8 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Use Feng Shui for More Business

by Kathryn Weber 

One of the greatest rewards of being an entrepreneur is the ability to call the shots in your business. But, that’s also one of the greatest risks – you’re responsible for all the decisions.

Fortunately, with feng shui, you can use the principles of this ancient technique to help you draw more clients to you, create a harmonious business that attracts business, and builds a financial foundation for your life that gives you more control, greater freedom and feeling of personal achievement.

But how can you put feng shui to work as an entrepreneur? I’ve put together a list of eight ways that feng shui can help generate more flow – and that means more success and more sales for you.

1. Put money first.

When it comes to your business, money should always come first. Why? Well, because you’re in business. Emails can wait, filing can wait, but money can’t.

Write your bills every Monday and every day ask yourself if the activities you’re doing are money-generating. Busy doesn’t always equal financially productive – so do those things that are and delegate the busy work to someone else.

2. Water is wealth.

Make sure you are surrounded by financial energy and that energy’s element is water. Keep a clear, running and full fountain in your office to help keep you relaxed and stimulate business opportunities. North, the business opportunity sector, is also the direction associated with water. Adding metal here will also stimulate water energy – and that stimulates business and money from your business.

3. Have a vision.

What is your symbol of success? If you want to be the world’s best cookbook writer, then wrap some cookbooks in a cover with your name on it. Seeing is believing. Find a symbol that is meaningful for you and keep it where you can prominently see it while you work. Pick a symbol, any symbol and keep it in front of you.

4. Feng shui your website.

Yes, feng shui can even be applied to bytes and pixels! I often see businesses that have websites whose colors conflict, such as red and silver, green and beige, or green and yellow. These are color combinations that fatigue visitors – meaning the website is less sticky and more likely to be abandoned and with fewer repeat visitors.

That’s because these color combinations make your website work against itself – and that gets you nowhere. Select feng shui compatible color combinations. This would include blue, black, and white or yellow, purple, and red, or green, black, and blue. Not sure about your site? Call me for a feng shui assessment of your website to check your color combinations.

5. Open communication.

Sales depend on making it as easy as possible for the customer to reach you. Get yourself a 1-800 number, a fax number, and a land-line if you’re in business. Interestingly, when I moved from a cell phone as my primary business phone and got all the other lines installed, I began receiving many more calls. Think of it this way: no talk, no sales; more talk, more sales!

6. Get more clients.

Many “solopreneurs” have a poor filing system (if any). Make sure you have a file cabinet with a specified drawer just for client files — and keep your clients in red folders; this energizes the client and keeps them in contact with you (read: repeat customer!).

When you want more clients, have three blank folders on your desk at all times, just ready for the next one. Also, get a label maker and make a label for each new customer. The more respect you give to your customer files, the more customers you’ll have.

7. Beauty pays you.

If you’re a work at home entrepreneur, chances are you may have a less-than-inspiring work area. Invest in your office and make it attractive, organized, and functional. Having a beautiful work space is motivating and encourages creativity.

When you are surrounded by beauty and inspiring views, objects, or artwork, you are more likely to think creatively, come up with new approaches to your business, and be more productive – and that makes you more money!

8. Use the Power of One.

One is the number of opportunity and money from business in feng shui. There is probably one thing that you could do to instantly make a difference in your business. What is it? For some, it would be to create that first product, for others it would mean publishing your book, and for others it might be making sales calls. But, chances are you know the one thing that’s standing in the way of your success. Get to work on just that one thing.

You know what it is.

Do it now and put it ahead of everything else.

© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2010


Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook “Easy Money – 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui” visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant!

The Three Toxic Myths Of Scarcity

by Lora Sasiela

"The economic crisis marks a moment for women to
re-discover and embrace the concept of 'enough'."
~Lynne Twist

I adore this month's book selection for the Financially Smitten Virtual Book Salon and want to share some of the author's brilliance with you.

The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources by Lynne Twist {a global activist and fundraiser} is an inspiring exploration of the connection between m0ney and leading a fulfilling life. She asserts that by examining our attitudes toward m0ney– how we earn it, spend it, invest it, and give it away–we can gain illuminating and empowering insight into our lives, our values and the very essence of prosperity.

She shares the Three Toxic Myths of Scarcity, which provide the bedrock for most of our interactions with money:

1. There's not enough.
Lynne writes: "No matter who we are or what our circumstances, we swim in conversations about what there isn't enough of." Maybe we are sharing with others how we didn’t get enough sleep, or we struggle with an internal chorus of being "not thin enough," "not smart enough," etc. This scarcity assumption is deeply embedded in us and our culture and she begs us to see its impact and question it. She states:

 "Scarcity is a lie. Independent of any actual amount of resources, it is an unexamined and false system of assumptions, opinions, and beliefs from which we view the world as a place where we are in constant danger of having our needs unmet."

2. More is better.
Lynne talks about how in our rush for "more" we loose the ability to experience the deeper value of what we acquire or already have. It renders us less mindful and literally robs of us our true "riches." She writes: "In the mind-set of scarcity, even too much is not enough."

3. That's just the way it is.
Lynne notes that there is a resignation, a perceived powerlessness, regarding change and our ability to truly confront the root of these scarcity the assumptions, which perpetuates a sense of helplessness.

She implores us to question these toxic myths and provides many examples in her book of people--of all economic circumstances -- living from a place of "enoughness" and sufficiency... where they truly treasure and steward what they already have. She defines sufficiency as "an experience, a context we generate, a declaration, a knowing that there is enough, and that we are enough."

"Appreciation is the beating heart of sufficiency."

I'm sure that many of us can relate to her assertion that "...we mostly breeze right past the point of enough as if it's not even there." The key to letting in this experience of 'enough' is the willingness to relinquish these three toxic myths. Personally, I have found this to be a book that champions you to be a better version of yourself.

If you'd like to experience Lynn Twist's inspiring nature, click here to watch a two-minute video of her speaking about the two branches of gratitude.

Take some time to think about how these three toxic myths are influencing your behaviors and feelings about money. Contemplate these questions: Are there any places in my life where I feel enoughness? Are there places that I don't and I'd like to? What can I do to add more appreciation to those particular pockets of my existence?

And please join us for the conversation about "The Soul of Money" in the Financially Smitten Virtual Book Salon. We are telegathering on October 13th. You can reserve your virtual seat by clicking here


Lora Sasiela, Money Makeover Artist and founder of Financially Smitten, LLC, is empowering women worldwide to kiss fin.ancial heartache goodbye with her transformative fin.ancial therapy and m0ney coaching programs. To learn more about Lora, her services, and to claim your F.R.E.E Money Makeover Kit, visit www.FinanciallySmitten.com.


About the Financially Smitten Book Salon

A basic tenet of creating a wonderful relationship with money is to respect and appreciate it consistently. One simple way to do this is to make a commitment to read at least one book about money a month. Financially Smitten has made it easy and fun to do this with the Monthly Book Salon!

Each month we will read a book on money psychology, relationship with money, or personal finance and gather virtually on a conference line to explore the teachings. The Book Salons are lead by financial therapist and money coach Lora Sasiela. These guided discussions will:

•      highlight the most powerful take-aways from each book
•      provide an opportunity for Salon members to share their thoughts and reactions
•      broaden your knowledge base of the nuances and dynamics inherent in managing a successful relationship with money
•      help you apply this new knowledge to improve YOUR relationship with money

Each month will be a lively and educational discussion! Please join us! For more information and to register, click here.

How to Pick the Best Funding for Your Start Up

by Shannon Suetos

Companies need a few different things in order to grow. One of the most important things any company needs is money. Without money, there is no possibility to buy the things you need such as copier machines, office space and more. This is when you will want to turn to venture capital investors to get the money you need to grow.

There are a few things to consider before approaching a company for venture capital. By following a few simple rules, you will choose an investor who will understand what your company is trying to accomplish. You will also stand a better chance of getting the money that you need. You may even find along the way that you will get advice to help you to focus your business plan so that you will be able to find an investor. Following these ideals will help to make sure you not only get the digital copiers your business needs, you will get so much more.

Look for Investors Who Know You

Well, maybe the investors will not know your company personally, but they understand your industry and they know a good gamble when they see one. They will be able to see your business plan and know whether you have a winner or a loser of an idea. This will help to give them all of the information that they need in order to make a decision.


You can find these kinds of investors by looking at investors which have invested Venture Capital in other businesses in your industry in the past. They will not only be receptive to your request for a meeting. If you have made enough noise, they may actually know about your business and your potential.

Network Your Business

The different professional networks like LinkedIn and others will help you to discover those who are important investors in your market. The more you develop your own profile on these websites, the more you will be able to gain the attention of those you are looking to tap for an investment. You can even float questions which ask them to simply take a look at your plan and give you advice. Many will take the opportunity to help you focus your plan as well as point you in the direction of the investor who will be best for you.

Getting to Know the Investor

Venture Capitalist investors are looking for companies which will make them money. Their ability to make money is not based on a loan where they make back interest. Instead, they are tied in with your success. If they do not get what it is you are trying to do, they will not understand how it is that you will be successful. This is not only why you look for those who have invested in your kind of industry before.

If you have a business model which is slightly different or you are looking to turn the industry on its ear, you want an investor who enjoys a challenge. They will enjoy your gumption and will be willing to help you to succeed.

Shannon Suetos is a writer based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as phone systems & voip service at Resource Nation.

How To Make "Meantime Money" to Support You As You Grow Your New Business!

by Mariana M. Cooper

Sometimes we have a passion that we love but don't have enough skill or enough clients to make a living yet.

When that is the case we need to identify 2 things:

1. Our ultimate Desire for our business and creating a training plan to getgood enough to sell it.

2. A secondary skill that we can use to make money NOW that is in the ARENA of where we ultimately want to be!!

This is key. The time that you spend when not working on cultivating your passion to make it business worthy, must be spent doing something you are qualified to do within the field of where you are going.

If you are terrific at accounting but want to be an interior designer start doing accounting for interior design firms.

That way you are getting paid to be learning the field as you go. Meeting people in the field and learning about what it really takes to operate the business end of your passion. In this case your "transferable skill" is accounting. It can be transferred to any industry.

I did this when I wanted to be a film producer but wasn't quite educated enough to make a living at it. I was working for a major telecomm company at the time as a marketing consultant in the sponsorship and promotions department doing entertainment marketing.

One day a film producer came in seeking sponsorship for a film festival on Martha's Vineyard. We sponsored the event and I got VIP treatment and met several big film contacts, one of which financed my first film!

So earning meantime money at something you are passionate about is very possible!

Your Marketing Step:

1. Take an inventory of your best skills that you know you can make money at.

2. Now list how you can transfer them into the industry that you are passionate about working in.

3. Contact firms/ businesses that make sense and offer your services.

4. Take note of contacts, procedures and policies that you would want to implement when you have your ultimate business up and running.

Your Manifesting Step:

1. As a special power booster take 60 seconds to close your eyes and breath. Make the statement: "Please bring me the best situation possible and make it known to me now!"

2. Take note of insights that you get throughout your day. Just 60 secs of focused attention will start the ideas flowing and great insight will begin to flow synchronistically for you.

Combine the Marketing and the Manifesting Steps and the AHA! Moments will not be far behind!

And Remember to Always Trust your Aha!


Author: Mariana M. Cooper, Aha! Moments, Inc. Intuition Expert and Mentor. For more information, products and services go to: www.trustyourahamoments.com

How Do You Survive the Pay Check Roller Coaster?

by Miata Edoga

Some of us like a good roller coaster ride. That feeling in your stomach as you look down the big hill.  The realization that you're voluntarily about to do something really, really stupid. It gives you a rush unlike many others.

I don't think anyone wants that exciting, seat of your pants rush with your pay check.

Sadly, roller coaster income seems to come with the territory for many of us. How do you control your income stream when it's difficult to predict what money is going to come in next week? How do you maintain a budget when you aren't sure what the next pay day will bring?

Much like quality acting demands discipline and preparation to create a performance that appears spontaneous, maintaining your sanity with gyrating income requires you to perform a few steps so that your money can work on autopilot. With your money system in place, you'll be better able to ride the ups and downs of pay days without having that pit in your stomach that the rent is due and you're not sure where the money is going to come from.

Here are the basics:

Step #1: Set up a business bank account that's difficult to reach.

You should be able to place money INTO the account easily, but our goal is to set up an account where withdrawals aren't easy. Cut up the ATM card for this account. All of your deposits should go into this account when you're paid. Don't hold back money from this account for "just in case" or "a little extra for me." You'll need the discipline to treat your career as a business for your financial system to work.

Step #2: If you haven't already, calculate how much you need to live each month.

We discussed briefly how to do this in our last two blog posts.

Step #3: Create an automatic transfer.

Now you want to set up a transfer of funds from your new business bank account every couple weeks to your personal account. The bank can help you set this up easily, and you may be able to do this with online banking. This is your "pay check" to yourself from your business. If you can't maintain your entire budget from this income stream--or if you empty the account too quickly--find ways to cut expenses and slow the stream so that funds consistently remain in the business account to sustain you during lean months.

Initially, it's important to make your transfers from the business account to your personal spending account small enough that the business account grows. Here's why:  you're going to have months when money isn't pouring in as quickly, and you're going to need this reserve to meet your basic expenses. This system works because you're able to calculate a minimum amount of money to transfer each month and stick to it. Regardless of this month's work schedule you'll be able to plan your groceries, rent, transportation, and other costs. Because you know how much you're going to be able to live on this month, that's one less roller coaster ride your stomach will endure this month. Now if we can do something about the casting call roller coaster....

That's the basic system. Easy, isn't it? Using a few steps you've successfully set up a program that allows you to:

    * Focus on your craft rather than on the next check. Although money is important, you have to be able to accept projects which are fulfilling or help you gain credibility for higher-paying jobs in the future.

    * Autopilot your financial picture. You'll want to review your automatic deposits and your expenses periodically, but by knowing how much you're depositing in your personal account each month, you'll avoid running to the bank to see how much you can afford for dinner.

In our next article we'll discuss how to look for a good bank account, but don't let that stop you from starting. Get moving now on your financial plan!

©2010 Abundance Bound, Inc.

Abundance Bound was created to support actors, artists and creative professionals in the development of financial stability and independence. To learn how to begin the journey towards prosperity, register for the free resources available at www.AbundanceBound.com

Women Entrepreneurs the Secrets of Success for Thursday, August 19th

Bridget Bardge

Ms. Bardge is a successful entrepreneur with nearly 10 years experience in the insurance industry. In 2006 her uncle lost his battle to Cancer and he didn't have life insurance!

While coping with the grief of losing a beloved uncle; family members had to divide the costs of the funeral and provide for the children left behind. This event propelled Bridget to pursue a career as an Insurance Broker to offer other families protection and wealth growth opportunities. She hopes to save other families from financial ruin while trying to cope with the loss of a loved one.Bridget shares her insights on how people can manage their money and take charge of their financial future. Learn more about her services at: http://www.njfamilyinsuranceagency.info/


8:00 pm EDT
Listen to the live or archived show at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachDeb

Grabbing the Reins

by Miata Edoga

You've decided it's time to take control of your money. Bills keep piling up, creditors incessantly call, and now you know it's time to start. Sound familiar? You aren't alone. Over fifty percent of Americans have some credit card debt. The housing crisis still isn't over. The unemployment percentage hovers around double-digits. Many of us need to grab the reins and find a plan.

Where to begin, though? How do you start turning pennies into dollars, and dollars into ten dollar bills?  Here's step number one:

Let's get the word out the the way.  The dirty "b" word.

Budget.

Yuck. A budget feels like work, doesn't it? It's nails on the chalkboard. It's the singer missing the high note. A budget seems like hours sitting over a spreadsheet, tracking every box of macaroni and cheese, every stick of gum, every coffee.

No thanks.

I don't like that type of budget either, so let's change the terminology. You need to change the language to change the behavior. I'll propose a new approach. We should start with the job you're trying to complete. You're trying to practice well with your money so you have funds when you need it. We should use a phrase that conjures up the image of taking control, practicing great habits, and achieving your dream.

Instead of a budget, let's talk about a money plan.

Much like a play well performed or a song well played, I like the practice that makes a money plan perfect. Simply put, a good money plan creates successful money performance. It creates the standing ovation from your wallet that you're looking for when you practice and perform well.  There isn't room here to detail the entire plan, but here are some important steps:

1) Write out how much money you earn in a month. Be conservative. You'll need to be able to live through those tough months when money isn't coming in.

2) List the expenses you can't live without. Financial planners call these "committed expenses."  We'll call them rent or mortgage, basic groceries, utilities, and costs associated with your work, among others.

3) Now write those expenses you can live without, but currently enjoy. Financial planners call these "discretionary expenses," but we'll just call them gifts, cable television, eating out, and other "lifestyle" expenses.

Now here's the fun part. Before we subtract your expenses from income, it makes sense to see if either of these areas can be improved, doesn't it? Here are some questions to ask yourself, to see if you may be able to save some money.

1) Are there ways to improve my income? I never know the answer when I ask a client this question, but, surprisingly, nearly everyone says "yes, I can." Everyone has a variety of thoughts on how they could earn more money. But before grabbing the first income-generating opportunity, ask yourself a more important question: "Is the way I earn more money going to detract from my artistic potential?" If so, search harder for ways to earn dollars that are congruent with your life goals. Don't create a money plan which is detrimental to your life plan.

2) Are there ways to lower my expenses? Most people begin by cutting discretionary expenses, such as coffee or ice-cream. Generally, this isn't the first place professionals look, because although there might be a few opportunities to save a dollar here, the large savings is nearly always in the committed expenses area.  Can you somehow change your rent or mortgage situation? Are there opportunities to lower utility expenses? Do you need both the land line and cell phone? How often do you watch cable television? Comb through each expense and ask yourself if there is a method to lower some costs without damaging your lifestyle.

Once you've examined both income and expenses it's time to do some basic math. Subtract your expenses from your income. Hopefully, there's money left over. If not, it's time to really sharpen the pencil and ask hard questions about income and expenses. If so, you're well on your way to working your money plan. Stay tuned to our website for that topic in a couple weeks!

©2010 Abundance Bound, Inc.

Abundance Bound was created to support actors, artists and creative professionals in the development of financial stability and independence. To learn how to begin the journey towards prosperity, register for the free resources available at www.AbundanceBound.com

"Women Entrepreneurs - The Secrets of Success" for Wednesday, July 28th

Lora Sasiela

Lora Sasiela of Financially Smitten, LLC is a financial therapist and money coach who specializes in empowering women to kiss their financial heartache goodbye so they can love their money and love their life.

Lora offers private and group-coaching services, both in person at her office in Manhattan as well as to clients outside of NYC via phone. She also holds live workshops entitled How To Romance Your Money...and make sure the honeymoon never ends! which lay the foundation for her proven tools and techniques to become clear, confident, and conscious when it comes to dealing with any and all financial matters. Lora enjoys speaking to a variety of women's groups, mom's groups, as well as professional organizations.

Prior to founding Financially Smitten, Lora maintained a private psychotherapy practice in Manhattan for over 14 years, with a specialization in working with women to heal eating and body image issues. As she moved into doing more of the money coaching and financial therapy work, she came to see that much of the skill set and experience she had developed in helping women come to a place of peace and empowerment in their relationship to food and their bodies was able to be leveraged in helping women release the shame, isolation and fear surrounding money.

Lora is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a Masters of Social Work from New York University. She has completed a variety of postgraduate certificate programs including The Women's Therapy Centre Institute, the National Institute of the Psychotherapies, and the New Hope Guild. She was also awarded a fellowship at New York University's Psychoanalytic Institute. Lora has studied with pioneers in the money psychology field such as Olivia Mellan and Barbara Stanny, and taken courses at the Financial Recovery Institute and the Women's Earning Institute.

Lora publishes a celebrated newsletter, The Flirting with Finance Diaries. Financially Smitten, LLC maintains a vibrant and informative website. Each month, people from almost 70 different countries visit the site at www.FinanciallySmitten.com. Lora maintains the Financially Smitten blog hosted on the site, and regularly updates the comprehensive free resources section.

12:00 pm EDT
Listen to the live or archived show at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/CoachDeb

Are you a victim of the “6 Figure Myth”?

by Sandra P. Martini



Have you fallen victim to the “6 Figure Myth”? You know, the myth that so many gurus perpetuate which implies that once you “break through” (sounds hard!) to 6 Figures, all will be well:


• You’ll pay off your mortgage or invest in a bigger home
• You’ll convert those 6 Figures to millions while working 4 hours a week
• You’ll want, and get, a pair of Jimmy Choos for every outfit

You get the idea.

Fact is, it’s a myth. All of it.

I see so many business owners who reach and exceed the 6 Figure mark, only to be “making” less than when they were “under 6 Figures”. In fact, many of them have negative profits – yep, they made over $100,000 in revenue and had less than nothing left at the end of the year.

It’s not about revenue, it’s about profit.

Say it out loud. . . It’s not the revenue. It’s the profit.

As a business owner, there’s one number which matters more than any other – PROFIT. It matters more than revenue, more than list size, more than ezine open rate, more than Twitter or Facebook friends.

At the end of the day, how much money are you keeping?

Making It Real: My Request To You

As a conscious business owner, you may be shaking your head believing it’s not all about the profit, it’s about the impact you’re making.

Absolutely. . .the impact is important; crucial in fact when it comes to feeding your soul. However, without the profit, you can’t stay in business and if you can’t stay in business, it’s a lot harder to make a substantive impact.

Here are a few simple-to-implement ways to keep your eye on the bottom line as you reach for the stars:

1. Stay focused on the money by tracking how much you’re bringing in each DAY
2. Schedule a “Marketing and Money” meeting with yourself each week where you track key metrics such as revenue, profit, unique website visitors, ezine conversion, open rate, etc.
3. When creating new programs, products and services, know what your profit will be BEFORE you launch them.

By focusing strategically on both the marketing AND finances of your business, you can start increasing profits today, regardless of whether you’re currently making 6 figures, are a motivated 5-figure business or just starting out!

It’s about optimizing as much as it’s about creating. :-)

Sandra Martini is an award-winning marketing and productivity consultant who helps entrepreneurs create and implement the systems to achieve their visions, with services such as coaching, client systems development, consulting and Team Sandy Done 4 You Online Business Marketing & Management as well as a variety of informational products. For more business building strategies and to get your free audio series “5 Simple & Easy Ways to Put Your Marketing on Autopilot”, visit Sandy’s site at http://www.SandraMartini.com today

© 2002-2010 Sandra P. Martini. All Rights Reserved

Expand Your Prosperity Consciousness

by Jack Canfield

Understanding the relationship among consciousness, action, and prosperity is crucial to your success.

In my seminars I sometimes stand in front of the room and hold up a $100 bill, state that I’m wiling to give it away, and ask if anyone would like to have it.

Usually lots of people raise their hand – and do nothing else. I keep waiving the dollar bill until someone finally jumps out of his or her chair, walks or runs all the way up to the stage and reaches up to take the bill.

There are two lessons here. One is that money goes to the person who takes the necessary action. The other is that a certain state of consciousness makes it possible to take action – or to avoid it.

When I ask people what kept them from walking up to the front of the room to claim the money, I always get the same answers: they felt shy. They worried about what other people would think. They thought it was a trick. Those answers come from a consciousness dominated by fear, scarcity, and cynicism.

The same forces can operate in our daily lives. In each moment we either feed those forces – or replace them with something better. Following are some essential ways to expand your prosperity consciousness and claim the wealth you deserve.

Monitor Your Conversations

We swim in a sea of conversation. Every time you attend a meeting, make a phone call, or send an email, you start up a conversation. Whenever you listen to an audio recording or pick up a book, you start a conversation with an author. And whenever you write in your journal or just a take a few minutes to sit and think, you start a conversation with yourself.

Consider the combined effect of those conversations. My friend Jim Rohn liked to say that we are the average of the five people with whom we spend the most time. The quality of our conversations creates the quality of our lives.

Who are the five people that dominate the “conversation space” in your life? What did you talk about the last time you saw each person? And did that conversation build up your prosperity consciousness or tear it down?

Stay in Prosperity Conversations

Make it a point to drop out of the “aint it awful” club – toxic conversations with people who dwell on resentments or complaints. Instead, get engaged in conversations that support your path to prosperity.

For example, spend more time with the people who are already doing the kind of work you want to do. Ask them how they entered the field and what it takes to succeed.

In addition, read at least one book per week. Focus on uplifting stories and biographies of successful people. Read more and learn ways to build your skills at managing money, raising happy children, creating loving relationships, and maintaining your health. Feed your prosperity consciousness with a constant stream of useful, positive ideas.

Keep Catching Your Dream

Have you ever shared your dream with someone who then doubted your ability to achieve it? This happened to Mark Victor Hansen and me during a conversation with the publisher of Chicken Soup for the Soul. We asked him how many copies of the book we should expect to sell. The publisher said that we’d be lucky to sell 20,000 copies.

Believe me, that was NOT our dream! Our goal was to sell 150,000 copies in six months and 1.5 million in 18 months. Our publisher just laughed out loud and said it was impossible.

We ended up selling 135,000 copies in six months and 1.3 million in 18 months. We didn’t quite meet our initial goals, yet we sold much more than our publisher estimated. That first book went on to sell over eight million copies in America and 10 million copies around the world.

Whenever you have a dream-killing conversation, you have two options. Give up your dream or return to your original intention with even more energy and commitment. Focusing on your original intention sends an urgent message to your mind: I am going to persist until my dream manifests. Starting right now!

Support this deeper level of intention with affirmations, such as:

• I always attract the perfect people to work with me.
• No matter what is going on in the economy, I attract people I can help – and who can help me.
• Our customer base is expanding.
• Repeat business and referrals keep coming my way.
• Then add supporting visualizations. See yourself holding bigger paychecks, rent checks, or royalty checks in your hands. Visualize people handing you cash.

Give Back

Round out these images with visions of sharing the wealth. Many of the world’s wealthiest people are dedicated tithers, meaning they give 10 percent of their income to charitable organizations.

Visualize yourself doing the same thing. Those who give also receive, and service always comes back multiplied.

© 2010 Jack Canfield
* * *
Are you "stuck" in this area?

If you'd like me to personally help you clarify your vision for the year, align your goals with your purpose, and develop a detailed action plan to turn your dream into reality...
www.TheSuccessPrinciplesWorkshop.com

* * *
Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Business Planning and Funding for the Start Up

by Shannon Suetos

When starting a business there are a few initial steps you need to take, such as writing a business plan, how to get financial backing and so on. If you didn’t take many business classes, or marketing courses you may not know exactly how to get started with everything.

Business Plan

Writing a business plan can help you organize your business early on, not to mention help you get capital. If you aren’t sure how to write your business plan, there are many services you can take advantage of. You can find templates starting at around $10 and you could spend up to $5000, depending on what you need done.

Even with the initial sticker shock, investing in your business plan can yield a positive ROI. Your business plan is what investors are going to want to read, and it needs to be laid out well, and have specific information.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to answer this question, “how will you make your investor money?” Once you answer that question, the rest should fall into place. “I will be able to make money because of A, B and C—I will do this by XYZ.” Avoid using a lot of buzz words—instead be straight forward, and get to the point.

Location

According to CNN Small Business, the top ten best cities to start a business are:

1. Oklahoma City, OK
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Raleigh, NC
4. Houston, TX
5. Hartford, CT
6. Washington, DC
7. Charlotte, NC
8. Austin, TX
9. New York City, NY
10. Baltimore, MD

CNN goes on to report, the best cities to get capital from banks are:

1. Salt Lake City, UT
2. Minneapolis, MN
3. Milwaukee, WI
4. Los Angeles, CA
5. Chicago, IL
6. Dallas, TX
7. Detroit, MI
8. Columbus, OH
9. Boston, Ma
10. Newark, NJ

If you aren’t fortunate enough to live in one of these cities, there are still plenty of viable options to choose from other than bank lending. Such as angle investors and VC loans.

Gaining Capital

Angle investors are a great place to start for the new entrepreneur. There are now social networking sites that help you connect directly with angle investors.
FundingUniverse

This site helps connect entrepreneurs to the right lending source based on their future company’s needs.
Gaebler

This site has a state by state run down of angle investors.
Go4Funding

Similar to FundingUniverse, this site connects people to the right kind of investors.
These are just three of many sites you can find by doing a quick search on Google. The SBA is also a great resource for new entrepreneurs for business plan writing, all legal documents you may need, and how to find investors.

Shannon Suetos is an expert on lead generation writer based in San Diego, California. She writes extensively for an online resource that provides expert advice on purchasing and outsourcing decisions for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as telephone answering systems at Resource Nation.

New Course: 50 Reasons Why You Haven't Made Your First Million

Presented by Ali Brown and Anne McKevitt

"50 Reasons Why You Haven't Made Your First Million...Yet:
Life-changing advice to redirect your financial destiny"
8-Week Telecourse with Anne McKevitt
May 11 - June 29, 2010
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*How your vision AND your habits shape your future -- and step-by-step strategies for creating the right habits to fast-forward your business and personal success


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How to Get Results from Your Product Launches

Were you on Ali Brown's call last week where she shared her proven secrets about how to successfully launch a product, program, or event every time?

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"How to Attract Affluent Clients"

by Ali Brown

Everyone wants to attract affluent clients for their business – why not sell to those who have the money to spend? But not everyone knows how to gain these clients successfully. Moving from a general clientele to a wealthier client base requires a shift in your mindset, but it's a shift that can pay off tremendously for you and your business. Here are a few basic tips on how to appeal to affluent customers.

Look the part and be confident. Before you approach affluent clients, you'll want to review all your marketing materials and website to ensure that it portrays you and your business as a high-caliber enterprise. No business cards on cheap, flimsy paper. No cheesy clip art. Put your best foot forward so you'll look and feel confident. That also means how you personally look and feel too! Is it time to update your wardrobe? The last thing you want when you're rubbing elbows with wealthy prospects is to appear needy or insecure, so don't gush or oversell yourself. And never show signs of intimidation. Even if that feeling creeps in on occasion, keep a brave face.

Build your network. Wealthy customers tend to buy from people they know or businesses that have been recommended to them. So, get out there and start planting the seed by attending charity dinners, golf tournaments, and the like. Chatting with people and being seen at these types of events will build your trust and credibility. Think of networking as a long-term investment, rather than a short-term project. You may not see results immediately, but it can pay off months or even years into the future.

Give them the VIP treatment. The kind of clients who are willing to pay top dollar are used to being treated extremely well. The Algonquin Hotel in New York City is legendary for noting each guests' preferences so the staff can make sure that the room is exactly to the guests' liking the next time they visit. Do your research so you can customize your interactions to that client. When you're talking to an affluent client, they should feel as if they're your first priority. They should never feel rushed to finish a transaction or pressured to sign on the dotted line. Instead, ask how you can meet their needs and listen for clues.

Make it about value, not about price. Wealthy customers don't check the price tag before they try on that gorgeous, hand-embroidered dress. Their eyes don't hover over the menu prices at that exclusive oceanfront restaurant. They buy or order want they want, because of the beauty, enjoyment, or other value it brings to their life. They have high standards, but appealing to their desire to save money or using the hard sell just won't work. Instead, demonstrate the value that your product or service offers. Create a narrative about the positive feelings it will create. Price should be secondary to the product, but once you start talking dollars and cents, a higher price point can actually be attractive because it reinforces the idea that yours is a higher quality product or service.

The best part: Once you've built relationships with clients of this caliber, you'll find that you're able to charge more and work less because you have fewer client relationships to manage. Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way.

© 2010 Ali International

Self-made multimillionaire entrepreneur and Inc. 500 CEO Ali Brown is devoted to creating financial freedom for women globally through the power of entrepreneurship. To learn how to create wealth and live an extraordinary life now, register for her free weekly articles at www.AliBrown.com