Food Waste Friday

As I was going through my emails this afternoon, I found an email from Frugal Girl about Food Waste Friday.  Every Friday, she goes through her fridge and takes out all spoiled foods.  Then she takes a picture and blogs about it.
She encourages all of us to do the same.  So I too took a picture of the food my family and I have wasted over the last 7 days.

I didn't take my time to clean my fridge.  I just grabbed all spoiled or rotten foods.
There is so much waste in our lives but what I have found is that if we plan more, whether meals or with regards to business, it will help to lessen the waste and by doing so we can save tons more money. Yes, I am not exaggerating.  Each penny counts and with compounded interest it can be tons....
I don't think I did too bad this week but I intend to do better.
What about you?  Join the Food Waste Friday movement.  Doing so will help to reduce the waste in your life as well.  Take a pic and let us know.

Food Waste Friday

As I was going through my emails this afternoon, I found an email from Frugal Girl about Food Waste Friday.  Every Friday, she goes through her fridge and takes out all spoiled foods.  Then she takes a picture and blogs about it.
She encourages all of us to do the same.  So I too took a picture of the food my family and I have wasted over the last 7 days.

I didn't take my time to clean my fridge.  I just grabbed all spoiled or rotten foods.
There is so much waste in our lives but what I have found is that if we plan more, whether meals or with regards to business, it will help to lessen the waste and by doing so we can save tons more money. Yes, I am not exaggerating.  Each penny counts and with compounded interest it can be tons....
I don't think I did too bad this week but I intend to do better.
What about you?  Join the Food Waste Friday movement.  Doing so will help to reduce the waste in your life as well.  Take a pic and let us know.

5 Remember Whens for Mompreneurs

My kids are accustomed to telling remember when stories.  You know the type.  They'll say, "remember when mommy bought us all matching outfits for Christmas?" Or remember when "we all made pizza at home for the first time?"  My favorite remember when stories always involve a family event where we are all together doing an outdoor activity.  This summer they all went hiking and I know the events of that day are going to be part of their remember when arsenal.  These stories bind us together and remind us of the importance of family time.

Kids are learning valuable lessons from these experiences.  As mothers and entrepreneurs we can have our own remember whens.

1. Remember when you made the decision to go into business?  The pure pleasure and passion you felt at that time can sustain you throughout the of trials of business ownership.
2. Remember when you made your first dollar on a project?  You realized that it is possible to make money from this confounded idea.
3. Remember when you quit your job and realized that you have flex time to attend the kids field trips, etc.?  Now you can earn money and still be available when the kids need you  without the frustration of worrying what to do about work if you want to attend an in school activity with your child.
4.  Remember when the kids helped you stuff business envelopes or you looked at their happy faces while you were on the computer?  You realized that although having it all is not an option that at least being present more in your kids life makes life more palatable.
5. Remember when you took your first family vacation without having to submit a vacation authorization request to your employer and you could still manage your entrepreneurial affairs from afar? As a family you had fun and yes you were still making money. 

I am sure you can do a lot better than I did with your own Remember When stories.  We are mothers and entrepreneurs and we are having the best experiences ever because we get to ENJOY much time as possible with our families. They are the reason we do what we do.  Do YOU have a REMEMBER WHEN STORY to share?

5 Remember Whens for Mompreneurs

My kids are accustomed to telling remember when stories.  You know the type.  They'll say, "remember when mommy bought us all matching outfits for Christmas?" Or remember when "we all made pizza at home for the first time?"  My favorite remember when stories always involve a family event where we are all together doing an outdoor activity.  This summer they all went hiking and I know the events of that day are going to be part of their remember when arsenal.  These stories bind us together and remind us of the importance of family time.

How to Start a Business 101

Starting a business can be a scary thought.  Hopefully, your passion and desire far exceeds the fear monster. You can do it! But the question is "where do I begin?" 

Begin with the end in mind, literally.  What do you want to do with this business?  Are you starting it to have a legacy to leave for your kids?  Is it something you are doing just for a short time to make a few extra dollars?  Do you intend to sell the business to make a big windfall?  Answering questions such as these is helpful as you begin, because it lets your know how to structure your organization.  

Here are some basic steps for starting your business. These steps are not exhaustive. Speak with your attorney, CPA and local SBA office in order to seek specific information for your enterprise.

1. Seek advice from your local SBA office, CPA, attorney or business consultant.
2. Write a business plan.
3. Decide on a legal business structure.
4. Decide on a name and do your due diligence to ensure that you can use it.
5. Register "Doing Business As" names.
6. Decide on a Registered Agent.
7. Protect your company's name using Copyright protection services from the US Copyright Office.
8. Legally incorporate or register with the City and State.
9. Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number.
10. Obtain a Dun and Bradstreet Number.
11. Satisfy your business licensing requirements.
12. Draft internal documents for your business.
13. Satisfy insurance requirements for your business.
14. Establish a business presence.
15. Establish branding paraphernalia.
16. Open a business bank account and merchant account.
17. Establish proper accounting procedures.
18. Get a business credit card.
19. Identify where to get help.
20. Complete additional filings as needed.

I know.  The list is long and there is a lot that goes into each step. Also, you do not have to complete the process, in the order mentioned above.  Despite the hard work, if you are passionate about your idea, you will do it.  Have fun while doing it and if the end that you have in mind is to pass something on to your beautiful little ones, then it is all worth it.

If YOU have specific questions about any of the steps mentioned, SHARE or POST your comments below.

How to Start a Business 101

Starting a business can be a scary thought.  Hopefully, your passion and desire far exceeds the fear monster. You can do it! But the question is "where do I begin?" 

Begin with the end in mind, literally.  What do you want to do with this business?  Are you starting it to have a legacy to leave for your kids?  Is it something you are doing just for a short time to make a few extra dollars?  Do you intend to sell the business to make a big windfall?  Answering questions such as these is helpful as you begin, because it lets your know how to structure your organization.  

Superwoman Syndrome: Establishing Balance in the Life of a Mompreneur

Whomever said you can have it all lied.  The superwoman does not exist.  We are only human.  In order to survive and thrive we must establish balance in our lives.  The best we can do is the best we can do. 

We all make mistakes.  Today I forgot my daughters' dental appointments.  What was doubly bad about this situation is that I had just taken my younger daughter yesterday and I had the other two to take today.  But this morning they complained that they did not want to miss school.  I made a mental note to call the dentist's office to reschedule.  But, I was driving at the time so this note was not written down.  For me, if it is not on paper it doesn't happen.  

I felt so bad about this because as a business owner I understand that other entrepreneurs depend on their appointments to make a living and this dentist could have arranged for others to be there. But what can I do now other than call them and apologize and maybe even send them a conciliatory bouquet of flowers......yes, that's how bad I feel about this.  But I can't dwell on this particular circumstance or on other mishaps that occur.  I have to learn from this experience and not internalize any negativity.

As a non-superwoman and a busy mompreneur the most important lesson I have learned is the need to establish balance.  Here are the following ways that I strive to maintain balance.

1. Say no before saying yes.  If by any chance your no can turn into a yes, you will still be appreciated.  But if you say yes then you do a mediocre job, it will inevitably reflect poorly on you. So, say no; but when your schedule permits help as much as you can.
2. Create boundaries.  Let your employees and or vendors know when you are available and if they call during "off the clock" hours then let the voice mail pick up and check to see if there is an emergency.  Do the same for family and friends.  
3. Limit multitasking as much as humanly possible. I know,  if mompreneurs don't multitask we won't get much done. But if you can focus on one task at a time you will improve your efficiency and effectiveness.   
4. Use a schedule.  Plan your day and work your plan.  
5. Hire a Virtual Assistant who can handle both personal and professional matters. Trust me, as your business grows you will need the extra help.  Both Elance and Odesk are good places to start but you can do your research to find which agencies work best with your specific demands.

In the end, balance is possible if we first understand what we can't do it all; we are not superwomen.  As moms and entrepreneurs we should be there to uplift each other through genuine camaraderie.   

Do you have any of the characteristics of the superwoman syndrome? If yes, what changes are you going to make in order to establish sustainable balance in your life?

Superwoman Syndrome: Establishing Balance in the Life of a Mompreneur

Whomever said you can have it all lied.  The superwoman does not exist.  We are only human.  In order to survive and thrive we must establish balance in our lives.  The best we can do is the best we can do. 

We all make mistakes.  Today I forgot my daughters' dental appointments.  What was doubly bad about this situation is that I had just taken my younger daughter yesterday and I had the other two to take today.  But this morning they complained that they did not want to miss school.  I made a mental note to call the dentist's office to reschedule.  But, I was driving at the time so this note was not written down.  For me, if it is not on paper it doesn't happen.  

A Day in my Life: A Mompreneur

As you would expect, my life is hectic, very hectic. I almost feel as though I have little or no down time. The old cliche, that time is your most precious commodity, is doubly significant for me. As an entrepreneur and a mother, I schedule everything. Yet, most times things occur that are uncontrollable. My typical day is as follows:

1. 04:30 AM, wake up, pray, and plan my day;

2. 05:00 - 06:00 AM, reconcile business accounts, check emails and do routine business tasks

3. 06:00 - 08:30 AM, wake kids, prepare breakfast and lunch, get kids ready for school, transport them to school, etc. etc., part of this time is spent doing morning devotion and at times morning tutoring sessions

4. 08:30 - 10:00 AM, exercise, glamorize, :)

5. 10:00 - 02:00 PM, work on projects for the business, meetings, etc.

6. 02:00 - 08:00 PM, mostly about the kids, after school activities, projects, homework, dinner, etc. etc., but also a continuation of business projects

7. 08:00 - 10:00 PM, evening chores and planning for the next day.

It all seems basic. But trust me there is a lot of sweat and tears that go into the day in the life of any mompreneur. When work is your business, it never ends. You can't turn it off. You are working when you are cooking dinner and an employee calls or when you are helping with homework and an idea for your business pops into your head and you have to stop to jot things down.

How do you handle it all? What is most important is like Stephen Covey suggests in his seminal work "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," you have to take time to "sharpen the saw," which means, focus on yourself, literally, take care of yourself. Take time to exercise, eat well, sleep well, etc. etc. Only when you are at your optimum can you give to others.

I have to remind myself of this daily because to tell you the truth there are many days when I don't remember that I am a critical part of the equation. Yes, many days when I am not a part of my own schedule. When this happens I feel exhausted, frustrated and stressed.

So let's learn from each other and create time strictly dedicated to sharpening the saw.  Put yourself in the equation. Take a day to pamper yourself and consistently keep this appointment with yourself. You will be a more happy parent and a more creative entrepreneur.  You will be a beautiful, creative, thoughtful, business savvy,  Mompreneur.  Life is Good.

A Day in my Life: A Mompreneur

As you would expect, my life is hectic, very hectic. I almost feel as though I have little or no down time. The old cliche, that time is your most precious commodity, is doubly significant for me. As an entrepreneur and a mother, I schedule everything. Yet, most times things occur that are uncontrollable. My typical day is as follows:

Parenting Help: Technology to Assist with Chores

Hey! I stumbled upon this article that introduced me to an amazing app that I found to be fantastic. As a mother and an entrepreneur we struggle to manage our time well.   At the same time, we want to teach our growing brood the importance of ethical work.  We set a good example and we expect them to follow suit. 

Obviously this doesn't necessarily happen. We come off of our computers to meet the house in total chaos. Bread, mayo and peanut butter jars are open on the counter tops with crumbs and bread knives closely looking on, as if expecting the next attack of little hands.  Clothes need to be washed and the stench in the laundry room is calling your name.  Papers and crayons are all over the place.  You'll be lucky if there isn't writing on the walls, literally.

How do we teach our kids that they are capable and confident little human beings who can pick up after themselves without being threatened...ok too strong....let's say pleaded with or coerced? They see what you are doing on a daily basis.  They, even at the tender age of 2 yrs, can be taught to help around the house.

The article I found is entitled "Things to Avoid When It Comes to Chores" and it can be found at http://blog.myjobchart.com/2013/09/things-to-avoid-when-it-comes-to-chores/.  There don'ts are:

• Don't Delay
• Don't be Inconsistent
• Don't Require Perfection
• Don't Hold Back Praise

But What I am really excited about is their software/app.  They provide an online chore chart.....Hallelujah!  Yes baby...  Kids are so technologically inclined these days that they are going to be excited about the possibilities of fulfilling their obligations using this app. Also, it teaches them the importance of saving, sharing, and spending.  Finally, they are connected to Amazon so the kids can choose a reward and you will know when they have achieved their goal.  

Okay, I know, "what is the app already?!"  It is called My Job Chart. It can be found at http://www.myjobchart.com/ .  I just love it and I know you will too.  

Tell me what you think about it, if you use it.

Parenting Help: Technology to Assist with Chores

Hey! I stumbled upon this article that introduced me to an amazing app that I found to be fantastic. As a mother and an entrepreneur we struggle to manage our time well.   At the same time, we want to teach our growing brood the importance of ethical work.  We set a good example and we expect them to follow suit. 

Sept. 11th

Sept. 11th

Extraordinary Mom & Entrepreneur: Bethenny Frankel

en.wikipedia.org

I don't know about you but I am excited for the premier of the Bethenny Show which airs today September 9, 2013 at 11 AM.  I am busy setting my DVR and trying to figure out exactly which station she will be on.  I have followed Bethenny from her days on the Real Housewives of New York City.   I celebrated with her when she got married and had her daughter.  I cried with her through her marital trials and tribulations.  I respect her as a mom and an entrepreneur.  After reading her book "A Place of Yes," I understood her quirky disposition.

She is a phenomenal mother and entrepreneur and there is so much we can learn from her:

•   Say yes to your dreams even when others are saying no.  They are not the boss of you.  You ultimately control your destiny.
•    Realize that you are not defined by anyone and at times you may have to run away to stay sane.  Yes, there are those around who can kill your dreams if you allow them to.  
•   Dogged determination, hard work, and courage do pay off.  Remember when Bethenny sold baked goods and when she sold scarves?  Remember when she grabbed her child out of the hands of the minister? 
•    Stay focused.  Whatever you decide you want to do, do it, even when others say no.  What would have happened if Bethenny had allowed the rejection experienced when she started Skinny Girl Marguerite to prevail?  She experienced a different outcome because she made the decision to stay focused on her brand.
•   Have fun.  Through it all, Bethenny always knew how to have fun and so can you.  Hang out with your girlfriends, laugh at your own jokes, and dance whenever you feel like it.  These special times will help you to make it through the stress of entrepreneurship.

Like Bethenny, you too can be courageous, determined, focused and spontaneously happy.  You too can get whatever you want out of life.  You are a mother and an entrepreneur and that alone says you win.  Let's support Bethenny; so remember to watch her premier or set your DVR. Tell me what you think about the show or let me know which famous mompreneur encourages you.

Extraordinary Mom & Entrepreneur: Bethenny Frankel

en.wikipedia.org

I don't know about you but I am excited for the premier of the Bethenny Show which airs today September 9, 2013 at 11 AM.  I am busy setting my DVR and trying to figure out exactly which station she will be on.  I have followed Bethenny from her days on the Real Housewives of New York City.   I celebrated with her when she got married and had her daughter.  I cried with her through her marital trials and tribulations.  I respect her as a mom and an entrepreneur.  After reading her book "A Place of Yes," I understood her quirky disposition.