Beware The Green Monster

Last week, I talked with a freind who has been very successful in business. Years of 80-hour work weeks, losing sleep, missing out on family time and delaying gratification on all fronts have resulted in her dreams becoming reality.              Most of her colleagues are celebrating with her, but some of…

Details

Beauty Boom Or Beauty Bust

Since everyone wants a business that booms, not busts, I get emails regularly from people asking how to boom in the beauty business. A business is as distinct as a fingerprint, so one-on-one or group coaching is best to address individual details.           Since I lead the Indie Beauty Network, many of…

Details

Don't Get Punk'd

My mother is a great money manager. Small investment accounts opened 50 years ago are today worth thousands. She takes care of her money and her money takes care of her. I plan to be like her when I grow up.              But they want to ruin it for me. They…

Details

Boot Camp Bonanza

Boot camps generally describe workshops that help you do things. Oprah's Boot Camp will help you lose weight like a rich person. Writers Boot Camp will help find the writer in you. Mushing Boot Camp will help you learn to mush.              But if you don't have time to exercise, write…

Details

Great Eggspectations

It was Saturday morning. All I wanted was to do was scramble an egg and eat it all by myself, along with a biscuit and some fresh cantaloupe.              Here’s what happened instead.

Details

The Sooner, The Better

My daughter started kindergarden this morning. I teared up a little, but was mostly all smiles because I want to let her know that I whole heartedly encourage this first step toward independence and self sufficiency.              That's why I am baffled as to why some parents and educators disagree with…

Details

Cousin Buck’s Ribs at the Family Reunion

Last month, I traveled to my hometown of Washington, DC for a family reunion on my father’s side. These folks were brave enough to pose for a picture. My Cousin Bridgette (also an acclaimed opera singer who has performed with Placido Domingo), didn’t waste time once she decided to get the family together. She just…

Details

Bad Blogger

I used to be a Bad Blogger. I’ll get to that. A lot of people ask me about blogging for business these days. Some are excited to learn a new way to use technology. Others are frustrated because blogging is just one more thing they don’t have time for. I feel both ways depending on…

Details

The Family That Grinds Together Binds Together

During a radio show interview this morning, I was asked how couples could be successful in business despite challenging life issues that are common to all families. I told them about Kibby and Jay Mitra and Sheri and Rich Schmelzer. During the show, the hosts joked about how an increase in family businesses could result…

Details

First, Know Thyself

Recently, I worked with "Sarah," an hebalist who asked me to review a "corporate identity" proposal she received from a graphics artist. The proposal was for $9,000 to create a logo, business cards, brochure, letterhead and other collateral materials. That’s a lot of money, but the bigger issue for Sarah was whether she knew herself…

Details

The Power Of One

Riding high on the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, The Walt Disney Company last year dumped several high level executives who were responsible for labor intensive projects that did not result in lucrative licensing deals. In June 2007, the third installment in the Pirates series took in $43.2 million worldwide in…

Details

A Needle In A Haystack

To express that it’s difficult to find something, you may say, "it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack." I felt that way a few days ago when someone called and said, "Hi, I found you in the September ’07 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine …"              I didn’t hear another…

Details

Vault Episode #76: Bill and Debbie Brink [Podcast]

The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 76 featuring my interview with Bill and Debbie Brink, the dynamic husband and wife owners of Pure Enchantment. In this special episode titled “Beauty, Business, and Blood,” we delve into the intriguing question…

Details

From Pillar To Post (Blogging For Business: Part IV)

While at the "Moms Love Lucy" taping yesterday, I shared with several women business owners how a blog could enhance their business. Their number one question was, "How do I know what to blog about?" The answer is simple: go from pillar to post. Bur first, a review.            We started out…

Details