NEXT MEETING?

Hi Ladies,

Tonight it was just Deborah Applegate and me (Carla Harris) here for a little meeting, and we had a good time catching up...but we missed the rest of you dear ladies.

Would y'all like to meet next Tuesday (the 2nd Tuesday of August) or just wait until our regularly scheduled 3rd Tuesday of August?

I'll send out an e-mail question, too!

Later Gator,
Carla

Mindful Women Meet the New Voice Movement

Hallelujah!  Thanks to copious notes taken the last time Deb explained this to me I have managed to log in.  From little acorns great oaks grow;)  At our last meeting I talked about how inspirational my friend Martha Randolph Carr's journey has been because less than a year ago I was talking was encouraging Martha during one of those friend to friend talks where you feel comfortable wailing: "I don't know what the heck I'm doing!" and "How could little old me possibly imagine I could ever get there [to that place, that level of success, whatever it is you're struggling with].  That time it was Martha wailing: "I'm not a writer!" and me pointing out: "But Martha, you've already written two books and you're going to write this one too."  And she did [not that my words held any sort of magic but sometimes just being with a friend and telling them you believe in them gets them to the next step].  That book was A Place to Call Home.  The book didn't turn out at all the way it was envisioned at the start -- and it was all the better a book for that.  Behind the book Martha created The Shared Abundance Foundation www.sharedabundance.us  to provide a place for those raised in the orphanages that were the subject of the book to find each other and reconnect and for people to provide support to these homes.  

  Working in support of The Shared Abundance Foundation, Martha was writing news releases and columns that lead to her being offered a spot as a nationally syndicated columnist -- check her out at www.caglepost.com where, by clicking on her name on the left you can read some of her columns most of which end with the inspiring phrase, "more adventures to follow" which is the beautiful way Martha has adopted of seeing her life as an adventure, a view that can perhaps only be adopted after you've faced your worst fears, like having the money to pay for a roof over your head, and survived them.  I especially like the column I'm Too Busy about successful and unsuccessful volunteers but all the columns are fun reading.

   So then Martha, of the lineage of Thomas Jefferson -- a tight knit family unit who hold yearly reunions at Monticello -- like they have free run of the place! -- and her cousin, of the lineage of Jefferson and slave Sally Hemings, spoke together at the University of Virginia.  Martha's talk is not about white vs. black but about the potential for each of us to exceed our own expectations -- EVEN WHEN WE DOUBT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING SO -- you can see some videos of the talk at www.newvoicemovement.ning.com and they're worth watching because they're my friend Martha at her encouraging best and, just between us, that is saying something.

   So to top it all off, as one opportunity led to another, Martha ended up with the New Voice Speakers Bureau www.newvoicespeakers.com which is the business she gave me the opportunity to buy into and is what I was talking about at our last meeting.  What does this all mean?  When I talked Martha off that ledge of "I'm never going to be able to write this book and I've already spent the publishers advance and I have no money and am not going to be able to pay my rent this month"  my biggest goal was to support a friend and furthest vision was that she'd manage to write the book.  Now look at what she's done.  And, just between us girls, Martha is a mere mortal.  So if Martha can do it so can we.  

Yippeeee!

Brooke

June 17 Goals

Brooke's Goals:
1) Learn to use this blog!

Debbie's Goals:
1) Teach folks how to use this blog!

Carla's Goals:
1. E-mail SABER meeting infor to M/W
2. Website Launched!
3. E-Newsletter sent (Sneak Preview)
4. Print Cards and Artprints
5. Set up storage filing system for cards and artprints
6. Input descriptive words in Image Text and Website body
7. Research new cardset stock (from Craft & Hobby book)
8. Blog goals

I'm back!

Goals for June 3, meeting -- be there!

Looking forward to seeing you all.

If someone knows where we're meeting can you phone me

at 805-742-6780. If I don't hear from you I'll try calling people

tomorrow.

Looking forward to hearing all your exciting news.

Brooke

Goals for June 3 Meeting

1. Send out ePreview Letter
2. Launch webstore!
3. Bring searchwords to next meeting for feedback
4. Blog goals
5. Attend SFC Retreat (Memorial Day weekend)
6. Call Debbie R re: independent contracting
7. Research contract examples
8. Research storage containers for cards & prints

temporary web page up!!

hi ladies,

i got my website up and going with a temporary homepage. so exciting!!!

http://brookrademacher.com
and you can email me.
brook (at) brookrademacher.com

yea!!!!

take care ladies,
brook

5.20.08 goals

brook
1. buy domain for brookrademacher.com (done)
2. ask sarah to help build my site (done)
3. hang up and pass out knitting fliers
4. pick date for next trunk show
5. research wholesale yarn distributors

new location

if you would like to, list here some of the characteristics you want in our new space. it will help us as we look for a new place to meet.

here is what i am looking for:
quiet, peaceful, downtown, big tables, good tea, mellow music (if any)

brook

4.15.08 goals

brook r.:
1. call leslie to set up trunk show details
2. create trunk show fliers
3. talk to maile and sarah about their marketing strategies
4. research new location for group
5. mail dba paperwork
6. open a business bank account

Debbie R:
1) Work on credit report
2) research meeting place
3) Change website

4.1.08 Goals

Hope to see y'all at the meeting tonight!
Remember to bring your Vision Statement (even if it is in rough form)

My goals from last session:
1) Decision on e-newsletter service agency
2) Blog goals
3) Call NDIC re: date for web completion
4) Get acquainted w/social networking
5) Bring vision statement to next meeting

4.1.08 goals

brook r.
1. go to kate's boutique (done)
2. obtain dba
3. pick date for trunk show (done)
4. research leasing knitting machines (done)
5. bring vision to next meeting

Debbie R
1. Meet with credit counselor
2. Call Annette for loan advice
3. Forward SCORE email

just checking in.....

hi ladies,

just wanted to check in. i am looking forward to seeing you all next week! hope you are all doing great.

take care,

brook

3/18/08 goals

1. complete a badass executive summary
2. email melanie

brook rad.

Debbie R's Goals:
1) Read up on business accounting
2) update website
3) get attitude adjustment ;-)

A Big Road Block

Hello Ladies,

Well, today is not my day...all the positive thinking and acting "as if" has not yet paid off. I received a call from the Cal Coastal loan guy and they're not going to fund my loan. There are a couple of problems with the loan as he sees it, the biggest being that he just doesn't think a bead store would make it here. As he said "I've seen many craft and hobby stores come and go here, they just don't seem to make it." Of course he's talking about Ventura, and he doesn't realize there are at least 4 bead stores in his area alone that are making it! So it seems many of these decisions are subjective, they don't know much about the business but are out there making judgments about whether or not a business will succeed. There are other problems with the loan, no real collateral, but if I had that I would have gone to a regular bank...so I'm not really sure what the purpose of these other loan program is??

I'm sorry if I'm sounding resentful and angry...I am! But I'm sure I'll get over it. I just needed to rant a little, feel sorry for myself, feel like a loser, then hopefully move on and get some other ideas. For now though I'm just going to wallow in self pity for a couple of hours.

Thanks for listening. See you all in a couple of weeks.

Debbie R

Goals

Add edits to bplan and upload to secureplan.com
Complete agreement with Rick and timeline
Gather exercise content and find old doc. (done.)

Goals for March 18

Carla's Goals:
1. Complete Print preparation
2. Create 3 Web images for each print
3. Complete 5 static pages for website
4. Send the above to programmer
5. Investigate fix for MacMini
6. Visit blog during first week after meeting

reminder for meeting!!

Hi Ladies,

This is a reminder for our next meeting.
Same bat time, same bat station.

7pm, Crocodile Restaurant and the Lemon
Tree Inn (State and Alamar).

If you haven't already, please post your
goals on the blog so that I may print them
to bring to the next meeting.

Take care,
Brook R.

Checking in

Hi Ladies!
I readily admit to being technologically challenged, and this is proof. I tried to add my goals to the two already posted, and so far have only succeeded in adding three comments (all of which are exactly the same) to them. If anyone can shed light on how to get my goals to actually be added to what is shown there, that'd be great. Otherwise, I'll just add a new post.

Also, I'm checking in with y'all to see how you are getting along in life and with your business. My MacMini has been "at the doctor" all week after a big crash; my dear husband has set me up to be able to access all of my files on his computer, so production has not suffered. In fact, today I'm feeling some sense of relief, as much has been completed and now it is just the straggling bits and pieces that need to be done. Whew!!!

I'm enjoying the beauty outside my studio window, the birds singing and the sun shining on the leaves. I have a huge crop of white iris blooming--they make me smile. Sometimes it is the tiniest things in life that bring joy to the heart.

I'm wondering how Luciana did at the Women's Festival last weekend! Any reports?

Love to each of you amazing women!
Carla

march 4 meeting goals!!

Debbie A's goals:
1) continue with refinance
2) mail out design/logo to myself
3) make a phone call to neighbor in PR

brook's goals:
1) complete 2nd draft of business plan
2) post free pattern on my blog
3) complete march business goals

Debbie R's goals:
1) Work on branding ideas
2) Follow up with real estate agent
3) Read accounting book

Carla's Goals

1. Meet with insurance agent
2. Research and order shipping materials
3. Prep prints for reproduction
4. Create web images for prints

Looking forward to seeing you all Tuesday night!
Carla

february 19, 2008 meeting goals!

Debbie A's Goals:
1) Continue working on refinancing - clean up credit report
2) Trip to Paso Robles
3) Attend one event through Paso Robles Chamber

brook:
create a goals post (check)
visit lucy at lucia loves luigi
complete marketing survey for ipso facto

Christina's Goals
1) get an agreeemnt from Rick of what he will do, for how much and on what timeline.
2) Sign up for myspace or facebook.

Debbie R's Goals
1) Update Website
2) Turn in additional paperwork for loan
3) Start inventory list for store

Luciana's Goals
1) Get ready for the Women's Festival (order products, mkt materials, signs etc).
2) Work on SEO/review finances about MKT
3) Compare my package with others non eco packs - compare pricing/items included/way it is presented.

admin permissions granted

hi ladies,

everyone now has admin permission, so we can all add on to the goals post.

to add to a published post:
- go to "new post"
- you will see three tabs in the upper left corner saying 'posting', 'settings', etc.
when you are in the "posting" tab, you have the option of creating a post, editing
a post or moderating comments. you want to edit posts, so click on edit posts.
- you will see a list of all the drafts and posts to the blog. find the post you want to
edit and click on edit!

you are now able to add to the goals post! yea!!

let me know if you have any questions.

i'll leave you with some deliciousness...............

Mkt

Hello Ladies! Sorry I missed you last night again. Perhaps we will see eachother Thurs eve at the Wev reunion.

I wanted your suggestions regarding paying about $600 for SEO - seach engine optimization. It may be more..... It seems i don't have much of a choice at this time. It also seems that money is only coming out. Debby was right, wow, no one has bought one thing from me yet. :( although my store is open....
I was curious for your suggestions on getting the word out about littlestarcreativeparties.com
Should I pay for ads at Blogs? Should I get a booth at the Women's festival or cancel that since it is only local and who knows if it will be worth it. I am currently offering 20% off the laplop lunch boxes at my son's school until April 25th/ His school is trying to become more aware of the amt of trash we throw away and have kids use less plastic./less waste etc.. Anyways.... any comments I would appreacite.
Anyway... thanks in advance!

Unexpected Guest

Long story short, I had an unexpected guest show up this evening from Canada. I thought I was going to miss the meeting entirely but ended up getting there late. My apologies to Debbie and Brooke for showing up late, I'm sorry I missed you.

Tonight's Location?

COuld someone post the name/address of the place we're meeting tonight?

Brooke

Hey All

First, thanks to Deb for setting this up and while we're on the subject how 'bout our friend doing that thing where expressing your honest feelings to the universe makes good things come your way!  Deb expressed her frustration about losing the email in which someone wished to place and order and in response she gets another email with multiple orders -- love the way that works.

Second, Carla . . . here's to you girlfriend for facing the big one: scanning the artwork to make the giclee reproductions.  You've told us how challenging this is and how it was one of those "big ones" on your list.  So there you are getting it done!  Our thoughts are definitely with you!

OK I've been flicking back and forth to review the posts and realize now I can post in the comments section to the original post which would probably make much more sense when you all read this so I'm going to try that next for Christina's "Getting Started Blogging" post.

Brooke

Little Star Creative Parties

OK I'm still figuring out how to blog but I'm figuring I'll give a different title to different input so people can pick what's helpful for them.  Here's to our own creative star who launched her website and my experience there.  Uh Deb?  A little help here?  I sent Luciana an email using the link on her website so she could see if that was working.  I copied the body of the email and am trying to paste it here.  But every time I hit paste it appears below this tan border and does not appear when this blog is posted.  Any thoughts?  I'll try to send the email to you guys separately so we can all provide some feedback for the site.

WEV Meeting

Join us for a WEV Alumni Gathering

Who? YOU! WEV Alumni includes: Self-Employment Training (SET) graduates, Small Business Loan Fund recipients, past W! Members and those who have been involved with and would like to give back to the community of business women WEV has created throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
What? WEV is developing W! into a new membership program with expanded services including the opportunity to establish mentoring for grads of SET/SSET. This meeting will be a good time to share your thoughts on WEV's overall vision and the direction being taken to provide services for all phases of business: start-up, launch, grow and sustain.

When? February 7, 2008 at 6:00pm

Where? Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Goleta, CA 93117. Map
Why? To identify lead alumni to help us engage WEV alumni throughout 2008. Do you need another incentive? Think of it like a reunion - forward this announcement to likeminded classmates who you haven't seen in ages. Do you need ANOTHER incentive? There will be munchies!
How? Please RSVP to info@wevonline.org or by phone: (805) 965-6073

MY SITE IS UP!!!

Hello Ladies,
I sent some quotes by email since I had to miss the last meeting.
My site is FINALLY up. Please send me your honest feed back. I've learned to make many changes myself. It is not done, or perfect, but I am really happy with it. Send me your thoughts, changes, comments.
www.littlestarcreativeparties.com

See you all soon!
Luciana

When one door closes

Another opens!

So after telling you last night about what a dork I am for accidentally deleting an email with an order...I got home this afternoon to an email from someone I have previously done some work for, and she wants FOUR necklaces! And yes, I IMMEDIATELY wrote her back AND saved her email address :-).

Hope you are all well and staying as dry as possible.
Debbie

Hi Ladies,
My friend (and project manager) Roni has been here all week, and we are finalizing many details for the website. It is exciting. I haven't worked on anything I thought I would, but I've gotten a LOT done to move ahead with my business. :-) My husband will be taking Thursday off to work with me most of the day on training me to do the extremely complicated task of scanning the artwork for making the giclee reproductions (the images will then be sent over to the website programmer to populate the site). This is the part that strikes the deepest fear into my soul, and I have about 150 of them to do, so I'll be thankful for any prayers or positive thoughts you send my way. :-)

Thanks to each one of you for your great support! I look forward to being back with you all the first Tuesday of February. I'll miss being there for 2 whole weeks! :-(

Hugs,
Carla

Facing Fears

Well, I can say I faced many of my fears this week and I feel soo much better!!!
“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard Thurman
Luciana

Hello to all and thank you Debbie for setting up the invite!  Sorry... my first blog will be short and sweet.  I have a project to finalize.  I'll see you tomorrow nite.   - Claudia 

Getting Started Blogging

Hello Mindful Women,

This is actually my first time using a blog. Thanks for setting it up. Ila Grace is wonderful and I appreciate all of your support! Thank you!

I am working on my website homepage content. I am pasting it here for input:
HOMEPAGE CONTENT
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If you answered yes to any of the above, you will loveMobileNetWork-Out. My purpose is to help you overcome the barriers oftime and know-how, to give you the motivation and fun factor you needto move your body -- everyday -- in a way that makes you stronger,healthier and happier.
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Debbie, 

Once again you've inspired me!!! Congratulations on making things happen since our 

last meeting.  Is it just me or are the Deborahs in this group acquiring property like

a bunch of monopoly players!

I got to peek in the door at Joe's Plating this weekend -- the store itself was closed but

it's another thing I get to cross off my list of things I aimed to do.

Brooke

I did it!

Well I did it, I called the commercial real estate agent I was talking about...and he has a place he thinks might be good for me. It isn't available until June which is fine, this gives me some time to get inventory, arrange advertising etc, the price is right and it's in a pretty good location just off of upper State...the problem is they want a lease signed soon (like the next 30 days) so they know they have a tenant when the other leaves. This means I have to put the final polish on my business plan and financials and approach the bank - YIKES!!

Hang on, the roller coaster ride has begun!!

Debbie

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year all!  Looking forward to a great 2008 

as we support each other through this fantastic adventure!

Brooke