by Donna Maria on May 31, 2009
Today’s message at my church was about money. The speaker shared W.I.B.O., an acronym representing the four things money represents: worship, investment, benevolence and obligation. It will take me a few days to digest the entire message, but the “obligation” part speaks immediately to me in profound ways because I was once in a lot of debt.
According to numerous news reports, Americans are not only in debt, but they also seem to be at a loss as to how to get out of it. According to a report released by Risk Metrics, in December 2007, an average of 7.6% of all credit card loans were either at least 60 days delinquent or had gone into default, up from 6.4% a year earlier. More recently, Bloomberg reports that credit card defaults are poised to rise beyond 10 percent this year.
For small business owners who are in debt, I’m proof that you can get out, but it’s a challenging process and you will have to sacrifice to make it happen.
For small business owners who are not in debt, especially those just starting out, don’t let this happen to you. Keep personal credit card spending to a minimum. I even recommend eliminating credit card debt entirely if you can. I have done this by using using coupons, cutting back on eating out and leaving those new Jimmy Choo shoes on the rack until I can pay cash. It’s a good habit to get into, especially since I’m also saving up for two college educations and trying to make sure I’m not on the cat food retirement plan.
If you’re already in debt, start a plan to get out. Syndicated radio show host Dave Ramsey has some great resources to help you get started.
If you stay out of debt personally, you’ll free yourself up to invest more money in your small business. You’ll sleep better at night too.
Question: What do you think? Is it unrealistic for most people to cut up the plastic? I don’t think so, but I want to hear from you.
* This article first appeared in the Bootstrap Babes blog on February 17, 2008. It has been updated slightly for context for this post.
by Donna Maria on May 30, 2009
Today, no matter what kind of small business you have, you are also in the publishing business. As a publisher who is also a small business owner, you must consistently prepare and circulate information that attracts people to you. One of the most efficient and cost effective ways to do this is through blogging.
Every small business should have at least one blog. For those of you who think you have nothing to blog about, I offer some suggestions here. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on May 29, 2009
Today, I was honored to be the guest on the “Women Entrepreneurs – The Secrets of Success” Radio Show. Hosted by Deborah Bailey (pictured), the show features top authors, entrepreneurs and industry experts.
On the show, Deborah and I discussed a variety of issues facing small and micro-business owners today, including the importance of maximizing new technologies, how to successfully integrate home and business management and the benefits of being involved in issues affecting how your industry is regulated.
Of course we also talked about the great products and services offered by Premium members of the Indie Beauty!
In addition to being a radio talk show host, Deborah offers services to help people transition from employee to entrepreneur. You can listen to today’s show at this link.To find out more about Deborah, visit her website.
by Donna Maria on May 29, 2009
I am not fit (yet), nor am I a fitness expert. But on April 18, 2009, after months of procrastination and years of false starts, I started a new fitness program. I’ve been Tweeting and Facebooking my progress and am thankful to the many people who are cheering me on.
That’s me pictured with one of my fitness inspirations, Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry (@brambleberry).
This undertaking is very difficult, but I am doing it. I’ve shared a few of my insights here and here. Since I’m still new at this, I’m in the perfect position to speak to people who are out of shape and at a loss about how to do anything about it.
Here are three things you can do to start a fitness program without exercising. Though I did not plan it in advance, this is essentially how I started out on April 18.
- Tour a local gym. Don’t make a commitment to do anything other than show up for the tour. Most gyms have enough staff to host a tour on a walk-in basis, but if you’re not sure, call ahead and make an appointment. Tour the gym (more than one if possible) and learn about their offerings and fees. Take the brochures and flyers home. Read them and put them in a place where you’ll see them often to be reminded of the choice you have to change your life for the better.
- Watch fit people engage in fitness related activities. For example, watch a tennis match at a public court, a 5K run, a swimming or track meet or an aerobics class. Do this live, not via your couch and television set so you can surround yourself with the entire experience. Watch the participants. Observe how they move. Do they appear confident? Empowered? Excited? Would you like to look and feel more like that?
- Watch exercise videos. Again, don’t do anything, just pop them in your DVD player and watch. Listen to the sound of the instructor’s voice. Watch the participants. Pay close attention to the close-up shots. Can you see abdominal muscles flex when they do crunches? Can you see how their biceps look when they lift dumb bells? Can you see how their thighs look when they do squats? Does it look good to you? Would you like your thighs to look less like they do now? Could the video help that happen?
I am not suggesting that you watch videos and events so you can compare yourself to others and beat yourself up because you’ll never look like them.
I am suggesting that you watch others experience the benefits of exercise so you are in a better position to decide whether you want more of the kind of lifestyle they have, and less of the kind of lifestyle you have right now.
Starting a fitness routine is challenging for anyone who has never liked exercise (me) or who has gotten so out of shape (me) that the thought of walking from the back of the parking lot to the front door of the grocery store can cause high levels of anxiety.
If you want to start a fitness regime, but you don’t feel like you can yet, start by exposing yourself to the benefits of exercise by spending time around fit people. It may work for you. It may not. But it can’t hurt.
If rubbing shoulders with people who take time for themselves has any influence at all, it will certainly be positive one.
Question: What are your tips for helping beginner’s start a fitness program? How do you motivate yourself?
by Donna Maria on May 28, 2009
Tonight, I attended the red carpet premier of “Young Lives on the Edge,” a documentary shadowing the lives of four Charlotte area youth struggling with the consequences of substance abuse and violence. Produced in conjunction with the Urban League of the Central Carolinas, the film shines a no holds barred spotlight on how drugs and random violence set young people up for failure.
According to Patrick Graham, Ph.D, the President and CEO of the Urban League of the Central Carolinas (pictured with me here), the film documents the young people as they participate in an Urban League program designed to empower them to make better choices. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on May 27, 2009
