2011 Featured Women in Business--Jamie Flemings

Full name: Jamie Fleming

Name of your Company: Mocha Writer, LLC

Position: Founder & Freelance Copywriter

Website address: http://mochawriter.com

Year Founded: 2009

Tell us about yourself and your business:

I’m a writer and blogger from GA. Admittedly, I’m somewhat of a work-a-holic, but in my spare time, I love to read, do my nails, spend time with my loves and just enjoy life.

Mocha Writer is a freelance copywriting service specializing in creating fabulous content for small, women-owned businesses and working with other small businesses, start-ups and individuals. I write copy for blogs, newsletters, articles and more. Additionally, I run a women’s lifestyle blog, for colored gurls.

What inspired you to start a business?

Honestly, I started my business because I couldn’t find a job in media after I graduated from college. Writing has been a passion of mine since I was little, and I knew it was the career I wanted to pursue. However, since I couldn’t find a job, I decided to create a career for myself instead of waiting around. Now that I’m doing this, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I really enjoy helping people achieve their business goals.

Share one business goal: My primary business goal is to help other women and entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and goals with my services.

What would you say contributes to your success?

Determination. This journey has not been an easy one, but I think the fact that I’m persistent and haven‘t given up has made me successful.

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?

If it’s something you really want to do and you’re passionate about it, don’t give up. It might take you a long time to get where you want to be in your business, but if you’re determined and persistent, you will get where you want to be.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to dream big and go after whatever it is you want in life.

Anything else you want to mention about your business?

I have a blog based on my business, Mocha Writes. The purpose of it is to help people succeed in both their personal and professional lives.

If anyone has questions about what I do, feel free to contact me: Jamie Fleming [at] mocha writer [dot] com. 

Warm Regards,

LaTersa Blakely

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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

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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