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Welcome Back, Good Life Divas!

I haven’t posted anything new in this area of the site in a while because I’ve been… **drum roll, please** …blogging.  Yes, it’s true I’ve finally stepped into the 21st century and begun blogging.  Blogging is where I get to share my family, career and personal development insights with you on a more personal level.  Usually on a business website you will mostly find the nuts and bolts of what that particular business is about.  For example, if the site is about photography, you will find articles about how to create a flawless family photo.  If it was a gardening site, you might find an article on how to prepare the soil for plants.  On the Good Life Diva site you will find articles on how to start a business or how to pay for childcare.  On my blog I can be more personal about my own challenges and triumphs as a mompreneur.  It also creates an interactive community environment where I share my thoughts and you share yours.  We can “talk” to each other.  The Good Life Diva blog spot is an area where “we can stop being polite and start getting real.”

I want to invite you to join me each week (this will be a challenge for me I must admit) and leave a comment on your feelings about the various topics.  At GoodLifeDiva.com we want to help you come alive again in your relationships with your children, your spouse, your family and your friends by helping you rediscover who you are.  I have no greater desire than to see you living the Good Life that has been prearranged for you.  You can only do this if you approach life fully engaged. 

Thank you for allowing me to travel this Good Life journey with you.  Here’s a post to get you off to a great start: What makes you come alive?  Be sure to leave a comment.

Hello, Good Life Divas!

Whether you know it or not, being organized plays an important roll in the success of your business. Being organized also keeps you well balanced and it reduces frustration. Entrepreneurs are responsible for managing every position of their business; from being the secretary, answering the phones to becoming the president, facilitating board meetings. If organization isn’t a part of the plan, everything can easily fall to pieces.

Organizing the finances of one’s company can be quite overwhelming at times. Most entrepreneurs just fly by the seat of their pants in one of the most if not the most important part of running a successful business with longevity. Not to mention staying organized also keeps you in compliance with all state and federal laws.

You can contribute to the success of your business financial organization by doing the following:

• Don’t co-mingle business and personal information. Make sure your company has a business checking account that has nothing to do with your personal transactions. Don’t make it a habit to use the company credit card for personal purchases, nor use your personal credit card for company purchases. When you co-mingle you allow room for errors, you allow room for recording incorrect financial information, not to mention, it’s a serious red flag to the IRS.

• Set up a filing system. You wouldn’t think that a filing system would play such an important part of your company financial organization, but it does. Important documents such as lease agreements, insurance policies, employee files, and credit card and bank statements should be filed in a safe place that’s easy to access. There are many reasons why you should keep a filing systems such as for-audit’s performed by state agencies, insurance companies can determine insurance rates; lawsuits, IRS audits, etc. You never know when you might need that one document you can’t find because you are not organized and don’t have files set up.
  Just because you don’t feel as though you need these documents right away, when dealing in the world of business, there are no limits to the possibilities of things that could happen. Plan to succeed, not fail!
• Use a “user friendly” accounting system. Do some research on a good, inexpensive accounting system that will take care of your business needs, which should also, capture your business records. Make sure the system you find will be suited for the type of work you do. This system should include records such as vendor and customer information, your business income and expenses; basically all of your business transactions. We recommend the number one leading small business user friendly accounting system, QuickBooks. If you’ve never used QuickBooks, but would like to sample it; email us at: info@priorities1st.com and we will be happy to send you a link so that you can try a sample download.

The bottom line is this. The more time you spend setting up your business to run more effectively and efficiently, the more extra time you will have to focus on the heart of your business. Having a good filing system and accounting system in place can save you time and money, prepare you for tax season or audits, and most of all allow you to know your bottom line! Visit our website Priorities1st.com to learn more on business financial organization and visit the IRS at www.irs.gov and search for publication 583.

Tortina Bunton - Your Small Business Diva
Priorities First, Inc.
www.PRIORITIES1ST.com

As the owner of Priorities First bookkeeping and accounting firm, Tina brings over 20 years of accounting experience in the construction industry with her. She helps small to medium sized businesses manage millions of dollars on a monthly basis. Tina has worked with various service and industry clients assisting them in reducing taxes and building strong successful businesses.

Do you have any burning questions for Tina regarding bookkeeping and starting your own business in the new year? Please, email your questions or comments to info@goodlifediva.com. Your questions will be answered in an upcoming Good Life Diva newsletter.

You must evaluate the return on that child care investment to make sure the benefits out weight the cost. For instance, if you have 5 children and most of them require after school care or full-time child care your decision might be easy. It isn’t going to happen! But what if you do make a little extra above your child care expenses? Is that little bit of extra enough? Let’s see…

Have you considered the following additional expenses that go along with working outside the home?
1. professional wardrobe or uniform
2. dry cleaning
3. additional gas
4. lunches at work
5. taxes
6. additional grooming to look the part
7. housekeeping
8. professional organization fees, licenses, etc.

The decision is not always cut and dry; “Girl, you need to go to work!” If you estimate the monthly cost associated with the above items, you may find that working outside the home is causing more financial stress than is necessary.

The Motley Fool website has lots of calculators for you to determine the costs of making certain decisions like working outside the home, purchasing a home, or paying off debt. Check out the should my spouse work too? calculator.

If you don’t want to work outside the home, you may not have to. Calculate the cost, and present your case. Many times an at-home mom can benefit the home financially. Let’s look at the other side of the coin.

A home economist (mommy) has the unique opportunity to produce financial benefit to the home without even making an extra dime.

Are you willing to…
1. cook at home for most meals?
2. clean the home regularly?
3. do laundry and iron everything?
4. manage the finances?
5. paint your own nails?
6. do your own hair?
7. clip coupons?
8. work out at home or take walks?
9. carpool the kids to and from school?
10. home school your kids?

If you said yes to most of those items, you are adding value that needs to be considered. Mothering is not an easy job but it is rewarding. Take note of all you do and pat yourself on the back. If you work outside the home be proud of your accomplishments and the example you are setting for little girls who desire the same lifestyle. If you stay home with your kids, be proud of the sacrifices you have made to excel at the most important job in the world.

Ericka Young - Your Personal Finance Diva
Owner, Tailor Made Budgets
www.Tailor-MadeBudgets.com

Ericka has provided personal finance coaching to individuals and businesses for nearly four years through Tailor Made Budgets. She is a certified financial counselor through Dave Ramsey’s Lampo Group and is now helping her clients give their dreams a place to flourish every day! As an associate of Glinda Bridgforth (who has appeared on Oprah and Larry King Live) she has had the opportunity to coach people all over the country.

Do you have any burning questions for Ericka regarding getting your personal finances in order for the new year? Please, email your questions or comments to info@goodlifediva.com. Your questions will be answered in an upcoming Good Life Diva newsletter.

Welcome Back, Good Life Divas!

The Audacity of Hope

audacity: insolent boldness, especially when imprudent or unconventional  (source: wiktionary.org)

hope: a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance — i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary (source: wikipedia.org)

I love the title of President Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope.  Haven’t we all heard or said, “the audacity of ____, who does he think he is; he’s got a lot of nerve.”  We usually think of audacity with a negative connotation.  This also makes the book title so interesting.  To put hope, such a positive word, with audacity gives hope a little bit of sassiness or spunk.  It gives hope an attitude. The audacity of hope is that hope believes that no matter what your circumstances look like right now they can get better.   The nerve of hope to believe that out of this economic crisis will be birthed businesses and our country will come out better on the other side of it.  The nerve of hope to believe a person can fail his or her way to success.

The economy was the primary concern for the majority of Americans for this year’s election.  I’m sure with this concern comes worry and anxiety regarding the future of our careers.   Maybe you’re reading this and you are in need of some hope, some inspiration to believe the dreams in your heart won’t remain dreams, but will become realities.  I dare you to be bold enough – to have the fearlessness to dream again - to believe in the possibility that you can live a Good Life regardless of the economy.  Be audacious – dare to break out and begin living the Good Life that’s been prearranged for you. 

As great as hope is it’s going to take more than hope to see the fulfillment of your dreams. You have to put some action behind it.  What is one thing you can do TODAY that will move you closer to your dreams?  When that one thing is done, what is another thing?

I have the audacity to believe this career guide, the newsletter, the videos, the career kit and the many other services and products that will be published by Good Life Diva has the ability to empower you to live your working life on your terms. Please, leave me a comment letting me know one thing you will do TODAY that will move you closer to your dream of a fulfilling career or starting your own business.

Need some inspiration to keep you moving forward with your big idea?  Watch this StartupLucky.com interview with Melanie Notkin, the founder of SavvyAuntie.com the first and only community for Aunts: Aunties by Relation (ABR), Aunties by Choice (ABC), Mommy Aunties, Great Aunts, Godmothers, and all women who love kids.    SavvyAuntie.com enables and empowers Aunts to exchange ideas, get advice, find gifts and connect with other Savvy Aunties.    SavvyAuntie.com gives Aunts a unique and modern approach to learn, connect, share and celebrate Aunt-hood.   Auntie Melanie is a former interactive and print beauty editor and former interactive marketing and communications executive for global Fortune 500 companies.

In the interview Melanie speaks passionately that NOW is the time to get started in a business.

SHORT ON TIME?  The MUST-SEE snippets of the video

00:36:19-36:49 NOW is the Time!
00:37:40-00:42:00 Melanie Notkin’s 3 Tips to Success for Startups
1. Passion, 2. Hard Work (you won’t succeed if you don’t care) and 3. Legacy

with Ashley Logsdon of 48 Days, LLC.

Ashley Logsdon is a life coach, personal success manager, advocate, volunteer, and devoted wife and mother.   She works from home for 48 Days, LLC, a Career/Life coaching internet-based company that believes that 85% of the process of truly finding the work you love is by looking inward.  Ashley specializes in family and relationship coaching, personality profiles, customer excellence and satisfaction, and both 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Mondays curriculum.

Ashley is also active in her community, coordinating her neighborhood Tour of Homes, play groups, fundraiser events, and advocating for organizations with a cause. She loves the mission of KEZA and wears a KEZA necklace every day.   Ashley has also been an advocate for other organizations, such as Thistle Farms, Kiva.org, The Greater Good Network, the ONE Foundation, Save Darfur, etc.

Family is her top priority, and she firmly believes in the power of serving and loving others.   Her favorite quote of the moment (there are many) is:  You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with finer spirit of hope and achievement.  You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand. - Woodrow Wilson

Good Life wisdom Ashley will share in her interview:

• how to keep family as the priority
• the unique challenges of working from home and running a homebased business
• lessons she learned from her own mother regarding work and family
• how she keeps the different areas of her life in harmony
• how she gives back to the community on a local and global level
• learn about an amazing organization Ashley volunteers with and how it’s changing the lives of women in other parts of the world

Welcome Back, Good Life Divas!

We live in a digital society and more and more moms are getting online and blogging, networking through social media and just becoming more tech savvy.

I’m becoming a believer in the power of social media.   I was recently able to meet and connect with Ashley Logsdon through the social networking site, 48Days.net, an extension of her family’s business.  Ashley is the daughter of Dan Miller, best selling author of 48 Days to the Work You Love.  She  works from home in the family business 48 Days, LLC, a career/life coaching internet-based company that believes that 85% of the process of truly finding the work you love is by looking inward.   She specializes in family and relationship coaching, personality profiles, customer excellence and satisfaction, and both 48 Days to the Work You Love and No More Mondays curriculum.

Ashley is an active part of the 48Days.net community.   She is a life coach, personal success manager, advocate, volunteer and a blogger. As I browsed her profile and read some of her posts, I saw that in addition to the many hats she wears in her position, she was also a devoted wife and mother.   She is the type of woman that I believe exemplifies a Good Life Diva.   I felt that she would not only bring encouragement to you on your Good Life journey, but practical wisdom.    Well… she agreed. So, this week through the use of technology (in this case Skype and video recording software) with each of our babies sleeping in the other room we were able to sit down and talk. Technorati Profile

Please, return to the Diva Spotlight Section of the site on Monday, 3/16 to see my interview with Ashley:

Good Life wisdom Ashley will share in her interview:

• how to keep family as the priority
• the unique challenges of working from home and running a homebased business
• lessons she learned from her own mother regarding work and family
• how she keeps the different aspects of her life in harmony
• how she gives back to the community on a local and global level
• learn about an amazing organization Ashley volunteers with and how it’s changing the lives of women in other parts of the world

If you think this whole social media “thing” is just a fad, this video from the Today Show discusses how more and more moms are connecting online. This is Part 1 of a 2 Part Series:

Read one Mom Bloggers view of this Today Show segment: Morningside Mom

Are you a “digital” mom? If not, would you be interested in learning more about how you could be connecting with other women/mothers online using the many different types of social media tools and resources that are available? Please, leave us a comment.

Technorati Profile

Have you resigned that you need to place your dreams on the back burner because you have bills to pay?
If we watch the news and believe it, we may be tempted to think there is no hope of ever finding a career that is fulfilling and pays well. We are in a recession after all, right? Did you know Costco, Burger King, Applebee’s McDonald’s, Famous Amos cookies, Microsoft are all businesses that were started during a recession? Did you also know that in the past 70 years, the US has had 12 recessions averaging about 10 months each? What this says to me is that there will always be seasons of famine and seasons of prosperity. We are not to retreat during the seasons of famine. Famine is a time when you can prepare for the season of prosperity that’s sure to come.

Do you see opportunities right now or do you only see obstacles? Desperation and defeat can cause you to look for opportunities that you wouldn’t have looked for when everything was going perfectly in your life. You may not have persevered as long if you had felt like you had other options. You may not have dug as deep. Momofuku’s idea for instant noodles was birthed out of a desperate need during a food shortage in Japan.

We learn in Proverbs to observe people who are good at their work - skilled workers are always in demand and admired. They don’t take a back seat to anyone. We also learn that a good life has been prearranged for us. The good life isn’t a life of leisure and possessions. It’s a life of purpose and passion.

The work you love and your calling are connected. What do you value in life? I’m not talking about goals. I’m talking about what matters most to you. Security? Freedom? Your Family?

Change your attitude about your current line of work. I know I know… you’re saying, but Kendra you don’t know the people I work with. You don’t know how my boss treats me. I want to challenge that belief. If you’re boss walked into your office today and offered you double your salary today, I guarantee your attitude would change. What changed in that scenario? Did your boss change? No. Did you coworkers change? No. What changed? Your perspective of the situation changed. If nothing in your life changed right now, everything would be different if you changed. Find a bigger purpose than your paycheck for your current position. Make a decision before you walk in the doors everyday that you are going to find a reason or a person that makes it worth your while. Determine to enjoy your work.

• Assess your skills, gifts, talents and your purpose. You are taking inventory of what moves you in life.
• Start preparing your resume and cover letter for the career that matches with your calling. Look for other career opportunities within your company that would be a better fit for you. Talk to your current boss and let him/her know your career goals. If he/she can’t help you reach them, ask if they would be willing to recommend you for another position within the company.
• Give your best work on the job while preparing for your next career. Use resources from your current career to gain skills and certifications. Learning to be a team player, taking a class or getting certified in an area that interests you are all valuable assets that can be transferred to another company.

You may be thinking “this all sounds nice, but I’ve got bills to pay.” “I’ve got debt to eliminate.” “I don’t have the time to commit to going through this process.” I’ve got good news for you! One of the by products or benefits of investing the time to match your career to your calling is that you can make more money, which helps you achieve your financial goals more quickly.

If you’re not satisfied with your situation, don’t be like the old dog that moaned and whined all day long. A stranger was passing by and asked the owner why the dog was moaning and whining, he stated that the dog was sitting on a nail. The stranger asked, “Why doesn’t he get off?” The owner stated, “I guess it doesn’t hurt enough yet”. Don’t make excuses for not living the good life.

Get off the nail – whatever it is that causes you to moan and groan about your present situation – and start enjoying the life God has already prearranged for you. Welcome to the Good Life!

Watch part 2 of this 2 part interview as Ericka provides valuable insight into the role that goal setting and family play in the success of her business.