Damsels in Success

There is a new site for women in business to connect, publish, and share information about work as well as dreams for success. It just launched so I haven't really played on it, but I thought the "ladies" might want to check it out at damselsinsuccess.com.

From my brief surf of the new site, the topics range from sharing your dream jobs to managing professional risks to seeking career advice. The site's design is really nice. The featured members have cool photos of themselves with fun, wallpaper background. However, design aside, the content/connections is what will count, and if this site really works like a Linkedin or a MySpace for women professionals, then it is golden for women as well as the CEO/Founder,Harleen Kahlon.

Kahlon, a former lawyer and executive recruiter, has this to say about the need for her site:

In 2007, life is complicated for women, figuring out how to make our professional dreams and ambitions come true amidst all the other complexities. Women have changed over the decades, and balancing our often competing identities is a huge challenge. But, although women have changed, we at Damsels think it's strange that content created for us (and, in many cases, by us) has not. Think about it...How often do you come across an article that speaks to you about your professional life?

Maybe we should all sign up and give it a test drive!?!

hello ladies,
although i have only attended one Ladies dinner so far, graciously hosted by natasha, i am constantly
thinking back to the energy and passion i felt and heard from the women around me that night. to be at a table with so many fascinating, strong and courageous girl inspires me daily as i work on my own business.
as a matter of fact i am on my way to china tonight to put my clothing line into work....much anxiety, much fear but also..much excitement and and hope. thanks for paving the way for me in the universe for other women like myself to follow...
see you at another dinner soon!
be well,
lisa

A BUZZ of Inspiration

Last night we had a smaller group than usual. The Not Soap Radio Sisters hosted a fine meal of Southern comfort food. We ate mac n'cheese, toasted red wine out of leaky glasses and giggled a lot.

We also shared some awesome chick chat about serious business matters like, how they heck do I get a celebrity endoursement for my business?? Carolyn Kamii with her PR know-how gave us some awesome insights. Along with the Not Soap Radio Divas who BTW are in 1000 stores nation-wide. They make bath and body products that rock! Yes, I'm drooling. As the budding owner of a hair care brand, these ladies truly give me hope that if they can do it, so can we all!

I know we'll one day call these the Good Ol' Days but having real conversations with women that are doing it is, OH SO satisfying.

And the fab Laura Klein (her company is www.organicauthority.com) mentioned a must-have book, Rules for Renegades. (See right side for full details) She made it sound so inspiring that I'm taking a stroll down to Barnes and Noble today. Something about serial female entrepreneur that reached the height of her success in a few short years. I may have that a little off as the wine and buzz of conversation may have left a little haze on my memory.

Well ladies, I am alive today and inspired today knowing that you're all out there making magic with your work. Thank you for being a constant inspiration.

Next month, Kendall Morgan of www.spindaily.com and incredibly talented film producer hosts at her designer pad. We'll keep you posted on dates.

xxN

Blog Away...

Hopefully a few of you fabulous ladies have come to take a peak and if so... join! If you haven't already. This is meant to be a place a refuge where you can get something off your chest or share something new that you've learned as a business owner (Notice the "featured recommends on the right). It's also a great way to reach out to one another. So, yes, it's one more thing to do but do it anyway... get your profile up!

You are a each a dynamic inspiration and I cannot tell you how much it helps to hear what you have to say. Our last meeting was our largest and it just keeps getting better. It's the most focused we've been . I mean really, ladies and wine. Whew! We sure can talk. This was a little different (having a topic) and I think it worked bc everyone had a chance to share.

Well, off to the whirlwind of running your own show. Until next meeting. Hugs!

How does it end?

In many of the great business and goal setting books for that matter, there is this constant theme of, begin with the end in mind. "How are you supposed to get where you're going without a destination", they often ask.

* To begin with the end in mind is to begin with the image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is measured.
* We may be busy, we may be efficient, but we will only be effective if we begin with the end in mind.

-The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People / Steven Covey

I've found one of the greatest challenges of being an entrepreneur is getting lost in the details of the day to day. The minutia sure feels like it could take me down some days. Could the simple lack of direction be one of the reasons so many new businesses never make it to their second year?

Let's not find out! Being in business now for nine months (www.byu-ti.com), I often joke that you'd have to kill me for me to give up now. I'm a big believer in the power of word, so I guess I better stop saying that. The deal simply is, I'm pushing forward, whatever it takes. I love that line.

My neighbor (www.vanillabakeshop.com) and I were discussing using celebrity names that we've worked with to promote our businesses and she said without regret, "whatever it takes." I immediately knew Amy and I were going to get along just fine. That one line has held me up in the most challenging moments.

The other tool that has held me up is my END vision. There is a key image that keeps me focused:
We're on a yacht in St. Tropez, my family all in white, bottles of bubbly popping, the sun is nearing sunset. We are celebrating the sale of Byu-ti. We've made it. We've built a sellable business and are ecstatic with the purchase price. Yeah baby.