Inspiration, Tuesday Thoughts for Women and Women Entrepreneurs During the Coronavirus Quarantine
Entering the house just before lunch hour, there was always a fresh loaf of bread on the counter next to creamy butter. In the refrigerator was fresh orange juice to wash it down. “Eat some bread, Tracy” my grandfather would say. My grandmother, who was housebound due to arthritis, was sitting in the living room watching TV until she was given a 15-minute notice to have the chair lift her mechanically to place her in front of a walker to walk slowly into the kitchen to join a full table of her grandchildren for lunch.
After lunch, my grandfather took a nap and my grandmother returned to her chair to say the rosary. The house was closed off to grandchildren and children for two hours until 3 p.m. when you were welcomed back in to have freshly percolated coffee and some type of sweet or even more bread and butter. My grandfather returned to his acre garden and my grandmother hosted anyone in the living room who wanted to stop in for a cup of coffee. The sacred rest hours were done, and everyone returned to normal, full of joy, and conversation again.
This scene reminds me of this period of time for Americans and Europeans living with the Coronavirus quarantines. Just like the darkened hours of my grandparent’s living room for two hours each day, people are told to stay away while others rest, stay healthy, pray or read, and have their own personal time. In the near future, like my grandparent’s house at 3 p.m. every day, the window curtains and doors will open, loved ones and friends will mingle and mix, hugging and laughing, and having fresh conversations, happy for the time to be together again. Until then, this serene and darkened period of life is essential for everyone’s well being as hard as it is.
I hope today’s blog post reminds you that always after darkened, quiet moments of trials, isolation, contemplation, and introspection, there is an awakening and reviving of spirit and routine. Nothing dark stays dark for long. The light always appears. Life goes on. Business will return. Life will go back to normal. Until then, rest knowing you are doing the best you can in an unexpected time period to take care of yourself and others until the coast is clear to open the window drapes, brew some coffee, and invite others to join you at your table, living room, or business conference table.
Inspiration, Coronavirus Online Free Offerings by Women for Women
Entrepreneurial means thinking out of the box and there is no time like during the Coronavirus, an unprecedented situation, to think out of the box when it comes to entrepreneurship, business, and life. Today’s blog post is an example of what I am doing to share information on online programs, classes, meditations, and more from women entrepreneurs and others.
I have dedicated the past 30 years of my life to promoting, supporting, inspiring and educating women entrepreneurs and small businesses in Central New York and New York State from writing a small business column in my local newspaper to a 12-year blog to a weekly “Wednesday Wisdom”. During the Coronavirus outbreak and work-at-home period, I asked women to share with me any free online courses, classes, meditations, fitness, music, retreats, and works to aid women entrepreneurs and others during this social distancing period.
Women are best when they support other women. People are best when they support other people. I send you love, peace, and health today and in the future. Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham, Women TIES, LLC
Featured Online Offerings from Women TIES Members:
Anytime – Zestful Aging Podcasts by Nicole Christina
Interviews with inspiring and energetic guests about how they are creating their best lives ever. Especially people over age 55.
Listen through iTunes or Spotify at http://bit.ly/ZestfulAgingPodcast
Daily – The Droplet that Saved the World by Teresa D. Huggins
Private Facebook group to create a space for people to upload photos, songs, inspired thoughts, questions that invite us to pause…wonder…consider…and believe a new path is being created. Become friends with Teresa Dowe Huggins on Facebook and ask to be added to The Droplet that Saved the World Private Group, mention Tracy’s name.
Daily – Infinite Light Center for Yoga & Wellness – Live streaming mini yoga classes at 9 a.m. daily on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/InfiniteLightCenter
Periodically – Jennifer Abraham Rust – Creative Profit Planning
Helping business owners find the hidden cash in their businesses and put more cash in their pockets. Periodical Facebook video lessons on creative profit planning and sales. Visit Facebook.com/groups/kidsandtoystorechiefs
Periodically – Cynthia Pooler – Women Who Inspire An online group for women who share positive affirmations to those around her. Women Who Inspire comes from all walks of life and strives to make this world a better place in which to live. Facebook Page and Interviews. Facebook.com/womenwhoinspire
March 25th – Inspired Possibilities – “Time to Pause Retreat”
Open to those who work or volunteer in care-giving, helping, or social justice work. The link is: https://www.inspiredpossibility.com/a-time-to-pause-retreats.html
Paid Member Offerings
Deb Coman – “The Content Conversion Lab” – Helping women entrepreneurs power their content and messaging with a strategy that helps you not only survive but THRIVE, online, especially during these times. Visit bit.ly/TCCLAB
Kim Pandina – PandaWear – String Your Own Jewelry Reach out to Kim to buy a starter jewelry kit to keep you occupied and creative during the Coronavirus. Reach her at kim@pandajewels.com or www.pandajewels.com.
Tracy’s Suggestions
Daily – Holy Family Church – Daily Mass and Rosary Online. This is Tracy’s Catholic parish. They offer a lovely morning mass at 8 a.m. and rosary around 8:30 a.m. if you are interested. Visit www.holyfamilysyr.org
Daily – Women TIES Blog – Tracy has been writing blog posts since 2008 on her popular, inspirational and business blog. The website has easy access to years of weekly blog posts on business strategies, personal perspectives, inspirational words of wisdom, women in sports, and women’s equality perspectives. Visit it at www.womenties.blog
Chicken Soup for the Soul – Go to www.chickensoupforthesoul.com and look through their list of “story call-outs” to find a topic you can write on and submit for publishing. Currently, they are looking for stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Age Is Just a Number Tracy has stories in two different CSS books. Authors with published stories get $200 and 10 books.
Lastly, I was interviewed yesterday on BlogTalkRadio by Cynthia Pooler on how I was communicating with women entrepreneurs and dealing with the Coronavirus Crisis. If you want to listen to it sometime, click here.
Home-Based Work Excellence During the CoronaVirus
Wednesday Wisdom, Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs, Working Professionals, Teachers During the CoronaVirus
On this still and quiet morning when the rest of our nation, cities, and globe retreat from public contact into their own private spaces to work, live and breathe, everyone is trying to work professionally in a new normal by being isolated from others. A majority of people are still mentally distracted from the healthcare crisis even when working in relaxed clothing, on their own timelines, and connected to others only by technology and phone away from public workspaces. The unknown is here and we are squarely planted in its midst. If we never thought we were “social animals” before this fast approaching new normal reminds us we are.
Unlike professionals today, I started my first business as a home-based business in 1995 when it wasn’t normal to work from home. I hid the fact from new clients never wanting them to assume I was less professional because I operated out of my large home with a dedicated office. The technology was just coming to the age to allow women like me to work from home but it was not as widespread or accepted twenty-five years ago. A couple other women entrepreneurs and I now call ourselves “pioneers in home-based business” looking back now, but oh how the times have changed – and changed for the better in light of today’s quiet morning when most of my fellow Americans are working from home.
What I learned long ago about being successful being a home-based working professional is best read in this Pearl Buck quote, “The secret to joy in work is contained in one word- excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” Excellence for me meant excellent communication, excellence in work principles and ethics, excellence in self-management and work discipline, and excellence in services. Did I find joy in working casually dressed from home in the comfort of my own space? Yes, I did but the casual nature of my environment never crept into a casual nature on conducting excellence in business. Rising above client expectations and delivering the best services was of utmost importance to me no matter my surroundings. My clients all learned working from a home-based office did not matter when it came to the professionalism of my approach and delivery of my end product.
And yes, I found joy in my work as quiet as it could be sometimes when my two sons were at school and I had the house all to myself. I also found joy in my day when they came home and I could turn off my computer after a dedicated day to work. Living a balanced home and work life was essential for me to remain happy as a working mother inside my own walls while growing my company and mothering my growing sons. It is possible to find joy in working from home, isolating oneself from the unnecessary restrictions of a formal office setting, and defining for oneself their “normal.” This is what I wish for everyone having to work from home during this Coronavirus crisis.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remind you no matter where you work or within the four walls of any office space, you can find joy in your job especially when you maintain excellence in your attitude, ethics, communication, and promises. Like anything new, a small adjustment period might need to occur but before long, new ways become standard practices and work becomes more normal. Instead of taking your “lunch hour” in your kitchen, take your lunch hour like I have done for years by walking or running outside, reading quietly in the sunshine, taking an online course, or writing. You deserve that lunch hour and when you have it you return to work ready to work until the end of the day. If you have children at home, structure your days so they and you have time frames for both work, learning, and playtime.
I promise you if you live the next few weeks or months with excellence to all that is important for your business, clients, commitments, and self, you will find joy in this time and survive this time of trial.
Faith and Business in Today’s Coronavirus World
Monday Motivation, Wisdom and Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs and Women in Business during the Coronavirus
Whether it is sitting in my beautiful Catholic church praying the rosary on rose-pink beads my son brought me back from the Vatican, gleaning advice from my born-again Christian aunt, having multiple Mother Mary statues on my desk, or reading words from the Dali Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, I am always amidst my deep faith. This faith has impacted my life work as a woman entrepreneur supporting, uniting, and promoting other women and in my writing and daily words of wisdom to anyone who asks for them. The small golden frame on my desk says it best, “What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” I choose to give back what I can to women as often as I can.
In business, I’ve chosen not to speak loudly about my faith because I always wanted every woman, no matter their religious beliefs or backgrounds, to feel they belong in my organization. I know deeply what gets me through every day, major hardships, and perils of life like we are facing with this Coronavirus – and for me its faith. Between my upbringing and religion, I accept any woman who walks through my doors or needs my help because that is what I’ve learned and practiced. In my way, it’s the best way to live and make a positive impact in my corner of the world.
As the global and national news gets scarier and people adhere to distancing themselves from their community and loved ones for safety purposes, remember you are never truly alone. I remain a phone call or email away from any woman who needs to talk or share how she is feeling during this period or to seek advice about proceeding with business “as usual” in an unusual time period.
My 30 years of entrepreneurial insight has gotten me through many tough times and I’m happy to share it with others. My faithful insights learned from homilies, great readings, listening to other women entrepreneurs and wise women, are all for the sharing if you need it. Just know, I am here for you if you are worried – a friendly voice on the other end of the phone or computer to aid you best I can and a big open back yard deck and beautiful backyard for 6’ distance in-person chats.
Today also take to heart these enlightening words as you proceed through anxious days ahead:
“The ultimate source of happiness is within us.” Dalai Lama
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. I felt fear more times than I can remember, but I hid it behind a mask of boldness. The brave person is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“Most gracious Mother of Mercy, you are our light in uncertainty, our comfort in sorrow, our consolation in trail, our refuge from every danger and temptation. After your Divine Son, you are our sure hope for salvation.” Mary My Hope Book
I pray for all the people in my life especially my members and women who are connected with me in some way through Women TIES. You are never alone. I promise.
P.S. If you are looking for more of my wisdom during these difficult days, consider buying my book “Under the Rose-Colored Hat” to inspire you about kindness and self-care during changes in life.
Practical Business Strategies to Handle the Coronavirus
Practical Business Strategies to Handle the Coronavirus for Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business, Small Business Owners
Writing for me is mostly about inspiring people – especially women entrepreneurs – with uplifting thoughts, messages, and examples to take them to a higher level. But after working and writing for women entrepreneurs for 3 decades, once in a while there are times of crisis and uncertainty when writing flowery posts don’t work. When I look back it was this way for me communicating about the loss of my father, losing a friend in one of the 9/11 planes, during the financial crisis of 2008, and when I stepped away from my business for a year and a half to deal with a medical condition. Not all things in life are rosy, although we wish they were.
Coming from a family of doctors, a son who is an Orthopedic Surgical Physician Assistant in New York City, a best friend who graduated from Harvard with a specialty in epidemiology, I write this post today with as much logical advice as I can after speaking with them and listening to national medical doctors (not the politicians). As a 30-year woman entrepreneur, I’ve weathered many difficulties in the economy, personally and professionally and want to share my business advice with my followers and members today as they move and plan forward with this rapidly developing pandemic.
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Practical Words of Wisdom Regarding Business:
* Take a day or two to plan out communication messages for your website, emails, and letters to notify your customers about your plans to either stay open, shut down or other ways to handle this health situation. They deserve to know and you need to head up that plan.
* Pick up the phone (coronavirus are not on our phones – even though you should make sure to wipe them down after being out in public) and call important customers to notify them of any major changes that affect your business with them. A phone call goes along way when everyone is worried. You might deliver a calming tone and message.
* Keep your friends and followers updated on news through social media marketing pages, groups, and events.
* Educate yourself on video conferencing like Zoom, group conference calls, and other technologies to keep members in touch with you and others. If we can’t meet each other out at events, the next best thing may be connecting with people through video conferencing.
* Have a plan in place to deal with ordering supplies and products online or on the phone instead of in person for awhile. Stock up now with supplies so you are prepared.
* Create a plan for employees to work from home for awhile if necessary. Start planning that now.
* Look at your finances and create a short term and long term emergency financial plan to ease your mind and to help make the right financial decisions. Check with your banker about getting a credit line or short term loan if you are worried about your cash flow.
We may not be able to control the spread of the virus and how it affects our businesses, but we can be prepared as possible with small and large plans to take the stress out of our minds.
Inspirational Words of Wisdom:
Remember we have not, and cannot, know what will happen from day to day or year to year so the coronavirus in some ways is like other unexpected situations that occur in our lives – deaths, job loss, health issues, divorce, etc. Just like those hardships, this too will pass and we will all be okay.
Start your days praying, meditating, exercising, or talking to a positive person to lift your spirits. Go out in nature, where the coronavirus isn’t found yet, and breathe in fresh air, thank God for the abundance of nature, allow yourself space to be, and be thankful for what you have.
Stay in communication with people that settle your nerves, inspire you to higher levels of happiness and joy, and stay in touch with people you are worried about. By facing our worries head-on, we don’t allow our emotions to cloud our minds.
I am positive the coronavirus will be like many other crisis we face in our lifetime, here for a short while and gone soon. Until then, we owe it to ourselves and our customers to be as prepared as possible from a professional perspective.
Wednesday Wisdom, Inspiration, Fearless Decision Making for Women Entrepreneurs During the Coronavirus Period
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made” sits near my computer as I type. I have taken this little framed inspiration with me when I go on trips or speaking events where I feel anxious. This Psalm quote reminds me often of the words of my friend Kathrine Switzer, “Tracy when you are fearless, you are free.” She said this to calm me down after sharing with her my fear of flying after 9/11 when I lost a friend on the flight. Her quote is true too. When you let go of the deep emotion of fear, you feel better and are freed in some way.
I want you to remember both of these quotes of wisdom as news of the Coronavirus is featured every day in the media and as news spreads about more American cases. Yes, the thought of a wide-spreading global virus is scary in many ways but if we focus on the logical aspect of the spread and not the emotional facet, we can calm down knowing we have the “power” in our personal and business decisions to take precautions and in doing so we free ourselves from the anxiety of “what could be.” In being fearless, we also keep our immune systems strong which is vital with this disease.
I learned 30 years ago when I became an event planner to look at planning with both an optimistic and pessimistic perspective. I optimistically booked and managed events with the best outcome in mind for my clients, guests, and vendors; but I had to always ask the tough questions about emergency plans, weather precautions, and cancellation policies in order to be able to handle any scenario that occurred. I am not a pessimistic person by nature but I’m logical and smart and know things will happen that could influence changes in events and life. By being a very cautious planner, with a twist of hopefulness and glee, I have managed three decades of varying degrees of event planning and management.
I write about this subject today to help calm you down if you are worried about making a reservation to travel, attend paid events, plan your own events, cancel an appearance, or even make decisions on personal vacation trips. Be fearless in your emotions but wise in your decisions to listen to experts, communicate properly with others about your decision, and make informed decisions you can live with no matter what the outcome.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remember you are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ with all you need to make rational, safe, and wise decisions to get through this period of business and life. Remember there is also technology you can use to maintain communication with clients, associates, and vendors. Not all is lost by not having in-person events for awhile. Start now looking into other technologies to help you navigate this period so you don’t lose touch with your constituents. Where there is a will, there is a way! Women TIES will keep on booking events for the future with a policy to refund paid reservations if we must but we move ahead without too much fear keeping our eye on the near future when this virus will be in the rear-view mirror.
Inspiration, Motivation, Wisdom on International Women’s Day for Women, Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business, Women in Sports
I have a colorful collection of political signs in my collection:
Hillary 2008
Hillary 2016
Juanita Perez Williams 2018
Elizabeth Warren 2020
In my closet are copies of:
* Personal note cards supporting Joannie Mahoney’s Onondaga Country Executive Run
* Photos of 120 women I took to the Women’s March on Washington in 2017
* Signs used at 2018 CNY Women Rising Syracuse Women’s March I co-hosted
* Photos of me and my friend Rachel at the 2020 NYC Women’s March
* Copies of my speeches from past International Women’s Day Celebrations
Actually, the list could go on and on since it’s been 25 years of supporting, promoting and uniting women across New York State with my company. These items represent my pure passion for supporting women who run business, run for office, run in sporting events, and run together with other women in the fight against breast cancer and other female health issues.
Although yesterday was another sad day for women when Elizabeth Warren ended her run for President of the United States along with other strong female candidates, my hope like hers is that one day soon we will finally have a woman in the White House and an equal balance of women in congress, running companies, and being paid equally in sports.
Our time is just around the corner, over one more big hill, and in the near distant horizon. I believe it. I know it will take every woman to support women first and foremost in every area of life to make that change. I hope on Women’s Day 2020 every woman who reads this blog post commits to supporting women first and foremost in their lives when they have the choice.
We can change the future if we band together like never before.
Power Thoughts for Women Entrepreneurs
Wednesday Wisdom, Motivation, Inspiration for Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business, Women in Sports
I opened up the Power Thought Cards by Louise Hays given to me as a gift from a close friend. She understands my love for inspirational thoughts and wisdom. Today’s beautiful taupe colored card with shimmers of turquoise blue font popped out ready to share its message, “As I say yes to life, life says yes to me. Life mirrors my every thought. As it keeps my thoughts positive, life brings to me only good experiences.”
If you have been a woman entrepreneur for 25 years like me or 3 years or 6 months, you know the essence of your day must begin with positive thoughts to carry you through a day of sales calls, social media marketing posts, and customer troubles. Life needs to vibrate positive expectations to carry us alone in our day full of a hundred tasks. Similar to the card color, our day may appear dull brown full with mundane tasks but if we trust our entrepreneurial wisdom it will become speckled throughout the day with glimmers of turquoise like new revenue, new client appointments, and exciting collaborations. A dull day can turn brilliant in the blink of an eye, a random phone call or testimonial from a customer.
I learned a long time ago that the only way to mentally make it as a woman entrepreneur was to carry positive thoughts throughout my day. If my event totals were low, I picked up the phone and called women to invite them to attend our programs lighting up my day after hearing their voices. If an impossible problem surfaced, I called a trusted advisor to help solve it. When revenue was not coming in the door, I looked back at sales notes and set a plan to re-energize my efforts. Holding tight to positive thoughts is what we need every day in every situation.
We all know life can be hard. Unexpected situations can creep up when we least expect them. The test is always how we mentally look at a situation and move forward with positive energy.
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is to remind you that life can be tough, surprising situations can suddenly appear, and disappointment can cloud excitement, but if you mentally look at any situation with positive thoughts that energy can carry you forward to another day. If the world was a perfect place, we would be rich, successful and happy all the time but then life might eventually appear dim like the tan shades of my inspirational card. Only through tests, trials, and tribulations, approached with positive energy, can the beautiful blue-green specks of color balance out the neutral.
I hope you look for the turquoise colors in your business life today. They are there waiting to be noticed or made. The decision is up to you.
Note: If you are looking for more wisdom and inspiration today, buy Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham’s “Under the Rose-Colored Hat” on Amazon.
Inspiration for All Females for Women’s History Month
Inspiration, Monday Motivation, Action for women, women entrepreneurs, women in business, females in sports
The yellow pages of history – which I love referring to as herstory – had a lot to do with landing me exactly where I was supposed to be. I was born in 1964 during the second wave of feminism when women of all ages began to fight to secure a stronger role in America. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 included Title VII that prohibited discrimination in employment on the basis of gender. Members of the National Organization of women strove for equality breaking down social and legal norms. I believe coming to life in 1964 sparked my feminist spirit.
My mother, born to traditional Italian immigrants, broke conformity by fighting for her own individual future by going to college where she worked numerous jobs to pay for school for her future independence. Graduating in 1963 with a four-year college degree gave her choices to begin her career – the first woman in her family to do so. I am positive some of her feminist genes landed in my body being born a year later to her dismay as an interruption in her professional future. I was raised to be a very independent girl.
Feisty at the core from the beginning of life, I’ve never backed away from a chance to lead others – mainly women – as evident by putting together an all-female election slate in 1979 for student government. Although we didn’t win, I continued to lead and push forward female issues in becoming a woman entrepreneur, serving only women business owners the past quarter-century, creating an all women’s sports network, and women’s equality division to my company. Women are first in my life and will be forever.
During Women’s History Month, I encourage you to look at your “herstory” starting with significant events that occurred the year you were born. Examine the women in your life who sparked your interest in pro-female beliefs and attitudes. Dive into your core to find “pink-related issues” that move you today like equal pay, electing female political candidates, protecting women’s reproductive rights, buying from women in business, and filling the stands at women’s sporting events. This is the month to get in touch with your feelings on women’s issues and get more involved in 2020.
Commit to doing something every single day in March 2020 that supports women in your life or community. Don’t be afraid to speak from your heart and soul about female issues that must change in your eyes. We need you to get more involved. Don’t back down – rev up. Women’s past history shows you why. Let’s make a difference in our generation too.
Women Entrepreneurs – Inspirational Ideas from a Political Caucus
Thursday Thoughts for Women Entrepreneurs, Women in Business and Small Business Owners
Having never witnessed a caucus before an election year, I have watched intently as voters packed small rooms, large spaces, and outdoor venues to cast their “physical vote” for a candidate. I marveled at the visual separation of people in pews, on floors and in gym seating based on their personal choice for a candidate like Elizabeth Warren or Amy Klobuchar. If I was a candidate, I would love to see the actual faces of the people supporting my election.
As a woman entrepreneur I have experienced my own “caucus experience” from my constituents when I host an event and see their faces in the audience or when I share information on social media and people “like” it or share it with others. In both cases, there is a visual recognition of support much like the political candidates witness at pre-caucus events. It is exhilarating to look into a crowd and see supporters face-to-face or hear their accolades in person.
I always glean business inspiration from ordinary events and this morning my mind is full of creative ways business owners can experience their own caucus moments in every day entrepreneurial life. I hope they inspire you today.
* Set a date to gather your loyal fans, customers and clients at a special event to not only see and count your constituents but to gather their perspectives and opinions. Be bold enough to ask and listen and walk away with a stronger sense of what matters to the people you serve.
* If an actual event is not a possibility for your type of business, create a customer survey to gather opinions on what matters to your clients, new ideas for services or products and reviews on your leadership. Data doesn’t lie. It can shine a light on areas of weakness and strength.
* Be prepared to communicate with customers after your “caucus” experiment to share new policies, practices or products that stem from their input. This will allow them to see you care what they think makes them even stronger supporters.
Remember you don’t have to be a political candidate to experience the exhilaration, views, and opinions of the ones you serve but you need to create opportunities to host your own special type of “caucus” activities to show your customers you care about what matters to them and take in the faces of your loyal supporters.
Women TIES 