacher
• Certified Constant Contact Local Expert

Simone is the founder of Own Your Power Communication’s. Her mission is to serve as an empowering Guiding Force ..connecting entrepreneurs to their fullest potential. We want you to strive and succeed on a personal and professional basis. OYPC has been influencing today’s entrepreneur since 1996.

She’s passionate about personal empowerment and encouraging many to own their OWN businesses and to pursue a holistic lifestyle. Simone has reached thousands with her advice and uses her talents best with various forms of media: as an author, speaker, holistic business coach, master life coach and radio show personality. Through her programs under the OYP umbrella, Simone can help you gain results to help you own YOUR Power! Visit her site at www.ownyourpowerlifestyle.com for more information.

“Attracting Love” is our February  topic  in the Circle of Power. Join us and bring a buddy for the price of ONE before our next called Feb. 6th @ 9pm EST!

Join today and I’M OFFERING YOU A BUDDY PASS to the Circle of Power. Get your own PLUS ONE into our exclusive group for 2 MONTHS ONLY.

REGISTER ON OR BEFORE 2/15/12 and you can either gift a friend or split the price with a friend for COACHING!

REGISTER HERE and just let me know who your ‘BUDDY’ is and I’ll send them the details too You can pick BASIC OR GOLD membership: www.ownyourpower.biz/circle

ONCE YOU SIGN UP I’LL EMAIL YOU THE DETAILS FOR FEBRUARY’S CALL AND MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP. We’re looking forward to having you!

www.ownyourpower.biz/circle

Own Your Power,

Coach Simone Kelly

Own Your Power,

Simone

100,000 Twitters – I am Close

At 97,000 Twitter followers I am close to 100,000 which I was targeting for June 2013. I am not famous like Lady Gaga, Obama or Oprah who have millions of followers. I am just a regular guy.

I made a decision last year that I wanted to have influence on the Internet. I wanted people to know I loved the Lakers, coached youth basketball and am involved in a few non-profits. Plus, I wanted to talk about my Digital Marketing techniques and strategies.

So, how did a regular old Joe get decent followers without spamming? I could have used many techniques. Hell, my nephews Rock City wrote songs for Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber and Akon. I could have just told them to hook me up but I did it myself.

If you are in business you have to grow your key accounts. Increase your friends, followers, pluses or likes on your favorite Social Media sites. Please do not think things will happen immediately it does take time

I do have simple techniques I use and they do not take 1000’s of minutes a day.

Quick Hints

• Whatever industry you are in go to the major information site and post 2 links a day to your favorite Social Media site. Just a simple content technique.
• Make a comment or two about your day

o   Busy Day

o   Big Meeting today

o   Happy Birthday

o   Tell your friends to add me

o   Did you see True Blood last night?

• Add 10 People a day (I would do more but this is a start)
• For Twitter use Free program ManageFlitter.com

o   After 3 to 5 days use ManageFlitter to delete people who haven’t followed you back.

• Add your Social Media links to as many sites as possible.

That’s it!
The goal is to start building your Social Media Network. You can no longer just let these sites sit there. Your competitors will gobble up what you don’t take hold of. Do not let your competition have 3000 followers and you have 88. He or she will get 10+ times the customer in the long run.

Please use Social Media Websites for marketing, lead generation, branding, customer service or direct dialogue. If you have any questions feel free to give me a shout and I will help you create a strategy.

FOLLOW TRENT HERE: https://twitter.com/#!/media55
Trent Partridge

Author
Digital Marketing Thought Leader
Internet Marketing Coach
Social Media Marketing Guru
http:www.10Edge.com
Certified Search PPC/SEO
Photographer/Video
954-336-0615

Own Your Power,

Simone

Heidi is the founder of both  Redhead Marketing, Inc (www.RedhadMarketingInc.com) and EdenFlorist.com (www.EdenFlorist.com).
With Redhead Marketing, my goal is to Empower People Through Technology. I teach a full day blogging course, a six-part Internet Marketing Course and also have a variety of info products to support these two programs. In addition, I work with people who prefer to pay someone ELSE to do the work and design websites, and manage social media for clients in retail, construction, the arts and marine industries.

EdenFlorist.com is a 30+ year old company which was started in Pembroke Pines, Florida. After 31/2 years we had to move from our 650 square foot store to a 3,000 square foot location in Miamar. We moved to Davie 3 years ago and still serve all of Broward County and much of Dade and Palm Beach. We specialize in corporate events and weddings, as well as special occasion flowers and everyday gifts.

How long in business?:  5 years with Redhead Marketing (but I was teaching long before I formally established my company) AND 30+ years with Eden Florist.com.

What inspired you to start it? I was disilusioned with the way web designers worked with me and with many of my friends and wanted to learn simple things so I would not have to wait around for someone else to make a minor change to my site. With the help of my daughters (they taught me early on how to navigate software and learn basic html). They also taught me how to effectively add content to my own sites using Dreamweaver. Later on I learned Joomla by doing and now am an expert in WordPress design and maintenance.

When it comes to social media, people have a difficult time managing all the ways they can promote their businesses. I help them come up with a managable, doable plan so they are not spending hours spinning their wheels

As for the florist, I know one of the things that flowers do is help console people. There have been numerous studies done about the emotional appeal of flowers. And people who understand how they heal, get people excited, make someone happy are our best customers. Flowers are also a great thank-you gift to give. They are living art and most people have a love or at least an appreciation for beautiful works of art. To paraphrase a famous quote: Flowers (art) imitates life. I believe that Flowers illustrate life.

How did you first hear about our network and why did you join? About 5 years ago I heard Simone speaking at an event and thought, this is fascinating. I should really be involved. After all, not only do I need things, I have things other people need.   It was only natural to be part of such a creative business program. As a result I have met and done business with many interesting and exceptional people.

Favorite Mentor and why? There are so many mentors that have come into my life, the first being my mother and second my grandmother. My mother taught me to never give up no matter how bad things got – especially on myself. My grandmother made me feel I could do anything I set out to do. Both were incredible influences in who I am today.

Book You’d Recommend and why? I read at least 2 books a month (sometimes more) and one of my favorite is The Emyth Revisted by Michael Gerber.  It is a great book for people who need a little push in business as well as for those who need a refresher.  The second book I’d recommend is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It is a parable about life and success and it is definitely worth reading. I read it an bought several copies to give to friends and colleagues.

What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around? Sometimes just going to work when things are bad is a bold move. One of the bold moves I took was to move my florist from a retail location to a warehouse. It was by far, the best move during a struggling economy. People don’t need flowers (not the same way that they do a roof over their head or food on the table).  When times are tough we give up those things that make us feel good just to survive. I am glad things are turning around. I have noticed in the past few months that more people are buying flowers “just because.”  It used to be a big part of our business which kept us busy when there were no holidays or ocassions.

What’s a networking tip you use to help you gain and/or maintain your relationships? The most important part of networking is IMHO follow up.  It’s easy to collect business cards or “friends” on social media. It’s not as easy to stay in contact. I have automated the process through my SendOutCards (www.SendoutCards.com/Heidi) account.  As a distributor, I have the opportunity to send cards at a discount, add people as often as I want, creating a powerful database AND I can share the opportunity with others. It has been a nice little income producer and more importantly helped me to stay in contact with people with just a few clicks of the mouse. Real cards delivered to people’s mailbox and I never have to lick a stamp!

Healthy meal that you enjoy? Thanksgiving Salad. I make it with Romaine lettuce, Spring Mix (if it looks good) orArugula and Spinach. I add craisins, pecans, honey roasted turkey, black olives, chick peas and my favorite dressing – balsamic vinegarette. Sometimes tomatoes and feta cheese too. I eat this 4-5 days a week for lunch.

If you could do it all over again, what is the biggest mistake you’d avoid next time around? Absolutely nothing! If I had not married my starter husband I would not have had the 3 beautiful daughters God blessed us with. If I had not gone into business for myself, I would not have met the thousands of amazing people who have graced me with their friendships and expertise.  Oh sure, I’ve made some BIG mistakes, all of them have been learning experiences that have made me a better wife, mother and business woman.  Thank God for imperfection!  It is the mistakes and challenges that I think make us all better human beings.

Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine?   There have been so many amazing moments it’s difficult to say. I have been on TV, won dozens of awards, even Produce my own magazine. I guess I’d have to say that my first exciting moment was when Vicki Coceano (Mayor of Miramar at the time) presented me with a proclamation naming June 26th as Heidi Richards Day. I was being installed as president of the Miramar-Pembroke Chamber of Commerce and she presented it while she was swearing me into office. It was and still is one of the most emotional times of my life.

Who in your circle do you want to thank for helping you build your business? Members of all the groups I belong to including local chambers of commerce, Women in Ecommerce, the American Busiess Women’s Association, Florida Speakers Association and the Florida Direct Marketing Association each were integral in my professional development, along with support and as referral sources. And of course, Simone Kelly Brown for always lifting others up, putting us in the spotlight and helping us to shine. Thank you so much for being you!

Learn more about Heidi Richards. Go to her sites here:

Redhead Marketing, Inc (www.RedhadMarketingInc.com) and EdenFlorist.com (www.EdenFlorist.com).

Steve Dukes is a long time friend of Own Your Power Communications. He worked with both myself and Nikki Clifton  behind the scenes as an engineer for the Own Your Power Radio show when we were on 1080am in Miami! He still helps us with video editing and audio editing and is our king of multimedia!

 One of his other talents is developing websites and hosting them and offering amazing deals to our members. He’s the founder of   http://webhostingandbeyond.com/. I already referred a few members who are very happy with his work, so make sure you check him out if you need to get your business online or give it a new look!

BLOGS OR WEBSITES START AS LOW AS  $250!

 The price is just for the home page and contact us page.  Everything else is $50 a page.

THIS SPECIAL OFFER  IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL FEB. 1, 2012,  so make sure you contact him today to find out more!

Go to webhostingandbeyond.com for more information on getting business on the web today! Your solution for web design. Web hosting and domain registration. Call to find out more at 305-389-3886.

Add Steve Dukes as a friend in the OWN YOUR POWER community here!