When I went to print something out yesterday, I got alerted that my ink cartridges were running low. So I check to see if I had any and found only one black cartridge left. It actually been over a year (maybe two) since I last purchase ink for my HP all-in-one printer. I love my printer and the best investment I made, besides buying it was switching over from regular size ink cartridges to the XL ones. Yes, the XL ones are more expensive but it last way longer (even longer if you rarely print). Since I almost out of both black & color, with just on black ink on hand, I thinking about whether or not I should go an purchase more. I truthfully want to make my business greener and more mobile.

I would love to go away either to visit my Best Friend and Goddaughter, other family or take a vacation with out worrying about work. It’s easier said than done when you are self-employed. I’m my business and when I need to take time off I don’t have other coworkers to handle things in my absent. Yes, I can do a working vacation, which I have done before but I always find myself wanting to take so much stuff, you know just in case I need it.

I don’t want to be like that anymore. Plus with all of the fees airlines are adding on and the lack of affordable (or better yet undesirable) other choices of travel, I must find ways to eliminated unnecessary baggage. I already use Dropbox (could use some more space if you would like to help a sista out) to store client files. Along with my increase use of Dropbox I have notices other changes. Since January I have dramatically reduce the paper part of my business. I used to print out ever request email, use that to write notes on during consultations, then if it move forward, it would get a job number and file folder to keep the papers organized.

I am so happy to say that I haven’t made a file folder yet this year. I still take notes (finally using up all of those notepads I have from conferences) but for the most part everything is kept in either a Word or Excel document. Once I don’t need the notes anymore they get shredded for recycle.

I can’t wait to see if I can kept up this semi-paperless business life going. As well as expended it to my personal life. My ultimate goal is to 100% paperless by the end of the year and using apps such as Google Docs and Evernote more. Hey who knows I may able to move Operation Cowork out of the New Year City area. Me, leave the Big Apple? Hey you never know.

Is you business environmentally friendly? I would like to know what things and tools you are using to be Green.

They say if you can’t beat them, then join them. Yep, I had a lazy weekend and ended up lying in bed channeling surfing trying to avoid the reality tv reruns, which got me thinking. It saddens me that many of my favorite scripted dramas are either getting canceled or take weird midseason breaks. What doesn’t seem to changes is the increasing number of reality shows that are replacing these scripted dramas. A fairly new show caught my attention. It’s called The Pitch on the AMC channel.

Each episode two advertising agencies go head to head to see who will get hire to handle an campaign for a particular company. The one episode I seen so far centered on Subways and a new commercial for their breakfast food, wasn’t half bad. I don’t think I would’ve ever seen the show if I wasn’t flipping through channels for two reasons: I don’t watch AMC and get this the show airs Sunday nights at 11pm. I don’t think the network is really thrilled about this show because of the day and time it airs. Or maybe I am wrong.

Apparently it airs after Mad Men, a very popular show about advertising. I can only assume they are targeting those viewers but what about those of us who are more interesting in better reality television about business and entrepreneurship or looking behinds the scenes of Advertising Agencies or Public Relations firms. If this show last a full season I don’t foresee it getting renewed unless it moves to the prime-time during the week. Not ever has DVR yet or has switch to solely watching TV online.

Speaking of business related reality show, I finally caught an episode of Shark Tank and I can see why so many people like it. If you never see it business owners, entrepreneurs, etc., pitch their business idea to a panel of successful business people. They are either asking for money to get started or move the business to the next level. In exchange for the money they give the investors a percentage of this business. I will definitely try and catch more of both these shows.

I know that TV networks are going to go with what sells and bring in tons of views – cat fights over something that will really enrich our lives and brains. I can only hope that one day I can get my Reality TV with a heaping side of Entrepreneurship minus the recycled drama.

I’m been working on Facebook Page Graphics for several of my web design clients. In the mist of doing one last week, the mastermind over at Facebook made yet another change to the Timeline layout look. For some it may go unnoticed either because you have added an cover image or you have chosen to go with a simple cover image. I was surprise that I wouldn’t have never know if it wasn’t for a tweet a I saw. I didn’t find any information on Facebook’s site so I google to see if the information was indeed correct. It turned on to be.

Here’s what took place. Originally when the Timeline layout was release your profile picture was shown at 125×125 pixels. Now it been increase to be shown at 160×160 pixels. It also move slighting to the right. So what the big problem? Well depending on your design, it may or may not be covering an image or words. This morning I didn’t a quick video going over the new change and how to add a cover image if you haven’t already done so.

If you have any questions/comments, video requests please leave a comment below. Also if you are are interested in getting your own Facebook profile and cover image designed, I will be happy to assist.

As I sat at the one of the empty tables set aside for laptop users, I thought to myself, “Where has this library been all my Coworking life?” LOL. I’m referring to the Business and Career Library in Brooklyn. Before I have only visit the location to attend workshops, so I was pretty exited to see if it could be a place to actually get some work done. If I lived in the surrounding area, I would definitely make this my go to place if the neighbor Coworking spaces didn’t work out for me. I downloading one of the Coworking apps I talked about before and see what spaces were in the area, and I found some that I might add to my list.

Now back to the Biz Library, its located in Downtown Brooklyn, an area that is rapidly changing. Not only is it near tons of public transportation (major train lines such the A/C; 4/5, and bus routes) it’s across the street from a little park and tons of places to eat. The Fulton Street Mall is getting a facelift with new stores, and a little further way the new home of the Brooklyn Nets Basketball team is getting close to being finish.

There are a few things I enjoyed during my two days working there. The best were the hours, the spaces to work, and the amount of resources you are surround by. Hey, it’s not called the Business and Career Library for nothing. I found it to be pretty quiet although it gets a little crowded around lunchtime. It’s very friendly to laptop users. You don’t need to scramble for an outlet. I know access to outlets is a major requirement when working remotely.

During both visits I notice twice where someone took up an entire table, making it their own office. I also experience this elsewhere and would think to myself, “Is this person really serious?” It seems to be that some people really don’t care that they aren’t the only ones sitting a table with others. Other that I give it two thumbs up. I didn’t have a problem with the wifi connection, no downtime and steady.

If you are a Brooklynite and don’t mind work working at the library and/or traveling, I would say this location and the Grand Army Branch would definitely be the best because of the operating hours. The Grand Army location hours are Monday – Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 10-6pm and Sunday 1-5pm. The Business and Career location hours are Monday & Friday 10-6pm, Tuesday-Thursday10-8pm and Saturday 10-5pm. However, don’t expect to reserve a laptop, that service is not available at these locations. They do have desktops that you can use if you don’t have your own.

Cost of Coworking at Business and Career Library Branch: $9

Cost of running Operation CoWork (as of 4/30/12): $31.50

What exactly do you mean when you say “I customized WordPress sites and blogs”? That is one of the most common questions I get from potential clients. Yes, I’m a web designer who can create a page or site from scratch only using HTML and CSS. However over time I noticed that people wanted something that they can maintain on their own but didn’t have the time to sit down and learn how to code. That’s where WordPress came into play. I started using the phase “customized” because I needed a better way to describe what I do in regards to WordPress. Saying “I design WordPress Sites and Blog” isn’t true because I haven’t designed or created a WordPress theme from scratch on my own yet.

I currently offer three different services targeting WordPress users – Blog Headers, WP Starter kits, and Virtual WP Assistant, all of which includes some level of customizing.

Here is what I can do.

I can installed and setup WordPress, either manually or using the 1-click install that most hosting company provide. I do all of the legwork, searching for the best theme that fits your needs. I look for the one that have as many of the features you want right out of box (before I start to customize) because not all theme are created equal. Once all that is in place than I can go to work using my web design skills.

To help you visualize this better, I have put together a sample of the previous WordPress customization jobs I have done for my clients. Below are the snapshots of the completed sites as well as how the themes look before I started.

Currently live: Narrative Network

Currently live: Working Virtually Towards Success (website redesign)

Currently live: Her Goody Bag (blog redesign)

That’s just small sample of what I can do. So if you are ever in need of a WordPress website or blog (or both) setup and customized, or a redesign of your current site/blog, don’t hesitate to check me out over at ArtDeal Designs. If you have a question or video tutorial request, please let me know in the comments section below.

I’m back again for my second installation of my Monthly Blog Pick of the Week wrap up. Started last month, I wanted a way to give back to some of my favorite Bloggers and this idea was born. So twice (well almost) a week I tweet out my pick. Just in case you aren’t on twitter, here’s my March Blog Picks of the Week. Now for April (sorry it was a little short this month).

I am moving right along with my Operation Cowork experiment, in which I am searching for an alterative workspace (working at home can suck). In the beginning of this experiment I wanted to focus on spaces that were free and local. We had a mild winter here in New York City (cold but not much snow fall) so I was able to accomplish my goal. Not only was I able to support my local libraries but rediscover my neighborhood while I got in some much-needed exercise. I never knew I could walk so far before, especially carrying a laptop. If I had started this journey years ago, I would have definitely without a second thought hop on the bus to travel to certain locations and it turns out they are only about 12-30 minutes away by walking. Yes, I admit I was pretty lazy before but if its not too hot/cold or pouring rain, I think I will choose to walk as far as I can stand it.

Now that Spring is here, although it has felt like Winter for the past couple of days, I will be switching up locations. There are a few places I want to check out, including the Business Library in Downtown Brooklyn, the Midtown Manhattan Library, The 42nd Street Library, Bryant Park, and Wix Lounge just to name a few. I know that these aren’t the only places out there where I can work from, so I set out to find more. In my search I came across a few cool tools to help me out.

5 Essential Tools you can use to find an open desk/workspace near you

Loosecubes

I heard about Loosecubes before but it wasn’t until my visit to Bitmap that I really took notice. You can search for an open desk or office space. Each location page has details about where they are located, the cost, hours or operation, a link to a website, and more. You can even create a profile on the site so you can rate and review the locations.

*Update* Thanks BrothaTech for letting me know about Loosecubes mobile site.

Desksnear.me

Similar to LooseCubes, Desksnear.me is another site where you can search for an open desk near where you live. You just type in a location and you will get a map and a list of places. What I like about the site is that when you roll over the day, it tells you the actual number of spots available. Wouldn’t you hate traveling and they end up booked? Of course you should also contact them to see if that number is up to date.

There’s an app for that.

Let say you go and about and the need for a coworking space arise but you not sure where to go. Well there are apps that can help – Coworking for iPhone, Work+, and Coworking for android. There are available for free.

Since I don’t have an iPhone, any of my iphone readers would like to try out either Work+ or the Coworking for iphone and let me know what they think? I would be very grateful. I will also do my part and check out the android app on my end. Also if you know of a site or app geared towards Coworking, let me know so I can add it to the list.

Have you ever got a song stuck in your head and it just won’t go away? I know I have and for the most part it songs by artist I don’t particular care for. However ever once in a while a song long that just speaks to me. The other day I was catching up on miss episodes of the WE Channel’s reality show Mary Mary, featuring the Gospel duo Mary Mary. There was this one episode where they are trying to bounce back after canceling a tour, so that headed back into the studio to recorded a song. The song sounded familiar but I just couldn’t figure out where I had heard it. Then I remembered the fabulous Pam Perry had mentioned it but I had never listen to the entire song until the show. So off to iTunes I went to find the song because I just had to have it. It has been on repeat since I purchased it and I have named it my theme song for the rest of the year. I love my R&B and Hip Hop, but I what I love even more is inspirational songs. “Go Get It” by Mary Mary is my newest favorite song; it came to me right on time.

Motivational Mondays: Mary Mary saids “Go Get It”

Watch the Video | Are you motivate yet? If not press play again.

My takeaway: Believe in yourself and your abilities, what you have been working so hard will come to you but you have to be ready.

If you know of a blog post, article, podcast, video, etc. that I should feature, please let me know. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Motivational Mondays blog series.