The Savvy Comadre

The Savvy Comadre Has Moved

2008-04-30T12:41:00.001-07:00

Please visit me now at www.VivaVisibility.com for updates and new info.

2007-10-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Great resource to share with you ---
Check out the ULTIMATE Success Generator from Melanie Benson Strick, The Entrepreneur's Success Coach.

Melanie is very sharp when it comes to success, she coaches some of the most successful entrepreneurs around. I'm taking a program of hers and it's really effective. This product of hers really helps people get clear on goals and keeping the biggest vision they can. Learn more by clicking below. Two Comadre thumbs up!
Here's the link

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ComadreCoaching.com

New Service Helps Entrepreneurs Gain Status as Recognized Experts

2007-10-05T08:37:00.001-07:00

Women Business Owners, Speakers, Authors and Entrepreneurs Gain Status as Recognized Experts with VivaVisibility.com

Stand Out, Get Noticed, Get More Business with VivaVisibility.com

2007-10-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Drumroll please!

I’m extremely happy to announce my newly launched website, www.VivaVisibility.com.

If you’re an entrepreneur, author, speaker, or business owner, then this new opportunity will show you how to increase your visibility and stand out from the crowd.

Over the years, I’ve had more and more clients ask me to coach them on increasing their visibility, positioning themselves as experts, and gaining more exposure for their businesses. We all know that expertise and visibility give us credibility, and credibility opens doors.

More importantly, it’s ESSENTIAL that you stand out from the pack and portray your credible expertise as unique, authentic, and genuinely yours. (I say you need to add sizzle to your visibility, what I call “Sizzibility”).

Visit right now and get started with my free audio course, 7 Quick and Simple Tips to Stand Out and Sizzle as a Sought After, Recognized Expert.

Discover how easy it can be to get increased visibility and how there is a perfect visibility plan for you.

Here’s the link again, I’d be so honored to have you stop by and check it out!

www.VivaVisibility.com

There is an audio player on the home page with a really cool message I made up- even has swingin’ background music! Don’t miss it, come on over and see for yourself.

Love and Success,

Nancy Marmolejo
The Entrepreneur’s Visibility Expert
www.VivaVisibility.com

New Book Celebrates the Rise of Latina Owned Businesses

2007-10-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

This article is a reprint of one written by my comadre and Power-Blogger, Marisa Treviño.

New book celebrates rise of Latina-owned businesses
By Marisa Treviño

Texas has the second highest number of Latino-owned firms in the country. So, it stands to reason that Texas would also be home to the second largest number of Latina-owned businesses too.

Texas Latinas are just following the national trend that shows between 1997 and 2006, Latina-owned businesses grew by 121.3 percent.
In fact, as of 2006, there are an estimated 856,782 firms that are 50 percent or more owned by Latinas.

It’s a trend that is still going strong and is being celebrated in a book that was released this month titled Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America.

It’s written by Maria De Lourdes Sobrino, a successful Latina entrepreneur who is more well known as the CEO and founder of Lulu’s Dessert, a colorful ready-made gelatina that today is available locally at Wal-Mart and Albertson's stores.

Sobrino highlights her success story as well as the rise of seven other Latinas who have created their own successful businesses ranging from a travel service and construction company to a free newspaper and a promotions business.

It’s said that most everyone has at least one great idea. Well, there’s no better shot in the arm to get busy than reading how other people did it and are enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America is available online and will hit bookstores the second week of October.

note from Nancy:

Lourdes, aka Lulu, is based in my area of Orange County, California. It's always great to see her out promoting her business and being an inspiration to other Latina entrepreneurs. Gracias Lulu and Felicidades!

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ComadreCoaching.com

Join Me This Sunday Morning on the Radio with Community Review

2007-09-27T04:58:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, September 30, at 7am Pacific Time (10am Eastern), I will be the featured guest on L.A. station 92.3 FM’s Community Review with veteran radio personality Josefa Salinas. If you’re in LA, just tune your FM dial to 92.3 Hot Jamz. Those of you out of the area can listen live to streaming audio by visiting http://www.hot92jamz.com

Josefa Salinas, the show’s host, was in the audience this past summer when I delivered the keynote address to the Latina Style Business Series in Los Angeles. According to her, she turned to everyone at her table and said, “THIS woman is coming onto my show!”

Our one hour interview is part of the station’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration where inspiring members of the community are profiled.

I promise you’ll be inspired by the program as we cover more than just business. Find out how my parents influenced my success, what advice I’d give to young people, and tips on business and visibility.

Mark your calendar, set your alarm, and be sure to listen to LA’s 92.3 FM this Sunday morning at 7am Pacific/ 10am Eastern. (Remember, you can also listen live by visiting http://www.hot92jamz.com)

Love and Visibility,
Nancy

Never Underestimate Work Life Balance

2007-09-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

Phoenix, Arizona
National Hispanic Women's Corporation 22nd Annual Conference

Whenever I attend women's conferences (Latina or not) the topic of work life balance always comes up. 2 years ago at the National Hispana Leadership Institute annual conference, I distinctly remember some very powerful and successful women say that work-life balance is a myth and that if you want to be successful you can't even expect balance. (One panelist even went so far to say that if you have kids you'll never be able to reach the levels you want.)

At another recent conference, a woman who held a high state government position shared how taking a job in the state capitol took her away from her young children 5 days a week. She tucked her 5 year old son in bed each night via the phone.

These stories are evidence of the long way women STILL need to go in order to understand what balance is all about.

Today I attended a panel on Latina Power Players, featuring 3 high level leaders. They spoke of their mentors, their formative years, education, advancement up the ladder... but when the topic came to work-life balance a sad hush fell over the room.

One by one they recounted regrets caused by long hours at the office, putting the job first ALWAYS, and forgetting to take care of themselves. Divorce, stress related illness, and resentment from kids for "never being there" were openly discussed in this panel.

When asked to list things they'd have done differently either professionally or personally, no one had any professional regrets but did with life issues.
"I wish I'd dedicated more time to my children."
"I wish I'd slowed down and listened more."
"I wish I'd created stronger boundaries between work and home."

This is information women can share between women. Shared with the wrong audience and it could be a call to discriminate against women climbing the ladder or to toss out the gains of feminism and women's activism over the years.

Here is what I have to say: you can have balance if you CHOOSE to.

No job (or business, or non-profit, or cause, or fill in the blank) is more important than your health. Nor your cherished relationships, such as family or friends.

Equally, no relationship or physical limitation should stand in the way of achieving your potential in a career or business.

That is the true work-life balance equation.

When I work with clients, I ask about how much time they spend working. I ask how much time they spend with family and friends. I ask if they have any days of no email whatsoever, or days when their family is occupied so the client can get work done. I ask if they have set work hours and set personal time - with no cross over.

I meet too many people filled with personal regret but hold professional achievement. I'm not a lone voice- there are plenty of people who talk about the topic of work-life balance- but we need to be heard more loudly by women in salaried jobs. (For us entrepreneurs it is easy to delegate things out and create lifestyles that reflect our choices.)

Here are my simple tips for taking steps towards balance whether you're in your own business or work for someone else:

1. Learn how to say no.

2. Set work hours. Start and stop at the designated times. Be a stickler to this.

3. Quit trying to do everything yourself. Give someone else a chance to shine by handing over responsibilities.

4. Set family or friend time and don't overlap this into work. That means no business calls while your kid is on the playground, no blackberrying under the table at Grandpa's 80th birthday. Do you think no one notices that you're not fully present and engaged? Come on.

5. Change your limited beliefs. If you think that hard work equals success, then go find someone you know who had to retire early due to stress related illness. Find out how much fun it is to be benched for playing too hard.

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ComadreCoaching.com

"Beyond the Business Plan"

2007-09-10T18:42:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Nancy Marmolejo, CEO Comadre Coaching
Phone: (714) 777-1216
Fax: (309) 410-4227
Email: nancita@ComadreCoaching.com

Website: www.ComadreCoaching.com

Beyond the Business Plan: Award Winning Business Woman to Share Success Secrets at Nation’s Largest Latina Conference September 13-14 in Phoenix.

Anaheim, CA, September 10, 2007 - Nancy Marmolejo, owner of the award winning Comadre Coaching, will share her success tips “Beyond the Business Plan” with fellow Latina entrepreneurs in Phoenix this September 14 at the National Hispanic Women’s Conference. This event is the largest Latina conference in the United States and draws speakers and attendees from across the nation.

The conference includes plenary sessions designed to address topics such as money, careers, health, business, literature, and political power. Marmolejo will speak on creative ways to grow and market a business in the workshop, “Beyond the Business Plan”.

Known for her creative and spirited style, Marmolejo will stress the importance of :

• Thinking outside the box to remain competitive and confident in any field

• Maintaining a high level of visibility and how to use that to leverage your marketing efforts

• The magic of standing out and getting noticed with do’s and don’ts for entrepreneurs and career women alike

For conference registration and itinerary, go to www.HispanicWomen.org

About Nancy Marmolejo: Founded in 2003, Comadre Coaching has helped hundreds of women entrepreneurs start, improve, and expand their businesses. Founder Nancy Marmolejo is the recipient of several awards including the 2006 Anna Maria Arias Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, and was named one of the 100 most inspiring and influential Latinos in Orange County, CA. Nancy has also been nominated for several other community and business awards both in her local area and nationwide.

Get free resources and tools to help you in your business by visiting www.ComadreCoaching.com

Get On the Op-Ed Page for Business Visibility

2007-09-05T10:10:00.001-07:00

I'm a big proponent of writing articles to extend your reach and boost your visibility. It's really easy to publish articles on the web or submit to small publications in exchange for some ad space. But nothing smacks of credibility quite like the blessing of being published on the Op-Ed page of the newspaper.

Op-Ed pieces are not about you pushing your business; they are about you demonstrating your fearless expertise in any given subject. Tied to current events, they show the readership that you are truly an expert in your field and can relate your expertise to the world as it happens around us.

Ruth Kunstadter, Chief Creative Officer of Chispa Productions (and longtime friend and client of mine)has taken her expertise of language instruction to the next level by tying it into a heated topic: Immigrant bashing and English only initiatives.

Ruth's mission as a business owner is to bridge cultural gaps through authentic teaching materials. She teaches Spanish not from canned videos or scripted soap operas, but rather goes directly to native Spanish speakers and features them in her multi media productions.

Ruth has found that the Op-Ed section of her local paper is a great way to voice the values of her company's mission AND intelligently debate contrary opinions in well written, thoughtful essays.

Ruth has spoken out on issues such as language and culture, culture and identity, immigration, and racism. Best yet, she does so unapologetically and like a well informed expert.

You can get inspired by Ruth's passion for her expertise by reading this recent Op-Ed piece.

Click this link to read the entire essay.

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ComadreCoaching.com

Hispanic Entrepreneur's Toolbox

2007-08-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this great list of 100 resources in the Hispanic Entrepeneur's Toolbox put out by BusinessCreditCards.com

Both the Loca Diaries (my personal blog) and The Savvy Comadre (you're reading it!) were featured as great resources.

Aren't you curious what the other 98 are? Here is a link to the list- it's very comprehensive and HINT HINT you don't have to be "Hispanic" to benefit from these resources.

Read the list here

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ComadreCoaching.com

Stand Out and Get Noticed with Spotlight U!

2007-08-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Were you on the 4 countdown calls to celebrate the launch of my new
brand "Viva Visibility" and new program "Spotlight U"? Well, the Viva
Visibility website isn't finished as hoped, but Spotlight U is in full
swing. Register by August 15 and enjoy over $2096 worth of bonuses for no
added charge!

Learn more about Spotlight U here

Listen to the preview calls here:

Call #1 (recorded July 18, 2007)
Why now is a great time to position yourself as an expert and how easy it is
to start

Call #2 (recorded July 23, 2007)
Common Blocks and Obstacles to Claiming Your Expertise

Call #3 (recorded July 25, 2007)
Boosting Your Visibility and Owning Your Credibility

Call #4 (recorded July 31, 2007)
How to Stand Out and SIZZLE as an expert

CLICK HERE to learn more about Spotlight U

Sizzibility Talk Show - Listen Now!

2007-08-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

I recently had the honor of being named a “Belle With Balls” by Tuck Self, the Rebel Belle for Bold Self Expression. Tuck is an amazing voice for self empowerment who adds a fun Southern twist to her work. We talked about Sizzibility, creativity, MySpace, and a whole bunch of other things. Tuck confessed that she’s been following me for about a year now, watching my work and my style. Turns out that adding cultural flair to your business is the cool thing to do nowadays!! So whether you like grits or tortillas, listen in as we bond over empowerment, bold self expression, having fun with your work, MySpace, and a whole lot more.

Turn up your speakers and click these links:

Sizzibility Interview
MySpace Interview

Business Growth by Design - Featured Speaker

2007-07-24T14:29:00.001-07:00

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ComadreCoaching.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Nancy Marmolejo
Comadre Coaching / Viva Visibility
Phone: 714-777-1216
Fax 309-410-4227
nancita@ComadreCoaching.com
http://www.ComadreCoaching.com

Nancy Marmolejo of Comadre Coaching to be a Featured Speaker at Business Growth By Design on Thursday, July 26, 2007, From 8:00am-12:00pm.

Costa Mesa, CA, July 24, 2007 – IKEA and Everywhere Marketing are teaming up with leading Orange County business groups to give Latino business owners the answers to growing a successful business by design. During this fast paced, inspiring and highly informative seminar, participants will discover new and innovative approaches for consistently succeeding with marketing and branding goals.

Along with Pete Nelson, founder of Everywhere Marketing and Ann Convery, M.A., internationally renowned speaker, coach, and author, Nancy will be sharing her expertise about the following:

Key strategies for overcoming personal obstacles and turning them into fuel for your success.
How to stay in love with your business.
How to be more creative and innovative in your thinking and approaches.
How to step into the spotlight fearlessly and authentically.
Essential tips to keep work and life in balance.

This seminar is free, but an RSVP is required. Register by visiting www.ikea.com/business or call 800.975.8382 for more information. To guarantee a seat all registrations must be made by July 24, 2007.

ABOUT NANCY MARMOLEJO – Award winning entrepreneur Nancy Marmolejo is a leading expert in business and creativity and recognized as one of the top 100 influential and inspiring Latinos in Orange County, CA . Her spirited style has motivated and guided hundreds of entrepreneurs across the globe. Learn more about Nancy by visiting www.ComadreCoaching.com and her upcoming www.VivaVisibility.com

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Why I'd Rather Sizzle Than Be Sticky

2007-07-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

When it comes to business and branding, I keep hearing the word "sticky". You see it all over in blogs, articles, and websites. Cool people say it, uncool people say it and I'm sure the first person who used that term in business found it an appropriate metaphor. However, if you think about times in your life when you had to interact with something "sticky", chances are you weren't having a great time.

Think of stepping in gum on a hot day.

Your dress sticking to your back as you sit in a hot church during an August wedding.

Getting up off a vinyl seat when you're wearing shorts (ouch!).

So for these short moments, I ask you to give that word back to the dude who coined it and embrace a word much more suited for the season.Let's get your brand and your business to SIZZLE.

Sizzle, in my definition, is a hot, magnetic energy that radiates from within. It draws people to you; it doesn't harpoon them with sticky gunk. When you activate your sizzle factor, you draw upon every unique and brilliant quality you have to make your business a beacon. It's a seductive whisper to their overpowering scream.

Can sizzle be taught? Yes and no. That is like asking if "cool" can be taught. The most sizzling people around (and the coolest) are so because they aren't forcing it. They exude confidence and effortlessness.

You can cultivate your sizzle with these simple tips gleaned from my years of coaching entrepreneurs around the topics of creativity and standing out. The secret to sizzle: make it entirely yours.

1. Find what you're passionate about.
Your natural interests and passions can guide the sizzle in your business and in your life. Follow your passions and you will find your sizzle.

2. Evict the Trickster from your head.
Tucked away in the recesses of our minds is a bona fide Trickster whose job is to extinguish your sizzle with a wet blanket of self doubt. Your Trickster may have you convinced that you can only earn a living by trading time for money, or that you need to look a certain way or speak a certain way in order to attain success. Put the Trickster in check and watch your sizzle factor rise.

3. Understand and act from your strenths.
When you're doing your genius work, you sizzle like crazy! Focus 80% of your time on your genius work and your sizzle will come out.

4. Always save time to play.
Sizzle doesn't come from sitting behind a desk all day or talking non-stop to clients on the phone. Sizzle needs to be fed with adventurous outings, fresh air, exercise, music, art, sports, culture, learning, and connecting genuinely to others. You can't expect to sizzle in business if you're living a boring life. Nothing sparks more sizzle than a well rounded person.

Sizzle sets you apart from others by focusing on your uniqueness, your creativity, and your genius work. Put your sizzle to work for your business and watch the results for yourself!
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Add a little sizzle to your business with the award winning services from Nancy Marmolejo. Since 2003, Nancy has helped entrepreneurs position themselves as recognized experts and spruce up tired old marketing efforts. Contact Nancy Marmolejo to learn more about these services.
Click here to learn more here

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ComadreCoaching.com

Out of the Box Business Contest

2007-07-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

For the 3rd year in a row, UPS is sponsoring it's Out of the Box Business Contest. This is a great opportunity to be recognized for your creative approach to business.

The top prize is $25,000 plus some other perks.

You can't call yourself an award winner unless you enter these types of things. Fill out an entry form today and celebrate how out of the box you are!

Deadline is Sept 1.

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ComadreCoaching.com

Can You Really Call Yourself an Expert?

2007-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Pamela Slim of Escape From Cubicle Nation has a great 5 minute podcast with some very provocative questions about claiming one's expertise.

Since I'm in the middle of launching a whole new brand around this topic, I listened very carefully. My favorite point she made was this:
Does your expert opinion/advice yield results?

Whether you're from the Ivy League or a no-name college, at the end of the day you must deliver some type of result. I added a comment saying not only get good results, but BE A MEMORABLE EXPERT.

That's just me. I bore easily. I want fun and exciting experts.

Check out Pamela's podcast here and see what you think.

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ComadreCoaching.com

Visibility Tip: Get Seen With Your Clients!

2007-07-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

Visit my client Andrea Spyros' store Handmade Galleries and see how she used Citysearch to create a strong visibility/credibility piece on the web. They filmed her store and gave it a great write up.

Oh, and yes you can admire the Enthusiastic Shopper (that would be me!) giving the great store testimonial. It's all true, I love this shop!

Watch it here:

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ComadreCoaching.com

If you want to get the word out, don't send PDF attachments!

2007-06-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

A great visibility strategy is to leverage the power of your friends' contacts to get the word out on your business, cause, book, or whatever.

Yet I still, in this day and age of internet savvy people, get PDF attachments (usually flyers for events) and folks ask me to pass the word along.

I guess I'm writing this blog post so later on I can just send folks a link to this rather than explain for the zillionth time why I am unable to forward their event/info/great thingamabop to my contacts.

1. If you want me to put your announcement on my blog, I can't because it's a PDF. If you send me the text version, then I can.

2. If you want me to email it to my list, I can't because it's a PDF. I don't send attachments to my list, to my list serves, my ezine subscribers, et al.

3. If you want me to email my personal contacts, I won't... because it's an attachment. It's just plain rude, in my humble opinion.

If you have a class, event, or big event going on and want your contacts to help you get the word out, PLEASE get the text version and send that! Don't make me work so hard to do you a favor!

I say this all with love.

xxoo
Nancita

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ComadreCoaching.com

MySpace Teleseminar with Suzanne Falter Barns

2007-06-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

I was just sending a bulletin out to my MySpace pals about the new city I claim to reside in.

"If you can tell me what La Cortina Naranja means AND where it is located on a map , I'll give you a karma peso and a cyber besito."

(see if any of you smarty pants can figure that out. If you don't speak Spanish, break out your bilingual dictionary)

So what does that have to do with a MySpace teleseminar? Well, I followed it up with this:

"BTW, if you are interested in learning some easy ways to use MySpace to build your name recognition and generate leads, then join me for a free teleseminar this Wed. June 20.
I'll be taking platform building expert Suzanne Falter Barns on a MySpace adventure in making friends and more."

My philosophy of MySpace is to use it as a relationship building tool. I get so turned off by people who send me messages and comments that are all hype, I like to add some off beat trivia and bilingual humor to my everyday posts and pitches. So rather than just say "hey, I'm having a free teleseminar with Suzanne Falter Barns about MySpace", I decided to show some personality. Personalities create relationships and that's what it's all about.

Join me and Suzanne Falter Barns on Wed June 20 to learn other cool, clever ways to maximize the 2nd most trafficked site in cyberlandia.

Wednesday, June 20 at 2PM Eastern/11AM Pacific.
Call will be recorded and link sent to all who register.

Sign up here!

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ComadreCoaching.com

Free Copywriting Critiques from Red Hot Copy

2007-06-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Every day I get bombarded by sales pitches, especially on MySpace.

"Buy my book, my t-shirt, my CD, my zillion dollar wealth system... "I'm not buying much of it, though. You know why?

The sales language (aka "copy") is CHEESY, SLEAZY, and oftentimes downright BAD.

Consider this a gift, a favor, whatever you like. Check out my friend Lorrie Morgan Ferrero's free sales letter critiques while they're still around. Click here to watch Lorrie do an extreme makeover on a sales letter

This is for anyone whose:
1. Sales pages aren't converting like crazy
2. Emails aren't bringing in the sales
3. Sales letters stink

This is no sales pitch. Just a free gift from one of the world's top copywriters, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero. She has generously offered videos of her copy critiques for a limited time. These critiques will show how she transformed 'blah' copy into copy that sells. Each video will be online for only one week, so run over there now to be sure you don't miss even one.
Click here to check it out

PS. Seriously, Lorrie charges $18,000 to $25,000 JUST to write a sales letter, but today you get to peek over her shoulder for free. Offers like this don't come around that often, so be sure to check it out. click here

to your continued success (and well phrased sales letters)
Nancy Marmolejo
Award winning entrepreneur and Visibility Expert

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ComadreCoaching.com

Cleavage in the Boardroom

2007-05-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

My friend Ali Rodriguez is one of the most passionate, life-loving women I've ever met. A successful business coach, Ali has a way of adding her own brand of Sizzibility (sizzle + visibility) to every situation. She wrote this article recently and I begged her to reprint it. I feel like I could have written it myself. And no, it's not about wearing low-cut blouses.
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Cleavage in the Boardroom
by Ali Rodriguez, Vision For Success Coaching

Tired of walking into Board meetings, with the long table, and the faces of the members even longer not to mention the never-ending meeting on topics that all of the sudden, you can't even remember, let alone care anymore? It's dreadful, isn't it? ~ They will tell you it's all about time management, but it isn't, as if it was, things will permanently change, and they don't.

Here's the answer: It's all a matter of "approach" and here's your new approach: "Cleavage in the Boardroom". Yes, indeed, you will take pride in showing your Intellectual Cleavage to the rest of the board members otherwise, you will continue to be unhappy if not unproductive; and it has to stop. It is also your duty to show others just how to do this.

A little intellectual cleavage is alluring, and people will want to know what you're up to; once you get their attention, you can present your plan and show them in all your greatness, the brilliance of your brain coupled with a few amazing ideas and results plan.

But wait, there's more. If you're wondering what is your own, individual, and totally unique "Cleavage in the Boardroom" Quotient. (CBQ) ~ Wonder no more.

Focus on two or three things that you do better than anyone else, and for which, folks come to you to ask you to solve some of their problems with what you have in that intellectual cleavage of yours. Then use your talents in an alluring way, each time you have an opportunity to speak your mind. Do this not all at once, but just little by little. You already have the talent, all you need is, "practice", "practice", "practice", and soon Boredom in The Boardroom will be transformed to Cleavage in the Boardroom, and you will be The Shining Star"!

NOW is the time to share this information with others and teach them how to find their talents and put them to good use. Can you imagine the tremendous amount of value you will be adding to the group as a whole, not to mention, individual added value? ~ Awesome, isn't it?

From now on is your turn to practice "Cleavage in the Boardroom" and you will have more productive meetings, more focused groups, and folks will greatly appreciate what you are doing for the Board and you will feel like the star you are. Make as many people happy with your intellectual genius.

Ali R. Rodriguez
Business Coach by Profession
Life changer by Vocation
visit Ali at www.VisionForSuccess.biz to learn about her Power of Five program.

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ComadreCoaching.com

Intensive In Person Coaching

2007-05-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Anne Berryhill has been a client for years, going for intensive stints then taking long rests. Her creative mind and high energy are to be envied and her outgoing personality charms everyone she meets.

Anne contacted me recently for some intensive one on one coaching. Not intensive as in "let's set up some long coaching calls" but as in "come to my house and let's get the game plan written out!" (That's a picture of me and Anne in front of her house)

Anne lives less than an hour away so I drove to her house with a big binder of resources I compiled for her, my laptop, and walking shoes. (She's also a fitness coach so I knew we'd be getting out for a walk at some point).

The two of us sat at her kitchen table and not only mapped out the next year's marketing efforts, but tightened up her brand, sprinkled in some accountability, and topped it all off with communication and life coaching.

We had so many "ah-ha!" moments, I lost count.

What I learned from this experience is that sometimes you have to meet your clients where THEY are. I don't offer in person coaching like that, but now that she's had such great success, I'm open to the possibility. We literally camped out in her dining room for the afternoon and got it all on paper.

The biggest moment was when we crunched the numbers and made some projections. This business, if the numbers are reached (which won't be difficult) is poised to make over $500,000 by the end of year 1. We passed the calculator back and forth to make sure one of us wasn't making a mistake, but the calculator didn't lie. We had a hit on our hands.

I'm not revealing the business yet because the website is still in development, but I am so happy for her and her family. This is well deserved, a brilliant idea, and has major SIZZIBILITY going for it. (Sizzle + Visibility = Sizzibility).

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ComadreCoaching.com

Suiting Up and Showing Up

2007-05-25T16:22:00.001-07:00

As warm and fuzzy as I come across, there is also a hard-ball chica underneath this Comadre banner. When there is no time for whining, I pull out one of my favorite mantras, "Suit up and Show up."

This applies to just about anything and it doesn't mean that you must endure pain to enjoy success. Take this past week of mine. (Please- bah-dum-dum)

Last week I fought off some nasty virus that left me tired and achy. But it never developed into full blown yuck. Until the weekend when I awoke to no voice. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday... no voice.

Tuesday was my monthly Momentum Day with my clients where we alternate having either a big group call or I take 10 minute "laser coaching" calls from clients. With no voice, I was ready to cancel.

My voice was out of order, not my hands, so I sent off a note to all clients explaining my situation and that I'd take UNLIMITED emails from them all day Tuesday.

I did some serious email coaching which was quite interesting. I read and commented on web copy, counseled a writer through deadline-phobia, read a book chapter, got more than a few people in gear... not unlike any other coaching day except this was done without talking. Pretty cool.

I was pretty worried Wednesday because I had a speaking engagement at the Orange County Holistic Moms Network in Fullerton, CA. I wasn't sure how many people would be there and my voice was super hoarse (audible, but hoarse). 11th Hour great idea: Go to Best Buy and get a cheap Karaoke machine! I knew the Holistic Moms probably wouldn't have a sound system and this was a quick solution.

Miracle of miracles, I made it through and survived. My throat was sore that night but the next day I didn't feel as run down as I had.

Funny aside: Most of the moms at the talk were either pregnant or had little ones with them. It reminded me of a birthing class- lots of pregnant women on pillows while I stood and spoke. Two adorable toddlers played catch in the middle of the circle and occasionally threw a soft ball at my feet. Here I was talking about how multi-tasking does no one any good and at the same time I'm kicking the ball back to them.

The next day was the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Award luncheon. I was nominated for the 2nd year in a row, but didn't win. There were 158 nominees and some pretty heavy hitters in the crowd.

But I suited up and showed up, and got to enjoy the week on my terms. I was ready to cancel everything but with some creative thinking, I managed to mend my voice AND get everything done. (The goody bag at the Business Journal event was to die for. Full size spa products, gift certificates, jewelry... classy!)

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ComadreCoaching.com

The Work At Home Mom Reality Check

2007-05-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Think you have what it takes to be a work at home mom?

Join award winning business coach Nancy Marmolejo as she reveals the highs and the lows of running a home based business... AND raising kids.

When: Wednesday May 23rd 6:00 p.m
Where: The Birth Connection
813 North Harbor Blvd. Fullerton, CA

Hosted by: Orange County Holistic Moms Network

Home based businesses are on the rise and the numbers continue to increase. Whether you’re thinking of starting a home based business or already have one, this FREE seminar will give you tips and tools to ensure your success both as a mom and a business owner.

You will learn:

· The many emotional and financial benefits of being a work at home mom

· Common challenges that work at home moms face

· How to prioritize and delegate so you don’t rob time from your family or your business

· Boundary setting strategies to ensure quality in all aspects of your life

· Straight up advice on what works and doesn’t work when working from home

· Creative solutions and ideas if you have a young one at home

· Types of home based businesses and how to choose the best fit for you and your family

· Traps and scams you must always avoid

· And much more!

About the Presenter:
Nancy Marmolejo is an award winning entrepreneur and work at home mom. Since 2003 she has helped hundreds of women business owners make more money with less effort and have the time to enjoy it. She is a recognized expert in business and creativity and has been featured in SmartMoney.com, The Orange County Register, Orange Coast magazine, Latina magazine, Redbook, and many other online and offline publications. You can visit her online at www.ComadreCoaching.com and sign up for her prize winning tips letter, The Pocket Comadre.

For more info on this event call (714) 871-0995.

About the Holistic Moms Network:

The Holistic Moms Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit support and resource organization bringing moms together. We are dedicated to facilitating grassroots community-building throughout the nation, offering moms the opportunity to create local chapters where they can find the support, friendship, and knowledge that are so necessary for successful parenting. We serve moms through our local chapters which strive to create a sense of community and to share experiences and resources among our members. We also welcome moms-to-be, dads, grandparents, and partners into our organization as members! We have a very diverse membership representing parents and grandparents of all ages who share in common their interest in holistic health and parenting. www.HolisticMoms.org

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ComadreCoaching.com

MySpace Success: Cross Posting Blogs for Maximum Exposure

2007-05-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

My comadre Ruth of Chispa Productions just wrote a fabulous blog post on how using MySpace is helping her in her business. Ruth cross posts her regular blog onto her MySpace blog for maximum exposure.

Check out Ruth's blog and read her glowing review of my ebook Make MySpace YOUR Space.

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ComadreCoaching.com