Women’s Herstory: The New $10 Bill
Business inspiration for women entrepreneurs and female business owners
I loved the title of this morning’s article, “Treasury to put a woman on the $10 bill” because it ties into a recent conversation I had with a woman in Seneca Falls who portrays Elizabeth Cady Stanton who was an American suffragist, social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early women’s rights movement.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton is often credited with initiating the first organized women’s rights and women’s suffrage movements in the United States. I had the fortune to meet the actress who portrays her when I received an award from PBS Station WCNY “Women Who Make American Award” at the Women’s Rights Park in March. We have struck up a kinship since the event because she moved me with the words she said to me after the award ceremony, “Tracy, I am so glad there are women like you today who are continuing the fight for women’s rights and equal pay.”
I know I wasn’t speaking to the real Elizabeth Cady Stanton but it sure felt like I was. The actress learned about my passion as an advocate, supporter and promoter of women entrepreneurs the past 20 years bringing them together to market their companies to earn more money. My “feministic” belief that women should buy from women, first and foremost, has been my unique and passionate brand.
My company Women TIES exists to foster the economic “ties” between women living across New York State. It is my way to help level the financial playing field in today’s business climate just like Elizabeth Cady Stanton did years ago.
Having a ten dollar bill with a woman’s face on it, represents to me, the power women have to spend their money and invest their financial future with other women every single opportunity they get. I will continue to preach my message of women buying from women, first and foremost, until we are equal to men in what we earn and make.
As soon as a woman is on the $10 bill, I might have to make all my events and membership dues in $10 increments just so I can see the face of an American woman being exchanged through my business.
You can vote for the woman you want on the $10 bill when the Treasury announces their new website for the campaign by using hash tag #TheNew10. I am sure you can guess who I will be voting for – #ElizabethCadyStanton.
Blogging: A Recipe for Success
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Descriptions of lemon cake with blueberry drizzle, slow baked sauteed spinach, bacon and feta cheese soufflé, chicken saltimbocca with melty fontina and Italian style kumquat mojito seep slowly into my inbox every day just as my stomach is growling for a business break. These recipes are not coming a Food Network star or Better Homes and Gardens but from one of our members, who in my opinion, has one of the most creative, beautiful, well written blogs on the Internet today.
This Italian-American woman, who has lived her entire life in Central New York, married her best friend of 27 years and who treasures 3 beautiful children became a “foodie” before the term was coined. Her career was in education until she became an emptynester two years ago at the same time her creative eye and palate inspired a food blog. Within a short period of time, she has perfected the blogging recipe of success by increasing her followers substantially, creating new national partnerships and using social media marketing like an old pro.
I am asked all the time how I have created and written 10 years of 52 inspirational “Women TIES Wednesday Wisdom” editorials every year for <women entrepreneurs I have admitted some mornings writing is easy because I am inspired by a topic, person, subject or experience. Other times I stare out my window praying for inspiration to write. It always comes if I give it enough time. Starting my blog in 2008 was a relatively fresh concept and it has become one of the best attributes of my company because it increases my brand name and reach.
Today’s post is to inspire you to consider writing more so you can host your own creative blog. It is also to motivate you to learn more about the benefits of using a blog as a marketing tool and increasing your views and search engine optimization. Remember you have business and personal insights to share with the world; you just need to pull your own wisdom up and commit to share it in written form.
I did not go to school for writing just like Annie Sageer of Ciao Chow Bambina, did not go to school to become a foodie, sometimes in life good things transpire from pure inspiration and interest. Make sure you are tapping into all the creative juices that flow through you. There might be one that creates a perfect recipe of success for you and your company.
Graduating Through Business Changes
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
“Holding on is believing there’s only a past; letting go is knowing there is a future,” a quote by Daphne Rose Kingma graced my morning computer screen. What an interesting quote for this week when so many youth are moving up a grade or graduating from high school. You probably remember your own moving up days and graduation moments when you stood in a moment of time looking back and looking forward at the same exact time.
In business we celebrate those moments too when we are standing in the threshold of change. Sometimes its simple adjustments that need to be made and ones we have been avoiding for awhile; other times it is dramatic transformation calling us. We sense it. We feel it. We know it. Like the morning thunder, it’s been roaring off in a distance trying to get our attention. I have always believed the hardest part of making any change is actually thinking about making the change, not the change itself. Once a decision has been made, relief sets in.
We are constantly challenged to grow as entrepreneurs. Whether we are creating new systems, adding staff, expanding into new regions, being educated in new subjects or borrowing capital to expand, we have to nurture development within ourselves and our business walls. We have to be willing to graduate to new levels all the time.
Today be inspired to look at change the way a graduate is looking at change this week – cognizant of where they have just been and enthusiastic for where they are going. Remember you can’t stand in the threshold of making small or major decisions too long. At some point you need to step backward or move forward or you risk stalling.
I hope you will be more like the graduates this week who are full of anticipation for what lies ahead if you are going through change. Remember at any moment, you can walk through the threshold you’ve been standing in to a new way of conducting business.
Lead in Business Today Like a MVP
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
I could not turn it off. I wanted to hear more. I knew if I listened intently there was a message. I am sure you have felt this way before. Someone spoke and you were inspired. These moments come in graduation speeches, award ceremonies and educational moments. I find the best wisdom comes in every day moments.
I love many things. If you have followed me the past ten years you know I love my sons, women entrepreneurs, inspiring others, the Dave Matthews Band and sports. Everyone is different. Everyone is genetically created with interests that fuel them. What motivates us comes from so many sources – our upbringing, our hereditary, lifelong relationships and ourselves. I became a sports fan for many reasons but primarily because my parents were physical education teachers and coaches and inspired my sister and I to turn off the television and engage as often as we could in sports. I guarantee if you stop for a moment you can reflect on what or who has influenced who you are.
What I could not turn off this morning was a wonderful personal interview with LeBron James after last night’s NBA Finals victory. I have been mesmerized by James since watching him play in a live game in Cleveland with my sons in 2007. I have loved his passion, talent, and especially his leadership style. I loved when he moved to Miami and then back to Cleveland. This morning’s interview was about what it takes to lead himself and his team. It struck my spirit as he said, “I have to show up and lead all the time not only for myself but for others around me.”
As a woman entrepreneur you understand his statement. We get up every morning with a decision to lead or follow. Lead ourselves into a victorious day or shrink into average duties. Lead others by our optimism, example and encouragement or be silent. We choose to see ourselves as strong, resilient women or perceive ourselves as weak. It is a choice. It is a mindset. It is about leadership.
Today’s post is to remind you that the stronger you are as a leader of your company the more successful you will be. The stronger your network of employees, vendors and supporters, the more things you will achieve. The harder you push to make every single day highly successful- like LeBron James pushes to win every single game – the more goals you will accomplish. You must believe in yourself. You have to push harder. You have to shoot higher.
You might not be inspired by LeBron James like I am, but there are high achieving people who inspire you. Take a few minutes today to read something that motivates you – review a YouTube video, listen to some music or even turn on ESPN and take in leadership inspiration to fuel your day. Lead on. Be the MVP today.
Possess Business Confidence Like LeBron James
Business advice for entrepreneurs and small business owners
When you are at the top of your game in business, life or basketball, you tend to create either a passionate fan following or spiteful doubters who want to see you fail. How an individual handles their rise and sustainability at the top in midst of a combination of loyalty and disdain is a feat of personal power. Celebrities, politicians and sports stars are not the only ones susceptible to the rise and fall of popularity. Business owners can as well.
I have been a basketball fan since I stood at my father’s side cheering on the stars of the sports. We both loved the Boston Celtics even though we lived in New York State. I practiced foul shots as often as I could on a hoop on my garage and played with my male cousins who were high school stars. It made sense when LeBron James leapt to the forefront of basketball news that I paid attention.
One of the top ten events I enjoyed most in my life, besides the 1999 Woodstock in Rome, New York or the birth of my sons, was going to Cleveland in April 2002 to watch a Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game. The environment was electric, the crowd enthusiastic and star player LeBron James spectacular. I became a LeBron James the moment I watched him play.
In everyday business, we need motivation and inspiration. For the most part I get that from other women entrepreneurs that I respect but sometimes I get it from watching LeBron James play. His stunning NBA Final performance last night in Oakland reminds me that I can do the following in business today:
• Have an outstanding one day performance if I believe I can and if I am 100% committed to success. I might not open up my business doors every morning with the look of intensity that James had at the opening of last night’s game, but when I need to change my attitude to become more successful I can – and so can you.
• Understand success is only possible with a cast of strong supporters. Whether they are staff, loyal customers, or reliable vendors. A woman entrepreneur cannot be a winner in business unless she is surrounded by a strong supporting cast of characters; just like LeBron can’t carry a game on his own without his teammates input.
• Know there is a well of confidence you can possess in times of doubt to push you forward. What I love most about LeBron James is what others might not like, his brash, undying confidence in himself and his skills. All small business owners can use that same confidence when business is slow, the market gets flooded with competitors or after a financial loss. Our confidence can dramatically increase our chances for success.
I hope today you feel like I do, confident that your business future is bright if you take some cues from LeBron James and lead your entrepreneurial life with outstanding performances, a supporting cast of supporters and extreme confidence you can achieve your goals.
3 Daily Entrepreneurial Tasks To Be More Successful
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Do your business days start slow sometimes because you are unfocused wondering exactly what you should do first? As the owner of your own business, you probably have a list of 100 tasks you could work on at any moment especially if you are a solo entrepreneur.
I have learned to start each business day with 3 important tasks that set the tone and success of my day (and future). Even when major customer projects are due, I find time for these 3 tasks. I hope they inspire you to start or re-start your day by doing the same.
1. Complete 7 Sales Calls – Kick start your morning by listing 7 current or prospective customers to contact to create revenue. There is no time like first thing in the morning, when your energy level is high, to pick up the phone and ask for business. If sales is challenging to you, completing sales calls first thing in the morning makes the rest of your day easier. On average it takes me about 2 hours to make 7 calls depending on the conversations. It is the best investment in my business.
2. Write and Share a Blog Post – If you have a blog, you should be blogging at least 3 times a week if not more. Dedicate 30 minutes to write a post and another 15 minutes to share it on social media marketing. By sharing posts early in the morning, it gives your company publicity all day long as the posts gets shared and re-shared by others. Get into the daily habit of writing and sharing your work on social media marketing to increase your brand name and company outreach easily.
3. Add to Your Future Project List – In order to keep your entrepreneurial mind and spirit fresh, it is important to maintain a list of fresh ideas, new products or services or big project concepts on file. You get ideas everywhere from talking to customers, reading articles, and sharing experiences with others. If you don’t get into a habit of writing down what inspires you, you won’t remember. Start your business day by adding a new idea to your list or adding new thoughts to existing ideas. Review the list at the end of the week and set dates to start working on some projects.
Set the tone to your day everyday by listing your own 3 essential business tasks and I bet you will achieve more success relatively soon.
Business Inspiration: Success is in the Journey
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
I came across a quote yesterday that read, “The word ‘Success’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Succedere,” meaning ‘to go on well.’ This implies that success is a journey and not just a destination.” If you have been in business long enough you have felt successful after reaching a certain destination or after an excellent sales year or when you accomplished a large goal. Success can feel like it has a ‘beginning and an end’ more than an ongoing flow.
The month of June signifies this thought perfectly. Our professional and personal schedules have flowed with purpose since the beginning of the year traveling us through New Year’s resolutions, harsh winter weather, spring holidays and the arrival of birds and flowers. As the weather warms up, business flow changes sometimes making us feel like we are not as successful. We do not work as many long hours. We take more time to have lunch with friends and customers. We juggle vacation and school break schedules. The flow of regular business starts to meander away from us.
Similarly June can feel like the middle of our entrepreneurial career when the heart pumping excitement starts to wane and what seemed fresh seems slightly old. We might start losing more clients than gaining new ones. Our thoughts stale as time ticks on. We may not know where to go next. We ponder ways to reignite our passion, purpose and a plan to stay relevant, resourceful and responsive to our community. So what does one do when faced with the “middle stage” of a business year or the middle of their business life cycle?
I have learned entrepreneurs must stay inspired by listening to the success strategies of more successful entrepreneurs than themselves. They need to learn with new books, new classes, or new experiences. They cannot isolate themselves but rather surround themselves with people to share their emotions and thoughts to receive input. They need support.
Today’s post is to remind you if you are feeling stuck in your business because you are in a “middle stage”, frustrated with the flow of your success or experiencing changes in your business that are causing stress, to realize the best resources to pull you through are inspiration, education and others. If June is making you feel uncomfortable or if you are in a plateau in your business with lack of focus, remember you are not alone. There are options and ways to reinvent yourself, your life and your company.
I know for certain success in business is a ‘journey’ you can’t accomplish alone no matter what the season of the year or company life span. High achieving business owners ensure they are always in the midst of others to help them travel down the road to a new destination.
Weekly Sales Strategies to Live By
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Like most entrepreneurs just getting back to work after a great weekend, I am ready and raring to kick-start my new business week. The first thing on my mind is to increase sales. I hope you are too.
Today’s blog post is simple, yet effective, advice if you are looking to jump start your sales action this week and year. I suggest you use today (and maybe every Monday) to create a plan for when you’ll make calls this week and who should be on your list. Make a point to etch out at least half a day if not a whole day every single week to conduct sales calls or appointments. Sales are the lifeblood of every small business so make it a priority in 2014 and start planning now.
Here are our 3 top sales strategies to get you on your way:
Remember You Offer a Benefit
The best salespeople say when you are selling, you are not selling the tangible item, you are selling the benefit the product or service what you sell brings to the client. Do you know the true benefits of your product or service? Take time to thinking about, indentify and make a list of these attributes and how they can help prospective customers. After asking the potential customer about their company and listening for what they “need” – take what you hear them say and tell them how your company’s services or benefits can help them with the “need.”
After Every No Comes a Yes
My father was a salesman the second half of his career. He told me to always remember when making cold calls you will get many “no thank you’s” but at some point you will get a “yes – sign me up!” You never know when the next phone call is the person who wants to buy from you. So don’t give up making sales calls. Always believe there is someone who needs your service or product. Keep calling, remain positive, and keep your spirits high!
Convert Networking Events into Sales
Women entrepreneurs love networking events because women love gathering with other women. Attending events can be a great mood boost as well as a great sales boost so plan on attending regular networking events this summer at diverse business organizations. Remember the trick in making time spent at any networking event a success is to identify 3-7 people you meet and make a “warm sales call”. Every week schedule one morning or full day if you have the time, to call people you’ve met the week previous at a networking event or other function. Timing and follow-up are key to starting a new sales relationship.
Remember what you make a priority, becomes your reality. Make a commitment before the week gets underway to commit to being a stronger salesperson for your business.
Money is Key to Small Business Success
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
Money is something everyone needs in their life whether it’s to maintain a household, buy a car or put yourself or children through college. Most people would agree they don’t need to be wealthy to enjoy a good life but having money helps ease the stress allowing them to feel secure and happy.
Women entrepreneurs and small business owners value money similarly. We need cash to open up our doors, cash flow to keep the doors open, lines of credit to add staff and loans to expand operations. Entrepreneurs are known to boot strap their operations in the beginning of their entrepreneurial endeavors because they need a proven track record of increasing revenue and sales and a strong business plan to obtain financing from a financial institution. Business growth hinges on the ability to obtain backing.
Small businesses need to remember our government has created a number of resources to help including the Small Business Development Centers in New York State. For twenty years I have had a business advisor from the Syracuse SBDC providing me with education, advice and financial information. On June 2, 2015, the Syracuse SBDC is hosting their annual free Lender Matchmaker Event to give small businesses the chance to talk personally to 25 financial institutions, like a few of our members Cooperative Federal and M&T Bank, in 10 minute increments about loan, credit lines and more.
If you are a Central New York or Syracuse based business, you can learn more about this valuable program by clicking on this link. I will be at this special program with a Women TIES booth so stop by if you’d like to meet me and learn more about my company’s services to help promote, market and connect women owned business in New York State.
Remember you can have the best business but if you don’t have the essential financial backing or cash flow when you need it, you can’t sustain, grow and serve your customers. Money is a key to success for small businesses.
Business advice for women entrepreneurs and small businesses
If you have given up on the power of public relations outreach and social media marketing then today’s post will make you believe again!
If you follow my blog or follow me on social media you may have noticed a special blog post written and shared a few days ago on behalf of one of our members Susan Bertrand of Maureen’s Hope Foundation, a 501C3 organization based in Syracuse that helps adults and children with cancer. I became an advocate and board member of Susan’s organization a number of years ago. Our small “PR Team” wanted to garner the attention of the Dave Matthews Band – one of my favorite things since 1999 – to tell them about a special project named after one of their songs “You and Me” which benefits children with cancer at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The other belief I shared with the PR committee is the theory of the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” a concept that two people on Earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart. Our committee believed any of our posts or tweets seen by our followers would lead us to a connection to Dave Matthews or someone in his band so the “You and Me” Bear story would be shared with him. I had been following their bassist Stefan Lessard on Instagram for a couple years and thought he might be the guy to reach.
Yesterday the belief in outreach, PR and marketing worked when Susan received a personal message from Stefan confirming he had heard about the project. We had so many people including the Foundation’s youth group trying to reach them. Someone made the connection happen. I truly hope my blog post which was shared on social media about 150 times in one day and my Twitter appeal to Stefan was the link that worked for such a worthy cause. In the end, it doesn’t matter who reached him, the goal was accomplished which will help this most wonderful program of Sue’s foundation.
Today’s blog post is to remind you that public relations, viral marketing and social media marketing should not be forgotten by you or your company when it comes to sharing good news. Hard working entrepreneurs forget sometimes to pat themselves on the back for their hard work. You have to believe that what you work on, what your company represents and how it helps others is newsworthy. Remember you are connected by six degrees to someone who can make your biggest dream come true. Realize Women TIES exists to help women entrepreneurs with those economic and public relations connections.
One of the iconic sentences in Dave Matthews Band “You and Me” song is, “together we can do anything.” I hope today you consider using social media marketing or business connections to make important things manifest for your company.
Women TIES 