I'm a New Grandma!

Yesterday was an unbelievable day! You see my 3rd grandchild was born at 3:06 pm. He weighed 8 lbs, 4 ounces was 19.5 inches long and his name is Logan Alexander! He will have much good fortune in his life and he has brought much joy to our family. I am spending time with my daughter this week to help with the grandchildren (Big brother Devon is 7 and Big sister Madison is 4). We are all very excited about Logan's arrival (he was 2.5 weeks early) and looking forward to being a grandma to an infant again.

Logan's birthdate 8-08-2008 is considered very lucky. In Chinese culture eight represents wealth and luck. It is no accident that the Olympics commenced on 8-08-2008 and began at 8pm.

Eight also means infinity – life without end.

In the bible, eight represents regeneration and resurrection. Eight is seven plus one, and is hence the start of a new order, the beginning of a new era. When the flood washed the earth clean, in a type of baptism, eight people were saved in the ark.

In numerology Number 8 is the most powerful of all numbers. A person with 8 in their numerology chart is considered inspiring, result-oriented, powerful, ambitious, visionary, generous, perseverant, forgiving, broad-minded, money-conscious and self-disciplined. A person born with the number eight has the potential for enormous success and the possibility to accumulate great wealth. They are also a good judge of character a natural leader and a survivor.

There is nothing quite like holding a newborn in your arms. My husband and I were talking about it last night. How a new life brings a family together and how we are all on such a "high" marveling at the experience. We were saying how sad that it doesn't last. It's like a new car, once that new car smell is gone - it's back to life as usual. We are going to relish every moment until that new baby smell is worn off and we get into a routine and the memory of Logan's birth is something we recall during family events sitting around the dinner table. It was wonderful to be in the room and witness Logan coming into the world. I feel very fortunate because I have been blessed with now 3 beautiful grandchildren each of whom I witnessed being born. God is GRAND!

Thanks to each of you for being here and sharing in my joy. I appreciate your support and most importantly your friendship and love. May you each be blessed with many wonderful "new beginnings" in your life.

Love and hugs,

Heidi

What's Your Excuse?

Mine was having the grandkids for the summer, business was blooming, I had a magazine to produce and distribute, two new websites to launch and a myriad of other “reasons” for not moving forward in my new Mona Vie Business.

I mean, I signed up and was all gung-ho to start recruiting and spreading the word about the health benefits of Mona Vie as a product and the business model that has made many people rich in the short time it has been around.

In all fairness, my husband has been the gung-ho one. He has been actively sharing the message and the JUICE with anyone and everyone who is interested. He has been going to meetings in town and hundreds of miles away, he’s got the business cards and all the right stuff to promote Mona Vie to our circles. And in fact, he has done just that. He gives out at least 4 bottles of the wonder-juice a week, not to mention Success from Home, the magazine that shares stories of dozens of folks who have already “made it” in this business. In fact, yesterday we attended a birthday party one of our neighbors hosted and got to talking about Mona Vie with a few of the other guests. Two were interested ~ one from the business standpoint and the other from the health standpoint.

The first one started a postal store business and business is really bad. He and his wife have invested almost $150,000 in the past two years and have yet to turn a profit! Of course, that is pretty normal for many businesses especially with the state of the economy these days. However, you don’t have to spend any where near that to start seeing a return on your investment with Mona Vie. Many of the people I have met who are now Diamond Distributors didn’t even spend $1,000! Yes, there are ongoing costs involved including the monthly cost of buying 1 or 2 cases of Mona Vie. But today there are very few ways you can invest so little to make so much! The possibilities truly are endless.

The second person we spoke to was having hot flashes and night sweats and I told her that since being on Mona Vie mine are almost completely gone. It is TRUE! And when I do have them, they are not nearly as intense as they once were. When I started getting Hot flashes I had to quit doing public speaking because they were so unbearable. About 2 or 3 months after being on the Mona Vie the symptoms are so mild that I am the only one who notices them. No more Power surges, more like mild electrical currents that flow from time to time. So we gave her a bottle to try. I am confident they will help her and when they do, we will have a new customer.

That’s what it takes. Finding people to buy and people to sell. That’s what makes the potential for massive success a reality.

So today I recommitted to the business. Because the product is excellent and the business model works.

Let me tell you about the business side of direct sales. To be a success you have to follow their tried and true model. Everyone who does it the way the other top produces does is a success. That’s why they provide distributors with all the tools to succeed, CD’s, books, action plans and more. In fact, we purchased their Maximum Action Plan (or Map) book during one of the meetings we attended (distributors can also download the MAP book for free from their sites). The MAP is a 10 Step Pattern and Calendar outlining all the things a distributor should do to succeed and reach their financial goals. Now I have to tell you, no one “makes you” do anything in the book, but as I mentioned earlier if you follow it and do what the other successful distributors have done, your chances of making lots of money and reaching your goals increased exponentially!

The very first thing in the MAP book is a one-page outline with a fill-in-the blanks goal sheet for your business. It is important to write down what goals you want to achieve and by what date you want to achieve them.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Linda Ware, author, master motivational speaker, corporate trainer and coach. She spoke about how to get everything you want in life when you set Power Goals and achieve them. Power Goals are based upon goal setting and the laws of attraction. I will be posting the link to Linda’s Interview in the next few days.

No matter what business you are in the best way to set yourself up for success is to set realistic goals that are in alignment with your values and life’s mission.

If you are struggling financially, your business is not producing what you need or expect, maybe its because you are not setting the right kind of goals or worse, like me you’re making excuses.

Maybe you’re blaming the economy, the media, your staff or even your marketing. Most, if not all of these excuses are really products of your belief system. Because they are really more in control than you may imagine.

Next post I’ll talk about the 20/20 vision for success and share the sponsoring tips outlined in the MAP book.

By the way, here’s an interesting video by CBS Channel 6 in Orlando talking about Monavie lowering your Cholesterol backed up by a study from Emory University (thanks to Kerri Aronoff my first Sponsee for sending this to me).

And Kerri has a great blog she started to keep track of her journey as a new Mona Vie distributor. I think you will find it interesting and you may even be able to relate to it as did I. It’s called: OGirlie

To learn more about the Mona Vie Business, visit JUICE WHO.

If you have any questions or would like to go to a distributor meeting in your part of the world, call me at 954-625-6606 and I’ll hook you up!

Girls Just Wanna Have FUN!

5 Words were never truer!

And combine fun with a Fourth of July Celebration and you've got nirvana....

Let me begin at the beginning.

It all started with Mothers Day. As you may know Im a retail florist (and have been for 28 years). So while others are celebrating holidays with their family and friends I am working with mine. Yes, they all come in to help out and have some fun - we all enjoy seeing the feelings of joy people experience from sending and receiving flowers (I'll save that for another post).

This Mother's Day was typical of the previous 27 in my business. I worked alongside my two daughters and husband and a few friends. This alone is a wonderful mothers day gift! But my Girls didn't stop there! Jennifer and Suzannah decided to schedule a "girls getaway" weekend at a spa for all three of us! They booked the Trump International Beach Resort on Sunny Isles Beach in Florida (Miami). It was heavenly! And it started on Friday, July 4th!

On Friday, we just hung out by the pool, had a some great food (and even invited my hubby and the grandchildren to spend the afternoon with us). Then we sent them on their way to begin our weekend of luxury and pampering. On Saturday morning we went to the SPA, and partook of their many treatments including a Swedish Massage (given by Chris), a perfect facial (by Janine) and rejuvenating body scrub (by Catarina). We had lunch, hung out by the pool, went to dinner and ended the day with a movie - finally saw Sex and the City - which was so much fun with my girls!

Sunday we started over with more yummy treatments at the spa and laughs and hugs and just simply relaxing.

When we got home I was like mush and didn't do much of anything (except lounge by the pool).

The most important part was spending time with Jennifer and Suzannah. They are my best friends in the whole world (and I have a few other best friends). Nothing compares to a great relationship with your children (and parents). I am so lucky to have both.

Almost at the same time Jennifer, Suzannah and I said, let's make this an annual event! I'm there already!

The Trump Resort was a first class experience - Maya Frenkiel, Guest Relations Coordinator was our first and last touch point with the Resort and she is a perfect example of how the rest of the staff are. Every person we encountered was friendly, courteous and very accomodating. We were treated like celebrities from the moment we arrived until the final check out. They constantly asked how we were doing and if we needed anything. You could tell they have a great passion for serving others.

On their website it says "Trump International Beach Resort is a world of indulgent pleasures waiting for you on the shores of beautiful Miami Beach." Finally, truth in marketing! I will recommend the Trump to all my friends.

And as for a Girls Retreat ... let's just say I highly recommend that too!

Heidi

My Life Changed Today

... I can feel it!

Today, for the first time I understood what all the fuss was about a "fruit juice" and why so many people are excited to be drinking this "natural wonder" feeling the results and sharing it with others.

It is called Mona Vie and it is made from the acai berry - a berry found deep in the Amazon that can have all sorts of "healing" properties. I say can because the company makes absolutely no claims to that effect, they simply share the juice with others, show them findings from scientists and let us make up our own minds about the physical benefits.

But I digress. I could tell you more about all the health benefits of Mona Vie and I promise to in another post. Let me just say this, I have been drinking it for almost a year and since doing so, have had absolutely no more night-sweats (a symptom of menopause) and MAYBE have one HOT FLASH a month when I used to have them 3 to 4 times a day. And my husband's aches and pains of age have greatly diminished. We have most of our family on the juice and soon they will all be drinking Mona Vie.

What I really want to talk about today is why TODAY my life was changed.

You see, today I got to see the business side of Mona Vie and meet literally hundreds of people who's lives have been changed because they are making a difference in other peoples lives by sharing the juice and being rewarded (financially) for it.

And I want to be one of them. So does my husband. Why? Because we are both tired of working so hard and with the economy the way it is, we see no end in sight to working hard. In fact, we are working harder than ever just to bring home the same income we were last year at this time.

I don't know about you but I have been a business owner for 28 years and really thought that at this point in my life I'd be able to semi-retire. Instead we are working 10-hour days sometimes six days a week.

So we decided to do something about it. I decided to take Mona Vie seriously and start making money. And I know it can happen. The man who recruited my husband and me is proof. His name is Jason Lyons. He started in the business approx. 2 years ago and in that time has gone from part-time distributor to full time speaking, training and motivating people around the country on why this is a good business. He made Black Diamond Distributor in 8 months in the business and his last paycheck was for more than $20,000. Did I mention that was for just one week's pay! Yep!

He's making more than 20K a week now! That's a million dollars a year! He works when he wants, plays and travels and turns people like me and my husband onto this opportunity. Now it's up to us to do something with it. And we will. We have already signed up three people and plan to have at least 3 more in our downline by week's end.

Our goals are simple, to have enough money so we can spend more time with our families. That takes money.

Even though I have always made a decent living, I kept putting off retirment planning until tomorrow. Well, tomorrow is just around the corner now...

My youngest daughter is a New York Life Agent and one of the "stars" in her office. She is REALLY GOOD at what she does. So I let her look at my so-called retirement which is a small stock portfolio (if you could call it that) and an IRA. When she looked at it she said to me "Mommy, where's the rest of it?" Ouch, that hurt!

I think she is worried about her inheritance (just kidding).

So today my life changed. And it isn't nearly as expensive as running my business. It costs $37 to become a distributor. Of course, there is more involved so if you are interested in seeing how it could help you, visit www.JuiceWho.com and see for yourself. That is our official Mona Vie site and you can sign up or just order a bottle. Our goals are to help 100 people become millionaires (ourselves included) in the next 5 years. And we'd love for you to be one of them!

We are happy to answer any questions you have about this incredible opportunity.

Oh, before I forget, Mona Vie hit the Billion Dollar mark in only 3 years. Did you know it took Microsoft 7 years to reach that point. This company is going places. And I want to go with it!

How about you?

Heidi

If you want to chat about Mona Vie, call me at 954-625-6606. If I'm not there, leave a message. I'd love to have you on my team. In fact, every week I will be posting stories about team members here so check back often.

Heidi Richards Mooney
JuiceWho.com

Twitter is not for Everyone

Twitter is not for everyone. You could say, Twitter is like chocolate. You either love it or you can do without it.

When I first visited Twitter, I didn't "get it." I thought it was a bunch of useless chatter about nothing that pertained to me. I followed a few people who talked about standing in lines, waiting for lights to change, who was ahead of them at the checkout and what they bought at the grocery store. Not to mention the hundreds of posts about people's choices for breakfast.

I mean, it was so bad, I signed up, followed a few people and then didn't visit it again for some time.

And then a friend coached me on how to use Twitter and some of the possibilities. He shared with me how and who you could meet. And follow. Twitter is like legal stalking *smile. You can find thought leaders and follow them, engage in conversations and probably more important to your business, get them interested in YOU, by being interested in THEM.

In fact, having seen first hand what it can do for my business, I am now a twitter advocate.

So I started using Twitter. Not to share mundane information. One of the things my friend - whom I now call my twitter mentor - taught me was to post the headline or topic of a blog post on twitter and see what happens. I did that and have had people click on the link in the post and read my blogs. How do I know? They tell me... when they leave comments. Some of the comments include "thanks for posting this on Twitter, and "thanks, I am so happy to find your blog." And more.

Of course, without followers, posting is probably pointless so I also recommend you get to know other Twitter'ers, post your Twitter URL on your blogs and sites and if you want, here. I would love to know what some of you are up to, as long as you don't tell me what you had for breakfast (unless it pertains to a bigger picture), I may just follow you for awhile.

My Twitter page is http://twitter.com/heidirichards.

If you are a skeptic, I recommend you read “The Secret to Twitter” by Robert ‘the Scobliezer’ Scoble.

And another interesting post about how you can use Twitter as a real-time business sales and marketing can be found at: http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/04/using_twitter_as_a_real_time_business_sales_marketing_service.html

I tried to find some stats to share with you about the number of users on Twitter. I do recall that it hit critical mass around mid-February with a million users. So it's not some little thing anymore with just a few users.

However, Twitter is not for everyone.

Heidi

(ps. this post was first shared with A Bit of Humble Pie - a network on Ryze led by Eileen Brown. You can find out more about Eileen at http://www.ryze.com/view.php?who=VerbatimEB

Come Celebrate with Us!

There’s a party going on at: http://www.effectivecommunicationsgiveaway.com/ and you’re invited!

If you are an entrepreneur, this celebration is for YOU! Researchers have found that the better your communication skills as a business owner, the more successful you will be financially. (Now there’s a reason to party!)

In honor of Effective Communications Month – a real honest-to-goodness holiday listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events—throughout the month of June you can pick up loads of fabulous tools to help you communicate more effectively in your business with your customers, clients and prospects so you can enjoy greater success.

My colleague, communication expert, Felicia Slattery, has pulled together some of the world’s best and brightest to give you a one-stop shop to pick up all things related to getting you the results and success you want.

The best part? It’s all FREEEEEE! There is nothing to buy now—or ever. This isn’t some teaser offer where you only get to see what’s listed and then have to buy something in order to get the goods. This is completely 100% free to you. That’s right -- we’re doing a real giveaway going on until the end of June.

What’s the catch? There really is none. If you don’t know her, Felicia is just that kind of person. She likes giving away useful stuff.

You’ll get tips on organizing (because you can’t communicate if you can’t find your phone or keyboard!), podcasting, writing your book, search engine optimization (so people can find you to communicate with you!) public speaking, and so much more. Overall you’ll find more than 20 freebies designed especially for you. It’s going on right now until June 30.

Tell all your friends. And go right away to: http://ww.effectivecommunicationsgiveaway.com/ and let the experts shower you with gifts!

See you there!

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Today on HER Mastermind Network, Anything Goes Day Lisa Fredette (facilitator for Anything Goes Day) and Natalie Clegg had some interesting things to say about Getting to Know Our Neighbors and the question was posted "Do you hang out with your neighbors? Do you know their names, children's name and/or their story?" I thought I'd share what I wrote with you.

Let me tell you how I got to know my neighbors...

I have lived in the same neighborhood for 25+ years. We moved there when my youngest was 5 months old. My other two were 4 and 7.

Over the next 7 or so years I only met 2 or 3 neighbors and that's because they too had children around my girls' ages. We didn't "socialize or anything like that" the kids just played together. I only knew where they lived and that they were Mr. and Mrs. So and So.

In 1991 I got divorced and in 1993 my husband Timmy moved in. We didn't get married until 2005 but that's another story!

That changed my life for many reasons. My mother was ill and he helped me take care of her before she died and also helped with my girls. My oldest went to live with her father about that time (she was 15 and would not follow my rules so I sent her to him for straitening out - another story!). She came home again when she was 17.

Getting to the point... Timmy is one of those people who has never met a stranger, only new friends in the making. He is a sensitive, caring and giving man who loves to get to know about people and their lives. He has taught me a lot about human nature and our need for community. Prior to his arrival on the scene, I didn't even "turn left" in our community. I only "turned right" and that was to go to work, take the kids to school, shop etc. He taught me to "turn left" into our community, to take walks, to talk with neighbors and to BE a neighbor.

Today we know just about everyone in the 42 home community and we spend time with many of them. There are families that we see almost every weekend, hang out, have barbeques, ride the golf cart with and just have fun. Once a year at New Years one of the neighbors has a big party and invites the whole neighborhood. We have progressive Dinners, take care of one another's animals when someone goes out of town, watches for "strangers" who come around and really care about one another.

We have celebrated the good times, the not so good, helped one another clean up yards and fix homes when hurricanes struck and so much more.

"Turning Left" has been one of the most important decisions I personally have made. I love the neighborhood, and its mainly because of the people who live there! Everyone should be so lucky.

And this got me thinking of how much we care for our NETWORK... the people we meet and get to know. The same principles of community apply here. They are:

To Celebrate the Good Times

Be present for the Not so Good times

Help One Another

Stay in Touch

... and basically be a support system of encouragement, information and energy. Sometimes all it takes is lending an ear, other times it might be more than that.

If you have ever been through a natural disaster or loss you have seen this in action. People pitch in to help one another get their lives back in some sort of order. Whether it be a bad storm, a hurricane, an earthquake, death, loss of job, we tend to be there for those times when we are really needed.

My question to you, are you there for the times when it is not as obvious how much you may be needed?

Today might be a good day to "turn left," (pick up the phone and reach out to someone in your network you have not connected with in a long time). The response and what follows may surprise you!

I'd like to hear what happens so be sure and let me know.

Have a wonderful day... and then some,

Heidi

Don’t rest on your REP!

…UTATION that is!

I read an interesting article recently in a handbook for leaders and it talked about the best companies never rest on their reputation. They are constantly striving to get better, to create more value, more opportunities, better products, higher quality in order to stay in the entrepreneurial “game.”

It reminded me of one of my favorite books Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't by Jim Collins

In the book, Collins gives 7 keys to going from good to great including:

1. Greatness starts at the top. Companies don’t achieve greatness in spite of their leaders, they achieve greatness BECAUSE of them.

2. Surround yourself with top performers and get rid of the weak links – the ones that don’t produce, that bring every one down. This establishes a culture of creating greatness.

3. Create a process for continual improvement and then…

4. Never stop improving.

5. Establish a corporate culture of discipline built around commitment to achieving the company’s goals. Encourage individuals to come up with ways of achieving those goals.

6. Leverage technology to accelerate the progress of going from GOOD to GREAT.

7. Consistency is the key. Build upon each success to achieve greater success.

St. Jerome (father of the Latin Church, 340-420) said, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.

…. And then some!

Heidi

Heidi Richards Mooney, PublisherFounder, Women’s eCommerce Association, International

Today is Wear Purple Day!

Today is Wear Purple Day!

Why was purple worn by royalty? Mainly because purple dyes were so hard to make. Using lichen, the plant had to react with ammonia (this meant urine in ancient days) and sit out in the air for 2 weeks. Then it was mixed with pot ash to be used as a dye. This was much harder than just boiling berries or leaves for other colors, so purple dye was only for the wealthy. Today, all you have to do is spill some grape kool-aid and everything turns purple.

For more fun days in May visit: http://hidates.com/maycal.shtml

More about the color purple:

The earliest archaeological evidence for the origins of purple dyes points to the Minoan civilization in Crete, about 1900 B.C. The ancient land of Canaan (its corresponding Greek name was Phoenicia, which means “land of the purple”) was the center of the ancient purple dye industry. Tyrian Purple,” the purple dye of the ancients mentioned in texts dating back to about 1600 B.C., was produced from the mucus of the hypobranchial gland of various species of marine mollusks, notably Murex. It took some 12,000 shellfish to extract 1.5 grams of the pure dye. Legend credits its discovery to Herakles, or rather to his dog, whose mouth was stained purple from chewing on snails along the Levantine coast. King Phoenix received a purple-dyed robe from Herakles and decreed the rulers of Phoenicia should wear this color as a royal symbol.

According to one article in Paper, Film and Foil Converter Rome, Egypt, and Persia all used purple as the imperial standard. Purple dyes were rare and expensive; only the rich had access to them. The purple colorants used came from different sources, most from the dye extraction from fish or insects.

The imperial purple of Rome was based on mollusk from which purpura comes. Emperor Aurelian refused to let his wife buy a purpura-dyed silk garment, as it cost its weight in gold!

An interesting article on About.com says “Purple is often associated with Royalty and Spirituality: Purple is royalty. A mysterious color, purple is associated with both nobility and spirituality. The opposites of hot red and cool blue combine to create this intriguing color.” … giving purple both cool and warm properties.

Purple is also associated with creativity and imagination. However too much purple can lead to moodiness and disharmony.

Other Purple facts:

Purple has been long associated as the color of mourning for widows in Thailand.

The Purple Heart is given to U.S. Military soldiers wounded in battle.

Oprah Winfrey got an Oscar for her role in the movie “The Color Purple” which was based upon the book of the same title by Alice Walker.

The rock star Prince played the lead in the 1984 movie Purple Rain. The film was very successful earning nearly US$100 million at the box office. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

There’s a book called Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium by Judith Herrin about, three Byzantine empresses--Irene, Euphrosyne, and Theodora and how they changed history (In the eighth and ninth centuries). Their combined efforts restored the veneration of icons, saving Byzantium from a purely symbolic and decorative art and ensuring its influence for centuries to come.

According to Everything2.com “Contrary to popular opinion, the word "purple" does have rhymes in the English language. In fact, there are two rhyming words, abet words that aren't used in today's vernacular. Hirple is a British word, which means "to walk lamely or hobble". Curple is a word out of Scotland, which refers to the hindquarters of a horse.”

Nature is abundant with purple flowers: In fact, purple flowers are among the most popular with both men and women. Some purple (and shades of purple) flowers include Iris, Roses, Carnations, Dianthus, Violets, Sweet William, Daisies, Allium, Status, Hibiscus, Orchids, Morning Glories, Tulips, Crocus, Hydrangea, Lilac, Peonies, Liatris, Pansies, Wisteria, Stock, Larkspur, Chrysanthemums, Eryngium and Alstromeria to name a few.

In fact, in the past 2.5 years I have designed more purple themed wedding and bridal decorations than at any other time in my 27+ years as a florist.

From this post you may guess that one of my favorite colors is PURPLE! I love the way it makes me feel inside and out. Looking at it makes me smile and wearing it makes me feel special. How about you? Will you be wearing purple today? And what is YOUR favorite color?

Two Tip Tuesday... My Business Tips

This morning on the Classy Chic 'n Elite Network on Ryze, Shelly asked the following:

When it comes to drumming up local business in your own area or neighborhood...how do you get out there and do that?

What are your 2 best tips for marketing your business locally in your own backyard?

Here is my reply:

My number one tip is to Be Visible! People do business with people they KNOW, LIKE and TRUST. Notice the first is "KNOW" - they gotta know you before they can like you and trust you. I have built a 27 year old business because I am visible in the community. That means I attend networking events whenever possible (you can find lots of free events just by looking in the local calendar section of your newspaper) and by joining groups that share the same values and customer base as I am looking for.

My number two Tip is to Get to know the local media. You can do that in a couple of ways, by writing letters to the editors and the authors of columns you read regularly and you can check out events you know they will be attending. Another way is to volunteer for the Publicity or Public Relations committee of an organization in which you are involved. The person who connects with the press to get the word out about events and projects the group presents becomes the one the media remembers.

I have a list of over 300 local media because early in my career this is exactly what I did. The best part is that when the media leaves a job to go to another, they take their rollodex with them and you become a part of their "circle." Many times the media has called me to recommend someone I knew for a story they were writing and on more than one ocassion, my business was mentioned in that story because of my willingness to promote others to reporters when they call.

And Chris Carroll of Direct Sales Talk echoed what I wrote and included the following comments:

You Have to be involved in the community, whether thru the Chamber and/or a local non profit and that does not mean paying dues. That mean being out there working the functions and meeting people.

Media is another key part. You all know I got a big front page spread on my new biz and trust me it was only because I knew the reporter.

IMHO, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to market your company, just a little time and effort and willingness to put yourself out there.

Happy Tuesday... Celebrate the Earth today and ALWAYS!

Heidi Richards Mooney

Winning Without Intimidation

I’m a big fan of Bob Burg and all he does. He is the guru of goodness, the king of kindness and one of the thought leaders that I eagerly listen to and learn from. Among his many publications (including Author of Endless Referrals and The Go-Giver) is his ezine Winning Without Intimidation. Winning Without Intimidation is the Internet magazine for people who believe in getting what they want in all areas of their life (people, relationships, things, sales, money, etc.) while helping others to feel good about themselves. Each issue is filled with excellent advice for all aspects of our lives.

This week Bob talked about "The Law of Receptivity." According to Bob, “This Law discusses our belief that receiving is a natural result of giving and, at the same time, continued and effective giving is a natural result of receiving. And, that to focus on only one part of the equation while ignoring the other is counter-productive for you and everyone else.”

Here’s an excerpt from the April 15th issue:

“Our excellent company bookkeeper - Trina - came in for her periodic "rescue mission" and was doing her thing when I noticed the pen she was using. It wasn't a particularly fancy pen but I liked its design and told her so. I then asked her where she bought it. She replied, "Oh, here, take this one; I've got plenty of them."

I said, "I can't take your pen." She asked, "Why not?" I replied, "Because it's your pen." She said, "So what? I've giving it to you." I countered, "No, I wouldn't feel right taking your pen."

She then said the following words: "Bob, it's a very simple, two-step process: One, take the pen. Two, say "thank you."

Wow - here I am talking about being willing to receive, yet I wasn't allowing someone else the gift of giving. Amazing how we teach what we need to continue to learn.”

There are always great lessons to learn or relearn and each issue includes resources and personal intros by Bob. I highly recommend subscribing to Winning Without Intimidation, today!

To begin receiving Winning Without Intimidation into your inbox, send a message to mailto:wwi@aweber.com.

Tell Bob Heidi sent you.

Clutter Distracts us From the Beauty in our Lives

On Fridays on HER Mastermind Network Ann Rusnak (The Time Diva) moderates Beauty, Books and Balance Day. Last Friday she talked about "Spring is the air... time to get rid of winter clutter. Clutter distracts us from the beauty in our lives." Ann asked the group to share our tips on decluttering and organizing.

Here's what I wrote:

"I don't know about the rest of you but I buy way too much makeup! and the funny thing is I hardly wear any. Mostly eye makeup because my eyelashes are so pale.

Recently I decided to go through that pile of makeup sitting under the sink. It was a good thing too! I found some beautiful eye-shadows I haven't used yet and some that I don't have any idea WHY I bought them.The first I put in my makeup drawer to start using and the second I got rid of. Unless they were new and never used I threw them out and the new stuff I am donating to Suited for Success in Miami.

I also have quite a collection of lipsticks - it seems I have a fettish for buying them (and putting them away to one day use). I try them on and find out they really aren't my shade.

How many of you have bought lipsticks only to find out they just were'nt you? I counted 37 that I will never use.You might say to yourself thats a lot of lipstick to throw out! When you figure the average lipstick costs anywhere from $5 - $9 each it comes out to about $250!

Here's my thoughts: When you get rid of those things like lipsticks, eyeshadow and even clothes you think you might one day fit into, you free up space in your closets, your cupboards or drawers and in your Mind. And I believe the space you are taking up in your mind might be the most important to release or unclutter.

The subconcious is a powerful thing - that which we hold onto takes away energy from things we could be concentrating on that will bring us positive rewards. Clutter causes overwhelm, anxiety and even depression. When you unclutter those things in your life taking up space you will find it amazing how much better you are able to concentrate and take on new tasks, learn new things, expand your mind. Try it and see for yourself!

The other benefit of getting rid of those things taking up space are all the other beautiful things you can put in their place. When I cleaned out my makeup, I went out and got a new facial microdermabrasian kit as a reward! Now all I have to do is open it and start using it :)

Have a great day... and more!

Heidi

Where do you advertise?

Today on the Small Business Think Tank Network on RYZE the question was asked "Where do you advertise?" This is one of my favorite questions and often elicits some controversy and interesting points of view. Here's what my response was:

Although I seldom pay to advertise as generally it is just throwing money away unless the audience is highly targetted (at least 50% my target market).I do advertise on my own sites, in my own publications and those of business associates (we trade when appropriate).

Once in a while I advertise in the classified section of my trade magazines. I have found the classifieds to be the best bang for your buck in terms of dollars spent and exposure.

And of course there is the obligatory yellow page ad that I have actually decreased in size over the years since most new business comes from referrals and our website.

And finally, we do advertise with postcards 2 to 3 times a year to our list of people who have purchased from us in the past.

In 27 + years in business I have tried ads in business journals, newspapers, flyers and door hangings, movie theater advertising, chamber of commerce inserts, local restaurant menus, church bulletins and more. Most of them a HUGE waste of money. Mainly because its either not my target market or they are already customers.

At that point Brian asked me ~ Heidi, How did you create and define your target market?

I have a retail florist (for more than 27 years) and learned early on that my market is generally women (except on Valentines Day when 70+ % of my customers are men). Women buy for their household, for their companies and when they are the gatekeeper, they buy for their boss. So I market mostly to women.

~ Also, do you survey your customers in order to find out HOW they found you???

We have a form next to all our telephones and computer entitled "measure your advertising effectiveness" - we ask every new customer (well, almost every customer) how they heard about us? If it was a referral we ask who referred and then send the referrer a card with $5 Daisy Dollars they can use toward a purchase. We have had some customers get as many as $50 daisy dollars in a months time and they cannot wait to redeem them.

We are not as good about asking this question when our days are nuts - but we do send everyone who uses us the first time a thank-you card and a frequent flower miles punch card.

When someone purchases from the internet we ask the same question, which person or search engine or service did they find us from (links etc.)?

The two most important questions in business - "How did you hear about us?" and "May I quote you?"

My most important business phrase - "Thank you for your business!"

So, where do you advertise?

Heidi

Heidi Richards Mooney, Leader "HER Mastermind Network"

Check out The WECAI Network™TODAY!

Chief Goddess - Eden Florist & Gift Baskets

Leah Jackman-Wheitner, Ph.D is the leader of Monday Morning Marketing on HER Mastermind Network. In February she asked us the following: If you only had an hour to use for marketing all week this week, what would you do?

And here’s what I wrote:

Leah,

What a great topic... and the funny thing is I have been thinking about it since I first saw your post!

So I wanted to come up with something that would be a little different for my hour, and I did!

Here's what happened:

Today Gina (my office manager) brought her 5 year old daughter to work - she is not feeling well and we have a "kids room" for such times. Anyway last week was her birthday and we have not yet celebrated so I thought it would be a good time to get an ice-cream cake and sing happy birthday to Angelina.

Normally I send a driver to pickup the cakes and today he was not yet back from his deliveries so I decided to go to the local Carvel and pick it up.

While there I asked Roxane (the owner) how business was. She said it was a little off from last year. So I asked if she did coupon advertising (knowing she does) and would she like to include a coupon in all our deliveries and in my business mailings to my customers. She loved the idea and said she would get the coupons together and call me when they were ready.... it get's better!

I asked if she would mind handing out my coupons for free flowers or a $5 discount (the coupon is for either or). She said absolutely! I rushed back to work and gathered the coupons, had a designer make her a vase of orchids and my driver is dropping them off as we speak. This took less than an hour so I had a few minutes to spare and thought I'd write about it here. And btw, I sent a stack of at least 200 coupons which is potentially 200 new customers! We also put a “C” on the back of each coupon so we will know where they came from.

Anyway, that's what I did with my hour!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO if you only had an hour to marketing your company this week?

Heidi

Stand up and Shout TA DA!

That's the headline on Denise Michael's Real women Real success RYZE forum every Thursday. And I love this day. You get to read about the ta-da's of some fabulous women. And it's so fitting, especially since it's Women's History Month. I don't always participate, however this week had lots of great things to report.

Here's what I wrote:

It's been a fantastic week for me!

This week Floral Management magazine came out and my shop was featured. It was a five page spread and 70% of the article focused on my practices - the topic was on Ethnic Weddings and how to attract them. My photographer was hired to do much of the photos including the cover and we had a picture too. Floral Managment is published by the Society of American Florists
(I was inducted into the American Academy of Floriculture in 1999).

In addition yesterday, Wendi from Charlie Jane Speakers let me know that I am the speaker of the Month for March on their site - you can check it out here: http://www.charlijane.com/dir_speakers.htm (gotta update my bio and picture! SMILE).

And finally we had the first day of Virtual Woman's Day today and it was a huge success! Lisa Moren Bromma our kickoff Speaker and author of "Wise Women Invest In Real Estate" shared some fabulous tips. I got one idea that saved me at least 2,000! And several that will result in a nice income.

She also gave a copy of her book to everyone who attended her session. Her session will be posted on the site next week. Anyone who goes to http://www.virtualwomansday.com and leaves a comment will get a link to her session.

There's more, however I will have to save it for next week (just in case I don't have anything else to ta da about).

See you in the HERstory books!

Heidi

Ideal Careers for Introverts

Do you cringe at the thought of networking with strangers and secretly pray to come down with the flu so you can avoid such situations? Ever feel like you’re the only person who despises working in teams or breaks into a cold sweat when giving presentations? If so, you’re in good company.

Consider the following icons: Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Katherine Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Albert Einstein. Each of them has been labeled an introvert and chances are—if you’ve ever experienced the symptoms above—you have too.

“Although introverts make up only 25 percent of the population, they make up a majority of the gifted population. Many highly successful people are thought to be introverts—even some presidents of the United States,” says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., co-author of "200 Best Jobs for Introverts" (JIST © 2008).

But what about introverts who aren’t vying for the presidency or hoping to direct an award-winning film? What do they do?

“Introverts sometimes get very frustrated working in today’s service-based economy, with so many jobs that emphasize serving the public or working in teams. Fortunately, there are plenty of good jobs that let people work by themselves and without interruption,” says Shatkin.

To read the list of occupations as some of the best jobs for introverts who want a career that complements their personality Visit MSN Careers.

Who Do You Know?

Who do you Know? The Art & Science of Asking for Referrals


“Who do you know?” A question many professionals forget to ask during the sales cycle. Sometimes it’s because they don’t remember to do it and sometimes its because they don’t feel comfortable asking, most often it is because they have not made asking for a referral a habit. A referral from a friend or business associate is a powerful way to introduce yourself to a prospective customer.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a Women Certified™ Seminar presented by Delia Passi, President of Medelia Communications and the founder of the Women Certified™ program. To say it was wonderful would be an understatement. For many reasons, two of which were getting certified and meeting other business owners and professionals who also had the desire to do so. It was a great learning experience AND networking opportunity.

During her program, Delia talked about asking for referrals and raised the question of how many of us ask for the referral DURING the sales process. A few of us raised our hands. Then she asked “how many of you ask for referrals once the transaction was complete?” And more hands were raised. There were, however about a third of the room who did not make it a habit. I thought, WOW, they are really missing out on a huge chunk of business. After all, my business is built on referrals and I learned how important it was to ask my current customers “who they know who could use my products, who has a special event coming up, anyone they know getting married that I should contact?” And so forth. All good questions to ask.

I have found that a number of professionals will thank clients for referrals once they receive them, and even reward them. I do that too. In fact, in my retail florist, whenever someone sends us a new customer, we send them Daisy Dollars. These Daisy Dollars™ can be accumulated and used toward a purchase. I designed the Daisy Dollars Rewards™ after many of the point systems merchants use to get their clients to spend more money with them.
The best way to encourage this type of referral to ASK for it!

Of course, the best times to ask for referrals are after you've finalized a sale with a new client, when a potential client has decided not to use your services, but clearly respects what you have to offer, when you follow-up with a satisfied customer several weeks or a month after the sale, and anytime you talk with someone who might know another in need of your services.There’s no time like the present When you first interact with a potential client (or they contact you) if you don’t already know the answer, ask how they heard about you. Stress that your business is built on referrals and you want to be sure and thank the person who made the introduction. Sharing this plants the seed in the new client’s mind for a referral down the line.

Ask for the referral during the buying process. Once you have established trust with the client, it is appropriate to ask for a referral. Not all prospects will turn into clients. They may not need your product or service right now, but they know someone who does. In fact, the prospect may feel bad that he cannot buy from you right now, but he knows someone who could use your service. This is a perfect time to ask.

If you do ask a new client for a referral right away, and she hesitates or feels awkward, make it easy on her by asking her for a commitment to refer someone in her circle at a later date. This will take pressure off her to act now, when she has not had time to think about it. Be sure you follow up on the commitment by calling her at a later date.

When you do follow up, make sure you reinforce the positive experience they had dealing with you as your remind them of their commitment to give you a referral(s). You can do this by saying something like: “Jane, it has been a pleasure serving you, and I look forward to working with you again in the future. By the way, when speaking to your friends about (the experience, my products, my service….) be sure and ask them to let me know that they were referred by you. I want to give them the same great service you too have come to expect.”It’s also okay to ask for multiple referrals. After someone gives you the name and contact information of one person, simply ask, "Do you know anyone else you could refer me to?" You will be amazed at how often someone will think of two or three additional referrals.

If you don’t ask, you will never know. Sometimes that’s all a satisfied customer needs to jog her memory.

Use every meeting as your opportunity to ask for a referral. Make it a natural part of your conversation.

Make it a habit to ask for a referral the way you ask for the business! Doing so will make your business soar!

BTW, at the end of the program, Delia asked for referrals from participants. I and several others in the audience went up to her afterwards and referred companies and individuals who would benefit from taking her course.

I am delighted to be a new member of the Women Certified™ program and will proudly display the Women Certified™ Seal on my websites. Be sure to check out their online course today!

Tell them Heidi sent you :)

note: in addition to founder of Medelia Communications, Delia Passi is also the author of Winning the Toughest Customer: The Essential Guide to Selling to Women which everyone receives upon completion of Women Certified™)

What's Your Plan?

"You must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about, the more you have left when anything happens." Ethel Barrymore

" What are you doing in order be the leader in your industry? What is your plan? How is it working out? What are you using to educate yourself?"

These were questions recently posted on a RYZE network to which I belong... and here are my responses:

To be a leader in my industry I have found that being a resource to others has been a huge advantage over the competition. I love meeting new people and what I am really good at is making business connections. Being a business owner in South Florida for 30 years means that I have met a lot of people, many of whom I often refer others to or refer to myself when the need arises.

My plan is to continue doing what I am doing and to find other ways to be a resource. I often attend networking events that the competition does not.

Here's what I mean: In addition to being founder of several women's organizations including the Women's eCommerce Association and Inventing Women, I have owned a retail flower shop for 27 years. In that time I have attended and joined dozens of organizations that one would think have nothing to do with flowers. For instance, many years ago a friend invited me to attend a meeting of the American Society for Training and Development as her guest. She told me how wonderful and visionary the members were and that I would enjoy it. I don't even remember the program that day, however I do remember the people. They were just as she said, and I joined on the spot! 3 1/2 years later I became president. This has happened over and over since then.

Doing this has given me the opportunity to network with people whose paths I might never cross, it has helped me grow my business and it also helped me discover things about myself I didn't know existed such as how much I love "training and teaching."

I am a firm believer that Education is the key to success and it does not have to be a formal education, it simply needs to be the willingness to learn. I look for opportunities each and every day to learn, from others, from books and from my surroundings. Attending organizations events that I might not have a direct connection to often turns into an enlightening experience. And when you do that you also have a greater understanding of how others live, work and play.





Happy Monday!





Heidi

More on Customer Service

While I don't often toot my own horn (I prefer to toot others :)) I just had to share this with you because it is a perfect example of customer service and I happen to be the subject.

It all started when an acquaintence I have known for several years called to order flowers for his Gal for Valentine's Day.

Although we had been connected via email for quite some time, this was the first time he was actually ordering something from my shop Eden Florist.

It is a powerful testimony to how important customer service is and how you never know when someone might need your product or service so staying connected is the key.

Here's the link to the article in Travel Trade Magazine entitled "Ray & Heidi (A short story about CRM, brand loyalty and cogent emarketing" by Jim Smith, CTIE - President of Market Share, Inc and Brand Congruency.

Feel free to share your customer service stories here.

Warmest regards,

Heidi Richards Mooney, Chief Goddess

Are you in Control of Customer Service?

On one of the RYZE Networks I am active on (Small Business Think Tank), the question of the day a few days ago was regarding Customer Service and how we react to bad service.

Here’s what I wrote:

It is rare that I have a bad service experience, although that was not always the case :).

In order for the experience to be pleasant for me, I consider it my job to make it pleasant for the person providing the service. I do that by working to change the server's attitude BEFORE it becomes bad. How? By checking MY Attitude beforehand and beginning with a smile. I have found when I am in a rush and seem annoyed, it is projected to the sales person and if they too are having a bad day, it just escalates the situation. You would be surprised just how much of the service equation is in our control.

I usually begin by using her or his name - why? Because most people don't. By addressing the person by name, it creates a familiarity which disarms most people from being rude. I then ask their opinion about something relative to what I want. If its dinner, I ask what they suggest or what's good on the menu, what's the most popular or even what sells out the quickest. I might even ask what they would choose? On more than one ocassion the server has said to me "Oh, I NEVER eat here!" It's a great conversation starter. And when you engage them, they are more likely to push your order through - especially when you are in a hurry.

If there is something to compliment the person about (such as her smile, his tie or another personal attribute) I do so. Maybe the person isn't having a good day because the last person they waited on just did a number on their self-esteem so I figure it's my job to balance the scales.

At the end of EVERY transaction I always say thank you for the great service and wish them a great day.

BTW, I learned a lot of these techniques from my dear friend BOB BURG, who is the author of Endless Referrals and Winning Without Intimidation. He has a wonderful newsletter of the same title which is filled with tips to make every interaction with another end on a positive note.

What's Your Experience?

Get Listed in the Who’s Who Directory of Women in eCommerce

About the Who’s Who Directory of Women in eCommerce:

The Who’s Who Directory will include women who have an online presence either in the form of a website or blog and who either promote a product or service via one of those vehicles (or you make money through affiliate sales). Your site does not have to have a shopping cart to qualify, just be one of the ways your customers and clients can find you. The information will be published online and promoted via our websites, media releases, WE Magazine for Women and our global network of women’s organizations. The main criteria for being listed: your woman-owned site/blog must be at least ONE year old. We reserve the right to exclude any sites we deem offensive in nature.

There is no cost to have a Basic Listing - Name, Company, Website URL, and Company slogan - in this directory.

For more information, visit http://www.whoswhoinecommerce.com/

Build Your Vocabulary for Success!

"Not enough people realize that it is our ability to use our language that will determine our place on the social pyramid - and that will also control, to a great extent, the amount of money we will earn during our lives." Earl Nightingale

Want people to look up to and respect you more? Become a polymath (A person of great or varied learning). Consider this: the average English-speaking person knows roughly 800 words. Do you want to be AVERAGE all your life or would you like to be known as Above Average? You can do it!

How?

By increasing your vocabulary! And it isn’t all that difficult to do. You don’t even need to go to school to become above average. Here are four simple tips that can help you increase your vocabulary by as much as 45% a year!

According to The Stevens Institute of Technology studies about what made people successful, “The best single measure of success is how a person speaks, particularly the words they used. In the simplest terms, it is your vocabulary.” (Thanks to fellow Toastmaster friend, Paul Spiewak of Reunion Friendly for sharing this with us)

Pay attention to words – when you hear a word used by someone that you don’t quite understand, try to figure out what it means by the context in which it is used.

Read – the single best way to increase your vocabulary is to read. Read books that stretch your mind in a way that you may not be used to. For my birthday, my husband gave me a great book called “A Whole New World: Why Right-brainers will rule the world.” What I appreciated about this book (in addition to confirming what I already knew about right-brain function), is that it intorduced me to new words that I was not yet familiar with. I was able to figure out the meanings of most, and those I did not know, looked up in the dictionary.

Use the Dictionary – open the dictionary to any page and choose a word you are not familiar with. That becomes your word of the day! Use it in a sentence, write it down. Commit it to memory. Repeat this process daily or at least once a week.

Subscribe to a word a day email lesson via Webster's Online Dictionary, Dictioary.com or Wordsmith.org.

Google "word of the day" and see what comes up.

Keep a journal of each new word you learn and review them once a week or monthly. Once you have used them a few times, they will become a part of your vocabulary and voila! You have substantially increased your knowledge with very little effort. Okay, maybe some effort, and doesn’t it feel good?

An ever-expanding vocabulary is sine qua non in society today!

Heidi

Get in Touch with Your Inner Skinny with Song!

Today while surfing the net, I found this great website (I was actually looking for other Heidi's for our Heidi Conference, but that's another story). Anyway, I found this great site called Skinny Songs, the brainchild of Heidi Roizen and I wanted to share it with you.

Here's what the site says: "If you’ve decided to lose weight and get in shape — and if you’ve ever sung along to a song at the top of your lungs because it really meant something to you — then SkinnySongs is made for you. "

For more information stop by http://www.skinnysongs.com/ today.

Tell her Heidi Richards Mooney sent you!