Tag Archives: professional women

Catering Business Matchmaker Dishes Up Advice

on September 2, 2010 in eWomenNetwork Foundation, Relationship Networking, Success Stories, Women in Business

Rhona Silver

Rhona Silver CaterBid.com

Rhona Silver of  CaterBid, has been in the catering business for over 40 years.  She is a trailblazer, changing an entire segment of the catering industry by identifying and filling a niche.  She transitioned from marketing to a select segment to owning the biggest catering hall in the USA.   This 150,000 square foot venue on 18 acres of land showcased events that honored Presidents, Heads of State and Governors as well as hosting trade shows and corporate events. Ms. Silver is a member of the eWomenNetwork Foundation Advisory Council.

How did you come up with the idea for CaterBid?

Several years ago, I was single and using online dating services to meet new people.  After meeting my significant other on the worldwide web, I realized that if you can find love online why couldn’t you use the internet to find a great caterer?  Together with my children, Matthew and Rebecca, we developed the idea of bringing catering into the 21st century.  And so, CaterBid.com was born!

How does Caterbid work?

CaterBid.com is a completely new way to book events, and the only way to have caterers come to you and bid for your business.  It allows you to save time and money organizing the best party at the best price and it is completely free to use.  You can use it for planning any type of party – holiday and corporate events or birthday parties and weddings.  I wish CaterBid existed back when I was a caterer!

What kinds of things should our members consider when hosting an event for their business?

Don’t be afraid to be creative and festive with your business events.  A simple thing like an invitation can set the tone for your gathering.

Consider what type of business you are in when creating the theme for your event.  For example, if you are in communications you might create an invitation shaped like a computer or a telephone.  Have your food service create opportunities for people to communicate.  Instead of doing box lunches at a one-day training, put large share-worthy portions in the middle of the table.  As the food is passed and shared, the conversation will flow.  You might have notes on the table with ice breakers to spark discussions about your business or even about the food.  Or, add a fun element like a magician or a psychic to spark conversation.

You have a successful history as a woman business owner and entrepreneur.  Reflecting on your experiences, what are the key things that you feel our readers can do to create thriving businesses in this economy?

Despite every adversity in my life, I’ve always kept in mind one inspirational quote that gives me strength to keep moving forward – “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.”  Just remember that if there is a roadblock, there is still a road on the other side.  Whether you go under, over, or around it, remember that you can and will eventually get to where you are going.

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Love and Money, How to Thrive and Survive in Tough Economic Times

on August 31, 2010 in Uncategorized

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Brenda Wade, psychologist, author, speaker and expert commentator for CNN and NBC’s Today Show. eWomenNetwork members and attendees of the 10th Anniversary eWomenNetwork Conference had the opportunity to hear Dr. Wade speak this summer.   She is the Founder of the International  Love and Money Summit which will be held in San Francisco, CA  December 9-12, 2010.

Dr Brenda Wade

Dr. Brenda Wade

Q - Dr. Wade, what did our Conference attendees share with you was their largest issue with Love and Money?

A - Entrepreneurial women want to have it all.  The problem is that they have all the stressors of running a business, maintaining relationships and raising a family in addition to the economic stresses that we all face.   Women business owners are at a higher risk for divorce.  It is possible to have it all, you just have to learn how to do it. When we learn better, we do better.

Q - Could you elaborate?  I know you base your approach on scientific studies by major university marital labs.

A - If you don’t know how to do something, it is critical to reach out to someone with the skills to help you improve.  We need to invest time and money in our relationships. We invest less money in our relationships than we do to maintain our cars!  It costs $325 billion dollars to support our current divorce rate of 51%.  This includes healthcare costs, counseling expenses, loss of productivity, extended leave, juvenile delinquency, higher crime and jail costs.  And, children of divorce are 70% more likely to end up divorced themselves.  In today’s economy, families and couples need to understand that if you want to invest in anything right now, it should be your families.

Q - It is your mission to cut divorce in half by 2015. That is an incredible challenge. What would it take to accomplish this?

A - In my latest book, 99 THINGS YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE FALLING IN LOVE, I reference research that indicates that the divorce rate should never be above 8.5%.  It has been between 50% and 51% for the last forty years.  If two-thirds of all couples did premarital counseling, it would cut the divorce rate to 17%.   If the remaining couples did marital coaching, it would cut the rate to 8.5%.

Q - You talk about four important secrets that can help you build lasting love and grow your money.  Would you share these with our readers?

A -

1. You need personal insight.  What things do you need to learn to improve your personal relationships and finances?

2.  You need skills.  Start with yourself.  Do you give yourself appreciation, admiration, affection, and acceptance?  You have to give yourself these things before you can share them with others.  And you need to withhold criticism, contempt, coldness and competitiveness from yourself and from your relationships so that they can flourish.

3.  Your next step is to create action to keep your relationship growing.  Everyone has heard, “Oh, we just grew apart.”  We need to develop ways to grow together.

4.  And the last secret is don’t accept things the way they are.

Q - What is the main take away that you hope our readers will get from this discussion?

A - Learn better and you do better.  In order to tackle these issues you need strategies, tools and daily action steps.  I look forward to talking more about these issues with eWomenNetwork members during my upcoming Success Institute Tele-Session on November 16, 2010 and at the International Love and Money Summit on December 9-12, 2010.

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The Woman Behind Careerbags Shares Strategies For Traveling Smart

on August 27, 2010 in Uncategorized, Women in Business

President of Careerbags, Inc.

Ellen Hart, President of Careerbags, Inc.

Guest Post by Ellen Hart

In these days of long airport lines, increased security and carry-on restrictions,   women travelers need be savvy to arrive at their destination ready for business.          Pre Nine-Eleven travel was already filled with delays, packed airplanes and inefficient and often surly customer service. Over the past nine years airline travel has only become more difficult as security breaches, flaws and threats occur on a regular basis. Now merely packing for a trip, whether for a quick meeting or a four-day conference is a constant challenge. Ellen Hart, president of  Careerbags shares how to de-stress your travel experience without compromising on style or your personal and professional needs. Smart traveling begins with a laptop bag or business tote that also functions as a handbag.   Mary Repke, founder of Coakley Business Class (a designer featured on www. careerbags.com) designs and manufactures laptop bags and business totes “that have a system including a clutch and easy access from outside the bag when it’s on the body.   I can easily unzip the bag without removing it from my shoulder and get cash to buy coffee, present my ID and tickets. ” This removes the frustration of setting your bag down and rifling through it. “Having one bag that you can wear and easily access necessities frees women up to simply feel and look more together,” says Repke.   Another idea is to try and find the smallest travel bag you can tolerate and challenge yourself to pack within that.

If you’re traveling more than three days consider sending a bag ahead via Federal Express or UPS. It just makes life so much easier to do that. To avoid time in security lanes put as many carry-on items as possible into Zip-lock bags for fast TSA access and scrutiny.   Take those bulky power cords and chargers and store them in Zip-lock bags in your suitcase and save room for in-flight necessities to carry in your laptop bag. You can’t use them on the plane anyway. Since removing shoes is now standard operating procedure carry thin cotton travel socks in your bag’s side pocket so you won’t have to walk barefoot through grimy security check-points.

Coakley Bag

Coakley Bag

Lightening up is what it’s all about. Boarding an aircraft and getting organized prior to taking your seat is always stressful with anxious travelers at your elbow. Organize all your immediate on-board supplies like reading material, glasses, medication, water and food in zippered cases, pouches and Ziplock bags. This way you simply grab the bags, stow your carry-on and slide into your seat in seconds. Since liquids and lotions are currently capped by the TSA at 3 ounces do take hotel amenities home. If you need a camera simply use your cell phone or a disposable.   For that “just in case my checked bag gets lost” scenario a change in underwear and a clean top can easily fit in with your laptop bag. Forget your entire day planner if you don’t use a Blackberry, Iphone or PDA. Just copy those critical pages containing necessary schedule and contact information. Consider investing in a great cashmere shawl or pashmina for traveling. It’s the perfect feel and look good travel accessory. Use it as a cozy blanket for an in-flight nap. It adds significant style to your business attire and works as an evening wrap.   Now you’re ready to travel smart.

Want more valuable information on how to measure your laptop for the perfect Careerbag?  Check out http://blog.careerbags.com! Ellen Hart the President of www.careerbags.com has been involved in designing, manufacturing and selling of laptop bags, business totes and luggage for professional women for over 18 years.  (Original post)

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Let’s Keep the Dialogue Going

on August 16, 2010 in Women in Business

Guest Post by Maria Coyne @Key4Women

Our last post elicited a bigger response than any Maria on Money post ever. Thanks to all of you from Washington, Idaho, Ohio, Maine, New York, and Oregon who shared your experiences. Let’s keep the dialogue going.

It sounds like your business situations are broad-ranging and in sync with a number of national trends (both negative and positive) —  Read More

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Stand Out & Be Juicy

on June 14, 2010 in Coaching Corner, Events

Lisa Cherney6/17/10 Tele-Insights with Lisa Cherney

Magnetize Your Marketing

to Attract Your Ideal Clients

Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to stand out in the crowd of competition. There are hundreds of businesses that sound like they offer the same services or products as you, and have the same certifications, degrees and title as you. Clients can’t tell the difference!

In this session you will learn:

  • The critical difference between a target and an Ideal Client that can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line.
  • A step-by-step method for finding the perfect words to communicate your unique approach.
  • Powerful marketing strategies that will attract tons of your Ideal Clients and fit any budget.
  • How to maximize the impact of all your marketing investments and get results fast.
  • A simple system you can use over and over to market any product, service or business you ever have!

For more information and to register: https://events.ewomennetwork.com/event/details.php?eid=13252

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