Resource for Business Owners and Freelancers

One of the objectives of new urbanism is to create sustainable communities. That happens when local businesses are supported and residents have the choice of securing work close to home - ideally in their community. Below is a news release about an excellent resource for business owners looking for online skilled help and contractors (freelancers) looking for a way to market their services.

Shelancers Meet the Needs of Small Business Owners

Online business management expert Nicole Dean and technology consultant Darina Loakman are making sure that business owners have a reliable resource for finding short and long-term help with the recent launch of a directory of professional female freelancers called Shelancers.

“There are a number of freelancer directories in the market place but none that have the unique focus of Shelancers. The name says it all. This is an online directory of female freelancers specializing in everything from graphic design to accounting,” explains Dean.

As business continues to heat up for online companies, managers are feeling the pressure to have quick access to reliable specialists who can

• Update the design of a website
• Write content for web pages, article marketing campaigns and brochures
• Proofread ebooks, manuscripts and promotional copy
• Provide customer service for web based or telephone help centers and
• Manage administrative and accounting tasks with ease and professionalism.

The Shelancers directory includes specialists who can address the needs of most businesses owners, especially those companies doing business online.

“The Internet has created a new and vibrant marketplace generating tremendous workloads for many small, mid-size and larger businesses. We’ve actively sought out and attracted the best people in marketing, graphic design, website management, virtual assistance (administration), public relations, business communications, accounting, business coaching and more. There is no need for business owners to panic about not having appropriate staff–not when there is a comprehensive resource available like Shelancers. Best of all there is no search fee or other cost associated with using this directory,” explains Dean.

Easy access is an attribute of this directory. Each listing provides freelancer contact information and available client feedback to help hiring managers/owners to readily secure references, quotes and samples of relevant work.

Florida resident, Nicole Dean has been helping women work from home since 2004 and is a recognized expert in Online Business and Affiliate Management. A resident of Ireland, Darina Loakman was included in a list of 50 of the most influential women in Ireland as compiled by the Examiner Newspaper (2006). Both entrepreneurial moms are available for media interviews to discuss their joint venture - Shelancers (http://www.shelancers.com). To schedule an interview please contact Sharon McMillan, Media Relations, (905)-472-5384.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Your Work, entrepreneurs, entrepreneur, freelancer, Shelancers, small business

Life is Too Short for Toxic Work

In the last year I have had four good friends become disillusioned and fed up with their 9-5 jobs and have either quit or come to a mutual decision with their managers to “part ways.”

Four women in my small circle leaving high paid, professional career positions in one year. For me that is statistically pretty significant especially when HR managers around the country have spoken publicly about the difficulty they are having in keeping highly skilled women in the workplace.

While the reasons women leave good positions is varied what I’m hearing and reading about in terms of why they leave good jobs falls into the following categories:

• Frustration dealing with personalities and colleagues who aren’t professional or all that skilled
• Unable to justify the cost in time and dollars of commuting to work
• Strong, burning desire to have more control over earnings and work hours also called the “entrepreneurial bug”

We really have left the era of where work was just something you did until you built up enough pension to leave. I’ve always looked at work as something that MUST be about the things in my life that I consider important.

My husband and I have moved across state lines and even countries to accept job offers that reflect our personal interests and life priorities.

I think some friends thought we were a little nutty in deciding to move so often with our household belongings and babies in tow, but we have tremendous memories and experiences from our many moves. We feel blessed to have our health and to have the choices we have as residents of an affluent continent like North America.

Of course it also helps to have dual citizenship and grandparents who will travel to babysit in a pinch!

My friends’ recent experience with abrupt career changes highlights another fact we can’t ignore - there is no more job security. We hear plenty about companies closing in this struggling economy or going offshore for cheaper labor. The message is pretty clear: you are expendable.

You can’t look upon employment in any company or organization as a sure thing anymore. Each of us has to look upon our skills and abilities as our personal assets and then figure out how best to market and secure the best compensation for the abilities we have honed and developed.

Headhunters, job boards and good networking can help to get you into the career you want. But it will be up to you to market yourself so that you can get that job that truly fits your idea of quality, satisfying work.

The same applies to your business. If you have a skill, profession or interest that is steering you towards entrepreneurship, what’s holding you back? Research, talk to others and don’t lose site of that goal. The Internet has opened up a WORLD of opportunity allowing more people with modest resources to start businesses of their own.

I realize that sometimes we have to do what is necessary to care for our families and address urgent needs like health care and housing. But I have never understood how healthy, able people torture themselves in jobs that are life draining and toxic. Life is too short for that.

I have a career that is ideal for me and I’m thrilled that I’m also able to pursue my entrepreneurial goals as a business writer. My life is very purposeful. My thought process has always worked something like this (for better or worse!):

• This is what I love and what gets me up in the morning, so…
• How can I find a job that allows me to do this work for competitive compensation AND/OR
• Start a business around my passion to give me the independence I’ve always cherished

For more than 15 years these questions have guided our family and I doubt that will ever change. Both my husband and I have learned tremendously from the different and amazing people we have worked with through the years, in different countries and states as our clients, colleagues and business partners.

Work need not be a four letter word. We need it to survive so why not ensure that what you do fits in with your life priorities?

Are you running a business or in a career that reflects some goal or passion in your life? If so, please share your comments here!

Tags: New Urbanism, Your Work, entrepreneurs, careers, women

Helping Our Kids Realize their Dreams: The College Decision

This spring our first born graduates from high school. It’s a day I’ve looked forward to since she was born. Mind you the reality of it didn’t hit home until about a year ago when we started looking at her university choices.

While graduation day is still about a month away and there are still tests and projects to complete before she’s actually a bona fide graduate, the college application system has had us preoccupied with forms, incentives and the “romance” of college life for about a year.

In fact, some of these schools do such a fantastic job of promoting their programs that you might find yourself changing your original plans.

We were initially looking at a really good state university (read: affordable!) for our daughter but after looking at some smaller 4-year degree schools that specialize in her area of study, we started to think a little differently.

And then we had the college tour. We had already been on a few campus tours of schools we had been discussing for a few years. But our final campus tour last fall was a little different. To begin with the school’s tuition was way beyond our budget plan.

But…that final tour ended up being an eye opening experience for one person in our family, perhaps the most important person. Our daughter - the intended student.

After the tour, it was like she woke up from being casually interested in college life to being absolutely inspired about the thought of spending 4 years so deeply immersed in her chosen field of study.

It wasn’t the look of the campus or the residence or anything superficial that got her hooked. It was the content of the programs, the professors who spoke during the visit, the admission counselor who answered her specific questions and most importantly the current students who actually lead the campus tour and shared their perspectives and experiences.

As much as I thought we already had our minds made up regarding our choices,we had to agree with her. That final college had the substantive curriculum and study environment that would in all likelihood best meet the particular strengths and interests of our daughter.

So here we are today re-jigging our lives to make this college choice work.

I often talk about work being an extension of my interests and passions in life and I continue to maintain that view point. But one truism about work that I think resonates with most people is that work is most satisfying when the fruit of our hard labor helps to enhance the lives of the people we love most.

Tags: Education, Featured, New Urbanism, Your Work

Bringing Some Wonder into Business, Life

Do you ever think about the things in your life that give you pause to sigh, wonder and just step back from your every day “busyness”? Well I just came back from a conference located near one of the world’s natural wonders and it reminded me of something that I don’t do enough and that is open myself to the feeling of “wonder.”

I was at a conference located practically on top of Niagara Falls (the Canadian side). My hotel room actually opened up to a full-face view of the falls. Each morning I’d wake up before sunrise, go to my bank of windows and slide open the door to hear the gush of the falls.

It’s the kind of thing I preferred doing in the wee hours of the morning since at that time there was no vehicular traffic to interfere with the powerful distinctive sound of 35 million gallons of water per minute gushing down the 180 ft drop that is Niagara falls.

It is an awe inspiring sight to take in with all the senses.

That time I took each morning to breath in the air, gaze at the falls and listen to the enormous power and potential of mother nature gave me such sense of amazement and at the same time a sense of calm.

It was like being frozen by incomprehensible beauty and at the same time becoming energized by the knowledge that my world includes this natural wonder.

After this morning routine, I’d go through my ideas and plans for the day with clarity and purpose. I think the sight of the falls gave me perspective on my little world. It wasn’t so little anymore - there is so much beauty and grace beyond what we know in our everyday interactions. The best part is much of the “wonder” in this world is there for us to discover, if we take the time to look.

You may not have the falls in your morning view, but there may be a toddler within range whose laugh can set your day straight. Or maybe if you look not too far there are exquisite lilac blossoms exploding with the life and color of the season and they may give you pause to “wonder.”

Maybe what inspires you is just the opportunity to start another day with those you love close by or the ability to do the work you love at home or in your community. The important thing, I think, is to hang on to that sense of wonder and joy in the everyday, good things in your life that can be so easily overlooked only to be appreciated too late.

Tags: Family Life, New Urbanism, Your Work

To Commute or Not to Commute

As I travelled into the city yesterday I noticed a significant drop in car volume. It was probably just one of those urban demographic blips where people’s activities mysteriously align and a significant number of people don’t drive in. I’m sure the first decent warm day of the season had a lot to do with it too.

But then I thought again…

Could it be that many thought bubbles popped up above heads in this region with a conversation that went something like this: “SUNSHINE….Oh happy day. Can I bear the traffic, and the frustration of commuter life today? Nope. Not today. In fact…maybe not again. Today’s the day I pick up my blocks and find a way to work a little closer to home. In my community. Maybe for myself.”

Of course I don’t really know what folks said as they struggled out of their jammies but my unscientific research using friends and reviewing reports tells me that a good percentage of people daydreaming about starting a business closer to where they live aren’t joking and are more than daydreaming about it. They’re doing it.

Money Magazine reported recently that every 11 seconds someone starts a home based business that allows them to work at home. Also 20% of work at home businesses gross between 100K and 500K per year.

There are other statistics from the US Small Business Administration that give even more credibility to those numbers - over 30 million people in the U.S. work at home and of those businesses 70% last over a three year period compared to 29% of other business start ups.

This tells me that qualified and knowledgeable people are taking the entrepreneurial plunge and are working solo or in small businesses in their homes/communities. Why? Could it be the traffic congestion that kicks one’s day off to a crappy start? Or perhaps there are children in the household that cease to recognize that tired parent slipping into the house at night to eat, “zombie-talk,” and sleep only to rise 6 hours later to repeat the whole exercise all over again.

More and more people are saying “there’s got to be a better way” and they are finding it! I don’t know how many actually succeed at replacing their income, but it sure sounds like money is becoming less of a driving factor and quality of life is. The way this economy is looking more people may have to start examining  what’s before them in their lives that is good instead of what more is out there for them to get.

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Your Work

Tax Season Bright Spot: Home-office Deductions

I’m a happy camper. According to my accountant I’ll be getting some decent money back for a change this tax season. Part of the reason for that is I’ve finally decided to itemize deductions for my home office.

If you manage a business at home either full time or after your full time job as an employee, and you use dedicated space in your home to manage your business, you might be able to deduct some of your home operating costs as a business expense.

This is a good issue to discuss with your accountant to verify your allowable deductions.

Kevin McGormally of Kiplinger.com reports in his tax tips column that in recent years taxpayers deducted more than $7-billion in home-office expenses.

In the 25% tax bracket those deductions would have saved $1.75-billion!

Who ever thought this liberal arts major would like tracking numbers so much!

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Your Home, Your Work, entrepreneurs

Ex-Apprentice Hauncho and Yahoo! Believe in Women Online Biz Owners

If you’ve got a business idea or if you are running your own company and could use an injection of cash you’ll like this announcement.

Carolyn Kepcher, former VP at Donald Trump’s company and his former on-air sidekick on the show “The Apprentice” recently announced on behalf of Yahoo! Small Business enterprises the launch of a new grant program to promote women’s entrepreneurship enabled by the Internet.

The program is called “Seeds for Success: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs” and it will award 3 women entrepreneurs with business grants including cash, mentorship and technical services valued at more than $25,000 each.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply online by clicking here. The deadline for applications is April 6 and winners will be announced at the end of April.

For you internet marketers out there, take note that Yahoo! and Carolyn are particularly interested in women entrepreneurs who have built their success using the Internet or are planning on launching a business that will be dependent upon the Internet for success.

If you’re not sure how to work the Internet into your business refer to my earlier post that provided links to a number of websites that offer exceptional information (some of it FREE) about how to launch an internet based business.

Good luck!

Tags: Featured, New Urbanism, Your Work, entrepreneurs

Spring Brings New Opportunities - Is Your Business Ready?

This morning my son said to me that he really can’t wait for spring and that this was the first time he ever felt that he was ready to let go of winter this early. I had to correct him on that.

Just about every year at this time he and his sister start chatting about spring and all their summer plans. I told him he just can’t remember and that it’s probably nature’s way of making us appreciate each season like it was the first time.

If you’ve got a business this is the time for you to prepare to take advantage of all the fresh opportunities, excitement and potential for growth that a new season brings.

Here are some opportunities to look out for in your community:

• Spring Fairs and Festivals - If your community is putting on a spring festival - book a booth to promote your business. There’s bound to be great traffic and the price is usually very affordable considering the reach and exposure you’re likely to get.
• School Sponsorship Opportunities - is your local elementary school or high school looking for sponsors for the spring play, graduation program or some other spring fundraiser? This is affordable advertising that reaches a pretty prime consumer audience - PARENTS.
• Local Newspaper Advertising - check to see if your local paper is offering any great deals for small business display ads. Spring is a time when folks are looking for great garage sales, home sales, renovation contractors, etc. Given the potential for increased readership at this time, this might be one of the best times to run an ad in your local paper.
• Website Promotions - Why not run some spring specials and promotions on your website? Partner with another colleague and trade services and products. Lynette Chandler of Techbased Marketing is doing a promotion along those lines. Take a moment to read about it.

Tags: New Urbanism, Your Work, entrepreneurs

Connecting the Right People with the Right Careers

It never ceases to amaze me at how much I can learn from conversation with others. Think of all the times you saved yourself a trip or hours of misdirected research just by talking to someone who was able to give you the right answer for your situation or challenge.

If you happen to be looking for a career in your community or searching for the right person for your business, try talking to the right people first. Just like a real estate agent can tell you where the best homes are based on your preferences, a top notch employment recruiter can help to connect people with the positions and companies that match their professional and personal goals.

As a former recruiter for one of America’s top employment recruitment firms, I can tell you that working with a recruiter can save you a lot of the frustration associated with a career search.

Remember most career positions are not publicly posted.

Important facts for job searchers and small business owners:

• The workplace is aging
• Skilled baby boomers are retiring
• To succeed employers need experienced and knowledgeable workers and they don’t have the time for long searches
• Employment recruiters are not just for CEO positions - they are ideal for workers with experience and the skills that reflect today’s high tech environment. For example: If you have social networking experience, knowledge and ideas there are many firms interested in what you may have to say and offer…

Don’t do your employment or candidate search alone - contact a reputable recruiter. There is no cost to you if you are a candidate.

For employers, the nominal fee you are required to pay may end up being one of your best investments. Professional recruiters provide current and informed advice - just like any other trained adviser. Can you really afford the risk of hiring the wrong person? Reputable firms also offer exceptional guarantees so if the match doesn’t work you have choices from getting your money back to looking at other candidates.

Following is a brief list of some of top employment recruiters and also employment agencies in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.:

www.adecco.com - with over 7,000 offices Adecco has an extensive network placing people in all kinds of jobs from warehouse positions to marketing to high finance.

www.agencycentral.co.uk - for those of you interested in working the UK.

www.bernhart.com - senior level positions in direct marketing employment.

www.marketingtalentnetwork.com - this firm (The Cambridge Group) is based in Kansas and specializes in finding candidates for consumer product companies and small entrepreneurial firms. If you’re a small business in need of employees look here…

www.heidrick.com - Heidrick & Struggles (Worldwide) is one of the leading search firms in the world. They specialize in top management positions in advertising, communications, consumer goods and media and entertainment.

www.mrinetwork.com - Management Recruiters International is one of the largest recruitment firms in the world covering everything from contract office staffing to top management positions. I worked here as a recruiter at the beginning of my career. They are located in almost every major city and region of the United States.

Tags: Your Work, entrepreneurs

Great List for Entrepreneurs and Job Seekers

It’s getting very difficult to keep track of all the great biz/career websites I refer to on a regular basis.  I don’t think I’m alone so I thought I’d do a quick and handy business/career reference list today. It is by no means inclusive but it is a great start.

A few sites of interest to those starting or managing their own business:

www.myownbusiness.org - this site provides great free services like business templates for business plans, letters, start up kit information and even a free internet business course.  The U.S. Small Business Administration uses the online course as a resource for small business owners.

www.mommasterminds.com - a great online based organization for networking with other women who have started businesses or in the process of doing so.  I’m a member of this group and I can tell you it is one of the best internet based networking/business resources anywhere.  Not only is there a very active forum used by serious and knowledgeable business owners but the learning resource center is phenomenal. NOTE: there is a fee associated with joining this group but the 7-day free trial offer helps you to get a better understanding of the value of this membership.

www.iamawahm.com - Are you a mom in Ireland or the UK? Then you likely already know about this site.  If not you’ll want to visit soon as it’s a great site for work at home moms in the UK or anywhere!

www.internetbasedmoms.com- another great online resource geared to women looking for not only networking but great educational resources too.  This resource is free!

www.assistu.com- an online educational service for individuals who want to develp the skills needed to be a virtual assistant (independent “virtual” contractor who uses the internet to provide administrative and other related services to businesses).

www.thevacoach.com - another educational service for individuals who want to learn how to become a virtual assistant in a more one-to-one type environment.  The “VA Coach” is Erin Blaskie–an up and coming young and successful entrepreneur.  I spoke to her a few months back and discussed her services with a few others - consensus is she’s done the work and she’s visionary!  That’s a good start.  According to Erin’s sales page she’s the person to contact if you “Would like to learn How to Create a Six-Figure Virtual Assistance Business.” If you succeed at earning a six-figure income give me a call!

For those women who want to network to build their business or find their next new job/career:

www.needlestackjobs.com - NeedleStack Jobs is a job board for professional, flexible jobs.  Perfect for working parents or baby boomers striving for their ideal work/life balance.

www.workitmom.com - Work It, Mom! describes their group as “an online networking community for professional women, features career advice from top leaders, skill-building tips, and access to Power Contacts and other resources.”

www.iabc.com - The International Association of Business Communicators is a professional network of more than 14,000 business communication profesionals in over 70 countries.   They have one of the best job boards anywhere.  I’ve got to toot my own horn here to say that I received an IABC Vision award for best internal communications (membership magazine).

www.diversityworking.com - This group provides a link between corporate America and professional job seekers from the African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Women, Gay and Lesbian, Veteran, and Disabled Communities.

www.aswa.org - The American Society of Women Accountants was formed in 1938 to increase the opportunities for women in all fields of accounting and finance.

www.bpwusa.org - Business and Professional Women/USA is a multi-generational membership organization for working women that provides career advancement resources, work-life strategies and personal and professional connections.

Tags: Education, Your Work, entrepreneurs

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