Too Blessed to Stress!

I claimed it. I knew August would be my month. I spoke it out loud and into existence. And then, it happened. I received two new awesome clients, sold Tie Me Ups orders, received a new stable blessing, becoming involved in a great new organization, and more! The month hasn't even ended yet! I can't stop walking around singing and smiling, even through the tough times. (I've learned that you have to smile and laugh to keep going. It helps you to not take Life so seriously, no matter what, it can Always be worse!).

Now, do not read this and become discouraged and begin questioning why me and not you. By no means, was it easy to get here. The journey was very rocky, and often times there was no end in sight. However, I kept my faith strong! I repented to the Lord when I did wrong (and still do wrong), and gave him my list of things I needed. I gave him my baggage and the load that I carried, when all along he was telling me to give it to him. I prepared my fields for rain and the rain feels awesome right now!

This has been and still is an awesome journey! This stage in my life, is called building the foundation. I'm working on building a solid foundation and doing first things first. This is where sacrifice comes in. It isn't easy but definitely worth the trials and tribulations. I wouldn't change my journey at all, even if presented with the chance. Remember, you have to learn the lesson before you can move on to the next stage (this is true for everything you do).

If at all, you feel confused. Just keep going and Believe. Never, and I do mean never stop Believing. Everything gets worse before it gets better, keep digging, your breakthrough is near. Once you receive it, it is the best thing you can ever feel. Rejoice in it and then keep going.

Remember: Build your system, keep your foundation solid, keep believing and the Miracles will happen!

"Even miracles take a little time."-Author Unknown

Peace & Blessings,

Delesa J

How to Beat the Poverty Mindset by Marla Tabaka

Hey Guys, 

I absolutely love this article! It holds so many truths that I had to share it with you guys. Inc. is another one of my favorite resources to read and gain valuable information for my business. Enjoy! 

How to Beat the Poverty Mindset by Marla Tabaka

I work so hard and I still can't make ends meet.
I'll never be able to afford a vacation. 
I'll take what I can get for this project, even if it's not my full rate.
You don't understand what it's like to struggle; it's the story of my life!

Do any of these statements, or some form of them, sound familiar? Do they sound like YOU? Consider this: Engaging in limiting thoughts limits your ability to succeed.  No longer are such statements based on hypothetical schools of thought.  We have endless scientific studies that tell us how thought patterns influence our health and well-being. We even know that negative thinking suppresses the immune system and often leads to illness. Studies published by the American Medical Association confirm that the majority of patient complaints and symptoms are stress-related. Wow!

"We become what we think about all day long."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

So why engage in a constant stream of negativity? Old habits are hard to break, aren't they? If you were raised in a household filled with negative reminders about lack and limited resources or criticisms of the wealthy, you have most likely carried your learned beliefs and behaviors into adulthood.  These learned responses are embedded in your brain and repeat themselves like an old, broken record; a constant reminder of your limitations. The poverty mindset is one of the most common; after all, we all know that money doesn't grow on trees!

So if we have this engrained “knowledge' telling us that we can never succeed financially, how do we erase it? Depending on the degree of intensity, the solutions range from changing habits all the way to utilizing powerful Energy Psychology techniques like EFT Tapping.  Below are some suggestions ranging from easy to more aggressive approaches.  Try any combination to see what works for you.

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
--Norman Vincent Peale 

- Change your environment. If you are behind your computer all day long, searching for a solution, try a walk in nature instead.  Begin your day by letting your thoughts go and allowing the calming effects of nature to soak in. As an added bonus, the exercise also helps eliminate stress.

- Connect with positive people. Instead of constantly commiserating others who are in a negative place, seek out the company of people with a positive, uplifting attitude about success and wealth.  Observe their language, including their body language.  Mimic the tone and body language and notice how much better it feels to you.

- Choose one or two affirmations or positive statements that really resonate with you and recite them throughout your day. Make sure you “stair step' your affirmations; if you can barely meet your monthly financial obligations, using an affirmation like “I am a magnet for wealth and prosperity' might not feel too uplifting; you simply won't believe it. Try starting with “I choose to pay my bills with ease and gratitude' and “graduate' to stronger statements as your energy moves in a positive direction. Affirmations can actually change your brain chemistry.

- Start saving money. Even if you are struggling put away what you can. Make empowering choices with your money instead of creating more debt by buying things that make you feel better in the moment. I save change in one of those little jars that registers the “deposit' with readout of the balance in the jar. It's really fun to watch it add up and creates a sense of control over finances. I began this practice years ago and still do it just for fun!

- Stand by your rates. I often see clients who reduce their pricing drastically to lure in clients and then feel resentful toward themselves and the client. Talk about getting stuck in a loop of negative emotion! There are creative ways to bundle your products and services so that everyone wins. Don't give yourself away! Prospects will sense your desperation and either turn away or take advantage of you. Remember, like attracts like. Do you want to attract clients who can afford you or others who engage in a poverty mindset?

- Appreciate your current wealth. Make a list of the good stuff in your life. Are you surrounded by people you love? Do you have a house, car and other things you enjoy? What do you feel fortunate to have in your life? Place more emphasis on what you DO have and as your energy lifts you will attract more of it.

- Expand your thinking. If your current business model isn't working and you are stuck in a rut of negative thought you would benefit from a coaching or mentoring relationship. Our ability to create and think out of the box is limited when we are in the poverty mindset loop.  How long have you been waiting for your business to become profitable? If it's not working something obviously has to change and you need an outside influence to help you see the possibilities. Look for programs that you are willing to invest in and understand that it is an investment in YOU.

- Create psychological change.  If your poverty mindset is deeply embedded think back to where and when it started. Are there specific events in your life that have “taught' you that you cannot be financially successful?  Odds are that there are. When these belief systems are deeply embedded, all of the positive thinking and exercise in the world may not erase them.  Consistent negative feedback embeds itself in our nervous system and when our environment or an event triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters, or chemicals, it can lead to depression, fatigue and much more.

For help on a deeper level consider various approaches including, the Emotional Freedom Techniques, Neuro-linguistic programming, hypnosis, or cognitive therapy. I have found the energy psychology techniques like EFT tapping to be profoundly effective at “disconnecting' the emotion from memories that limit our ability to engage in positive thought.

Most importantly, decide to change. Understand that you don't have to be stuck in this place and, instead, take empowering action. Once you make that decision your mind will be open to the solutions and they will present themselves.  No matter what your circumstances you do have choices. What choice feels the most empowering to you?

Complimentary Consults for coaching and Emotional Freedom Techniques sessions with Marla are available. If you are uncertain about how coaching can help you, find out! Contact me today.

Article taken from: http://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/how-to-beat-the-poverty-mindset.html

Where to Find the Money to Start Your Small Business by SmallBizLady Melinda F. Emerson

Hey Readers,

I love SmallBizLady's tweets and blog posts, I'm excited she allows her posts to be shared. The information is great and I continuously learn new things. I often post articles from other sources and authors because I am still learning, and I want to share resources so we all can be successful and educated entrepreneurs and business owners. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Where to Find the Money to Start Your Small Business

One of the most common questions that I get as SmallBizLady is about start-up financing. ”Do I know where people can get a grant to start their small business?”. Now Hear This: BYOB doesn’t just stand for Become Your Own Boss! BYOB also stands for Be Your Own Bank! There are NO grants! When you are starting out in business you must come up with your own money to invest into your brilliant idea. You also need to have resources to maintain your household while you are building your business.  You are your business’s credit and debt. Now there are micro-loan programs when you may be able to borrow up to $25,000, but you better have a great business plan to get it.

If you are ready to start your business, you must develop a plan for yourself to save more moneyand become debt free. Now, I am not talking about paying off your mortgage, but I do mean everything else.  I am talking zero debt—meaning no credit cards, no car payments. Basic living expenses only. Eliminating your debt will allow you to always make decisions that are in the best interest of your business. You also need to establish zero debt to free up your credit capacity. When I realized that I wanted to leave my job to start my first business, I took out a home equity loan (which you need to do while you are still working and can prove income) and paid off every bill I had, even my car.  I used home equity because you can write off the interest paid against your income taxes.

Getting your house in order financially will be one of the first milestones on the road to starting your own business.

To find the money to start your business, take these steps:

1. Develop a plan to eliminate all debt. Make a list of all debt, the balance owed and the interest rate. It is best to start with the credit card with the lowest balance, while you continue to pay the minimum fees on the others cards to keep them current. By starting with the card with the lowest balance you will boost your confidence about your personal finances. Next, should be the card with the highest interest rate. Keep working your way down the list.
2. Make of list of what you need at the store. To avoid impulse buying, take a list with you to the all stores and do not deviate from it!  Be careful not to go grocery shopping when you are hungry. It is very hard to stick to your list that way.
3. Keep driving your car. Drive you car until it stops running. As a new business owner, you will no longer be able to afford to upgrade your vehicle every two years. Buy a reliable car and take care of it, so you can ride without a car payment as long as you can. (I still do this! My car is more than five years old).
4. Cut back on trips to Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and cut your cable bill. The money you spend each month on unnecessary extras can really add up. Treat yourself once in a while to a pay per view, but the pay channels need to go. You’ll be shocked how the money you save will add up.
5. Check out the library. You can borrow books, magazines, and the latest DVDs from the library. You can also make requests and they will order things for you. If you’re a serious book junkie like me, find a good used bookstore or buy used books on Amazon.com. The books will still be new to you.
6. Drink at home. Stop drinking alcohol in bars and restaurants. If it’s beer, wine, or mixed drinks that you like, they are much cheaper when you pour them yourself. Pick up a six-pack or a few bottles invite over some friends and hang out at your home.

You will start your business if you develop the ability to control your spending and cut costs. Follow this advice. I promise you will find money you never realized that you had.  You cannot kick your addiction to your paycheck all at once. It will be a gradual step-by-step process, but you can do it!

Do you have any other cost saving suggestions for start-up entrepreneurs?

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure.  As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow onTwitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs, and publishes a resource blog at: www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)

Article taken from: http://succeedasyourownboss.com/04/2011/where-to-find-the-money-to-start-your-small-business/.

What is an Entrepreneur?

One question that always gets asked...

Entrepreneurs Unite!

"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."~Delesa J 

~Delesa J

Delesa J Presents...

Delesa J Presents: My Heart & Soul Oldies Mix: http://www.sendspace.com/file/dr6cpt. Only for the Grown & Sexy. #RylMusic Enjoy! Share it alone or with someone special. Don't forget the candles and wine ;).

News! I'm the new Director of Operations!

In case you didn't know, I am now the Director of Operations for the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce. I'm excited to be a part of the team and I am looking forward to this new opportunity. 


With that said, I am always looking for Businesses to feature in our monthly newsletters. Email me for an appointment. I would love to come to your venue, office, or location to do a review with my photographer. Let's support each other and grow small businesses! 


"Find what you love and sacrifice for it."-Delesa J


Thanking God for all my blessings <3,


~Delesa J 

Faith Will Get You Through

Hey guys here is a quick free write that I did one day. There has been a lot going on in my life recently; both good and bad. I feel like I am being pushed to my full potential only to breakthrough into a stronger, wiser person. 

The journey has been hard and I am nowhere near the end (although, I'm closer today then I was yesterday) but I wouldn't change it for anything. So please take from it what you need and/or pass it along to someone who may need it. 

Faith is what keeps me going; faith is that little flickering light at the end of the tunnel, faith is that tiny mustard seed, faith is seeing someone worst off than you, faith is hope, faith is...

So when in doubt, despair, pain or whatever the case may be just remember Faith will get you through.

Faith Will Get You Through

We often do things on our own and seek God’s help after we have failed. Then we have the nerve to question why he did not save us or how could he let us struggle?

Here is a wake up call: He does not operate like that. The problem is you.

You have to remain faithful to the Lord and pray everyday. Pray before and during a crisis not just after.

The most important lesson you can learn is that prayer works and faith will get you through the darkest hours. However, you have to make God your plan A instead of your plan B. He cannot be placed on standby.

Challenge yourself this week: increase your faith and mediation time. Then watch miraculous things take place right before your eyes.

Remember; when in doubt always remember that faith will get through. 

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20

New International Version (NIV)

Passage taken from: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17%3A20&version=NIV

~Delesa J

Question to ponder: What is Faith to you? Please feel free to share. 

What a Refreshing List.

I came across this list from one of the many newsletters that I am subscribed too. I found it refreshing and eye-opening. Next time someone uses one of these words you can correct them and yourself ;). Read on!

*Picture courtesy of Grammar.net.

"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." - Buddha
*Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/words.html#ixzz1Od91U5Fd


Peace,


~Delesa J

7 Keys to Power Networking by Melinda Emerson (@SmallBizLady)

7 Keys to Power Networking

Mon, May 16, 2011

Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Grow Your Business, How to Start, My Recommendations, SmallBizChat, Uncategorized, Your Small Business

7 Keys to Power Networking

Power Networking at Business Event

May 16^th kicks off National Small Business Week and for the next seven to 14 days there are tons of events and awards ceremonies for small business owners which is a fantastic opportunity to meet and greet potential contacts.  I keynote and speak at many conferences and small business events, and often I see small business owners doing their businesses a disservice by how they show up and network at events.  With tons of networking opportunities taking place from now until Memorial Day, I wanted to provide a guide on how to prepare for a networking event. I call them my 7 Keys to Power Networking.

Here are 7 things to consider when networking:

1. 1. Set a Goal. Don’t go to any event without a goal in mind. You should always know why you are attending the event. You should not go to any event where your best target customers are not the majority of the attendees. When I attend events, I try to secure 5 quality contacts and that’s it. Why? Because there’s only so much time to follow-up with people.  The fortune is in the follow-up, I’ll talk about that in next week’s blog post.

1. 2. Research Attendees. Try to find out who is attending the event. Look at who’s on the board of the event sponsor. Check out the names of the honorary committee hosting the invitation. Make a call to the organizers to try to get as much information as a possible.  (If they utilized an online invitation, you can see who else was invited. Use Google and LinkedIn to research as many attendees as possible. This makes having conversations much more interesting and you’ll show your prospect you’ve got legitimate interest in them. You want to learn any information that will help you make a personal connection as quickly as possible.

1. 3. Bring You’re A Game. You can’t bring your A game in your B suit. Make sure you look great head to toes.  Men shoes are important. Ladies make sure the makeup and neckline are appropriate.  Everything should fit well, and it will really boost your confidence. You don’t get a second chance make a first impression!  Dress how you want others to perceive you and your business.

1. 4. The Reception IS The Event. Game time is the reception. DO NOT BE LATE! The reception is your best chance to track down your targets. You must be on time and armed with your business cards at the reception. Why? Once you take your seat you can only network with the other 9 people at your table. If you are going to attend an event with a friend– divide and conquer the event.

1. 5. Go For The Relationship– Not The Chicken. Do not head immediately to the food table. Work The Room! Be fearless and ready to introduce yourself to anyone. Once you make a contact maintain eye contact. Don’t look over their shoulder at your key target who just entered the room. Be present where you are. Anyone could potentially be a great contact.

1. 6. Moving On From A Contact. Moving on can be tricky. It’s important not to be rude. But most likely the person you are talking to has an agenda too, so do not hesitate to shut down the conversation and move on.  Here’s three great lines you can use to make a graceful exit.  Use one of these lines as appropriate; “It was so nice to meet you, I’m going to head over to get a drink.”  or  “It was so nice meeting you and I’m going to give you a call.”  “I do not want to monopolize you at this event, I am sure there are more people in here you want to meet. Let keep in touch and see how we can help each other.”  With any of these lines you can smoothly move on to your next potential prospect.

1. 7. Take Notes. You’ll want to remember the details of your conversations, write down a few notes on the back of the contact’s business card to help your memory later.  If you meet a lot of people each week sometimes it’s hard to keep people straight relying on your memory. Your notes will help making follow-up much more personal.

What other networking tips do you have? I love to learn about other good ideas.

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is one of America’s leading small business experts. She is an author, speaker and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to End Small Business Failure.  She publishes a resource blog, www.succeedasyourownboss.com and hosts a weekly talk show on Twitter called #Smallbizchat for emerging entrepreneurs.  Forbes Magazine named Melinda Emerson one of the Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. Melinda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fortune and Black Enterprise. She’s the author of the bestselling book “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works.”