When I travel, the first thing I do when I reach my destination is scope out the coffee situation. I’m an early morning gal and I enjoy a hot cup of strong black coffee when I wake up to greet the day. When we arrived in Park City for our family vacation, I noticed the coffee pot in the kitchen ... Views: 1265
As I write this, I'm 690 miles from my office in Los Angeles. Actually, I'm in Park City, Utah enjoying a glass of Pinot and writing to you. I'm here on a family vacation getting some much needed rest and a modified digital detox.
One of the benefits I've experienced since leaving the office ... Views: 1347
There’s one slight shift you can make in your daily habits that could reap BIG rewards. In fact, this habit has been linked to better decision-making, creativity, health and even weight-loss. Do you know what it is? Sleep.
Making a commitment (experts say seven to eight hours is preferable) ... Views: 1263
Remember the Alice Cooper song, "School's Out"? The lyrics are running through my mind as I write this article. The last bell rang, the kids are running through the house at all hours of the day and their summer camps are spread all across town. My schedule has become a mere shadow of the nice, ... Views: 1298
Remember Lucy Van Pelt in the comic strip Charlie Brown? I woke this morning thinking about one of her famous lines, “I told you so, you blockhead!” Lucy was known for setting up a psychiatric booth in the neighborhood offering advice to her friends for five cents per person. Clearly she caught ... Views: 1220
I'm sure you're aware of the old term, "spring cleaning"? Mother nature reminds us that before you add more to your life, it's always a good idea to let go of what no longer serves you. Like the leaves that fall from trees in autumn, room is made for the new growth that occurs every spring.
... Views: 1174
The one question I get asked over and over from women entrepreneurs is, "How do you know what to delegate to an assistant?" I love this question because it tells me you realize that you can't (and shouldn't) try to do it all in your business and your ready to get the support you need.
Nearly ... Views: 1198
Within the last week, I've had the opportunity to see the movie "Divergent" not once but twice due to the fact that the movie (and book) is all the rage with girls and my daughter is no exception. It's your typical good versus evil plot but the twist is a young woman named "Tris" who's ... Views: 1421
This week I'm writing to you from my childhood home in Charleston, West Virginia where I'm caring for my aging parents who are health challenged at the moment. Today, I'm going to share my best tips for running a business when traveling. With all the new gadgets and apps available to ... Views: 1312
One of the biggest challenges I see people struggle with is making decisions. There's this burning need inside of us to avoid making a mistake when it comes to choosing one over the other. They key is to know when a decision really matters ("should I marry this guy?") or is it a mere blip on the ... Views: 1278
I was driving down Pacific Coast Highway at 4:30 in the afternoon just a few days before Christmas. My cell phone rang and it was the principal from my daughter's elementary school. My first thought? "Wow, this must be pretty serious if she's calling me during school winter break!" I answered ... Views: 1339
At the end of each year, I take an inventory of my life and business to shine a light on what proved to be most effective for me.
Here are my top nine timely tips for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make a Big Leap in 2014:
1. Exercise Empathy - If you have a dream of making a ... Views: 1234
I was feeling a bit out of sorts. My creative self felt like it was moving at a crawl and my decision-making at a snails pace. Something was off but I couldn't put my finger on it until I started to reflect over the last eight weeks. I had traveled two times in 30 days to the East Coast to see ... Views: 1195
Do you know what one of the most effective list building tools might be? Your email signature line. The area where you can add your name and other details below email messages is valuable marketing real estate that you can use to create awareness about your business and attract potential ... Views: 1260
A few days ago, I made a visit to my dermatologist for a checkup and as soon as I entered the office, I could feel a "vibe." The office is spotless, clean, light and bright. The staff is friendly and organized. The dermatologist has a nice personality and is both thorough and fast. I felt both ... Views: 1053
In my work with women, one bad habit that I see creeping into their daily lives is Procrastination. This one bad habit can create a struggle in your business and wreak havoc on your personal life too.
I have a bad habit of procrastinating on making timely doctor appointments. The result? My ... Views: 1047
Over Memorial Day weekend, I unplugged completely from the online world and left the office behind. Even though I work out of my home, I made a conscious decision not to enter the office or think about anything having to do with business. I do this periodically because I know the dangers of ... Views: 959
One of the best action steps you can take in your business is to create a biography that showcases your expertise and gives you the credibility you need to stand out from the crowd. It will boost your business in so many ways. You want to have your biography on your website and all of your ... Views: 1107
Sitting in your office day after day wondering what people might want to buy from you can be frustrating and a waste of valuable time.
I'm going to share 4 no-cost to low-cost strategies that will save you time and money and get you the answers you need to attract more clients and make more ... Views: 1039
If 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 client and potential referral sources. Follow-up is the binding agent or the glue that strengthens the bond you have with these people. The good ... Views: 1021
There I've said it- the "s" word. I sometimes see women cringe when the word comes up in conversation, however if you don't master the art of getting the sale, you may find your business is always up and down with cash flow.
I was involved in a sales process recently (I was the buyer) and it ... Views: 1079
At the end of each year, I take an inventory of my life and business to shine a light on what proved to be most effective.
Here are my top nine timely tips for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make a big leap in 2013:
1. Trust Your Instincts - It's essential that you hone your ... Views: 1233
The other day, while standing in a very long line at my local coffee shop, I struck up a conversation with the woman behind me. We began chatting about everyday topics-the weather, the holiday rush, and then we stumbled on that dreaded topic of the moment-the economy. I asked her a question: ... Views: 1325
On Thanksgiving Day, as we sat around the table enjoying a delicious meal, my mom gave her annual celebratory toast to my Great Aunt Flossie (yes that was her real name) for teaching her the "secret" to making a turkey that melts in your mouth. I've been hearing this story since I was a child so ... Views: 1153
Have you ever felt "stuck" when it comes to making decisions or stalled on a project that needs to move forward? It's an unsettling feeling that can prevent you from realizing your big ideas, dreams and goals. I'm working on my first book for Smart Women and recently, I've been feeling stuck on ... Views: 1254
Recently, I was having lunch with a friend who was feeling like her email in-box was being attacked with messages - sound familiar? We've all had this happen before and there may be times when we are the guilty culprit-unconsciously I might add.
I continued to ask my friend a few questions ... Views: 1083
Last week, I had the good fortune to speak to an amazing group of smart women at the Success Summit and Expo here in Los Angeles. As a speaker, you hope to present an idea or concept that will provide value to a group, although you never really know until you actually see how the audience reacts ... Views: 1260
Conference season for women entrepreneurs is in full swing! Over the next few weeks, I’m attending multiple events as a keynote speaker, as well as an attendee. This time of year is perfect to get out of the office and connect with potential business resources and new clients. The key is to be ... Views: 1177
My son came home from his first week of middle school with a lot of excitement about his new history class. Turns out they are studying “early man,” the evolution of life and its many changes. This got me thinking about the evolution of women entrepreneurs and the different phases we go through ... Views: 1070
One of the questions I get asked often by women entrepreneurs is, “Joy, once I’ve created a relationship with my ideal client, how do I get them to buy from me?” Great question!
Notice how the question was worded: “once I’ve created the relationship…” Smart women know the first step in ... Views: 1101
A few days ago, I contacted a friend to ask for a referral recommendation for a big project I’m working on. My referral source responded quickly providing me with the information I needed. I was so excited to speak with this potential resource. I immediately and eagerly reached out by email. No ... Views: 1179
Women entrepreneurs everywhere are experiencing the same dilemma and asking themselves the same question: “How do I manage my business while navigating the kids during summer break?”
You’ve just spent the last 9 months with a structured number of days and hours to work on your business and ... Views: 1168
I have the opportunity to speak with scores of women around the globe about smart ways to grow a successful business. One of the best ways to grow your business and collapse your time frame is through joint ventures. A joint venture is where you and another business owner come together for an ... Views: 1173
I have the good fortune to listen and learn from women all around the globe about their big ideas, dreams and goals and a common theme is women start businesses based on their values and a desire to make a difference in the world. The idea of giving back or helping others is exciting and it gets ... Views: 1449
One morning last week, I was helping my 11 year-old son, Jack, get ready for a day of skiing during our family vacation. It was sunny, 55 degrees and gorgeous outside. I handed my son his face mask and he looked at me puzzled and said, "Mom, there is no way I'm going to need this today--have you ... Views: 1312
One of the questions I’m frequently asked by women entrepreneurs is, “When I meet someone who is a potential referral source and/or ideal client, how do I mention my business without feeling pushy?” Great question! Being able to communicate your marketing message with confidence is key to ... Views: 1337
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend the day strategizing with a group of smart women entrepreneurs from different parts of the world. It was an energizing day focused on topics such as effective marketing, clear messaging to attract your ideal client, time management and money.
At one ... Views: 1210
My favorite quote by Einstein is "Vision without execution is merely hallucination." The first time I read this I was surprised at the glaring truth to this simple statement. At the same time, I realized it's sometimes easier said than done.
Goal setting, New Year’s resolutions, dreams, and ... Views: 1167
I was watching the holiday classic, "The Polar Express" with my children recently and in the movie, Tom Hanks, who plays the role of conductor, said to Billy as he exited the train, "It's not as important to know where the train is going as it is to make a decision to get on the train." Very ... Views: 1182
Commitment. It’s a powerful word that conjures up a mix of emotions and can be a scary thought– especially in business. Being committed to something means you’re choosing not to be committed to something else – sounds simple, right? In essence, you’re pledging or engaging in a relationship to ... Views: 1282
When you begin your journey as a woman entrepreneur, your most important action step is to get clients and create a “buzz” about your product or service so you can keep the business alive and get on a path to profitability. With effective marketing, your business will grow and over time, word ... Views: 995
Recently, I've had the opportunity to travel to multiple women's conferences and speak to scores of women entrepreneurs about their Big Ideas, Dreams and Goals. Questions come up on a range of topics including how to start a business to taking an existing business to the next level of success. ... Views: 997
I'm finding that many women entrepreneurs are reflecting on their year and a question that seems to be on the minds of many is: "What are tools and strategies I need for my business to take a big leap in the New Year?" As I reflect on this question, I realize the answer is two-fold. If you are ... Views: 1156
When you start a new business or take action on a big idea that you've had brewing for a while, it can be a very exciting time. You begin to get a taste of what entrepreneurship can feel like; you’re in control of your own schedule, maybe you worked for someone else and you've escaped the rigid ... Views: 1118
Did you hear about “Carmageddon?” Several weeks ago, the 405 freeway (noted to be one of the busiest freeways in the nation) that runs through Los Angeles closed for a weekend period of 53 hours for repairs. This created a frenzy here in Los Angeles called “Carmageddon” which forced residents to ... Views: 1209
In my work with women, a frequent question is, "How important is it for me to finely niche my marketing message?" My answer is always, "Extremely important." The reason is 3-fold:
1. You save more time because you know exactly who you're looking for.
2. You save more money because you ... Views: 1150
I struggled a bit this week on what I wanted to share with you. I place a high value on making sure I give you timely information that you can use right away to take your life and your business to the next level of fulfillment, happiness and success. On the one hand, I wanted to write about June ... Views: 1179
Recently, I attended a surprise 50th birthday party for a good friend from college. I had a fantastic time reconnecting with old friends and discovering new ones as well. One of the biggest Aha’s for me during the weekend festivities was the realization that most of my time is spent with ... Views: 1161
Women are the most creative beings on earth. You have inspiring ideas and daring dreams, however it can sometimes be a challenge to get the dreams out of your head and onto paper so you can design a plan to make it happen. Most likely, your “to-do” list is overflowing and your Big Idea hasn’t ... Views: 1198
My 8 year-old daughter Jenna never met a sport she couldn’t master - until last week. Whether it’s soccer, baseball, basketball or skateboarding, Jenna typically does well right away. Yesterday was a very different story.
We were in Park City, Utah on a family ski vacation and this was ... Views: 1235