Nessa's Notes

Prompt 17 in 30 days of blogging is to visit one of the other participants and tell something about her. I picked Heidi Caswell , who I first met on the Ryze network. I have long admired Heidi for her sense of balance in raising a large family and running a successful business at the same time. Connect Simply is the name of her website, and a philosophy that many would do well to take to heart. She gets to the point and tells it without trying to make things more complicated than they need to be. How refreshing!

All the cooking and feasting seems to have put me a day behind in this adventure. But that's ok, I'll catch up. After all, it's a journey - not a race. :) Prompt 13 in 30 days of blogging is to write about strengths and what brings joy. This is an important topic that everyone should explore occasionally. The two subjects are closely connected since we usually like to do those things we do well, and we tend to do well that which we like. I believe that I have three main strengths: The first is something that I have always loved; reading and writing. Books have been my friends since before I can remember. (A trait I inherited from my English teacher/librarian mother) And I have a good ear for languages. The next would be that I am a caretaker. In addition to being a mom and foster parent, I've been an emergency medic, a doula and a group home manager for disabled adults and children. Helping support people as they develop towards their personal or business goals just com...

Prompt number 9 in the 30 days of blogging adventure is to make a list of 3 people who support me in my blogging efforts. First on the list has to be the creator of this 30 days project Susan Loughrin . Susan is a wonderfully caring and creative artist and brilliant photographer who I "met" on the Ryze network. This 30 days of blogging project has made it so easy to post regular entries - a habit I hope to keep. The other two spots must go to Bea Kunz and Debbie Dreyer . These ladies share a generous spirit and always have good advice to share. They lead by example; providing the template for honesty and balance in their writings and businesses. We've never met in person but these are my sisters. :) I owe a huge Thank You to all three of these talented women.

This is day #1 in Susan Loughrin's 30 Days of Blogging . I promise to try and keep up. :) #1 - Gratitude There have been so many blessings in my life that it's hard to choose just one to write about. But since that is the assignment, I will. Bea Kunz has been more than just a client, and more than just a friend. When I'm down she encourages me. When I'm up she rejoices with and for me. And she manages to do this for everybody. Generous is the best way to describe Bea. Not only does she grow and sell the most divine seasonings and teas, but she shares her knowledge and advice with any and all who ask. I am thankful for many people in my life. I must remember to express that more often.

My favorite client is a lovely, spunky and confident woman. She is established in her business; she knows what she wants and what she needs. She has decided what she will and can do, and she gets help (that would be me) with everything else. Every business owner should have a "favorite" customer. No, not so you can actually "play favorites", but so that you have a model for your ideal client. It doesn't matter whether this person actually exists in reality. He or she should exist in your imagination, and in your marketing plan. You should be able to see, hear and understand her. You should know his likes and dislikes, his values and his needs. Why? Because your business should be designed around your ideal client. You want to know who they are so you can talk directly to them. You want to be able to attract them, and let them know that you and your business have what they want and need.

"Networking" is the business buzzword these days. So many folks want and try to do it, even when they aren't quite sure what it is or how to do it. It comes very naturally for some, and others have to work at it dilligently. This should be no surprise - all of life's talents and activities are like that. No one is good at everything. Now I am by no means an expert when it comes to social skills - business networking included. But I am good with my relationships. Few they may be but quality has always been better than quantity. And relationships are the point and purpose of networking. In my personal life, this means I'm fiercely loyal, loving and protective. (I am a Leo after all.) In my business, it means I make an effort to get to know my clients as people and not just as accounts. Of course not every relationship has to turn into a close friendship. (That's just a bonus.) But relationship marketing means just that - FORM RELATIONSHIPS. If you want to kn...