How to Master Your Small Business by Following the 2014 Olympics

If you were to compare a small business owner or entrepreneur with a certain personality type or character, who would come to mind? A firefighter? A doctor? An astronaut? Or a superhero? How about an Olympic athlete? Seems like a stretch, right? Not quite. While entrepreneurs may not have the skills to perform surgery, operate a space shuttle, most would agree that some days we feel like we put out fires, we save lives, and even fly to the moon and back. As far as the Olympics, what do professionals and athletes have in common? What does it take for them both to succeed?

What does training for the Olympics and running a business involve? A lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Not to mention the time, energy, and stamina needed to compete. It’s not easy, and it may not always be fun, but it’s what we do to go for the gold. Entrepreneurs and small business owners operate with the same attitude and on the same level of thinking to succeed.

So where do you start? The answer is the Olympics. And where do Olympic athletes start? The starting line, of course. Here is where your starting line should begin:

Dream Big, and Don't Set Limits. Where did Olympic athletes start? They most likely started with  a dream, a vision, or a thirst and hunger for gold. They don’t limit themselves and they dream big. The same can be said for business. Thinking big and outside the box will set small businesses out from the rest and will make them shine.

So where do you start? Follow a dream, set a goal, do NOT set limits, and stop at nothing until you get there. This could be as small as do something small for your business every day to reaching $500,000 in revenue for the year…and everything in between. No goal is too big or too small it is 100% your choice. All in all, it should be something you are capable of, but is also a challenge.

The Power of Motivation. But...you aren't going anywhere without motivation. Motivation is the drive behind setting and reach a goal. We can’t accomplish anything without motivation, let alone run a successful small business or win an Olympic gold medal. Motivation isn’t something that you feel “in the zone” some days and not others, it must be consistent. Staying motivated means putting in the time and work, staying disciplined, keeping a positive frame of mind. Is it hard? Sure. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Quoting a line from Tom Hanks in one of my favorite movies, A League of Their Own: "The hard is what makes it great."

Face the Music. It’s not always going to be pretty. It's impossible to run a small business and competing for a gold medal without facing some kind of challenge, pitfall, setbacks, or even injuries. But you get up, you brush off your knees, and you keep going. It's only way to get there.

Remember that challenges and setbacks don't equal failure. Failure is when a challenge, pit fall, or setback makes you quit. Failure is a choice. Quitters and failures don’t run successful businesses and do not win Olympic gold medals. But this is what sets apart the men from the boys and the women from the girls. Face the challenges. Face the music.

Commitment. Motivation plays a large role in commitment. Commitment means setting goals, sticking to them, and staying motivated enough to reach them. Commitment and motivation are in a strong marriage: One cannot survive and function without the other. If you are committed to reaching a certain goal, you will stay motivated. If you are not properly motivated, then you are not committed enough and therefore will not reach your goal.

Easier said than done, I know. It’s easy to say, “Hey, I’m going to run five miles today.” But the hard part is tying your sneakers, or maybe even taking that first step, or completing the first mile. But you made a commitment earlier in the day to run those five miles. You owe it to yourself to make it happen. Make a commitment to yourself and to your small business.

All in all, being a small business owner and entrepreneur takes balls. It’s not easy, but neither is being an Olympic athlete. They both come with their share of challenges, struggles, and uphill battles…literally. But they also come with their share of successes, triumphs, and gold medals. Do you have what it takes?



Image credit: © Galina Barskaya - Fotolia.com

Written content: © 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J.H. Language Solutions

3 Facts about Women in Business and Business Growth

-->

It’s no secret that the number of successful and professional women grabbing hold and empowering the entrepreneurial world has grown exponentially not only in the last decade, but even more so in the last several years. More and more women are working in executive roles such as CEOs, VPs, other various high level or managerial positions, and even becoming business owners.

Regardless of the position or level, women all over the world are developing new networking skills and strategies and even experimenting with their entrepreneurial skills and abilities. Interestingly enough, women were stereotyped in working secretarial, educational, or nursing roles not thirty years ago. While these positions are still predominantly held by women, they are also branching out into other roles and industries that are commonly stereotyped as “male roles”, such as doctors and physicians, scientists, lawyers, and even military service members and law enforcers.

In fact, here are some renown facts related to women in business that prove that exceptional females are working out of the homes, out of the secretarial pools, and up the corporate ladders:

Trust the facts, Jack:

• In the last decade (approximately between 1997 and 2006), women-owned and operated businesses grew more than any other business in the U.S. As of 2011, it was estimated that at least ten million businesses had ownership of 50% or more women.
  
• In 2012, approximately 6,000 companies in the world have at least one female director working at an executive level.
  
• As of 2008, women hold approximately 46.3% of the labor force in the U.S. Approximately 15% of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. have female corporate officers.
  

While some of this data was from several years to almost a decade ago, it is almost certain that these numbers have increased at the rate that small businesses and start ups are growing in the U.S.

So this now begs the question: Why the gradual and astonishing increase in the number of female business owners, directors, and CEOs? This could be due to economic changes and pressure for women to survive in the work force, the desire for women to be successful as men, or even in an attempt to help close the pay gap between men and women.

Regardless of the reason why more and more women are pouring into business, the statistics are still surprising. On the flip side, however, it's also true that women still have a long way to go to catch up with men in the work force. But look on the bright side, ladies, there are even organizations and foundations established to help women in business succeed. In fact, there are also grants available to those women who are looking to start up small businesses. It's out there and it's possible. You've just got to know where to look.

So hats off to the ladies who have been busy networking, consulting, solution-ing, and just rocking it in the world of the business in the last few months, the last year, and in the last decade. 

© Dreamstime Agency | Dreamstime Stock Photos

National Small Business Week

This week marks fifty years of celebrating National Small Business week. For those who have been in the game for awhile, how do you plan to contribute to small businesses this week? What are some takeaways for small business owners and entrepreneurs this week?

National Small Business Week was first introduced in the United States in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy. The United States has always been proud of the small businesses that make up its American economy. Throughout the years, the amount of small businesses and entrepreneurships has grown exponentially. In fact, there are more small businesses and entrepreneurships, both online and offline, than ever before.

But why? 

This is mainly due to the country’s recent economic downfall and recession that first hit in 2008. Due to the loss of benefits and pensions, job reductions, and even job loss, many folks became fed up with struggling and had to take matters into their own hands. Some went back to school to shoot for new career options, others became stay-at-home parents to save on child care expenses, and others looked to starting their own businesses and becoming entrepreneurs.

So we now know the why's but what about the what's?

Technology. In addition to many being forced to take up another job or start his or her own business, technology has also been a main reason for the increase in number of small businesses and entrepreneurships. This is because technology—whether you love it or hate it—has given people the flexibility and convenience of taking their work on the go. The availability, accessibility, and convenience of Smartphones, tablets, and laptops have sparked many to be able to telecommute and take their online entrepreneurships with them wherever they go.

Networking. One of the first things to consider is networking. Your business is a no-name and your brand is nothing unless you start getting your name and face out there. Attend local business events, join social media, hand out business cards every chance you get, and just get out and meet people. Make it your goal each week to talk about your business to one other business or one other person. Remember, word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful business and brand recognition tools.

Social Media. Next? Social media. Again, like technology—whether you love it or hate it—it works. The key is consistency. Posting relevant, interesting, unique, and creative posts on a regular, consistent basis will help build up a dedicated audience. That audience could turn into leads, and those leads can turn into customers and revenue. You just have to get started. Start a Facebook fan page and market it. It's fairly cheap to market certain posts and advertise. Having a strong online presence is one of the keys to small business success today.

Funding. We all know this is a topic that makes all business owners and entrepreneurs or potential owners shudder. Maybe you have a great idea for a business or maybe you want to expand or develop your business further, but it always seems to come down to time and money. The truth is, you can get funding. Taking out a small business loan is always an option, and you can even find other businesses to partner with or sponsor you. However, it is strongly recommended that if you consider this option to seek legal guidance.

But what about those of you who don't own their own business? You can still contribute. Maybe this week or weekend you can support local small business by shopping at a corner store, or picking up some of your groceries at a family-owned deli, or visiting that small cafe with the chalkboard sign out front. They will certainly thank you for and appreciate your patronage.

If you've ever thought about starting a business, there's no greater time than the present. Some believe that the market is now flooded with small businesses, online businesses and entrepreneurships, and there aren't any good ideas left. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The moral of this story? If you've got an idea for a product or service, run with it. If you know a small business, support it. Happy Small Business week.




Image credit: © John Leaver | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Written content: © 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 J. H. Language Solutions

Music and Memories

I remember music. Music was such a vivid and important part of my life. A part that no matter how old I get, I will never forget.

I remember music. I was in fourth grade and learning to play the recorder. I instantly realized it was an innate skill. My music teacher at the time, I hope she forgives me for not remembering her name, brought instruments to the class. REAL instruments. One instrument she brought in and played was the clarinet. I instantly associated that with the recorder and thought I want to play that. 

It all began when I was fifth grade. There I was, ten years old at a demonstration one evening after school where students and parents could sign their kids to begin instrument lessons. REAL music lessons. I already knew I wanted to play the clarinet. And then it all started. ALL of it. My musical journey. Years of music lessons, private and group, concerts, solos, competitions, traveling, uniforms, graduations, parades, jazz ensembles, choral ensembles, basketball games, football games, music store emergency runs, student conducting, school projects. I incorporated everything into music. Even into other course projects that had nothing to do with it...somehow I found a way to tie the two together. By the time I was in high school, I really divulged into it and gave it everything I had. It was the only thing that mattered. It was my only love. I remember music.


It continued after high school into college. College is when it became more serious; and it was time to decide whether I wanted music as a career or not. After much work, thinking, deliberation, arguments with my parents, and more thinking, I decided that it would not be a career choice of mine, but it would always remain a hobby. A hobby that I would always love and a time in my life that I would NEVER forget. Forever.

After graduating from college, I moved out of my parent's house and into my first apartment, found my first full time job, went back to school for my Masters, and began a new relationship, whom later became my husband, all within a year. I was loving life...but something was missing. About a year or two later, I was recruited by the Worcester Chorus. I sang with them professionally for about two years. However, in those two years, I got married, I started working in Boston full time, and even started my own business. It became extremely difficult to attend regular rehearsals while commuting 40 miles away by train. I finished out the 2010 season, but I didn't return after the summer like I had in previous years. Life just always seemed to get in the way.

Two years later this weekend, my stepdaughter, who is nine years old and is a HUGE fan of the Beatles, which I only have my husband to thank, asked over and over if I could play "When I'm 64" on the clarinet for her. In high school, we religiously played rock 'n' roll music in addition to the classics. My music teacher was also a huge fan of the Beatles, and pretty much anything worth the title of "classic rock". We were always playing and singing the Beatles' music. It was one of the memories I hold so dear.

After some back and forth, with her and in my own mind, I decided to do it for her. I tried excuses such as, "I don't know where my music is" or "I forget how to play." But nothing worked on her. After the pleading and one look into that sweet nine-year old's blue eyes, I was upstairs in my office, dusting off my clarinet case. My husband went down into our basement and dug out three black binders full of old sheet music. I peeled through pages upon pages of music. Some of them were turning yellow; they smelled of must, stale air, and dust. Some of the pages were stuck together from years of humidity and storage. I turned every page and read every title. Every page I turned was like I was turning back a year in time. I read through each scribbled note on the top of each page from whomever I shared my music stand with. Some of the notes were meaningless. Some of them I remember like they were yesterday.

The sight of my clarinet broke my heart. I had only one reed left in my box. All the other broken cases empty from years and concerts past. The once bright, shiny, silver keys were old and tarnished. The cork between each piece broken. All the while, I could feel my stepdaughter studying me as I slowly put the pieces together, adjusting the mouthpiece carefully. I tried my damnedest not to cry. I was surprised at how quickly my fingers found their positions over the keys, like they had so easily every day for fifteen years. It was like ten years had not passed in between. Although struggling at first, I was able to remember the fingerings and play the song. My stepdaughter happily danced and sang in her pajamas through our living room. Although it wasn't exactly what I remembered, and God knows I don't have the skills I once did, it was the best concert I've performed in a long time.

I realize this weekend was about Memorial Day. Thanking and remembering those who have fought and poured their hearts and souls into our freedom. Although today in 2012, I think we all can agree that our amount of freedom in this country is questionable at best, it doesn't change the fact that there were men and women who have literally put forth their lives for this country and our freedom. One of those men was my grandfather, Rudolph J. Gniadek. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was married to my grandmother for over 40 years and raised two boys, Jeffrey, my father, and my uncle, David. He had four grandchildren, myself being his only granddaughter. And he was damn proud of all of it.

Looking back and remembering, I don't look into my past without seeing him. He was one of my biggest supporters and believers next to my father. He was always there, for all of us. Every step of the way.

That's what this weekend is about, isn't it, remembering? And that's what this weekend was about. Remembering. You can remember certain memories of your own, those who have passed on that were dear to you, those who have served for this country, or those who have served for your family. Regardless of who or what you remember, as long as you take the time to remember.

Happy Memorial Day.

Back and Forth on Birth Control

Right now there is a lot of "buzz" on the topic of birth control. It's been brought up by the Catholic church, Obama himself, birth control companies in their recalls, and, well...me.

I don't have to go on and on about how it is a woman's or a couple's right to choose whether or not to use contraceptives. If you are a woman, you most likely agree that it should be a woman's choice. In fact, 60% of men are even in favor of using birth control. All in all, it doesn't take a genius to recognize that Americans are in favor of birth control. My opinion? There is nothing wrong with planned parenthood. Especially today when jobs are still hard to find, the astronomical prices of gas and food, the housing market, and the state of our nation's public education. Private education is out of the question for most of today's families. All of these issues are enough for people to second guess having children today. And rightfully so.

So what does the Catholic Church think? Unrealistic, as usual. I would first like to mention that I was raised Catholic, baptized, confirmed, and I am now married. I even went to a Catholic college, so I feel well within my right to say this. Again, there's been a lot of talk about the Catholic church's position on birth control recently, particularly with Obama running for the 2012 election, right around the corner. Personally, I don't understand why they care so much. You don't really hear much from them on other issues such as job loss, or foreclosure, or the price in gas or food, which again, would make people think twice about having children. Of course not. I won't even get into the child molestation cases that the church covered up. But all that's okay, right? As long as they get their portion in their collection baskets on Sunday morning.

My grandmother, bless her heart, is an avid Church-goer. Every Sunday morning, she gets up, walks to Church, and walks home. Every Sunday...religiously (pardon the pun). She told me one time that the Bishop in our district has ordered that the parish raise $40,000 in collections for the year 2011. $40,000. Some people don't even make that in a year. Who the hell are you? People are struggling with what they have on their plates, or what they DON'T have. And you want them to give and give and give to the Catholic church AND have children? I'm sorry, but people just aren't in that mind frame. And why should they be? The "grace of God" can't save everyone. So Catholic church, If you aren't willing to take a cut, you definitely shouldn't be telling people where they should.

The biggest concern I have is why are we even debating birth control? It's a person's decision, just like where to go to school, where to live, and what to do with their life. Why can't planned parenthood be just as much that decision? Interestingly enough, if we are going to talk about government now, most of those who are in favor of Obama and electing him again are women. Could this be due to his recent position on birth control? Basically he is trying to make it more accessible to women, particularly those who work for religious employers who are refusing to pay for it as a medical benefit.

On the complete other side, is birth control all it's cracked up to be? Not necessarily. Of course it has its pros and cons, like everything else. But there is actually a lot of controversy out there on some recent birth control recalls. Some of these recalls include packaging and labeling errors, or even placing the pills in the packages in the wrong order. Embarrassing manufacturing mistakes that are causing some women some serious health concerns and even some unwanted pregnancies. There are some particularly large health concerns over some popular birth control brands such as Yaz and Yasmin. Birth control pills can cause blood clots, weight gain, high blood pressure, and even heart disease in women.

I remember a time when I was dead set against taking birth control pills. Particularly when I was in high school and college. However, it was that time that I probably needed it most. During my "time of the month", I would have to leave school or work because I felt so awful. I had severe, and I mean severe, abdominal cramps, cramps in my legs and back, headaches, and even nausea. Not to mention the irregularity. I dealt with this probably between ages 17 to 21. So many of my girl friends at the time told me that I should go on the pill. At the time, I wanted no part of it. All I knew was that it tricked your body into thinking it was pregnant, and that bothered me. I didn't want to trick my body with anything.

Finally, at age 21, my body and I had a falling out. I went about six months without getting a period. The pain I felt on a daily basis was so horrible. I had migraine after migraine and was constantly sick to my stomach, and even throwing up. Not to mention my skin looked terrible. I was constantly breaking out and I just felt terrible. After finally seeing both my dermatologist and my primary care, they both suggested that I go on birth control. In an effort to ease the pain and gain some regularity in my body once again, I begrudgingly accepted. I tried several different pills at first. It didn't take me long to get frustrated with trying to find a pill that my body liked. I was constantly experiencing break outs, severe mood swings, and weight gain and loss. It was terrible. Finally, I saw an ad in a magazine for Yaz. I brought it to my doctor and she wrote me a prescription.

After six years of taking Yaz, and its generic brand, Gianvi, it definitely helped me tame my mood swings, break outs, and have regular, comfortable periods. However, I've encountered some other problems. I've been fortunate enough to not have experienced blood clots or heart disease, however, my blood pressure has climbed to a dangerous level and I'm very unhappy with my weight. After spending the last five months dieting, exercising, and trying natural ways to bring down my blood pressure, nothing worked. After visiting my doctor this week, she pulled me off the pill. Now I'm experiencing a completely different emotion that was a complete 180 from when I was 17. I'm afraid to be off it! And I'm not talking solely about pregnancy, I'm more concerned about experiencing the pain! It's only been two days and I've already begun to feel some side effects from being off the pill. I've got headaches again, nausea, random mood swings and crying fits, and loss of appetite. From the articles I've researched, these side effects are only expected to last a few weeks, maybe even less, but I am already not excited.

All in all, due to the health concerns of birth control pills, it was probably best that I did. So I can comfortably and personally say that birth control pills, or any method for that matter, have both its pros and cons. The pros being preventing pregnancy, maintaining menstrual regularity, and helping with other cosmetic concerns, however, they can really do some damage at the same time. In conclusion, since the woman has to experience both the positive and negative effects of it, I think the government and the Catholic church should stay out of it. It is absolutely a couple's decision to practice planned parenthood if they choose to, but it is solely a woman's decision to use the contraceptive methods that she may feel are best for her.

The Myths: Publishing vs. The Recession

I’m here to tell you that despite popular belief, publishing and printing are still very successful industries today. Yes, publishing was also one of the industries to be hit hard by our country's serious recession. I was actually a lonely Assistant Editor who worked for a vendor (development house) in little ‘ol Worcester, Massachusetts. At the beginning of 2008 when I started working there as an Editorial Assistant, there was approximately 75 in-house employees. During the next year and a half, more than half of the employees were laid off. In May 2009, I was included. On the day that I was laid off, there were only 20 employees remaining, and another handful were let go later that year. I’m pretty sure the company is still open. How, I don’t know. But I climbed the ladder to the top and now I work for the biggest publisher in the world. Life is pretty good up here (literally “up here” on the seventh floor The Newbury building in downtown Boston).

But enough about me. It IS true that with the release of the Kindle and the Nook, that publishing sales have decreased, but on the education side, media components and print are still in very high demand. Also from what I’ve seen, there is also a huge demand for blog and article writing. It’s all about SEO and SEM today, isn’t it? Blog and article writing is a huge thing. Everyone, including companies today have a Facebook page or Twitter account and a blog that they contribute to on a regular basis. Gee, I should jump on the bandwagon, huh? And since many companies today depend on websites for marketing, networking, and business, the blog is a must-have and it must be maintained. So, they hire writers for cheap to write 300-500 word blogs to keep their information fresh, their readers reading, and their Google results successful. Not a bad idea.

From my knowledge and personal experiences with language and publishing, the translation of documents, books and ebooks, etc. are still in high demand. It’s not even that the U.S. is packed to the high heavens with minorities and non-English speakers, but it’s the cross distribution of documents or information and data between countries as well. There’s the translation of government documents, letters, medical device instruction manuals, school textbooks and things of the like that require translation and localization before they can be marketed or distributed.

The world and the economy are constantly changing. There's no doubt about that. Especially with technology readily available and easily accessible. It’s difficult as merchants and consumers to keep up with the demand, but we tend to do it somehow. As far as the recession goes, it’s still very much among us. Less people may be collecting unemployment overall, but there are still not enough jobs to replace those that were lost. I know people that have been out of work for two and even three plus years! Unfortunately, we’ve still got a long road ahead of us, but we’re making do. It can’t be like this forever. And despite popular belief, publishing is still a very successful business. It’s not a dying industry, but rather a changing industry.

Education in America - Joke

Today's public school education sucks. Period. Our kids today are doomed. The things that kids crave and enjoy most (recess, gym, the arts) are all being cut. And today's American parents and society wonder why child obesity is an issue. Wake the hell up. Kids need exercise. Hell, we ALL need exercise. But we live and are consumed by this selfish society with our complex lives and technological gadgets which keep us from staying healthy. It's our own damn fault. Stop blaming McDonald's, stop blaming school cafeteria food, and stop blaming it on video games. Bad food has been around for centuries. It's NOT the food, it's our lifestyle. Get the kids off the damn couch, out of the classroom, and get them outside. Problem solved.

Before you criticize me and ask me what do I know about education and parenting, I am a stepmother of an eight year old, and have assisted in raising her with my husband since she was three years old. For several years in my life, I wanted to be a teacher. I purchased books, took the teacher's test, and even got halfway through a Master's in education. Why didn't I finish? Two reasons. 1.) I was laid off and couldn't afford to finish school, 2.) I realized what bullshit the American education system is in public schools. I took several education related courses. The final one I took was a course dedicated to reading. I can't remember the exact course title. It was about child intelligence and teaching them how to read. It was interesting, yet maddening at the same time. I began to notice a pattern. A pattern in which I was completely against. All education was about was putting a label on a child. When a child could read, he or she was put into a category. If a child had difficult reading, another category, and so on. I understand that it is to better the child's understanding and reading development, but so what if maybe they learn slower than the other students? Why is EVERYTHING so assessment based? They are KIDS.

This blog goes out to my eight year-old stepdaughter. We just got a report from her teacher earlier this week. She is doing exceptionally well in art. She's excelling more than all the other kids and she was even chosen to HELP other children with their art assignments. The teacher couldn't say enough about her creativity and imagination. Then came the downside. The teacher claimed that she had spent a ton of time drawing, cutting out, and taping all the characters from the movie "How to Train Your Dragon". Although the teacher commended her on her efforts, she immediately expressed her concerns on how she spends a lot of time dreaming and believing that dragons and fantasies are real. My husband's reponse to that was, "So? She's EIGHT!" What eight year-old DOESN'T believe in dragons and fantasies? Is she supposed to choose a religion and write a philosophical paper on religion and life before age ten??? Cut the shit. My husband continued to sternly address that with all the bad shit in the world, let kids have their fantasies. The world sucks. Don't ruin their innocence. Let them be KIDS for chrissake. Not to mention, maybe her creativity and wild imagination the reason WHY she excels in art. Come on, you mean to tell me these educational professionals can't figure that out??? And I know there are more kids out there that are the same way as my stepdaughter. But no, God forbid they have a mind of their own or think outside the box. We might as well be Nazi Germany with the way we brainwash our kids. We should be ashamed of ourselves.

All in all, education in America sucks. The MLB and NFL make millions upon millions of dollars each year to throw and catch a fucking BALL yet our schools are piss poor. They are packing thirty plus kids to a classroom, (which is a complete fire hazard but whatever, turn the other cheek, right?) cutting foreign language, music and the arts, physical education, and recess. All the things kids enjoy. Kids are our future, people. They are going to be running this world and taking care of us one day, so we better take care of them now. Let's not brainwash them into level-headed adults before fourth grade. Let kids be kids. Let them be dreamers. Let them run around and have fun. Let them eat what they want, (within reason, of course). Let them enjoy life, because as adults, they are going to realize how much it sucks. And it's going to suck even worse for them when they are older. And the reason why it's going to suck worse is because of us and what we are doing to them now.