What Organizations do you belong to?

It's hard to believe that more years ago than I care to remember,  I never would have thought about joining a networking group(s).   But it truly is amazing what they do for you both personally,  emotionally and professionally.

The first one I ever joined was American Business Women's Association,  later came Organization of Women in International Trade,  and many other work related organizations like the chamber of commerces,  international business groups and most recently HIP (focused for Direct Sellers).  It's taken me from a wall flower to a more outgoing personality. 

Not only have they helped my Jordan Essentials business grow with sales.   But I found mentors that were able to mentor me in new territory.  I've developed leadership skills and found friends that I never would have had.

This is my NEWEST membership and have to say finding it very rewarding to see how hard others are willing to work in Direct Sales as either a primary income or a "B" income.   Some are using to supplement retirement.    Some just to get out of the house and socialize!   #standardsetters

Whatever your stage in "LIFE"  I recommend getting involved in organizations that can assist you in taking the next step in your life.   Be  it business,  personal growth or just friendship!

Here I come!

So excited,  it's been awhile since I've had the opportunity to attend any of the 3 Regional Conference for American Business Women's Association.   I just celebrated by 24th anniversary of being a member of this wonderful organization,  and I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today as a person or as a business owner if it had not been for the organization and friend that I've developed along the way.

It's in my own back yard this year,  so I made plans to attend, and so looking forward to spending the time with some of  my friends and catching up with so many others.

I always seem to fill my schedule up,  when I'm not in classes,  or shopping with the vendors to socialize and network.   Just love it now,  20 plus years ago when I joined the organization, I can honestly say that networking with people I didn't know scared me to death. . . Now I'm addicted!

Also looking forward to hearing Suzette Peoples a dear friend,  and Debbie Holliday my accountant who are both candidates for District II Vice President.   I wish them both well as well as the others who are vying for that same position.  Having held that office myself in the past,  I know what a growth experience this will be for them.

My poor husband can't understand why my choice to pay for a motel room when it's only a 45 minute drive.  It's because it give me "girl time with my best buds as we're sharing the room"  and when I finally finish for the day,  it'll give me a few more hours of sleep. (seems I'm not as young as I used to be).   Then it's up early to start all over again.  That he understands. . . What he has problems understanding is why if I'm only going for two nights and I'll be home Saturday evening. . . . why is there so much in my suitcase!

Well you need a change of clothes for every day,  then you need the dressy outfit,  and the kick back and relax outfit.  The extra tops in case something does not quite make it from the plate to the mouth.  Then an extra top just in case one of the others just does not look right!  Then add the makeup, hair stuff and other bathroom stuff and sure enough  a full suitcase!

Well I'm out of work at 4 and headed down to the Marriott Town Square in Sugar Land. . .


**  Note to my regular readers Thursday is normally "testimony day",  however since I'm participating in a blog challenge this month I'm changing it up for the moment.

Fact Friday: Women Owned Businesses

Women Business Owners have always been near and dear to my heart.   You see having been through the struggles myself in starting our Industrial Storage business,  I firmly believed that when you are starting a business you are going to make mistakes,  a lot of it trail and error to see what works and what does not work.  Heck I'm still finding new mistakes to make 20 years later.

In the past I spend a lot of time mentoring women owned businesses,  in the hopes that I could help them avoid making some of the mistakes that I've made in the past.  For awhile I sat on the Women's Advisory Board at one of the incubators helping start up businesses as a volunteer.

I gave a presentation last month about how I've grown my business with help from other's, to one of the local business leagues of American Business Women's Association and was asked by several how to go about starting a business or entering direct sales (blog post on how to choose a Direct Sales Company), so I thought I would take some time to share some great information.

The below are some of the highlights from an email from Yolanda Garcia Olivarez from the SBA.

By Yolanda Garcia Olivarez, Regional Administrator

In the last several weeks, I have travelled around the Region to visit with mayors, chamber presidents and economic development leaders.  At each stop, from Houston to Albuquerque to Austin to Brownsville, Texas, I had the pleasure to meet with our women’s business center directors and tour women-owned businesses. 

I continue to be inspired and energized by their creativity, passion and strength.  Women prove every day they not only build families, but they build enterprises.  They are changing lives and changing communities.  Today, women-owned firms are strong in 8 of the 13 most popular industries, especially construction and transportation.

It’s a good time to be a woman-owned business.  If you are still wondering where to begin, I encourage you to connect with one of the SBA’s Women Business Centers.  There are 19 Centers in the South Central Region states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, waiting to provide the advice and resources you need to start and thrive. ..............

• Over 8.6 million women-owned businesses in the U.S.
• Women-owned businesses generate over $1.3 trillion in revenues.
• Women-owned businesses employ 7.8 million people. 

Between 1997 and 2013, women-owned businesses increased by almost 60%, a rate 1 ½ times the national average. 

Some experts predict that in the next three years, women’s businesses will create more than half of the new small business jobs and a third of the nation’s total new jobs. 

There are also a lot of women entering  Direct Sales as a full time career. . . I've represented Jordan Essentials (A women owned business) for 14 years as not only does it give Women an opportunity to reach for something better,  adjust to leaving corporate America.   But the Direct Sales Industry brings with it considerable mentoring and training which ALL NEW business owners need.

There is NO doubt that women contribute very heavily to the success of the American Economy 

Me Monday: Oh What to Pack

On Friday I'm on a plane to Birmingham AL, and I need to decide what to pack,  with this unpredicable weather it really is hard to decide.   But when I saw this little graphic,  I'm sure this is how my husband feels every time I pack.

A little history,  back in 2003 I was one of Ten Women to receive a National Award from American Business Women's Association.   Our group of 10 (or as many that can make it) get together every January.  A different city each year . . we get to tour,  catch up, talk and laugh.

One year I had to prepack as David and I were leaving on a trip when I got back from another trip.  To save time, and the only thing I would need to do is take the "Important Stuff"  out of the suit case I had and add them to what was going.  He does his usual grumble as he's loading the car about my packing everything including the kitchen sink well he always does that, think it helps him figure out how to get everything into the car.    Well he starts unpacking the car at the motel,  and I'm standing there dumbfounded because, he's pulling out my empty suitcases from my previous trip.   I asked why he loaded the empty suitcases into the car . . . his answer was simple  "well they were in the bedroom" with the other suitcases.  Ugh . . .  

Well anyway I'm packing,  and my new set of suitcases are a little smaller,  but since I'm only going for a long weekend,  I've decided that in 2014 I will be a more Conservative packer and get everything into ONE SUITCASE plus my carry on (that will have Nook and Tablet).  But let me tell you it's hard to pack when the temperatures are ranging from 30 degrees to 64 degrees (if you can believe the weathermen).  What makes it even harder that since moving to Houston from Erie, PA many years ago,  my blood must have thinned because it does not take much for me to get cold,  and with Hormones in flux it does not take much to bring on a hot flash.

Well I guess winter clothes and heavy sweaters are a must,  along with some lighter clothes,  but I've got a few more days to figure out what I'm going to wear and pack, while fitting into ONE SUITCASE!   Decisions, Decisions.