By Michelle Rodriguez

As I prepared for my meeting with Mike Pagani of Franchise Resources,  I didn’t know what to expect of my interaction with him. After all, my online research on franchising had shown me several companies with a “get rich quick” appeal to them, and I secretly feared that I was going to meet the LIVE version of those sites.

Boy was I wrong!

Mike provided me a brief overview of what his company provided, which is basically a franchising matchmaking service for large corporations such as McDonald’s. He also described his relationship with BigAustin as a resource to business owners, like me, who need advice on growing their business to the next level. Finally, he mentioned that he was a member of SCORE , with those three credentials, I felt comfortable in discussing Well Styled with Mike and that’s exactly what happened, a jammed-packed hour of information toward “evolving” Well Styled to the next level.

Below are the four key general points discussed during our meeting which I feel are good to share with others wanting to learn more on the process of expansion: (more…)

A few months ago I featured the Absolute Lovable Link Event, an event created to help build relationships and to promote women-based businesses and blogs. During this event I met Jennifer Finke of The PRepared Publicist where she approached me about reviewing her book, “How to Get Celebrity Attention and Maximize Your Press Exposure”. I being somewhat of a star gazer and a do-it-yourselfer was happy to oblige.

I remember when Shiloh Jolie-Pitt was born and her first pictures to the world were featured in People magazine and there was a ton of buzz over the hip t-shirt she was wearing in the photo shoot. Soon after the issue came out, Kingsley Clothing Company was featured on the likes of E News and other media channels and publications; everyone wanted their baby to don the same digs that the famous Shiloh Jolie-Pitt baby was wearing. At the time I thought how lucky for this small company, but now I know that this was a strategically planned event that did exactly what it was supposed to, create a buzz and maximize exposure for their product.

“Over the past few years Kingsley has received incredible support from the press and celebs. The People magazine cover with the first photos of Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s baby, Shiloh, wearing the now famous Kinglsey “Pots & Pans Band” tee gained world wide recognition, and became the first infant ever given a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum wearing the same Kingsley tee”. (more…)

Thank you to everyone who entered the Votre Vu Giveaway!

I’m very excited to announce our winner, drum roll please… and the winner of the giveaway is…

Ginny S – Congratulations Ginny! Please send me your address.

Vote Vu offers “50 botanically infused products, including facial cremes and serums, slimming gelees, a bust firming balm, shampoos and a first of its kind beauty beverage”. For more information on these luxurious French Skin Care Products, see Votre Vu.

A special thanks to Vu Votre Consultant Traci Kuhn, for sponsoring the giveaway! (more…)

Thank you to everyone who entered The Work at Home Woman’s Holiday Gift Guide Advertising Giveaway!

I’m very excited to announce our winners, drum roll please… and the winners are…

1. LaDonna of Dakota Heart Scents

2. Erin of G is For Girl

3. Captiveillusions of Captive Illusions Boutique Crafts

4. Amber of RockerByeBaby

5. Cydney of SavvyGirl & Co. Jewelry

Congratulations to all of our winners! Please send me your 125 x 125 banner ad, URL and 75 words or less of text that you would like to include with the ad.

Didn’t win? (more…)

By Patricia Guy

One of the things I had feared about working from home is a tendency toward isolation.  I have a strong hermit streak in me, and although it is a good thing that I enjoy being alone, I am learning that it is important to stay actively engaged in the community around me.

Like many “creatives”, when I am in the midst of a creative project or process, I can become so absorbed in what I am creating that it takes awhile to notice how long it has been since I have “come up for air” and engaged in the world around me.   This ability to focus so intently is one of my gifts, and I am now seeing that it requires balance.

I have heard repeatedly that it is good business practice to engage in networking opportunities, both online and in the world around us.  I began to accept the notion that I needed to stretch out of my comfort zone, and put myself in situations where I can meet people I would not normally meet in my everyday life.  As a young person I was very shy, so when I first learned about the importance of networking I shuddered.  If this is what it takes to get to the next level, I was concerned that my inability to “meet and greet” would be a stumbling block.  I tried attending women in business networking meetings, and it felt like to me a situation where everyone is selling and no one is buying.  I saw many people giving their elevator speeches and handing out their business cards, but not much in the way of real connection or real listening.  I wasn’t very good at this kind of networking, and I knew it (very uncomfortable).  (more…)