The Power of Words in Business

Inspiration can manifest itself anytime, anywhere.  Inspiration came to me yesterday by way of a delightful, Hispanic woman I met named “Chelsea” (a pseudonym, of course).

I shared a table with Chelsea at Au Bon Pain and we cordially struck up a conversation about family, life and our pursuit of happiness.  She courageously spoke of painful difficulties she faced in childhood and how she was able to triumph, despite her obstacles, to become a strong wife, mother and proud grandmother.

When I asked what her passion was in life, she said it was to help others like herself, who have faced abusive situations.  She went on to say that her ultimate goal was to become an art therapist and open a clinic.  Even though she lacks formalized training in this field, she is determined to enroll in a college (having only a high school diploma) and to do whatever it takes to make her dream a reality.   

I savored a lunch consisting of a hearty Baja Turkey sandwich and a small bag of crunchy sea salt chips and continued to listen intently to her every word.  After about an hour we finished our meal, hugged, wished each other continued success and went our separate ways.

What amazed me most about Chelsea was her ability to stay positive throughout our conversation – despite the setbacks, failures and disappointments she encountered in life.  

I have no doubt that Chelsea will be an awesome art therapist, an inspirational mentor, and one day - the owner of a thriving small business.   

She is a hopeful, inspirational, optimistic woman who consciously works to improve her inner being by focusing on personal growth.  The brightest, most successful entrepreneurs continuously strengthen their mindsets in order to effectively weather storms that may pass in business and life. 

So, whether you are an aspiring small business owner or you’ve been your own boss for years, fill your cup with positivity and keep it overflowing!  

Fill your mind with substance.  Fill your heart with determination.  Fill your soul with inspiration.

There’s no better time than right now to be the entrepreneur you’re destined to become.  Below are a few of my favorite inspirational quotes from awesome female business moguls.

"Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Running that first shop taught me business is not financial science; it's about trading: buying and selling."
- Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

"I had to make my own living and my own opportunity! But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!"
- Madam C.J. Walker, America's first black female millionaire

“I would like to be remembered as someone who did the best she could with the talent she had.”- J. K. Rowling‏ Harry Potter Fantasy Series

"The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it."
- Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” - Maya Angelou, educator, historian, poet, author

“If you think you can, you can.  And if you think you can’t, you’re right.” - Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

“I believe the choice to be excellent begins with aligning your thoughts and words with the intention to require more from yourself." 
- Oprah Winfrey, business mogul extraordinaire

Overcome Your Fear of Failure in Business

Have you ever wondered why the fear of failure is often worse than failure itself?  Well, I’ve pondered over this fact numerous times and have determined that this statement is true and relevant in life and business.

After talking to numerous female entrepreneurs about their journey to success, I realize that the main ingredient in their recipe to success is failure.  That’s right – failure.   Believe it or not, embracing failure brings you one step closer to achieving your goals.   

Yes, it may be a challenge to wrap your arms around the “F-word”, but understand that accepting failure is not only liberating, but empowering, as well.   You need to learn from your mistakes and have the will power to stand up and brush yourself off – failing is nothing more than an opportunity to thrive.

It’s also important to avoid using “failure” and “fear” in the same sentence and appreciate the meanings of both words.  Simply put, failure is the result of trying something and not succeeding; whereas fear results from dreading the consequences of failure. 

Accept the fact that you will make mistakes and you will fail along the way; however, you will persevere provided that you…try and try again.  


Also:

- Stay clear of negative people:  They zap your energy.

- Be a perpetual student: Find a mentor and learn from the best.

- Instead of asking “Why?” ask “Why not?”: Have a positive outlook… the possibilities are endless. 

- Set clear goals: Know where you want to go and proceed full speed ahead.

- Relax, release and unwind: Laugh a little; it’s not that serious!

Successful businesses are not created overnight.  Women who triumph are those who face setbacks, obstacles and disappointments with courage and accept failure as an integral part of running a small business.

 

I believe that entrepreneurs are made; not born.  I started my professional career in corporate America; not from the comforts of my home office.  Like many women, I was inspired to start my own business out of a need to fulfill my passion.  I learned how to run a successful copywriting business by way of trial and error - the best on the job training.

Before I go, I want to share advice that the Food Network's, Ina Garten ("The Barefoot Contessa") offers to women, “Be willing to jump off the cliff and figure out how to fly on the way down.”  So go out and face your fears and let your dreams soar!

She's Living Her Dream: Interview with Harrine Freeman

Today, I welcome Harrine Freeman, CEO/owner of H. E. Freeman Enterprises Credit Repair Counseling and Personal Financial Services.  Harrine has over thirteen years personal finance counseling experience and has helped thousands of customers develop good money management skills and increase their credit scores.

Why did you decide to go into business for yourself?

Even though I come from a family of entrepreneurs, I didn't think I would ever be my own boss.  I actually got the idea from a friend who suggested I should help other people manage their money and credit after she witnessed how I was able to overcome a serious financial setback.

Although I’ve always been good with saving money, I didn’t understand the repercussions of over-extending credit; and I quickly accumulated 13 credit cards and found myself in $19, 000 worth of debt when I graduated from college.  Fortunately, I was able to repair my credit score and was debt-free after 4 years of intensive savings and adhering to disciplined payment schedules.

I decided to write, How To Get Out of Debt: Get an “A” Credit Rating for Free Using the System I’ve Used Successfully with Thousands of Clients because there were limited resources available to help me navigate through my financial woes.  My books offers step-by-step details on how to repair your credit, get out of debt, how to create your own flexible spending plan and how to maintain good credit without having to go to a credit counseling agency or filing for bankruptcy.

What was your biggest challenge starting out?

As you know, males dominate the financial industry, so it was very difficult for me to build credibility.  It was only after I started to attend various business and networking functions, speak at seminars, and establish myself as an expert - that I was able to gain respect from peers and potential customers. 

I still face some discrimination, but not to the degree when I first started out.  

How has this lagging economy affected business and your clients?

After the recession hit, my business slowed noticeably.  This may seem ironic considering there are more people now, than ever before who need credit repair services.  People have been losing their jobs and homes in record numbers and are finding it difficult to pay their bills - resulting in bad credit.    

Prior to the recession, people had (or there was “the illusion of”) extra money for my services.  Today, other priorities take the lead such as the mortgage, car notes and food.  Repairing a poor credit report is put on the back burner.

To make matters worse, some employers are using credit scores as a barometer for hiring - making the job search for many of my current and potential clients more difficult. 

What is the one characteristic that aspiring female entrepreneurs should possess?

There are a number of characteristics that women business owners should have such as integrity and strong leadership/time management skills.  However, I think the ability to give excellent customer service is paramount. 

When you’re in business for yourself, it's important to always provide superior customer service.  People tend to overlook areas you may not excel in when you go that extra mile to give good service.  I'm not saying that customers will dismiss any shortcomings, but they won’t criticize you as much when you're helpful. 

Showing customers that you care will bring referrals and help your business to grow.

What is your passion?

Helping people is my passion.  Knowing that I’ve made somebody’s situation better makes all the difference.

What brings you joy during the workday?

Drinking herbal tea.   

She’s Living Her Dream: Interview with Dawn Fitch

Joining me today is Dawn Fitch, founder of Pooka Pure and Simple, an all-natural, hand-made bath and body products company based in New Jersey.  I first came across Pooka in a Black Enterprise article when I was writing for the magazine’s “Making It” column.  And, it wasn’t long before I discovered the wholesome goodness of Pooka’s oils, lotions and bath salts.

After becoming mysterious ill and many unsuccessful trips to doctors and specialists, Dawn began to explore alternative therapies.  It was during this time that her interest in the healing powers of aromatherapy was born.  Her need to take better care of herself and her love for aromatherapy prompted her to create her own bath and body products.

Enlisting the help of her dearest friends, sister Donna Fitch and her “sister” friends April Reeves and Tricia White, Dawn’s dream became a reality… and Pooka was born!  

As a small business owner, how are you surviving the recession?

I take advantage of the benefits of social media.  We encourage customers to stay connected with Pooka through our Facebook fan page, Twitter and newsletter.  My partners and I also have a blog at http://pookalitas.blogspot.com where we post fun, lighthearted stories about being true Pookalitas.

Since the recession, customers’ orders have become smaller which requires finding ways to bring in new customers to make up for the decrease in sales.  It’s important that we give people a reason to visit our site and ultimately buy our products. 

For example, we have a special on-line promotion called Free Fridays! where every Thursday we post a free item for the week – and, those who place their orders first will receive free stuff.  This is a great way to increase traffic to our website and entice customers to return.

How do you determine what products to introduce to the market?

I base a lot of this on the need for a product.  Pooka has a set of core products that are available all year round, in addition to products that are only offered for a limited time.  Occasionally, customers make requests for certain fragrances – for example, light fruity scents are common requests during the spring and summer months.  However, we try to limit the number of different products we produce to avoid spreading our resources too thin. 

What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up!  It’s important to surround yourself with a good support system.  By the same token, stay away from naysayers - they will only make your road to success more challenging. 

As a small business owner, you’re going to face a lot of roadblocks - but you can overcome them if you have people in your corner.  I also recommend that you join trade organizations and networking groups to get useful information relevant to your industry and meet other entrepreneurs.

Congratulations, on the success of your new book, Moving Through Opened Doors: Business and Life Lessons Taught by Abundant Blessings.  Tell us a little about it.

Over the years, people have asked me about my road to entrepreneurship.  Moving Through Open Doors is an account of my journey to finding life’s path through many blessings.  I talk about the joys of growing up, the challenges I've faced and my motivation to becoming a small business owner.  I believe my book will be an inspiration for anyone with an entrepreneurial dream.

I enjoy pipin’ hot cups of sweet coffee or tea while I work.  What brings you joy during the day? 

Sushi, green tea and a good joke with lots of laughs!

Pooka Pure and Simple - "Something good your skin can eat"   

5 Easy Steps to a Productive Week

Despite trying, I have finally come to accept the fact that although I may never be "SuperWoman", I am a super woman.  

Juggling between marketing, copywriting and other responsibilities as a small business owner can be overwhelming, but doable when I organize my time.  To make my life easier, I follow a few simple steps to ease tension and make my week more productive:  

1. Set daily goals – I like to compare a hectic schedule to Paula Deen’s Loaded Oatmeal Cookies.  Both can end up a disaster, if you fail to break up your week into manageable daily tasks or you refuse to follow the Queen of Southern Cooking’s recipe.  If you want a stress-free week, make a to-do-list, prioritize what needs to be accomplished each day and check off each task when complete.  If you want moist cookies - follow Paula’s recipe.

2. Establish a routine – As a mother, I know that simple routines help my children manage their time more effectively.  The same is true for working mothers - establish a routine for yourself to make your workday run smoothly.  Add structure to your busy day by assigning specific times when you check email, work on projects, return phone calls, etc.  That way you won’t surf the net all day.  

3. Focus on the task – When you work for yourself, it’s very easy to get distracted and put off doing what needs to be done for something more “exciting”.  Procrastination can be a major issue for entrepreneurs because the need to stay focused rests solely on you.  So, don’t let your mind wander.  You can manage a busy schedule if you:

- Break larger projects into smaller parts

- Declutter your surroundings   

- Minimize interruptions

4. Remove distractions – If you're following the latest drama on your favorite soap opera - then the television is a distraction.  Although the sound of childrens' laughter is sweet to the ears, it can be disruptive.  So, try to schedule playdates during times when you’re not concerned about meeting deadlines.  And, it’s O.K. to leave the laundry until later - the dirty clothes will be there when you’re finished your work.

 5. Breathe – Taking a break away from your laptop is a nice way to clear your head, invigorate your senses and feel refreshed.  Enjoying a brisk walk outside or doing a few yoga stretches are great relaxation techniques that help to revive your mind, body and soul.  If time is of essence, simply take a few deep breaths to calm your senses so you can get right back to work.

The beauty of being your own boss means that every day is different.  When you learn to effectively manage your workweek, productivity becomes second nature and that’s good for business!

- All the best

Do What You Love

Passion: An intense portion of enthusiasm, mixed with a delicate blend of affection and desire. Sure to be a favorite and “must have” for small business owners. 

When I decided to take a break from corporate America to start my own small business, one of the first questions that came to mind was, “What am I getting myself into?” 

Sure, I was excited about venturing into the world of entrepreneurship, but the idea of being my own boss was quite daunting.  

I suddenly found myself lost in a maze of uncertainty - and what started out as one simple question, quickly multiplied into a cyclone of unknowns… What should I do first?  How will I get financing? Do I need a business plan?

And, most importantly – what business will I start?

I knew I wanted to try something a little different, but trying to define what that certain “something” was, proved to more difficult than I thought.

So, I considered my possibilities…

What about a landscaping business to complement my green thumb?  I even looked into opening a coffee shop to sell chai teas, specialty coffees and gourmet sweets.

Even though a number of ideas came to mind of small businesses I could start; none of these “great” ventures truly excited me.  Firecrackers failed to ignite.  Stars didn’t twinkle in my eyes.  What was missing?

I realized that my startup ideas lacked one very special ingredient – passion.

Passion gives you the enthusiasm needed to stick with whatever venture you pursue.  It’s that excitement (along with a lot of hard work and determination) that makes entrepreneurs spark with zest.  After delving deep within myself, I found my true passion in business copywriting.

To find your passion:

1. Identify your talents - Are you creative and good with sculpting clay? Do you have a knack for public speaking? Perhaps you are a whiz with numbers.  Offer a pottery class to the elderly or sell clay pots at a local boutique.  Define your skills and uncover unlimited opportunities.

2. List what you enjoy doing - Do you have a hobby or is there something you would do all day, every day if you had the chance?  With careful planning, you can make a little extra cash doing what you love.

3. Brainstorm - If nothing comes to mind immediately, start with a clean slate and let your creative juices flow.  Write down whatever comes to you - be creative.  There are no bad ideas, only limited imaginations.

4. Find a mentor - Seek advice from people who are living their passion.  Use their personal experiences and guidance to help you uncover hidden possibilities.

5. Give it a try - Put your idea to the test first.  Before making a long-term commitment, work on it part-time or take it up as a hobby.  If your passion doesn’t fizzle away after a few months, you may have found your calling.

Discovering your passion takes patience and a lot of hard work…but the end result is a life that’s truly more satisfying.  Success is within reach – just grab it!  

- All the best

Let's Meet For Coffee

Welcome to Lattes and Laptops, a business and lifestyle blog dedicated to entrepreneur-minded women who balance family, life and career with style. 

Hi, my name is Zakiyyah.  I am a wife, mother, cook, chauffeur, homework checker, and a freelance copywriter.  I know many of you can relate with my first few roles, but in case you’re not familiar with the latter - let me explain. 

Through my company eWriting Café, I specialize in creating sales-driven content for small businesses to use in their marketing collateral.  For over seven years, I’ve helped satisfied clients promote their businesses with compelling copy that sells. 

In my repertoire, I write a variety of copy for both print and online media including newsletters, email blasts, feature articles, web content, brochures, ads, press releases, catalog copy, SEO content and other business blogs like this one.

Being a mompreneur means that I wear many hats.  And, occasionally I get sucked into a whirlwind of deadlines, playdates, appointments, laundry, and afterschool activities – whew.  Sounds familiar?

So, needless to say, I relish the time when I can relax and talk with friends about OUR pursuit of happiness - both personally AND professionally. 

As for me, it doesn’t take much to make me happy.  Long, hot baths infused with lavender sea salts.  A good book (soduko puzzles, included). Sunny, warm days accented with velvety clouds.  Pipin’ hot cups of sweet caramel macchiatos.  And, a fulfilling career doing what I love best – writing.

I started this blog with the hope that you, too, are inspired to transform what you thought was just a cute idea - into a viable (and, one day profitable) career.

Think of this blog as a digital café where practical advice, tips and information about business, marketing, and life as an entrepreneur are shared amongst friends like a crusty loaf of artisan bread.  You can even eavesdrop in on insightful conversations I have with dynamic female business owners who know what it takes to be THE BOSS.  

Remember President Obama’s winning campaign slogan, “Yes, We Can!”?

Well, take that affirmation to heart.  Yes, you CAN be both the CEO of your household and your own small business!  

Visit me again at Lattes and Laptops for a dose of inspiration and practical tips you need to get your weekend, part-time or full-time small business up and running.

You have the talent, so put it to use and stop thinking about it…“Just Do It”! (credit to Nike’s trademark, of course) BTW, also have your favorite drink at hand.

All the best,

Zakiyyah