Happy Bartering,

Simone

Check out this eye-opening article from Own Your Power Member, Gini Grey!

Honor your needs from the inside out to improve your relationship.

It would be wonderful if our partner or spouse met all of our needs for love, sex, intimacy, finances, fun, recreation, encouragement, safety, support, passion, romance, nurturing, you name it. But we live in a world where each person has their own variation of needs and how they like them met, as well as how they like to express love to others. It would be challenging to have every need met by one person, and it would most likely lead to a codependent relationship over time.

Healthy individuals know how to honor their needs without putting pressure on loved ones to meet all of them. Some can only be met through relationship, while other needs can be honored within. Explore the following four step process of honoring your needs in order to improve your relationship.

Identify Your Needs

Each person has their own set of needs that if not met create discomfort. Make a list of all your underlying needs. Do you need peace and quiet to work, or do you perform better in a noisy environment? Is it important to have your home and office orderly and tidy, or are you comfortable in a cluttered environment? Do you tend to express your thoughts and feelings with others or are you more of an internal processor? Do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments or do you prefer anonymity? What other basic needs do you have?

What are the important components for you in a romantic relationship or marriage? Is regular physical touch, sexual intimacy, verbal appreciation, intimate conversations, gifts, shared activities, spirituality, or creativity imperative? Another way to identify your needs is to notice what bothers you. For example, if criticism is painful you may have a need for appreciation. If you feel lonely or left out, it may be time for intimate connection or quality time spent together. If you feel unseen or unheard perhaps you crave acknowledgement. Identify your specific relationship needs.

What Needs are Met and Unmet?

Notice what needs are already being met in your life. Where are you able to honor your needs on your own? Which needs are being met through your relationship? Take time to appreciate the areas where your needs are met in connection with your partner or spouse as this positive perspective will improve your relationship.

What needs are not being met? How does this affect you? How does it affect your relationship? Determine which needs you can honor on your own and which ones need to be met through your relationship.

How to Honor Your Needs

Brainstorm all the possible ways you can meet your own needs, even the ones that are directly related to your relationship. The more you honor your needs, the more empowered you will feel and the less pressure you will put on your partner and the relationship. How can you fill your desire for connection, fun or recreation outside of the relationship? Would increasing self-love, self-acceptance or self-esteem be a way to honor your needs? Explore ways to give these gifts to yourself.

As you begin to fulfill your own needs, your partner will feel freer and this will improve your relationship. Sometimes when a spouse is not being pressured to do something or behave a certain way, they let go of resistance and then are naturally drawn to meet their loved one’s needs.

Communicate Needs with Your Partner

For needs that can only be met through your relationship with your spouse or partner, or that are a ‘make it or break it deal’ in a romantic relationship or marriage, discuss these with your mate.

To ensure that your partner doesn’t feel judged or bombarded with requests, schedule a time to talk about both of your needs, not just yours. Communicate from the heart and soul so you don’t get lost in mental judgments or emotional manipulation. Approach the subject from a place of partnership and teamwork. How can the two of you find ways to meet each others relationship needs in a healthy way together? And how can you support each other to honor your own individual needs?

As you explore ways to honor your needs for yourself and with your partner, your relationship will improve as you will both be happy and satisfied from the inside out.

FOR MORE ARTICLES BY GINI GREY GO HERE!

Simone

Name of business:

FYI Communications, Inc. and Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.

Main service/product:

Music performance, education, production, and books.

How long in business:

13 years

What does your business do? 

fyicomminc provides entrepreneurs, artists, authors, musicians, and cultural producers with corporate and marketing services including: corporation filing, website design and management, social networking, blogging, brochure and flyer design, printing, publishing, copy writing, editing, press releases, promotional material, graphics and logo branding, proposals, business cards and letterhead, letter writing, and special events.

fyicomminc has over 38 years of experience in the entertainment and publishing industry and understands the obstacles artists face promoting themselves. We educate our clients on the real-time opportunities the Internet presents to artists.

Any interesting fact(s) you can share about your industry? Many people know about the “show” in SHOW BUSINESS. Few know about the “business”!

Most popular problem you help people solve?

Branding and marketing with website content and social media.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?

In 1996, I was working as a legal secretary for an abusive attorney. I never ever want to feel like that again. With my company, I don’t abuse myself (except I work too hard) and I will never fire ME!

How do you stay motivated?

I wake up every morning happy to be alive and an entrepreneur.

Biggest pet peeve in business? Meetings! I cannot stand them, though they are a necessary evil.

What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?

Wrote and self-published nine books. Didn’t wait for a publisher to say, “Yes, your book is good. Let us publish you.” All my books are now available at http://stores.lulu.com/divajc.  I have three workshops I’ve designed to work with school-aged children and get paid very well to bring ARTS Education into schools where the arts have been CUT!

One thing that you would change if you could? Being the only employee in my company. I would hire three people to do the work I do.

What’s your favorite area on www.ownyourpower.ning.com?   SIMONE!

What’s a unique talent that you have that might surprise us?

I am the Webdiva. Google Joan Cartwright!

You know the expression, ‘You can’t take it with you,’ … well, if you could, what would ‘it’ be?
My CDs and Books for everyone in Heaven.

It’s sadly time for your last meal on earth…what would it be? 
Two broiled lamb chops with Basmati Rice and Broccoli, Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Olive Oil, Dill and Lemon Dressing, Dark Chocolate-covered almonds with Butter Pecan ice cream.

Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results?

I was on MYSPACE for a long time, but it started moving too slowly.

Then, I moved to FACEBOOK, where I’ve connected with over 1300 new friends.

Then, I do a weekly radio show onwww.blogtalkradio.com/musicwoman that has connected me with several quality female musicians and their fans around the world. Finally, my network, www.musicwoman.ning.com grew so much I had to delete members who didn’t add content, so I could pay the lowest monthly cost to keep the network ($2.95 a month for less than 150 members).

The best thing is that the U.S. Embassy rep found me online by typing in “Jazz singer, Florida” and paid me several thousand dollars to come to Kingston, Jamaica to perform on Feb 26 (2010) at the Blues on the Green Concert. Also, they bought 48 of my books to donate to two schools I visited during the 5 days I was there. I got made coverage on TV, Radio and in newspapers. All because of GOOOOOOGLE!

Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine? (ON TV? Won Award, Cover of Magazine? etc.) 

Freddie Hubbard and the Kool Jazz All-Stars of 1983 recorded my composition SWEET RETURN on Atlantic Records in June 1983; after I was an M.C. at the Kool Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, PA, where I introduced Patrice Rushen in 1983 and Ella Fitzgerald in 1982. Ella hugged me in front of 10,000 people. Oh, My goodness!

What was your last barter and what was if for? (i.e.: Printing for Business Consulting, a Dress for a Hairstyle)

I helped a friend redesign her website and in exchange, I have received so many wonderful ideas to move my business forward that just keep coming.

What’s in your CD player/iPod right now?

My show with singer/composer Nadia Washington. All my shows for MUSICWOMAN are available on itunes.com

If you could have superpowers, what would you want? 
To fly anywhere in the world I want to go and everything I need when I get there.
I want Scotty to “Beam me up!”

Website: www.fyicomminc.com, www.wijsf.org, www.joancartwright.com, www.divajc.com

Contact info you want in article: (email and/or phone) 
954-740-3398, joan@fyicomminc.com

Joan Cartwright, Executive Director
Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.
Diva JC

For Immediate Release:  

Contact: Debra Dixon, Light of Gold PR, Marketing, and Consulting LLC

E-mail: mediainquiries@lightofgoldpr.com, Phone: (646) 399-1678 – NY office or (404) 212-1643 – Atlanta office

Website: http://www.lightofgoldpr.com

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Own Your Power Biz Conference in NY features Keynote Speaker from Dr. Randal Pinkett “Season 4 Winner of the Apprentice” and other prominent business coaches To Empower Professionals To “Get Personal with Their Business Brand”

New York, NY – July 28, 2010 – The upcoming 2010 Own Your Power Biz Conference theme is “Getting Personal with Your Business”. The Own Your Power Biz Conference will be held on Saturday, September 18th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at Columbia University’s Faculty House.  The Conference offers an exciting program chock full of powerful business and personal development workshops, prize drawings, complimentary coaching sessions, networking, entertainment, breakfast, lunch, and better yet….a low price point at only $99 for the Early Bird special, &169.00 Regular Registration.  The conference’s business and personal development workshops are designed to broaden your vision and bring clarity for your businesses future. This conference is only for those SERIOUS about increasing their profitability and living their best life!

The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Randal Pinkett, the Season 4 Winner of  Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice TV Show.  Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Pinkett’s Course, “ No-Money Down CEO”, engage in networking, and enjoy amazing entertainment by Grammy Nominee.

Attendees will receive expert advice from powerful motivational business coaches and a host of prominent speakers. The topics include ‘Authentically Yours, Publish Your Way to Success, There’s a Goldmine in Your Cell Phone, and other interesting topics to help professionals and small business owners empower themselves and grow their business.

Simone Kelly-Brown, Founder of the Own Your Power  Biz Conference says, “Our goal is to encourage people to take action, discover their purpose and take those important steps toward success.  Anyone who attends the Conference will leave with new contacts, new friends, and a game plan. The best part is that we’ll help you put it together!”

Participants also have the opportunity to showcase their business.  Vendor Tables are available for only $199.00.  All vendors will also receive a complimentary listing in the Own Your Power Resource Directory valued at $39.00 a year and will be featured in the print directory.

Attendees can register for only $99 with the early bird special until August 15^th. After the August 15^th the price will be only $169.  For Registration or Sponsorship for the Own Your Power Conference, go to www.ownyourpower.biz/conference or 877-545-7352.  The fee includes a full day of workshops, a Power Pack of gifts from sponsors, a delicious breakfast and lunch, a complimentary copy of Dr. Randall Pinkett’s “No Money Down CEO” Audio Business Course and much more.  .   

To schedule a media interview, e-mail mediainquiries@lightofgoldpr.com or call 646-399-1678.

About Us  

Own Your Power Communications (OYPC – http://www.ownyourpower.biz), has been empowering entrepreneurs to take their company and life’s dreams to the next level since 1996.  Owner and Founder, Simone Kelly-Brown is passionate about personal empowerment and encouraging professionals and business owners to 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 that include being an author, speaker, coach, and radio show personality. Through her programs under the OYP umbrella, Kelly-Brown helps professionals and entrepreneurs gain powerful results to help you own YOUR Power!  This conference is presented in partnership with C&G Enterprises (www.cgenterprisesonline.com).

SAVE THE DATE…
Saturday, Sept, 18., 2010
OWN YOUR POWER BIZ CONFERENCE 2010
NYC @ Columbia University
Theme: GET PERSONAL WITH YOUR BIZ

WWW.OWNYOURPOWER.BIZ/CONFERENCE

Own Your Power is all about Your Passion. Your Business. and Your Lifestyle!

SEPTEMBER 18, 2010 9-5pm @ Columbia University

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is ONLY $99.00 Before August 15st

Regular Price: $159.00

This fee includes a full day of workshops, your Power Pack Full of gifts from sponsors, a delicious breakfast and lunch, a complimentary copy of our keynote speaker Dr. Randal Pinkett’s No-Money Down CEO (Audio Business Course), networking, and amazing entertainment!

OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER:Dr. Randal D. Pinkett Founder, Chairman and CEO, BCT Partners Season 4 Winner of “The Apprentice”

Get ready for this exciting and informative conference. We will release further details shortly. Here are the topics  that we’ll cover. Interested in sponsor,  vendor, or gift bag opportunities? Email me and we’ll send you details soon. (simone@ownyourpower.biz) or call our office at 877-545-7352.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
Authentically Yours:
Learn how being yourself in business dealings and social media brings exceptional rewards! ‘Keeping it real” pays online and in person, but learn where to draw the line. In this day in age, you can no longer hide behind your company’s corporate identity. Your customers will appreciate an authentic brand and team behind it! In this workshop, we’ll help you find a balance that works for your image and your company’s image.

Publish Your Way to Success:
Learn how to strategize a plan BEFORE you write your business book. Find out creative ways to promote your services and events throughout your book. Gain speaking engagements and much more just from one book! Your book is your brochure that shows your personality, your vision, your goals, and your mission. Most importantly, your book can open doors! Our featured best-selling authors and experts will show you the way.

There’s a Goldmine in Your Cell Phone!:
Get the latest on how to master your relationships in business. Learn how to seek and keep a tight network and partners to assist you with your company growth. Learn how to develop long term, win/win alliances, the art of negotiation and sealing the deal, and the legal aspects of your partnerships and sponsorships.

Show Me the Money! Build Capital for Business:
Raising Capital is a huge issue for small business owners. Many people use their lack of money of their biggest excuse for not getting started. We’ll cover how to develop a clear plan to access capital and credit for future needs of the business. Having a reserve of capital is critical to building a business. Most importantly, we’ll offer creative strategies they you may have overlooked!

Build Your Power-House Volunteer Team:
You don’t have to do it alone! Some of the strongest corporations and organizations are run by volunteers and non-paid employees. Get clear on what you need to do to delegate, recruit, screen, train, and manage the effectively. The most important aspect we’ll also cover is developing incentives to KEEP your team for the long run!

SAVE THE DATE AND PLEASE TELL A FRIEND. We’ll send updates soon! Stay tuned!!!

http://www.ownyourpower.biz/conference/

This was forwarded to me today and I know you’ll love it, so wanted to share. Lack of time, feeling of overwhelmed and scattered are many issues my clients deal with.  Even though you may have a lot on their plate at times - this little reminder can help you find some balance.

Own Your Power!

Simone

’7 Ruinous Habits’ steal time, efficiency from day
By Ruth Wong
Habits — we all have them. Are yours friends or foes?

On Dr. Oz’s morning television show in January, he shared his “7 Deadly Sins” — things that take years off our lives without us even knowing it. Here are seven deadly sins he calls “Deadly Habits”:

1. Not stretching in the morning
2. Not eating breakfast
3. Running late
4. Mindless eating
5. Becoming a couch potato
6. Disconnecting from people
7. Not having a bedtime

As a takeoff from Dr. Oz’s “habits,” here are mine, which I call “7 Ruinous Habits” — things that steal our time, order and efficiency and can ruin a perfectly good day without us even knowing it:

1. Enduring morning madness. Are mornings at your house a frenzied flurry? Is it a daily battle getting the children ready to go off to school or just getting yourself out the door in time? My younger son was very disorganized as a child. Every morning when he should have been in the garage waiting for his car-pool ride, he’d be searching and yelling, “Mom, have you seen my backpack?”

When I replied that I hadn’t and that his mornings would be so much smoother if he’d prepare the night before, his answer was, “I like it this way. It adds excitement to my life!” That may be so, but going off to school without your backpack or homework can ruin your day.

» Alternate habit: Before going to bed at night, get ready for tomorrow. That means having clothes picked out, backpacks and things to take ready to go, lunches made, and breakfast planned and partially prepared.

2. Jumping into the day. Many people start their day without a plan or purpose. They get things done, but in a hit-or-miss fashion, or they end up reacting to the demands of others.

» Alternate habit: Take a few minutes to get yourself organized. Know what you need to do and when you will do it. Your daily action plan will guide you through the day.

3. Losing track of time. Allowing simple tasks to take longer than warranted or letting interruptions and chitchat go on longer than necessary can seriously erode your time.

» Alternate habit: Stay on purpose and on schedule by referring often to your daily action plan. Be aware when things take longer than they should.

4. Running out of time. Ending the day with important things unfinished happens to just about everyone.

» Alternate habit: If something is important, do it first. As organizer Marcia Ramsland says, “You always ….READ FULL STORY HERE!

I pray this day finds you feeling balanced and at peace.  The summer weather has been very intense, but every time I think to complain about the heat I remember the hours I spent shoveling snow during the winter months!  It’s been a little while since my last muse and wonderful things have been coming together during my short break.  Recently a friend and I had a long heart-to-heart about love and relationships.  Quite a few people around us were transitioning out of relationships due to unhappiness and some reported that their partner had not given or demonstrated the same level of love.

As a lover of all things to do with love I wondered if the issue was a lack of self-love.  My friend commented that his view of love has changed drastically over the years.  In past relationships he expected a certain level of love and respect and was disappointed often.  So instead of continuing on the path of broken relationships he began a self-study of sorts.  In time he realized that no one could ever live up to the standard of love that he required and that in order to have a sustaining relationship he had to fulfill all that he needed.  During his self-exploration he read The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz and insisted that I read it as well as it helped to change his views.

As I read the book I was amazed at the principles written by the author.  It helped to dispel many of the love myths that I held – about myself and others.  I thought back to my own trail of broken relationships and found the same common denominator – disappointment in not being shown the same love that I was displaying.  The reality was that if I showed myself that same love I was giving I would have been perfectly content.  In the chapter Healing the Emotional Body the author states:

“Love coming out of you is the only way to be happy.  Unconditional love for yourself.  Complete surrender to that love for yourself.  You no longer resist life.  You no longer reject yourself.  You no longer carry all that blame and guilt.  You just accept who you are, and accept everyone else the way he or she is.”

Do you have high standards for love and find yourself disappointed or lacking the love you seek?  Know that we can all be Masters of Love, but that love must be given and received by self.  We are all deserving of love, happiness, joy and peace in our lives…and we have the power to give it to ourselves.

May this day continue to find you blessed and mastering the art of self-love.
Om Shanti,
the Yoga Diva of spiritualessenceyoga.com

“Life is nothing but a dream, and if we are artists, then we can create our life with Love, and our dream becomes a masterpiece of art.” ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

This Own Your Power member has such a cool name, I just love saying it.  Allow me to introduce you to Lovely .

We met about a year ago where we were volunteers at a non-profit for teenage girls to uplift and inspire them. She’s an expert on etiquette and you know that’s something many  folks can use!

Her business, Etiquette Miami believes it’s important to learn how to blend contemporary manners with traditional etiquette!  Find out why Lovely, loves what she does!

Main service: Etiquette Miami is a consulting company that offers etiquette for children and adults in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

How long in business: May 2009

Etiquette Miami programs and services include:

Children Manners classes

Private Etiquette lessons for families

Business Etiquette presentations

Dating Etiquette

Dining Tutorials

Any interesting fact(s) you can share about your industry?

No longer does the word “etiquette” imply white gloves, finger bowls and children curtsying. Etiquette Miami classes discuss real world issues that are facing our youth today. Topics include: Social Networking Etiquette, Socially Correct Dining, Gossiping, and Conversation Skills.

Most popular problem you help people solve?

When teaching children manners I’m considered a “youthlologist,” which means that I can mostly likely get your child to clean his/her room and improve their table manners.

What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?

When I hired at my last job, I made a promise to myself that the job was going to be my last job where I worked on building someone’s dream. In August of 2009, I left that job to start focusing on and building my dream.

How do you stay motivated? Self talk … some laughter, but it’s a very important part of my day.

Biggest pet peeve in business? Not following up … when you say you will.

One thing that you would change if you could?

For the teens of today to stop killing and hurting each other.

What’s your favorite area on www.ownyourpower.ning.com?

The Success Stories. I like hearing how people are defying the odds and making their dreams come true.

You know the expression; ‘You can’t take it with you,” … well, if you could, what would ‘it’ be?

My MacBook with wireless access and a battery pack that never runs out.

Have you used Social Networking to gain new contacts/business? If so, what have been any results?

My Facebook Fan Page … This feature has helped me gain a following and has become an outlet to communicate and update others on anything having to do with my business.

If you could do it all over again, what is the biggest mistake you’d avoid next time around? Trying to be a jack-of-all-trades … I know now that I can’t do it all and it’s ok to ask for help.

Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine? Still waiting … My dream since I started dreaming about running my own empire has been to be on the cover of Black Enterprise or featured in an article.

What was your last barter and what was if for? Conducting a free class for a nationwide organization and having my business featured in their newsletter.

What’s in your CD player/iPod right now?

Kanye West College Drop Out and Syleena Johnson I AM Your Women.

If you could have superpowers, what would you want?

I would want to be able to clone myself. It seems like I need another person to tend to my personal life. I have the professional side of my life covered.

Add Lovely as a friend in our network here.

www.etiquettemiami.com

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Etiquette-Miami/155657526334?ref=search

Lovely Payoute
Etiquette Miami
Business Etiquette Children Manners Cotillions
786-385-1548
lpayoute@etiquettemiami.com

Own Your Power!

Simone

Is Teflon and Non-Stick Cookware Dangerous? By Will

Between 1999 and 2003 there were a lot of news reports about studies showing that the chemicals known as PFO’s, PFOA’s and PFC’s were being released from cookware and getting into people’s bodies.

Many groups came out with warnings suggesting that non-stick cookware be replaced by regular stainless steel or cast iron pots and pans. I have known about this warning for quite some time, but I am not surprised that cookware coated with the chemical commonly known as Teflon is still the vast majority of cookware in use today. The chemical coatings are inexpensive so non-stick cookware is less costly than stainless steel. The non-stick properties of Teflon make cooking some types of food so much easier that it is unlikely that most people will ever go back to using traditional pots and pans.

One of the reasons Teflon is still in wide use in cookware is that has been difficult to determine what the real source of these chemicals in the people’s bodies is. In addition to non-stick cookware, the chemicals are found in many consumer products including shampoo, food grade paper products, carpets, lubricants, rug cleaners, garden tools, and even zippers. PFOA is released as water and air pollution during the manufacturing of carpets, clothing, and paper. These chemicals have been found in tested air, water, and food in every U.S. city where testing has been done. In addition, studies have found the chemicals are in 90 -95% of the blood of people living in the U.S.

DuPont, the main manufacturer and user of these chemicals claims that its non stick coatings are safe. Of course the company has a huge financial investment and interest in the continued use of Teflon. It is also true, however, that some experts have called for caution in sounding an alarm about the use of these chemicals in non-stick cookware. Because of the many different sources of PFO’s in the environment, these scientists say it is impossible to know exactly how the chemical gets into the blood of virtually every person in the developed world.

In addition, some studies have shown that if Teflon coated cookware is not used at high temperatures, very little of the chemical is actually released into your food. The problem I see with these studies is that they only measure the toxic fumes given off when the cookware is heated to temperatures over 500 degrees. This sounds like a high temperature, but I think the direct contact with your gas or electric burner can easily achieve these temperatures. Many frying pans also get scratched with use and particles of the chemicals get into your food.

READ FULL STORY HERE…

The Importance of Seeing the Good in All

It is important to see the good in all as there are blessings in every aspect of our reality, and the potential for grace exists in all beings. Our perception shapes the lives we lead because the universe adjusts itself almost instantly to our expectations. When we look for negativity, we are bound to come across it in abundance. Conversely, we create positive energy when we endeavor to see the goodness around us. As easy as it is to criticize the people and situations that frustrate or hurt us, we do ourselves a disservice in the process. It is important to see the good in all as there are blessings hiding in every aspect of our outer-world reality, and the potential for grace exists in all human beings.

When our lives are flooded with challenges, grief, and pain, we may be tempted to believe that some individuals or incidents are simply bad. But if we look for the good in all, good reveals itself to us, easing our doubts and reminding us that the universe is a place of balance.