From The Publisher
We Are Coming Up to the Mid-point in 2013! Can you believe it? Are you on track? Goals and the steps to achieve them are being completed? We set some lofty goals at Today’s Innovative Woman for 2013 and we are reaching them, but not at lightning speed. At times I have fallen victim to thinking “why is that happening to me”, or “why is this not working faster?” But time and time again I am shown “slow and steady wins the race”. We will always face obstacles – it’s the nature of entrepreneurship. But success is determined in how we navigate those obstacles! We have a couple exciting things coming up! We are in Dallas on May 17th and 18th for our SUCCESS Summit – I hope you are joining us for this incredible experience! If not, there is our LOS ANGELES SUCCESS Summit September 27th with optional 28th! You will experience expert leaders sharing their tips and strategies for success. PLUS, our Innovative Woman in Business awards are back! Nominations/applications open June 1st on our website! If you or someone you know is an INNOVATIVE WOMAN, you must apply! And, NEW THIS YEAR…. All finalists will be featured in a VERY SPECIAL, extra digital edition of Today’s Innovative Woman magazine! And lastly, we have a super fun contest running May 5 -15! (we’ll do it again later in 2013 if you missed out). Win a $250 Gift Certificate to a spa of your choice, a Kindle or $100 Amazon Gift Card, a Logo Prize Package and so much more! Details at www. TodaysInnovativeWoman.com! To your SUCCESS!
Cathy@TodaysInnovativeWoman.com P.S. Are your marketing goals not being reached? Struggling with reaching your ideal client? Check out my new 90 Day Intensive Program on page 27! P.P.S. Are you an EXPERT in your industry who is looking for more visibility and credibility in 2013? Check out our Expert Program by viewing our 2013 Media Kit online!
4 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
26
30
IN THIS ISSUE All About You
8
All About Business
8 Three Ways to Engage Your 10 Sales is Not a Dirty Word Audience and Be a Captivating Speaker Every Time 12 Why Wordpress is Perfect for Small Business Websites 14 Lessons From a School Bus Driver 18 Three Money Saving Tips for Design Projects 30 15 Minutes is All You Need 20 Smart Women Know the All About Success Fortune is in the Follow-up 16 Melissa Lanz, Founder, The Fresh 20
All About Food
Innovative Woman
26 Arugula and Ricotta Bruschetta
22 Sally Short, Zymbol
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
5
6 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
All About You
Three Ways to Engage Your Audience and Be A Captivating Speaker Every Time by Caterina Rando, MA, MCC
S
o many speakers put all their attention on crafting a great speech when, if fact, a big part of being an awesome presenter is your ability to connect with your audience. Here are three keys I use every time I present to engage the audience. 1. Take In The Audience Before You Begin When you first take the stage, before you begin speaking, take at least 5 seconds to focus on each member of the audience (if they are a small enough group). For larger groups, take a moment to slowly scan the room, looking at individuals in each area. Smile at the people you are looking at. Consciously remind yourself that you are here to provide the audience value and serve them, send them some love energy from your heart and feel their interest and support before you begin speaking.
2. Keep Eye Contact You have heard it said that you have to make eye contact—I am saying you go way beyond that. You keep eye contact. Everything you say is delivered in the eyes of someone in the audience. You do not look at the floor when you walk across the room or stage, you do not glance up to catch a thought, you do not keep talking if you look at your notes. You make sure everything you say is said while you are looking someone in the eyes. This takes practice and it is what separates the captivating speakers from the good speakers.
8 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
3. Be Yourself, Only Better Your physical energy in your body and in your voice is a big part of your delivery, and a big part of being captivating. Turn up the volume on your personal energy. Your energy has to fill the whole room. Vocally, you do this with extra enthusiasm, or extra excitement in your voice when you are presenting. Always be yourself, and turn up the volume on who you are in front of an audience. Apply these tips next time you present and you will find you are better received than before and the audience will be leaning forward in their seats to see what you come up with next. Caterina Rando shows ambitious women how to be loud and proud about the value they bring in order to make their businesses thrive. She is a master certified coach, business strategist and creator of the Sought After Speaker Summit http://soughtafterspeaker.com and The Business Breakthrough Summit http://bizbreakthrough.com Check these sites for more business building ideas. You can reach Caterina at (415) 668-4535 or via email at info@caterinspeaks.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
9
All About Business
Sales is NOT a Dirty Word by Debbie Delgado
I
’ve seen it time and time again. You started your business because you wanted to contribute to the world in some unique way. You help people better their lives or businesses in a big way. But you’re frustrated by your financial results or are not making your income goals.
And that’s where the problem comes in. You would rather do just about anything in your business other than making sales. You’d rather build a new website, create a new product, network, answer emails, take a class – the list is endless!
Sound familiar? The thing that will solve your problem is making more sales in your business. Or perhaps raising your fees and then making more sales. Or even restructuring your services and making more sales. See a theme here? Plain and simple – in order for you to keep providing your wonderful product or service to the people who are in need of it, you need to stay in business! And in order to do that, you need to be selling your product or service.
What is it about the idea of making sales that sends us running? Could it be that somewhere along the way we learned that sales is dirty? Unethical? Pushy? Something you do to someone? It seems that many of us hold the stereotype of a pushy used car salesman in our mind, and we would rather die than see ourselves that way. Well, guess what? If you don’t change your mind about sales, your business will die! And all of those
10 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
people out there who are waiting to be served by you will have to go without. Is it time to re-frame how you think about sales?
get them that help is by having a conversation. And uncovering their needs. And asking them to buy the solution. If you’re not selling, you’re not letting them have the transformation!
What if selling doesn’t have to feel dirty? What if selling is just a transaction that takes place between someone who has a problem and the person who has the solution? What if selling is just a conversation between you and a person who might need your help? And your job is to uncover that person’s needs to see if you can help them? What if offering your unique solution is actually your responsibility? You are here to help people transform their lives in some way, or you wouldn’t have started your business. And the only way to Debbie Delgado of DebbieDelgado.com helps female entrepreneurs transform their worry and frustration about their businesses into Money and Meaning! She helps women re-ignite their passion for their businesses and make more money so they can focus on serving the planet instead of worrying about their bills! Debbie has helped hundreds of women just like you step into control of their own lives and business so they never have to be at the mercy of what’s going on in the outside world again. Learn more at DebbieDelgado.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
11
All About Business
Why WordPress is Perfect for Small Business Websites by Jennifer Bourn
W
ordPress began as simple blogging software. As it grew, so did its features and capabilities.
Entrepreneurs realized they could launch a new website, edit content, add images, and maintain the site themselves – something they had never been able to do before. Soon WordPress became the first choice of business owners around the world. Today WordPress Powers More Than 60 Million Websites – Roughly 1/3 of the Internet. With WordPress, if you can imagine it, it can be done. WordPress themes can be altered to match your brand, and with custom themes, there are no design limitations. You can design, create, and build any type of site you want with WordPress – it all boils down to how much you want to invest. • • •
You can get started for free at WordPress.com You can purchase a premium off-the-shelf theme for about $25-$75 You can hire a professional to design and build a custom one-off WordPress theme specific for your brand and business. (Varied investment)
WordPress Puts Business Owners in Control Of Their Websites. WordPress gained popularity because website owners no longer had to rely on others to update their website – and designers, programmers, and webmasters were no longer bombarded with content change requests. It also caught the eye of the search engine optimization (SEO) industry because blog posts were outranking traditional web pages and small businesses and entrepreneurs were finally able to compete on equal ground with the “big guys.”
12 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
With WordPress, business owners Can: • • • • • • • •
Update content Add new photos, videos, audio recordings, and links Add pages Publish blog posts Change navigation menus Optimize content, images, and links Create, edit, and add forms And much more
If you want to learn more about WordPress and how a custom WordPress site can help your business, check out the WordPress Tips & Tricks section of my blog at www.bourncreative.com/blog Jennifer Bourn is the brand strategist, WordPress website designer, and graphic designer behind the award-winning branding and web design firm Bourn Creative, LLC near Sacramento, California. Bourn Creative helps successful entrepreneurs who are frustrated with their brand and website transform their marketing materials and their business into an extraordinary and lucrative brand through a combination of speaking, consulting, and done-for-you services. Learn more at www.bourncreative.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
13
All About You
Lessons from A School Bus Driver by Debbie Saviano
T
he song “The Wheels on the Bus” has special meaning for a couple of reasons. Number one, it was a favorite of our children. Number two, I began my educational career driving a school bus.
As a young mother, while attending college, I drove a school bus for 4 years and I often refer back to those days with fond memories but also with appreciation for all that was learned behind the wheel. One of the unique features of the experience was that many of those children who rode on my school bus were later students in the high school where I was an administrator. Thanks to social media I am in touch with many of them today. Talk about round and round. Life is indeed a circle.
Lessons learned behind the wheel: 1. Love, enjoy and understand those you work with or serve. Children have a “Natural Bull – Ometer”. They can spot authenticity or insincerity a mile away. Unfortunately, we lose some of that as we get older, so it is important to take time and energy to make sure we really understand the client. “Walk in their shoes” - appreciating and enjoying the time that is devoted to them. Know your purpose so you can help them. 2. Be on time, timely and punctual. Naturally, driving children was a huge responsibility and being on time was Important. Children have to be at School on time. Being late and needing to rush was never an option. Therefore planning and a schedule are critical. 3. Follow the rules. Learning to drive a school bus required driving a vehicle with no power steering, using a stick shift and having almost 80 children as passengers. The bus driver must follow the rules but also the children. Have a clear policy which states expectations. Next time you hear “The Wheels on the Bus” sing along and enjoy the ride! Debbie Saviano is a solopreneur whose daily mantra is to “help professionals take action and create an online presence by developing, nurturing and maintaining relationships.” Debbie utilizes social media to connect, network and engage with others. She is an advocate for “continuing the conversations”. Thanks to the internet highway, borders are no more; people can interact and communicate around the globe. Professionals from across the country call Debbie for her unique skill set in designing LinkedIn profiles & Pinterest platforms aimed at engagement and retention toward a target market. Debbie also provides business solutions to small businesses who seek to utilize social media to enhance their brand, improve skills of their employees, expand social proof and establish an online presence.
14 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
15
All About Success
Melissa Lanz by Cathy Alessandra
W
Founder of The Fresh 20
hile attending an event in March, I was introduced to Melissa Lanz, Founder of The Fresh 20! She was on stage sharing her story and I was so impressed and inspired while listening that I immediately pulled out my iPad and looked up her site to see what it was all about. Melissa started her company in April 2010 with $2500 and the belief that she could carve out a better life. She was earning good money in a corporate job, but feeling dissatisfied with her career and the amount of time away from what really mattered to her, her family. She had the consistent paycheck but not the sense of fulfillment. The Fresh 20 started out of a need she had for herself, to improve her family food culture and reduce the amount of processed food. She was tired of wasting money on takeout and farmers market finds that turned into science projects by the end of the week because she didn’t have a plan.
For me, happiness is the ultimate measure of success. Growth can be difficult for a solo entrepreneur who is wearing many hats and has limited funds. Melissa’s biggest challenge was making that first big investment in herself and her business by hiring her first employee. “ It was hard to give up a piece of the pie, especially since the pie wasn’t even baked yet.”, said Melissa. “I think it is challenging
16 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
to stay focused and determined in the face of diversions, nay-sayers and life’s never ending responsibilities. “ When asked how she defines SUCCESS, Melissa responded: “For me, happiness is the ultimate measure of success. It’s never the money; it’s the flexibility and freedom to make choices for myself and my family that really provide a sense of accomplishment. I never think about the money. I think about what I can do with the money. Success is the ability to take my children on an extended learning vacation, travel for more than a long weekend, and give back to worthy causes.”
I think today’s innovative woman is finding ways to use her talents AND demand a premium. One thing Melissa wished she knew before she began her business was that her success was no one else’s failure. “It took a long time to understand that concept and I could have saved a lot of worrying time and wasted energy by accepting that one simple fact. We all have so much to contribute. Someone said the greatest gift you can give to the world is to be more of yourself. That’s extremely empowering for women who think they always need to change themselves or function like someone else,” commented Melissa. Melissa is not afraid of success. She meets so many amazing entrepreneurs who are afraid to make money or charge what they are worth. “I think today’s innovative woman is finding ways to use her talents AND demand a premium”. Melissa found that there is a connection between our ability to contribute in meaningful ways and to charge for our talents. “The greatest discovery is when we realize that success is not a selfish act. With every new opportunity, I am able to use what I have to help others get what they want. “ Melissa has an empowering, inspirational story, one of great success founded on her own needs. She has many more great tips and insights to share, and I am excited to have her presenting at SUCCESS Summit Los Angeles! In addition, her new cookbook has made it’s debut! Learn more about Melissa, her new cookbook and her company at www. TheFresh20.com!
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
17
All About Business
Three Money Saving Tips
For Design Projects By Linda Cotter
W
ebsites, newsletters, business cards, postcards, event banners, products. You want fabulous design and a quality outcome. It’s important to look good, and it is essential to appear professional and attractive to your target audience. Creating any one of these items takes time, planning and a budget. If you want the best possible bang for your buck, you will want to work with a graphic designer to help you create your vision. This does cost money, but it is a valuable investment in a professional look. Ask for recommendations from your colleagues and hire someone who is not only talented, but someone who also understands who you are and what you are trying to achieve. Here are three things that will help you save money on any design project: 1. Establish a Budget This can be a challenge when you are unsure of what a designer might charge you. However, if you have a ballpark figure in mind it can give the designer a starting point and an understanding of how simple or complex the design should be. Be flexible. 2. Plan Ahead It’s important to begin the design process as soon as possible so that you leave yourself enough time to have your final product when you need it. That sounds simple enough, but you need to consider not only the design time, but time for testing, revisions or print time as well. Planning ahead helps you to avoid costly rush charges.
18 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
3. Do Your Research Doing research can help you save money. Collect samples of designs you like, whether it’s a postcard or a website, and keep them in a file. You can go online, rip pages out of magazines or keep a postcard you’ve received. Showing samples and ideas to your designer will help shorten the design process and might help reduce design costs. Remember, good design takes time and money, but in the long run it’s worth the investment.
Linda Cotter is a graphic artist and fine art photographer. Her goal is to help her clients produce better results through great design. Whether it is a logo, business card or website, she incorporates each client’s unique personality and style into the design with an eye-catching flair. This creates the opportunity for them to attract the desired clients and results they are looking for. Visit Linda’s website at www.LindaCotterDesigns.com. She can be reached at (310) 486-3108 or by email at Linda@LindaCotterDesigns.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
19
All About Business
Smart Women Know
The Fortune is in The Follow-up
by Joy Chudacoff
I
f you’ve been following me for awhile, you know that one of my top business building tools is creating relationships and connections with your ideal clients. Followup is the glue that strengthens the bond you have with these people. The good news is with today’s technology, there are low-cost to no-cost ways to keep the communication and visibility flowing easily. Here are my four solutions for follow-up that get you the results you want: 1. E-zine Some may wonder if e-zine’s have lost their luster with all the email in everyone’s in-box. The answer is no. Sending out an e-zine regularly will keep you and your expertise at the forefront of people’s minds. Remember to share good content that highlights your areas of expertise and your programs and services. 2. Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Google+ and Pinterest are fast, no-cost, easy ways to connect with potential clients. It gives people an opportunity to learn more about the services or products you provide. Make sure to offer valuable comments that your ideal client will enjoy and include some insight into who you are as a person. 3. Telephone I know it sounds crazy, but telephone calls still work – even in 2013! People love to hear the sound of your voice, and it gives you an opportunity to share your expertise in a personal way.
20 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
4. Birthday Greetings Everyone likes to be remembered on their birthday. It shows you care and took the time to acknowledge their special day. For VIP clients, I recommend a gift, or gift card that’s beautifully wrapped. Consistent and proactive follow-up is key to turning potential clients and referral sources into raving fans. Make these solutions part of your marketing plan and I guarantee you’ll see an increase in cash flow and ideal clients. Joy Chudacoff is Heralded as “The Coach for Women” in the millennium, Joy Chudacoff has x-ray vision when it comes to helping women discover their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals! Joy draws on both her personal life and entrepreneurial experiences to support women in achieving better ways of living. It’s her passion, her purpose and her business. She is a Professional Certified Coach, highly skilled group leader, motivational speaker and a gifted communicator. Visit Joy’s website, SmartWomenSolutions.com, where you’ll find more articles plus information about her Women’s Success Circles, Smart Women Smart Solutions Coach Certification Programs, Speaking engagements, teleclasses and upcoming events for women. Joy can be reached at 310-454-2005 or by email, Joy@SmartWomenSolutions.com.
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
21
TAKE ACTION AND CREATE YOUR ON LINE PRESENCE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
All About Success
Innovative Woman
Sally Short
Zymbol
by Cathy Alessandra 1. How/why did you begin your business? I “accidentally” created Zymbol™ while doodling!! One day I wrote down the phrase “LOVE IS ALL U NEED” stacking each letter on top of the next, and then added a peace sign to complete the design. I loved the way it turned out, so I decided to send the design off to be cast as a “Love and Peace” pendant.
But something happened when I received the pendant; my kids randomly saw it sitting sideways and noticed a ‘K’ popping out. Since there is no “K” in the phrase LOVE IS ALL U NEED, it motivated my family and I to see what other letters we could find and we ended up uncovering EVERY LETTER of the ALPHABET and EVERY NUMBER, hidden in plain sight! We decided to create a line of interactive jewelry around the design. Our packaging allows people to wear their daily inspirations as the TRACE out NAMES, DATES, PHRASES, GOALS and INTENTIONS. 2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Our biggest challenge has been obtaining wholesale accounts, given the extensive story behind our product. In a retail setting, Zymbol is just another piece of jewelry until you hear how it was created and what it represents.
24 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
We decided to shift our focus away from wholesale and focus on increasing online sales. In sticking with the theory of “you must give to receive”, we developed a program where we gift an acrylic pendant to a child in the hospital for every Zymbol sold. Going into the hospitals and watching the children TRACE out messages like “never give up” and “you’re a warrior” is truly life altering. Our Children’s Hospital gifting program resulted in a four-minute news segment on FOX 7 just months after launching it. This coverage ended up catching the attention of Real Housewives of New Jersey star, Melissa Gorga and NFL Quarterback, Vince Young. Both Vince and Melissa partnered with our company shortly thereafter. 3. How do you define SUCCESS? Waking up every day with a smile. Enjoying the process of building our business by living in the present rather than being focused on some day in the future when the company finally ‘makes it’. Working with my Family, Impacting people’s lives in a positive way. 4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be? It’s going to take longer and cost more than you think. 5. What makes you an innovative woman? Our entire company is based on a random doodle. What makes us different is that we actually did something with it! People constantly tell me about a past idea they had for a product or service that never went anywhere. No action = no results. I feel that any woman who acts on that idea is innovative. We’re introducing the market to a new concept, which takes grit and persistence. Luckily, I’ve developed a business that allows me to work with my husband and kids every day. I handle the stress better when surrounded by the ones I love .
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
25
All About Food
Arugula and Ricotta Bruschetta Last night we had a wonderful batch of spicy Arugula from our tiny garden that was ready to be picked. It’s my husband’s garden spot—not mine. (I do the cooking and he Pete is the gardener and bartender. Pretty nice, huh?) He keeps us well stocked with fresh herbs and tender greens. I love having fresh herbs and greens available. Not only is it more economical and fresher than anything you can find at the grocery store, it’s a great way to get the kids involved with gardening, tasting and eating. Although arugula is fantastic in salads, I love using it in sandwiches and as a topping for bruschetta and even pizza. I seasoned the ricotta with a smidge of grated garlic and scented it with lemon zest. The lemon-y, creamy ricotta was a great foil for the spicy arugula. This is a great way to start a meal or to have as a snack. You could pair this with a variety of wines, ranging from a very dry sauvignon blanc to a rich chardonnay. Arugula and Ricotta Bruschetta A handful of arugula, washed and trimmed 1-2 Tbsp. Olive Oil 2 tsp Champagne or White wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 1/3 cup of whole milk ricotta (I like Calabro) 1 tsp. of lemon zest ½ small clove of garlic, grated 2 tsp. lemon juice (optional, if you want a more tangy flavor) Salt and pepper to taste Grilled or toasted bread slices Combine the ricotta, garlic, lemon zest, and juice if you are using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside. Toss the Arugula with the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. To assemble: Put a dollop of ricotta centered on your bread and top with the Arugula. Enjoy—It’s simple and delicious. Chef Phoebe loved cooking from an early age growing up outside of Portland, Maine. Her mother and aunt were accomplished self-taught cooks who welcomed curious Phoebe into their kitchens. From tapping her own maple syrup from trees in the yard to baking homemade bread, Phoebe learned at an early age about the delicious benefits of whole, natural, seasonal foods. Phoebe lives in San Francisco with her husband and their daughter. In her spare time she enjoys reading cookbooks, traveling, studying yoga practices and, of course, learning about all the latest culinary happenings from around the globe. To learn more about Chef Phoebe, visit www.studioofgoodliving.com.
26 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
27
All About You
15 Minutes
is All You Need
by Bibi Goldstein
H
ow often do you think that it would be great if you just had another hour so that you could get everything done? Except, that hour keeps eluding you. I want to share a simple method you can use to get some tasks completed, especially those you don’t like doing. You can also use this to keep from getting sidetracked in those areas that you can get sucked into and lost for hours. Start by making a list of tasks that are necessary for you to do on a regular basis. Here’s what part of my list looks like: Don’t Like To Do Like To Do Filing E-Mails Paying Bills Social Media Reviewing Time Sheets Determine the times of day that you need to do these and put them into your schedule in 15 minute increments. Even if you don’t put them into your schedule, you’re going to stick to the 15 minute rule. Then, you’ll need a timer. I prefer to use an old fashioned kitchen timer, but you can use the timer on your cell phone if that works for you. When you’re ready to get started, turn everything else off so there are no distractions during the 15 minutes. By being focused on the one task for 15 minutes, you will be able to get through those tasks you dread. If they are currently piled up, doing them more frequently will help to get you caught up, and allow you to reduce how often you have to do them.
28 Today’s Innovative Woman
May/June 2013
One final note that will help you with the email and social media vortex, is having specific times that you block out during the day to do these. It will give you the focus you need to work on other projects. My email checks usually happen 1 hour 15 minutes apart from each other, and my social media check is every 3 hours. When the 15 minutes are up, immediately finish what you’re working on and stop. I have found that this is so useful in my business that I started to use it in my personal life, for laundry and washing the dishes. In case you’re wondering, those are all on the “Don’t Like To Do” list. Bibi started Buying Time with a friend to give everyone the opportunity to have access to support and assistance with any task. With over 22 years in the transportation/logistics industry Bibi has specific experience in space and time efficiencies through Six Sigma training for warehouses from 1,000 to 30,000+ square feet. This provided her the ability to visualize the final outcome even when the client cannot. Bibi recently co-authored “Get Organized Today” with other organizing experts hoping to reach out and help more people. Bibi can be reached at www.buyingtimellc.com.
It’s four days of unimaginable new business bliss. August 8-11, 2013 | Dallas See what we have planned for you! www.eWomenNetwork.com info@eWomenNetwork.com 972-620-9995 Ext. 1000
Subscribe for FREE at www.TodaysInnovativeWoman.com
29
Today’s Innovative Woman P.O. Box 3893, Palos Verdes, CA 90275