Client Spotlight: Melody

Age: 54

What inspired you to start your business?

About 13 years ago I discovered a model for awakening people's hearts to the practice of compassion. My husband Mike insisted that I write a book on the topic, and I've now written two! Communicating the model to more and more people has validated the need for it in the world and has motivated us both to create a business mode that can carry the message to a wider audience.

What were your primary goals when you started working with Pink Heels?

First and foremost to increase my income and then to create a plan for achieving my long term objectives. What goal are you most proud of that you accomplished? Creating a vision for my business that is cohesive. Creating the beginnings of a business plan and putting together two websites, one that pulls all of my activities together in one place and one specifically for my nonprofit has made that happen.

What have you learned about yourself?

How much business and marketing knowledge I have, and how much more I can do with it. I also have learned recognize the value of what I am offering.

What is the name of your new small business that is ‘Up & Running?’

There are two, really. One for profit, Awakened Heart Productions, and the second, not for profit, The Compassion Movement.

Web Site: http://www.awakenedheartproductions.com and http://www.compassionmovement.org

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with the world; especially any potential women entrepreneurs?

Learn to listen to your spirit. Inside of each of us is a wisdom that goes being what we have in our mind. Our spirit can guide us to do things that we couldn't imagine we are capable of achieving. Don't let your fears interfere with that wisdom, because that's what will get you over extended financially and personally. Instead, let your spirit guide everything you and success will follow beyond your wildest dreams.

What are Your Favorite Holiday Movies?

A friend recently asked me to list my top five favorite holiday movies. As I began to rattle them off, I quickly realized that I have far more than what fits within a short list of five. However, after much thought, I think that I finally have it.

In no particular order:

1. The Polar Express
2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
3. Home Alone
4. Scrooged
5. A Christmas Story
5 1/2. The Grinch

5 3/4. One Magic Christmas

There is another movie but I can't remember the name...

What Does Peace Mean to You?

Peace.

It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

- Author Unknown

Client Spotlight: Odile

Age: the creative age

What inspired you to start your business?

The Artist’s Way changed my life when I took it in the mid-1990’s and again in 2003 when I was making significant work and life changes. It helped me re-invigorate my life as I’ve moved through transition and re-invented myself. I began facilitating this 12-week class whose participants requested ongoing follow-ups. Women’s creativity support groups and mixed-media classes followed, then SoulCollage©, Vision Groups and one-day art and creativity workshops. I’ve experienced beneficial change, healing and immense pleasure through practicing fine art and through an integrated arts approach and know I can bring that to others. All my adult life I’ve worked in creative fields and been guided by spiritual and soulful interests, so I was motivated by my own experiences to empower women to awaken and live their next level of creativity.

What were your primary goals when you started working with Pink Heels?

I wanted to expand my work from my center out into the community; and develop relevant marketing materials like re-designing my web page and developing a blog.

What goal are you most proud of that you accomplished?

I’m glad to have re-vamped my webpage and to have maneuvered the initial steps of my blog myself. Also I have definite interest from a local non-profit to do a weekend workshop called Vision2010: Setting Sail for the Year Ahead, and have finally located exhibition space for my art.

What have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned that I’m willing to flow with the highs and lows of the journey--to take them in my stride, knowing that when I persevere and find the meaning and the joy in it all, I will emerge breathing peacefully and happily, although it may not look like what I had at first imagined.

What is the name of your new small business that is ‘Up & Running?’

Numinosa Art & Creativity Center.

Web Site: www.odilenicolette.com

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with the world; especially any potential women entrepreneurs?

It takes courage to be an entrepreneur. Courage means listening closely to the whisper and love in our hearts, and continuing to move in the direction of our longings and our dreams, by being in action with small daily steps, despite the fears and obstacles we confront. Also, it's essential to find our tribe--to be in relationship with the people who will join us in a circle of nurturing and nourishing support, for even a small part of the journey--that can mean family, friends, acquaintances, fellow professionals, business people, mentors, coaches and/or counselors.

Happy Birthday!

I love to celebrate birthdays...not just my own but others. However, on December 3rd the day is all mine to be a rock star! It is tradition for my mom to make me a Strawberry Shortcake cake. Yes, I am a woman in my 30's and shouldn't still love Strawberry Shortcake on my birthday but I DO!!! Unfortunately, this year I am in D.C. and my mom is in Boston on my b-day. Therefore, I am compromising by posting Strawberry Shortcake on my blog. Woo-hoo!!!

Dance Like You Mean It

dance

as though no one is watching you.

love

as though you have never been hurt before.

sing

as though no one can hear you.

live

as though heaven is on earth.

- souza

Comment Moderation Problems

Thank you to everyone for your recent comments on the Pink Heels blog. Unfortunately due to some mysterious issue, your comments are not successfully being posted after they are approved. Hopefully Blogger is in the process of fixing this little issue. In the meantime, please know that your comments are not being deleted. They are simply being gobbled up by the cyber monsters.

Client Spotlight: Kirsten

Age: 26

What inspired you to start your business?

I’ve always been interested in cooking, food and writing. Much of my career has been focused on food and communicating about food (through marketing, advertising, public relations and writing). I found that while I loved doing these things through the company I worked for, I wanted to be able to choose what I wrote about, what products I endorse and what clients I would represent. Having more control over my client base was the main motivating factor to start thinking about my new business.

What were your primary goals when you started working with Pink Heels?

My main goal was really just to get thinking about my new business. I know that I still need to work full‐time and I may not be able to launch this new business for quite awhile, but working with Pink Heels has given me such a great foundation to start this new business.

What goal are you most proud of that you accomplished?

I think that I am most proud that my business is something that is absolutely achievable and something that I will start. Before working with Pink Heels, I always talked about wanting my own business…but I never really put that thought into action. While my business isn’t fully launched yet, I know that it will be and I have really great plans for it.

What have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned that it is possible to work full‐time and have a side business. I’ve also learned that it’s ok to start small and that my business will take a tremendous amount of work, but that I can do it.

What is the name of your new small business that is ‘Up & Running?’

Hah. That’s still up for debate. My first focus for my business is my freelance writing, so for now just look for a “Kirsten Saladow” byline.

Web Site: In progress.

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with the world; especially any potential women entrepreneurs?

I think it’s important to think about what you are good at and take a chance on yourself.

What Will You Promise to Yourself?

I couldn't resist re-posting a poem that I read on the Dirty Footprints blog today. Thanks Connie for sharing it. It is fabulous!

I PROMISE MYSELF

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.
To make all my friends feel that there is something worth while in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of
others as I am about my own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the
greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile
to every living creature I meet.
To give so much time to improving myself that I
have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud word, but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side,
so long as I am true to the best that is in me.
--Christian D. Larson

Happy Tofurkey Day!

The mind is like a parachute.

It works best when it is open.

-14th Dalai Lama

Client Spotlight: Crystal

Age: 29

What inspired you to start your business?

I always knew I wanted to start my own business. The inspiration that got me started my love of art, design, fashion and baking!

What were your primary goals when you started working with Pink Heels?

My goals when starting with Pink Heels were to create a more cohesive brand and message to my audience, to better intergrate social media outlets to boost brand awareness, and to learn more about online marketing.

What goal are you most proud of that you accomplished?

The goal I am most proud of is creating a more cohesive brand.

What have you learned about yourself?

This processes has reinviegureted my "I can do anything!" spirit.

What is the name of your new small business that is ‘Up & Running?’

Tasty Morsels Bakery

Web Site: http://www.tastymorselsbakery.com/

Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with the world; especially any potential women entrepreneurs?

Never say never and dream BIG!

Diet 101: Connection

This week's chapter in the Joy Diet arrived at the perfect time. Interpersonal relationships, or connection as the author identifies it, is an area that requires ongoing and constant nurturing to ensure that they are mutually beneficial and respectful. This is applicable in our personl lives and within the work place.

Before I opened the book, I had already put into motion several of the recommended activities. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered that my life this past month was a mirror image of the book's recommendations.

The steps to creating 'connection' in your life, as defined by the author include:

1. Learn to reach the place of peace while with another person.

This is a task that I have been practicing with someone that is constantly challenging my positive thoughts, feelings, emotions, and actions at work with a professional colleague. To offset this potentially hazardous person from intoxicating me with her venom, I imagine myself surrounded by a positive protective bubble that deflects the negativity...and it works!

2. Learn to tell yourself the truth while interacting with someone else.

Over the past month, I have decided to face the truth about two people who are part of my life; one on a personal level and the other on a professional level (person mentioned in #1). I bravely explored, while feeling very uncomfortable, the truth about our relationships. While there were many positive attributes that I could identify, I also identified a few deal breakers.

3. Identify what you want in the relationship.

While completing #2, I was simultaneously identifying what I want and need from a mutually beneficial relationship. I have completed this list in my head but I have to put it on paper...a task that I intend to complete in the near future. Once I write-down the positive attributes that I want to attract, I intend on placing my list in my Magical Dream Box.

4. Risk openess.

This was so incredibly hard and difficult but I did it. I was honest to both individuals about what I felt was working well and what was not working despite my fear that it would hurt their feelings. Both individuals respected my honesty even though it was painful for them to hear. Ironically, they were both shocked and thought everything was great. I now feel a sense of relief from opening up and am optimistic that it will allow me to move forward. I strongly believe that we must release before we can move forward and accept new people in our lives. The four steps from this chapter that I have been working on for the past month have allowed me begin the process of moving forward.

Tranquility Within

what lies behind us

and what lies before us

are small matters

compared to

what lies

within us.

-Emerson

Spotlight On: Heather Patterson

Name of Business: Braelyn Bounty Bug
Type of Business: Maternity Wholesale
Web Site: www.pregoplanner.com
Email: heather@braelynbountybug.com
Twitter: BountyBug

Tell us more about your woman-owned business.

When I was pregnant with my first son, I developed an extreme case of “baby brain” aka “mush brain” and I needed a pregnancy planner that could help me keep track of my pregnancy. There wasn’t a pregnancy planner on the market that met my needs. Therefore, I bought myself a three-ring binder, customizable tabs and some loose leaf paper and created my very own makeshift pregnancy planner. I carried it with me everywhere as my entire pregnancy was recorded in that binder. Once my son was born, my heart was crushed with the thought of leaving him to go back to work – especially to a job that left me creatively unfulfilled. My loving and always supportive husband finally said, “Why don’t you take your pregnancy planner to market?” While at home on maternity leave, I started to design my first Prego Planner. I knew I wasn’t the only expecting mother who was looking for a pregnancy organizer like the one I had in mind.

What makes your business unique?

Forget yellow ducks and teddy bears, Braelyn Bounty Bug offers fun and fashionably functional pregnancy planners that were designed for MOM. The Prego Planner gives Moms-to-be the ability to arrange and rearrange their own pregnancy planner (unlike other pregnancy organizers that are permanently bound together). The expectant mother can take out pages she doesn’t need and move pages where she wants them to go. This capability allows an expectant mother to customize her pregnancy planner to suit her very own unique needs.

Can you share with us the challenges that you have encountered related to starting a business?

Hahaha! This question made me laugh out loud because I’m not sure where to start – there are so many. I once read that the conceiving and launching of an idea or product isn’t something you’ve (I had) done before – it isn’t like testing a new recipe; at least you know what cooking is and have done it before (hrrmm…I still haven’t found my inner Julia Child) – so you can’t expect it to come naturally. That is so true.

Trade shows are just one of the challenges I have faced. My first trade show was a real eye-opener. I was located next to none other than the all popular BabyLegs. I took one look at their booth and thought, “What in the world am I doing here?” I literally started crying and immediately started doubting myself. Thank goodness my husband was with me or I would’ve quit camp and headed back home. However, it was a blessing in disguise as the entire BabyLegs family was full of helpful information and tips. I left that show knowing a lot more than I did going in.

Taking business calls at home with two young children is also a challenge. There have been countless times that I have locked my bedroom door, locked my bathroom door and then shut my closet door in hopes that the professional on the other end wouldn’t hear my children screaming, yelling or crying. Just the other day, I was on a call with another professional when my 1 year old started crying at the top of his lungs and the lady stopped her conversation and asked, “How bad did he hurt himself?”

What has been your biggest success thus far?

I would have to say that my biggest success is getting in with BabiesRUs. At my first tradeshow (with BabyLegs), I attended a “first time exhibitor” meeting where a speaker mentioned that it took him three years to get noticed by stores like ToysRUs. I thought, “That is such a long time.” It took me lot of creativity (and I mean CREATIVITY), time, patience, tenacity and about two years. However, getting in is just half the battle. Once you are in, you have to work twice as hard to bring awareness to your product and its availability.

What is your favorite free business resource?

I have two:

1. SavorTheSuccess.com – A social media network for women entrepreneurs. They also showcase some of the best blogs of other successful women with great tips and insight.

2. TheMomEntrepreneur.com. - A website specifically designed for offering tips, advice and resources for balancing motherhood and running a company. It also has an amazing Online Support Group where you can find answers and support for just about anything.

What words of advice would you provide to others who are considering starting a business?

In the words of Donald Trump, “You have to think anyway so why not think big?” My personal interpretation: Don’t set limits on your dreams or your business. Never in a million years did I think I would be working with BabiesRUs. Also, networking and relationships are huge! Nurture your relationships with other professionals (in any and every industry) as they are all equipped with some bit of knowledge that you can benefit from. Finally, if you have information that can help a fellow entrepreneur – share it. Good things will always come back to you.

Do you have any special offers for those reading this interview?

Absolutely! Receive a FREE Tot Tag with the purchase of any Prego Planner by using the code “PINKHEELS” in the Gift Message area of the order form. Please be sure to note the preferred style of Tag. Offer valid through January 24, 2010.

Do you have a small business idea that you want to get "Up & Running?" Pink Heels has a variety of services and resources available for all stages of business development and sustainability. Check out all of your coaching and consulting options HERE and all of your e-book options HERE!

Would you like to be considered for an upcoming "Spotlight On" post? If you have a web site and a business Up & Running story, please email Jennifer Moore at Jennifer@Pink-Heels.com. You can be located anywhere in the world as we are creating a global network of fabulous women!