More and more Mums are starting home-based businesses to supplement the family income. On paper, it's like a match made in heaven - no need for childcare, very little overheads, and you can work whenever you want, choosing your hours around the needs of your kids.
At first, it's really exciting and you're full of enthusiasm and unlimited passion for what you're doing. Yes, it's hard work but it feels good too.
However, women entrepreneurs operate from a female mindset that often sabotages their efforts to be a successful business owner.
We are in charge of running the household to include laundry, house cleaning, shuffling children to activities, walking the dog etc. The majority of the time you put family first.
Let me explain further. You may consult your spouse and the family budget before scheduling out of town business trips. You probably consult the family budget before buying business supplies or investing in your business. You may also consult your spouse and children before you schedule weekend or evening activities.
If you operate from home and constantly put family first you are at risk of being viewed by your spouse, children, family and friends as working on a hobby or jobby (job and hobby) instead of running a business. This can feel insulting and lead to frustration because you don't feel like you are being taken seriously.
The advice I give to my clients is to adopt a new mindset. Stop feeling guilty and beating yourself up. Run your business as if it were a storefront. Stop consulting a spouse that does not support your endeavor, instead find a mastermind group or a business coach.
Mums running home-based businesses must establish clear boundaries for when they conduct revenue-producing and business-building activities.
It is imperative that you have the necessary systems in place so you can grow your business. This includes establishing a time for housecleaning and laundry, which does not cut into business hours or investing in a cleaner. Consider hiring a babysitter or someone to help with children and their after school activities so you can focus on business. You could also look into getting a VA (Virtual Assitant) to take on the low-value, time consuming tasks.
When YOU demonstrate that you're serious about your business, then others around you will too.
© 2009 - 2011 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's monthly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
A FREE resource written from one Mum business owner to another. I know what it's like to be burping your baby, toddler wrangling, responding to an email while answering the phone. Oh, and is that dinner I smell? This blog has been created to help you attract your ideal clients, increase your income and maximise your business potential...whilst staying sane (!)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"Free Delivery"...Yawn, It's Time To Try Something New
Nothing gets people buying products like a special promotion...it's all how you position it.
Here are a few different ideas to get your products flying out the door:
1. "We'll finance it". Offer a payment plan - this works great for higher priced items and programs. (If you have a decent shopping cart program, you should be able to set up timed, automatic billing.)
2. VIP discount. Give a special offer to a certain group. Show your e-zine subscribers, your clients, your speaking audiences, etc. that they're special.
3. Free 30-day trial. Get their credit card information at the time of order, but don't charge them until the month is up. Another variation is the 30 day trial for $1.
4. Special bonus. Give something extra if people purchase before a certain date. (This is a great strategy to up your sales without cutting your prices.) And it doesn't have to be something from your company.
5. Pre-publication sale. Start taking orders before your product is even ready. (Seeing orders come in is also a great incentive for you to finally finish creating that product!)
BONUS TIP: Package discount. Offer a big discount if they order all your products/services or a select combination thereof.
I'm sure you have other ideas to add. Choose one for your business and give it a try.
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.
Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Christchurch Earthquake - PR Opportunity or Disaster?
One week after the 7.1 earthquake rocked Canterbury, people are still coming to terms with the physical and emotional affects. It is an unfortunate fact that many businesses are completely unprepared for a major crisis. But it makes sense; it's human nature to pay attention to what's in front of us, rather than some hypothetical disaster that may never happen. After all, there are the myriad minor crises that pop up almost every day, as well as phone calls, meetings, e-mails, people at your door, deadlines, reports — the day-to-day challenges of running a business.
However, planning for a disaster may cost nothing more than a few hours of coming up with a response plan and practicing that plan. The costs involved for planning and training for a disaster in advance are a small fraction of what it costs not to be prepared.
Whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood, or an accident, death, product failure, internal fraud, sabotage, or executive misconduct — planning and preparation can help you recover quickly, and may just mean the difference between the survival or demise of your business.
One key to surviving a crisis is displaying strong leadership. In times of uncertainty, your employees will take their lead from you. And, if mishandled, the aftershocks of a crisis can last for years.
Good leadership and clear communication can help people cope. It's important to direct people — staff, customers, vendors, community members, or anyone else affected by the crisis — to provide guidance on how they should conduct themselves. It's important to inform them about what you know and what you don’t yet know.
But people in crisis need more than just information; they also need "emotional leadership."
For example, Suresh Patel of P&P Dairy in Hoon Hay, a Christchurch suburb, opened his shop early the day after the major quake to give away milk and sell batteries below cost to needy customers.
Messages such as this can help people maintain perspective and tolerate uncertainty longer.
Competent emotional leadership also speaks to and about shared values — those things that bind us as a company or as a community. When we remind people what we are about, we inspire them to function at their best. And to do this, you need to be visible. You must have the courage to share your reactions with the people around you, so people know you care about them, and they feel an emotional bond.
That way, if and when disaster does strike, you'll be ready to respond quickly and decisively to help your people — and your business — move forward.
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz. Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
However, planning for a disaster may cost nothing more than a few hours of coming up with a response plan and practicing that plan. The costs involved for planning and training for a disaster in advance are a small fraction of what it costs not to be prepared.
Whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood, or an accident, death, product failure, internal fraud, sabotage, or executive misconduct — planning and preparation can help you recover quickly, and may just mean the difference between the survival or demise of your business.
One key to surviving a crisis is displaying strong leadership. In times of uncertainty, your employees will take their lead from you. And, if mishandled, the aftershocks of a crisis can last for years.
Good leadership and clear communication can help people cope. It's important to direct people — staff, customers, vendors, community members, or anyone else affected by the crisis — to provide guidance on how they should conduct themselves. It's important to inform them about what you know and what you don’t yet know.
But people in crisis need more than just information; they also need "emotional leadership."
For example, Suresh Patel of P&P Dairy in Hoon Hay, a Christchurch suburb, opened his shop early the day after the major quake to give away milk and sell batteries below cost to needy customers.
Messages such as this can help people maintain perspective and tolerate uncertainty longer.
Competent emotional leadership also speaks to and about shared values — those things that bind us as a company or as a community. When we remind people what we are about, we inspire them to function at their best. And to do this, you need to be visible. You must have the courage to share your reactions with the people around you, so people know you care about them, and they feel an emotional bond.
That way, if and when disaster does strike, you'll be ready to respond quickly and decisively to help your people — and your business — move forward.
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz. Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
MAEVE Magazine - A Must Read
I highly recommend you subscribe to this new online mag. Here's the blurb about them from their Facebook page:
MAEVE Magazine is a quarterly online publication aimed at the conscious consumer. MAEVE targets 30- 40 something’s… women… grown ups… parents… people who want more from their media. MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family.
What’s MAEVE about ?
MAEVE appreciates that you are all grown up, that you are intelligent and street smart. That you are raising kids and creating a new generation. You have a desire for knowledge and a thirst for real life content. You want inspiration. You want to know what other people are doing and how they are doing it. How they are parenting. How they are achieving. How they are loving. How they are living. We all do it – its human nature. You want to see life in a state of fluidity. Full of flaws and controversy. Bursting with pride, success and failure. Naked ambition and true friendship. Hardship, sorrow and grief. Celebrations, milestones and mindfulness.
No bullshit.
Its about making your life better. Giving you something to think about. Evoking feelings in you and allowing you to redefine who you are and where you want to be. MAEVE gives you solidity in its purest form. Strong in presence and sustainable by nature
MAEVE treats you like the intelligent woman you are. We offer insight, inspiration and intelligent reading. MAEVE seeks to enrich and redefine the life you already have. Knowing that you have worked hard to be where you are now.
http://www.facebook.com/MAEVEmagazine
http://www.MAEVEmagazine.com
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
MAEVE Magazine is a quarterly online publication aimed at the conscious consumer. MAEVE targets 30- 40 something’s… women… grown ups… parents… people who want more from their media. MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family.
What’s MAEVE about ?
MAEVE appreciates that you are all grown up, that you are intelligent and street smart. That you are raising kids and creating a new generation. You have a desire for knowledge and a thirst for real life content. You want inspiration. You want to know what other people are doing and how they are doing it. How they are parenting. How they are achieving. How they are loving. How they are living. We all do it – its human nature. You want to see life in a state of fluidity. Full of flaws and controversy. Bursting with pride, success and failure. Naked ambition and true friendship. Hardship, sorrow and grief. Celebrations, milestones and mindfulness.
No bullshit.
Its about making your life better. Giving you something to think about. Evoking feelings in you and allowing you to redefine who you are and where you want to be. MAEVE gives you solidity in its purest form. Strong in presence and sustainable by nature
MAEVE treats you like the intelligent woman you are. We offer insight, inspiration and intelligent reading. MAEVE seeks to enrich and redefine the life you already have. Knowing that you have worked hard to be where you are now.
http://www.facebook.com/MAEVEmagazine
http://www.MAEVEmagazine.com
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd. Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
What to Do When Your Partnership Sours - Ending Business Partnerships - Entrepreneur.com
Even in the best of circumstances, business partnerships can be fraught with conflict. To handle the twists and turns, smart co-owners put a well-drafted partnership agreement
in place to act as a road map. Without one, lack of guidance in the event of a dispute can result in a free-for-all for partners, says Jonathan Levitt, a principal with Outside GC LLC, a team of former senior in-house lawyers who act as "on-demand" in-house counsel for clients.
For partners who don't have an agreement, or even those who do, there are a few things they should consider in order to best protect themselves when conflict arises.
Read the rest of the article by clicking on the link below.
What to Do When Your Partnership Sours - Ending Business Partnerships - Entrepreneur.com
Posted using ShareThis
in place to act as a road map. Without one, lack of guidance in the event of a dispute can result in a free-for-all for partners, says Jonathan Levitt, a principal with Outside GC LLC, a team of former senior in-house lawyers who act as "on-demand" in-house counsel for clients.
For partners who don't have an agreement, or even those who do, there are a few things they should consider in order to best protect themselves when conflict arises.
Read the rest of the article by clicking on the link below.
What to Do When Your Partnership Sours - Ending Business Partnerships - Entrepreneur.com
Posted using ShareThis
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Dunedin and Otago Growth Spurt
Whatever type of business you are in, a population boost for the area of Otago is great news.
Dunedin city is to expect significant population growth, with an increase from 122,300 (2006) to as much as 144,300 in 2031.
Dunedin City Mayor Peter Chin welcomed the projections and said in terms of infrastructure, Dunedin was well prepared for the growth.
"We're ready, even now. We're already working towards this projection.
"That's why we are refurbishing the Town Hall, building the stadium, upgrading water supplies. Basically, it's upgrading all the services we've got here."
Under the medium projections, Otago will be one of 13 New Zealand regional council areas to be home to more people in 2031 than in 2006.
The West Coast and Southland are the only regions projected to have fewer residents in 2031.
Nationally, population growth is projected to slow during the next 20 years.
On average, births are projected to remain stable in number, reflecting lower fertility rates.
But in contrast, deaths are projected to increase in all regions as the population in the older age brackets increases.
This originally came from an article titled 'Growth Could Boost Building Heights' by John Lewis in the Otago Daily Times. It mainly focused on Central Otago, so if you also get business from that part of the region you can read the entire article here.
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.
Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Dunedin city is to expect significant population growth, with an increase from 122,300 (2006) to as much as 144,300 in 2031.
Dunedin City Mayor Peter Chin welcomed the projections and said in terms of infrastructure, Dunedin was well prepared for the growth.
"We're ready, even now. We're already working towards this projection.
"That's why we are refurbishing the Town Hall, building the stadium, upgrading water supplies. Basically, it's upgrading all the services we've got here."
Under the medium projections, Otago will be one of 13 New Zealand regional council areas to be home to more people in 2031 than in 2006.
The West Coast and Southland are the only regions projected to have fewer residents in 2031.
Nationally, population growth is projected to slow during the next 20 years.
On average, births are projected to remain stable in number, reflecting lower fertility rates.
But in contrast, deaths are projected to increase in all regions as the population in the older age brackets increases.
This originally came from an article titled 'Growth Could Boost Building Heights' by John Lewis in the Otago Daily Times. It mainly focused on Central Otago, so if you also get business from that part of the region you can read the entire article here.
© 2009 - 2010 90 Degree Coaching Ltd.
Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Part-Time Working Mums Create Healthier Children
New research has revealed that mothers who work part-time raise healthier children than stay-at-home mums or those with full-time jobs.
A study of more than 4500 Australian pre-schoolers found kids of part-time mums eat less junk food, watch less television and are less likely to be overweight or obese, News Ltd says.
The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with mothers and measured their childen's height and weight at ages four to five, and again two years later at ages six to seven.
The discovery has renewed calls for more flexible and family-friendly work programs as a means to promoting healthier lifestyles and early childhood wellbeing.
Researchers from the University of New England in NSW believe the surprise finding may be driven by part-time mothers being more conscientious on the days they are able to care for their children.
Co-author and associate professor Jan Nicholson, principal research fellow at Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute, said: "When mothers work part-time, there's obviously something about the way the house is run, and the way parents are looking after their children that is protective."
The study - Do Working Mothers Raise Couch Potato Kids? - also shows women who work full-time tend to have unhealthier kids.
The reason why stay-at-home mums have fatter, less healthy children despite having more time to implement healthy behaviour isn't fully understood, and researchers say closer examination of household dynamics is needed.
Media Source: ninemsn.com.au
© AAP 2010
Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
A study of more than 4500 Australian pre-schoolers found kids of part-time mums eat less junk food, watch less television and are less likely to be overweight or obese, News Ltd says.
The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with mothers and measured their childen's height and weight at ages four to five, and again two years later at ages six to seven.
The discovery has renewed calls for more flexible and family-friendly work programs as a means to promoting healthier lifestyles and early childhood wellbeing.
Researchers from the University of New England in NSW believe the surprise finding may be driven by part-time mothers being more conscientious on the days they are able to care for their children.
Co-author and associate professor Jan Nicholson, principal research fellow at Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute, said: "When mothers work part-time, there's obviously something about the way the house is run, and the way parents are looking after their children that is protective."
The study - Do Working Mothers Raise Couch Potato Kids? - also shows women who work full-time tend to have unhealthier kids.
The reason why stay-at-home mums have fatter, less healthy children despite having more time to implement healthy behaviour isn't fully understood, and researchers say closer examination of household dynamics is needed.
Media Source: ninemsn.com.au
© AAP 2010
Be the FIRST to receive more great tips like this and sign up for Kirstie's weekly 'Success Strategies for Women' ezine. All you have to do is sign up at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
Kirstie Gillon-Wood is Director of 90 Degree Coaching Ltd., a company devoted to supporting women wanting to create independence, and achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Kirstie’s products and services at http://www.90degreecoaching.co.nz.
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