1. Triple C Designs iCharge ALL

Photo courtesy of Birchbox

A portable battery pack for ipods, iphones, an ipads. Finally! No need to worry about finding an outlet to sit next to at the airport during holiday layovers. This little guy buys you hours of extra time.

2. THE laptop bag for women - Alesya Bags

Courtesy of AlesyaBags.com

My description of this bag will not do it justice. Just hop on over to the website to see just how dynamic and chic this laptop bag really is. Seriously. Go. Now.

Buy from AlesyaBags.com for only $289. A steal for this incredible find. The best part? Alesya, the founder, is a local Charleston entrepreneur. Doesn't get any better than that.

3. The Amplifiear from Nonlinear Studio

Courtesy of TheAmplifiear.com

The amplifiear will boost the volume of your iPad up to +10 dB. Simply clip it onto the corner and it will project sound your way. No more worries about background noise getting in the way. You can buy the Amplifiear in a variety of colors.

Buy from TheAmplifiear.com for only $24.99

4. The Hydra Coach Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Yes, please. If there's one thing on my New Year's resolution list, it is to drink more water and stay hydrated. I've tried it all to no avail but this may be my answer to staying on task. This do-it-all water bottle calculates your hydration needs, tracks your fluid consumption, paces you, and motivates you to stay hydrated.

Buy it from Amazon for less than $30.

5. Branch Earphone Splitter

Sharing is caring and I look forward to sharing my tunes and/or movies with this awesome earphone splitter.  You can split your tunes three ways with this tiny tree branch.

Buy from MoMa for only $10.

Cheers and happy gifting!

The post What to gift your favorite entrepreneur? We’ve got you covered. appeared first on .

I still remember my very first client phone inquiry. More so, the terrifying feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when the phone first rang.  I screened the call (of course) and after listening to the voicemail, I compiled an exhaustive call-back script to prepare me for my first sales pitch. I think I got all the way to the 6th digit of the phone number about 36 times before finally going through with the call. After about 15 minutes of conversation, I had my first client. I was nervous, excited, overwhelmed, and terrified. Am I really doing this?!

The bulk of my clients are at the pre-launch to launch stage of their business. And if there's one roadblock to launch that I see time and time again, it's self-sabatoge. The excitement suddenly turns to fear and their head is spinning with all the reasons they shouldn't proceed. How could one not feel a slight tendency to drag their feet when it comes to exposing themselves to the world? It's a scary thing to feel vulnerable, especially when you're taking the risk to do something that means so much to you and there's potential others won't like it.

When I sense a client is dragging their feet about publishing their website, going to their first networking event, or putting the final touches on their marketing materials, it's time to intervene. Here are five tactics to squash self-sabatoge and get you to launch:

1. Feed your ego: Now is the time you need the most encouragement but you have to ask for it and seek it out yourself. This is when you turn to your closest friends and confidants. Let them know how excited you are about your business but that you're also extremely nervous. Let them pump you up. Write it down and savor it. Make a journal of praises that you can refer to often and make sure you always remember exactly why are you doing this in the first place: Because you can make a difference and your business is your vehicle to do so.

2. Practice social accountability: I'm a huge believer in saying something outloud to someone who will hold me accountable. Not that I would suggest a tactic this extreme to be used often, but I have also had success by launching and/or promoting something that was not quite ready knowing that it would put just the right amount of pressure on me to get it done and move my business forward. Break down your accountability into specific tasks and let the world know you are going to do them. Use the potential disappointment of not doing what you said you would as motivation to keep you on track.

3. Scare yourself into it:  If you're self-sabatoging your business, you are scaring yourself out of moving forward. Since you're clearly successful at that, why not put your self-initiated scare tactics on a different path and scare yourself INTO it. Think about and physically write down all the things that will go wrong if you don't move forward. Will you slide back into a career your hate? Will not doing it put strain on your relationships? Will not doing it be a huge waste of money? What is scary about NOT moving forward?

4. Start adopting to change:  Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” A big change is often easier to tackle if you can initiate small changes along the way. What sort of change can you make today that will get you into the habit of changing things up? Start small. For example, take a different path to work. Get something on the lunch menu you've never explored before. Say yes to something you normally say no to. Even if it is not related to your business, getting into a lifestyle of spontaneity and change will make it easier to tackle the big projects on your plate.

5. Have a drink. Then jump. Eventually you're going to have to make the leap. It's better to do it quick, like ripping a band aid. It is my personal belief that people are rewarded when they take the risk to put themselves out there. Blind faith comes with the territory of being an entrepreneur. Accept that you are not going to be able to control everything and trust in the hard work, dedication, and passion you've already invested. It WILL pay off but you have to jump first.

The post Five ways to overcome self-sabotaging tendencies appeared first on .

You've sent hundreds of emails, networked your butt off, and cold called like it's your business ... but the phone isn't ringing. Sound familiar? 

I think every small business owner, especially service providers, have faced this frustration at least once in their entrepreneurial career. Prospecting with little return is a painful situation to be in. Especially if cash flow is tight and it has been awhile since your last big sale. If you're a new business owner, I'll be honest in telling you that this waiting game may not go away anytime soon so brace yourself. But don't automatically assume you're wrong in your sales process or technique. It's often about timing and 9 times out of 10, spending the effort and time networking, sending sales letters, and cold calling does pay off in the long run. Even if it's two years later.

So what do you do in the meantime?

Making ends meet between your next big client doesn't have to be painful. Selling takes time, especially when you are selling yourself and expertise. So the first thing you need to do is assess your pricing. If the price of your service doesn't equate to the energy and effort you spend closing the sale, your pricing model and/or technique is off. Selling a $100 service should not be exhausting. Why only make $100 for all that effort when you could make $1500? Not only does accurate pricing make your sales process worthwhile, it pre-qualifies the clients who truly value your service. 

The next task on your list is even more important: Diversification. 

Would you hold just one stock? Probably not. You spread your investment among different asset classes to eliminate the risk of losing a lot of money at any given time. Diversifying your investments lowers your risk and provides better returns.

If you buy in to a diversified portfolio, it should be a no-brainer to diversify your service offering. Why risk a cash flow crisis by depending purely on clients walking through your door? There may always be a slow season and you need a diversified offering to fill in those gaps.

Let's say you're a graphic designer. Instead of spending 100% of your time prospecting for new logo and website clients, diversify your time by establishing multiple revenue streams. Why not develop some "products" that your previous clients can benefit from? Create a series of social media and website icons that your clients can buy.  Schedule two paid workshops and/or webinars a year during your slow seasons revolving around relevant topics in your industry. Can you put clients on retainer to create personalized blog or pinterest graphics? Can you monetize your expertise by offering services or education to other graphic designers? Targeting your peers is yet another revenue stream that builds upon your credibility as an expert.

Diversification leads to scale. And when you scale, you lessen your risk even further. Setting up multiple streams of income eliminates your financial dependence on client work, a sign that you've just regained control of your business.

The post Reducing risk and stress through service diversification appeared first on .

Should you be developing a personal brand for your small business? That is the question on the table.

My opinion: It is not so much about developing as it is uncovering. A personal brand doesn't need to be developed because it is already there. It just needs to be capitalized on. Why is a personal brand so important? Because it significantly decreases the sales process. These days, business is often a likeability contest. We invest in people we know and like. If you can effectively capitalize on your personal brand, you can make more money simply by being more you. If people feel good around you, they will come back. If you can make them feel good in your presence, they will share that feeling with their network. Personal branding is not easy but it is simple. Coupled with a great product and/or service, your personal brand serves as a selling tool that not only helps you generate more income but leaves a long-lasting memorable mark on your audience.

Need some tips on uncovering your personal brand? I'm honored to share mine along with three other rockstar personal branding experts in this recent Huffington Post article about personal branding for small businesses.

What personal branding techniques have worked for you?

The post Personal Branding for Small Business Owners – Featured in the Huffington Post appeared first on .

The 2012 NFTE National Competition Participants

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship National Youth Business Plan Competition. Two local Charleston students, competing and winning at the regional and state level through YESCarolina, participated in the NFTE event.  We went to cheer them on and see what youth entrepreneurs are up to these days.

Unfortunately, our two SC students did not make it to the final three but they both won rounds to the semi-finals and gave the performance of their life. The competition was strong among the 34 student businesses that participated and anyone attending could easily see what these youth entrepreneurs were the best of the best. It was incredibly inspiring and exciting to watch these young entrepreneurs in action. While age and experience separates us from these youth entrepreneurs, they certain can teach us a thing or two.

Here are three things you can learn from youth entrepreneurs:

1. Practice = Poise.  What really separates a good presentation from an inspiring one? Practice, practice, practice.  Most adults can't stand in front of a room of people and give a presentation with the poise I saw these students bring to the table. I was absolutely blown away by their public speaking skills. Passion and excitement certainly plays a role, but what was so impressive is that you could tell these students had practiced their pitch till they were blue in the face. Lesson? We, as entrepreneurs, need to spend more time rehearsing. Whether it be sales calls, workshops, keynotes, or investor pitches, somehow along the road we've forgotten the importance of the dress rehearsal. Athletes and musicians spend thousands of hours practicing for the hundreds of hours they spend actually doing. Why, as entrepreneurs, do we neglect to build in some practice time? A strong and practiced performance made all the difference in terms of like-ability and advancement when it came to judging these youth entrepreneurs.

Be open and receptive to criticism and help.  Does aging and experience make us less receptive to constructive criticism? Even at the point that their pitch and business plan was perfected, these young entrepreneurs were able to positively acknowledge the criticism the judges passed along to them. And they wanted more! They were so eager to get the feedback and insight. They seemed to understand that being a know-it-all wasn't going to get them anywhere. Being receptive and open to criticism was a motivation for them. As a seasoned entrepreneur I know I've caught myself failing to ask for this criticism, avoiding the process of seeking it, or closing my eyes and ears to the feedback people were trying to give me. Why? Most likely out of fear and self-sabatoge. Do you find you are open and receptive to criticism within your business?

Know where you are going.  Per mandatory guidelines, the students had to include a slide within their pitch that outlined their short-term and long-term personal and business goals. What struck me was how adept these students seemed to be when it came to the future of their business. While outlining their long-term professional goals, the students spoke about exit strategies, wholesale models, and franchise opportunities. They understood the significance of investor appeal. They were building their business with a vision in mind. What an incredible reminder to entrepreneurs of all ages to think big, think long term, and think about their exit strategy.

Sure, these students had help along the way - teachers, parents, mentors - all assisting them with building a strong plan, but what successful entrepreneur doesn't have help along the way? No one knows your business more than you but the road to success is paved with an open-minded attitude. These students proved that turning an idea into a business is just that - a blend of passion, strategy, and an eagerly receptive mind.

-Shauna

The post Three things you can learn from youth entrepreneurs appeared first on .

photo credit: Jim Boud via photopin cc

An American investment banker was taking a much-needed vacation in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. 

The boat had several large, fresh fish in it.

The investment banker was impressed by the quality of the fish and asked the Mexican how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.” 

The banker then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican fisherman replied he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked “But what do you do with the rest of your time?" 

The Mexican fisherman replied, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos: I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The investment banker scoffed, “I am an Ivy League MBA, and I could help you. You could spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats until eventually you would have a whole fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You could control the product, processing and distribution.”

Then he added, “Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City where you would run your growing enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then?” asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

To which the investment banker replied, “Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

What's the moral of the story?

- Shauna

The post Entrepreneurial insight: The parable of the mexican fisherman appeared first on .

We had three goals to accomplish in 21 days of posts:

• To show you how to monetize your personal brand
• To help you regain ownership of your time and money
• To give you the strategies to attract only ideal clients

I challenge you to trust.

Pinworthy:

The post 21 Day Challenge – Day 21: Trust appeared first on .

Grab your FB cover photo here by right clicking the image below and saving it to your computer:

The post October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on .

I challenge you to embrace failure.

The one thing that sticks out distinctly from my entrepreneurial studies at the University of Iowa is hearing my professors (and esteemed entrepreneurs themselves) repeat this over and over: "You're going to fail. Then, you're going to fail again. And possibly again."  At the time, we understood to some degree that this reality check they were imposing on us was not meant to scare or discourage us; and for most, I think it did quite the opposite. We brushed it off, staying focused on our big picture, using it as motivation, slowly forgetting that this warning had ever occurred.

Until .... you actually do fail. I'm not talking about a disgruntled client or missing the mark by five percent, I'm talking a big, fat, knock you on your ass, failure. And sometimes it's not even a distinct event that causes this. More often than not, it's a slow progression that leads you to wake up one day and say: Holy cow - I'm not happy. I'm at rock bottom. I'm out of money.  I can't afford groceries. I'm up to my ears in debt. I've been spinning my wheels. HOW DID I GET HERE?!

Facing failure literally gets the best of you. It gets your energy. It gets your time. It gets your money. It gets your sparkling personality. It gets your positivity. It gets your dreams of the future. If you let it.

In the process of figuring out what went wrong, you start to see it: You've made one small concession after the next, in an attempt to put yourself in a better place. Not realizing that these small concessions are exactly what led you to failure. Concessions - they'll get ya.

When I faced my biggest failure in business, I was harshly reminded of my professors and their warnings, "You're going to fail." And it dawned on me that they weren't trying to warn us about a possibility. They were preparing us for a certainty. A definitive moment in our entrepreneurial careers. To educate us that failure comes with the territory of doing business. No ifs, ands and buts. Beyond that, the part they were really trying to impose but we were too proud to soak in the time, was that we had two options: to let it get the best of us or to embrace it.

What does embracing failure mean? For me, it means a new opportunity to start completely fresh but in a position better than any I've been in before. I get to start fresh with the knowledge of what has worked and what hasn't. What I'm good at and what I'm not. What I need and what is a waste of money. All the things I never had before. Embracing failure means stumbling upon purposeful wisdom. 

It means something different for each person. What does it mean for you?

It's your job to not only discover that meaning but to put it into positive action. Embracing it opens your eyes to a new possibility - often getting you to your big picture place but provides you with the insight to pick the right path this time around.

It gives you the freedom from concessions moving forward. No more discounting your value or lowering your prices; no more not trusting your gut; no more persuading yourself to say "Yes" when you really need to say "No"; No more insecurities. That feeling of, "I'm worth it!" that you've tried to convince yourself to believe and feel? Embracing failure lets you feel it and genuinely believe it. And that, my friend, is worth failure all day long.

Don't let it get the best of you.  

Pinworthy:

The post 21 Day Challenge – Day 20: Embrace failure appeared first on .