Wow, hello Internet Marketers! I did forget to post this week's interview didn't I? Well, Cathy and I are in the process of putting together a series of classes to teach the A to Z on how to publish here on Quikonnex. PLUS I'm a partner in classes on preventative pet care, AND I'm teaching the class you've seen posted here "Holistic Care for the Whole Woman". So, I apologize for not having the weekly interview. It may be changing to a weekly industry profile. We'll see how many step to the plate to do the work for this.
My friend and creator of the flower essence blend, Receiving Kindness (exclusive to my business Aspenbloom) is our guest this week. Nancy is quite an accomplished business woman who came from a successful corporate America job to start a successful business. Enjoy!
KB: Hello Nancy! To
set the stage for this interview, would you please tell us a bit about
yourself?
NB: First of all, I could say a lot of things about myself, but what
might be important for others to know is that I am someone who has been through
a lot in life, and emerged stronger -- more caring, thoughtful, and
resourceful.
As a person committed to service, I find ways to use who I
am and what I do that will help people and their pets. My work is an important
part of my life, and I love it. I love making things
better.
KB: Yes you do and I can attest to that personally! Okay,
give us your elevator speech, or 30-second spiel, about what you do, about your
businesses.
NB: I help people do what they came here
to do better, faster, and with more “heart and soul.”
As a flower essence
therapist, I specialize in creating custom-blended formulas to help you and your
pets re-balance your electrical systems. If you don’t have a balanced
electrical system, you are not being everything you can be. So I help you
reconnect!
As a coach, I help you fulfill your contracts with yourself
and with Life. Deep down, we all know why we’re here, and what we came here to
do. I coach you to fulfill that -- more joyfully, and with
passion.
KB: What a great way to earn a living Nancy -helping
others open up to the fullness of life! How long have you been in business for
yourself?
NB: My first business was formed in 1996 as a sole proprietorship, and
then I incorporated Bright Wings in 1997 as a holistic products and services
company.
KB: Good idea to incorporate and one of my next steps. Why
or what was the determining factor for you in starting your own
business?
NB: I became suddenly and seriously ill and was
forced to leave a fast-paced, high-paying job that I did well but hated. In
retrospect, I believe this was God's way of nudging me onto my true path at last
-- I wasn't taking any action about not liking what I was doing, and wanting to
find something I love.
So, while I was recovering from my illness, I
considered why I am here, and what I am good at doing, and one thing led to
another. I returned to school, and became certified as a Bach Flower Essence
Therapist, and entered CoachU to become trained as a Life Coach.
And
things have really taken off from there! The year after I graduated from
CoachU, I was featured in O, the Oprah magazine!
KB: WOW, that is just so great Nancy! Sounds like you're
in the right business for you.
What, in your
experience, has been the greatest benefit in running and owning your own
business? What do you like best about your
business?
NB: It's the great people I get to work with! I
work with some of the most awesome people on the planet -- people who care
deeply and who are doing amazing things in the world.
Another benefit is
that I control how I use my time. I can structure my life pretty much any way I
want, and it really works for me. The independence is priceless.
One
thing most people don’t understand when they work for someone else as an
employee (I sure didn’t!) is that all the energy you give out on your job does
not go for you or to you, it goes to someone else. Maybe in the short term this
doesn’t matter -- but long range, all that energy going out without an equal
return will catch up with you! It creates a kind of imbalance, and I think we
are seeing the effects of this in how many problems there are in the world right
now.
A lot of problems could be easily solved if there were truly an
equal exchange for value given and received. There isn’t, and that is one thing
we ALL can work to change!
But the easiest way to begin changing is to
leave “the system” and start something new, that works the way YOU want it to
work, aligned with who YOU are, and what you came here to do. Set the tone, play
the music, and dance your OWN way, your own style, with partners and clients who
see the same possibilities and are inspired by them, who want to be part of
it.
KB: Oh you are
so right AND to do what you love and are passionate about. If you don't do that,
it can be worse than a job as I found out. Doing what you love makes all the
difference.
Running a business takes a certain "mindset" so tell us what is
the most difficult or challenging part of having and running your own
business?
NB: First of all, when I was working for other
people, I didn't understand how entrepreneurial I was. I kept thinking of new
projects or ways to make money, and being so frustrated because they didn't care
about that -- they just wanted me to do what they hired me to do (imagine
that!)
So there is a certain freedom of expression and creativity that I
can now explore to my heart's content -- and with that comes total
responsibility.
I have to do all the parts that are needed, to make it
work. I can't just dream up ideas, I have to do the hard work too -- make the
phone calls, keep records, pay the bills, follow up leads, etc.
As my
business grows and thrives, I can hire people (like VA's) to handle those tasks
that I either don't like doing or don't do well -- and keep my time and energy
focused on activities where I shine. That's my ultimate goal -- but right now,
my challenge is to shine despite the fact that more time than I like is being
used for tasks I would rather not be doing, but MUST be done because I am the
owner and responsible for it all and for the success.
That's both the
good news and the bad news!
KB: Gosh
Nancy, we're on the exact same page here - but I'd rather have the responsibilty
with the freedom of expression as I know you would too. A VA is on my goal list
for 2005!
Who is your primary target
audience?
NB: Well, first of all, my company
currently has three areas of business activity, and there are different target
audiences for each of them. I’ll take them one at a time.
a)
Holistic Products. The main item in this category is Blue Eagle
Invocation Liquid Smudge, which is a Native American aromatherapy product that
clears the air naturally, dispels negativity, and uplifts the spirit. It was
originally created for healers, who are not allowed to burn their sacred herbs
in a modern healing setting (hospitals and clinics) -- but we have learned that
it works for anyone who wishes a safe, fast, simple way to clear the
air.
So our target audiences with this product are:
* health food
and New Age stores and bookstores
* yoga centers and practitioners
*
bodyworkers, therapists and healers
* travelers and office workers
* gift
basket businesses seeking unusual products to offer clients
b) Flower
Essences. This area of my business is both service and product-oriented. We
serve people who want to have more balanced, fulfilling lives. My ideal clients
are:
* health and wellness conscious, interested in improving their lives
(LOHAS market -- lifestyles of Health and Sustainability)
* women and men
between the ages of 25-70
* teenage youth (some of my most satisfied clients
are former 17-year-old boys who were the world’s worst skeptics until their Moms
had them try it!)
* pet owners who want to support their pets’ comfort and
wellness
c) Coaching. Within this area of my business, I have
two channels to serve clients:
*** The DayToppers Program
(www.daytoppers.com), a
proven system for busy active people to stay on track with your visions, plans
and projects -- Give us 15 minutes a day, and we’ll give you
success!
Ideal clients ===>
* work at home Moms and home-based
business owners
* solopreneurs
* internet marketers
* VAs
* students
and graduate students
* fitness wannabe’s
***My private
coaching practice (www.indigocoach.net), serving:
* Indigo
children, teens, adults and their families
* Cultural
Creatives
KB: What do all ties in very
nicely while at the same time being diverse.
Can you share
with our readers what you are currently doing to promote your business? How do
you integrate your online promotions with your offline
promotions?
Currently I have 4 tracks to promote my businesses:
a) interactive
assessments that people can take to see if they qualify as my ideal clients (web
based)
b) online and offline directories (this is my #2 successful
path)
c) referrals and joint venture partnerships (this is #3)
d)
newsletters and ezines
One of the additional tracks I am developing is to
write and publish articles. I’m good at this, and just haven’t had enough time
to devote. I’m changing that this year!
After that, I will also use
seasonal promotions and media releases.
KB: Boy, you sure do understand
your platform and how to implement it!
Is your
business primarily online or offline or both?
NB: I would
say that my business is primarily offline since so much of it is
service-oriented, but I do have a fair investment in online resources including
websites. Articles and directories drive traffic, as well as media
releases.
This year I will be ramping up my web presence and automating more
of my operations.
For many people in my line of work, speaking works
well. But I don’t enjoy travel the way I used to when I was younger, and my
target markets really are global, so it makes more sense to reach them in
virtual ways; I can leverage my time and energy better virtually.
Also,
there are so many avenues for expression now through emerging technologies that
offer opportunities that were not possible even six months ago -- I think we are
going to see tremendous changes in how we market in the future.
But I
will leave that discussion to the “real” marketers! This is just an observation
I have as a business owner.
KB: Oh but a very astute observation Nancy! What is your
best source of customers, prospects, and/or
clients?
NB: Word of mouth from other satisfied clients.
I have one former client who is a literal “referral machine” -- she regularly
sends me people who, when they call me, have their checkbook or credit card in
their hands and their calendar poised, ready to begin! (This is what doing
GREAT work will do for you, in my opinion. . . )
KB: You're right -it says a LOT about you as a person and your
work.
Since we are
having this interview on the IVWCC, we know you are a member of this
organization but are you a member of any other professional organizations?
Well
first of all I am a member of several coaching organizations:
ICF
(International Federation of Coaches) which is still THE professional
organization for coaches
IAC (International Association of Coaches) where
I am working to become certified at the coaching proficiencies (having already
passed their tough written exam on the first try)
I am also a founding
member of Coachville.com and the SOC (formerly the Graduate School of Coaching)
as well as 24/7 Coaching and Life Coaching Studios.
I belong to (and
remain active in) these professional organizations because they keep me fresh
and in the loop with state-of-the art thinking and practices. I don’t want to
just “be a coach” I want to be a GREAT coach! And my professional organizations
help me do that, keep me learning and growing as a person and a coach. I love
that.
I am also a member of the Flower Essence Society, which is “the”
organization for flower essence practitioners and research. There, I can
participate in research trials, test new essences, partner with other
practitioners, and learn new techniques and essences that will help my clients
lead happier, more healthy lives.
Although there are not “memberships”
available, I am in regular contact with all the major flower essence sources in
North America and elsewhere, and with the founders who created them. I know how
they work, how the essences are made, and what new things are coming out. I
have personal relationships with all of them, and feel that these are my
community -- even though, as I say, there are no “memberships” -- it’s more like
family. And incredibly valuable!
Now, I do want to say that I have
found immense practical value in being a member of IVWCC. I really appreciate
the quality and mindset of the other members -- and have found here *exactly*
the kind of support and virtual help I have been craving for a really really
long time. So I am a very satisfied and happy member!
It is also
wonderful to “hang out” with other business women (and a few supportive guys)
who really understand what it means to manage both a business and a home and
family, who are either a few steps ahead or behind me in key areas -- so there
are many things we share in common. I truly appreciate this, as well as the
insightful questions Jerrilynn asks us during our events, that get us really
digging deeper into what we all are up to, and how we can make it better for
ourselves and each other.
We are really beginning to build a strong
community here, through our connections and relationships, and I do not know of
anything better than that in the world. This is the way we weave a new world,
and that is one reason I am here and why this organization is so meaningful to
me. Thank you all for contributing to this!
KB: Well said Nancy! I feel the same way because really it
is relationships and community that matters.
Online
networking groups are rising in number so are you a member of any online
networking groups?
NB: Yes I am a member of Ryze, LinkedIn,
Tribe.net, and several others. Also, I am a member of about 12-15 online
forums, some with business foci and others more personal.
KB: Wow, I'm a member of those same networks although I'll
admit I am mostly active on Ryze -that is a lot of forums you are on though
Nancy, another WOW!
On average, how
often do you visit those networks? Do you post messages there regularly, or are
you more of an information seeker and lurker?
NB: On average, I visit about once a week, depending on how busy I
am. I tend to be more of a lurker but I know this is NOT the way to network
effectively and I am working to change some of my habits and schedule to allow
more interaction with all my networks and forums. I would like to increase my
participation this year by 2-3 more hours per week.
KB: That's a great goal and doable in bite sizes.
Moving onto a
very vital subject in online business, on average, how many email messages do
you receive every day?
NB: Usually between 350-700
daily.
KB: That is a LOT of email!
About how many
of those emails are actually email you either requested, from clients, or
pertinent information?
NB: 98% of
them! I have great s^pam filters. And good systems to quickly sort the mail and
assign priorities for dealing with the contents.
Clients and hot new
leads get top priority.
Second tier is warm leads and requests for
information.
Third tier is newsletters and ezines (they get archived into
their own boxes for later downloading or reading.)
Personal email gets
attended depending on the urgency (family and friends are in this category as
well as just about everything else.)
Any s^pam that gets through the filters
goes immediately into the trash.
KB: Okay, I think I could l take some lessons from you
in prioritizing. Spam isn't much of a problem for me either since I have
good spam filters.
What is your
number one complaint, if any, about email? and how do you think it could be
resolved?
NB: People forwarding the entire contents of
long documents or posts when all they needed was the header or a sentence or
two.
Solve it? Everyone take 2 seconds before hitting “send” to delete
everything not needed to communicate.
KB: Good advice Nancy and a lesson in email etiquette. Do
you publish a newsletter/ezine?
NB:
Yes, I do.
"Intuitive Empowerment Insights is a monthly
newsletter filled with fresh, original insights about life, work, and play, for
people who want more than the obvious. Our readers tell us it's the most
inspiring newsletter they get. Try it out! You can discontinue at any time;
instructions for how to do so are in every issue. We never distribute our
mailing lists to anyone, ever. We value your privacy and protect it every way we
know how.
Our new "Top-of-the-Day" ezine brings you a daily
motivational quote and brief message weekdays, Monday-Friday. It's short (one
page only) and packs a punch, to get you thinking and moving toward your goals.
This is where to find the latest news and updates about cool new things
happening at the DayToppers Program ( www.daytoppers.com ).
There will be con.tests and pri.zes throughout the year for Top of the Day
readers only!
Both of the above newsletters are handled professionally by
the really great services at www.webvalence.com . The
people there are very responsive to my needs, really understand all the
technology involved including the latest CAN-Sp@am laws and what that means for
me, the publisher. They are always there to answer my questions and help me
solve anything that comes up. I recommend them enthusiastically for anyone who
wants a hassle-free way to get a newsletter launched.
This year, though,
I will be making some big changes in delivery and format, particularly for the
Insights newsletter. I’m working with Jessica Albon at the Newsletter Spa to
sort this out, and will also be checking out the Quikonnex, audiozine, blog and
RSS technologies.
In addition to the newsletters I already publish
(Insights has been around since 1999 and Top of the Day since 2002) I will be
launching a couple of new ‘zines this year, probably using some of the new
technologies I will be learning. I already have a list of nearly 100
double-opted in readers waiting for one of them!
Oh. I almost forgot!
If you’d like to try my newsletters, here is the link to
join:
http://www.daytoppers.com/newsletter.asp
KB: Nancy, you have some very
definitive plans here and they sound great. I'll be happy to help you understand
Quikonnex better! We'll be announcing how for that soon. Your newsletters
sound excellent. I think I'm going to check them out for sure. Move them to an
RSS feed and they can be read in a flash through a reader. Okay, there I go
again - preaching on RSS, LOL!
How about generating
new subscribers? How do you do that or is that even a consideration in your
type of newsletter?
NB: I have tried one of the co-registration
services, and that has gained me a trickle of new subscribers, but what works
best for me so far is that when readers like something they read, they forward
it on to others who subscribe. It’s very viral.
Another thing that works
well is to include a subscription link in all my signature blocks in all my
email. It’s something I forget sometimes, but it is really
effective.
Laziness is my enemy when it comes to increasing subscribers.
And I do want more -- I just haven’t made it a top priority. It’s sort of on a
B list of things to do (right or wrong, that’s just how it is so far. . .
)
KB: Well that's why RSS is great - you don't have to do the "push"
for subscribers - the search engines do the "pull" for you. All you have to do
is publish - very cool!
Do you
subscribe to any newsletters?
NB: I subscribe to probably a
hundred newsletters, in just about every format there is. I don’t get to read
them all, certainly not all at once, but I take time out every week to get
caught up. I think of reading the newsletters as part of my continuing
education time.
And there are always topics and articles I can
pass on to clients and colleagues, which is a great networking activity that
keeps me “top of mind” and increases my value -- although that’s not why I do
it. I simply think of someone as I read, and forward what I believe they will
find interesting or useful. I just mention that it serves another purpose, so
that others can think about why it might be a good idea to be generous with your
altruism and to think about what others need as you go about your daily
rounds.
One of the comments and consistent feedback I get from all my
clients is my generosity, and how much they appreciate me thinking about them
and sending along things I know they will like or a useful tip or connection. So
I know it is a value to do it, and it’s actually fun and easy for
me.
KB: You are a generous person
Nancy and it shines forth in all that you do. In fact, that could be the very
reason you are getting back so much. The more you give from your heart, the more
you receive whether you want it or not, LOL. You just can't outgive God!
So you
are familiar with RSS then?
NB: Only as a concept! But I plan
to learn and incorporate it myself this year.
KB: Well, from what I've learned of and from you so far, I
don't doubt you'll be proficient in it before long.
NB: Until I learn more
about how to use it, I will wait to see how it fits into my goals and plans.
One of the ways I believe it will help me is that it sounds like it is an easy
way to increase web traffic, so I want to explore it for that reason among
others.
KB: Speaking from where I sit
- running several RSS channels, I can tell you that it IS an easy way to
increase traffic. However, it is not a magic wand, you've got to work by
inputting information, but if you're doing that already with a full newsletter,
then that isn't a factor since it's something you do
already.
There are so
many ways to promote ourselves online and off, and one of the most touted and
apparently great ways to do so online is to write articles. Do you write
articles for use on the internet?
NB: Yes I do although I
haven’t had time in the last year or so to do as much as I like. Ideally I
would be writing at least 2-3 hours a day, and creating databanks full of
articles that I can publish and send all over the ‘net. This year I will be
writing more, and submitting more widely.
Typical subjects are:
*
business and productivity tips
* personal growth and development
*
overcoming obstacles
* motivation and inspiration (non-religious)
*
consciousness and human potential
* complementary and alternative
medicine
* flower essences and their uses
KB: You really have some great goals Nancy. I would like
more time to just write articles myself. I write a lot of different little
tidbits on my channels, but not full out writing like you said.
You mentioned
that you've done press
releases?
NB: Yes and I have been pretty happy with the
results. I plan to do much more this year.
KB: Okay, anyone reading this interview - this woman is
a dynamo!
What is the most
creative thing you have done to attract
customers?
NB: Offered a national, online contest with
prizes for winners selected randomly. It was fun and an *immense* amount of
work. I would probably not attempt this again unless I had a VA in place to
administer it!
KB: Then it was
apparently successful! You do need a VA don't you Nancy!
If there was one
thing you wish you had (other than time!) to help you grow your business, what
would it be?
NB: An R&D team to help me plan and
implement an immense project that’s on the drawing boards. I need specialists
in the following areas:
* successful entrepreneurs who have driven a
business from ground zero to a minimum of a million dollars in annual
income
* someone(s) who knows how to build and run an international
membership site with vast capabilities and features -- this means project
management, web development, and multimedia technology skills
*
marketers
Interested parties may contact me
privately.
KB: See what I mean - a
dynamo! This sounds intriguing Nancy.
If you could
offer a word of advice to someone wishing to start a business in your field,
what would you tell them?
NB: Just do it! Don’t wait until
conditions are perfect, or until you know every last detail. You cannot know
how it will work out until you start, anyway -- so get as prepared as you can,
and find a way to begin no matter where you are.
Each step will lead
you further, until you can see how to arrive where you hope to end
up.
Ea
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