2011 Featured Women in Business-- Leslie Gilchrist

Hello everyone,

I want to introduce to you an awesome lady who I had the pleasure of speaking with.  She is very uplifting and has a great personality.  Below are a few important details about her and her awesome business. Enjoy and stop by to say hello!

Full Name:
Leslie Gilchrist

Name of Your Company:
Compass

Position:
Certified Representative

Year Founded:
2008

Company Website:
http://www.mylifecompass.com/leslie_gilchrist


Tell us about you and your business:

Compass is a personal development company that is committed to improving the lives of women through affordable coaching programs and services.  Our motto is every woman deserves a coach just like a manicure. We want to wake women up to live the life they are best capable of living, at an extremely affordable price. After being a caretaker all my life, I lost my identity and with one Compass program, it literally changed my life; because my outlook on myself and my life changed.

What inspired you to start a business?

To Empower, inspire and help women to live the best life they are best capable of living.

Share one business goal:

To have every woman in every household globally be apart of Compass.

What would you say contributes to your success?

I can relate to all women as I have had a very challenging life and have overcome all of my obstacles with grace and strength. I want to leave a legacy and be a good role model for my daughters. I listen to what the needs are of the women, it is not about me then I support them.

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur? 

Keep remembering your "Why". Why did you start your business? Keep remembering your passion and your purpose and go out into the world and share it.   Then Remember to follow up!

Anything else you want to mention about your business? 

Compass is the only company to date that provides these concise, affordable and effective services and programs. 

Don't forget to stop by and say hello to her!

Best wishes,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Do You Think Free Stuff For Your Business Is Good!

Do you think receiving free stuff is good for your business?  Well, I want to share with you a few tips on why getting things free may not always be best for you.  When I first started my business, I need a good website. I went with Vistaprint because it was very cheap and I needed a website to show case my diaper cakes.  Well, little did I know, you don't have any rights to your website, and you have to do a lot of coding and sale listing manually.  When It came time for me to check google analytics on my site, they told me I didn't have any rights. I mean don't get me wrong, at the early stages of your business, it could serve its purpose, but eventually, as your business starts to grows, you will have to purchase a website through some other company.  But on the other side of this, Vistaprint is a great company for get printing materials, such as business cards, flyers, banners, and etc.  I have been getting my marketing material from them for years! By December, 2010, I had my an Aha moment, and I then realized that something had to give. Either I was going to keep getting frustrated with the limitations that I had with my current website, or I was going to get another website designer and hosting company. 

2) Article writing:  What do I mean by this, if you are in business, sometimes, you might need someone to edit your work and check for grammatical errors.  Well, this one I had to learn the hard way, allowing others to proofread your work for free can sometimes be a headache.  Remember, when someone is doing something for free, they can take their sweet time.  See, from their stand point, they are doing you a favor!  I would recommend that you invest in yourself and your business. Pay a professional to edit your work for you and Jamie at Mocha Writer has excellent services and very affordable prices.  Even if you have to go without a manicure for a couple of times, in the end, you will be glad you did.  Now, when it comes to a great and affordable website, I would recommend LaTreeka Williams at Diva-Designz. 

I hope this helps you when you are deciding on going with a priced option versus a free option.  Best wishes to you and your business and you have a million dollar day!

Warm Regards,
LaTersa Blakely

Need a great baby shower gift? Click here

Need a great web design? Click here

Rachael Zoe is having a boy!

Rachel Zoe and her husband are expecting a little boy!  We were very excited to read about Rachael and Rodger Zoe's new baby.  I wish them a very healthy little boy and many blessings to their added addition to their family.

Rachel also shared a few wardrobe tips for the expectant mothers:

1) Shift your focus to the footwear!

2) Use lots of accessories

3) Explore all forms of bottoms.

To read more about these great tips, click here.

Best wishes,
LaTersa Blakely
http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Need a Great Web Design?--Click here

Featured 2011 Successful Business Women-Fay O'Neal

Full Name: 

Fay O'Neal

Name of your Company:  

Cuddle Me Soft

Position:  

Owner/ Reborn Artist

Website Address: 

www.cuddlemesoft.com

Year Founded:  

2009

Tell us about yourself and your business:

I specialize in life like doll from all ethnic backgrounds to off my customers a unique collectible doll they will cherish for years to come.

What inspired you to start a business?

I started with a embroidery business that primarily catered to infants. The babies in my family grew too quickly to model my apparel so I was in search of a lifelike doll to model the clothing when I stumbled upon reborn dolls. I found a doll I really liked but the price was more than I could justify. At the time I did not understand how much time and effort went into creating a doll. I purchased a kit to make a doll myself. The first doll took so much time, and was not good at all. I quickly improved, and now reborning is my passion.

Share one business goal: 

I hope to start sculpting my own doll kits this year.

What would you say contributes to your success?

Having a eye for  detail. I also make it a point to never sell anything I wouldn't buy myself.

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?

Never give up! Success is not always achieved on the first try. Surround yourself with positive people. When I first started a lot of people thought it was odd. I realized they weren't my customers. My customers were doll collectors, so I surrounded myself with people who understood my dream.

Anything else you want to mention about your business?

Reborn dolls look, smell, and feel like a real baby. They are perfect for doll collectors, movie props, and as memory keepsakes.

Stop by and show her some love and check out her adorable babies. They look so real; at first glance, I actually thought it was a real baby. Best wishes to you Fay!

Warm Regards,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

New Affiliate Program: I Want To Pay You!

Welcome to My Affiliate Program!

I want to pay you to sell and promote my diaper cakes.  Yes, I said pay you!  I now have my very own affiliate program.  You are probably wondering, what is an affiliate.   An affiliate is someone who is paid on commission to promote and sell another company's product or material.

My program is free to join and it requires no technical knowledge.  The only thing you need to do is simply sign up and add one of my buttons, banners, text links, or articles on your site to earn a 20% commission on each sale when someone purchase a diaper cake at Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa!

Advertising is so easy!!!!  You can post my banners, buttons, articles, or links on your blogs, use them in your email signature, or advertise on message boards and forums.  If you need additional banners or buttons for your website, or advertising campaigns, feel free to contact me or send me an email and I will be glad to assist you!

I pay my affiliates on the 15th of each month using Paypal.  There is no minimum balance! Whatever profits you have made, will be deposited into your Paypal account.  All participants must have a Paypal account in order to receive payments. You can log in 24 hours a day to check your sales, traffic, and account balance and see how your banners/buttons are working.

Ready to join my affiliate program?  Click here

Best Wishes,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Baby Shower Menus: What to bring or Not!

Planning a baby shower is one of the most exciting events that will occur for the friend or relative of an expectant mother.  This event can sometimes be overwhelming when  it comes to planning the entire event, getting the guest list completed, picking out the menu, and finding a location.  Ask no longer, I'm here to help you plan the best menu ever.  Please keep in mind that these are just suggestions and feel free to add your own personal touch to it.  Let Get to eating shall we?

For the most part, a baby shower menu consist of typically finger sandwiches, fruit salads,vegetables, chips and dips, and of course your choice of a baby shower cake.  Below is a couple of  food recipes for a baby shower:

1) Fruit Platter with Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme 

3 drops vanilla extract 

assorted fruit purchased precut in bite-size pieces

1. In a mixing bowl or food processor, combine the cream cheese and marshmallow creme. Blend until smooth. 

2. Add the vanilla. Continue blending until the mixture is thick and creamy. 

3. Place in a small bowl and put in the middle of a serving platter. Surround the dip by various bite-sized fruit. 

2) Tasty Meatballs

1 jar of chili sauce

10 oz. of grape jelly

2 lbs. of frozen precooked meatballs

2 tablespoons of mustard

Place everything in a crockpot and place on high until cooked. Turn to low until time to serve

3) Chip and Dip

Now this one is really easy, all you have to do is choose your favorite chips and dip.

4) Tuna or Chicken Sandwiches

5) Punch

6) Baby Shower Cake

I hope this will give you a couple more ideas for planning your next baby shower menu.  Please keep the new mommy in mind when planning your menus because you don't want her eating anything that will harmful to her and baby.  Things you should not serve at the shower, sushi, and any types of raw fish, sword fish, and uncooked eggs. These can be very dangerous for mommy and baby because its not healthy for them.  Always consult with the new mommy to see if she may have any allergies or any other health issues.  

Have fun and remember if you need a great centerpiece for your next baby shower,  visit my website for more creative baby shower centerpieces.

Best wishes,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Why Baby Diaper Cakes and Beyond by LaTersa Diaper Cakes Rocks!

("Thank you so much for making the diaper cake for my sister baby shower. She loved the minnie mouse theme and they way you put it together. I would highly recommend your services to anyone who wants a beautiful, reasonable, and spedious delivery from you")

Vanessa Crumpton

Ewing, NJ

Baby Shower Diaper Cakes are becoming more popular and people are starting to ask what's all the fuss about diaper cakes and why do they rock.  I'm here to share a few reasons why my diaper cakes rocks.

1) My Diaper Cakes are elegant.  What I mean by that is, I put much thought and detail into designing each and everyone of my cakes.  I meet my customer's need and I go above and beyond to make their cake the hit of the baby shower.

2) I ship my diaper cakes quickly! When an order is placed at my store or website, It is normally shipped out within 3-5 business days. It is shipped either USPS 2-3 days priority mail or FedEX ground shipping 2-3 days.  Also, I have a flat rate of $4.99 for shipping compared to other diaper cake businesses...

3) I use name brand diapers not store brand! I use Luvs size 1 diapers and Pamper Swaddlers size 1-2 diapers.  If you want to go green, I use Seventh Generation size 1 diapers.  If there's a particular brand that you want, feel free to contact me at latersa@diapercakesbylatersa.

4) I give 100% Customer Satisfaction.  Whenever, a customer call me with an order, my firsts words are "How May I Help You Today".  I want to make an everlasting impression upon my customers well after I have completed their order.  I like happy customers and that is just what all of my customers are: Happy Customers.

I would love the opportunity to do business with you in the future.  For all of my old customers, and potential customers, please take a 10% discount off your next purchase using coupon code: NEW.

Warm Regards,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com/

Featured 2011 Women in Business--Scarlet Paolicchi

Full Name: 

Scarlet Paolicchi

Name of your Company: 

Moms Wear Your Tees 

Position:  

Owner/ Founder

Website Address: 

http://momswearyourtees.com

Year Founded: 

 January 2010

Tell us about yourself and your business: 

My name is Scarlet and I launched Moms Wear Your Tees Social Media Marketing in December of 2009. I used to be a retail store manager for companies such as Ann Taylor LOFT, Express, and Macy's. I am now a stay at home mother of a 3 and 5 year old.  Moms Wear Your Tees does your website promotion for you, effectively increasing targeted traffic to your website! We use social media marketing (Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, etc) because it is the hottest new trend in internet marketing and advertising and it works- plain and simple. Not only does social media marketing drive targeted traffic from the networks of people that read the postings, it also helps with search engine optimization, SEO, because of the increase in links to your site on social media.

What inspired you to start a business?

 I wanted to be able to stay at home with my kids but still supplement my husband's teacher salary.

Share one business goal: 

My goal this year is to be so successful that I can help employ a couple of other mamas.

What would you say contributes to your success? 

Consistency!

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?

 Go for it and then stick with it!

Anything else you want to mention about your business?

I also have a blog

http://familyfocusblog.com

I always follow back on twitter.

http://twitter.com/MWYTsocialmedia

I created a Facebook page for sharing your small business and small business tips!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moms-Wear-Your-Tees-Small-Biz-Tips/13...

Thanks!!

Twin Baby Shower Theme Ideas!

Are you having twins? Are you planning a baby shower for twins.  Well, I wanted to share with two top baby shower themes for twins.  Planning a baby shower can be very exciting and even more fun when there's two babies involved.  Sit back and relax and don't stress yourself out trying to figure out a way to plan a shower for two little bundle of joys.

(More peas in the pod decorations)

1) Two Peas in A Pod.  Now this one is my all time favorite.  You can put your own little twist to this baby shower theme.  With this theme, you can either use two little babies in a pod or you can go with two peas in a pod.  Let your imagination run wild and have fun while you thinking and brainstorming.  This is a rather popular theme, so you should not have any problems finding baby shower favors to coordinate with your decorations.

2) The Noah's Ark.  This is a rather simple baby shower theme for twins as well.  With this one you can use props like a rainbow, stuffed animals.  You can give these stuffed animals to the new mom for the babies when they come home.  No need to worry about finding any decorations for this one because its a very popular baby shower theme for twins.  Have fun and let your creative side go to work.

( More Noah's Ark decorations)

I really hope this helps you with planning your twin baby shower.  What is your favorite twin baby shower twin? I would love to hear from you!

Best wishes,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

Baby Shower Gift Idea: Love Affair! at OneTrueMedia.com

I wanted to wish each of you a very happy and blessed valentine's day!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Featured 2011 Successful Business Women-Margo Poole

Full Name:

Margo Beverly Poole

Name of your Company:

Off Da Wire Jewelry Designs, Inc.

Position:

Owner

Website Address:

http://www.etsy.com/people/OffdaWire

www.facebook.com/offdawire

Year Founded:

2009

Tell us about yourself and your business:

Lives in the Midwest, located in Aurora, IL;   My greatest role is being a single mother of 3 beautiful teen daughters.  I love fashion and art.   I possess a Masters in Organizational Leadership (MOL) and my undergraduate degree is in Business Management (B.S.) Off Da Wire Jewelry Designs, Inc.  Is a manifestation of my diva, creative spirit, and the passion for art. All pieces are handmade, one-of-kind.  There are no duplicate creations.   I specialize in large, chunky, and statement sized jewelry.  I love big, bold, stones; bright colors, and full designs.  I create and design my own polymer-clay beads for some projects. I am new to the jewelry making community, but I try to learn one new technique a month. 

What inspired you to start a business?

I have held positions in corporate America, halls of higher education, and even the retail sector, but by far my greatest passion has been the entrepreneurial spirit.   I have embarked on various ventures event planning, consignment sales, and consultation services.   I am a creative soul by nature.  I enjoy designing unique items that allows each person to possess something no one else has;  and to be able to share that with others and make a little money for it is like a dream come true.

Share one business goal:

My foremost goal in business is to provide a unique, beautiful product with the best customer service possible; to make my customers more than happy, but ecstatic; and ready to refer my business in a heartbeat. 

What would you say contributes to your success?

I contribute the success of my business to the principle of “walking by faith” and not by sight.   By putting faith in my ability to succeed and knowing this faith is based not on my own human limited abilities, but that of my spiritual foundation.  I know I will succeed.

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?

The best advice I can give to aspiring entrepreneurs, is to jump in and DO IT!  If you have a gift, share it.  Learn as you go.  Do not be afraid to fail, or to succeed.  One of may favorite quotes is :  “A big shot is a little shot, who just kept shooting.” –Anonymous

Off Da Wire Jewelry Designs, Inc

Location:  Aurora, IL

Phone:  331-262-5778

Email:  offdawire@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/offdawire

Can a Mother Continue Breastfeeding after Returning To Work

Can a mother continue breastfeeding after returning to work? Well, you guessed it right, you most certainly can! According to the American Pediatrics Academy, the babies should receive their mother's milk for the first 6 months of birth.  Now there are a few steps you need to take in order to be prepared to return to work.

( Avent Duo Pumping set)

1) Breastfeed at least 8-12 times every 24 hrs. (or pump your breasts if baby is not breastfeeding).

2) Avoid using bottles or pacifier for the first 3-4 weeks, as this may decrease milk supply.  This is so very true, because if you want to continue breastfeeding once you leave the hospital, one thing babies don't like is change.  If the baby is used to the mother's nipple, but you try to change, they will surely let you know.

3) Begin expressing milk using a quality personal pump or hospital grade rental pump after 3-4 weeks or sooner if needed to relieve engorgement symptoms. Electric pumps that allow you to pump milk from both breasts at the same time reduce pumping time.  This kind of electric pumps worked miracles for me because I was one of the mothers who went back to work after maternity leave and continued pumping my milk while at work.

4) The best time to pump milk is after feeding baby. Freeze milk in 4 oz. bottles or milk storage bags. Many moms find their milk supply is greater in the morning than in the evening.

5) Practice bottle-feeding at least 2 weeks prior to returning to work. Babies often prefer breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, so it may be helpful if a family member other than mother offers feeding until baby becomes accustomed to the bottle nipple. When choosing an artificial nipple for bottle supplementation of the breastfed baby, it is important to use one that allows baby to use the same tongue and jaw motions that he/she uses at the breast.

I really hope this helps you to make the transition from maternity leave to returning back to work. Let me know how you transitioned you and baby to return to work.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Warm Regards,
LaTersa Blakely
http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com

What's the best sleeping position during the last trimester of pregnancy?

Hello everyone,

If you are in those last few months of your pregnancy, than finding a comfortable sleeping position is probably hard to find right now. For the most part, around the 7th or 8th month, you are probably saying things like: "I be glad when my due date is here or how about this one: "Will this baby ever come out, I'm so so tired". Does any of this sounds familiar? Well, I wanted to give you a few pointers, to help make your last month or so a little more comfortable.

1) Consult with your doctor if you are having serious problems with your sleep habits. Don't take it upon yourself to assume that everything is o.k.. I know when I was pregnant with my first child, It was so uncomfortable for me to sleep on my back. It made me feel like I couldn't breathe and I just felt like I was going to die.

2) According to doctors, the best position to sleep in is on your side.  It is safe for you and baby. Some doctors recommend sleeping on your left side as oppose to your right side. "Mainly because the vena cava is located on your right side and it helps the circulation of the blood flow to your baby".  If you are having trouble sleeping on either sides, try placing a pillow between your legs and under your stomach. If for some reason, you should wake up in the middle of the night on your back, please don't freak out, just position yourself on your side again.

I really and truly hope this helps you to maintain your comfort zone until your new bundle of joy arrives.  

Best wishes,

LaTersa Blakely

http://www.diapercakesbylatersa.com