Sometimes, things that happen in life cause you to sit back and take stock of how many blessings you have. Something happened to me recently that caused me to focus intently on how thankful I am.

I am most surely thankful for more than ten things. I am also thankful all the time. But today is different. Today, I am SO thankful. Here are the top ten things I am thankful for.

1. Friends and family. In my life, there is sometimes a thin line, if any, between friends and family. My family is great. My friends are great. And sometimes, they are one in the same. My friends are amazing. I am humbled and bowed down at their loyalty and love.

   You know who you are and you know what you did for me. Thank you.

2. My health. I am strong in both body and mind. This makes it possible for me to endure just about any difficulty, mental or physical, and make choices and take actions that improve my life and the lives of those closest to me. I am so thankful for my health.
3. Books. If you have access to books, you can learn to do anything better. Without books, the world is a closed and darkened place. I am thankful that I live in a country that does not censor my access to information — through books, magazines and other media. I am thankful for books, and of course, that I can read.
4. My children. What a blessing it is to receive the love, respect, and affection of a child. What an honor to be positioned to help shape the future of the world by injecting knowledge, hope, and common sense into the life of a young person. I am so thankful that I have the priceless things of life to give to my children.
5. The ability to make a living. While I prefer entrepreneurship to a traditional job, I am thankful that I have the opportunity to make a living doing something. Many people today do not have this option. As easy as it is for any of us to say, “Just get a job,” for some people in some situations in this country, it is nearly impossible. I am thankful millions of times over for the ability to work to support myself and my children.
6. Technology. I can contact anyone in the world so long as I have a Wi-Fi connection. What a blessing.
7. An amazing business team. Nothing can take the place of a team of capable, competent business colleagues. I am especially thankful to Kayla, an integral part of my little business corner of the world.
8. The US Constitution. It’s flawed, yes, but it protects my most basic of rights. There are other great countries out there, but I’m glad to be a natural born citizen of this one. I am also thankful for the men and women in the armed forces who are on watch to make sure that the rights I have are preserved. It does not have to be so.
9. My neighbors. I have incredible neighbors. They care for their property so all of our lifestyles are elevated. The lawns are manicured, there is no trash beside the driveway, the residents drive slowly because children are playing, and there is always someone from whom I can borrow the proverbial cup of sugar.
10. My God. Last but not least, I am thankful for the source of these blessings. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

So, that’s that.

Question: What are you thankful for?

Merry Christmas! All is calm, all is bright. I hope this day finds you safe and wrapped in the arms of the people who love you most.

May your holiday be merry and bright, and may all your fondest dreams come true!

My new iPad 2 tablet and Bluetooth portfolio with Bluetooth keyboard have made me happier than I could have ever imagined. Yes, I do have a life outside of geeky toys, but since the geeky toys allow me to successfully create the life I love, I am always excited to test them out and share them with you. Behold!

I have wanted to experience iPad for many months, but the absence of a traditional keyboard, which I rely on to manage my member database and social networking site, and to update this blog quickly, has held me back. As you can see, problem solved!

Business Girl’s Best Friend?

As you can see, it is perfectly red. They keyboard is small but big enough for any common work use. The case has a built-in stand that stands the iPad on a perfect angle for working or reading. I can’t wait to try it out on the treadmill! It’s very light, perfect for on-the-go. It feels good in my hands and fits in my purse. What more could a business girl ask for?

It’s available in a variety of colors, at Brookstone.

I’ll be sharing more about how I use my new toy, including one or two things I can’t use it for (because nothing is perfect) in the coming days. I’d do it now, but I’m too excited.

Merry Christmas To Me!

( .. and happy birthday too; that’s in a few weeks!) Thanks for sharing my joy, and remember to buy some special things for yourself this holiday season. I hope they will make you as happy as this makes me.

Questions: What are your holiday gifts to yourself?

I am pleased to share the podcast line up for December 2011. All month, our focus is on health and fitness. Also this month, I am pleased to feature as my guests current (and in one case, a former) members of the Indie Beauty Network!

You can also follow along the INDIE Business FaceBook Page.

December 5: Teri Lang Patterson: How To Maintain Fitness Through The Holidays: The holidays are here, and soon, we’ll all be talking about making 2012 more healthy than 2011. But how will we do that? What changes need to be made and how do we make them? We’re not waiting until 2012 — we started today with certified fitness coach Terri Lang Patterson of Fit Body Systems, who offered super tips to help us amp our fitness levels starting right now! (I’ll blog the show with a stream and download link later this week.)

December 12: Tiffany McCauley: How To Eat Clean During The Holidays: OK, so it’s December, and that means cakes, cookies, pies and all kinds of scrumptious goodies. But does watching your weight mean you cannot indulge during the holidays? Tiffany McCauley of The Gracious Pantry says, NO, and she’s here to share her best tips for enjoying the festive food of the season without ruining your figure or minimizing the work you started doing after my interview with Teri.

RSVP for the live show with Tiffany McCauley here!

December 19: Gina Rafkind: How To Reduce Stress and Anxiety In Your Life and Your Business: While the holidays can be an especially stressful, small business owners manage an extraordinary amount of stress all year long. But you don’t need to live in a constant state of overwhelm and anxiety in order to thrive in your life and your business. Gina Rafkind, CEO of Veda Sun, is going to share some of her best tips for actually using anxiety to release increased energy and creativity in your life. We’ll discuss great tips you can use throughout the holidays and into the New Year.

RSVP for the live show with Gina Rafkind here!

That will be my last podcast of 2012. I’ll be back on January 9, 2012 for the start of my 6th season — can you believe it??!

While you’re waiting for these shows, enjoy my interview with marathon runner and mom Laura McClain, sharing tips for beginner runners. You may also enjoy this guest post by my friend John Easton: Exer-preneurship: The Cure For a Flabby Body and a Flabby Business.

You can also download my shows on iTunes!

Questions: What fitness questions or tips would you like to contribute? If you cannot attend live, I’ll do my best to see that your contribution is shared.

I am fresh back from a fun Thanksgiving celebration! I hope you and your friends and family had half the fun I did. Dinner on Thursday was amazing. (If you missed my Tweet of the spread, you can catch it here.) Even better, we took off longer than usual so we got in lots of relaxation and going over the river and through the wood to visit more people than we usually do when we go home (Washington, DC for those who don’t know).

As you know, I”m the founder and CEO of the Indie Beauty Network, and my members have been working hard this season to create amazing handmade soaps, candles, artisan perfumes, aromatherapy products, and jewelery to make your online holiday shopping a breeze. I am so pleased with their success and I love supporting them, so in their honor, I am reserving most of my Tweets tomorrow to share the amazing Cyber Monday deals they have planned for you.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and join me on FaceBook to catch some wonderful products at great prices, made by hand, right here in America. I can’t wait to share all their super stuff with you.

Happy Holidays!!

One of the most challenging parts of life as a small business owner is dealing with negative energy. From snarky FaceBook comments to the discouraging looks and raised eye brows of you your closest friends and relatives, the more you attempt to better yourself and grow your business, the more times you will feel like the forces of hell have been unleashed upon you.

But there is good news, and it starts with accepting the fact that dealing with negative energy is an important part of your personal development. The more you face negativity, the better you become at dealing with it and overcoming it. Here are few things I do regularly to help combat negative energy when it comes my way.

1. Review your core values. The best way to resist and overcome negative energy is to solidify who you are before the energy ever even comes your way. This is where your core values come in. Refer to them each morning, before you interact with another human being, so you start each day secure in your guiding principles and in who you are as a person. When you know who you are, negative energy is like an annoying fly. Swat it away at will, and move on with your day.
2. Review your mission statement. Negative energy has a way of causing you to question your mission, and sometimes even your very existence on earth. The easiest way to combat this is to review your mission statement daily, again early in the morning as you review your core values. Also, take a look at your vision board, and let it remind you of all that you seek to achieve in your life.

   These actions take a few minutes and they are very effective at helping you push away any negative energy that comes your way, especially if you do them in in the still quietness of the morning when no one else is around. It’s a great way to prepare for a positive day, no matter what kind of energy comes your way.

3. Respond to negative energy with positive energy. You’ve heard this before, “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Easier said than done, I know. But it really is true that misery loves company, so if you take the bait and join the negative energy party, the demons will have twice the fun.

   Resist the urge to externalize your fight. Follow Steps 1 and 2, and release the negativity into the light of your core values and mission. Allow this process to fill you with positive energy which you can release outwardly into the space around you. In short order, your positive response will cause the negative energy to either burn itself out or go elsewhere. Sounds weird, I know, but it works.

There are other things you can do that are external to yourself, like going for a run, calling a friend for a pick-me-up, or watching a favorite movie or TV show to divert your attention.

I know you have other ideas.

Question: How do you deal with negative energy?

I knew it was coming. We all did. Yet, I still mourn. I mourn not for a man I knew, but for a man who knew me. He knew I needed to be efficient in my business, and also have fun. He knew my life would be easier if I could text my husband about a sick child with the same device I used to stay in touch with my members and business colleagues.

He knew I’d enjoy Tweeting, FaceBooking and using my Google Reader, and he knew I’d want to do it in a seamless way that fit easily into my purse. He knew I’d want a sleek and sophisticated laptop. He knew that once I tried his products, I would never want anything else. I don’t know how he knew all that, but he did. And I am forever grateful, and so are thousands of my friends and many more thousands to whom I am oddly connected by a passionate love for Apple products.

Thank you Steve, for knowing me, and for making so many products that help me be successful and have fun doing it.

Question: What are your thoughts and memories of Steve Jobs, the company he founded, and the products he invented? Did he know you as well as he knew me?

One of the most common questions I receive from other mom business owners is, “How do you do what you do and still have time for your family?” Depending on the day, you might get a different answer. But there are some things that are pretty consistent about my family life.

I thought I’d share a few tidbits with you in the hopes that seeing how someone else manages it might help you strike your the best integration (notice I did not say “balance”) of work, life and family.

1. I have a partner. Because I married someone who is as involved with our children as I am, I don’t do “mom” things in my home. My husband washes and sorts more laundry than I do. He does most of the work associated with getting the kids ready for school, while I do most of the homework and kid scheduling stuff. (As I publish this blog post, my husband, Darryl, is upstairs helping them bathe and brush teeth right now.)

   The routine varies a bit from time to time, but it’s pretty much set until we decide to change it. We are a tag teaming duo when it comes to the kids.

   I am not Super Woman, nor do I behave like her. I don’t manage my home alone (nor should any married woman have to), and this frees me to do the work I love.

2. The best play time is unplanned. While I schedule my share of time with my kids, the best play times are unplanned. If my workday is not too busy and my daughter wants to play Go Fish, we do that. These impromptu moments are so much fun, with the three of us often tickling each other to death, making funny noises, and just making each other laugh.

   I have a lot of energy, so by the time I’m done with them, they’ve had just about enough of mommy, and they move onto something else. I’m quite crazy with them, so when we’re done, they don’t miss me at all. In fact, nowadays, more than anything, I’m a total embarrassment.

3. I cook. Even though it’s not my “thing,” I do cook. I have a few staple meals that everyone here likes. In case your interested, they are:

   (1) chili with condiment options like sour cream, cheese, spring onions and a salad;
   (2) baked whole chicken with green beans and boiled potatoes;
   (3) spinach salad with lots of goodies like roasted red peppers, feta cheese, celery. red onions, dried cranberries, and bacon bits;
   (4) vegetable soup (made with leftovers from meal #2); and
   (5) tuna salad with pasta and vegetables.

   See? Five days, five meals, done! Each takes about 30 minutes to prepare and I usually do it in between this email or that phone call — and sometimes while I’m on the phone.

   Yes, this sometimes results in food that can only be described as “caramelized with love.”

   My kids, ages 7 and 9, do a lot of the kitchen clean up. One of the best parts about being a mom is that other people can be trained to clean stuff up, even when you made the mess.

   They’ll be cooking for me soon soon, by the way.

4. Date nights. My husband and I don’t have very many of them. We consider this a temporary situation, and try to spend time together when we can. It may not be a “date,” but we make the most of it. It’s a big challenge, probably the biggest one, but that’s just how it is right now.
5. Home cleaning. See #1. While my husband and I work together on this, it’s not a strong suit for either of us. Rather than fuss over it (which we did for a while, by the way), we hired a fabulous cleaning lady named Miss Ellen. But she moved to Florida. I miss her and am looking to replace her. Know anyone?

So, that’s pretty much it. Not all that exciting, is it?

We Planned It This Way

My husband and I married in 2000 knowing that I was an entrepreneur, and that I would work from home. The fact that we agreed in advance doesn’t always make it easy, but it does provide perspective. No one is being caught off guard by this non-traditional arrangement, even though everyone doesn’t always like it. There are times when it causes friction because I so love my life’s work. That’s just a part of it though. It is what it is.

We deal with it by focusing on the big picture — what we are creating over the long haul. This takes the focus off of the routine annoyances that might otherwise thwart our progress. It’s not easy, but then, what is?

Question: If you’re a mom business, with a husband and young kids, how do you successfully integrate work, life, and family?

As of today, there are 3,874 photographs of IBN member handmade products on display in the slide show at our social networking site. Whenever I need inspiration, I play the show. It changes all the time as my members as new stuff. The colors, styles, and textures capture my imagination and inspire me to continue to do my best to serve my members. I hope you are inspired too.

As you can see, this slide show displays 100 of the most popular products at the site. Yes, there’s something for everyone: jewelry, soap, cosmetics, artisan perfume, candles, aromatherapy products, mineral makeup, and so much more! If a product catches your eye, you can connect with the person who made it and get some for yourself. Clicking on the photo will take you to the Photo Gallery of the member, and you’ll see that you can contact him or her there!

Don’t see your products? If you’re an IBN member, add your best products here. If you’re not an IBN member, Join IBN today and we’ll make sure your handmade products are added!

The holidays are coming — buy handmade!

Question: Gorgeous, yes?

It’s Wednesday, and for small business owners, that’s usually when we realize that the week is going great, and we wish it could last forever, or when the week is going not so great, and the weekend can’t get her soon enough. This post is for you, if today, you find yourself in the “wishing for the weekend” category.

Since you can’t change the days of the week, you have to do something else to get yourself from now to Friday. And if the week is going poorly, you should probably do something fast, otherwise, it could be a total bust. Here are some of the quick and effective things I do to quickly change my mood for the better.

First, if you must, go ahead a whine for a few minutes first. The value of this is discussed in this post. Now, get on with it.

1. Smile at yourself. Stand in front of the mirror and smile at yourself. Say something nice and affirming to yourself. Speak as though you are another person actually talking to yourself. Do this for a few minutes, and you’ll see subtle, but positive, changes in how you perceive of yourself and the situation you are in.
2. Be silly. Dance with your kids, or make funny faces at them. If they’re like mine (aged 7 and 9), they will become totally embarrassed and look at you like you have lost your kind. They may also beg you to stop because they are concerned that you might have a loose screw somewhere. The looks on their faces alone will change your mood for the better.
3. Make fun of yourself. Remember the last time someone said this to you: “Girl, you are too crazy.” Recall where you were, who said that to you, and what nutty thing you did to prompt their reaction. When you remember that you should not take yourself too seriously, your problems won’t go away, but you’ll find that your positive mood change will help you handle the situation better.
4. Ask for a good word. When my mom greets people, she often says, “What’s the good word?” It’s a great conversation starting technique. If you greet someone saying, “How are you?” they’ll probably say, “Fine.” But if you ask, “What’s the good word?” they may tell you a story. At a minimum, it will take your mind off your problems, and if they answer the question by giving you a “good word,” whatever they say will affect your mood for the better. (This “good word” technique is discussed in the October 2011 issue of Success Magazine’s CD. Get it; a CD comes in every issue.)
5. Stretch. Stretching always makes me feel better. Warm up for a few minutes, and then stretch. If you are not around other people, be sure to make loud noises as you stretch, to release extra tension. You’ll feel better afterward.
6. Read your positive Twitter list. My private “positivity” Twitter list contains the Twitter streams of people who have a positive impact on me. When I need a mood lift, I simply read the stream. If I have time, I click through to links to get more positive uplift. This list is private; only I can see it. It’s very effective. If you don’t know how to create a Twitter list, you can learn in my video screen cast Top 10 Ways For Small Business Owners To Use Twitter Lists.
7. Smile on the phone. Before you answer the phone, fix a smile on your face and prepare to offer your most upbeat, “Hello!” You may not feel like it, but when the person calling you hears the positivity in your voice, she will often mirror it. When she does, use the opportunity to feed off of her positive flow, and use it it to improve yours.

I might also add, “Eat ice cream,” but I don’t think I should add it to my list. You can add it to yours though …

Question: How do you change your mood for the better, in a pinch? What else would you add?

As a mother, I am concerned for my children. As a mother of young African American children, I am concerned in a particular way for my children. Why?

Because as the industrial revolution breathes its last breaths, the unemployment rate in America is 9.1%. But as reported recently in the Wall Street Journal, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) says that the unemployment rate for black people in this country is 21%, and even as high as 40% in some urban areas.

Say what? Close your eyes for a minute. Can you imagine for 60 seconds what it would be like to grow up in a community where nearly half of the adults you meet do not have a job? Now imagine further that they don’t have much prospect of getting a job …

I’m not trying to be a downer on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but this bothers me. The traditional job market is changing forever. Some people, including me, think that’s a good and exciting thing. After all, I left a traditional job to start a business of my own. Yet, so many millions of people are obviously unprepared to create a job of their own.

Question: How do you prepare for the un-preparable, even when you can see it coming straight at you like a freight train? If you’re a parent (or anyone with responsibility for a child), how are you preparing the next generation to succeed in a world where a full quarter or more of the black people they encounter won’t have a job?

This is a short video to tell you how excited I am about speaking at Soap Camp 2011 on September 20 to October 2 in East Orange, New Jersey. I will deliver my signature The Media Is You workshop on two tracks: beginner and advanced. Watch this video for details.

I’m thrilled to be joining certified soapmaking instructor La Shonda Tyree, nationally recognized entrepreneur Dawn Fitch of Pooka Pure & Simple and the dynamic candle making duo at Yum Yum Candle. Together, we will deliver to you all the information you need to prepare for the holidays and enter 2012 with renewed confidence to lead your handmade bath and body business with style. Register here today!

Question: Won’t you join us? You know you wanna!!

Here’s this week’s INDIE Business RoundUp, a fun new way to share the super things some of my members are doing. I pull these posts from my INDIE Business Bloggers Network widget, which you can see in my right sidebar. If you are a member of IBN and your blog is not displaying through the widget, leave a note in the comments (FaceBook or Disqus, your choice) so we can add you!

Enjoy this edition of INDIE Business RoundUp, starting off with one of the stores (and cities!) I most want to visit in the wide world! Have fun learning new things and connecting with my members nationwide and in your local area.

1. A Party In Santa Barbara!. I visited Santa Barbara once, many years ago. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the California coastline and I need an excuse to return. Here’s one, but since I can’t make it, I hope you will be there to help Kristin Fraser Cotte celebrate The Grapeseed Company’s 7th birthday. Just look at the cute store — you just want to roll your sleeping bag in and never leave.
2. Work-Staycation. Emily Caswell, CEO of GCD Spa in Topsham, Maine, has written a thoughtful post about this week’s “staycation.” The family photos are nice, and so are the ideas shared by Emily. Is work work? Can you work at home and be on “staycation” at the same time? Hmmm. (This reminds me of my INDIEcation Nation post.)
3. Recipe: Cashmere Coconut Perfume Roll-On. Allison over at Bath Body Supply offers a super easy recipe for a personalized roll-on perfume. My daughter is 9 years old. It’s time to stock up on stuff like this for rainy day afternoons and mini-projects with her neighborhood pals.
4. Clove Leaf Essential Oil. This little post from Essential Wholesale’s blog provides insight into the popular oil used a lot during the fall season. You know, stab the orange with the clove buds and scent the house, yum. The post is about clove leaf oil, but close enough. Anyway, I like using close oil in cold process handmade soap. It holds up very well and seems to stabilize any other oils, including citrus ones. If you ‘re not into making your own soap, this post provides useful wellness tips for using clove leaf oil in your everyday life. It’s available at most local natural markets too, so you can always have it around.
5. A Classic Special Weekend. My local Boston Director, Susan Mann, is celebrating her 7th birthday in business. She’s also having a sale, but that’s not why I’m including her post. I’m including it because of the cake photo. I want some.
6. How to Control Your Growth. My guest post over at Anne-Marie Faiola’s Soap Queen (Bramble Berry) blog is drumming up quite a bit of interesting conversation. Yes, you want to grow a business. No, you don’t want it to take over your life. Can you have it both ways? I think you can. I originally blogged it here too, but my post didn’t drum up nearly the conversation that A-M’s is, so head on over there and see what all the chatting is about.
7. Garden Spa Using Fresh Goodies For Skin Care. It’s gardening season — what does your garden grow? I’m not a gardener, so my garden grows at the local farmer’s market. But if you have a garden and you can’t eat or give away your produce fast enough, you’ll enjoy From Nature With Love’s post about all the great things you can do with the stuff you grew too much of.

For my kids, summer is all about water and more water. My daughter is like a little fish, and I love splashing around with her. This week, my husband and I surprised our kids with an unplanned trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Everyone had a blast and came home pretty much exhausted, but thrilled for the experience.

Sorry it’s a little blurry, but that’s what happens when your photographer is terrified he will drop your iPhone in the water. Planned vacations are fun, but there is something special about running out at the last minute, especially for kids. They love the surprises.

Question: Have you ever been to a Great Wolf Lodge resort in your area?

Every day is a good day to count blessings, but on the Saturday of a holiday weekend, I can do it in a more leisurely fashion. Thanks to IBN member Margie Lemons of Hill Country Haiku Soap, I discovered the PicFrame iPhone app, kind of like Picnik for your smart phone. I discovered the app when Margie posted a collage of her gorgeous handmade soaps on her FaceBook Page. Here’s what I made with it this afternoon.

It’s no different than what I can make online with Picnik, but I can make the collage quickly using photos in my iPhone’s camera roll. June was filled with blessings. Father’s Day of course was special, as was the day a dear friend showed up unannounced at my front door with fresh flowers. Then there was the afternoon my kids picked and presented me with little flower they found in the woods. Finally, I’ll always treasure the day my daughter and I spent at the swimming pool — just the two of us. I added my collage to the digital Gratitude Journal in my iPhone.

Download PicFrame here.

Question: What are your favorite blessings and positive memories from June?

I have been pondering introducing more ways to help my IBN members spread the word about the amazing things they are doing. One of the newest says is via my new Local Director program, which will bring local INDIE events to your hometown. One of my first Local Directors is Susan Mann of Manor Hall Soap Company. Susan launched her business in 2005, and in just a few weeks, will launch a new website. She shares the exciting news in this cute-as-can-be video.

Today, I’m launching the weekly INDIE Business RoundUp, a fun new way to share the super things my members are doing. I’ll be pulling posts from the widget, so if you are a member and your blog is not displaying through our widget, leave a not in the comments (FaceBook or Disqus, your choice) so we can add you! Enjoy this edition of INDIE Business RoundUp, and have fun learning new things and connecting with my members nationwide and in your local area.

1. Save the soap slivers. We all have them — those pesky little slivers of bar soap that are too big to throw away and too small and slippery to be useful in the shower or tub. Are they piled up around your bathroom like they are in mine? Lori Nova at the Nova Studio offers useful tips for how to use them. At least one of these tips is guaranteed to be perfect for your household.
2. Thin Gloss weight loss claims Shark Tank. Thanks to Katherine Corkill of Sterling Minerals Cosmetics for this fantastic post about how failing to research your industry before launching a product can come back to bite you. This post is a little long, but it’s definitely worth the read for how it shares useful information for INDIEs on all levels of business launch, ownership and management. It’s not just about the products sand the money. If you’re not honestly adding value, you will lose in the long run.
3. Use the talent you have. When I was younger, I used to wish I could sing like some of the ladies in my hometown church choir, but every time I opened my mouth to join in, I was reminded that singing is not my gift. It took me years (and much heartache) to truly appreciate my own gifts, and if you need a reminder of how special you are just the way you are, you’ll enjoy this post.
4. Make your own felted soap. When I saw my first bar of felted soap, I thought it was beautiful, but I couldn’t figure out why I’d want to use it. Now, I know, thanks to Kayla Fioravanti at Essential Wholesale. This video at her blog shares how to make felted soap, and also explains why you might want to buy some. Mystery solved
5. So, you want to sell your soap: Part 3. Over at new mom Anne-Marie Faiola’s blog, several guest writers have been posting for A-M while she tackles the heftier jobs of breast feeding and diaper changes. This week, Kim Pepo (also an IBN member) posted the third part in a series to introduce you the basic information you need to know in order to successfully sell your handmade soap. Part 3 links to the first two parts, so it’s easy to read the whole series.
6. What has your business done for you lately? That’s not the title of the post, but it is fitting. Lela Barker of at Bella Lucce lists 25 things her business has done for her over the years, including providing opportunities for international travel and jumping out of air planes. Count me in, let’s jump!!
7. 6 pieces of advice from my dad. To me, every day is Father’s Day, and I miss my dear father in ways that are hard to explain. (This poem kind of sums it up.) Alison Kontour at Bath Body Supply wrote a touching post summarizing some of the great advice her father has shared with her through the years. Whether or not you’re a business owner, you’ll appreciate his insights. I especially like Point No. 6, and remind my children of this many times each week. I wonder if they are hearing me …

If you missed last week’s #SmallBizRollCall, you can catch it here. My guest co-host for this morning’s #SmallBizRollCall was Lisa Kasper of Blue Moon Candles in San Jacinto, California. Lisa is just back from summer vacation, and she joined us to share her take on the importance of pausing to disconnect, unplug and rejuvenate.

Thanks to everyone who joined, especially those who chatted live during the show: Shila Laing in Washington, IBN Local Director (Los Angeles) Jennifer Hardaway, Melissa Rivera in New York and so many more! Here are some of the links and information shared during the live broadcast. Time stamps are included to make it easy for you to scroll to what interests you most.

1. Small business trivia question. (Starting at 8:50) Recently, the IRS announced an increase to the business mileage rate to 55.5 Cents. Congratulations to Shila Laing who answered the question first and correctly. The new rate takes effect on July 1, so don’t forget to take your maximum deduction as you travel to and from those trade shows and business meetings.
2. On unplugging. Starting at 3:11, Lisa shared her take on how important it is to unplug and regroup so you can focus on your highest priorities. According to Lisa, it “infuses your creativity and you come home ready to attach it.” Love that!
3. The inspiration for Lisa’s business. Starting at 4:33, Lisa shared the inspiration for her business. Inspired by her grandmother’s love for candles, Lisa says she couldn’t find what she wanted in a candle so she made her own. I am constantly amazed at people like Lisa who started a successful business based on something they wanted but couldn’t find anywhere else.
4. Lisa’s products. Starting at 6:04, Lisa shared her Vaniglia Del Madagascar candle. You can see it in the video, but since you can’t smell it, I won’t tease you. Not the beautiful glitter in the candle, which makes it that much more special. Check out the Sweet Orange & Ginger (starting at 7:18), made with fruit wax and essential oils.
5. Lisa’s raffle. Lisa announced a raffle for existing customers, but there’s still time for you to enter to win if you place an order within the next day or so. Watch the video at 3:19 to find out how you can enter to win.
6. Lisa’s words of encouragement, at 15:04:

   “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, and that’s why we recommend it daily.”

   Lisa says this quote from Zig Ziglar is funny and motivating for her. What an appropriate quote to start the week, right? Each day as small business owners, we have to start off the day motivating ourselves. How wonderful that we can connect weekly at #SmallBizRollCall to do just that!

Post a photo of you with one of Lisa’s products to enter the raffleout on the Blue Moon Candles FaceBook Page, follow Lisa on Twitter and visit her website. Meet Shila Laing of Artisanal Soap, this week’s trivia question winner, at Twitter!

#SmallBizRollCall is recorded LIVE each week from 11:00am EST to 11:15am EST (or a tad bit longer if we’re having too much fun) at the INDIE FaceBook Page. We’ll be on vacation next week, July 4, for the holiday, so we’ll see you on July 11 for the next #SmallBizRollCall.

Question: Want to co-host #SmallBizRollCall with me, and get your brand showcased in front of thousands while also having fun? Tell me Your Story, and I’ll be in touch with the details if there’s a good match for my audience!

If you missed last week’s #SmallBizRollCall, you may have missed the first live streaming video fed via satellite split screen, from Ustream to a FaceBook Page. I don’t know of anyone else who’s ever done so (do you?), and I’m so pleased that, with the help of my business partner husband, we pulled it off. My guest was Susan Mann, IBN’s new Boston Local Director. She joined live from her studio in Springfield, Ma, and you can watch the recorded show here. (I apologize that the audio is choppy until 1:37 — it’s clear after that. I am also told that some a few people in certain parts of the country cannot see the video at all. I am apparently one of those people, but I have heard from others that is plays without a hitch.)

Thanks to everyone who joined, especially those who chatted live during the show: La Shonda Tyree in New Jersey, Ann Belonger in Wisconsin, along with Rhonda Bellamy Hodge in Texas. Rhonda won a collection of Manor Hall Soap Company products when she answered today’s #SmallBizRollCall question first and correctly. Here are some of the links and information shared during the live broadcast. Time stamps are included to make it easy for you to scroll to what interests you most.

1. Small business trivia question. In addition to Susan, who are IBN’s new Local Directors? Answer: Grace Antares (Portland, Or) and La Shonda Tyree (Newark and Central NJ). (More here and here.) Congratulations to Rhonda Bellamy Hodge for winning some of Susan’s handmade goodies. They are on their way!
2. On perseverance. Starting at 1:36, Susan shared her inspiration for her business, including her newly introduced Spearmint Grapefruit “Art House” Soap.
3. Small business contributions. Starting at 3:28, I shared some inspiring statistics about the enormously important contributions small business owners are making to the US economy. One statistic in particular stands out — 52% of small business in the US are home-based.
4. IBN’s New Local Directors. Starting at 5:24, I announce the big news about IBN’s new Local Directorships. Susan also shared importance of making local connections (at 5:58), so we can “share common goals, common gripes, and common tears.” Susan also discussed how being a member of IBN has helped her grow her business. (Susan’s been an IBN member since February 2006).
5. Susan’s words of encouragement:

   The key is just to get up every day and just kill it and drag it home, and never ever ever give up.

   I completely forgot to ask Susan to share this word of wisdom during the broadcast, but I think it is so appropriate. You can watch the video where she got the quote at our FaceBook landing Page. Don’t forget to LIKE us while you’re there!

#SmallBizRollCall is recorded LIVE each week from 11:00am EST to 11:15am EST (or a tad bit longer if we’re having too much fun) at the INDIE FaceBook Page. See you tomorrow, June 27 at 11:00am EST right here, when my guest will be Lisa Kasper of Blue Moon Candles.

Question: Would you mind letting me know if you can or cannot play this video in the comments section, and what city and state you are in? I am going to troubleshoot this with Ustream and appreciate your help. On a more fun note, want to co-host #SmallBizRollCall with me, and get your brand showcased in front of thousands while also having fun? Tell me Your Story, and I’ll be in touch with the details if there’s a good match for my audience!

If you missed last week’s #SmallBizRollCall, catch it here. Today’s #SmallBizRollCall features my co-host, IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Lucce in Columbia, South Carolina, where she makes “globally inspired beauty” products. In our recorded show, beginning at 1:58, Lela shares a bit about her inspiration and why she started the company.

Thanks to everyone who joined, especially Susan Mann, winner of a jar of Bella Lucces’s decadent Manuka Honey Drizzle, for answering our small business trivia question correctly and first. Here are some of the links and information shared during the live broadcast. Time stamps are included to make it easy for you to scroll to what interests you most.

1. Small business trivia question. What IBN member placed second in this year’s StartUp Nation Moms In Business contest? Answer: Liana Spiegel of Marmalade Hills in Michigan is the answer, and Susan Mann of Manor Hall Soap answered correctly first. She won a big fat far of Bella Lucce Manuka Honey Drizzle. Congratulate Liana at the INDIE FaceBook Page.
2. On perseverance. We heard first-hand about Lela’s inspiration for her non-profit, From Morocco With Love. At 6:35, Lela shares her take on the importance of perseverance.
3. About From Morocco With Love. We heard first-hand about Lela’s inspiration for her non-profit, From Morocco With Love. She says it is a great way to connect her customer base to something larger than beauty products, to further enhance Bella Lucce’s brand identity, and do some good in the world. Lela calls it “kismet.” Watch the video beginning at 8:50 to learn more.
4. Lela’s words of encouragement, via her favorite author, Alice Walker:

   Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise.

   Starting at 14:33, Lela shares that living each day with open arms and loving hearts, not expecting anything, but being pleasantly surprised at what we find, is a great way to live. I agree, don’t you?!

5. What about IBN? Since I asked, starting at 15:18, Lela was kind enough to share her impressions of the INDIE Beauty Network, of which she’s been a member since 2005. Thanks for the kind words, Lela.

Want some Manuka Honey Drizzle of your own? Get some at Lela’s website!

Thanks to these additional people who joined and Tweeted #SmallBizRollCall live: La Shonda Tyree, Rhonda Hodge, Dawn Fitch and more! I can’t see the chat while I’m hosting live, so if I missed you, leave a comment below and let us know you were there!

#SmallBizRollCall is recorded LIVE each week from 11:00am EST to 11:15am EST (or a tad bit longer if we’re having too much fun) at the INDIE FaceBook Page. See you next week, June 20 at 11:00am EST right here.

Question: Want to co-host #SmallBizRollCall with me, and get your brand showcased in front of thousands while also having fun? Tell me Your Story, and I’ll be in touch with the details if there’s a good match for my audience!

If you’ve been around my blog for a bit, you probably know that I was once a cosmetics manufacturer. Every Saturday morning, I set up my booth at the Takoma Park Farmer’s Market in Washington, DC, where I sold body oils, handmade soaps, and face masks made of fresh botanicals like lemon juice, cherries, yogurt, and mangoes. My first website was donnaMaria.com, launched in 1998. Here’s the home page from 2000.

I grabbed the screen shot from Archive.org, so it’s hard to read.

The left column is my book cover, a link to my Satellite Sites (yes, even back then, I had more than one website), and a link to the Handmade Beauty Connection, the online newsletter I’ve published since 2000.

The middle column is a Welcome sign, the Donna Maria Aromatics logo (with calla lilly, my favorite flower), and a link to the Handmade Toiletries Tapes (which I never got around to recording). Under that, you can see a site map.

The right column features the bright red first logo for the INDIE Beauty Network, then known as the Handmade Toiletries Network, a link to DIY recipes, and finally, one of my first head shots. That was then. This is now.

I eventually closed Donna Maria Aromatics and replaced it with Maria Grace Aromatherapy Shop. I then closed that, and quit my job as a corporate attorney so I could pursue my passions and serve my IBN members (follow them!) full-time. I pointed donnamaria.com to the IBN home page, then later to this blog. Things are finally coming full circle, and I will soon re-launch donnamaria.com on its own. Here is a sneak peek of the home page.

I love the coral color and bright accents. I expect it to be the perfect expression of my personality and a comfortable place for you to see all of the different ways I can serve you, depending on what your needs are.

I plan to launch donnamaria.com later this week, and I hope you like it.

Question: What do you think so far?

PS: If you ever visit Washington, DC, on a Sunday, it will be more than worth your time to visit the Takoma Park Farmer’s Market.

Today’s #SmallBizRollCall was so empowering, with my co-host, IBN member Sandi Garrett Little, president of the Alabama Soap & Candle Association, exuding her special brand of enthusiasm. Sandi and her team are hosting their 13th annual meeting this coming weekend. The keynote speaker is Kayla Fioravanti, author of How To Make Melt & Pour Soap Base From Scratch. Also speaking is another IBN member, Lisa Rodgers, formerly co-founder of Personal Care Truth. Even if you’re not planning to attend, you can follow the fun on Twitter. More about that in the video recording, which you can watch here in case you missed us live!

Thanks to everyone who joined, especially Angela Bowman Wales who won some of Sandi’s soap for answering our small business trivia question correctly and first. Here are a the links shared during the live broadcast.

1. #INDIECruise. As I blogged yesterday, Early Bird registration is open. Of course I have registered, and so has . , who attended last year with her husband, is bringing the whole family next year! You know you wanna come!

   I accidentally shared the incorrect link on the live video. The correct link to register is this. Sorry for the inconvenience.

2. Susan Mann live tonight in Boston. If you’re in Boston, join Susan Mann tonight at the Whole Foods Market Symphony Store on Westland Avenue from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Meet Susan and get samples of her products, and buy some freshly made goodies right off the shelf while you’re there! Follow Susan.
3. Today’s small business trivia question. Recently, Paul Thiel paid several students $100,000 each NOT to attend college. Thiel is the co-founder of what well know tech company? Answer: PayPal! Lillian won some of Sandi’s soap, including her Hippie Sunshine (with pink grapefruit, patchouli and lavender) and Buttermilk & Honey (with, well, buttermilk and honey).
4. Marla Bosworth is celebrating Marla is celebrating her 13th year in business! Follow Marla.
5. Angela Bowman Wales in another Whole Foods Market. If you’re in Tennessee, you’ll be able to get Angela’s products starting June 25 at the Whole Foods Market Poplar in Memphis. Angela’s products are already in several stores, and we are so excited to celebrate about the addition of this one!Follow Angela.
6. Sandi’s word of encouragement.
   

   Don’t put a question mark where God has put a period.

Sandi says that everything happens for a reason, and this quote shared often by her mother, reminds her that when things don’t work out, it’s OK. There are better things to come!

What a great way to start the week!

Here are three links you won’t want to miss: Join the INDIE Beauty Network for affordable products liability insurance and the resources you need to pump up the volume, success and fun in your business (and hang out with people like Sandi all the time!), and INDIE Social where you can network online with other small business leaders just like you, and follow the Alabama Soap & Candle Meeting action on Twitter using the #bamasoapconf hash tag, and on FaceBook! Learn more about the organization at their website.

If you missed last week’s #SmallBizRollCall, you can enjoy it here. Use the #SmallBizRollCall hash tag on Twitter, and meet some new friends!

For all my IBN members, if you have good news to share, please post it to Twitter. All of my members are on this public Twitter List so anyone can follow your Tweets. In fact, and me and my team Tweet your news regularly throughout the week from my Twitter Page and the INDIEAssist Twitter Page. I scour the list on Monday mornings to get the latest good news to share on #SmallBizRollCall. I look forward to sharing your successes with the world next week. You can also post to the FaceBook or blog comments below.

#SmallBizRollCall is recorded LIVE each week from 11:00am EST to 11:15am EST (or a tad bit longer if we’re having too much fun) at the INDIE FaceBook Page. Instructions for joining are here. See you next week, June 6 at 11:00am EST right here.

Question: Want to co-host #SmallBizRollCall with me, and get your brand showcased in front of thousands while also having fun? Tell me Your Story, and I’ll be in touch with the details if there’s a good match for my audience!

On this past Monday, I hosted the return of #SmallBizRollCall, with special guest Paula Cattano of Surfz Up. As you can see from the video, #SmallBizRollCall is a great way to start the week on a positive note. On Monday, June 6, my guest co-host will be IBN member Sandi Garrett of Harmony Bath & Body in Alabama — maker of this gorgeous bar of Citrus Burst handmade soap.

Sandi is the president of the Alabama Soap & Candle Association and she is hosting the 13th annual Alabama Soap Meeting on June 10 and 11. Sandi will be on hand to share how much fun she and conference attendees expect to have at the event. We’ll also discuss new small business news and share your successes for those week and plans for the next week. Plus you’ll be able to enter to win some of Sandi’s soap, and chat live with other small business owners as we start the week off celebrating the joy of small business ownership. Here are the details for how to join #SmallBizRollCall so you don’t miss all the fun!

Things may look a bit different from browser to browser, but it’s pretty easy and basic stuff. Simply login into FaceBook (click here to Sign Up if you don’t yet have an account), and at 11:00am EST, follow these simple instructions to join the LIVE video event!

1. Go to the INDIE FaceBook Page. Click here to go to the INDIE FaceBook Page. If you are already a LIKEr, you will be taken to the Wall. If you are not a LIKEr, you will see this screen.

   

   Click LIKE, then go to Step 2.

2. Click the Ustream Live tab. Once you LIKE the Page, look to the left under my picture, and click on UStream Live. It looks like this.

   

3. Switch to regular connection (http)? When you see this screen,

   

   click Continue. If you don’t see this screen, just go to the next step.

4. You’re in. You should see the live video stream. It should look something like this, with the video to the left and the social chat stream to the right.

   

   If you do not see a screen that looks like this, repeat Steps 2 and following until you see the player. You may have to click a player arrow over my face to start viewing the live video.

5. Pump up the volume. Turn the volume up on your computer so you can hear me and the special guest through your computer. If your computer does not have audio, you can follow along and participate via the social chat.

   As you use the chat, note that you can check or uncheck Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, and other options if you want to push your comments through to those spaces where you have pages. To do this, you’ll need to enable the app to access those pages. You don’t have to share the fun, but it will be a lot more exciting for everyone if you do so by checking Twitter and FaceBook so others can see where you are and join us!

6. Use the social chat. When you use the chat, keep in mind that posts are limited to 140 characters. Please use #SmallBizRollCall in your Tweets so we can create a robust Twitter hashtag and use the vent to increase your Twitter following as you have fun.

   Note that you must pause about 30 seconds between updates. I’m sure this is to prevent spammers from taking over the chat stream. There is also a delay between the audio you will hear and the video you will see. You’ll get used to this quickly.

Spread the Word!!

The more people who pariticpate, the more fun everyone will have. Please share the news by Tweeting this blog post using the options below.

Once we conclude #SmallBizRollCall, visit the #SmallBizRollCall hashtag page so you can follow everyone who participated on Twitter. Follow the new people you met so you can increase your sphere of influence on Twitter too.

I Look Forward To Seeing You!

I can’t wait to see you Monday, June 6, 2011 at 11:00am EST.

By the way — Prizes …

Prizes will be awarded to people who are the first to post the answer to questions about small business, so feel free to brush up on your small business trivia!

If you have questions about how to join, please post them in the Disqus or FaceBook comment area below.

Does this sound like fun? Will you join us?!

Today’s #SmallBizRollCall was empowering and, most importantly, FUN! Sponsored by Paula Cattano of @SurfzUp body care for active lifestyles, in Apex, North Carolina, today’s event is the first of many! It features me and Paula, prizes, information to inspire you to be successful in your small business, and a discount code you can use to get 15% off Paula’s products until midnight tonight. (I’ll share the code in a bit.)

Thanks to everyone who joined, especially Pookalita Dawn Fitch who won a prize! Here are a the links shared during the live broadcast.

1. Trivia question No. 1. Who is the current administrator of the US Small Business Administration? Answer: Karen G. Mills. Dawn Fitch won a copy of Jeanne’s book for being first to answer this question correctly.
2. Trivia question No. 2. What is the last book we read for INDIE Business Book Club? Answer: We don’t have a winner yet, so if you want to win some Surfz Up lip balms, answer the question correctly first in the comments below.
3. Planet Money Podcast All INDIEs should listen to this podcast. It’s about how a musician named Jonathan Coulton earns $500,000 a year selling original music at his website. Price per song: $1. If that doesn’t inspire you to make the most of your creative talents, you’re comatose!
4. INDIE Network. Well, of course, I have to tell you about the INDIE Network, especially if you’re new here. So here are three links you won’t want to miss: Join us on the next INDIE Cruise, Join the INDIE Beauty Network for affordable products liability insurance and the resources you need to pump up the volume, success and fun in your business (and hang out with people like Paula all the time!), and INDIE Social where you can network online with other small business leaders just like you!

Get Surfz Up At 15% Off!

Thanks to Paula, you can get 15% off your Surfz Up Order until midnight tonight. Use Discount Code: INDIE.

Most Fun EVER!

Well, this was even more fun than I thought it would be! And it will be more fun next week (June 6) if you’ll join us! #SmallBizRollCall is recorded LIVE each week from 11:00am EST to 11:15am EST (or a tad bit longer if we’re having too much fun) at the INDIE FaceBook Page. Instructions for joining are here. See you next week, June 6 at 11:00am EST right here.

Question: Want To Sponsor #SmallBizRollCall and get your brand showcased in front of thousands while also having a fun time? Tell me Your Story, and I’ll be in touch with the details if there’s a good match for my audience!

I am pleased to announce the re-launch of #SmallBizRollCall on tomorrow, May 30, 2011, from 11:00am to 11:15am EST, at the INDIE FaceBook Page! If you’ve been following INDIE for a while, you may recall that I previously hosted #SmallBizRollCal on Monday mornings, and small business owners from all over the world started the week off sharing their successes, building their Fan base and inspiring and encouraging one another. Here’s a link to a #SmallBizRollCall from earlier this year.

Back then, it was text-based only, but starting tomorrow, it will be on live video, sort of like the screen shot above. You’ll see me. You’ll also see and hear me and a special IBN member guest, plus you’ll be able to enter to win free prizes, and you’ll be able to chat live with other small business owners as we start the week off celebrating the joy of small business ownership. Here are the details for how to join #SmallBizRollCall so you don’t miss all the fun!

Simply login into FaceBook (click here to Sign Up if you don’t yet have an account), and at 11:00am EST, follow these simple instructions to join the LIVE video event!

1. Go to the INDIE FaceBook Page. Click here to go to the INDIE FaceBook Page. If you are already a LIKEr, you will be taken to the Wall. If you are not a LIKEr, you will see this screen.

   

   Click LIKE, then go to Step 2.

2. Click the Ustream Live tab. Once you LIKE the Page, look to the left under my picture, and click on UStream Live. It looks like this.

   

3. Switch to regular connection (http)? When you see this screen,

   

   click Continue. If you don’t see this screen, just go to the next step.

4. You’re in. You should see the live video stream. It should look something like this, with the video to the left and the social chat stream to the right.

   

   If you do not see a screen that looks like this, repeat Steps 2 and following until you see the player. You may have to click a player arrow over my face to start viewing the live video.

5. Pump up the volume. Turn the volume up on your computer so you can hear me and the special guest through your computer. If your computer does not have audio, you can follow along and participate via the social chat.

   As you use the chat, note that you can check or uncheck Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace, and other options if you want to push your comments through to those spaces where you have pages. To do this, you’ll need to enable the app to access those pages. You don’t have to share the fun, but it will be a lot more exciting for everyone if you do so by checking Twitter and FaceBook so others can see where you are and join us!

6. Use the social chat. When you use the chat, keep in mind that posts are limited to 140 characters. Please use #SmallBizRollCall in your Tweets so we can create a robust Twitter hashtag and use the vent to increase your Twitter following as you have fun.

   Note that you must pause about 30 seconds between updates. I’m sure this is to prevent spammers from taking over the chat stream. There is also a delay between the audio you will hear and the video you will see. You’ll get used to this quickly.

Spread the Word!!

The more people who pariticpate, the more fun everyone will have. Please share the news by Tweeting this blog post using the options below.

Once we conclude #SmallBizRollCall, visit the #SmallBizRollCall hashtag page so you can follow everyone who participated on Twitter. Follow the new people you met so you can increase your sphere of influence on Twitter too.

I Look Forward To Seeing You!

I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, May 30, 2011 at 11:00am EST. I’m launching on a holiday on purpose, so we can do a kind of test. Tomorrow, we’ll go 15 minutes. I may extend that based on feedback from you. I can’t wait to know what you think!!

By the way — Prizes …

Prizes will be awarded to people who are the first to post the answer to questions about small business, so feel free to brush up on your small business trivia!

If you have questions about how to join, please post them in the Disqus or FaceBook comment area below.

Does this sound like fun? Will you join us?!

For those who don’t know, for the past several years, I have served as the National Work At Home Director for Mocha Moms, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting stay-at-home mothers of color. Their annual conference will take place in Las Vegas from July 21 to 24.

The theme is Celebrating Motherhood, Embracing You.While I’d love a chance to go to Las Vegas, I am unable to attend the conference this year. Since I know that many of you are moms with businesses, I wanted to let you know about an opportunity to speak at the conference.

This conference year, over 30 educational sessions are being offered, along with one full day of seminars featuring a wide array of topics to help moms succeed. If you have information of value to share with other moms, the Mocha Moms conference is a great way to encourage mothers while spreading the word about your business.

If you would like to learn more about submitting a proposal, click here to download the information kit in PDF format. The deadline to submit proposal is June 10, 2011.

Learn more about Mocha Moms at their website. and visit their FaceBook Page.

Question: Are you a Mocha Mom? Would you like to speak at their conference?

Ihave never been a fan of the Oprah Winfrey Show. While I’ve enjoyed snippets over the years, I’ve never watched an episode all the way through from start to finish. Since I am an avid reader (I lead a Book Club), I have gotten my doses of Oprah from either her magazine or books she recommends.

But not being a fan of the lady’s show does not mean I am not a fan of the lady. I am. I even tried to earn a slot on the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). (You can watch my entry video here, and for a laugh, catch the blooper reel here.) I wanted to catch the last episode yesterday, but then I remembered that I could probably buy it in a year or two. So instead, I’ve been pondering the awesome power of a woman intentionally changing her life without knowing what is going to happen next.

Of course I know that even if OWN is a colossal failure, Oprah will be fine. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve props for intentionally scripting an uncertain future.

For a woman who has scripted everything for the past 25+ years, including the lives of women around the world, not having a script must be a little unnerving. But she’s doing it anyway, and I am watching …

… because I’m currently working on an unscripted future of my own.

Question: How, if at all, is Oprah impacting your life now — for better or worse? Are you confidently walking forward into you unscripted future?