Spotlight

This month we are shining the spotlight on Tracey Ceurvels’s Fly Away Travel Writing Class launch.

Fly Away Travel Writing Class

With: Tracey Ceurvels

Price: $325

Description: Fly Away Travel Writing Class is a thrilling 5-week course in which you’ll discover ideas for stories, how to write a winning pitch letter, tips on landing your first assignment, and much more. Just imagine: you wake up in a different location each month, armed with your MacBook Air and ideas for stories…excited for your next adventure once you file your story.

More Info: http://thebusyhedonist.com/classes/fly-away-travel-writing-class/

Sales Close: May 4, 2012

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And now, on to the full list…have fun, grow, learn, explore, live!

~~~May~~~

Business Growth

Free Me From My Business Powwow

With: Yvette Syversen
Price: Free
Description: Free 15 Minutes Powwow chats with Yvette Syversen of EZ Business Growth {on Skype}. These no-hold barred conversations will help you transform your business, so it stops sucking up every minute of your time and you are finally able to enjoy the perks of being self-employed. Freedom + Lots of Cash.
More Info: http://bit.ly/HIwAik
Available: By appointment throughout May

Ebook Brainstorming Sessions

With: Christie Halmick
Price: Free
Description: Brainstorming one-on-one with Christie Halmick of Jewels Branch Creative during her Open Office Hours. Let’s shine a light on your knowledge and explore the best ways to showcase that brilliance in an ebook or PDF product.
More Info: http://jewelsbranch.com/hire-us/open-office-hours
On: May 22, 2012

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Dating

The Courage Kit

With: Jenn Burton
Price: $697
Description: The Step by Step Process for Attracting Amazing Men, Creating Epic Dating Adventures & Having the Legendary Love Affair of Your Dreams
More Info: http://hhyw.jennburton.com/couragekit
Sales Close: May 13, 2012

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Family

North Star Sessions

With: Candace Smyth
Price: $197
Description: A 4-week program for women going through separation or divorce. Here to inspire and hold a space for you to navigate your own healing and movement forward from wherever you are in the process.
More Info: http://candacesmyth.com/north-star-program
Sales Close: May 2, 2012

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The “Make time work for YOU” Course

With: Aimee Prezzano
Price: Free, and paid program
Description: Free Information + The “Make Time Work for YOU” Course. Become the master of time, & Change your life. Home Operations Training to help you Succeed in the Kitchen + Home + Life.
More Info: http://aimeeprezzano.com/best-summer-ever-signup-1
Sales Close: May 16, 2012 (free program), May 29, 2012 (paid program)

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Health & Wellness

Healing Energy Retreats

With: Barbara Coon
Price: $240
Description: Develop repeatable practices for making your life easier, calmer, and more joyful. Imagine the efficient healing that can happen when you stop going to “experts” and have a direct conversation with your own body. Each step out of pain leads to your next one. Come on Retreat.
More Info: http://barbaracoon.com/healing-energy-retreats/
Sales Close: May 31, 2012

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~~~June~~~

Personal Development

The Soul*Full Summit

With: Catherine Just
Price: free
Description: This is a Free online Summit June 18th-29th offering 24 video interviews with inspiring life leaders. Danielle Laporte, Alexandra Franzen, Dyana Valentine, Anne Samoilov, Kim Anami, Emelie Archer and more, all sharing how to get through fear so you can create your biggest dreams. Get Fearless! Join the movement!
More Info: http://www.catherinejust.com/the-soulfull-summit/
Sales Close: June 17, 2012

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~~~Ongoing~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP

With: Anastasia Valentine
Price: $497
Description: 3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP is a hands on program for entrepreneurs and small businesses to guide them through everything from Idea through Launch! Ideation for Profit, Social Media, Online Marketing, Soft Launches, PR and Go to Market all included in the price of this fabulous program!
More Info: http://sandboxpm.traindom.com/

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30-Day Fast-Action Coaching Program

With: Shay de Silva
Price: $697
Description: A one-on-one 30-day program to get you totally clear on where you want to be and how to get there. We’ll work together to create a detailed action plan and I’ll keep you accountable every step of the way!
More Info: http://solutiongarden.com/action-planning/

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Corporate Sponsorship Success E-course

With: Michelle Christie
Price: $495
Description: This 4-week workshop will cover the steps necessary to secure sponsorship, as well as useful tips when faced with some typical challenges along the way.
More Info: http://www.macswomenonline.com/corporate_sponsorship_ecourse.html

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The CoWorking Collective

With: Andrea Lewicki
Price: $15 per work cycle
Description: A Virtual CoWorking system for independent solopreneurs. Gentle accountability and support without the distractions.
More Info: http://thelewickiagency.com/cwchome/

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The Dr Laura Ciel Show

With: Dr Laura Ciel
Price:Free
Description: Anyone have a question they want to ask on radio? If you feel frustrated, depressed, overwhelmed, hopeless and lack energy in your personal life, relationships, career/money and/or your health/body you may be on the edge of an exceptional leap!
More Info: http://1oneworldleadership.com/events/the_dr_laura_ciel_show/

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DUO

With: Nikki Groom
Price: $300/month
Description: DUO is a stellar retainer program that offers you VIP access to my secret-weapon digital writing services, gifting you with more time to build your stiletto empire.
More Info: http://nikkigroom.com/work-with-me/

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Foundations for Unshakable Joy™

With: Stephenie Zamora
Price: $97
Description: A 6-week digital course that helps women take an honest look at their life, discover what they really want and create an easy-to-implement plan to make it happen fast. If you’re ready to experience fulfillment, passion and unshakable JOY, this course is for you!
More Info: http://www.myawesomelifemastery.com/

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The Girl’s Guide to Web Design

With: Amanda Aitken
Price: $397
Description: The fun and feisty online course for creative women who want to ditch their fear of code, unleash their inner designer and create an awe-inspiring WordPress blog or site!
More Info: http://girlsguidetowebdesign.com/enroll

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Morning Whip

With: Erika Lyremark
Price: $595
Description: 30 days of whip-crackin’ action + luxurious support to whip UP your business confidence with Erika Lyrmark author of the forthcoming Think Like A Stripper: How to Hustle Like You Mean It!
More Info: http://www.dailywhip.com/the-morning-whip.html
Sales Close: at 25 attendees

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Pinterruption

With: Jessica Kupferman
Price:$199
Description: An online course that helps business owners get started using Pinterest for business, branding, SEO, website traffic, and more!
More Info: http://www.pinterruption.com

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Redefining Beauty Transformation Program

With: Kat Kim
Price: $295-$497
Description: Learn how to lose weight and leverage your personal image a s a tool to help you attract what you want into your life. Find clarity, breakthrough success, transform your body and LOVE your image.
More Info: http://revolutionselfimage.com/start-redefining-beauty-now/

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Track This!

With: Brittni Mehlhoff
Price: $17
Description: Track This! is packed with actionable worksheets, charts, and questions designed to help you figure out what your true (and very specific) goals are when it comes to your business, and how to stay on track and accomplish those goals once they are set.
More Info: http://papernstitchblog.com/trackthis/

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Vibrant Life Master Class

With: Maddy Vertenten
Price: $197
Description: The Vibrant Life Master Class is a self-paced course for women delving into the questions, practices and action-steps that culminate in the creation of a Healthy + Beautiful life. Modules include: Heeding the Call to Greater Depth & Meaning; Vibrant Health; Owning the Feminine Art of Creation; Money Savvy, Meaningful Service, and Changing the World; plus two 30-minute private coaching sessions with Maddy.
More Info: http://vibrantone.com/vibrant-life-master-class/

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Wealth of the Self Program

With: Evelyn Kalinosky
Price: $997, ongoing enrollment – 12 month program
Description: When you have built your inner wealth, your wealth of the self — when financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, relationship, and creativity are all balanced, congruent and firing on the same cylinders–surprise events that pull at your attention no longer eclipse your well being.
More Info: http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/wealth/

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WordPress Play Day

With: Loralee Hutton
Price: pay what you can
Description: A light and carefree place to spend time with like minded people who are also working on their WordPress websites. It’s a great place to focus on this 1 project for a few hours with no other distractions. We meet every Thursday evening, and every 2nd Tuesday during the day.
Accountability + Support = WordPress Play Day
More Info: http://www.loraleehutton.com/wordpress-day/

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Finances

Conscious Bookkeeping Method: Home Study Program

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $300
Description: This self-guided, step-by-step and comprehensive online home study course is packed with Tools for Financial Transformation. Charged with practical action steps, teeming with deep reflection cues, and guided by a nurturing curiosity – you’ll be guided your relationship with money on every level, at your own pace.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/home-study-program

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Ice Breaker: bookkeeping boost you need to get started

With: Holly
Price: $49
Description: Tips and how-to jump right in to get your business bookkeeping done, pain free!
More Info: http://www.accountingspotonline.com/products/ice-breaker-bookkeeping-boost-you-need-to-get-started

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Tools for Financial Transformation: Introductory Video Course

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $45
Description: This 4-part video series presents Bari Tessler Linden’s Conscious Bookkeeping method in lively, bite-sized morsels of transformative genius. If you’re ready for a jump start into a more conscious and fulfilling relationship with money, you won’t want to miss it!
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/transformation-video-course

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Wake Up With Mint Course

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $65
Description: This multi-media training course has everything you need to start a money practice with the hip & handy web-based personal finance app, Mint.com. You’ll get a comprehensive video training guide to Mint, plus a soulful guide through the psychological, emotional, and spiritual considerations of tracking your finances.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/mint-course

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Health & Fitness

Fast Fitness to Go

With: Shay de Silva
Price: $120
Description: Get fit and firm in 25 minutes anytime, anywhere…no equipment needed! This unique program delivers three new 25-minute workout videos directly to your inbox each month.
More Info: http://fastfitnesstogo.com/monthly-packages/

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Inspired Running

With: Christy Lambert
Price: $10 a month
Description: Inspired Running is an online community of beginning runners/walkers, offering personalized support, motivation & feedback. The intent is to inspire as many people as possible to reach their fitness and life goals using inspiration to pave the way.
More Info: http://inspiredrunning.com/join/

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Paleo Power Lunch

With: Stormy Sweitzer
Price: $37.50
Description: Paleo Power Lunch: Easy, Filling & Delicious Workday Meals is a strategic cookbook with a set of how-to videos and quick guides designed to help you create meals that power your active and busy life. Recipes are based on Paleo dietary principles and are naturally free of dairy, grains, legumes, and processed ingredients. All resources are electronic so you can easily download and use them wherever you need them.
More Info: http://www.paleopowerlunch.com/

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Season to Run

With: Jeanne Andrus
Price: $197/$347
Description: This program is perfect for you if you never thought you could be a runner, if you’ve tried and failed to be a runner, or if a 5k (or longer!) is on your “someday” list! Season to Run is a ZERO to 5k running program that teaches you everything you need to know to become a runner and supports you every step of the way! Minimum age – 9, maximum age – 95!
More Info: http://www.runignited.com/learn-to-run.htm

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Your Health Path

With: Wendy Sailor
Price: $28, $98, $224 per month
Description: Three levels of coaching programs and classes: e-course and site membership, the aforementioned as well as email coaching, all of the aforementioned and 4 half hour coaching calls a month. Health and wellness coaching geared to the individual. This is not about what I want for you but helping you to decide what YOU want for you.
More Info: http://wendysailor.com/work-with-me

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Soul Work & Creativity

Introduction to Tarot

With: Eliza Fayle
Price: $40
Description: YA common sense approach to learning the Tarot, with no memory work involved. Tarot opens up your intuition and creativity to enhance not just your personal life, but your business life as well.
More Info: http://silverandgrace.com/workshops-courses

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Intuitive Bridge Alignment Circle

With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: $20 a month (paid quarterly or yearly)
Description: A once-a-month Intention andAlignment Teleconference Call, helping people enact positive change through energetic alignment! In an hour, you’ll feel connected and confident to reach your goals!
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/blog/2012/02/the-alignment-circle/

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Intuitive Bridge Healing Circle

With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: Free
Description: A once-a-month teleconference with a guided meditation followed by group energetic healing followed by healing for those who request it. It’s an opportunity for people to feel better spiritually and energetically. Although the call is free, it is only available to people who are part of Bridget’s free Soul-Note Program. When you sign up for that, you’re given access to the healing call as well.
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/get-a-free-copy-of-bridgets-button-book/

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Real-Time Curiosity Sessions

With: Andrea Lewicki
Price: $27
Description: 30 minute session with Andrea. Practical application of your curiosity as a catalyst for change. Immediately useful and a whole new way to experience curiosity.
More Info: http://thelewickiagency.com/real-time-curiosity/

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Please share anyone who would benefit from this information.

If you’d like to be included in the next roundup, please fill out this form for consideration. Thanks!

Her blog is chock full of great online business advice, like last week’s “How to Get an 80% Open Rate on Your Newsletter” video and freebies to get you organized.

Her Life is Messy Planners and Bootcamp (bootcamp-style training and beautiful, function planners) are a digital product success story, with more than 5,000 copies sold.

Here’s Mayi…

Tell us about your business. What does Heartmade do and who do you love to serve?

I’m in the business of empowering creative business hearts to break down their barriers to success + turn their passions to profit + make a real difference in the world.

Heartmade is a creative space to spill open your gifts + hopes + fears + epiphanies + worries + questions + more.

Visitors are bound to leave feeling lighter + empowered + most certainly loved.

Your wedding video is great. The day looks like a fairy tale + awesome dance party. How did your creativity show up in planning your day?

I could have never pull that day off alone. My wedding day was the product of a collaborative effort. You can say it was a project made with love by a team of super passionate artists, including yours truly. Even my mom, who is a lawyer had participation. She literally sewed all the party props for the celebration. Isn’t she darling?

To say the least, I feel so honored to have teamed up with the handmade community to craft the wedding of my dreams.

I heard that you used some of your honeymoon money to attend RHH Live, so I know your husband is 100 percent on board with the work you do at Heartmade. How has married life impacted your work?

Oh my! Yes. It was a disaster. What happened was that David + I had saved enough money to go to NY together, but on the morning of our flight, we (and by “we” I really mean “I”) accidentally messed up our departure time + missed our flight. Since we had purchased the tickets with miles, by missing the plane we also lost our entire round trip ticket. Bohoo! With 1 month away from our wedding, I knew it would be irresponsible to repurchase 2 entire airfare tickets from Panama to NY, but my man insisted.

I’m glad that at the end of my weeping tantrum I agreed to use up some of our honeymoon savings to go to RHH LIVE because the trip paid for itself 10 times over.

My husband is my rock. My confidant. The love of my live. The moving force behind everything I do. With him by my side, I feel I can do anything.

- – – – -

You’ve been creating, drawing, painting since a very young age and have degrees in art, at any point did you feel resistance to making art your business?

Never growing up. I have extremely supportive parents, the kind that bought me lots of crayons + let me paint outside the lines + played music around the house + allowed me to dress up (even if it wasn’t Halloween) + applauded my world domination aspirations + hugged me constantly + signed me up for dance classes + much + much more.

There’s no doubt in my mind, that my parents protection + unconditional love is the #1 reason I’m still here today + I’ve been able to push pass all my adulthood noise + self-inflicted resistance.

- – – – -

You’ve sold more than 5,000 copies of your first product (Life is Messy). Tell us a little bit about that experience. When did you start to see the full potential of blogging and connecting online?

I still pinch myself when I see the numbers. I think the fact that it was my first digital products + I had no expectations of grandeur helped tremendously. This first offering helped me understand my client – what they really needed from me, not what they say they wanted. It helped me gain capital so I could build over a year time the BEST organizational solution out there. It helped me tighten my niche + refine my mojo. It helped me understand that my success is directly linked to my clients success. And the best part it all is that I get to do it all over again every year, because Life is Messy is a yearly organizational program, so I’m constantly evolving + innovating + pushing by boundaries + that keeps me busy.

I like busy.

You are clearly having fun in your business and being 100% Mayi. What advice do you have for women entrepreneurs who are hesitant to just be themselves?

My advice? My advice is that you don’t need my advice. To find your voice you have to ignore everybody. Take “What will they think?” out of your vocabulary.

You can’t discover yourself if you’re trapped in a compulsion to conform + be liked by everybody.

When I first started video blogging, people thought I was nuts. Some even assumed I was doing heavy drugs. Believe me, it hurt. But at the end of my crying tantrums I always go back to the same question, “What price I’m I willing to pay to not be myself?”. Honestly, it scares me even more to abandon Mayi than to learn to deal with vicious rumors + stiff opposition. Wouldn’t you agree?

Videos are one of the cornerstones of your content. What advice do you have for other women entrepreneurs who are just starting to shoot their own videos?

Oh yes. My Friday Video Time episodes have changed everything for me. Video has allowed me to get more personal + connect on a much deeper level with my readers, with the aid of course of my goofy party props + funky dance moves + insanely practical ninja tricks. I really can’t take all the credit.

For anyone tip toed their way into video blogging, I recommend to leave all inhibitions out the door. Making videos should be fun, both to make + to watch. No one’s going to sit down to watch a boring clip, no matter how amazeballs the content is. So my number uno advice is to turn up the entertainment notch to mega high.

I also suggest to go check out my free Vlogging 101 Video Series at www.heartmadeblog.com.

- – – – -

You also coach other artistic entrepreneurs. How does it feel to encourage other artist see their full value in the world? How do you feel when you see the progress your one-on-one coaching clients are having with their creative businesses?

It’s better than all the cupcakes in the galaxy. My clients are truly the Energizer batteries to my bunny. Without them, this would just be a lonely “Mayi Carles Show” + that ain’t very fun.

Like Pinky needs Brain, I too need the artist’s who’s lives I’m privileges to touch. I think it all boils down to belonging + knowing that our paths crossed for a reason larger than ourselves.

For me, it makes me feel useful, like I matter, like I have a unique contribution that no one else can give. And I think that’s a pretty good reason to keep at it with all my heart

Who are some of your favorite artists.

Sweat Bestiary
Merriweather Council
The Angry Weather
Jackie Rueda

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What’s next for you and your business?

I like to keep things a secret until they’re 100% official, so for now I’ll just say: I’m translating my Life is Messy Bootcamp to Spanish (los quiero mis queridisimos lectores hispanos) + building a very special project with my partner in crime April Bowles, for online superstars. Enough said

- – – – -

Mayi Carles is a tiny Panamanian artist with a T-Rex heart. She loves party props + wearing her paint stained Eeyore pajamas + if left unsupervised, she could eat an entire batch of Red Velvet cupcakes. Oh + she’s an organizational master, helping more than 5 thousand messy entrepreneurs get more done in record time over at Life is Messy Bootcamp. You can find her at Mayi Carles, Heartmade, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

If you love this interview with Mayi, share it, like it, pass it on! And leave Mayi a comment below!

I met Genna virtually over a year ago and fell in love with her red lipstick and sassy self-expressive ways. She always makes me laugh out loud with just a Tweet. I’m sure you’ll love her wicked humor, too!

Genna’s new ebook “Shine on Screen: Your Guide to Producing Great Video On Your Own” is chock full of great info to help you get started making videos for your online business.

Here’s Genna…

Tell us about McTofu Media Services what do you do, who do you love to serve and where are you located.

McTofu Media is a video consultation and production company based in sunny London, UK. It evolved out of my life coaching business, started in Sep 2010. Although I loved coaching, it didn’t seem specific enough to both my talents and the needs of my clients. But I had a light bulb moment in June last year when I realised I could combine the coaching element with my wealth of experience in TV and video production.

That and the fact that video is the perfect medium for Self Expression, which is at the core of everything I do and want to encourage in women entrepreneurs.

I provide video consultations, video critiques, bespoke motion graphics and video editing. My clients are predominantly women entrepreneurs in the service industry.

Oh and McTofu is my nickname, what with being Scottish and Vegan And I thought it would be a really cool name for my biz!

- – – – -

I love that you are completely Genna 24/7 (jokes, vaginas, red lipstick, potty mouth) what advice do you have for women just starting out in their online businesses who are hesitant to put their “real” selves out for everyone to see?

Ha! Yes, the potty mouth, you got me Being yourself is the one true constant. It’s easy, effortless and you’ll feel a whole lot comfortable being you and being authentic in your business.

I’d say the best way to do this is to be really clear and upfront from the get go as to who you are, what you stand for and what it is people can expect from you. Be explicit about this on your About page, your Twitter Bio, create a free manifesto download if you wish and make sure that everything you write or create is consistent with who you are. If it is the ‘real’ you, then it won’t be hard work and we like things that are not ‘hard work’

I know some business women want to keep a strict delineation from their ‘true’ selves and their ‘business’ selves but DO. NOT. DO. THIS. It’s boring. It’s duplicitous. And it could do more damage than you think. For serious.

Be you. It’s delicious, it’s easy and it will help weed out the peeps that are NOT for you.

- – – – -

You have a Fine Art degree and all your videos are very creative and fun. What other ways do you express yourself creatively?

Writing, photography, drawing vaginas [art portfolio here]. I also love writing posts for my website as much as I enjoy the video production process. Does banter on twitter count? If so, I LOVE that. As I’m a natural chatterbox, my creativity tends to always come through in my conversations and connection with other people. Instagram is another small addiction when I’m not on Twitter!

- – – – -

When did you first discover the power of video?

Well, I’ve been in television broadcasting for 11 years, am an avid film fan and have always been fascinated by the moving image, so I guess you could say all my life. I remember watching films like the Wizard of Oz when I was a kid and being completely transfixed, wanting to be on screen myself. The ability to actually record and produce my own stuff came a little later, probably about 13yrs ago now when I did a TV production course at college [after my Art degree]. And as I’m a bit of a show off, being on screen is my drug of choice…

- – – – -

For women entrepreneurs who are just getting started creating their own videos there are so many questions. Before they go out and start hiring videographers or buying software and cameras, what’s the first question they should ask themselves?

The first question should always be: do I have the time to dedicate to this? Recording and editing can be very time consuming and so women entrepreneurs should really ask ‘If I dedicate this time, what can I expect to get back in return?’ This means really looking at what you will be providing in each video, what do you want your audience to take away? How will it benefit them?

If you know that a video will be a far better way of communicating some learning or a concept with your audience, then go for it. Beware of doing video for video’s sake and be realistic, if it’s going to take too much time, look to hiring a videographer or even just a freelance camera operator or video editor. Having the help in just one part of the process can make all the difference.

- – – – -

Pricing for shooting, editing, processing videos, etc. range widely. What’s your advice for women on how to evaluate and compare the work and offerings of different video consultants for where they are in their video journey?

I did a comprehensive blog post about this, you can go and have a read here. My advice would be to not only to get quotes on a videographer, that will do the shoot and edit for you but to also look into someone who could either just do the shoot or the edit for you. My advice if looking for either of these freelancers, is to look local, you’ll probably get far better rates and you don’t have to worry about trying to upload large video files to someone half-way around the world.

I also have a very handy little guide called “SHINE on SCREEN: Your guide to creating great video on your own” which covers all the questions and tutorials you should need to produce video yourself.

- – – – -

What are your favorite video projects to do?

Doing silly, comedy videos of my own. And working with women who are brimming with excitement about their business and who bring that passion to the screen.

- – – – -

What’s next for you and your business?

I’m looking to how I can build on my recent ebook guide, evolving that into a web based workshop for a small group of women [between 6-10 at a time] and ultimately doing large events that take women entrepreneurs through the training, support and inspiration they need to leverage video & their Self Expression in their businesses. I’m hoping to launch the first SHINE on SCREEN – Web Workshop in August, look out for it!

- – – – -

You’ve recently become an aunt to little Miss Kitten McTofu, I know you’ll be a big supporting of her throughout her life. Who in your personal life is/are your biggest supporter(s) and what does this support allow you to do?

Aaaaw Kitten McTofu, yes, she is an absolute little cutie [real name Leah, Kitten is just my nickname for her]. Love her. I’d say that my Mum, Mama McTofu, has been my biggest and most consistent supporter. I know that’s kinda part of the remit but she really has been the one woman who has most inspired me to be the strongest, most fulfilled, most self expressed woman I can be. Love her for that. Also I have an insanely supportive network of close friends and online friends. Can’t really ask for more.

- – – – -

What did 7 year old Genna say she wanted to be when she grew up?

A stripper. Seriously!! My Mum let me watch the film ‘Gypsy’ about the gorgeous burlesque star Gypsy Rose Lee, when I was that age and I WANTED to be her so bad. So, yes, not the perspex behooved, sequined g-string gal writhing around a greased pole but rather the corset & feathered glamour of the Burlesque star. I guess it’s still stripping either way you look at it but I’m pleased to say [and those that possess a pair of eyes are too] that this figure + sequins + removing of clothing aint something that is gonna happen soon. I’ll stick to remaining fully clothed and being silly on camera. The world will be a better place for it

- – – – -

Genna (or McTofu, as her pals say) believes video is the perfect platform for self expression and THE best tool for engaging your viewers, clients and customers. She makes funny, entertaining and informative video content for her own business and is a consultant and producer for small business owners who need video production, motion graphics and/or editing skills. She has 10 years experience in Post Production for television broadcasting, making programs for broadcasters across the world including the biggest and most well known British Broadcaster. You can find Genna on her website, Twitter: @gennamcwhinnie or @McTofuMedia, and Facebook: Genna McWhinnie.

If you love this interview with Genna, share it, like it, pass it on! And leave Genna a comment below!

Please help me to recognize the clues you are sending to point me toward the next evolution of my business and welcome these clues with an open mind.

Thank you!
~Christie

Spotlight

This month we are shining the spotlight on Christyna Lewis’s SquareOne launch.

SquareOne
With: Christyna Lewis
Price: $167
Description: In 5 weeks, establish a clear weekly, step by step, financial ritual that gives you clarity to move forward with confidence. Surprises no longer need to be crises. Wouldn’t a different relationship with your money make your path lighter?
More Info: http://beeventures.org/sweetness-er-services/sqone/
Sales Close: April 4, 2012

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And now, on to the full list…have fun, grow, learn, explore, live!

~~~April~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

Open Office Hours

With: Christie Halmick
Price: Free
Description: Brainstorming one-on-one with Christie Halmick of Jewels Branch Creative {on Skype}. Let’s shine a light on your brilliance and explore the best ways to showcase that brilliance in a polished, authentic online brand.
More Info: http://jewelsbranch.com/hire-us/open-office-hours
On: April 3, 2012

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Lucky Bitch Bootcamp

With: Denise Duffield-Thomas
Price: Early bird $500
Description: 6 weeks of crazy manifesting, miracles and magic with life coach and author of Lucky Bitch, Denise Duffield-Thomas. Discover the step-by-step formula to creating luck in your business, love life and attract money like a mofo.
More Info: http://www.luckybitchbootcamp.com
Sales Close: April 16, 2012

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Maybe Baby

With: Randi Buckley
Price: $575
Description: Maybe Baby is a 6 week program for women who are ambivalent about motherhood but hear the whisper of ‘maybe’ in their heart. I help you uncover your truth and be at peace with it, whatever it may be.
More Info: http://www.randibuckley.com/maybe-baby/
Sales Close: April 20, 2012

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The Marketing On-Ramp: A Special Six-Week Program to Steer Your Business Onto the Road to Success

With: Jan Schochet
Price: $597
Description: A 6 week program consisting of 4 one-on-one 60 minute private coaching sessions plus 6 worksheets, 2 checklists, 3 special reports, and a 7 point website analysis.
More Info: http://bit.ly/GJhqKt
Sales Close: April 30, 2012

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A Month Of Endless Possibility

With: Heather Thorkelson
Price: $76
Description: A month-long group coaching experience, designed to get you moving confidently towards your goals…with my support, and the encouragement of a select group of incredible peers. Consider this your catapult…your opportunity to make a quantum leap forward.
More Info: http://heatherthorkelson.com/group-coaching/
Sales Close: April 30, 2012

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Health & Wellness

Cleanse with Style–Spring Cleanse

With: Holli Thompson
Price: $297
Description: The “What’s your cleansing style?” quiz, Virtual and live classes, an E-Recipe book, meal plans, shopping lists, beverage lists, the salad-styler, and more, all on a members only site geared towards your cleansing style.
More Info: http://www.cleansewithstyle.com
Sales Close: April 18, 2012

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Motivation: find it, keep it and rock it your way

With: Sarah Yost and Christie Inge
Price: Free
Description: Free teleclass to help you find the motivation you need to create the life, body and business you crave.
More Info: http://bit.ly/gettheemotivated
On: April 19, 2012 (mp3 will be available after call)

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5 Week Get Up & Go, Eat for More Energy Bootcamp

With: Laurie Erdman
Price: $347 early bird, $447 full price
Description: We all need it want more of it – energy. Learn how to eat for more energy so you can live your life to fullest.
More Info: http://www.chronicwellnesscoaching.com/getupandgoin30/
Sales Close: April 23, 2012

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Selfish for 27 days

With: Susana Frioni
Price: $150
Description: For 27 days we’ll gather in our digital temple…a sacred space created just for the selfish ones…where supreme self care, deep self inquiry and genuine self expression matter. We’ll soak in the the deep wisdom + raw revelations of 8 inspiring Feature Guests as we honour our own commitment to putting our health + happiness first. This is our time to pause, breathe + recalibrate.
More Info: www.selfishfor27days.com
Sales Close: April 23, 2012

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~~~May~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

Fly Away Travel Writing Class

With: Tracey Ceurvels
Price: $325
Description: Fly Away Travel Writing Class is a thrilling 5-week course in which you’ll discover ideas for stories, how to write a winning pitch letter, tips on landing your first assignment, and much more. Just imagine: you wake up in a different location each month, armed with your MacBook Air and ideas for stories…excited for your next adventure once you file your story.
More Info: http://thebusyhedonist.com/classes/fly-away-travel-writing-class/
Sales Close: May 4, 2012

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Family

North Star Sessions

With: Candace Smyth
Price: $197
Description: A 4-week program for women going through separation or divorce. Here to inspire and hold a space for you to navigate your own healing and movement forward from wherever you are in the process.
More Info: http://candacesmyth.com/north-star-program
Sales Close: May 2, 2012

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~~~Ongoing~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP

With: Anastasia Valentine
Price: $497
Description: 3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP is a hands on program for entrepreneurs and small businesses to guide them through everything from Idea through Launch! Ideation for Profit, Social Media, Online Marketing, Soft Launches, PR and Go to Market all included in the price of this fabulous program!
More Info: http://sandboxpm.traindom.com/

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30-Day Fast-Action Coaching Program

With: Shay de Silva
Price: $697
Description: A one-on-one 30-day program to get you totally clear on where you want to be and how to get there. We’ll work together to create a detailed action plan and I’ll keep you accountable every step of the way!
More Info: http://solutiongarden.com/action-planning/

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Corporate Sponsorship Success E-course

With: Michelle Christie
Price: $495
Description: This 4-week workshop will cover the steps necessary to secure sponsorship, as well as useful tips when faced with some typical challenges along the way.
More Info: http://www.macswomenonline.com/corporate_sponsorship_ecourse.html

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The Dr Laura Ciel Show

With: Dr Laura Ciel
Price:Free
Description: Anyone have a question they want to ask on radio? If you feel frustrated, depressed, overwhelmed, hopeless and lack energy in your personal life, relationships, career/money and/or your health/body you may be on the edge of an exceptional leap!
More Info: http://1oneworldleadership.com/events/the_dr_laura_ciel_show/

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Foundations for Unshakable Joy™

With: Stephenie Zamora
Price: $97
Description: Experience unshakable joy, passion, deep fulfillment and the essential knowledge of what exactly you want and what specifically it takes to make that happen. This program is a work-at-your-own-pace online experience that will help you make positive shifts in your life, FAST.
More Info: http://www.myawesomelifemastery.com/

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The Girl’s Guide to Web Design

With: Amanda Aitken
Price: $397
Description: The fun and feisty online course for creative women who want to ditch their fear of code, unleash their inner designer and create an awe-inspiring WordPress blog or site!
More Info: http://girlsguidetowebdesign.com/enroll

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How to Actually Make Money

With: Jenny Shih
Price: Free
Description: How to Actually Make Money is a FREE course for coaches and other web-based entrepreneurs. It was created specifically for purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are struggling to make money doing what they love.
More Info: http://jennyshih.com/make-money/

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How to Get Your First 1000 Subscribers

With: Jenny Shih
Price: $67
Description: You’ve heard that “having a list” is one of the best ways to grow your online business, but you’re not sure how to find all those people and get them to subscribe. In this class you will learn exactly how to get your first 1000 subscribers with down-to-earth, practical, specific how-to instruction… superhero style.
More Info: http://jennyshih.com/grow-your-list/

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Pinterruption

With: Jessica Kupferman
Price: $99 til March 5, then $199
Description: An online course that helps business owners get started using Pinterest for business, branding, SEO, website traffic, and more!
More Info: http://www.pinterruption.com

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Track This!

With: Brittni Mehlhoff
Price: $17
Description: Track This! is packed with actionable worksheets, charts, and questions designed to help you figure out what your true (and very specific) goals are when it comes to your business, and how to stay on track and accomplish those goals once they are set.
More Info: http://papernstitchblog.com/trackthis/

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Vibrant Life Master Class

With: Maddy Vertenten
Price: $197
Description: The Vibrant Life Master Class is a self-paced course for women delving into the questions, practices and action-steps that culminate in the creation of a Healthy + Beautiful life. Modules include: Heeding the Call to Greater Depth & Meaning; Vibrant Health; Owning the Feminine Art of Creation; Money Savvy, Meaningful Service, and Changing the World; plus two 30-minute private coaching sessions with Maddy.
More Info: http://vibrantone.com/vibrant-life-master-class/

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Wealth of the Self Program

With: Evelyn Kalinosky
Price: $997, ongoing enrollment – 12 month program
Description: When you have built your inner wealth, your wealth of the self — when financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, relationship, and creativity are all balanced, congruent and firing on the same cylinders–surprise events that pull at your attention no longer eclipse your well being.
More Info: http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/wealth/

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Finances

Accounting SPOT

With: Holly
Price: Free, $40/one time or $25/month
Description: Making small business accounting simple. Giving biz owners the tools they need to take control of their business finances.
More Info: http://accountingspotonline.com

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Conscious Bookkeeping Method: Home Study Program

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $300
Description: This self-guided, step-by-step and comprehensive online home study course is packed with Tools for Financial Transformation. Charged with practical action steps, teeming with deep reflection cues, and guided by a nurturing curiosity – you’ll be guided your relationship with money on every level, at your own pace.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/home-study-program

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Tools for Financial Transformation: Introductory Video Course

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $45
Description: This 4-part video series presents Bari Tessler Linden’s Conscious Bookkeeping method in lively, bite-sized morsels of transformative genius. If you’re ready for a jump start into a more conscious and fulfilling relationship with money, you won’t want to miss it!
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/transformation-video-course

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Wake Up With Mint Course

With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $65
Description: This multi-media training course has everything you need to start a money practice with the hip & handy web-based personal finance app, Mint.com. You’ll get a comprehensive video training guide to Mint, plus a soulful guide through the psychological, emotional, and spiritual considerations of tracking your finances.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/mint-course

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Health & Wellness

Fast Fitness to Go

With: Shay de Silva
Price: $120
Description: Get fit and firm in 25 minutes anytime, anywhere…no equipment needed! This unique program delivers three new 25-minute workout videos directly to your inbox each month.
More Info: http://fastfitnesstogo.com/monthly-packages/

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Inspired Running

With: Christy Lambert
Price: $10 a month
Description: Inspired Running is an online community of beginning runners/walkers, offering personalized support, motivation & feedback. The intent is to inspire as many people as possible to reach their fitness and life goals using inspiration to pave the way.
More Info: http://inspiredrunning.com/join/

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Soul Work & Creativity

Intuitive Bridge Alignment Circle

With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: $20 a month (paid quarterly or yearly)
Description: A once-a-month Intention andAlignment Teleconference Call, helping people enact positive change through energetic alignment! In an hour, you’ll feel connected and confident to reach your goals!
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/blog/2012/02/the-alignment-circle/

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Intuitive Bridge Healing Circle

With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: Free
Description: A once-a-month teleconference with a guided meditation followed by group energetic healing followed by healing for those who request it. It’s an opportunity for people to feel better spiritually and energetically. Although the call is free, it is only available to people who are part of Bridget’s free Soul-Note Program. When you sign up for that, you’re given access to the healing call as well.
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/get-a-free-copy-of-bridgets-button-book/

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Real-Time Curiosity Sessions

With: Andrea Lewicki
Price: $27
Description: 30 minute session with Andrea. Practical application of your curiosity as a catalyst for change. Immediately useful and a whole new way to experience curiosity.
More Info: http://thelewickiagency.com/real-time-curiosity/

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Please share anyone who would benefit from this information.

If you’d like to be included in the next roundup, please fill out this form for consideration. Thanks!

Kimberly is a body image expert and creator of The Art of Eating Chocolate Naked, a movement that challenges women all across the world to accept and love themselves just as they are. She’s the author of the book “Love Your Naked Ass.” You can visit www.eatchocolatenaked.com to receive her free Mirror Mantra and Body Love Kit.

Q: Tell us about The Art of Eating Chocolate Naked. Who do you love to help, and why?

The Art of Eating Chocolate Naked is actually a metaphor. Although I do enjoy eating chocolate in the buff and often recommend this to my readers and clients because of the profound effect it has on your life, this movement is really about reigniting your senses, dropping your self-defeating behaviors and learning to accept and love yourself for who you are right NOW.

I wholeheartedly believe the path to happiness and pleasure starts with loving yourself from the inside out. I have learned, through my own personal journey, that in order to live a fulfilling life, you MUST let go of the guilt, shame and hang-ups you have around your body, food and relationships and most importantly you have to practice being present every single day.

Obviously, I am completely inspired to help women because I know what it feels like to harbor low self-esteem, crazy body image issues and dull, lifeless relationships. On the flip side, I also know what it takes to shift that completely around and fall madly in love with yourself and your life regardless if you’ve reached your “destination.”

The truth is, as Ralph Waldo Emerson eloquently said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”

Q: You recently published your first book, Love Your Naked Ass, 80 Gentle Ways to Transform Your Life, Restore Your Serenity & Rediscover Happiness. Can you share one of your tips from the book with us?

Wow. I have so many tips I would love to share. In fact, if anyone would like to get a taste of Love Your Naked Ass, you can get your hands on a FREE excerpt by going here.

One of my favorite tips that I share in my book that has absolutely changed the course of my own life involves learning to become your very own best friend.

I think it’s imperative that you learn everything about yourself first before venturing into a relationship. Become your own best friend and learn to love being in your own company before inviting anyone else in.

Spend one on one time getting to know YOU. What are your likes, dislikes, personal and professional boundaries, values? What makes you angry, excited, and happy? What turns you on? Turns you off? What gives you pleasure? Brings you joy?

I know this may sound strange but if you can’t meet your own needs and wants, and you do not have clear boundaries, you will never find true happiness. You will always be looking for others to provide you with that “missing piece” when truthfully; it’s not their job. It’s yours!

So how do you become your own best friend? The fastest, most effective to do this is to schedule what I call, “ME Dates.”

A “Me Date” is when you take yourself out and participate in something enjoyable without having to rely on another to keep you company.

Take yourself out to that 5-star restaurant you have been dying to try, take in that movie you desperately have been yearning to see, go to that little coffee shop and enjoy a latte (guilt free) while devouring your favorite book or magazine, hike in the park while inhaling nature, or grab your bike and helmet and hit the trails.

Honestly, it’s irrelevant what you choose to do. The point is to get to know yourself, like you would your best friend. Love her. Talk to her. And most importantly, learn to have to fun with her.

Q: Tell us about the process of writing and publishing your book. What do you wish you’d know when you started? What did you learn about yourself in the process?

Writing and publishing a book is definitely an adventure. There are so many different avenues you can take to get your work into print.

There are also so many questions you have to ask yourself before you take on this kind of endeavor.

Why are you writing this? Who are you writing this for? What is your goal? Do you want the sole rights to your book? Do you want to self-publish or look for a publishing house? Do you want an agent? An editor? A designer? Help with formatting? Do you want it in hardback? Paperback? Kindle? Do you have a time frame in mind? How will you market it? Who will you market it to? The list questions could go on and on.

I honestly didn’t have any expectations going into this. I knew there would be a huge learning curve and I was up for challenge. I actually found the whole process fascinating.

This entire experience taught me that I have the power to do anything. If there is a will, there is always a way.

Q: You have an ongoing interview series with so many awesome women called “Love Your Naked Ass Warrior Series.” What have you learned from those interviews?

The Love Your Naked Ass Warrior Series features fierce female luminaries who dare to defy the social norm in unconventional ways in order to inspire and empower the world one woman at a time.

Honestly, the series has exceeded my own expectations. Initially, my goal was to provide content for my readers, as well as to help these amazing women spread their message. But it has definitely morphed into so much more…

Listening to their stories, reading their books, taking some of their programs has helped me figure out who I want to be and has definitely played a part in how I show up in the world.

Q: Who are your business role models? and why?

My business role models are women entrepreneurs who run their business around their children. I am in awe what they can accomplish while raising a family. They inspire me and give me the strength to keep moving forward. (I currently am building my business around a 3 year old…not an easy feat.)

Q: As a mom how do you think women can best model self-acceptance and healthy body images for their daughters (and sons)?

Learning to truly love yourself is the best gift and lesson you can give/teach your children. Your children watch your every move so be conscious how you treat yourself.

Q: When you are eating chocolate naked (or not), what are your favorites?

Lately I have been devouring homemade chocolate. Yes, I make my own.

The last batch consisted of raw coconut butter, raw cacao powder, pure maple syrup, dash of sea salt, hemp seeds, raw golden berries and chopped hazelnuts.

If I am buying chocolate, my current favorites include Sweet Riot, Dagoba, Endangered Species, NewTree, Good Cacao Superfood Chocolate, and Vosges.

Kimberly Riggins is a body image expert, negative self-talk warrior and a transformational catalyst who inspires women to let go of their body hang-ups and kick their inner critical bitch to the curb. She is the author of the book, “Love Your Naked Ass” and the creator of The Art of Eating Chocolate Naked, a movement that challenges women all across the world to accept and love themselves just as they are. Her primary mission: To have each and every woman she meets be able to look at themselves in the mirror and smile back at what they see. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Leave a comment for Kimberly below and share this post with someone who could benefit from Kimberly’s message today. Thanks!

Today I’m thrilled to feature a Q & A interview with business coach, world traveler, and fellow Missourian Jennifer Peek.

Jennifer combines 20+ years of corporate experience with a passion for serving creative solopreneurs to help her clients create businesses that support their life goals. She’s consciously structured her own businesses to support her family’s love of travel and adventure.

Here’s Jennifer…

Q: Tell us about your coaching business, Find Your New Groove. Who do you love to help, and why?

I love working with creative businesses, usually solo business owners, to help them get a structured business foundation in place so they can more easily bring their creative juices to the world.

The biggest thing I’ve seen hang up the more right-brained geniuses is that they have so much going on that they can’t focus on what needs to be done to build their business. As a result, most of them are not making enough money, and they are burning out.

They may try taking courses to fill in the gaps but that is a struggle itself because their minds just don’t work like that.

They need just a little direction, a simple plan that fits their thinking style and a dash of strategic pixie dust to take off like a rocket.

Q: What was the biggest challenge(s) you faced when making the transition from more than 20 years working in corporate American to the entrepreneurial world?

Not having a staff – LOL! Seriously, I had a team of 12-15 people that worked for me. That allowed me to do several things: focus my strengths on what I did really well and have them do the same. It is amazing how much difference this makes.

As an entrepreneur, you have to make the decisions about who does what, what gets done first and what is costs in time and money nearly every day in different contexts than in the corporate world. It’s not better or worse – it was just an adjustment.

The second big thing is relationships. I worked for a Fortune 50 company with about 40,000 employees. That means that nearly all of my professional relationships were inside the company. I didn’t have an extensive professional network when I left, so I’ve had to build that up. Fortunately, it hasn’t been difficult, but it still takes time.

Q: Along with Find Your New Groove, you are also a partner in a commercial real estate company, with your husband. What are your favorite aspects of running your own businesses?

Getting to make the rules! The biggest one really is related to that. My husband’s job is very demanding, and he travels frequently, in the US and globally, for that. Even as a senior manager in the corporate world, I was the go-to parent for the kids’ sports, school activities, etc. I still am, so having the flexibility to manage the family aspect is really important. We had consciously planned for me to make this move back when the kids were still in diapers (they are 9 and 12 now).

A close second place is the variety of what I get to do every day, every week, every month. I am multi-passionate and cannot have just one thing going at a time. It’s why I had the role I did in corporate and why I do what I do now. Of course, there can be a curse to having too many ideas too!

Q:In your coaching practice, you emphasize the importance of creating businesses that work for us. How can women who are just starting to build a business keeping focus on their bigger life/family goals, when there’s so much work to do?

It’s going to sound like a broken record, but you just have to decide what is important to you and build on that.

For example, leading weekend retreats or seminars might be one of the big things that you want to have in your business – whether because you love it or because that’s where the money is for you right now. AND you have two little kids at home. That will tear some people apart – and they will feel like they have to choose. Seminar or kids. Kids or seminar. Either way, there will be this piece of them that suffers.

Unless they make a different choice. There are lots of possibilities on how to make that work if you look at it from the “how do I make this work” view instead of the “either/or” view. Those options might depend on the kids’ ages, but let’s say they are 3 and 5. You could…

• Incorporate them into the seminar in places. Everyone loves to get a peek at people’s private lives, and kids are usually fun. If your seminar is uber-serious, this may not work, but even then, you need a humor break or some light-hearted portions.

• Hire a nanny, bring a spouse, friend or family member to watch the kids. Make it exciting for them – not “it sucks that Mom has to work.” You’d be surprised how affordable it can be – and the kids get a weekend vacation in the process. How awesome for them to get a new experience AND to get to see their mom doing what she loves.

• Leave the kids at home with a nanny, spouse, friend, etc. Again, it can be affordable and they can still have fun while being in surroundings they know.

• Create a kid-friendly watch area as part of the seminar. Who knows how many people attending have the same issue – or are even not coming because of that? My gym has a child watch area with games and staff. I can guarantee you that more people join and come because of that…it is full of kids for all of the hours that it is open.

Those are just some quick examples and a little corner of what I help the business owners I work with uncover. I am a master at seeing lots of possibilities that will work and helping my clients find the ones that fit them best.

Q: You’re making your businesses work with your family’s love of travel. What’s your secret?

There are three big things: technology, flexibility and the drive to make it happen.

Here’s the big thing: you have to set up your business from the outset with the end in mind.

You have to be willing to take the leap of knowing what you want to create instead of just taking the first path that appears in front of you.

For me, that means that I have created my business to largely be virtual and to have a one-day intensive that works best in that environment. I do have local clients that I meet with in person, but it is still in the one-day intensive model.

I see way too many people think small and short-term then get stuck in a business that they don’t really like. They went into it thinking they would change it once it made money, got big enough, whatever.

Now they don’t know how to change it without losing what they’ve built even though it’s not what they really want. To use a construction adage, it is easier to build a new house than to completely remodel an old one, so do it your way the first time.

From the flexibility side, it means that there are some way early hours and some way late hours. That’s OK with me because I am consciously choosing that trade-off. Sometimes, it is having the kids go get ice cream in the hotel lobby so I can do a quick video. Sometimes, it is getting things done in advance or scheduling them in such a way that it works with the travel, the internet access and the time zone differences (those were big ones for our Australia trip at the end of 2011). The combination of my Midwest work ethic and my love of what I do in my business help, too.

Q: What’s the next travel adventure for you?

It’s going to be hard to top the 3-week holiday to Australia in December and January. We also just got back from our annual ski trip to Copper Mountain. We are doing a week-long RV trip up to Niagara Falls at the end of May, and then a two-week RV trip to Florida over Christmas 2012. We have a couple of other ones throughout the year, but those two are the longest.

Q: On your blog you do such a great job of sharing books and online resources for women entrepreneurs. What books do you recommend women entrepreneurs keep on their shelves?

Wow. It’s going to hard to narrow that down. First and foremost, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I first read this twenty years ago, and I still re-read it today. It has had the biggest impact on all areas of my life, hands down.

Second, The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. He may irritate you or you may find him a little arrogant. I find him entertaining, but most of all I like that he makes you really think about what you want and how to start considering the possibilities instead of the impossibilities – whether you aim to work 4 hours a week or not.

Third, Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk. It is about finding your passion, picking a medium that works for you and working your butt off to make it happen.

Beyond that, just about anything by Seth Godin or Richard Branson. Finally, favorite fiction authors: I am partial to cozy mysteries. You have to have something light-hearted to get out of your own head at times.

Q: What did 8 year old Jennifer say she wanted to be when she grew up?

Hmmm…probably a scientist. I love problem-solving and figuring out how things work. I just don’t have the patience for the length of those experiments and scientific studies. Plus, I am so intrigued by business in general that I couldn’t just sit in a lab while the deals were being made outside of it. Fortunately, I didn’t really know all of that when I was 8 so I could dream about finding a new star or making some other great discovery.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your biz?

Here is me and what I do in my business in a nutshell…

Through my 20+ years in the corporate world, I learned lots of things about myself – namely, that I am not the pocket-protector and green eye shade kind of business person. I am structured and creative. I am facts and figures along with endless possibilities. I am a CPA and MBA that loves colored mind-maps and bubble charts. I am able to take the most complex business issue and make it sound like your mom’s favorite cake recipe – with icing. I am creative ingenuity balanced by my Fortune 50 practicality and corporate firepower. I am a firefighting, problem-solving maven who loves, loves the mechanics of business and the beauty of creative businesses.

I am the strategic pixie for your creative business. I am your business brain on amped-up green juice + smoothies. I am the structure you crave without all the boring business baggage.

and I have to ask…Jayhawks or Tigers?

This is bad timing considering the recent upset that busted lots of NCAA tourney brackets…but M-I-Z…Z-O-U!

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Jennifer Peek takes stuffy corporate know-how + entrepreneurial experience = a very groovy methodology for creative biz design. She provides left-brained strategic pixie dust for right-brained businesses through her innovative CATALYST sessions. CATALYST is a one-day strategy, business planning + creative business think tank, designed to help you propel your business while keeping a sense of humor and fun about it. Get the full scoop on CATALYST here. (http://findyournewgroove.com/creative-business-consulting-coaching-catalyst) You can find Jennifer on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+: Jennifer Peek.

How are you structuring your business to support your LIFE? Leave a comment below!

Looking at my wishing list was a bittersweet experience.

Because The Wishing Experience is about being curious about ourselves I started thinking about the “why” behind my bittersweet feeling. Why, when all that I’d wished for is well within my grasp, did my wishing list make me both happy and sad?

When I was little and wished out loud for something my Dad would say: “Wish in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which fills up first.”

Which I’m realizing now I carved into my brain as the limiting belief that “wishes are stupid.” But now what I really think Dad was getting at is that wishes require action to have a chance of coming true. Wishes grow and flourish and live in the sweet spots that we create for them.

Crafting Sweeter Sweet Spots

We all started our businesses for our own reasons. Money is a primary motivator, of course, but there’s so much more to it than that. 


We have skills. Skills that can help other people. When our skills meet up with another’s pain or wants there’s a special connection, a sweet spot where skills and money are happily exchanged.

But beyond that, beyond the “why we do what we do for our clients and customers” … for many of us there are deeper, precious, personal reasons why we started our own businesses.

In the rush to build our businesses and learn social media and launch products it is easy to forget what we were wishing for from our entrepreneurial journey in the first place. It’s easy to lose track of our own dreams.

These dreams are so important to our life and to creating a business that serves us. When we can choose to align our dreams with what we do well and someone else’s dreams we can create an even sweeter sweet spot.

To get to that sweet spot we have to keep reminding ourselves of those deeper personal reasons behind launching our own businesses.

I started my own business to share my skills with the world (I help women build beautiful online businesses). Because there is a need for my set of skills there’s a really sweet spot where I can do what I love and help other women build their dream businesses and get paid well to do so.

There’s also a place where I get to do what I love and get paid well AND have a business that supports my bigger life goals. For me this means building a business that honors the level of flexibility I need. A flexible workload and consistent income stream so I can manage a chronic illness, have time to devote to writing fiction and be able to spend quality time with my parents, children and hubby.

After my wishing session I felt bittersweet because I realized I’ve been spending a lot of time circling around this sweeter sweet spot. I keep telling myself that the sweeter sweet spot isn’t always possible, that I should be happy when two of the three requirements align. That flexibility isn’t that important.

In fact, I told myself that some of my deeper wishes are downright selfish.

How selfish is it to think we could take our kids and travel around the world? How selfish is it to want to write fiction every day? What will the neighbors think? What will my parents think?

We hold up the dreamers, the doers, we applaud their adventurous lives, but we don’t allow ourselves to move into that sweeter sweet spot for ourselves. We stand in our own way. We don’t believe in the magic of a wish or in our ability to look at those bigger life goals and make choices that pull us into alignment.

In retrospect we can always see where we could do better. I’m the person who chose to spend 10 more minutes on Facebook instead of 10 minutes writing fiction. I decided to watch another webinar while snacking at my desk instead of stopping to take a walk and enjoy my lunch.

When I’m making those kinds of choices, which take me farther away from where I really want to be, I’m ignoring those deeper reasons why I went into business in the first place.

When we don’t honor our whys we find ourselves veering off track and wishing, wishing, wishing for a genie to make it all better, when the power is right there with us.

So what can we do to keep ourselves on track? I made myself a little cheat sheet that I keep by my computer. It’s a list of those deeper wishes, those deeper personal whys behind my entrepreneurial journey. When it comes time to decide if I’ll take on another project or spend another 10 minutes on Facebook, I’m training myself to stop, look at my list and see if what I’m contemplating matches with where I want to go.

I know I’m going to continue to make decisions that sometimes leave me feeling bittersweet. I’m human. I know that I’ll keep circling around that sweeter sweet spot. But I also know that many times I’ll be living right there, I just have to stop and smell the roses.

What are you wishing for in your life?

Do you want to be working from a cafe in Paris this time next year? Do you want to spend afternoons hanging with your kids at the park? Do you want an art studio in your basement so you can sneak down and paint in every free moment? Do you want to buy a yacht and head out on a round the world adventure?

How can you use that big picture view of your future to empower your decision making process today? What action can you take? How can you make decisions that move you toward living in the sweeter sweet spot with your business and life?

Spotlight

This month we are shining the spotlight on Shay de Silva’s Fast Fitness To Go launch. Congrats Shay!

Fast Fitness to Go
With: Shay de Silva
Price: $60
Description: Get fit and firm in 25 minutes anytime, anywhere…no equipment needed! This unique program delivers three new 25-minute workout videos directly to your inbox each month.
More Info: http://fastfitnesstogo.com/monthly-packages/
Sales Close: March 31, 2012

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And now, on to the full list…have fun, grow, learn, explore, live!

~~~March~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

The Firebrand Academy
With: Helen Hunter Mackenzie
Price: $395
Description: The Firebrand Academy is a 5 + 22 day digital adventure designed to rekindle your desire for your dreams, ignite your spark of inner brilliance, and get you sizzling HOT for your life + your business so you can get out there and make your mark on the world. (Even if you’re not totally sure what your ‘mark’ is yet!)
More Info: http://www.thefirebrandacademy.com
Sales Close: March 3, 2012

Master Your Life Women’s Group
With: Dr Laura Ciel
Price: $450, payment options and additional private sessions available, also
Description: Master Your Life! Be Part of the 10% Who Actually Achieve Their New Year’s Resolutions! If you are a woman who has made some ambitious resolutions or set high goals for yourself this year and you are committed to seeing them achieved, this is for you. This is also for you if you did NOT make such goals and you WANT to.
More Info: http://1oneworldleadership.com/events/new_years_resolutions/
Begins: March 6, 2012

Influencer Academy
With: Alexia Vernon
Price: $199
Description: In her 6-week virtual program, women’s communication and leadership expert Alexia Vernon will help you buff up the muscles to make more impact each time you open your mouth. Learn to speak with confidence & competence, close more sales, negotiate for what you want, resolve conflict, give & receive actionable feedback, & move people to action.
More Info: http://www.TheInfluencerAcademy.com
Sales Close: March 17, 2012

Shiny Object School
With: Sarah Wagner Yost
Price: $295
Description: 30 days to find and focus your holy mission. We’ll figure out what it is, who it’s for, and what to do with it.
More Info: www.sarahwagneryost.com/shiny-object-school/
Sales Close: March 26, 2012 or after 15 sign ups.

Health & Wellness

Leap into Spring
With: Claudia Olivie
Price: $397 (Special Early Bird Discount: the first 15 people to join will save $100)
Description: Are you overwhelmed? stressed out? losing track of those goals you set for 2012? This 6-week program is designed to move you towards more energy, less stress, and more joy! We’ll cover some nutritional basics, stress management techniques, and ways to increase your energy levels naturally.
More Info: http://claudiaolivie.com/work-with-claudia/
Sales Close: March 19, 2012

Soul & Creativity

Living the Creative Life: Fact vs. Fiction
With: Melissa Dinwiddie and Kelly Hevel
Price: Free
Description: In this 90-min tele-party, Kelly Hevel & Melissa Dinwiddie (the Poobahs of Play) will share our personal secrets for busting out and living the fully creative lives of our dreams, then we’ll brainstorm as a group to pinpoint the lies that keep us stuck, and share tools and techniques that really work to break the chains. A few brave souls will get a chance to get in the “hot-seat” for some one-on-one coaching with Melissa and Kelly!
More Info: http://playingaroundworkshops.com/free-tele-party/
Sales Close: March 6, 2012

Planting the Seeds { an online funshop }
With: Erin Goodman
Price: $40
Description: Planting the Seeds is an online, creative funshop that will help you gain clarity, get inspired and start moving forward towards living the life of YOUR dreams. Virtual workshop dates: March 12 – April 2.
More Info: http://eringoodman.com/planting-the-seeds/
Sales Close: March 10, 2012

Playing Around Online
With: Melissa Dinwiddie and Kelly Hevel
Price: $297 (Register for our free tele-party on March 7 and get $100 off!)
Description: Shed your inhibitions, try out new techniques, inject your personality into your art, writing, and creative crafts — and learn to use your unique life story as inspiration! Fellow artists & creativity coaches Melissa Dinwiddie and Kelly Hevel are the Poobahs of Play, and your guides for 12 weeks of inspiration, focusing on expression and playful ways to tap into your creativity.
More Info: http://playingaroundworkshops.com/playing-around-online/
Sales Close: March 13, 2012

~~~Ongoing~~~

Business Growth & Personal Development

3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP
With: Anastasia Valentine
Price: $497
Description: 3, 2, 1 Launch BOOTCAMP is a hands on program for entrepreneurs and small businesses to guide them through everything from Idea through Launch! Ideation for Profit, Social Media, Online Marketing, Soft Launches, PR and Go to Market all included in the price of this fabulous program!
More Info: http://sandboxpm.traindom.com/

30-Day Fast-Action Coaching Program
With: Shay de Silva
Price: $697
Description: A one-on-one 30-day program to get you totally clear on where you want to be and how to get there. We’ll work together to create a detailed action plan and I’ll keep you accountable every step of the way!
More Info: http://solutiongarden.com/action-planning/

Corporate Sponsorship Success E-course
With: Michelle Christie
Price: $495
Description: This 4-week workshop will cover the steps necessary to secure sponsorship, as well as useful tips when faced with some typical challenges along the way.
More Info: http://www.macswomenonline.com/corporate_sponsorship_ecourse.html

The Girl’s Guide to Web Design
With: Amanda Aitken
Price: $397
Description: The fun and feisty online course for creative women who want to ditch their fear of code, unleash their inner designer and create an awe-inspiring WordPress blog or site!
More Info: http://girlsguidetowebdesign.com/enroll

How to Actually Make Money
With: Jenny Shih
Price: Free
Description: How to Actually Make Money is a FREE course for coaches and other web-based entrepreneurs. It was created specifically for purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are struggling to make money doing what they love.
More Info: http://jennyshih.com/make-money/

How to Get Your First 1000 Subscribers
With: Jenny Shih
Price: $67
Description: You’ve heard that “having a list” is one of the best ways to grow your online business, but you’re not sure how to find all those people and get them to subscribe. In this class you will learn exactly how to get your first 1000 subscribers with down-to-earth, practical, specific how-to instruction… superhero style.
More Info: http://jennyshih.com/grow-your-list/

Pinterruption
With: Jessica Kupferman
Price: $99 til March 5, then $199
Description: An online course that helps business owners get started using Pinterest for business, branding, SEO, website traffic, and more!
More Info: http://www.pinterruption.com

Track This!
With: Brittni Mehlhoff
Price: $17
Description: Track This! is packed with actionable worksheets, charts, and questions designed to help you figure out what your true (and very specific) goals are when it comes to your business, and how to stay on track and accomplish those goals once they are set.
More Info: http://papernstitchblog.com/trackthis/

Vibrant Life Master Class
With: Maddy Vertenten
Price: $197
Description: The Vibrant Life Master Class is a self-paced course for women delving into the questions, practices and action-steps that culminate in the creation of a Healthy + Beautiful life. Modules include: Heeding the Call to Greater Depth & Meaning; Vibrant Health; Owning the Feminine Art of Creation; Money Savvy, Meaningful Service, and Changing the World; plus two 30-minute private coaching sessions with Maddy.
More Info: http://vibrantone.com/vibrant-life-master-class/

Wealth of the Self Program
With: Evelyn Kalinosky
Price: $997, ongoing enrollment – 12 month program
Description: When you have built your inner wealth, your wealth of the self — when financial, physical, emotional, spiritual, relationship, and creativity are all balanced, congruent and firing on the same cylinders–surprise events that pull at your attention no longer eclipse your well being.
More Info: http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/wealth/

Finances

Accounting SPOT
With: Holly
Price: Free, $40/one time or $25/month
Description: Making small business accounting simple. Giving biz owners the tools they need to take control of their business finances.
More Info: http://accountingspotonline.com

Conscious Bookkeeping Method: Home Study Program
With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $300
Description: This self-guided, step-by-step and comprehensive online home study course is packed with Tools for Financial Transformation. Charged with practical action steps, teeming with deep reflection cues, and guided by a nurturing curiosity – you’ll be guided your relationship with money on every level, at your own pace.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/home-study-program

Tools for Financial Transformation: Introductory Video Course
With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $45
Description: This 4-part video series presents Bari Tessler Linden’s Conscious Bookkeeping method in lively, bite-sized morsels of transformative genius. If you’re ready for a jump start into a more conscious and fulfilling relationship with money, you won’t want to miss it!
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/transformation-video-course

Wake Up With Mint Course
With: Bari Tessler Linden
Price: $65
Description: This multi-media training course has everything you need to start a money practice with the hip & handy web-based personal finance app, Mint.com. You’ll get a comprehensive video training guide to Mint, plus a soulful guide through the psychological, emotional, and spiritual considerations of tracking your finances.
More Info: http://baritessler.com/programs/mint-course

Soul Work & Creativity

Intuitive Bridge Alignment Circle
With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: $20 a month (paid quarterly or yearly)
Description: A once-a-month Intention andAlignment Teleconference Call, helping people enact positive change through energetic alignment! In an hour, you’ll feel connected and confident to reach your goals!
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/blog/2012/02/the-alignment-circle/

Intuitive Bridge Healing Circle
With: Bridget Pilloud
Price: Free
Description: A once-a-month teleconference with a guided meditation followed by group energetic healing followed by healing for those who request it. It’s an opportunity for people to feel better spiritually and energetically. Although the call is free, it is only available to people who are part of Bridget’s free Soul-Note Program. When you sign up for that, you’re given access to the healing call as well.
More Info: http://www.intuitivebridge.com/get-a-free-copy-of-bridgets-button-book/

Real-Time Curiosity Sessions
With: Andrea Lewicki
Price: $27
Description: 30 minute session with Andrea. Practical application of your curiosity as a catalyst for change. Immediately useful and a whole new way to experience curiosity.
More Info: http://thelewickiagency.com/real-time-curiosity/

Please share anyone who would benefit from this information.

If you’d like to be included in the next roundup, please fill out this form for consideration. Thanks!

JOYS offers a mix of print-your-own PDFs and physical products to help you organized all your papers, and life. One of my favorite freebies is After School Flow. It’s great for moms, like me, with kids who bring home mountains of stuff from school.

I’ve asked Cathy to share a little bit more about her business journey with us.

Q: Tell us about Just Organize Your Stuff (JOYS). What does JOYS do? Who does JOYS help/serve and why?

A: JOYS is my pursuit to inspire busy women juggling home, family and career to create calm and freedom by making peace with their household papers (aka responsibilities), so they can have more time to enjoy the good life. 

I knew simplifying, getting organized and taking care of responsibilities would help me find freedom and peace-of-mind. I also had a hunch it would make me happier. And it has. 

Q: Is there a secret messy closet at the Anderson household or have you always been organized?

A: Hardly. I have not always been organized. Us creatives like to collect things. Things bring clutter. And, yes there is an area in my house that drives me nuts, my basement. It’s been organized a number of times…  let’s not go there. 

Q: What are the biggest challenges (business, technical, etc) you faced when launching JOYS and what lessons did you learn from these challenges?

A: Technically it would be the website. I had a vision and nothing was coming together. My original site was a completely custom created Cold Fusion site. Actually, you can still see it on the WayBack Machine. Any changes I made would cost me a small fortune.

I had no skills in web development when I started. I had a bit of experience designing sites but very little technical savvy. My html and css knowledge was nil.I was at the mercy of the pros.This was years back when open source platforms like Joomla and WordPress were not nearly as common as as they are now. I have had developers vanish and others over promise.

So, in sheer desperation to build the site I envisioned, I learned Joomla, brushed up on my html and css and got to work. From this experience alone I learned a lot. On the business end, I would have to say the marketing. But I am working on that. 

Q: What is your favorite aspect of running your own business?

A: I can’t help but smile when I read, “Finally, this all makes sense. I made huge progress.” or “I really like your unconventional approach.” I love feeling like I made a tiny little impact on someone’s everyday life. 

I also love the flexibility. The ability to set my schedule and work out of my home. It’s nice to toss in a load of laundry or start dinner and go back to work. The creative freedom kinda rocks too.

Q: What is your best organization tip for women just starting their businesses?

A: Get your books set up. Start right away with a money management program like Freshbooks or Quickbooks. A good chart of accounts will give you a solid outline for your filing system. Then Balance. Balance. Balance.

All businesses are different. Each will require a unique system of information management. Organizing is a process. Remember, there’s always room for improvement and nothing is permanent. Change your systems if they aren’t working for you.

Q: Who are your business role models

A: Steve Jobs and Apple. If I were just out of college, I would have my resume addressed Apple at 1 Infinite Loop.

Q: What other careers/jobs have you had?

A: A good part of my professional life was spent in the design world as an art director for a small design firm. I had a teaching gig at American University, adjunct professor, for about three years until I moved. Loved that job. 

Q: Who in your personal life is/are your biggest supporter(s) and what does this support allow you to do?

A: Easily my guy. He has picked me up and pushed me through, as well as puts a roof over our heads. His support allows me to do all that I do. Grateful I am.

Q: What did 7 year old Cathy say she wanted to be when she grew up?

A: Hum. 7. I’m not sure. Possibly a nun. I did go to catholic school. Maybe a nurse…

Q: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you and your biz?

A: Just come check out my website. I’m there. All there. 

If you’re ready for paper peace, download Cathy’s first (free) ebook Blueprint:JOYS the Creative Outline for a Home Filing System. http://www.justorganizeyourstuff.com/blueprint2

Cathy Anderson inspires busy women to make peace with their household papers, so they can have more time to enjoy life. You can find her at www.justorganizeyourstuff.com on Twitter: twitter.com/joys Facebook: facebook.com/JustOrganizeYourStuff and Pinterest: pinterest.com/cathya/

Leave a comment for Cathy below. If you know someone who would like to know about JOYS, please share!