Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Meet Erica Setter

Erica Setter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Where I Met with Erica
I enjoyed meeting with on a beautiful fall day in the Black Forest.  We got to meet at my favorite coffee shop (R&R Coffee) and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in an actual mug and a yummy on-site baked cinnamon role. Erica was immediate warm and friendly, which I guess is not surprising considering her profession.  

What I Really Like About Erica
Erica is compassionate and good at what she does.  She also has a passion for traveling.

Background
Erica was originally from the east coast and attended graduate school in New York City.  Erica thought she was going to be a nurse and decided she really liked helping people work out their problems.  She completed her LCS MSW (2 year master’s degree) at Columbia University. When Erica came to visit friends in Salida and Colorado Springs and decided to stay in Colorado. 
Erica made the entrepreneurial move to start her own business when she had her first child.  Erica wanted to control her schedule while raising her children and she found she naturally focused on working with kids.  As her children have grown, Erica found her practice has evolved with her own life transitions.  Erica now focuses more on adults where her own interests are more compatible.

My Ideal Client…
Erica comes from a place of compassion and prefers to work with clients who are motivated and want to be involved in their own growth. She is quite adept at couples counseling and making sure there is a feeling of balance in their sessions. Erica is open-minded and works with gay and lesbian relationships. She works with adolescents and adults in individual therapy as well.  Her greatest joy is when people “get it” and make progress and positive changes. 

3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
1.        It’s important to look at what you like.  Erica here shared a brief story about her mom becoming a lawyer because that was expected.  Erica’s mom encouraged Erica to follow her passion.
2.       Have a career just in case.  Even if you plan to be a stay at home mom, it’s better to prepare yourself for other possible eventualities.
3. Be frugal—keep a balance in life—think about what you really want.

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
Know where your money goes.  Erica recommends you learn some business skills no matter what your particular product or service is going to be.  She found graduate school taught clinical skills and she had to pursue mentors and financial advice on her own.  Erica also had to learn marketing skill and simple management skills such as charging a fee for appointment no shows or cancellations.

From her experience as a counselor, Erica says that women need to be more aware of their household budgets. It is common to have money wrapped up with issues of self-worth or entitlement or control.  It is so important to have openness and understanding in terms of a budget so you can be prepared for life’s unexpected twists and turns.

My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Erica said her biggest learning moment was about credit cards.  Her family did not have credit cards growing up.  Erica had a friend explain how to use her credit card as a tool to earn travel points and simply pay off the balance each month.  Erica has supported her traveling habit successfully this way.

I enjoy discussing investment strategy ideas and can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Erica
If you are interested in connecting with a compassionate counselor or just have questions, please contact Erica at: (719) 531-5585.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Five Ways for Women to Achieve Retirement Security

I grabbed this article by Mike Miller from MorningStar.  This piece has good information for women looking to educate themselves more about their finances.

Women face distinct retirement-planning challenges, including higher longevity risk, less access to workplace retirement plans, and continued wage discrepancies.

Mary Tooles should be on track to a secure retirement. She has a college degree and more than 10 years of experience working in operations management for major corporations, including FedEx (FDX), OfficeMax (OMX), and Target (TGT). On paper, she's an ideal candidate to be socking away savings in workplace retirement accounts.

But Tooles left her position two years ago as a store manager at Target, where irregular, long hours competed with her growing responsibilities at home. A divorced mother of two who receives almost no child support, she also cares for her 88-year-old father, who lives with her and has mild dementia. She found a new position with more regular hours, but it pays one third less than her old job.

Tooles also is saddled with her Orlando, Fla., home, which she purchased with a 20% down payment before the housing-market crash. And, she's putting her two sons through college.

At age 50, her retirement savings are meager, and "there's no retirement plan in sight" outside of Social Security and a small amount of pension income earned at her various jobs. "Retirement is just a big unknown," she says.

Adds Wayne Blanchard, an Orlando-based financial planner who advises Tooles: "It's one thing to be a single parent, and another to be a single parent with caregiver duties on top of it. Her challenges have made it very difficult to save for retirement."

Distinct ChallengesNumerous studies show that women have much more trouble than men building for a secure retirement.

Caregiving, whether for aging parents or children, often cuts into earnings and destabilizes retirement plans, and two thirds of caregivers of adults over age 50 are women, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving.

Additionally, many women still earn lower wages than men in many occupations. In 2010, women across all occupations earned 81% of what men earned, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In retirement, lower income translates to smaller Social Security benefits or defined benefit pension payments, along with smaller balances in 401(k) accounts, IRAs, and other retirement-savings vehicles.

Women are less likely than men even to have access to a workplace retirement savings plan. An annual survey on retirement by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies shows that 70% of women currently have access to a workplace retirement plan, compared with 79% of men.

"The gap between women and men is closing slowly, but it's a legacy from the past," says Catherine Collinson, the center's president. "It persists because women are more than twice as likely as men to work part-time and, therefore, are much less likely to be offered benefits."

(Collinson adds that among women working full-time, those who are offered a 401(k) plan have increased from 73% in 2007 to catch up with men at 80% in 2011.)

A sizable gender gap in financial literacy is another hurdle women face in meeting retirement goals. For example, research by The Wharton School's Boettner Center for Pensions and Retirement Research documents that women are less likely than men to understand the stock and bond markets and risk diversification. The center's research also shows that low financial literacy leads women to under-invest in stocks and tax-favored assets, which leads to subpar long-term returns.

The Transamerica study contains similar findings; for example, 34% of women told Transamerica researchers that they understand Social Security benefits "a great deal" or "quite a bit," compared with 45% of men.

On the flip side of the coin, women face greater longevity risk in retirement, which means they need to stretch their resources across more years. A woman who reaches the age of 65 can expect to live an average of 19 more years, nearly three years longer than a man, according to the U.S. Administration on Aging.

Women do understand the special challenges they face in securing their retirement. A recent study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University found that women know they'll outlive men and that they tend to worry more about retirement--especially the affordability of health care, long-term-care costs, and the adequacy of their income and assets.

For example, 71% of women (versus 62% of men) told the researchers that they were "very or somewhat concerned" about being able to afford health care in their retirement years; 71% also are worried about meeting long-term-care needs and nearly twice as likely as men to be very concerned (27% versus 15%).

At the same time, the MetLife study found that women aren't taking charge of their own future needs. Only 34% said they are most responsible for financial and retirement planning in their households, compared with 61% of men.

"It isn't that women aren't capable of handling retirement planning," says Sandra Timmerman, MMI's director. "But somehow there is a lack of confidence or ability to take the step forward and do the math. Women are more worried and want to have a good financial plan, and yet they haven't taken action."

Taking ControlWhat can women do to improve their odds of achieving retirement security? Experts serve up these suggestions:

Spouses: Communicate and plan. The need to act isn't limited to women; experts caution that married couples need to focus more on joint planning. "When men are doing retirement planning with their spouses, they often aren't thinking about the long life of women, and the likelihood that the woman will outlive him," Timmerman says. "It's important to really make all the provisions that you should." At the top of Timmerman's list: planning for the expense of health care and long-term care in retirement.

Have a smart Social Security plan. Social Security is a critical bulwark against longevity risk for women, since it provides lifetime income--and older single women fall into poverty at a higher rate than most demographic groups in the country. The program is the sole source of income for 42% of single women over age 62.

The age at which you file for benefits is the most important decision. Although there's no one-size-fits-all answer, many women will benefit by delaying filing for Social Security benefits until at least the normal retirement age, or NRA, which currently is 66. Annual benefits are reduced 8% for every year that you file before this age, and increased by the same amount for every year you wait past NRA, up to age 70. A delayed filing offers a powerful way to boost current income in retirement.

For couples, the spouse with higher Social Security benefits should delay filing as long as possible. The spouse with lower benefits (often the woman) is entitled to receive the greater of his/her own benefit or half of their spouse's benefit. And surviving spouses can switch over to a deceased spouse's full benefit level for life.

Christine Fahlund, a senior financial planner at T. Rowe Price, says, "If the husband predeceases the wife before the widow attains her full retirement age, depending on that widow's financial situation and current age, it could be beneficial for her to wait to claim her husband's Social Security benefit until she attains [NRA] so that she receives the maximum widow's benefit for which she is eligible." Fahlund adds that if she claims at any earlier age, starting at age 60, her widow's benefit will be reduced for the rest of her life.

You first, kids second. Research shows that many parents rob their own retirement plans in order to provide financial assistance to children. That can leave parents in the humiliating position of exhausting their assets late in life and relying on children for assistance.

Fahlund notes, "Too often, a mother will get a pile of money and say to herself, 'What can I do with this to help my kids?' But it's an obligation to yourself and your children for you to be financially solvent at all times. You and your spouse need to plan well for retirement so that at the end of the day, you still have money and haven't given it away to the children prematurely."

Plan for health-care expenses. Women have significantly higher lifetime health-care expenditures than men, mainly because of their longevity. Long-term-care costs also fall disproportionately on women because they are more likely to provide care for men and outlive them. "Couples ought to be speaking with their adult kids at an early age about how to finance long-term care, probably in their mid- to late 50s," Fahlund says. (For more on long-term-care strategies, see my discussion with Morningstar's Christine Benz here and here).

Consider hiring a financial planner. Hiring an advisor adds a partner to your family who will still be there when one spouse dies. That can be especially valuable if the deceased spouse handled most of the financial-planning chores. The surviving spouse has an established relationship with a trusted advisor who has a thorough understanding of the family's financial situation. You want to hire someone with experience but young enough to be around and still practicing when you reach an advanced age.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Meet Kelly O'Neil, Marketing and Branding Expert

Where I Met Kelly
I connected with Kelly through social media. I checked out her facebook fanpage and thought she had some solid information to share. 

What I Really Like About Kelly
Kelly is a down to earth lady and is making herself into a success.  I like that she is open and sharing her process and words of wisdom.  We can all learn so much from people “in the process” and Kelly is putting herself out there.

Step Into the Extraordinary:
15 Ways to Become an Extraordinary Entrepreneur
By Kelly O'Neil 


I believe that excellence is never an accident. This is a mantra I've long used in both my personal life... and my professional life. Excellence is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution, and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.
Excellence leads to extraordinary things. But you aren't born extraordinary. You have to work at excellence -- foster it, nurture it, educate it. How? One way to effectively embrace excellence and step into extraordinary is by recognizing common traits among extraordinary individuals. Over the years of working with amazing entrepreneurs, I've identified these 15 traits as markers of true excellence. Recognize them -- and work toward achieving them yourself -- and you'll be well on your way to eliminating mediocrity and becoming a high performer in your industry... and reaping the rewards of that commitment.


High-Performing Entrepreneurs:
1.        Aren't just working for the money. They care about their company beyond the profits and take great pride in its performance, impact on society, and ability to help others through its offerings.

2.       Are truthful. They do what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it. People know they can count on them time and time again.

3.       Embrace opportunities. They look for -- and find -- opportunities to improve themselves, their work, and their business. Others? They see no opportunity.

4.       Are focused on solutions. They don't bring problems to the table without recommending a solution.

5.        Focus on CAN. High performers focus on what they can do rather than what they can't accomplish.

6.       Don't blame. High performers take responsibility for their actions and outcomes (or lack thereof). When they make a mistake they own it, fix it and learn from it.

7.        Are busy, productive, and proactive. While most people waste too much time planning, over-thinking, sitting on their hands or going in circles, high performers are out there getting the job done.

8.       Are life-long learners. High performers constantly work at educating and improving themselves, either formally (through academics), informally (by watching, listening, asking, reading, etc), experientially (by doing, trying)... or by employing all three educational strategies.

9.       Consistently do what they need to do. No matter how they feel or what curves life has thrown their way, they get it done. High performers don't let life become an excuse and don't allow their personal life or mood to impact their work. They work extra hours, nights, or weekends if they need to.

10.     Have a desire to be exceptional. They will typically do things others won't do. Becoming exceptional is a choice, and high performers are committed to that choice.

11.      Accept feedback. High performers aren't just open to feedback, they are more likely to act upon it.

12.     Set higher standards for themselves. The result? Greater commitment, more momentum, a better work ethic and (of course) better results.

13.     Are more interested in effective than easy. While the majority of people look for the quickest, easiest way, high performers look for the course of action that will produce the best results over the long term.

14.     Finish what they start. While so many people spend their lives starting things they never finish, successful people get the job done -- even when the excitement and novelty have worn off. Even when it's not fun.

15.     Are resourceful. High performers don't wait around for someone to hand hold them through something. They figure it out and get it done.

Recognize these traits in yourself (and in the team members you hire) and put concentrated effort on growing them. You'll be optimally armed in your quest to become one of the best. Do you see other traits consistently in other extraordinary entrepreneurs? Which of these traits come easiest for you? And hardest? Drop by my Facebook page and let me know.
Next time, I'll tell you how to identify -- and squash -- mediocrity.
© 2011 Kelly O'Neil International
Want to Reprint? Please do! Just make sure you include the information below.
Kelly O'Neil, Founder and CEO of Kelly O'Neil International, best-selling author and award winning brand marketing strategist, is one of the most sought-after brand marketing and results coaches for conscious entrepreneurs and aspiring women leaders. Kelly is the inspirational driving force behind a rapidly expanding business empire that includes Ignite Business Coaching™, Millioniare Prodigy Club™, The Women's Leadership Academy™ and The Excellence Society™. She is committed to helping entrepreneurs find their authentic voice, design strategies and brand platforms to share their unique message and strategically build profitable businesses. For free resources, training materials and to sign up to receive a free CD "7 Simple Success Practices of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs," as well as Kelly's Arrive Ezine, visit http://www.kellyoneil.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Meet Vicki Graham, Founder/Managing Member Sales Department, LLC

Where I Met Vicki
I initially met Vicki through a post I made online about making marketing sales and how this was my most challenging marketing strategy.  Vicki contacted me and suggested we meet and see if we might be able to work together.  I checked out her website and thought it would be great to meet her in person.

What I Really Like About Vicki
Vicki is so much like me it’s amazing.  She is prior military, is a go-getter and loves animals, too.  Vicki is completely honest and after talking with her for only a few minutes, I felt like I could trust her and would enjoy working with her.  Vicki knows her strengths and is very clear about how she can help you.

Background
Vicki is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and always wanted to be in the military even in high school.  She entered the Army after graduation and became an intelligence analyst.  Once she arrived in Colorado Springs, Vicki had her daughter and began working in sales.  She spent 15 years with the companies, Waste Management and Bestway Disposal.  Vicki’s entrepreneurial adventure began when she was laid off and immediately had people lining up for her sales skills support.  It didn’t take too long for Vicki to formalize her process and start her business. Vicki is also actively involved in the rescue of pit bulls and has a large pack at her home.

My Ideal Client…
Vicki knows how to connect people with potential clients and specialized in business to business relationships.  Vicki can work with client lists, set up meetings—essentially the full sales process from prospecting to training employees.  Vicki individually negotiates her contracts as each unique business has specific requirements.  Vicki will tell you very directly what her fee schedule if for different tasks so you can quickly arrive at a pricing decision.

3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
1.       Knowing how to manage my time and take “me time” breaks
2.       No BS—Keep it real on all calls and open
3.       Networking  and volunteering

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
Make sure you know what you’re worth! Be sure to value your time and knowledge.  Research your competition and see what they change and if you have a home-office pass on the no overhead savings to your clients.

My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
When starting you own business, the initial funding can be a challenge.  Begin by bartering for services.  Vicki shared an example of doing some marketing for a computer guy who in turn helped her with a malfunctioning laptop.  Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.
I enjoy discovering all of the ways successful women manage their money and discussing investment strategy ideas. I can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Vicki
Please contact Vicki at vicki@salesdepartment.biz or visit her website http://www.salesdepartment.biz/

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Meet Carol McIntyre, Artist in the Black Forest of Colorado

Where I Met with Carol
I enjoyed meeting with on a beautiful fall day in the Black Forest.  We got to sit in a lovely coffee shop (R&R Coffee) and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in an actual mug. Carol is quite social and I actually had to interrupt a lively conversation with another patron so we could start our interview. Initially I connected with Carol on an unlikely phone call as I was inviting her to one of my seminars. As we talked I learned she was a successful local artist, I was intrigued because I also am a closet amateur artist with many pads full of sketches in my closet. It is always fun to meet new people and see how your interests can intersect.

What I Really Like About Carol
Carol is a person with a unique life path and a wonderful sense of style.  When we met she had on a beautiful deep auburn blouse with handmade beaded jewelry to match.  Even her glasses had a wonderful hint of color.  Carol has a passion for her art that extends to research and immersion I didn’t’ realize accompanied the actual painting.  Her passion is to create paintings that transport you to another time and place.

Background
Carol is originally from Iowa but lived outside of Philadelphia and spent time in Sweden, too. She began her working life as a school psychologist and then moved to corporate America leading her company’s Sales and Product training.  She then continued to put her psychological training to use as a consultant.  Of all things, her mother-in-law brought Carol back to art when Carol was 36 years old.  Her mom-in-law found out Carol was keeping stashes of sketch books and proceeded to sit Carol down with an easel and some paint.  Fast forward a few years and Carol became known as “The Hand Artist” in the Twin Cities and she captured her work and artistic journey in a book entitled “Painting My Passion: An Artist’s Journey with Women of the West.” This is also one of the topics Carol speaks on and has even spoken at hand surgeon conventions. To complete 25 paintings commemorating the women of the 1800’s, she did extensive research into their daily lives and motivations. Through her work, Carol shows that these women were not just “along for the ride” but went West with their eyes wide open. In her paintings, she used the image of the hand to depict the women’s contributions to this country.

My Ideal Client…
Drawn to Colorado by a spiritual connection to a cabin left to her by her great aunt, Carol now has her own studio in the Black Forest.  She sells her artwork, does magnificently personalized pet portraits, and likes to speak about her experiences.  Carol works to empower other artists as well as educate people about her art.  Carol is unique in that she keeps a blog so that her clients can watch the step-by-step process of their commissioned pet portrait being created.

3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
      1.  Know yourself well—figure out who you are. How?  Ask yourself questions.  Am I visual or auditory? Introvert or extrovert? What kinds of problems do I like to solve? Am I a risk taker or do I prefer routine?  Do I like the outdoors or prefer indoors?
     2.  You have to go find your passion/calling instead of waiting patiently for your passion to arrive on your doorstep.  Look back on your life and notice the events that have inspired and motivated you.  NOTE:  Keep exposing your kids to different things to help them find their passions!
     3.  You have to be connected with people—even if you’re an introvert you need support.  It is valuable to have friends and colleagues outside of your industry as well.

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
If you want to make a living as an artist there are two outside skills to develop.
     1.  “Learn some accounting and marketing.”
     2.  “Stay focused.  I became an expert at painting hands. In my western motifs I focused on the intricacies of the hand and did not allow myself to be distracted by barns, horses, etc.  Interestingly, I earned commissions from a famous baseball player and well known musicians to paint their hand portraits.

My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Carol started saving at 8 years old.  She learned to live within her means and made very smart decisions early on such as “Do I buy a house or a car?” She also married a man with the same money values which helped the communication and money story of their relationship.  Carol did have to educate herself about business loans and taxes.  Carol recommended to me for my financial business that I include a follow-up call after my meetings to answer any new or lingering questions. I enjoy discussing investment strategy ideas and can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Carol
If you are interested in commissioning a pet portrait, purchasing her original oil paintings, want to visit her studio or just have questions, please contact Carol at: carol@mcintyrefineart.com and visit her website http://mcintyrefineart.com/.

Meet Stephanie Boyles, Founder/CEO UnbridledRider.com

Where I Met Stephanie
I initially met Stephanie through a mutual acquaintance and Stephanie had us over for dinner.  It was a special evening because Stephanie unveiled her idea and concept for UnbridledRider.com:  an amazing experience to be in on from the beginning.  Stephanie and I share a passion for horses and entrepreneurship so our connection is a natural one.

What I Really Like About Stephanie
Stephanie is a person with a good honest heart and a passion for life.  She is focused and completely involved with her chosen endeavors.  Stephanie balances her work and riding with a strong involvement with her family and has raised a smart and talented child, too.

Background
Stephanie is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and has always loved horses.  Her family jokes that she came out of the womb saying “Where’s the horse?”  As a little girl Stephanie would ride her grandma’s cow, much to the cow’s chagrin, and her grandma said the cow wouldn’t give milk for a week after Stephanie’s visits.  Stephanie is well-educated completing a PhD in mathematics by solving the Bounded Orbit Conjecture proposed by TJ Brauer in 1912—so she’s not just a pretty blond (J).  After graduation she was faced with the career decision of academia versus industry and Stephanie chose to work for AT&T Bell Laboratories in New Jersey as a systems engineer.  She switched to the business strategy and marketing side of the industry and then transitioned to be a private consultant.  Stephanie really enjoyed the flexibility and freedom of consulting work which lead her to the startup world and her present venture, Unbridled Rider, a website and collection of mobile apps geared toward equestrians.

My Ideal Client…
Stephanie is very clear about who her ideal clients should be:
     1.  People with a passion for horses
     2.  People trying to improve their personal riding and ability to train horses
     3.  People looking for a supportive community

Stephanie provides a lot of value because she wanted to create something people would use and to combine the convenience and power of technology.  Stephanie has produced the SmartPhone app 101 Dressage exercises that has now sold in over 38 countries!

3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
     1.  Belief that it can be done and I can do it.
     2.  Staying positive.  I went through a time feeling like I didn’t have enough time and a good friend told me “stop all the negative communication about other people and yourself”
     3.  Perseverance

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
There are so many avenues available to young women today and it’s possible to create a path that’s uniquely tailored to your unique attributes.  You are not limited to picking from the jobs that are available.   You can create something completely new.         
                                                             
My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Young women should be self-sufficient and have their own way of making money.  I’ve been married for 22 years and we have 3 pots of money.  My husband and I created and continue to create thoughtful ways to contribute to our joint pot of money and in the process created clear boundaries and communication.
I enjoy discovering all of the ways successful women manage their money and discussing investment strategy ideas. I can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.



Contact Stephanie
If you are interested to join the UnbridledRider community or just have a questions, please contact Stephanie at stephanie@unbridledrider.com or visit her website http://www.unbridledrider.com/.

Meet Cindy Lindsay, Strategic Consultant


Where I Met Cindy
I met Cindy at a mutual passion of our, Capital Sisters.  Capital Sisters is an organization that is stepping beyond pure fundraising and has created a viable SEC regulated bond to support micro lending to women in developing countries.  In addition to being a board member, Cindy demonstrated her phenomenal organizational skills as we set up for the event.

What I Really Like About Cindy
Cindy is a kind-hearted and fun person to be around.  She is a successful entrepreneur and also finds time to support the causes she feels passionate about.

Background
Cindy is originally from East Texas and was raised by a slightly nonconventional ‘50s family.  Her dad contracted polio when he was 24, but never took on a victim role.  And her mom stepped up as an entrepreneur turning her skills such as sewing into income generators for the family.  Additionally, Cindy was taught that she could be anything she wanted to be.  Cindy was accepted to Rice University and studied math and science because computer science had yet to be offered.  Her husband graduated a year ahead and received a National Foundation Scholarship so Cindy agreed to spend her senior year “abroad” with him at the University of Illinois. Illinois is cold for Texans, so after graduation they quickly accepted jobs in Silicon Valley and worked for Hewlet Packard at a very extraordinary time.  HP was dedicated to growing its people in addition to their business by sponsoring courses in project and people management.  In the ‘80s, startup fever took over and Cindy and Steve (her husband) started a company and took it public.  Cindy said it was quite an experience to watch your company be posted on the NASDAQ.  They had some free time and came to ski Colorado for the season and were hooked.  Cindy and Steve figured out how to move to Boulder and haven’t looked back.

My Ideal Client…
Cindy is now part of FLS Associates, the L is for Lindsay.  This is a business accelerator for startups. Cindy found a way to support young talent and combine her experience with business and connections with investors.  She keeps to her specific area of expertise in computer systems and has a very clear description of the type of clients FLS wants to work with:

     1.  People with ideas in technologies that we are very familiar with—networking, chip design and highly integrated systems.
     2.  People who are coachable
     3.  People who are fun to work with

People with ideas in technologies that we are very familiar with—networking, chip design and highly integrated systems.


3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
    1.  Flexibility in the Entrepreneurial world.  Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and not be attached to what you think is the right answer.  You cannot be risk adverse.
           2.  Serendipity. I liked tech and got trained in tech and stepped into the digital era with the right skill set.  I equate my life to surfing—I get on the board and all the waves keep coming.  I still have to ride the board but I’m ready when opportunity shows up.
           3.  Surround yourself with great people—family, mentors, husband.  I found some mentors but cultivated many more.  It is important to go to meet and greets.

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
Be sure you’re solving a big problem!  Women can get pigeon- holed into roles and need to look for a passion.  Know you are stepping into a world that may not have a perfect job for you.  Explore avenues and build your career around your passion.  Always be looking for what you want.        
 
My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Because I had such an unusual upbringing, I was raised with financial savvy.  It is important to have good communication in your relationships and be sure to include money management in your discussions.  An interesting side note is that I have two sisters.  One gave her kids an allowance and the other sister sat down each year to discuss the family chores and the financial value of each chore.  This relationship to money has translated to the kids in their adult lives, too.

Visiting with Cindy was interesting to see the impact her family had on her start in life. I enjoy discussing investment strategy ideas and can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Cindy
If you are interested to learn more about her business consulting or just have questions, please contact Cindy at cindy.lindsay@flsassociates.com

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Meet Melinda Buckley, Legal Administrator in Colorado Springs

Melinda Buckley is a Legal Administrator in Colorado Springs

Where I Met with Melinda
Melinda and I visited in the comfortable conference room at Buckley Law.  Her office has a huge picture window with an amazing view of the Front Range and it almost feels like you’re outside.  Melinda also has a Keurig which is greatly appreciated by coffee drinkers like me.

What I Really Like About Melinda
Melinda is quiet and confident and she tells me that “she knows her place” in the office.  I must raise my eyebrows at this moment because she quickly explains that she is the critical “behind the scenes” person that makes the superb legal service run smoothly.  She doesn’t have a need or desire to be in the spotlight and this allows her to have great perspective on what needs to be done.  Melinda epitomizes a quote I learned in basic training at the Air Force Academy about doing what needs to be done and not worrying about who gets the credit.

Background
Melinda is originally from Kentucky, graduated from college with a degree in Physical Education and was married.  She began with substitute teaching and found it was not the right fit for her personality so she took a position in a dental office.  This small operation consisted of her and the dentist so she quickly became the office manager and was effectively running the business.  This business management became her specialty as she helped found a doctor’s practice, a high end construction business, a roofing business and now she manages a law office.  Melinda jokes that she used her degree to raise her kids and her hands on knowledge to run businesses. Melinda developed a pattern of learning a task whether it was payroll or taxes and then was able to smartly hire outside help because she knew how to review the quality of the work.  Melinda is also a very astute people person and knows how to make people feel comfortable and clear on their business processes.  Melinda tactfully shared a great piece of feed back with me that I will use.  I’m a fast talker and she said it took a while to figure out who I was because the answering machine wouldn’t even pick up my name.  Melinda encompasses a quality of character that is valuable and priceless.

My Ideal Client…
Melinda thought this question was not black and white because her office has a few very specific niches and she also admitted she may selfishly like or respect a client irrespective of their income-generating potential.  Melinda settled on a simple and concise answer.  Her ideal client is “Decisive, determined and can follow through and understand their limitations (so we can do our job for them).”  Helping a client through the process of estate planning requires client-attorney interaction because it is very personal. A client needs to be engaged in the process to provide the right information to create the plan they want.

3 SECRETS of My Personal Success
1.  Knowing my Place in the Office—Again I want to take the liberty of placing some context around this statement and it reminds me of Zig Ziglar’s comment that to get what you want you need to help others get what they want.
2.  Have an Owner Mentality;  If you think salary versus hourly then you are more creative and help a business be successful.
3.  Be a Person of Character; Have pride in what you do and do what you say you will do

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
Be ready to be flexible in many diverse situations without compromising your ethics.

My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Melinda told me that finances were not her interest or her strongest suit.  Like many of us, she’s had some ups and downs dealing with money and she settled on her husband’s favorite statement from Ronald Regan “Trust but Verify.”  The challenge is always how you learn enough to be able to verify without having to become an expert in the field.  For me this always brings to mind visits to the car mechanic.  I shared with Melinda my story about a recent visit for an oil change. I was told I needed to change my hydraulic fluid and they showed me a brownish/reddish fluid.  Having flown a C-130 and knowing a little bit about engines, I told them I was surprised that a closed system would become dirty and asked if there was also a leak because hydraulic fluid actually is a brownish color.  The attendant sheepishly came back a few minutes later and told me he must have had a dirty rag. As a high net worth advisor, I ensure my clients can ask questions and I help them locate outside sources to “trust but verify” because this service is serious business and is all about trust. I enjoy discussing investment strategy ideas and can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Melinda

Meet Deborah Hill, Strategic Consultant

Deborah Hill is a Strategic Consultant

Where I Met with Deborah
I enjoyed meeting with Deborah on a beautiful July summer day in the Black Forest.  We got to sit on a broad wooden deck overlooking a wide green field and surrounded on by tall pine trees.  The fresh pine scent was refreshing and the cool breeze caressed the skin—an amazing place to become a sanctuary.  Deborah and I initially met at the same time I was being introduced to Capital Sisters, an organization that provides microloans to women around the world.  It is always fun to meet new people and see how your interests can intersect.

What I Really Like About Deborah
Deborah is a person with depth and you will not uncover all of her layers at first glance.  Deborah leads a full life balancing her work and family and charity and has a very down to earth way about her.

Background
Deborah is originally from the East Coast (Wilmington, Delaware) and has an interesting educational path.  She studied French at Mount Holyoke and received a Master’s in Foreign Affairs.  She worked as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Foreign Business as a political appointee.  When a change in office happened, Deborah and her husband went West to Santa Fe before settling in Castle Rock just south of Denver.  While raising her 2 successful sons, Deborah held a variety of positions to include being a successful stockbroker and working in the oil and gas field.  Deborah is now getting more involved in supporting women’s rights around the world with organizations to include Capital Sisters, Beyond Our Borders, the Women’s Forum  and Electing Women.

My Ideal Client…
Deborah is now a Strategic Consultant focusing on Environmental concerns.  Her ideal client is a foundation or individual with a large project that has the potential to create a win-win outcome.  Her current project is turning 1500 acres of land that has been deeded to the Audubon Society of Colorado into a sustainable sanctuary.  She’s conducting a feasibility study to figure out the best ways to manage the property, learning about the community that already exists around the property and exploring a truly inspired way to bring together mission and sustainability.

3 SECRETS of My Personal Success
1.        Persistence—Don’t take no for an answer
2.       Do Your Homework—Be prepared for an interview or meeting, research all you can before you sit down with a new person, business, etc
3.       Be Brave and Reinvent Yourself—Think strategically about what you want to do and then create a plan with steps to get there

1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
Nothing worth doing comes easily.  Of course life should be fun but you will have to work out of your comfort zone at times to reach your goals.  Don’t be a quitter—figure it out!
   
My Biggest Financial Question/Concern
Deborah asked me a little about my business and her most pressing question was how I did my due diligence.  Since I hire money managers with philosophies and strategies to suit each individual client, Deborah was interested to know how I established my criteria and identified strong companies.  She applies this same research when investigating a charity or non-profit to work with as well. I enjoy discussing investment strategy ideas and can be reached through my website www.taraenolan.com.

Contact Deborah
If you are interested to contribute to the Bird Sanctuary or just have a questions, please contact Deborah at deborahbhill@msn.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Meet Irene Arndt owner of Infinite Heart Resources, LLC

What I Really Like About Irene
Irene expects people to work with her for their healing solution versus just taking someone on as a client that is not really committed to the process.  This demonstrates a high level of integrity.
Background
Irene spent high value time homeschooling her children and preparing them to be good members of society.  Irene opened her home to other children as well.  Irene has continued with this theme in her business by creating an open and safe environment for the people she works with in the healing process.  Irene is continuously educating herself and works with Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, Matrix Energetics, and more to keep up with the best practices of her field. Irene is currently located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
My Ideal Client…
A person looking for support and guidance who understands that they are ultimately responsible for their healing and are ready for the journey that includes the physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, and etheral.  I will meet the client where they are spiritually and emotionally to create a path to healing.
3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
1.       Me being Me—Trusting myself and being true to myself
2.       Focus on what I want in my relationships with God and others.
3.       Developing a strong sense of purpose as I developed my own self-awareness
1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person          
Learn to identify what makes you feel good instead of being wrapped up in “what you should do.”  A simple technique is to sit quietly with a choice, tune into your core or heart, and see how it makes you feel.  More powerful or more fearful? Constricted or open? Which choice feels right and which choice feels not right?  Pick the contrast that resonates with you.
Contact Irene
719-651-9466
Colorado Springs, Colorado 

Meet Diane Snead owner of Type A Professional Organizers in Colorado Springs

What I Really Like About Diane
Diane is a courageous entrepreneur who decided to figure out how to combine her personal talents, skills and interest to help people in a win-win situation.
Background
Diane started off as a mechanical engineer but found that there was something missing from this career path.  As she started investigating entrepreneurial options, Diane found she could capitalize on her natural organization skills and create a company to help other businesses focus on their business instead of drowning in disorganization.  Diane helps her clients decrease stress in their workplaces by creating good processes for them to follow.  She is a Certified Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.  Additionally, Diane is a great communicator and is available for public speaking. Diane is currently located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
My Ideal Client…
Diane likes to work with companies that have 20 or fewer employees.  They feel like they’ve been working hard but do not have the sales they are looking to generate.  Their office may be a visual disaster area.  She is most effective when she can present to the entire team at one time to get everyone in the company on the same page and this also saves the company time, too.
3 SECRETS of my Personal Success
1.      Get out of your personal comfort zone—this can be tough but it is rewarding both personally and professionally
2.       Keep up with Technology and pursue your field’s certifications with continuous education
3.       Give away value for FREE
1 Great Recommendation for the Next Person
“If the worst you can do is fail, then what’s the big deal?”
Contact Diane
719-229-9892
Colorado Springs, Colorado