Should You Get Off the Entrepreneurial Bandwagon?

SHOULD YOU GET OFF
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL BANDWAGON?

Article by Jentana Lee Dabbs
Photo Credit: Spell & the Gypsy Collective
Magazine: Issue #33

Should You Get Off the Entrepreneurial Bandwagon?

If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably noticed that everyone and their mother wants to get on the entrepreneur train these days and with the coming of age millennials and Gen Y’s, that number continues to grow every year. 

Is there enough business to go around?

The answer is “yes,” there is plenty of business to go around, because just as the number of entrepreneurial dreamers grow, so does the number of dreamers who need your service, however, the challenge is how do you stand out and get noticed in a very crowded sea? 

You find your business success super power!

What is a business success super power? A business success super power is not like a Wonder Woman character, running around in a low cut sexy costume and stiletto boots, a business success super power is a very unique talent, skill or energy that all of us possess and feels natural to us, yet it’s not really something that others in your field can do. The super power that you have is not only going to draw your business tribe to you, but it will make the success of your business seem effortless and fun once you figure out your power and you know how to master it.

“With great power, comes great responsibility” -Spider Man

How to find your success super power

The first and absolute most important step is you have to drop the pity party attitude right now, if you have it! The pity party attitude is your kryptonite that will weaken you and keep you from both discovering and using your business success super power. If you have at any time, compared yourself to other people on social media or anywhere else, believe that others are more talented than you, feel like you’re not enough, or you wish you could be someone other than you, or any other self-doubt thoughts, then like Lex Luther trapping Superman, you’re surrounded by a wall of kryptonite that will eventually kill your success!  

What comes easy to you?

Once you have escaped your “kryptonite” the next question you ask yourself is what has always come easy for you or what have most people complimented you on as being impressive? Here are a few examples of success super powers that are exceptionally powerful in business that most people don’t think about:

• Ability to really listen to others
• Ability to intuitively know what someone needs
• You have strong energy and enthusiasm that is contagious to others
•  You can walk into a room with power woman confidence and get noticed
• You can connect well with others
• You know how to connecting others to each other
• You’re a master networker
• You make others feel warm and appreciated
• You can make someone feel safe and protected
• You can create beautiful, inspirational content in a flash, that people thank you for
• You can write in a way that others can emotionally relate to
• You’re a story teller, you can keep everyone on the edge of their seats
• You’re super funny, you make others laugh even in uncomfortable situations
• You’re super deep and aware, you can discuss anything from spirituality to the existence of life on other planets
• You’re very personable, you can instantly make someone feel like their the most important person in your world
• You rock at customer service and make your customers feel valued and listened to
• You can speak with power and conviction
• You are a computer geek who can easily create sites and social media strategies that get noticed

How to use your super power

When it comes to your personal super power, what may come very easy and naturally to you may not for others. For example having a super power of high energy and enthusiasm that is contagious, is a strong power, because people who possess that super power can make a wet piece of coal seem exciting and valuable enough to get others excited and happy to pay the high asking price for that wet coal. Most people, regardless of how many books and courses they’ve taken, will never be able to master that skill, because that skill is not a skill that they are comfortable with, however someone may have the computer geek super power and she can sit all day at her computer, inspiring and energizing a whole community of online people who love what she is doing and they will buy what she has to offer, without ever seeing their faces or speaking to them.

Master your super powers

Make a list of all of your super powers, pick three of what you believe to be your strongest super powers and learn how to master and channel it into your business success. For example, if your super powers are master networker, able to listen to others and you connect well, then stop spending your time behind a computer and find ways to connect with others face to face. The more you master your success super powers, the easier it will be for you to say up, up and away and fly to your dreams quickly!

Success Secrets for Your Home Based Business

Success Secrets for Your Home Based Business

SUCCESS SECRETS FOR YOUR HOME BASED BUSINESS

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Spell & the Gypsy Collective
Magazine: Issue #33

So you gave The Man the Johnny Paycheck and shoved off.  It was simply time to put up your own shingle. You’d either been moonlighting or doing it part-time and now it’s time to say no to the j-o-b and BECOME CEO OF YOU INC! Kind of scary but it can be done with some planning and a lot of discipline. Sure, there’ll be no checks on the 1st and 15th of the month. Then again, no one will be standing over your shoulder. It’s all YOURS, baby. How fulfilling is that?

So why’s it so hard for many? Because Boss Man, for better or worse, provides immediate:

structure
accountability
a sense of security
comrades, work-mates

The reason for today’s musing is not to help remind you to save the money for a safety net or to learn the best way to set up the books. It is to help you get into a steady, productive groove in the home office and learn to embrace it not fear it. For those who have the kind of personality that derives momentum from what’s going on around them, working alone at the kitchen table is what’s most difficult about being self-employed. No water cooler nor meetings, deadlines or performance reviews, the mind wanders like an untethered balloon. Many lose motivation, heart and fire.

How to best SUCCEED at this self-employment, home office thing? Develop a system that starts the moment you rise. Simple. Basic.

1 :: After a nice sleep - with the phones and computers OFF upon turning in because as we disconnect we recharge - open your eyes and before you do anything else - STRETCH. Stretch from ears to toes. Breath into it without a thought in the world, no agenda, planning, lists.  If you meditate, now’s a great time. 5-15 minutes. Stretch again.

2 :: Roll out of bed and before you leave the room, make said bed. No, we’re not worried about how you’ll fare during a bunk inspection. We just want you to turn the page between home and home office; the bed, the bedroom is where your day begins and ends. Even if all you do it pull the comforter over everything and fluff the pillows, you’re saying to the world, “Game on!”

3 :: Get dressed for your day. That means get out of the robe and actually getting dressed. Not that you have to don a power suit and full make up but be conscious about putting together an outfit that helps you be comfortable AND feel put together. Don’t just grab the closest thing and/or what you wore the day before. Get dressed. As Karl Lagerfeld says, “A respectable appearance is sufficient to make people more interested in your soul.” At your home office, the respect starts with Within and so does the pride for Self.

4 :: Before heading over to the [ phone, computer, desk, dining room table ] take time for some grounding morning rituals:

Wash your face.
Eat your healthy breakfast.
Juice your even healthier shake.
Enjoy a quick walk with the dog or cat.
Brush and floss your teeth.
Fix your hair.
Follow the news.
Put on your favorite musical jam.

THEN you begin your day and so the work day begins. YOU, not the boss, gets to craft the day around YOU. Things to do. Tasks to complete. Orders that must go out. Appointments to be kept. When it comes time to take a break, luxuriate in choices:

lunch at a table
reading a magazine article
tea in the middle of the afternoon
working out to a youtube exercise video
walking outdoors
meeting a friend for coffee

Finally, learn when what tasks are better performed. You’re a whiz with numbers in the morning not so much in the afternoon? A.M. might be the time to prepare invoices. Perhaps your reading comprehension is clearer after lunch?  Afternoons are when to read those heady reports. We all have different optimum times of day for certain activities. Schedule yours accordingly, enjoying the freedom to do so.

Each and every day in your home office will be different; how enjoyable it is, depends on the structure YOU give it not no Boss Man. Just remember to turn the pages and close the doors between the worlds; find balance between the healthy lines.

And get ready to succeed.

“Hopped up out of the bed, turn my swag on… Now it’s time to turn it up, yeah…” Soulja Boy Tell’em

Get Educated Before You Start Your Holistic Business

Get Educated Before You Start Your Holistic Business

GET EDUCATED BEFORE YOU START YOUR HOLISTIC BUSINESS

Article by John Scardina
Photo Credit: Spell & the Gypsy Collective
Magazine: Issue #33

Lessons learned from running a Holistic business can sometimes be the hardest, but they do teach you well. Many people hold dreams of owning their own business and rarely understand everything needed to know prior to starting. This is exactly what dreams are, we manifest deep in our souls the delightful thoughts of entrepreneurial freedom, the removal from the daily 9 to 5 grind that we have been brought up to expect.

One of the first steps to being a holistic business owner is to be a visionary. You need to see in detail what problem you are able to solve for a niche market of some of the most open minded, intelligent, spiritual, and well-rounded customers. This is where education comes in, this is not your average type of business. Clients and customers in this realm are not main stream, they are also thinkers and visionaries searching for answers to natural problems with natural solutions. Knowing just this alone allows you to have an edge on others looking into the same type of business. You need to be educated with your problem solving and comfortable presenting it.

Educating yourself may sometimes require a business coach (highly recommended).

This is something I did not start out with and looking back, I wish that I had. I have learned so much almost too late with amazing coaching from Holistic Fashionista. By the way not just my opinion, but the opinion of many who have utilized their services.

You need to be educated and connected to your community whether virtual or actual. Those that you meet through networking depending how you approach it usually are in or near the same type of business realm as you and hold valuable information and experience. Talk with these contacts, check your area and see what similar businesses are there and see what they are missing, (services not offered). Introduce yourself, approach them. Ask if they are interested in sharing about their journey in business, you will be surprised of this openness from other business owners.

There is so much to share in regards to being educated in a holistic business, these are just a few of the highlights to remember.

1| Know the problem you are going to solve/educate yourself in this solution.
2| Check trends in natural health services/educate yourself in these trends.
3| Understand adaptation in these trends/educate yourself in adaptation.
4| Research the marketing needed for this solution/Are clients looking for this solution?
5| Will services be completed online/in person or a combination of both/Educate yourself on how this will suit you and your business.
6| Know the client that you are looking for/educate yourself on this.
7| Present yourself as a professional that has all of the answers/educate yourself on all of the answers.
8| Network with like businesses/educate yourself on their business.
9| Do get a business coach, such a Holistic Fashionista (Highly recommended)/yes education can be purchased, universities do it all the time!

Educating yourself in these events and hiring a coach will bring your holistic business success a lot faster than trying to tackle everything yourself. “Educate yourself”, I just needed to say it one more time!

The ABCs of Embracing Your Unique Business Culture

THE ABCs OF EMBRACING YOUR
UNIQUE BUSINESS CULTURE

Article by Darlene Dunn
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #31

The ABCs of Embracing Your Unique Business Culture

Too often we, as entrepreneurs, try to mimic or model our unique business after another business we have observed. This practice is definitely not conducive to stepping into your own unique purpose. We need to be careful about trying to mimic others because, inevitably, it cause us to fail or at least have major setbacks.  

We are ALL unique!!!

Here are a few key points to help you embrace YOUR unique business culture:

A: Attitude - As an entrepreneur you obviously have a winner’s attitude. Embrace it, use it. An attitude of success and excellence will go far in developing your business culture. Keep your attitude in check- be sure you maintain a positive, move-it forward attitude.

B: Belief - Believe in yourself. This is an area many entrepreneurs struggle with. You want your business to succeed but you often question yourself and hold yourself back. When you believe in yourself, it shows. This belief is evident to others and is a vital part of establishing your business culture.

C: Commitment - Commit to your business endeavor. Don’t do it half-assed. Be known for your commitment- to yourself, to your business and to your customers/clients.  

D: Dare - Dare to be you!! This is what makes YOU you! It is your uniqueness that will attract the clients/customers that you are meant to have. This daring to show and to be authentic will set you apart in the business world! 

E: Embrace - Embrace your uniqueness and show the world through your Attitude, your Belief, you Commitment and your Daring!  

These five areas will aid you in establishing yourself as a force to be reckoned with in whatever industry you choose for your business to serve.  

Get Your Mind {and Soul} on Your Money

GET YOUR MIND {AND SOUL} ON YOUR MONEY

Get Your Mind on Your Money

Article by Cinthia Singleton
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #31

Our culture that tells its citizens to go out there, go for the gold and bring back lotsa it. Some do quite easily while others coast along bringing back not as much. A few stumble along and never get ahead. No piles of shekels under your bed? Popular belief is that you’ve not …

… applied yourself
… found the right course of action
… learned and/or know enough to warrant the money
… manifested enough to conjure up the opportunities for making money
… don’t feel that you’re good enough for money

There are many reasons for not making big bucks. They vary from economic and market demands to luck and timing. Often it’s a magical combination of these things. But we seem to need this money - from pocket change to big bucks - as a goal to perform when it is, most basically, to help us provide for ourselves and those we support. How successful our writing [painting, interpretive dance, flower arranging, consulting, etc.] is also based on how much we show on Line __ of our tax return? How interesting.  But it’s just money, honey. Relax. Culture tells is to make it but we don’t need to run ourselves down doing so.

For what do we need it, really? Get a piece of paper and a nice, sharp pencil. This needs to be seen in print.

1 :: What are your basic expenditures? Not that you have to only make this but to survive, what is the base and range of funds you need? The more realistic you are about your needs, the easier it is to make the money. Less scrambling.

2 :: No one is exempt from financial anxiety at one time or another. It happens to us all, no matter how rich or poor. How we endure, overcome, and eliminate the anxiety is part of the battle. Clear problem-solving doesn’t always occur on the high wire. More often than not, the best thing anxiety will do for us is ensure we make huge decisions far too quickly. RELAX.

3 :: Do you have issues with money?  Uh, are you not human? lol It’s normal to have issues on one end of the spectrum or the other but letting them control you and trip you up is not good. These we get from our upbringing and how we were nurtured…. or not. The child missing something will seek it out as an adult. Example? Having to have the best so others can, therefore, see that YOU are the best… because the wolves who raised you only seemed to [acknowledge, pay attention to, reward, love] those who did; the best things made them better people. 

4 :: It’s okay to budget, to not spend, to say NO or Not Now to a potential purchase. It’s not the end of the world to have not or to save. Our culture, as much as it tells us to make the big tacos doesn’t do as much to encourage us to just slow down and think about what we need. Black Friday sales have become a social outing and a source of fulfillment for some. We get a buzz standing in that line, pushing people aside to get to the discounted electronics… why, many shorten our holiday family time for that buzz. As if we need more DVD players and credit card debt.

5 :: Review your needs on a weekly, monthly, annual basis. Needs change and so can the times. Bend and flex with the financial times.

6 :: Remember that what you need isn’t what the next ‘guy’ needs; do not compare yourself to others.

7 :: Learn how to talk about money. It’s not your feelings. It’s not your childhood. It’s not your baggage. It’s not your value. If it is one or a combination of these things, on one end of the spectrum or other, get straight with it or you will be money’s servant. Money is just another energy and a means to an end, a tool. Get comfortable with it. As a topic of conversation. As the necessary element it is. As a part of the game of life. Should you find yourself going through a rough patch and lack it (or credit, resources, help paying for something) occurs, get comfortable asking for help. “Help” though doesn’t necessarily mean more tacos to toss at the problem but the means to solve the problem in the Big Picture.  

8 :: Enjoy the money you have or what the money has afforded you. A little gratitude goes a long way but so does associating with that dirty money the energy of JOY. Consciously thank the Big Guy for what is there afforded you, from nickel to Andrew Jackson.

First step? Take it down to the basics: money is necessary energy not necessarily power. Get what you need. Enjoy what you got. Too much will never be enough if the energy isn’t understood.

"… Gather your cheddar ‘round this world, there’s nothin’ better but keep it booming’ like a system, thru any weather." -Youngbloodz, Mind on My Money

A Business Culture of Your Dreams

Business Culture of Your Dreams

A BUSINESS CULTURE OF YOUR DREAMS

Article by Denita Austin
Photo Credit: Dasha & Mari
Magazine: Issue #31

Instead of looking for what you want, create it. I am a strong believer of creating your own rules, ideas and concepts. Why not? Creativity is everything! Some of us have spent years trying to find the perfect group, tribe, or culture that resonate with our souls. The perfect group that understands our rhythm and flow or should I say, speaks our language. Instead of chasing, or sitting back wanting and dreaming, create a culture of your own for your brand and business. A culture that will empower people to have more freedom within themselves.

Creating solutions instead of problems. 

As an entrepreneur, there is nothing sweeter than having the freedom to create. When building your empire, it’s not about micromanaging. It’s simply about encouraging and building a team who will be more involved in the brand itself by having the ability to create speak and create freely. The more freedom individuals have to take on tasks and create their own solutions, the more they feel connecting to a culture that they can believe in. 
Creating a culture that will include a communication style based on mutual respect. With a well-designed structure, we all can create magic within our assignments and contribution to the overall vision. 

My passion with any project would be increasing team ownership and empowerment. I thrive off teams who are free to apply judgment to situations that fall outside your traditional rule of thumb. Although I promote creativity and freedom, this also requires balance. We do not want to leave the team unclear about taking ownership.

Five Steps to Creating your dream business Culture 

1 :: Be a Leader   
Lead by example of course. The more you speak on your vision, you will become closer to your reality.

2 :: Become your vision
Everyone is looking to you for guidance so with that being said stand in your truth and become your vision.

4 :: Learn Balance
If you want your business to thrive, you must find balance in order to succeed. Example: Inquire about how much fun your team has while working with you. A rating system would be ideal!  When you’re able to track this information, you can talk about what to do to improve going forward.  Note: This is great for clients as well. 

5 :: Token of Appreciation
A common problem in every business is showing appreciation. Verbal or Tangible! In some cases, the issue is just an absence of acknowledgement. Take the time to acknowledge those who support you and dedicate their time to the vision. 

Remember, it’s about how well our words match our deeds. Thanks for taking the time to connect with me.

How to Get Publicity for Your Holistic Business

How to Get Publicity for Your Holistic Business

HOW TO GET PUBLICITY FOR YOUR HOLISTIC BUSINESS

Article: Angel Quintana
Photo: Dasha & Mari

One of the biggest hurdles holistic businesses face when trying to grow their business online is publicity. Publicity is a form of credibility that will help to position your holistic business as the go-to solution for a specific problem. It is also a way to bring you (the business owner) clout as you continue to market your business.

Publicity comes in many different forms. It is essential to not only showcase your publicity on your website, but to also be selective about the right publicity you entertain. When you have the right publicity in place it will help you standout online amongst other business owners.

No matter what form of publicity you have: advertising, public relations, and promotions, expect a gradual increase in your brand awareness. While some publicity is free and others might be paid, publicity is necessary when growing a holistic business online..

Here are a few good examples of the right publicity you should strive to receive as you grow you holistic business online:

Write for a Magazine:

Getting featured in a print or online magazine doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. In fact, if you have done something noteworthy in your business (I believe having any kind of holistic business is incredibility noteworthy), it's important to let the media know. When the media takes notice of your work, there is a chance they will feature you in their publication.

Other magazine publicity includes showcasing your expertise in a magazine or on blog. The easiest way to get featured in a magazine or a blog is to contact the editor. Because many blog authors and magazine editors are bombarded with tons of emails each day, getting a response can be difficult, but never give up. Some magazines and blogs, such as Holistic Fashionista magazine and the Huffington Post, accept new writers regularly by merely submitting a sample of your work. If you are interested in sharing your expertise in Holistic Fashionista magazine, simply join The Club.

Host a Webisode TV Show:

Knowing someone will always be the easiest way to get free media attention, but don't worry. There are lots of other ways to get media attention that doesn't have to cost a pretty penny. After all, you got into business to make money, not to spend it all trying to get your holistic business off the ground.

Be in the right place at the right time--- or better yet, have it planned to be in the right place at the right time. If you know a television station is looking for a new story, why not be right in front of them when they are looking? This might include making phone calls (and leaving numerous messages, until you get that phone call returned), but it's worth it. If you want to be on television, the best way to do so, is to make those hard calls. If they happen to give you short notice, make a run for your travel agent and get on a flight. Tell them you were going to be there tomorrow anyway.

Another way to get featured on TV is to host your very own WebTV show on YouTube. If you didn't know, Lena Dunham from Girls started her career as a webisode before being picked up by HBO. The power of YouTube is undeniable. If you are the face of your holistic business and you're ready to increase your publicity, than video is definitely the way to go. If you are unsure as to how to start a YouTube webisode, consider joining HFTV, Holistic Fashionista Television available to our Club Members.

Start a Podcast or Radio Show:

Podcast is becoming a huge asset to many businesses online. In fact, with more and more embracing iTunes as their go to resource when they can't be behind their computer to gather information, wouldn't it be wise to host your very own podcast to grab the attention of your audience? I do.

Starting a podcast is an incredibly powerful form of publicity, and with a few inexpensive pieces of equipment, you can have a podcast up and running in literally a couple days. If you're considering starting your own podcast, be sure to have a marketing plan before you get started. There is nothing worse than spending time creating great content and lining up experts to interview only to have a nominal amount of people tune in to listen.

Starting a podcast to promote your holistic business is a great idea and an even better publicity strategy. Podcast is the new term for creating a web-based radio show and if you're looking for radio publicity, starting your own podcast is instant publicity.

If you're serious about growing your holistic business online, then there is no better time than right now to give your expertise the exposure it deserves. Whether you've got a website up and running or celebrating 10 years in business, gaining publicity for your business is a never-ending process. The more able you are to stay in the view of your target audience, the more people will learn of your business, what you offer, and when the time is right-- they just might become a die hard customer or lifetime fan. And that's great publicity!