#networking speaker

Did you know that there are 582 million entrepreneurs in the world? With numbers like this, entrepreneurs everywhere need a competitive edge. If you’re building and scaling a business, chances are you’re constantly on the lookout for ways to get a leg up on your competitors. To accomplish this, you’ll need a great marketing strategy that stands out in a saturated market and access to the best digital marketing tools.

In this blog, we’re going to outline nine applications you need to optimize your digital marketing strategy. There may be a few that you are familiar with; others might be new to you. These are the ones that can unlock that door to success you’ve been waiting for.

From project management to outsourcing tasks and simplifying your social media marketing efforts, each of these applications will help you get the competitive edge you’re after. Plus, they’re easy-to-use with minimal technical skills required.

Project Management and Collaboration - Trello

The most important part of starting your digital marketing strategy is communicating and setting expectations for deliverables and deadlines for yourself, and if applicable, your team and stakeholders. In the past, most project management efforts took place via email. However, that traditional process was not created to accomplish the dynamic and fast-paced tasks that digital marketing activities demand. 

Trello is a free digital marketing tool for easy project management. The app displays each project like a “board” containing “cards” with checklists, and the user interface is easy to understand and navigate. Like other platforms, there are upgrades that come as paid features to get the most out of it. But, the basic free service entails checklists, deadline reminders, data filtering, activity logs, email notifications, customizable task categories, and more. It’s the best tool to simplify and organize digital marketing projects.

In the realm of business, networking is not just about building a list of contacts—it's about cultivating meaningful relationships that can provide mutual support and opportunities for growth. For women in business, these connections can serve as a springboard to overcome hurdles, achieve professional goals, and pave the way for future generations of women leaders. Today, we'll dive deep into how women can create effective business networks and how such networks can empower them to reach new heights in their careers.

Understanding the Importance of Networking for Women in Business

Research has repeatedly shown that robust business networks play a crucial role in the success of entrepreneurs and professionals alike. It's through these networks that we gain access to essential resources—knowledge, opportunities, mentorship, and support. However, the gender disparity within business networks is not insignificant. Women in business often find themselves contending with male-dominated networks, where access to resources may be limited. As a result, it's vital for women to build their networks proactively, focusing not just on quantity but also on the quality of connections.

Navigating the Networking Landscape

The world of networking can feel overwhelming. It's teeming with networking events, online platforms, and various groups that can sometimes feel more daunting than helpful. For women looking to build their business networks, it's crucial to navigate this landscape strategically. Consider your professional goals and target industries, and identify networking opportunities that align with these parameters. Seek out events and platforms where you're likely to meet peers, mentors, and potential business partners who share your interests and aspirations. The more relevant your network, the more empowering it will be.

Building Meaningful Connections

Once you've identified the right networking opportunities, the next step is to build meaningful connections. Networking isn't just about exchanging business cards—it's about engaging in authentic, mutually beneficial relationships. This means asking insightful questions, offering your knowledge and expertise where appropriate, and maintaining regular contact. Networking for women in business isn't about conforming to an "old boys' club" model; instead, it's about fostering relationships based on respect, empathy, and mutual

As we step into 2024, I've been diving into some incredible books that have seriously revved up my entrepreneurial engine. I believe that a good read can not only provide knowledge but also ignite a fire within us. So, I’ve curated a list of must-reads that I think every woman entrepreneur should check out this year. From mindset shifts to practical strategies, these books are all about elevating your game. Let’s jump in!

1. "Be Seen" by Jen Gottlieb

This is more than just a book; it's a guide to unlocking your potential and making a real impact. Jen Gottlieb, a master at personal branding, shares insightful strategies on how to effectively put yourself out there, build a powerful personal brand, and get noticed in the crowded entrepreneurial space.

(And fun fact - everyone attending Success Reimagined Virtual Conference January 23-25, 2024, will be getting a copy of this book mailed to you, so if you haven't already registered, now is the time!)

2. "Value Selling" by Julie Thomas

For anyone looking to up their sales game, this book is a goldmine. Julie Thomas breaks down the art of selling into something more meaningful – creating value. It’s all about understanding your clients' needs and offering solutions that resonate, transforming the way you approach sales.

3. "10x is Easier Than 2x" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Dr. Benjamin Hardy challenges conventional success strategies and pushes you to think bigger. This book is a game-changer for those who want to leap rather than step. It’s about aiming higher, thinking larger, and achieving more than you ever thought possible.

4. "The Messy Truth" by Alli Webb

Alli Webb, the mind behind Drybar, shares her raw, real entrepreneurial journey in this book. It’s a deep dive into the not-so-glamorous side of entrepreneurship and a reminder that the path to success is often messy – and that’s perfectly okay.

5. "Eat to Treat" by Maggie Berghoff

Maggie Berghoff brings a fresh perspective on how what we eat affects not just our bodies but our business success. This book connects nutrition with productivity and mental clarity, offering a holistic approach to health and entrepreneurship.

6. "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." by Brené Brown

Brené Brown's "Dare to Lead" is a must-read for women entrepreneurs looking to embrace courage and leadership. This book delves into what it takes to step up, be brave, and lead with heart in the business world. It's about building a culture of openness and empathy while navigating the challenges of leadership.

7. "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear

James Clear's "Atomic Habits" offers transformative insights into making small changes that lead to remarkable results. This book is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to build productive habits and mindsets that contribute to long-term success and personal growth.

8. "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries

Eric Ries' "The Lean Startup" is a revolutionary approach to business that’s changing how new products are built and launched. It offers valuable strategies for startups to be more flexible, use capital more efficiently, and leverage human creativity more effectively.

9. "Worthy: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For" by Jamie Kern Lima

In "Worthy," Jamie Kern Lima shares an empowering message for every woman entrepreneur who has ever felt undervalued. This book is a heartfelt guide to overcoming self-doubt and embracing your worthiness. Kern Lima's journey from a struggling waitress to a successful entrepreneur is filled with lessons on resilience, self-belief, and the courage to chase your dreams. It's an inspirational read for anyone looking to break free from limiting beliefs and step into their power.

10. "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg

In "Lean In," Sheryl Sandberg reignites the conversation around women in the workplace. This book is a personal narrative and a call to action, addressing issues like leadership, overcoming obstacles, and achieving one's true potential in the entrepreneurial world.

I hope these books inspire, challenge, and guide you as much as they have for me. Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and conquering! I'm curious to know what's on your reading list for 2024. What's that one must-read book you believe every woman entrepreneur should delve into this year?

Drop your recommendations in the comments below – let's build our ultimate 2024 reading list together! Sharing is not just caring; it's expanding our collective horizons. Can't wait to see your picks and maybe find my next favorite read!

No matter which holiday(s) you celebrate, this time of year can be a great time to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.  For many industries (certainly not all, but many) it’s a great time of year to carve out these moments for yourself since clients are focused on family.  But we all know that relaxation can be easier said than done when you’re used to being on the go.  

Here are some of the best ways to decompress:

Guided Meditation. It can be difficult to turn your brain off!  While the goal of meditation may seem lofty, for those who think meditation is impossible, try guided meditations!  The internet is full of great tools to help you practice mindfulness and decrease your anxiety.  

Make plans with friends you haven’t seen in a while! One of the big down sides to being an entrepreneur is how isolating it can be.  Even when you have a supportive and loving tribe, it can be easy to lose touch when so much of yourself is wrapped up in your business.  What better time to reconnect?

Turn off your phone. Yup, I said it.  Don’t put it on silent.  Don’t put it on vibrate.   Turn it OFF.  It doesn’t have to be all week, or even for a whole day, but take some time and give yourself the gift of unplugging, even if it’s only for a few hours.  And no cheating with your iPad either!

Read for pleasure. No business books, no self-improvement, just good old-fashioned FUN.   Think back to the time your loved reading the most, doesn’t matter how old you were.  Was it Roald Dahl, Stephen King, Jackie Collins?  Doesn’t matter.  Embrace the fun of reading and pick something for the sole purpose of your own enjoyment!

Get More Info :  5 Ways for Entrepreneurs to Decompress Over the Holidays

How a broken, single, teenage Mom of a handicapped child turned DIY facials into the business of her dreams

Entrepreneurs are a unique breed if you haven't figured that out for yourself, and if you are truly one at heart you are a chronic visionary. You're always looking for new ways to solve problems through innovative products and services. Ava Young did just that. She began her adult life as a teenage, single mother of a mentally and physically handicapped child. Ava was literally broke and broken as she tried to raise her daughter on a minimum wage salary, doing whatever it took to survive.

Ava had a passion for facials, so to salvage what little pleasure she had in her life, She created her own DIY facials. Today, she is launching her own business of skin care products with the help of her daughter's special needs work program. Her company, Self Spa Skin, has the tagline, "Great skin has special needs."

Ava is one special woman. Watch the video of her interview on the eWN Podcast Network show, Spotlight on eWomenNetwork, with Host, Phyllis Smith and get ready to get inspired (and maybe shed a tear or two!).

A Difficult Beginning

PHYLLIS SMITH: So, you've created your own skin care product years ago really out of necessity. You were broke, you were a single mother of a mentally and physically handicapped child. So, before we get into the success of your business please tell us about your daughter’s condition and what that experience was like for you as a parent.

AVA YOUNG: Oh, let’s see ... my daughter was born very early. She was 2 pounds 7 ounces, and we're talking, my daughter is very fully grown, so we're talking a long time back when they were just introducing new intensive care units for infants. She was actually the first survivor in the Ventura General Hospital Neonatal Clinic. So yeah, it has just coincidentally been built and opened the week before. So, um ... she was very, very tiny and she had a lot of problems. She came out of the hospital, she finally came home when she was 2 months old and 5 pounds.

So she was very, very tiny, and I was told that there would be problems like with her teeth and with her eyes and although that came to be true there was a whole lot more that they didn't tell me about. Turned out that, um ... as she grew there was developmental delays so she did turn out to be autistic. Very high functioning though. Um ... a touch of Cerebral Palsy and of course all the eye problems that you would encounter, that they used to encounter all the time giving too much oxygen and it distorted the inside of the eyes.

I was barely 18 when I had her. So, although I had been married I found myself a single parent very, very, very, very quickly, and I was just overwhelmed. Yeah, [laughter] it's funny to go back to that time because it's so long ago and there's so many things that happened in the meantime, but remembering that, um ... it's funny. It's funny looking back on that, and if I wanted, if I could ... myself sitting here tell my younger self then, “It’s okay, you'll get through it”. It's gonna be a lot of years, but it'll be fine.