Once again we had the opportunity to try some more products from Diane @ Brya's Baskets! We received some handmade scented bath salt samples from Diane and we are once again elated! When Diane informed me that she creates these handmade scented bath salts herself, I was immediately impressed! I wouldn't even begin to know where to start with creating something like bath salts!
When we received the handmade scented bath salt samples, I opened up the package and was immediately greeted with the most amazing yummy scents!! My daughter and I tried out some of the samples and quickly decided that our two favorites are the birthday cake bath salts & the raspberry truffles bath salts! The scented bath salts truly smelled like their name. How clever! : )
When I got out of the bath, after using the handmade scented bath salts, I noticed that my skin was left with a luxurious silky feel. Not a film... I truly had a silky beautiful feeling to my skin! Almost like it had been moisturized somehow!?! When my husband came home from work... he kissed me and instantly he asked me if I had been baking. I giggled and said no... he bent closer and he told me that I smelled so yummy and immediately wanted to know what it was that he was smelling. I told him about Diane's handmade scented bath salts and he was impressed. He then also agreed that my skin did have a silky smooth luxurious feeling to it. He was so enthralled with the smell... that I decided I better bake him some cuppie cakes. : )
I am very impressed with Diane's quality products, speed in shipment, & her outstanding customer service! Brya's Baskets offers a huge variety of specialty gift baskets, fun & creative baby clothing gift products, handmade scented soaps, handmade scented bath salts, and so much more! Tell her that Lisa sent you!
Product Review Grade: 100% Satisfaction
CLICK HERE To See More Great Product Reviews!
Brya's Baskets - Handmade Scented Bath Salts
It's A Woman's Bag - Wallet
JoAnn @ It's A Woman's Bag needed some help submitting her website to the search engines. After I was done, JoAnn so graciously offered me a wallet for my help and services. She gave me a choice of any wallet and while it was very difficult to pick which one I wanted... I finally made my pick.
When I received the wallet I was beyond thrilled! The wallet had 1 ID slot, 9 card slots, a zippered coin pocket, checkbook separator, and 2 full length pockets and even came with a removable matching checkbook cover!
I am the type of person who takes the kitchen sink with me when I go some where... so imagine my surprise to see a wallet so slender... with so much room for all the things I carry! I have everything I had in my big clunky old wallet... in my new slim wallet and it's not bulging and it closes perfectly! What a great product!
I am very impressed with JoAnn's quality products, speed in shipment, & her outstanding customer service! For those who don't know... It's A Woman's Bag offers handbags in a variety of colors, sizes, textures & designs at discount prices! Tell her that Lisa sent you!
Product Review Grade: 100% Satisfaction
CLICK HERE To See More Great Product Reviews!
Happy Thanksgiving To All
We wanted to send out a heart felt "Happy Thanksgiving" to all of our clients, past clients, blog followers, blog readers, savvy group members, family, and friends! We love & appreciate all of you and we wish you many blessings and much happiness on this and every Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Recupe Fashion Blog
Recupe Fashion Blog offers a little bit of everything from spa bath sets, tea wallets, silk tie purses, creative jewelry, beanie teddies & much more all made out of recycled items!
~ VIEW THIS BLOG ~
Name Brya's Baskets New Soap Contest
Brya's Baskets is having a "Name My New Soap Contest"!
The "Name My New Soap" contest ends 12/17, and the drawing will be 12/18! The winner will receive a small Spa Basket filled with 100% natural bath products! The basket will ship so the recipient will receive it before Christmas.
Here are the ingredients of the new soap:
Brya's Baskets' new soap is made with Coconut, Avacodo & Palm Oils, Eucalyptus, Rosemary & Lemongrass essential oils, and Sea Salt.
Email info@bryasbaskets.com with your soap name.
Enter the contest today to win!!!
Work At Home Resources
Would you like to work at home, but you are not sure how to make it happen or where to go to make it a reality? If so, please take a look at all of these family friendly companies that would love to have you on their team! Please be sure to tell them that Lisa sent you!
Independent Scentsy Consultant
Scentsy is a flameless wickless candle company that has literally taken the world by
storm! Scentsy offers electric warmers, bar waxes, room sprays, plugins, car candles,
travel tins, & so much more! Jodi @ Safe Candle always has openings for those who want to join Scentsy!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Glitzyglo's Gold Party Consultant
Glitzyglo's Gold Party is a gold purchasing company that has really taken off & is spreading like wild fire! Glitzyglo's Gold Party offers money for your unwanted, mismatched, or broken gold jewelry! Danyelle @ Glitzyglo's Gold Party always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Shaklee Distributor
Shaklee is a wellness company that offers quality supplements, natural skin care & mineral makeup, nontoxic cleaners, baby products, & so much more! Shaklee has been going strong for over 54 years! Barb @ Health & Harmony is dedicated in helping others with their overall wellness: spiritual, physical & mental & always has openings for those who want to join Shaklee!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Gourmet Cupboard Distributor
Gourmet Cupboard is a gourmet food company that offers wide selection of quality home made quick & easy gourmet coffees, soups, meals, breads, desserts, dips, spices, & more. Their mixes make cooking easy and super fun! Teri @ The Panhandle Pantry always has openings for those who want to join! Only the finest gourmet ingredients goes into their mixes!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Herbalife Distributor
Herbalife is a premier nutrition and weight-management company. Herbalife offers life-changing products and an unparalleled business opportunity. Herbalife offers weight management products, energy & fitness products, personal care products, targeted nutrition products, & so much more! Herbalife has become a world-class company with over 1.9 million distributors.
Domonique @ Kess Informant has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Uppercase Living Demonstrator
Uppercase Living offers beautiful expressions, striking images, and charming embellishments to find just what you need to turn your home into a reflection of you. No matter what room of your home needs distinction, we have something you will love. Uppercase Living® offers an exciting opportunity for our independent representatives we call Demonstrators. Whether you are looking for a flexible, full-time career or looking to supplement your income in your spare time, Uppercase Living may be your answer. Julie always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Kat's Coffees Distributor
Kat's Coffees is a gourmet food company that offers wide selection of quality home made quick & easy gourmet flavored coffees, soups, meals, milkshakes, breads, desserts, dips, scones, cookie mixes, rice mixes, teas, & more. Renee has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent My Purse Party Consultant
My Purse Party offers stylish hand bags and accessories. If you love handbags, then this is the business for you. At My Purse Party, you can start your own online purse business with no start up cost. Maureen always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Letters By Design Distributor
Letters By Design offers Stationery Journals, Note Cards, Note Pads, Personalized Stamps, Gifts, Kid Stuff, Gifts and Decor, Scripture Journals, Stationery Sets, Magnetic Note Pads, Gift Certficates, & so much more! The products are beautiful and the prices are very reasonable. The products practically sell themselves. Maureen always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Katie Newman Gifts and Home Distributor
Katie Newman Gifts and Home offers chic and unique gifts for any occasion, trendy accessories and fabulous home and garden decor at prices that will tickle you PINK!! The products are beautiful and the prices are very reasonable. Maureen has openings
for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Teaporia Distributor
Teaporia offers tea accessories, tea pots, baking mixes, scones, cookie cutters, recipes, & kids tea products that you are sure to love! Maureen
always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Fuller Brush Distributor
Fuller Brush has offered superior cleaning products for over a century.
From the beginning, Fuller established three basic rules: Make it work,
Make it last, & Guarantee it no matter what. Today, over a century later,
these words still guide The Fuller Brush Company. Paula has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
Please be sure to enter Paula's ID# 0654382 as your sponsor.!
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Independent Liv International Distributor
Liv International was built on the foundation of sound scientific and
nutritional principles. At Liv International, you get paid fast, get paid
often, and get paid a lot. Not only will you feel better... you will look
better! Liv International pays 50% on all product volume. No gimmicks.
No breakage. Just money in your wallet.
Debbie has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent AdvoCare® Distributor
AdvoCare® is a world-class nutrition company specializing in health and wellness,
weight management, vibrant energy and sports performance. AdvoCare® offers products
that are formulated by an elite Scientific and Medical Advisory Board with over 200
years combined experience in pharmacology, toxicology, nutrition, sports performance
and pediatrics. Nicolle has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Just Jewelry Consultant
The Just Jewelry company has been around for about 7 1/2 years and already have over
1,000 consultants all over the US. Just Jewelry offers unique fashion jewelry at an
exceptional price. Judy has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Purse Party Inc. Consultant
Purse Party Inc. is a direct selling party plan company providing its consumers with
trendy fashion accessories as well as business opportunities. Purse Party offers the
latest trends in handbags and accessories through home parties. Judy has openings
for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Wyzant In-Home Tutoring Service
Wyzant In-Home Tutoring Service offers affordable private tutoring for all ages - from kindergarten through adult. Tutoring can be a great way to supplement your income and give back to your community. WyzAnt tutoring jobs provide you with the flexibility to pick among different opportunities, set your own schedule, and determine your own rate for each lesson! Please make sure that you tell Wyzant In-Home Tutoring Service that Heidi sent you!
Click here for more information!
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Barefoot Books Ambassador
As a Barefoot Books Ambassador, you’ll have the opportunity to share our beautiful books and gifts with your neighbors, friends and others in your community. You can work the schedule that’s right for you and live Barefoot the way that suits you best. Heidi has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent World Ventures Representative
Become an Independent Representative with World Ventures and earn a living talking about and taking vacations. We offer a wholesale travel club Dreamtrips and the opportunity to purchase your own travel site. Denise has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Arbonne Consultant
Join Arbonne today to enjoy the Arbonne products at a discount, build a business or share with family and friends. The system is easy to follow and implement as an Arbonne Independent Consultant. Identify where you see yourself with Arbonne and take advantage of all Arbonne has to offer you. Denise has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Norwex Distributor
Norwex offers a collection of cloths, mops, dusting mits, & more that allow you to clean with just water and removes 99.9% of bacteria. Make your house clean and safe for your entire family! Norwex personal products provides you with an organic, natural way to stay clean, while Norwex household cleaners are made with raw materials, are biodegradable, and safe. Cynthia has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Cookie Lee Jewelry Consultant
Cookie Lee jewelry sells fun, fashionable, affordable jewelry. Everything is priced
between $14-$48. There are different startup costs options and each consultant gets
tons of support and if you sign up in November you will get up to $300 in FREE jewelry. Andrea has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Reaching Our Dreams Distributor
Reaching Our Dreams is a health and wellness company. Reaching Our Dreams are committed to helping others to have financial and physical wellness through this affordable business opportunity. Rachel has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent EclipseSpa Distributor
Eclipsespa candles are hand-poured using 100% pure soy wax. Eclipsespa candles doesn't use any additives or dyes in their candles and use only the highest grade of pure essential oils or phthalate-free fragrances. There are many products
to choose from. Edna has openings for those who want to join! If you decide to sign
up please put my name Edna Dinsmore in the fax box.
Click here for more information!
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Independent Party Plan Divas Consultants
Party Plan Divas is the largest online community for ladies in the Party Plan Industry. At Party Plan Divas you get the resources and support that you need to succeed in your chosen party plan company. We offer conference calls, teleclasses, message boards, one-on-one coaching and more. Lynsey has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Meltologist
Meltology (Mineral Energy Luxury Technology) is a NEW company offering products like nothing else on the market today. With our revolutionary heat-inspired skin care delivery system, in conjunction with the finest product line ever designed, Meltology revolutionized how people think of and experience skin care. All of Meltology's products have been created to work synergistically with our convenient, sanitary, self-heating natural mineral technology. Meltology offers the highest quality skin care, body care, massage and depilatory products... and more to be introduced. Martha has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Independent Amway Global Distributor
Amway is a company that offers a variety of products! Amway offers Supplements,
Water/Air Treatments, Cookware, Knifeware, Skin Care, Acne Care, Makeup, Hair Care, Oral Care, & so much more. Tamara always has openings for those who want to join!
Click here for more information!
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Travel Planners International Consultant
Travel Planners International specializes in working with individuals like you who
share a passion for travel along with the aspiration to service customers and plan
extraordinary vacations. If you have ever dreamed of becoming a professional Travel
Agent or considering a convenient and easy to operate home-based business, with the
opportunity to earn additional income while being rewarded with exciting travel
benefits*, then our Travel Biz Program is for you! TPI is not your typical travel
agency. In fact, in the travel industry, we are your “Host” to the world of selling travel! Latrell always has openings for those who want to join! If you choose to join, please put Latrell Smith as your referral.
Click here for more information!
Comfy Dog Boots & Shoes
Comfy Dog Boots & Shoes... "the comfort zone for your pet!" They custom create durable, comfy, stylish dog boots & shoes in the U.S.A that are protective of your dog's feet from all of mother nature's attacks on tender paws and pads. Custom created coats & sets are also available!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Latina Owned Businesses Top 100
Latina Owned Businesses Top 100 is a top 100 that offers latina business owners a place to advertise their businesses for FREE! They also offer paid prime advertising spaces to those who want a better spot to advertise their businesses!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Brya's Baskets - Handmade Scented Soaps
We recently ordered some handmade scented soaps from Diane @ Brya's Baskets and we are thrilled! The soaps that we ordered had such a beautifully robust refreshing smell that they immediately got my attention!
While washing my hands, they created a nice lather and had a soft silky liquid feel which left my hands feeling very clean and moisturized... Hours later, I noticed that the soap also had left a soft sweet lasting scent. I am very impressed with Diane's quality products, speed in shipment, & her outstanding customer service! Brya's Baskets offers a huge variety of speciality gift baskets, fun & creative baby clothing gift products, handmade scented soaps, handmade scented bath salts, and so much more! I recommend Brya's Baskets for all of your needs! Tell her that Lisa sent you!
Product Review Grade: 100% Satisfaction
CLICK HERE To See More Great Product Reviews!
Easy Duz Its.com
EasyDuzIts.com offers personal assistance, kat's coffees gourmet foods, airbrush tanning, pet sitting, & so much more!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
American Legion Post 52
American Legion Post 52 is a place to meet other vets and have some companionship. American Legion offers medical and other benefits through the National Legion. American Legion Post 52 Romeoville IL. visits vets at hospitals, helping vets physically and financially, helps out in the community, and raises money to help vets by handing out poppies and getting donations.
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Brya's Baskets
Brya's Baskets offers specialty gift baskets, mom pampering handmade soaps, bath salts, & lotions, baby gift bouquets & planters, & so much more!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
I Am The Princess Top 100
I Am The Princess Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! They also offer paid prime advertising spaces to those who want a better spot to advertise their businesses as well!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Online Shopping Mall Top 100
Online Shopping Mall Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! Top 100s are huge shopping directories and they are truly fantastic marketing tools for businesses who want to get work out about what they offer!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Cinci Wickless Blog
Cinci Wickless Blog is currently in violation of copyright infringement of one of our scentsy websites! Sherri is also in violation for taking our credit link off of her blog! We are currently pursuing legal action against Sherri Burton.
~ VIEW THIS BLOG ~
Glitzyglo's Gold Party Metals & Gems Inc. - Julie Gazdecki, Independent Consultant
Glitzyglo's Gold Party Metals & Gems Inc. - Julie Gazdecki, Independent Consultant Website is a gold exchange company who offers to pay you money for your old unwanted or mismatched gold! It's a great opportunity for you to get cash for your old gold! Make money... not spend it! Glitzyglo's is the way to go!
~ VIEW THIS INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT WEBSITE ~
Wickless Candles R Us
Wickless Candles R Us offers flameless wickless bar & brick candle waxes, warmers, room sprays, plugins, car candles, & much more! Super Affordable Products!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Impressions Home Staging & Decor Blog
Impressions Home Staging & Decor Blog offers information about interior decor services that reflect YOUR personality, taste and style on ANY budget!!
~ VIEW THIS BLOG ~
Wickless Candle Woman
Wickless Candle Woman offers flameless wickless bar & brick candle waxes, warmers, room sprays, plugins, car candles, & much more! Super Affordable Products!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Feel Excellent Top 100
Feel Excellent Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! Top 100s are huge shopping directories and they are truly fantastic marketing tools for businesses who want to get work out about what they offer!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Kess Informant's Top 100
Kess Informant's Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! Top 100s are huge shopping directories and they are truly fantastic marketing tools for businesses who want to get work out about what they offer.
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Little Piddle's Top 100
Little Piddle's Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! Top 100s are huge shopping directories and they are truly fantastic marketing tools for businesses who want to get work out about what they offer.
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
My Colorful Treasures Top 100 Savvy, Posh, & Chic Sites
My Colorful Treasures Top 100 Savvy, Posh, & Chic Sites offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! They also offer paid prime advertising spaces to those who want a better spot to advertise their businesses as well!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Pupabella Boutique Top 100
Pupabella Boutique Top 100 offers a place for business owners to advertise their businesses for FREE! They also offer paid prime advertising spaces to those who want a better spot to advertise their businesses as well!
~ VIEW THIS TOP 100 ~
Kangaline
Kangaline offers personalized twin tees, twin onesies, twin mom tees, twin maternity tees, & boodleroos (a hands free diaper bag)! Great products with adorable sayings at an affordable price!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Glitzyglo's Gold Party
Glitzyglo's Gold Party is a gold exchange company who offers to pay you money for your old unwanted or mismatched gold! It's a great opportunity for you to get cash for your old gold! Make money... not spend it! Glitzyglo's is the way to go!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
Safe Candle
Safe Candle offers flameless wickless bar & brick candle waxes, warmers, room sprays, plugins, car candles, & much more! Scentsy is truly the Safe Candle Alternative!
~ VIEW THIS WEBSITE ~
What You Need To Know About Starting An Online Business
Do you have a unique product? Do you want to make lots of money with your unique product? Of course you do! Many people who have created a unique innovative product often start up a business so that they can make money off of their new innovative unique product... but it takes so much more then just having an innovative product.
When it comes to starting your own online business... there are a lot of people who end up feeling confused or unsure about what to do... defeated... disenchanted... discouraged... and frustrated... just like I did when I first started my business long ago. I didn't know how to get an online business store up and running and I didn't have anywhere to turn to for help either! Truly... what I was feeling at the time was a totally natural feeling, but it sure didn't help me answer the nagging questions I had... so I have put together a short summary of what the first steps are to starting your online business...
When opening an online business there are many things to think about...
UNIQUE PRODUCT LINE:
To start a business you must have a unique product line! That is a must. If you try to just create something and think it will sell... please think again! Products are moved off of shelves by product demand. If you sell the same things everyone else sells... there won't be much demand for it because the consumer can get the product anywhere.
ONLINE WEBSITE STORE:
In order to sell your products online... you will need a website. It can't be just any old website though. It has to be search engine friendly. That means the category menu along with the layout and structure of the website needs to be specifically created to pass all of the search engines criteria & regulations! That's right... there are regulations and those who create websites themselves often have no idea what the search engines require! You will need to find the right webmaster for you that knows SEO well, a webmaster who will be able to create the website the way you want it to look... with all of the things you want to offer. There is a huge difference between having a website created for you and do it yourself site builders! Do it yourself site builders or free websites... only take you 1/2 way folks... so if you don't know anything about search engines, SEO, or how to stay on top of the requirements... you are doing yourself a disservice just to save money doing it yourself.
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
Customers who are purchasing your innovative products... are vital to a successful online business or store! If you do not offer good customer service or someone working for you does not offer good customer service... your store will not see success! In an online business... your reputation is all you have... so bad press is something you want to prevent as much as possible! An unhappy customer can tell many people how unhappy they are... and if they tell the right people... your store will ultimately suffer the consequences! No matter how good your unique product is... it will not live a long and productive life if you are not careful to ALWAYS provide outstanding customer service!
RE-INVEST BACK INTO YOUR BUSINESS:
When you have a business... a portion of your profits that comes from the sale of your products... must go back into the re-investing into your business. Re-investing is required to keep your business going. Money is needed to keep your website up to code where the search engines are concerned and to keep your product line going. Let's face it... without a product line... you will have nothing to sell... so you have no choice but to re-invest.
SEO OR SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION:
When having a website it is very important to understand that search engines require search engine optimization or SEO or SEO to be performed on your website. Search engine optimization is crucial for the success of your online business! Without SEO... your website will not rank in the search engines and without ranking in the search engines no one is going to know that you are open for business. If no one knows about your business... your business will be dead in the water. Search engine optimization should be tweaked at least once a year if not more... depending on new products being added to your website or depending on changes in the search engines. If you do not know how to perform SEO for yourself, you should either choose to have a website created for you by someone who knows SEO well... or you should hire someone to perform SEO on your website for you.
LINK BUILDING & CREATING LINK POPULARITY:
Search engines require website owners to have link exchanges on their websites. Search engines use this as a way to be sure that websites are on the up and up. Link exchanges or creating link popularity for your website is crucial in getting ranked well in the search engines. Without link exchanges your website will not rank well in the search engines and you will be out in the online business world alone... with no traffic to your website.
One way links are good too. A lot of people purchase advertising... and it offers a one way link. So if you have space on your website, blog, top 100, etc. offer paid advertising to people... because those who can't do link exchanges because they have corporate owned sites, etsy shops, etc. need your help in being seen by the search engines. It's a win win situation. You get money from those who want the advertising space & those who need advertising space and are willing to pay for it... get recognition from the search engines.
MARKETING YOUR WEBSITE:
Once your online business is up and running... you need to market your website! There are TONS of ways to market your online business! There are costly ways to market your online website & there are also common sense ways to gain FREE advertising as well!
Having a business in general can be time consuming and financially rewarding & draining at the same time... but it's worth it in the end. With all of these very important factors combined... the world of online business... is your oyster! Success is out there waiting for anyone who wants it so much that they are willing to really work hard at achieving it!
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
What Is A Drop Shipper or Wholesaler
Have you started a business but are not sure how to get products to carry in your store? Do you think you know what you need to do but you just aren't sure? Are you wondering how to go about finding a drop shipper or wholesaler for business? Are you wondering how to go about becoming drop shipper or wholesaler? If so, this is the article for you!
I have found that there are many people who do not know what the term drop shipper or wholesaler is... let alone how extremely important of a role they play in business. Finding the right drop shipper or wholesaler for your business can sometimes be a tough job! Deciding if you want to wholesale or drop ship your manufactured products and allow business owners to carry your products are some very important personal and business decisions that you must make for yourself as well... Since this topic can be very confusing for some... I will explain the finer points in this article...
When someone decides to start a business but they don't create or manufacture the products themselves, they will need to find a manufacture who is willing to create the item for them and allow them to carry the product on their website. There are two ways they can go about doing this... they can either purchase the products at wholesale (discounted bulk) prices or ask the the manufacturer if they would be willing to drop ship for them.
These are the two most popular ways to do business...
#1 Wholesaler - This is where the manufacturer of an item allows a business owner to purchase items from them in bulk (often at a discounted wholesale rate). The businesses that purchased the items in bulk would then sell those items on their website. When they make a sale on the products they would ship the item to their customers themselves with their own business name & return address label on the product(s). It's costly for businesses to purchase items in wholesale (bulk) which would be a large upfront cost especially when a business is just starting out. Please also remember that businesses loose money if the products don't sell.
#2 Drop Shipper - This is where the manufacturer of an item would have an agreement with a retailer allowing that business owner to carry & sell their products on their website but the business owner would not be required to pay up front by purchasing in bulk. Many drop shippers offer a discounted rate to those businesses who want to sell their manufactured products on their sites. When the business owner (retailer) has a sale, they would contact the manufacturer, purchase the item they sold from the drop shipper, the drop shipper would then create the item for the retailer, and then the drop shipper would ship the item to their retailer's customer in the RETAILER'S name (return address label) on the product(s)... not the manufacture's name. This is a less costly avenue.... and it will allow others to start a business with virtually smaller up front costs and they don't have to worry about losing money if the item doesn't sell... If the item doesn't sell, it didn't cost the retailer a dime.
Becoming a drop shipper or wholesaler is a tough decision to make. It would open up your avenues to be able to sell your products more widely then just on your site alone; however, there are some risks to allowing someone to carry and sell your product on their site! Before deciding to drop ship your products you have worked really hard creating and risking the reputation of your products and your business name... really think about if you feel the person who wants to be your retailer would be a good fit in representing your product line and your company!
If you are thinking of becoming a drop shipper or wholesaler... you will have to have rules set in place so that an agreement can be made by you (the drop shipper or wholesaler) and them (the retailers). There has to be rules and expectations spelled out and in place in a drop shipping terms format before you allow anyone to carry and sell your manufactured products. You (the manufacturer of an item) and the retailer (the person you allow to carry and sell your products) need to agree on the terms.
If you do not create the products yourself and have to have agreements with wholesalers or drop shippers, please understand that they are going to have some rules that you are going to have to follow in order to carry and sell their products on your website. The manufacturers (drop shippers or wholesalers) have to protect their product and their company name so they are going to expect you to follow their rules. Please understand that at anytime, the manufacturer of the item you sell can decide to no longer create that item so please make sure you keep an open communication with your drop shipper or wholesaler as products may need to change as the stock they hold may change as well.
Wholesalers and drop shippers must really pay attention to the cost of manufacturing the product because if you give businesses who want to carry your products too big of discounts... it will not pay you to manufacturer the product. The retailer should also not ask for large discounts from their manufacturers either. Both the retailer and the drop shipper/wholesaler need to be able to make a good profit, otherwise the drop shipper or wholesaler may decide it's not worth their time to create the product you want to retail. Please don't try to get a huge discount because the drop shipper or wholesaler is actually the one who has to purchase the ingredients to create the item and they invest their time into making the product as well. Please also remember that without the drop shipper or wholesaler, the retailer doesn't have a product to sell and a drop shipper or wholesaler can drop or cancel the agreement at any time.
To find a drop shipper or wholesaler for your business there are many avenues you can go. There are many companies on the net that offer drop shipping services! There are hard working, reliable, affordable, and honest work-at-home-moms who have started a business creating their own products using their talents that would be happy to be a drop shipper or wholesaler for you. A drop shipper or wholesaler will work very hard for you and want you to make money... because if you make money... so do they!
Please be ware of the companies on the net that make you pay "membership fees". If you have to pay a fee just to see what they have, they aren't drop shippers... they are scam artists who prey off of gullible people & their only goal is to rip off anyone who falls for their scam.
I hope this information helps anyone who is wondering how to find a drop shipper for their business or anyone who is thinking of becoming a drop shipper.
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Link Exchanges Are Important
One of the most important factors in search engine placement is link building. That's right... it's crusial to the placement of your site in the search engines! It can also be one of the most time consuming tactics used in search engine optimization.
A banner/link exchange (also known as a banner exchange or link exchange) is where two businesses participate in an exchange of banners or links. Doing banner/link exchanges is VERY important to businesses because search engines actively look for link popularity & search engine optimization (SEO) when they are ranking online websites. That's right... banner/link exchanges are so very important to your website's success that without them... your site will not rank as well as it would with them in the search engines!!
If you do not know what a banner/link exchange is, here is an example of a banner/link exchange scenario: Sally and Dan both have websites which carry some of the same kinds of products and decide one day to do a banner/link exchange. The two websites swap their banner and linking information which will connect them with other businesses and they will be noticed in the link popularity cluster that the spiders are looking for.
When it comes to banner/link exchanges... you want to do link exchanges with people/businesses that are related to your products and site! If you are a wahm and you offer gift options to people... bath products, baby products, gift baskets, gifts in general then you would do link exchanges with people/businesses like yours such as wahm (work at home Mom), a business that offers gifts, bath products, baby products, gift baskets, gifts in general because that is what you offer, that's your niche! It's a barter system with businesses that offer what you offer but not exactly what you offer. You both basically swap advertising space to each other. It's easy and you will make wonderful friendships along the way.
A Reciprocal Link...
It is important that you have a reciprocal link to those who do banner/link exchanges with you on your site at all times. A reciprocal link is a mutual link between two sites to ensure mutual traffic. Example: If Dan's website links to Sally's website, and Sally's website links to Dan's website, the websites are reciprocally linked. But if Dan's website links to Sally's website, and Sally's website DOES NOT link to Dan's website, the websites are not reciprocally linked and the link exchange will be a waste of time with the linking process being useless. If Sally does not provide Dan a place to advertise Dan will delete Sally's banner/link and Sally will go back to being by herself rather then being part of the clustered banner/link swapping community. Both websites should offer easy to find places for website banner/link exchanges and those links should be kept the linking website at all times (unless one goes out of business or changes their products or services they offer).
Reciprocal linking between websites is an important part of the search engine optimization process because Google uses link popularity algorithms (the number of links & anchor text that lead to a particular page) to rank websites for relevancy. Link exchanges catch the eye of the “search engine spiders" whose sole job is to crawl your website constantly looking for new material. Once the "search engine spiders" find large clusters of businesses linked together they allow those businesses to climb the search engine ladder faster (rank higher) then those who are relying only on their own rankings.
Banner/link exchanges will build your “link popularity” as you accumulate links back to your site! Search engines look at your website pages content and correctly performed SEO when ranking your website.... but they also look for banner/link exchanges on your website as well. Anytime an article is written, a blog is posted, or an advertisement is placed it is another opportunity for the spiders to find your website, crawl it, and if the link exchange information is relevant to your website, it may be ranked accordingly. Banner/link exchanges are an essential part of “getting ranked in the search engines!”
Link exchanges have advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, they have the advantages of bringing in a highly targeted readership (all members have similar web sites), & increasing the "link popularity" of a site with the search engines. On the other hand, they have the disadvantages of potentially distracting visitors away to other sites before they have fully explored the site that the original link was on.
Relevant Linking...
Relevant linking is a site linked to another site that contains only compatible & relevent content. Having relevant websites link to pages within your website can increase your page rank. In case you don't know what page rank is... it's the measure of the importance of a page based on the incoming links from other pages. In other words, each link to a page on your site from another site adds to your site's page rank. Relevant linking has become increasingly important because most major search engines stress that it is "the quantity, quality, & relevance of the links that count towards your business website's ranking in the search engines".
The search engines' insistence on reciprocal links being relevant developed because many tried to unethically "fool" search-engines into awarding them undeserved high page ranks to sites who were engaged in search-engine spamming. Google warns those in business to avoid "free-for-all links, link popularity schemes, or submitting your site to thousands of search engines because these useless exercises don't affect your ranking positively in the results of the major search engines. Google will also downrate or de-index sites using unethical schemes.
One-way Linking...
One-way link is a link that points to a website in a "one-way" direction without any reciprocal link. This type of link is considered to be more natural in the eyes of search engines. One-way links are also called Incoming Links or Inbound Links.
An effective way to build one-way linking is by purchasing advertising on a website, blog, top 100, leave comments on blogs adding your clickable link, add your clickable link to your business signature, or distributing articles through content sites and article directories. These one way link avenues will contain a one-way link back to your business website's URL.
Link Popularity...
Link popularity plays an important role in the visibility of a website among the top of the search results. Some search engines require at least one or more links coming to a website, otherwise they will drop it from their index and the website will go unranked. The philosophy of link popularity is that important sites will attract many links. Poor content sites will have difficulty attracting any links. Link popularity assumes that not all incoming links are equal, as an inbound link carries more weight than an inbound link from an obscure personal home page. In other words, the quality of incoming links counts more than sheer numbers of them.
Blog Comments...
Leaving a comment on a blog can result in a relevant do follow link to the individual's website. Most blog comments get clicked on by the readers of the blog if the comment is well thought out and pertains to the discussion of the other commenters and the post on the blog.
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Finding The Right Webmaster For You
Are you asking your self how on earth are you supposed to find the right webmaster for you? If you are.... here are some helpful hints or tips for you to go by on your journey in finding the right webmaster for you!
Starting a new business is exciting and scary all at the same time! When you are first time business owner, you second guess yourself almost at every corner... until you get a good understanding of exactly what direction you want to take your business in. I know, because I did! I (as website developer) know how important it is for you to make a great first impression! Finding the right webmaster to create and maintain your website for you is an essential part of having a business because you only have one chance at that first impression!
Starting a new business is exciting and scary all at the same time! When you are first time business owner, you second guess yourself almost at every corner... until you get a good understanding of exactly what direction you want to take your business in. I know, because I did! I (as website developer) know how important it is for you to make a great first impression! Finding the right webmaster to create and maintain your website for you is an essential part of having a business because you only have one chance at that first impression!
Finding the right website design & development firm to help you with your web development needs can make all the difference in the world when it comes to the success or failure of your website and business. With thousands of website design/development companies in the online world it can be difficult, even impossible, to figure out which firms (with the best reputation) would provide the best service and the best prices.
Developing the perfect website for your business is one of the most important first steps to establishing a strong online business presence. The key to your business success is to set yourself apart from your competitors. It is essential that you create a website that accurately conveys the essence of your business and your unique niche in a positive, professional manner that instills impressions of stability and reliability in the minds of your customers. It's also very important to develop a website that catches your viewers attention as many people will remember who you are and what you provide by the memory of your website.
When you are considering investing your time and money into a website, finding just the right webmaster is absolutely essential and it can be a very difficult job!!! It is especially difficult if you are not aware of the details involved in the world of website development! Many new business owners try to go with site builders, only to realize later that site builders are extremely limiting and they don't provide good effective SEO.
Pricing of websites can vary greatly! Some web designers & developers will charge you alot of $$$$ and some will charge a reasonable amount of money. I have seen websites priced as high as $2000 - $2500. Yep... it's a fact. I charge a more affordable rate for a website package because I want everyone to be able to afford our services and because owning a website is not just for those who can afford the big $$$ anymore!
When you think you have chosen your webmaster, you need to look at any examples they might have of their work. Make sure you take a look at their portfolio if they have one. Ask questions before you decide on the webmaster because while some may have designing abilities... that does not mean they know what they are doing when it creating an accurate structure of a website or providing SEO for the websites they create!!
A webmaster who performs SEO on the websites they develop... is a huge asset to you as a business owner! A webmaster who performs SEO will ask you to give them at least 3 to 6 months to achieve ranking. When it comes to ranking in the search engines there are NO guarantees. If you trust your webmaster and they are willing to do your optimization for you then you should definitely try that first. A good website designer & developer (webmaster) will have the abilities to perform SEO on your site and will submit your website for you to the search engines, which are all very time consuming tasks.
Many website designers simply build you a website and that is where they feel their responsibility to you ends. Some webdesigners will offer to purchase your domain and hosting for you and when you decide you want to leave and go somewhere else with your domain and website.... you can't because they own your domain name and website. Please don't allow yourself to fall in that trap. Make sure you purchase your own domain name and your own hosting! Quality webdesigners & developers will work hard to tend to their clients needs and wants. There are some webmaster’s who are so dedicated to their business that they have done the research themselves to know how to accomplish the very difficult task of doing the SEO for their clients. They will help you to get your website in the search engine rankings. The “search engines” such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN (among many others) are difficult to get listed on.
The thing to watch out for is if you have a SEO specialist promising you major results! Some SEO's will promise to get you listed in the top 10 rankings. Yes, they do that sometimes and it's not legit! There should never be a promise (if they are honest) to get your in the high rankings because optimization requirements change so often that it is ludicrous for even an SEO specialist to promise you will rank. If someone is promising to get your site ranked high in the search engine results... they should not be trusted unless you are willing to take a risk. Some manage to actually do it, but many do not. The price range for SEO assistance is very wide. It can start at $70.00 per month, as high as $400.00 - $500.00 per month, and sometimes even higher depending on the results you are looking for!!
Some webmaster’s offer to add link exchanges or adding top 100 voting buttons to your website for you. This is something you must ask for them to do for you. Alot of webmasters (web designers who maintain your website for you) do not do advertising for their clients. If that is the case, you will need to hire someone to handle this task or be prepared to do it for yourself.
Creating a website, adding products, shopping cart features, etc.... can become very time consuming and tedious. Many times one project can become an all day struggle! They do not always go smoothly and can be extremely frustrating at times! It is very important that you as the client realize this and understand when there are times that a request may not be handled immediately because of complications out of your webmaster's control. As a webmaster myself, I can tell you that it takes strong dedication to my business to accomplish many of the tasks assigned to a webmaster/optimizer/advertiser!! I love being a webmaster! There is nothing like creating the pages of a website for my clients with my own two hands and seeing my visions come to life! The world of website development is an amazing world to be in! Being a webmaster can often be a struggle but it's also an extremely fulfilling experience at the same time! : )
A responsible webmaster will complete your website modifications in a timely manner (ASAP.) You will want to find a reliable webmaster that will keep you informed well in advance of any long periods of absence. A website is an on going investment in your business. There is so much involved beyond the initial creation of a website. Never ever allow your domain to be suspended. This can cause you to lose much of your ranking stability. If your domain is not available when the search engine spiders crawl for new material you will not be ranked and may fall into the crater of the lost ranks.
If you can find a webmaster who is willing and able to create your website from ground up, maintain your website for you, offer you SEO, then you have found what most people never will. Please note... some types of businesses or products are more difficult to “get ranked” because of their popularity and the level of competition in the online world. You can only expect your optimization specialist to do their honest best.
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SEO - Search Engine Optimization
If you are feeling like you are "in the dark about SEO"... this article is for you! Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a specialized process that involves analyzing your website's underlying code, structure, keyword enriched content (text), link popularity & making enhancements so that the site is returned more prominently in the search results of relevancy-based, algorithm-driven search engines (such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN (aka Bing).
Organic SEO (also known as Natural SEO or Organic Search Engine Optimization) is the natural series of techniques or practices of manually placing keywords strategically in the webpages of a website which are used to improve the ranking of your website listing in search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN. Studies have showen that more than 90% of internet users use search engines to find services, products, and information! The organic optimization process is by no means easy... it's quite difficult actually. Getting listed in the top of a search engine's results page requires a great deal of work and understanding of the intricacies of organic optimization. You will need someone very experienced in the SEO field to accomplish such a feat.
Search Engine Optimization is seriously the most important part of having a website! Website design is important and so is customer friendliness when it comes to a website, but SEO is the single most important part of a website. A well designed site and good product is useless unless your customers know where to find you. SEO is your first step to a successful online business. If your site does not appear prominently in the search engines for your name and at least a few of your products, no one is going to know that you are available for business and potential customers will go elsewhere.
SEO is very important when it comes to getting your website called upon when people do searches for products in search engines. Good SEO is crucial to a website when it comes to getting a website ranked in the search engines. Link exchanges are equally important and are infact a part of SEO. Without link exchanges, your website will not rank as effectively in the search engines as it would if you had good relevant link exchanges on your website. Each search engine has "spiders" and their sole purpose is to crawl over your website pages! They look for website pages that are filled with enriched keyword content, proper coding of the website, SEO (search engine optimization), and link popularity (link exchanges)!
As a search engine spider prowls your website, it gathers information and it compares the words within each of these sections and "ranks" the site dependent upon how well all of the information matches. If your website pages lack the proper enriched keywords by not having good SEO then your rankings in the search engines will not be as good as if would be if you had good SEO performed on your website. If you choose to do your own SEO please be careful because search engines can actually drop you in rank and they can even ban you if you do not follow the correct SEO procedures! As I said before, it's so important to have good effective SEO and it is even more important to have a website designer that knows SEO because that will ensure that you are ranked properly in the search engines and you won't have to pay the big $$$$ for a specialist to perform SEO on your website after your website has been created!
Search Engine Optimization takes time. A LOT OF TIME! A websmaster who performs SEO on the websites they develop... will ask you to give them at least 3 to 6 months to achieve ranking. When it comes to ranking in the search engines there are NO guarantees. If you trust your webmaster and they are willing to do your optimization for you then you should definitely try that first. A good website designer/developer (webmaster) will have the abilities to perform SEO on your site and will submit your website for you to the search engines, which are all very time consuming tasks.
In order to get sales and traffic on your website, you need to make sure that your site is optimized so that the search engines will find you relevant to a shopper's search and decide to place you on the search engine results page. Without search engine optimization your site will not come up in the search engines results. When SEO is performed correctly on your site, the SEO will enable your site to move up in the higher positions in the search engine results pages. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an ongoing, ALWAYS changing process because the search engines are always changing and learning from themselves. Search engines are constantly growing and evolving! The search engine optimization that worked a year ago is now obsolete and no longer works. It is very important that SEO be done at the first creation of a website and then again AT THE VERY LEAST once a year!
Many new business owners have a misconception that when they start a business, shoppers will automatically come.... and that is not true. Your business website is not automatically visible on the web just because you opened it. The sales and traffic are not going to start flooding in just because your site exists. A brand new online business has to compete with tons of competitors for the shopper's business! A new store that is just starting out is a small child in comparison to the millions of giant moguls! There are tons of businesses out there... just like yours. SEO performed correctly on your website is your only hope in playing ball with the big boys! Without SEO, you will not be able to compete with your competition... and your company will eventually close it's doors because of lack of business. Success with an online business website is possible through search engine optimization (SEO), marketing, and promoting your website! Like I said before SEO (search engine optimization) is an ongoing process that is absolutely necessary to ensure your business’s success.
Everything needs maintenance! Vehicles need tune ups, houses need maintenance performed on them, and even airplanes go into the hanger to get optimized for their next flight to make sure they are working exactly the way they should be. If you are a website owner that has the "upload it and leave it" way of thinking, please consider tweaking your SEO at least once a year because it will help to make you more successful. With accurate SEO performed on your website, you will find that the people visiting your website are... in deed... the type of visitor you are trying to target and natural or organic SEO is clearly the best marketing channel and way to achieve your goal of success!
Without proper search engine optimization it's very unlikely anyone is going to find you in the huge crowd of all your competition. Many people spend many wasted hours trying to pick the best keywords and finding as many link exchanges as they can but that's just simply not enough! When I first started out... I did that too but I am telling you it looks much easier then it is! The knowledge I've learned after years of hard work and research, trial and error, I am passing on to my clients so that I can use my years of qualified experience to help other work at home Mom's in the same situation I was in.
SEO is a skill that can be learned with time and a great deal of patience! It is my job to stay on top of the technology and those who pay to rank for certain keywords and those who do unethical SEO practices. Without SEO you won't effectively rank high in the search engines and your business will suffer the loss of defeat at the hands of your competitors. I am ready to put my experience to work for you and together we can make your small business flourish online!
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
How Useful Are Top 100 Sites
If you are asking yourself how useful or effective top 100 sites are... then you are asking a terrific question!
Top 100 sites are very useful and very effective! They are a fantastic source of advertising for businesses... small & large! For those who do not know what Top 100s are... they are huge huge shopping directories that have everything you could imagine in them right at your finger tips! Top 100s carry tons and tons of FREE website business ads and sometimes paid prime space business ads as well!
Top 100s are very important to the FREE advertising co-op because they are recognized & ranked well in the search engines and they are fantastic marketing tools for those who want to get their business name & products out to the general public. (Example: If someone does a search for personalized jewelry the search engine will frequently offer a top 100 as a shopping resource in the ranking results.) The owners of these top 100s will allow you to add your site/business to their top 100 for FREE!
This is how it works - First you click the add your site link, fill in the form, click submit, wait to receive a confirmation email, click the confirmation link, wait for a welcome email, then log into the members area, find on the left hand side of the settings area the "get your code" link, click it, pick a banner or button of your choice, and then click generate at the very bottom of the page, copy the code you see exactly as it shows, and then paste it into your website's link page. That's it... your all done. The button or banner a top 100 owner will provide and require a member to place on their website is a voting button. When people click that button to go to the top 100... they are voting for that member. The member will then move up in the top 100 list. If the member does not have a button for the top 100 on their website at all times, then no one can vote for them and that means that they will stay at the very bottom of the top 100 and they may not be noticed at all. If the top 100 manager or owner checks the member's website and they do not have a button for their top 100 on the website that was submitted for a FREE business listing, the member will be found in violation of the FREE advertising co-op rules (top 100 rules) and they will be at risk of being deleted from the top 100 list all together.
Many people not only look through top 100s, but they also purchase from the sites on them as well! If you are interested in knowing what a Top 100 is, please CLICK HERE to go my top 100 - My Colorful Treasures Top 100 Savvy, Posh, & Chic Sites! Many top 100s also offer affordable paid prime advertising space (one way links) as well! Since top 100s get ranked well in search engines, paid prime advertising space on top 100s would be the logical place to start purchasing advertising at.
What's really sad though is that I have noticed that alot of the top 100s have been either abandoned or severely ignored and not maintained properly. Which is a shame because top 100 sites get noticed and ranked well in the search engines as long as they are maintained. In order for search engines to rank the top 100 site well.... the owner has to take the time to maintain it.
I can not stress to you enough... if you are thinking of joining top 100s, please make sure you join top 100s that are kept up and maintained. It's extremely important that you pick top 100s that are tended to properly because top 100 sites get noticed and ranked well in the search engines as long as they are maintained. In order for search engines to rank the top 100 site well.... their owners have to take the time to maintain it. If top 100s are not maintained properly and they have closed site business listings or buttons or banners that are no longer working on the top 100... search engines will ignore top 100s and they will not be ranked well... if at all! That means the search engines will ignore your FREE top 100 business ad listing too.
The Advantages For Businesses To Own A Top 100:
Top 100 site owners have huge advantages where their top 100 sites are concerned! One of the advantages of having a top 100 is that the owner can place prime advertising space buttons on the top 100 offering those who visit the top 100 advertising if they want to pay for prime advertising space which is an extra money maker. Another advantage is if you maintain your top 100 site and you have your business website prominently placed on your top 100 site, then more people will see you and more sales could possibly come your way. Another advantage is that you can offer FREE advertising to people all over the net..... and in return they are required to place your top 100 banner or button on their site in return. Again, if you have your business website prominently placed on your top 100 that means more potential business for you...
Unfortunately, when people are looking at top 100s... no one is going to be interested in purchasing prime advertising space or want to even submit their business for FREE advertising if the top 100 looks a mess, unmaintained, or abandoned! After all..... a top 100 site is representing their business and if the top 100 looks abandoned or unmaintained what kind of message is that saying to those who are seeing your business ad on the top 100?
A top 100 can be maintained by simply deleting closed site business listings or remove buttons or banners that are no longer working off of the top 100. If just the button or banner are no longer working.... the owner doesn't have to delete the site..... all they have to do is just remove the banner in the members settings and then click save. The owner of a top 100 can also remove paid advertising space if the website is no longer active as well. Just because advertisers pay for a year... doesn't mean it has to stay up for an entire year if the website is closed for business. If the prime advertising space button is not working but the website is active..... then the owner should contact them and ask them to provide another button url.... so that their advertisement can be fixed.
I personally will remove the top 100 sites button or banner from my website if the top 100 site is abandoned or unmaintained. I can't recommend or vouch for these top 100s if they look so bad. The point of having top 100s is to offer others FREE advertising but if the top 100 site is unmaintained or abandoned... who's going to want the FREE advertising? No one because we all know that if the top 100 is not maintained properly or it's abandoned..... it's not going to get up into the search engines which will ultimately make joining the messy top 100 pointless and a waste of time!
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Old Fashion Coding vs Site Builders
You have a business that you have been working for a while and now you feel settled in the business enough that you feel it's time to branch out into the big world of the internet...
but you don't know what do you do or how to make your dream of going global with your business a reality!?! If you feel all knotted up like a pretzel with questions and uncertainty... you are not alone! Alot of people feel this way! I know I sure did when I first started out in business and then decided it was time to have an online presence and go global! In this article, I will share with you much of what I have learned about the differences between the "do it yourself" site builders and coding a website the old fashioned way... with your two hands!
When I first started out in business, I had NO CLUE WHERE TO START or what to do! I tried "do it yourself" site builders and I didn't like that at all because I couldn't do anything I wanted to do. I had to accept whatever templates they offered (which I didn't like), and half the time the page didn't lay correctly so I had to edit the page 5 or 6 times to finally get it just right! That's when I decided a "do it yourself" site builder was NOT for me!
My husband (a very talented IT Analyst) and I worked very LONG AND HARD to form a basic website, a temporary open template design, and began adding all of my products on it. When I saw the behind the scenes of the creation of a website... I was in AWE! I couldn't believe what looked like a bunch of gobbly gook (coding) could look so amazing when seen as a webpage! What really got my attention and took my breathe away.... was the way everything worked so perfectly together! That is when I started teaching myself all I could learn about websites... how to design and develop them!
Once I had that mastered I then learned all I could learn about search engines and I began optimizing my website so that I could get a favorable response from the search engines and so that I could MAKE MY ONLINE PRESENCE A REALITY!
Once I felt I had learned enough... I started trying to create a series of completely different and unique website designs! Through A LOT of trial, error, and experimenting... I soon was so skilled at what I was doing for myself... that I found that there wasn't much that I couldn't do! That is when My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design was born!
My website & graphic design business is a far cry from my first business but I am so happy that I learned all I could from my previous business because... website design and website development quickly became MY PASSION and I have enjoyed every aspect of it! We are a website development & website, blog, top 100, & graphic design firm! We offer Elegant, Posh, Savvy, & Chic one-of-a-kind affordable custom designs that will make everyone say "WOW!"! We create all websites by writing all of the code by hand, custom create java scripts, css stylesheets, forms, and much more! I am so beyond thrilled that my website & graphic design business is a huge success.
When it comes to creating a website... you can go one of two ways! You can go with a
site builder or you can have a website developing firm (like us) create your website
for you.
Pros & Cons Of Using Site Builders:
I don't use site builders because do it yourself site builders offer only very limited features like: category menu systems, certain website design templates, certain layouts and page structures, certain graphic placements for header/logo etc, fonts, colors, etc., you have to edit the page in the do it yourself site builder several times before the page lays correctly, it does not perform SEO (search engine optimization) for you, you have to pay a costly monthly fee just to have the do it yourself site builder plus the cost of hosting as well, you can't change the layout or structure of the website, you have to figure out how to add your own pages, products, shopping cart all by yourself with no one to help you! Alot of times you envision one thing but you are not able to make it happen because your site builder will not allow you to do what you want to do.
Pros & Cons Of Old Fashioned Coded Websites:
If you have a website developing firm (like me) create your website for you... they will create your webpages for you, provide you with a custom designed one-of-a-kind website template, add your products for you, add your shopping cart for you, and maintain your website for you as well! You have an endless selection of features to pick from (like category menu systems, website design templates, layouts and page structures, graphic placements for header/logo, etc, fonts, colors, shopping cart features, form features, SEO performed on your webpages for you, you have no monthly fee for a licence, having a webmaster tend to your website for you leaves your hands free to work on your business instead of spending tons of time working on your website, the list could go on forever! Having a trained, talented, and honest webmaster could open a whole new world up to you!
Most site builders & even most website designers only offer 1 menu system choice... where we (My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design) offer 6 custom designed website menu systems, custom designed templates, custom designed java scripts, custom designed css stylesheets, custom designed forms, custom designed graphics, & SEO to ensure that your website is search engine friendly! It sounds expensive... but it's not. You only pay maintenance fees when work is actually performed on your site. My motto is this: if a revision you ask me to do takes less time to do it then it does to bill it... then I simply don't bother billing my client for the revisions to the website. I am much too busy to spend time billing someone for revisions... so to me it's a waste of time to bill it. That happens often. : ) A simple change here and there is basically free. That also is not typical for a webmaster but I try to give back to my clients by giving them a break and saving them money... : )
Alot of people use the easy to do it yourself site builders & do really well with them, but MANY do not! I (as a website developer & webmaster) know that there are literally hundreds of features available to business owners if only they knew about them and had a webmaster to implement them! Site builders do not provide these options to their clients and they don't educate anyone either. Alot of business owners that are using site builders and maintaining their own businesses do not know enough to truly do their business justice.
Most people don't want to spend the money for webmasters to take care of their website for them; however, they often spend more on the site builder licence and monthly fee than they would have ever had to pay for a webmaster to tend to their websites! Most people don't realize all of the possibilities that open up to them by having a webmaster create and maintain their website for them. I hear so often people complaining about their "do it yourself" site builders and that is when they usually come to me.
Webmasters (website developers/designers) offer SO MUCH MORE than any site builder and most web designers offer. Most of the web designers offer their designs up for sale but will not create your web pages for you. They offer do it yourself site builders to go with the web designs instead. They are not website developers. That is usually where people get stuck because they are then on their own adding their own products, shopping carts, etc. The only thing you gain by creating a business like this is that you have a custom designed template; however, you will still have to deal with the HUGE limitations of the site builders.
Most of the population in the world is technologically challenged. Many people who are not versed in html or coding try using the site builders but end up coming to me because site builders don't offer their users any flexibility. Many people don't realize the benefits of having a webmaster creating and tending to their websites. So many things are available to business owners that have websites... and they don't realize it because site builders don't tell you it's available... where webmasters will let you know what's available. Site builders can not customize a design and layout the way a user would like them to. It's just not possible. Many of my clients who have left their site builders to come to me... love how custom their design and layout is and how hands free the website world is for them.
You might think $20 an hour sounds expensive... to have a webmaster maintain your website for you but if you get the right webmaster... one who is honest about the time they put into your website... in all reality it's not.. it's quite affordable. I take my job, as a webmaster, very seriously and I always try to find my clients ways to save money! You only pay maintenance fees when you want your webmaster to work on it... or add to it unlike a "do it yourself" site builder where you have to pay to use it on a monthly basis regardless if you change anything on your webpages. My motto is this: If a revision you ask me to do takes less time to do it then it does to bill it... then I simply don't bother billing it. A simple change here and there is basically free. That also is not typical for a webmaster.
Tips from a website developer/designer to help you out -
Just to make things clear.... SEO is very very important to a business's success. SEO is how the search engines will rank you and without it.... you will not get up in the search engines and you will be lost in the mass businesses trying to get ranked who have used site builders. When it comes to having a website created for you (with your specific wants and needs in mind).... it's very important to make sure you go with someone who will create your website to be search engine friendly, who knows how to do SEO, and one that can maintain the site for you as well. Site builders are NOT search engine friendly either.
Deciding what to choose having a webmaster create a site for you or going with a "do it yourself" site builder is a hard question. Some people will offer to maintain the website for you as your webmaster (that will only charge you when they do actual work on your website) and others will offer you a site builder but will charge you a monthly fee just to have your site builder plus your hosting AND YOU END UP DOING ALL OF THE WORK. Site builders cost at least $12.95 a month often with a one time $50-$100 site builder cost. Alot of times people pay for a design as well... which is between $75 - $2000. Then they pay an SEO specialist... to come in on top of the other sky high costs and perform SEO services on their website which can start at $70.00 per month, as high as $400.00 - $500.00 per month, and sometimes even higher!! Truly.... having a website created and maintained the old fashioned way is clearly the most affordable way to go!
If you are looking for a site builder that is cost effective (affordable) and reliable... that you don't have to pay a monthly fee just to use... www.wahmmyhost.com has a super easy site builder to use. Their hosting is $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year (you save paying for the year)... and the site builder comes with it for free. : ) The site builder can not currently be customized with a design but they do have alot of templates to pick from and using their site builder might be something you might like if you are the do it yourself type of person. If you decide to go with www.wahmmyhost.com then please let them know that Lisa from My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design sent you! They will take good care of you! If you chose to go with me to create your website... I would take very good care of you as well.
Please do not allow any web designer to purchase a domain name for you..... because the moment they do that...... they own it and you don't. Protect yourself every way you can. Many have been taken for a ride by unscrupulous web designers and I think it's so sad! Especially when people spend large amounts for websites and make a domain name popular and then find out they loose it if they choose to leave. That is just not right! Some web designers/developers... offer the domain name for free or purchase it for their clients and then when it's time for the clients to leave them... the web designer still owns the domain and if it's quite popular they won't let it go. I do not do things like this because it's cheating the client out of what's rightfully theirs. I can assure my clients will never have to deal with anything like that with me. I operate my business with a code of honor and ethics. I assure you (and even specify this on my website) that the website and domain name is the client's that it belongs to. Theirs entirely. I will only maintain their website for them and if at some point they choose to take their webpages and domain name and go else where... they are free to do so. I hope my clients won't go elsewhere but if they choose to... they are free to if they so choose. The most important thing to remember when choosing between a site builder vs having a webmaster create and maintain your website for you... is that you have to decide which choice best suits you and your needs. Good luck in the business world! I wish all who read this article much success in their business and a prosperous future!
Article Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WHAT IS A STAY-AT-HOME MOM WORTH?
Salary.com, Inc., a leading provider of on-demand compensation management solutions helping businesses and individuals manage pay and performance, published results of it's Mom Salary survey. Salary.com defined the Mom job description as a "hybrid job description" with over 10 jobs that make up the position of Mom. Based on its survey of more than 40,000 mothers, Salary.com determined that the time mothers spend performing 10 typical job functions would equate to an annual salary of $138,095 for a stay-at-home mom.
Stay-at-home-moms work multiple jobs and rarely gets a break from working an average of 52 hours of overtime. As a stay-at-home-mom, I know that my job seems to never end! I am a day-care provider, teacher, housekeeper/maid, cook, schedule keeper, homework checker, laundry technician, computer operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, and quite often psychologist! I work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and I do not receive any weekends or holidays off! My pay is good though. I get my paychecks in the forms of "I love you Mommy!", "You are the greatest Mommy ever!", and lots and lots of kisses and hugs. : )
According to the Salary.com survey, stay-at-home moms work a 92 hour "workweek" – more than half her time spent on the job is overtime. Working moms, however, logged over 9 hours of overtime for an average 49 hour mom work week beyond their full time paying jobs.
More and more moms are considering re-entering the workforce and want tangible ways to value the real skills they have gained and transfer them into their next job. The good news is that employers are increasingly looking to moms as a strong recruitment pool, especially in light of the tightening labor market. Not only are they talented, they're experienced managers, motivators, decision makers and client specialists after spending time in both the workforce and as a mother. If a mom decides to re-enter the workforce, she should be aware that while she may have been out of the workforce, the skills she has gained by raising kids is transferable to the workplace. Salary.com's research indicates that there are real skills stay-at-home moms can leverage to become "marketable moms" in the eyes of potential employers.
Potential employers see stay-at-home-moms as fantastic candidates who are more than capable of multitasking, problem solving and having impeccable organization skills... it doesn't matter to them that you haven't worked for years!
The biggest hurdle or challenge for stay-at-home-moms who want or are needing to get back into the workforce is their insecurity, lack of confidence, and their low sense of accomplishments! There are people in the world that look down their nose at stay-at-home-moms and I have explained to several that being a stay-at-home-mom is one of the most difficult and most important job there is! We are not lazy moms sitting around eating bon bons all day and watching TV! We do alot of work all day long without much recognition for it! Deciding to be a stay-at-home-mom is one of the important decisions parents make. It often requires many sacrifices and learning how to make the dollar stretch as far as possible. It's much easier to just collect a paycheck, but there is NO better reward then to see your child's face look up to you, hear them tell you that they love you, and remind you that you are the greatest Mom in the world! NO PAYCHECK is as good as that!
Written by:
Lisa ~ My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design
http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com
Copyright© My Colorful Treasures ~ All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Victoria Blackney ~ The Woman Behind The Business
Hi! My name is Victoria Blackney and the owner of Kids Personalized Music! I am happily married to my wonderful husband of 32 years, we have 4 children and 6 grandchildren.
As I searched for an expanded business opportunity, I quite by accident were blessed to hear background music at a festival in South Florida that captivated and drew my attention! MUSICthat sang a child’s name in every SONG! Positive, educational, and spiritual, my entire emotional being collapsed, succumbed to and was captivated by what I heard. Needless to say, I was sold mentally and walked away with six of the twenty eight full length CD’s that mentioned my grandkids names up to “ninety eight” times throughout! At that moment, I knew this opportunity was what I was looking for. Two years later, here I am providing the same inspirational, educational, and positive message for kids and adults of all ages!
...Every child is a “star” with our award winning Kids Personalized Music CD’s!
Whether a gift, a special keepsake, or a unique collectible, our music CD’s are a wonderful treasure for infants, children and adults of all ages and for any occasion!
Baby Showers
Religious Gifts
Christmas/Hanukah/Holidays
Birthdays for all Ages
Sporting or any Special Event or
Just Because…..
So if you are looking for a “Special Gift” for that “Special Someone” on their “Special Occasion” we’ve “Got It”!
“It’s Music That Sings Your Child’s Name!”
Stop by http://www.kidspersonalizedmusic.net/ and hear a sample with your child’s name!
Our newest products for 2009 are Personalized DVD’s where your child becomes the star of their own movie!
Victoria Blackney
http://www.kidspersonalizedmusic.net
"It's Music That Sings Your Child's Name!"
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Our Most Recent Pre-made Design Templates
Here are our most recent pre-made design templates that we offer at My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design! I offer my clients the choice of either picking one of our pre-made design templates or we can design something custom just for them!
Jacqueline at Impressions Home Staging & Decor...
Wow! Imagine my surprise & excitement to find that me and my website & graphic design business (My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design) had been mentioned in the press this morning!
Jacqueline at Impressions Home Staging & Decor had written a thank you note to me on her blog for the graphic creations I had done for her and for creating her blog design and layout for her! Jacqueline is such a sweetheart! I can not express how much it touched me to find Jacqueline's sweet words about me and my website & graphic design business!
This is what Jacqueline had to say about me...
A special thanks and kudos to Lisa of My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design: http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com for creating the graphics and layout for Impressions Staging & Decor Blog. As always Lisa's work is highly professional, and always done with love and creativity. Be sure to visit her website for custom website & graphic designs at amazing prices!
Thank you Jacqueline so very much for your sweet sweet thank you and kudos note about me on your blog! I can not even express to you how much this means to me! That was such a sweet and thoughtful thing for you to do for me! I really appreciate it! It was a truly pleasure working with you! Thank you!
CLICK HERE To See This Blurb About Me And My Business!
CLICK HERE To See All Of The Places We Have Been In The Press!
One Lovely Blog Award
Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to find that two very sweet women had presented me with the "One Lovely Blog Award" (which is my THIRD blog award!
I would like to send a HUGE thanks to Lisa from Kids Accessories Blog and KC's Handpainted Boutique Blog for nominating me for this wonderful award! : ) I am SO VERY HONORED to be receiving the One Lovely Blog Award! : ) I am truly thrilled to have discovered not only these blogs... but also the women who are behind all of them! They are truly amazing women.... and my life is blessed to have had the pleasure of knowing them! Thank you nominees..... for being YOU!
Here are the rules for receiving the One Lovely Blog Award:
1. Post the award on your blog together with the name of the person who has given the award and the blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
My nominations for the One Lovely Blog Award are:
♥ Jenn at Little Piddles Blog
(http://www.littlepiddles.blogspot.com)
♥ Jodi at Maximizing Scents Blog
(http://maximumscents.blogspot.com)
♥ Kim at Little Ladybug Designs Blog
(http://littleladybugdesigns.blogspot.com)
♥ Gina at WickLESS CaNDLe WOMAN Blog
(http://wicklesscandlewoman.blogspot.com)
♥ Barb at Feel Excellent Blog
(http://www.feelexcellent.net)
♥ Domonique at Kess Informant's Blog
(http://www.kessinformant.com)
♥ Lisa at Military Momz Blog
(http://militarymomz.blogspot.com)
♥ Dawn at Dawn At Your Service’s Blog
(http://dawnaturservice.wordpress.com)
♥ Karen at I am the Princess
(http://iamtheprincessblog.blogspot.com)
♥ Maureen at Online Shopping Boutique Blog
(http://onlineshoppingboutique.blogspot.com)
♥ Crystal at A Touch of Tabitha Blog
(http://atouchoftabitha.blogspot.com)
♥ Crystal at A Touch of Tabitha Fabric Blog
(http://atouchoftabithafabrics.blogspot.com)
♥ Lisa at Fun Child Learning Activities Blog
(http://www.mylittlerembrandt.blogspot.com)
♥ Shalene at Affiliate Mom Blog
(http://www.affiliate-mom.com)
♥ Kiki at The Bra Lady Blog
(http://the-vogel-family.com)
CLICK HERE To See ALL Of Our Blog Awards!
Certified Business Moms ~ Press Release
Heidi from Certified Business Moms recently created a press release for my website & graphic design business and I have to say she did an amazing job! Heidi was not only personable but she is also an extremely talented writer as well! After creating my press release Heidi then submitted my press release to many places as well! Heidi's customer service is outstanding and she was truly a delight to work with! As you can tell..... I AM THRILLED with the work Heidi did on my press release!!
Here is the press release that Heidi from Certified Business Moms created for me...
Even in today’s world where search engine optimization is essential to having a successful online business it is difficult to find a website developer/designer who also incorporates SEO into their client’s websites. This is not the case with My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design. My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design is a website development/web design company who realizes that a website is useless without integrated SEO.
This firm creates websites from scratch, down to the basic HTML code to ensure that each individual page works correctly. The benefit of having a company that creates each page by hand is that they will be able to create site which are hand tailored for SEO content. They also encourage clients to be actively involved in the design process so that clients are satisfied from the very beginning.
My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design offers several affordable website services including several custom design packages. While most competitors offer only one menu choice, My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design offers up to 6 custom styled web menu options. The website development firm also offers custom made graphics and logos as part of their services. To learn more about My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design at: http://www.mycolorfultreasureswebdesign.com!
Thank you Heidi for doing such a great job on my press release! I recommend Heidi to anyone looking for a press release to be done.... because as you can see.... she does an outstanding job!
Product Review Grade: 100% Satisfaction
CLICK HERE To See More Great Product Reviews!
CLICK HERE To See All Of The Places We Have Been In The Press!
Safe Candle ~ Scentsy Cinnamon Vanilla Wax
I LOVE SCENTSY PRODUCTS! I do! I can't help it! I love them so much that I use them everyday! All of the Scentsy's products are wonderful.... but I have to say I love the warmer and the waxes the best! My warmer matches the decor of my kitchen wonderfully and oh the smell of the Scentsy product scents! I also like the fact that Scentsy products are so affordable and they last a really long time too!
To switch on that warmer holding the wax and wait for the amazing aroma & scents that come from it... is like anxiously waiting to open a Christmas present!! Yep.... it's that good!
My Scentsy clients that I create websites for... have been so wonderful to supply me with the Scentsy products I want or need! One of those clients is Jodi Albertini, the owner of Safe Candle!
Out of the goodness of her heart.... Jodi recently sent me enough Scentsy Cinnamon Vanilla wax to last me a good long while.... simply as a thank you for the work I do for her as her webmaster! Jodi is truly a wonderful lady and she has a heart of pure gold! Jodi's customer service is also outstanding as well!
Thank you Jodi for providing me the Scentsy scents that I love! Shop at Safe Candle today!
Product Review Grade: 100% Satisfaction
CLICK HERE To See More Great Product Reviews!
Barb Lulay ~ The Woman Behind The Business
Hello everyone. My name is Barb Lulay and I am the co-owner of Health and Harmony!! I am a stay at home mom who is happily married with 5 children. I guess happily married is really an understatement: it is more like that we are on a permanent honeymoon. My husband is my life and soul mate and has been since the day we met. As for my beautiful children – they are truly our life and joy. I can honestly say that we not only enjoy every second with our family, but we treasure it. I am so blessed to be at home with my children and still be able to do a business that I love.
My daughter asked me if I worked one day. I smiled and said, ‘I suppose I do work, but I love what I do.’ She very sweetly smiled back and said, ’that’s good because I heard if you like what you do, you never work a day in your life.’ How true.
You know how with some careers you just know that you are in the right place: the place that God wants you to be: the place where everything just seems right? Well, that is where I am. I have the best of both worlds – wonderful family and wonderful job where I help people achieve what I have. Since my family is so important to me, it is only natural that I want to protect them the best I can. Being an electrical engineer from Univ of Il in Champaign, I learned that you have to study and research to solve problems. So that is exactly what I did: I studied and researched to see what can I do to 1. help my husband with the finances 2. not miss any precious time with my children and husband and 3. help others. It’s a huge job to try to find a starting point but being athletic and health conscious, it was also natural for me to start in the health area because what good is anything if we don’t have good health. Besides I was diagnosed with Lupus and my youngest with IGA Nephropathy, and I wanted some solution to help us feel better.
So I went on a search for what I should do now that all my children where in school. It wasn’t easy sometimes though. I tried a bunch of scam things before I realized where my heart really was. One that we tried ended up with an undercover FBI agent contacting me about mail fraud. With lots of prayers and guidance from God, my husband and I both decided we should return to my long lost love of health and wellness. I chose Shaklee because they are the only company that runs their million-dollar business the way we run our home: By the Golden Rule – Love One Another as I have Loved You. Being a born and raised Catholic, this is the way everything should be done.
Ever since then, my husband and I have made it a mission to help other people achieve their ultimate health and protect their children, spouses and families from harm. Financial freedom is just an added benefit. The true reward comes from the many phone calls and emails of “thank you(s)’ from customers that are now healthier. The idea that I am helping and protecting my children and family is everything to me. Now I know I am not only in the right place as a stay at home mom but also as a career. Thank you.
Barb Lulay
http://www.healthandharmony.info
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Lori Vogels ~ The Woman Behind The Business
Hello, my name is Lori, owner and designer of Lori’s Personalized Party Creations! I started my business in May 2004 when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. I was getting ready to graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communication/Graphic Design from AIU Online University and I already knew I wanted to be able to stay home with my 2 girls and the new baby that was on the way.
I started out selling only candy bar wrappers and soon had customers asking if I could create invitations and other matching items to go with their wrappers. I was and still am always up for a new challenge and soon found myself making invitations, thank you cards, water bottle labels, advice cards, scratch off cards and much more. I have even expanded as far as creating DVD slide shows that are set to music and have been used by my customers for birthday celebrations, birth announcements, memorials, graduations, and business presentations.
In addition to my business, I am happily married to Steve and mom to 3 beautiful daughters, Megan, age 18, Mackenzie, age 10 and Karleigh, age 4. I am truly blessed to be able to run my business from home and be here for my family.
Lori Vogels
http://lorispersonalizedpartycreations.com
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Karen ~ The Woman Behind The Business
My name is Karen and I am the owner of I am the Princess! I have 1 son who is 25 and 2 daughters. I have been married for 26 years. I am a full time school bus driver and I drive special needs children. I have always loved kids and feel so bad for so many. I think that is why I have driven the special needs children for over 10 years! I love girly girl things and my 2 daughters do also. They are 20 and 9 so it is a broad range. Which is where I came up with the idea for I am the Princess. To cover from baby to adult.
I love my business. I have met a lot of wonderful people daily and I learn a lot on a day to day basis. My business is actually more a passion of mine rather than a business and I would never give it up... (which doesn't matter, my children would not let me anyway). I constantly work on my business and miss out on a lot of family time and events. I do regret those times. My children totally understand and back me as does my husband. My family is my driven passion for my business. They help all the time. They process orders, package, advertise and organize the shop. I am very lucky to have an entire family behind me 100%!
Karen
www.www.iamtheprincess.com
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Lisa Edwards ~ The Woman Behind The Business
Hi! My name is Lisa Edwards and I am the owner of Founder and Owner of MilitaryMomz.com!
I am a happily married woman, mother of 3 handsome boys. I have a wonderful extended family.
About my cause.......... My "middle" son talked with us at the beginning of 2007 about joining the Air Force. As he was only 17 at the time, I balked at the idea, but knew I had the upper hand because he needed "my" signature to join. After talking with him I realized he was serious. This was what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to be a part of the United States Armed Forces. We signed the papers and "our" life in the military began. My son was no longer a boy, he was a MAN. I am so very proud of him and his wife. (She is also in the Air Force, high school sweethearts, now man and wife and proudly serving the United States!)
Even though I have always been an avid watcher of a cable news channel, I began to pay closer attention to the war, the troops, their families and what was going on in the lives of some of the families of these troops who were deployed. While my son and his wife have a VERY STRONG support group of family and friends, I quickly found out this was not the case for all soldiers. It wasnʼt long before I felt a strong desire to do what I could to help. After hearing about and/or reading about so many troops and their families having a hard time financially, emotionally, medically, etc... when their "soldier" is deployed, I knew I had to find a way to help.
I created www.militarymomz.com with the intention of having patriotic items people could purchase that would show their support for the troops. Whether you support the war or not, our troops NEED our support. They NEED to know we are behind them 100% and we care about them. With this in mind, we intend to donate 50% of our profits Soldiers Angels. I canʼt stand the thought of a child doing without school supplies, a family's home being foreclosed on, a wife or husband needing a friend, someone to talk with, while their spouse is off supporting us all! These soldiers and their families need us.
Lisa Edwards
www.militarymomz.com
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Lisa Verde ~ The Woman Behind The Business
Hi! My name is Lisa Verde and I am the owner of Kidcessory Haven Inc.! I started this business really on a whim. I had always wanted to start a business that would allow me to stay at home when I had children. It was in the back of my mind when I went back to collage to get my degree in Interior Design. However, after having my first child, I soon discovered that being an Interior Designer was not something that one could do readily from home. So I became a stay at home mom and put the career business out of my mind.
One day, while at Disney World, I purchased a hair bow for my daughter for $10. After examining it, I thought to myself...'I can make this'. So after returning home I promptly went to a local craft store and bought some ribbon in various colors. After making matching hair ties for my daughter and me, we started wearing them to our various 'mommy and me' classes. They were an instant hit and everyone started asking me where I purchased them. Suddenly the idea of making and selling them for profit became my dream. I worked over the space of a summer to create a website, mainly for the purpose of having an 'online' catalog, however it morphed into a full fledged website with many other items, such as boys web belts, dog collars, jewelry and baby gifts in addition to the hair tutus. I love it. It has become my third 'child' as every day it brings new ideas on new products and new ways to promote my website.
I started selling the products about two years ago, with the website becoming 'live' a little over a year ago.
My products are custom handmade matching hair accessories, socks, web belts, dog collars, beaded jewelry, wipes cases, Spring Street gifts and Virgencita Watches.
My price ranges are from $5.00 - 16.50 for hair tutus.
Shipping costs range from $3 on up, and is based on dollar amount. However I do deliver to anyone in the area of Weston for free!! At this time we are shipping within the continental US only.
We accept Master card Visa American Express and e-checks thru Paypal (www.paypal.com) or Revolution Money Exchange (http://www.revolutionmoneyexchange.com/).
Lisa Verde
www.kidcessoryhaveninc.com
CLICK HERE To See More Of "The Woman Behind The Business" Series!
Barb at Health and Harmony wrote...
This really seems to be my week in finding notes about me and my business! I was sotruly touched and SURPRISED and even EXCITED to find out that Barb at Health and Harmony had written a note about me and my Website & Graphic Design business on her blog!
Barb knows so much about health! She is what I call a health expert! She used to be a body builder and she owns her own business and is a Shaklee Distributor! She has been quite successful! I always know any information I get from her.... is well researched and is wholesome! I still love my lead free lip gloss Barb!
This is what Barb had to say about me...
I am thrilled to be receiving the Uber Amazing Blog Award! I would like to send a BIG thanks to Lisa from My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design for nominating me for this wonderful award! She has an excellent blog that contains trustworthy reviews of a wide range of products. I can't even begin to describe how talented she is: she is a self taught web designer and a beautiful handcrafted jewelry designer. Everything she does is top quality.
Thank you Barb for saying such sweet things about me! I really appreciate it!
CLICK HERE To See This Blurb About Me And My Business!
CLICK HERE To See All Of The Places We Have Been In The Press!
Debbie at Black Bird Limited wrote...
Imagine my surprise to find out that Debbie at Black Bird Limited had written a thank you note to me on her website for the logo I created for her! Debbie is a friend of mine... she also family (by marriage) as well! I can not express how much it touched me to find Debbie's sweet words about me and my business (My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design)!
Debbie is a super talented jewelry artist (like me) and she creates amazing artisan jewelry!!!! You guessed it..... she LOVES birds!
This is what Debbie had to say about me...
Thank you Lisa from My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design for all her help! She has been a vital part in developing Black Bird Limited. I wanted to take a moment to thank her for her help in designing my logo. You have done a great job in inspiring Black Bird Limited!
Thank you Debbie for saying such sweet things about me and my work on your logo! I really appreciate your kind words! It was a true pleasure helping you out and if you ever need me.... holler!!!!
CLICK HERE To See This Blurb About Me And My Business!
CLICK HERE To See All Of The Places We Have Been In The Press!
Kim @ Little Ladybug Designs wrote....
I can not express how much it touched me to find that my friend Kim @ Little Ladybug Designs had posted a KUDOS about me and my business (My Colorful Treasures Website & Graphic Design) on her very popular blog!!!! I felt so honored and appreciated to be included in a thank you to all of the people who have been so helpful to her! Kim is super talented and she creates awesome custom announcements, invitations, business cards, labels, mommy calling cards, DVD montages, and so much more that I can't even list them all!!!
This is what Kim had to say about me...
This post has been a long time coming. Over this past year I have met some amazing people who out of the goodness of their hearts have helped me gain a beautiful presence for my business. I wanted to take the time to say thank you to these wonderful women.
Lisa at My Colorful Treasures is a very creative and talented jewelry and web designer. Not only has she created a beautiful Minnie Mouse Bracelet for my daughter as a surprise she has helped me with my Top 100 site.
A heartfelt thanks goes out to each one of these talented ladies!
Thank you Kim for including me and my businesses in your thank you to those who have helped you out! I really appreciate it!
CLICK HERE To See This Blurb About Me And My Business!
CLICK HERE To See All Of The Places We Have Been In The Press!
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