Diapers

Diapers.com_Free Shipping_ (100x100) Static

Great tips on how to be successful in 2011!

Hello again,  I was trying to wait until New Years to write another post, but I couldn't wait.  I wanted to share with you some very helpful tips about success in 2011 from one of my colleagues in my networking circle.  I really hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.....


Resolution 1:  Get Out of Debt
Easy to say, difficult to do!  According to some experts, Americans charge over one trillion dollars per year using Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.  For many, money is a big source of stress; and it doesn’t help that we’ve had to deal with economic issues over the past few years. This coming year, make it a priority to resolve your money woes. 

One of the benefits of joining National Association Women on the Rise (NAWR) is to take advantage of our Women, Money and Power series. Led by Tamara Haskins, CEO and Founder of Haskins Wealth Management Group, Inc., says, “We are educators who believe in providing our members with the information and resources that empower them to make smart financial decisions.  Haskins, with over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial planning, will, will help members of NAWR take control of their own financial destiny!  She will provide monthly webinars and oversee the member’s forum.

Resolution 2:  Give back
Have you ever considered the impact you would make on the lives of others by sharing your time and talent?  Volunteering or mentoring is such a non-selfish way to give back!  There are many ways you can reach out; find a non-profit organizations in your area that you feel compelled to work with and volunteer; help your local library or hospital; or mentor youths or adults. 

Over the past few years, I’ve had many women reach out to me about mentoring. As much as I would like to help everyone, it is not possible.  So, in 2011, NAWR will launch its mentoring program, “One-Mentor-One” a program that will match successful women entrepreneurs and executives with mentees.  

Resolution 3:  Understand your finances
This is extremely important for the health of your business.  As a new or growing business, you need to be diligent about your finances.  The NUMBER ONE reason that businesses fail is due to lack of control over finances. 

Some experts suggest reviewing your profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow reports on a monthly basis.  To manage this, there is accounting software such as QuickBooks specifically for small businesses.  Also, hiring a CPA or bookkeeper can be a wise investment.  

Resolution 4:  Learn how to delegate
As your business grows, so should your ‘tight grip’ on controlling every aspect of your business.  The worst thing that you can do is become a slave to your business.  This attitude can cripple you!  I know this first hand; as a former owner of a building maintenance company; I was president, HR generalist, payroll specialist, trainer, janitor, sales woman and more!  It took me a while to realize that not only could I not effectively wear every hat, but in order to grow and regain my sanity, I had to trust others.  It is important that you delegate non-core business tasks to your staff or consider outsourcing.  Play on the strengths of others. The lack of delegation will stifle your growth, or worse, cause you to run your business and yourself into a pit fall. 

Resolution 5:  Make more time with family & friends
One of the reasons we go into business is the idea of being flexible with our time.  So, the idea of having time for family and friends seems like it should be a no-brainer, right?  According to recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. 

You have control over your time, so make sure that you balance work and life to be able to spend it with those that are important to you.  

Revolution 6:  Network religiously
One of the most successful ways to promote your business is through networking.  You are in business to grow, so make networking a key part of your marketing strategy so that you position yourself to connect with the right people.  

Networking is a lifestyle in which you need to incorporate onto your “To Do” list. By networking, you are developing your social skills by engaging or interacting in an informal gathering to communicate with others for mutual assistance or support. By acquainting yourself with other business owners or executives, you are building meaningful relationships. There are many organizations that you can become involved in such as the Chamber of Commerce, Business Network International (BNI) or a professional organization related to your industry.

NAWR recognizes the importance of creating a platform for women to network.  We’ve built a great virtual community for women to network, collaborate and build lasting relationships. 


Revolution 7:  Get organized 
It is essential that you start your day with a ‘to do’ list.  It doesn’t matter if your business is small or if you run a large corporation, having a daily plan will keep you on track in effectively running it.  Start your day by scheduling uninterrupted time to plan and create your list of tasks for that day, and rank your list in order of priority.  For example, if you have 10 tasks on your list, of those, how many do you need to complete?  Can you save the least important tasks for another time? 

Please note: If you don't accomplish all the tasks from your ‘to do’ list, it doesn't mean you are having problems managing your time.  It simply means that you only have limited time per day to get everything done and you may be trying to accomplish more tasks than you have time in the day. 

To manage and prioritize my time, I rely on Microsoft Outlook’s calendar and task manager to plan my personal and business schedule.  I then sync Microsoft Outlook to my Black Berry PDA.  This helps me to stay on task and set priorities for my daily activities.  Find what works for you and make it a daily habit to have a productive and organized day!    

Last but not least…

If it’s not working, drop it quickly

Don’t waste your time or invest any unnecessary energy nursing something that isn’t working for your business.  Time = Money and in our current economic crisis, both are a very precious commodity that a small business can’t afford to gamble with.  Move on and don’t look back!
By incorporating these simple yet effective strategies into your plan, you can position your business for significant growth.  Here’s looking at a great 2011! 


Sylvia Browder is CEO of Browder Consulting Group, a virtual small business consulting firm.  In her role, she helps Women in Business grow and succeed.  She is Founder of National Association Women on the Rise, a virtual community for aspiring and established women entrepreneurs. The association’s mission is to provide professional and personal resources while uplifting and empowering women entrepreneurs through collaboration, education, mentoring, spiritual and peer support, leadership and networking. She is ‘employed as Project Director and business consultant for the Women's Business Center, Inc, a non-profit economic development organization with a mission of empowering women to start and grow successful businesses.  She has served as an online volunteer SCORE counselor since 2004.  She also serves as a Technical Assistant Provider for SBA’s Community Express Loan Program.  For FREE weekly articles go to Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs, www.sylviabrowder.com.  She can be contacted at info@browderconsultinggroup.com.   
Become a fan of ‘National Association Women on the Rise:’ http://bit.ly/9qqvWW
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/sylviabrowder 
Join ‘National Association Women on the Rise’ on LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/dsd5E0 
Join our community on NING, www.nawomenrise.com

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years to all of you!  I wanted to say THANK YOU for another great year.  I also want to say thanks for all the support and love that you've shown to me and my blog.  I look forward to networking with you in 2011. I will have some new products and a couple of e-books for you so stay tuned for a better and prosperous year.  If there's anything you would like to see more of in my blog, please don't hesitate to let me know.  I have so many exciting things for the upcoming year, that i can't list them here.  But, most importantly, I WILL spend more quality time with my family and make new and positive friends, attend church on a regular, my business will earn more steady income in 2011.  Well, as I stated earlier, my list is too long to write in this post, but I will keep you posted.  What are your goals for 2011 and what will you do to celebrate the new year.

(hubby and I at my son's christmas play; I made the marshmallow hat my son is wearing.  One of the joys of being a parent.  I'm so proud of my babies.)

Warm Regards,
LaTersa Blakely,
256-603-5353




Have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to wish everyone a very safe and blessed Christmas and a Happy New Years!  Well this year is almost over and I have a lot of great and exciting news to share with you in 2011.  I want to thank all of you for your love, support, and kind words throughout 2010.  I really don't want anything in particular for Christmas, except to see my parents.  I want to have breath in my body, able to use all of my limbs and spend time with my family and friends this holiday season.  My son, Ishmael still thinks Santa Claus is not stopping by our house because he don't see any toys under the tree.  I always tell him that santa comes only on Christmas eve when you and sarah are asleep.  Try explaining that to a 2 year old and a 4 year old; Not Happening.  But, he has a glass of milk, a plate of cookies, and 1 banana on the kitchen counter just waiting for the big guy in the red suit.  Well I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and be safe if you traveling out of town.  I look forward to hearing from you all to see what your plans are for the holidays and the new year.



Happy Holidays,
LaTersa Blakely
Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa

What my contest winners won!

I'm here to share with you the prizes that the winners of my giveaways won  I would like to thank all of you who participated and gave good ideas. I look forward to networking with all of you.  So with no further a do, the winner of the 5 free bridal shower towel cakes goes to Randi K and she won 5 mini bridal shower towel cakes. If you are interested in purchasing some of these mini towel cakes, just click on the pictures below.








5 Mini Bridal Shower Towel Cakes
(Click on Picture for more details)

The winner of my 2 nights Free Giveaway was Marci White.  I hope she has a wonderful time on her get away!  Once again, thanks for all of your participation and stay tuned for more prizes and ideas.


Best Regards,
LaTersa Blakely,
Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa
http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com
256-603-5353

Last Minute Christmas Shopping

Have you completed your christmas shopping? Well, I haven't even started yet! I already know what I'm going to get my babies, so that's not a problem.  We did something really exciting tonight; we made a homemade golden star for the Christmas tree.  My son says in order for Santa to stop by there has to be a big star so that he can make lots of wishes. We also have to leave santa two cookies, glass of milk and 1 banana. Well, for those of you that are procrastinating like I am, I might just have what you're looking for: I have some cute gift baskets, towel cakes and even a few diaper cakes for those christmas baby showers that you are planning. Below are some of the items that are gift wrapped and ready to go: Just click on the picture for more details or you can reach me by blog post. I hope you all have a very blessed and safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!


 My First Christmas Diaper Baby
(Click on picture for more details)



 4 Tier Boy Monkey Diaper Cake
(Click on picture for more details)

Pittsburgh Steelers Baby No Sew Fleece Blanket
(Click on Picture for more details)

 Dora The Explorer Baby/Toddler No Sew Blanket
(Click on pic for more details)


 Pamper Me Spa Relaxation Gift Basket
(Click on pic for more details)


LaTersa Blakely,
Owner, Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa
http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa Holiday 2010 Diaper Cakes

I wanted to share my 2010 Holiday Collection with you. Let me know what you think or if you would like to purchase one. Once again, thanks so ever kindly for being a follower!

Best Wishes,
LaTersa Blakely
www.diapercakesbylatersa.com



Need an inexpensive Baby Gift for Christmas?

Hello everyone,

As you all know, Christmas is just a few weeks away!  Have you even started yet? I haven't even started Christmas shopping yet.  I just put our Christmas tree up last night.  If you're looking for an inexpensive gift for a baby or toddler, then BOY, have I got something just for your budget.  I have for sale 2 beautiful no-sew fleece baby blankets (Dora The Explorer and The Pittsburgh Steelers). These blankets can be used in the baby crib or used as a baby throw for your toddlers.  My daughter is two and she carries her blanket in the car, just about everywhere she goes.   Let me know what you think and if this is something that interest you. Please leave me a comment.  I look forward to hearing from you and as always, I appreciate your follows.

 Dora The Explorer Double sided Fleece Blanket!



Pittsburgh Steeler's Double Sided Fleece Blanket!

Happy Holidays,
LaTersa
www.diapercakesbylatersa.com