Connections: Networking events for the week ending May 22nd, 2010
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Sunday, May 16, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Happy Fitness Month - May 2010
A quote from the book, "E Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber - "Your business is a reflection of you". Those were powerful words to a overweight mom of three young children under the age of 5. My translation - if I want a better running business, I have to improve myself. Reading those words started me on my fitness journey in June of 2006. Even today, I still count days to when I reached my fitness goal and maintain a fitness routine so I can not return to my pre-fitness weight of 250 lbs.
As I was thinking about this month's theme, I researched on Google and found out that May is National Fitness Month. What a beautiful theme for the month of May! After the April showers, May is the "unofficial" beginning of Spring and the flowers begin to bloom. Philadelphia is a great city for runners - With the 20in24 annual race sponsored by the non-profit organization back on my feet, gener8tion run fundraiser for students run philly style, the ODDYSSEY half marathon, the ING distance run ( now Rock N Roll Philadelphia) in September, the Philadelphia marathon and the greatest race on the fastest course with 30,000 runners this year - the broad street run. These are a few of the many races that line the streets of Philadelphia and the largest urban park in the country- fairmount park and it's enchanting outdoor adventure called Valley Green.
I had successfully lost weight 3 times before but did not maintain the plan once I reached my goal. It was a partnership with SIS fitness that I learned how to lose weight and MAINTAIN my fitness goal. It was at sis fitness that I learned the importance of stretch which took me from a size 16 to a size 10. It is discipline and understanding The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen that helps me keep the weight off 3 years later. African- American women have the highest rate of obesity in the nation, I share this story to inspire and motivate others to add a healthy balance fitness routine to their lifestyle. It is up to each of us to share our struggles and help each other that will eventually change this statistic. Join us as we celebrate this fitness Month by adding a fitness routine and setting a fitness goal to your lifestyle!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Financial Plan for your business
One of my biggest mistakes was creating a business with a financial plan that consisted of using my own money as working capital. 90% of all businesses fail because of issues with cash flow (not enough revenue coming in or too many expenses). My goal in creating the business was to love my work and be able to do it for the rest of my life. This year I will learn from my mistake by implementing something different! The greatest advantage of being a business owner is the ability to save money utilizing the tax code for business. This country was built and designed for business and the current tax code heavily favors business ownership which used to have a high cost of entry (rent, staff, overhead expenses). Now because of the network marketing industry, anyone and everyone can have access to the tax advantages of business ownership.
Lately, I have been consulting with clients who are expecting a refund from their 2009 tax return. The best advice from Christopher Chaplin, a fellow ULEC Financial Consultant and Michael Bing, Director of The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation is to save the refund (in the form of a savings account or money market account) to use as collateral for the SBA guaranteed Micro loan Program . The loan program has a maximum loan size of 35,000 which President Obama has proposed to increase the limit to 50,000. A lot of business owners do not apply for the program because of the reporting requirements. As you may already know, I am a multi-tasker (mom of three , business owner, network marketer, mentor, mentee) and I view this is an opportunity to complete the W/MBE certification requirements at the same time. Since most of the paperwork for the loan and certification is the same, we can create a financial goody bag!
The financial goody bag should have an executive summary of your business, a company profile (with testimonials and past clients), 3 years of tax returns (call 1-800-TAX-FORM to get past reported information from the IRS), a business privilege license, a certificate of organization from the state, a signature card from the business bank account and the articles of incorporation. Once this information is in the bag (pun intended!) your business is set to complete both the loan application and the state certification for Minority or Women Owned Business. My intention for the micro loan program is to create a working capital account for my business. Expenses that are incurred (like rent, salaries, cell phone, electric, etc) without regard to actually selling a product will be paid from this account. Then the revenue generated from the sales of goods and services will be used to service the debt and create a buffer fund for research and collateral for the next loan. This will remove my company from the feast or famine trap of small business to create the financial stability needed for long term success!
Happy Financial Planning!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Business Networking Tips and Tricks
Christopher Davis, one of my Facebook friends, asked me to write an article about black business networking for the magazine, A Designers Portfolio. My first thought was there is no such thing as "Black Business" networking; There is just networking. As I sat down to write this article, I thought about how the black community networks differently than everybody else.
Let's first define networking. This is one of the many definitions of networking - a communication with and within a group. To me, networking is two or more people having a conversation about business. This simple definition allows networking to occur any time or any place. We can network one-on-one at a specified event, birthday party, club, client location, hospital, conference call, blogtalk radio(with the host and their guests) and even on-line (Read Social Media for Business)! Thanks Tai Goodwin, the interview on the Career Makeover Coach Radio show went very well and I made 12 new facebook friends! Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, has a network. When you meet someone, just imagine their 250 friends, relatives and business associates standing in front of you. The person in front of you represents their network. That is why I get so excited when I meet someone, I can grow my network by finding resources within to fulfill their need. Today (and everyday) was a great day for networking!
My first client of the day was Orchid Blue Hair Salon. My task was to improve their Facebook fan page. One of my suggestions was to not only show samples of the work but add the price so that clients who call already know they want your services (see below). Next week, I will show the salon how to create a unique URL for their fan page.
My second client was French Mobile Notary Services. I asked her to look into her network and find some referral partners (rehabs, nursing homes, hospitals) that could bring French mobile notary business. Specifically, I asked for businesses in her neighborhood. This is what network marketing calls memory jogging (taking inventory of your network) - just like that she thought of three referral partners to add to her prospect list.
My third unexpected client was a retired special education teacher with a curriculum for people coming from low-income homes and prisons. She needed a non-profit partner to launch her curriculum and apply for the PEPSI and GOOD.IS (http://www.refresheverything.com/) grant program. During our networking (conversation), I introduced her to Educatedsista organization and after our conversation she sent this message through Facebook "Nicole, I want to thank you once more for everything you've done for me. I also want to know if you sent me an invite to Orchid Blue Hair Salon because you noticed my bad hair do. :D I thought I couldn't afford to have it braided until you sent the link and I checked out the cost. I can do it! Thanks again!!"
Just two people sharing information IS networking. Now there is a difference in how black people network and everybody else. The events I attend at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce start early in the morning and networking happens BEFORE the event. Most events I attend in Philadelphia for black business start late in the afternoon and the best networking happens after the event. Knowing these subtle differences allows my company to take advantage of the best of both worlds.
Now that I have shared these networking Tips and Tricks - HAVE A GREAT NETWORKING DAY!
Let's first define networking. This is one of the many definitions of networking - a communication with and within a group. To me, networking is two or more people having a conversation about business. This simple definition allows networking to occur any time or any place. We can network one-on-one at a specified event, birthday party, club, client location, hospital, conference call, blogtalk radio(with the host and their guests) and even on-line (Read Social Media for Business)! Thanks Tai Goodwin, the interview on the Career Makeover Coach Radio show went very well and I made 12 new facebook friends! Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, has a network. When you meet someone, just imagine their 250 friends, relatives and business associates standing in front of you. The person in front of you represents their network. That is why I get so excited when I meet someone, I can grow my network by finding resources within to fulfill their need. Today (and everyday) was a great day for networking!
My first client of the day was Orchid Blue Hair Salon. My task was to improve their Facebook fan page. One of my suggestions was to not only show samples of the work but add the price so that clients who call already know they want your services (see below). Next week, I will show the salon how to create a unique URL for their fan page.
My second client was French Mobile Notary Services. I asked her to look into her network and find some referral partners (rehabs, nursing homes, hospitals) that could bring French mobile notary business. Specifically, I asked for businesses in her neighborhood. This is what network marketing calls memory jogging (taking inventory of your network) - just like that she thought of three referral partners to add to her prospect list.
My third unexpected client was a retired special education teacher with a curriculum for people coming from low-income homes and prisons. She needed a non-profit partner to launch her curriculum and apply for the PEPSI and GOOD.IS (http://www.refresheverything.com/) grant program. During our networking (conversation), I introduced her to Educatedsista organization and after our conversation she sent this message through Facebook "Nicole, I want to thank you once more for everything you've done for me. I also want to know if you sent me an invite to Orchid Blue Hair Salon because you noticed my bad hair do. :D I thought I couldn't afford to have it braided until you sent the link and I checked out the cost. I can do it! Thanks again!!"
Just two people sharing information IS networking. Now there is a difference in how black people network and everybody else. The events I attend at the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce start early in the morning and networking happens BEFORE the event. Most events I attend in Philadelphia for black business start late in the afternoon and the best networking happens after the event. Knowing these subtle differences allows my company to take advantage of the best of both worlds.
Now that I have shared these networking Tips and Tricks - HAVE A GREAT NETWORKING DAY!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
When are you starting your marathon?
This morning, my accountability partner (yes, you should have a person who holds you accountable to completing your goals) said a friend told her the Nicole Newman of today is not the Nicole Newman she met 3 years ago. She said "Nicole lost the weight and is now determined and focused on her goals to build a solid business community in Philadelphia."
Yes I am not the person I was 3 years ago when I started my marathon. I started at 240 pounds and a mom of a 4, 2, and 1 year old. My first book "E Myth Revisited" said to grow your business, you must grow yourself. These words went straight to my heart.
I did not complete my marathon by myself. Melanie Marchand from SIS Fitness (Open House on 1/23/10) taught me, through the Fitness Challenge how to do discipline myself to get it done! The race, like your business, is a marathon not a sprint. Yes, I registered for the marathon March 2009 but the journey began September 2007. Your goals this year should stretch you into becoming the disciplined, committed, focused business owner you need to be.
Last year was a hard training year - It rained and I ran out of time. I did manage to complete the checkpoints like the Philadelphia half marathon. Completing that goal made me buy my ticket to Florida and get to the point of no return. I had to wake up at 3:30 in the morning but I was committed to the race. Look at your goals and see if they are stretching you. If they are not, set your goals on higher grounds. I have already registered for the SheRox Triathlon on August 21, 2009. This year, I will learn how to swim and ride a bike. When will you start your marathon?
Yes I am not the person I was 3 years ago when I started my marathon. I started at 240 pounds and a mom of a 4, 2, and 1 year old. My first book "E Myth Revisited" said to grow your business, you must grow yourself. These words went straight to my heart.
I did not complete my marathon by myself. Melanie Marchand from SIS Fitness (Open House on 1/23/10) taught me, through the Fitness Challenge how to do discipline myself to get it done! The race, like your business, is a marathon not a sprint. Yes, I registered for the marathon March 2009 but the journey began September 2007. Your goals this year should stretch you into becoming the disciplined, committed, focused business owner you need to be.
Last year was a hard training year - It rained and I ran out of time. I did manage to complete the checkpoints like the Philadelphia half marathon. Completing that goal made me buy my ticket to Florida and get to the point of no return. I had to wake up at 3:30 in the morning but I was committed to the race. Look at your goals and see if they are stretching you. If they are not, set your goals on higher grounds. I have already registered for the SheRox Triathlon on August 21, 2009. This year, I will learn how to swim and ride a bike. When will you start your marathon?
Friday, January 1, 2010
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