Internet Leaders Featured in New Interview Series at Virtual Assistant Forums
Virtual Assistant Forums introduces new interview series 'The Virtual Leading Edge'; giving voice to the internet's best and brightest.
Mary H. Ruth, owner of Virtual Writing and Communications and long-standing member of Virtual Assistant Forums, recently stepped down as coordinator of the popular Virtual Assistant Interviews series in order to take on a new direction at the community: the Virtual Leading Edge interview series.
Designed to educate and enlighten fellow Virtual Assistants, Ruth's candid interviews with virtual assistance and internet thought leaders will be published monthly to the Virtual Assistant...
Believe it or not, it has happened to me, just as it has everyone else at some stage.
Why does this happen? I believe it’s because we get complacent when we are busy and we stop networking, stop marketing and we stop connecting with people.
The momentum is hard to establish at the beginning but once it is going, it’s best not to let it stop. Because around 3 months later work will start to dry up and things get quiet again. You have to keep feeding the funnel that you often hear marketers talk about.
So, what do you need to do?
Four days ago I found this forum while researching virtual assisting ~ that was a good day because I immediately felt I'd come to the right place.
There is a wealth of VA info out there if you google "virtual assisting", but this is the only one I found that didn't get to how much money I needed to send them, about half way down the page. Don't get me wrong, I take as much info as I can find on any site & add it to my yellow legal pad when appropriate, but I am free to stop short of entering my credit card info!
I'd done research & thought about opening my VA business for years, but I'm finally bringing it together. This week I have tried to consolidate all those notes & thoughts...
In these days of hard economic times in both business and personal finances, it is more important than ever to stay on top of your accounts receivables.
Using QuickBooks and its built in features/tools can help you stay on top of your outstanding invoices.
1. Set reminders
2. Monitor customer balances
3. Create an Overdue Watermark
4. Send E-mail follow ups
5. Use statements
6. Customize collections report
7. Accept credit cards
Hosted by Darlene Victoria of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance. Through services like YouTube, Vimeo, and Yahoo! Video, you can post videos that highlight your business, a product, a service or simply a video in which you offer expert advice. With online video, you have the ability to create your own unique marketing message that not only showcases your brand, but is tailored towards your target market, or more specifically, your ideal client. Online video creation does not have to be difficult, nor does it have to be expensive - if the message is strong and the video is placed just right, the effects can be golden. Click to read.
VAF Admin
Forum Administration
Posted in Archived Virtual Assistant Forums Events
This month’s challenge is a real thinker! Essential has many different meanings and interpretations so I decided to take my lead from the dictionary. Essential is to me:
Adjective: (necessary; needed) – Having ethics and integrity is essential to My Office Assistant and an invaluable business practice.
Noun: (a basic, indispensable, or necessary element) – The essentials of virtual assistance is communication and partnership.
Adverb: (relating to the most important characteristics or ideas of something) – It is essential for myself as a business owner to continue to grow with knowledge and education.
Based on the information above, what would essential mean to you?
Posted 08-19-2009 at 02:56 PM by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance
Updated 08-19-2009 at 02:59 PM by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance
(Fix title)
This month's VAF Blogging challenge is simply: Essential.
Essential can have many meanings to each and every one of us. In fact, what one person finds essential in their daily business or life, may not be the same for another. With that being said, here are the things that are most essential to me when it comes to my Virtual Assistant Business.
It is essential for me to continue to learn; this allows me to continue to not only grow my business, but offers me much professional growth as well. I am lost when I am not learning something new.
It is essential for me to communicate with my clients; for that matter, it is essential that they in turn communicate with me. Communication is a major key to...
Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant Evangelizes Niche Industry via New Social Group at Virtual Assistant Forums
Andrea Jackson of Action Jackson Virtual Assistant makes the most of member-run social groups feature at Virtual Assistant Forums to help educate other Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants and those curious about this growing niche industry.
When Andrea Jackson of Action Jackson Virtual Assistant discovered an increasing interest in Virtual Bankruptcy Assistance among her fellow members at the free online community for VAs, Virtual Assistant Forums, she did what comes naturally, she took action. Andrea, an established Virtual Assistant, began studying the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistance niche in order to be an...
Posted 08-14-2009 at 04:47 AM by VAF Admin
Updated 08-14-2009 at 07:17 PM by VAF Admin
Thanks to Hamid at Codehead, LLP for his quick custom hack, it's easy now to embed YouTube videos in your forum posts; here's how:
Find the URL for the YouTube video you wish to embed. Find the ID of that video (whatever is after the v= in the URL. Let's say the ID is vr3x_RRJdd4 (which is the ID of a video for the Free Hugs Campaign)
Then you would enter the following into your post to embed the video:
PHP Code:
[youtube]vr3x_RRJdd4[/youtube]
and this is what you'll get:
Give it a try next time you want to reference a video from YouTube - it's a great way to enhance your post by including the video itself too!
Here are some of the highlights: the basic free service allows up to 500 subscribers, can send both HTML & Text-only, is supported by ads. Don’t know what kind of ads yet, I’m still investigating…
The Professional Plan services start at $10.95/month (but it’s cheaper in the long run to pay for a year, it will save you $31.45); allows up to 90,000 subscribers, send up to 5 newsletters a day, and a free version of Site Pal. You can read more by clicking here.
Both versions offer easy installation, and full website integration.
For two years now I've been a virtual assistant and couldn't put my finger on the reason I wanted this so bad. After talking to a sister, going through the empty nest stage, it hit me. It's truly a sense of accomplishment that I will always be able to do more and a means to bring to peace to my life. I enjoy that I'm able to talk with other VA who share so much of the same interest that I do as well. The best part about it is I was able to figure out that I need another avenue in my life other than just my children. Don't get me wrong, they mean everything, but they will grow up.
So ask yourself. Do you get a peace of mind or is it work?
Posted 08-05-2009 at 05:01 PM by Your Virtual Wizard
Updated 09-14-2009 at 01:50 PM by VAF Admin
So You Want to Work with a Virtual Assistant? 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Search for a VA
1) Have a good understanding of what you want the VA to do for you before you search. Keep an ongoing list next to your desk of responsibilities you really want to delegate. List those items which keep you from doing the work you enjoy.
2) Prioritize that list. Break the list down to three categories: Items which should have been done yesterday; those which need to be done this week and those which can wait until next month.
3) Decide how much your budget will allow to contract with a VA. If you can spend $200 a month then stick to that budget.
One more summer weekend and one more summer festival but this time a folk festival. I retrieved the chairs from the basement, (only used for the folk festival because of low height) and it occurred to me that I should write our names on them as we would be traveling with a group this year. So off I went to get a Sharpie, and I thought I’d write my URL on the back, free advertising.
After last week’s fiasco I had learned my lesson. I knew one of the weaker areas of my business was marketing myself and had been working on a more polished elevator speech about what I do. The opportunity came shortly after we unfolded our chairs when the gal behind us asked what I did. Without hesitation the elevator speech rolled off...
Premier 'Events Coordinator' Position Created at Virtual Assistant Forums
Jo-Carole Carpenter, President of Shore Office Services, is pleased to announce her recent appointment as Events Coordinator at the Virtual Assistance Go-To Forum for aspiring and veteran VAs from all corners of the world: Virtual Assistant Forums.
After 22 years with one of the largest international companies in the world, Jo-Carole Carpenter left the corporate world behind to launch her own Virtual Assistance business: Shore Office Services, LLC. She now provides virtual business support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Carpenter serves proudly as a "virtual partner", effectively helping her clients grow their businesses....
As we all try to begin our virtual assistant businesses, we are told that one of the first things we need to do is get our elevator speech down.
While I understand where the term comes from - being able to explain to someone else what we do in the time it takes to ride in an elevator - I also think the term is confusing. I mean, how many of us actually talk to someone we don't know on the elevator? If we do, it is usually a comment about how good, or bad, the weather is, or making note of some current event. Nothing substantial is mentioned, and even if we disagree with someone else's remark, we usually let it go because these are meant to be superficial conversations.
As virtual assistants we know that branding is so important. But do you take it literally everywhere with you. I walk and talk my brand, I am provide of it and love to talk about it. So when someone asks you 'what do you do?' please having your branding at the tip of your tongue.
How in the world do you brand a 30 second statement? Don't speak in industry specific code that will fly over their head. Instead use well thought out professional phrases that bring our your personality and brand. Talk about your target market, your skills and make it unique. Try to avoid slang that can take away from your professional image.
So lets take a look at what one may say that has not put too much thought into the elevator speech:...
What does your elevator speech say about you? I could sit here and tell you all the ins and outs when it come to your speech. I could sit here and tell you what you should include and how you should present yourself. However, you have heard or read that all before. Being involved in a lot of face to face networking I can tell you the tips that have worked for me and what has not.
The purpose of your elevator speech is to sell your business and yourself and what better way to do that than be proud of your business and have confidence in yourself. I have found that sitting at networking events listening to the same pitches again and again can be rather tedious. So I changed up my strategy a bit and now instead of what I do,...
This past Sunday, my husband and I were getting ready to attend a summer festival so I threw a few business cards in my bag along with sunscreen, sunglasses and water. You never know when you’ll meet a potential client.
So off we go to the festival and within the first thirty minutes amid the crowds and noise I spy my husband chatting with a gal on a bike. As I move closer I see it is Karen (not her real name), an acquaintance of ours. I walk over and listen to the conversation; they are telling each other what they have been up to for the past few years. As they chat Karen turns to me and I get this feeling like a deer in the headlights, I have been thinking about my elevator speech but nothing...
1) Rearrange often-used items so they are within arm's reach, unless of course, you're deliberately trying to exercise!
2) Take a break every hour; stand up, stretch, do a quick cleanup of your desk by filing papers and putting unused supplies away.
3) Paper or Plastic? Neither! Buy reusable bags that are sold just about everywhere and take them with you to the store, they cost about $1 each.
4) Get extra work space by placing a table at a right angle to your desk. (Works great for me!)
5) Buy a better file cabinet; measure the space & cabinet, put a heavy book in the bottom drawer, if it squeaks or sticks, don't buy it unless it moves quietly and smoothly.
My brother's girlfriend of 10 years just up and moved 250 miles away! She tried to take my niece and nephew but the court said they had to stay, yippee! So now comes the fun part; cleaning the trailer so when Child Protections Services comes to inspect the childrens living conditions, it's ready. I should mention that my 'ex-sister-in-law' is a hoarder; of food and anything offered 'free'...anyone need an old upright piano?
So here's how Mom and I did it:
I took a large trash can from outside and cleaned it with PineSol, dried it out, put a bag in it and set it in the middle of the kitchen. Then put a trash bag in a clothes basket to use for things to go to Goodwill. I started with the cabinet under the sink,...
A great cleaner that can be made with ingredients you probably have on hand…
2 t vinegar or lemon juice
1 t borax
1 t baking soda
1/4 t dish soap
2 C hot water
Combine all ingredients in a clean spray bottle and shake well. For a really sticky mess, spray with the cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping.
Can be used on counter tops, sinks, glass, and other hard surfaces.
* Use one calendar for all activities, personal and business, even noting when bills are due.
* Hang photos on the wall instead of displaying on your desk, it will give you more working area.
* Control business card clutter by putting the information on your computer.
* Adding a table at a right angle to your desk gives you valuable work space.
* 10 minutes a day will keep your desk organized: put supplies away, open and sort bills, shred junk mail,
empty trash, and wipe the desk .
* Toss these items: old grocery receipts, expired coupons, warranties for items you no longer have, etc.
Fight junk mail by writing to the Direct Marketing Association...
Continue reading...
Ask Viki!
Contributing Member
Posted in Organization
Comments 0
Ohio Sales Tax Filing Reminder
Posted 07-21-2009 at 02:41 PM by Ask Viki!
The new electronic filing requirement enacted by sub. H.B. 562 is effective with the filing of your June 2009 (01/01/2009 through 06/30/2009) tax return. This requirement states, on or before the 23rd day of the month following the return ending date, you shall make payment and file a return by electronic means. For semi-annual filers, your first electronic submission is the June return which is due by July 23, 2009. The return must be filed electronically using the Ohio Business Gateway, the Department of Taxation's eForm or the Ohio TeleFile system. Detailed information about these filing methods and the file layout requirements can be found on the Department of Taxation's Web site at tax.ohio.gov or by calling 888-405-4039.
...
I think one of the main reasons I have so many wonderful networks is because I am a natural cheerleader. There's no way I would steer my friends into doing something stupid, wreckless or careless with their business, careers or family lives but if they are thinking about doing something good - I'm right there to cheer them on. And they know it.
Uncertainty is as constant as change. Hand in hand they often go. One causing the other and the other causing it. Having someone listen and support you is important. Someone who's been there and done that - and come out of whatever it was successfully - is even better. That's not to say that someone who hasn't made good choices isn't a great cheerleader either.
Posted 07-17-2009 at 01:14 PM by Essential Office Solutions
I received a flyer for the GET MOTIVATED Business Seminar in June. In the past, I attended one of these paid for by my employer and enjoyed it immensely - should I spend the money, on what seemed like a frivolous expense? The price was right, but it was 100 miles away and would take a day away from my work.
After thinking about for it for a week or so, I decided to invite my daughter and son's girlfriend who have never been offered this option and who I thought needed some motivation in their lives right now. Understand this was about a two hour drive and would require these night owls to rise at 5:00 am.
I remembered how motivated I was after hearing Zig Ziglar, Gen. Colin Powell and Nelson Mendella speak many...
Anyone can start a blog, anytime, about anything. I recall a few years back when I worked on a corporate newsletter, the hardest thing was to find enough interesting content for each issue. With a blog, content is not an issue, you can say what is on your mind, provide opinions on current events or discuss your passions, basically just start typing.
You don’t need a college education, a degree in journalism or be technically inclined, all you need is a connection to the internet, it can even be at the local library. You can create a blog in just a few minutes with no prior experience and you can do it for FREE.
You can write in a variety of languages, you can publish photos,...
I have been to quite a few networking events and I guarantee you will hear the phrase, “Tell me about yourself.” Many people are able to answer this question with no problem, while others seem to struggle. If you find yourself experiencing the latter, one way to combat this issue is memorizing an elevator speech.
In case you are not familiar with this term, an elevator speech is a short spiel that enables you to convey with others your occupation and what you represent (i.e. attributes) in the same length of time it takes for you to reach the highest floor in an elevator (approximately 30 to 60 seconds). Think of it as a way to “break the ice” when you meet someone new. In order to find out if your speech is pushing the right...
The clock is ticking and the reality of the situation is setting in. In 1 week, I will no longer have the income to pay my rent or my bills. As much as I want to trust that a new job will come through, or a slew of new client will come and give me the income I need, the truth is that it is most likely not going to happen in this market. At least in time for me not to fall behind on my rent, which would just sink me into a whole I do not want to try to climb out of.
I want to swallow this big huge pill of pride and go ahead and move back home. I have struggled for 10 years to support myself and my daughter, and it has been a struggle every single year. With no support from her father, no support from my ex-husband, it was...
I wanted to share this experience with others, because it was unexpected, but because I was prepared and ready to go, client resulted from my preparation.
Two weeks ago, I was in my favorite store, (Targets) and was walking aimlessly down this aisle, when all of a sudden, a woman called out my name. I turned around to see that it was my former Supervisor. (I'll keep names out of it) I looked in her direction and saw her walking towards me quickly. The first thing I thought was, "Oh Lord! Why did I have to bump into her?" This woman and I really never got along and I couldn't think of no other way that this encounter would turn out but disastrous. However, she smiled and held out her hands to greet me. I wanted...
I am wrapping up a two-year stint as the Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division President for the International Association of Administrative Professionals. It has been an amazing term, but I am ready to let go and let others take the reins.
As part of my out-going speech (which was short much to the surprise of people who know I love to tell stories), I showed an iLearningGlobal video by Dan Clark, entitled Team. I chose this particular video, not only because I am a huge fan of Dan Clark’s and have shown his videos at leadership workshops, but because it speaks to the core of what I wanted to do as the CWM Division President. The following is based on Dan’s video about Team because it resonates so strongly with me.
Posted 06-25-2009 at 09:17 AM by Virtually Assisting You
My Grand Inspiration is probably really difficult for anyone to see, so I'm going to try my best to walk you through it.
I know, I know you all are thinking oh great another post about her boys. Well, hold your horses. Even though my boys are the biggest inspiration in my life I have a few others I would like to mention as well.
Ok, look past those cute little boys on that tractor and you'll see some trees in the background. In the center of those trees is an open spot - You see it? That is where we will one day build our dream...
What's Stopping You from Getting Clients - and What To Do About It
Posted 06-24-2009 at 12:06 AM by VAF Admin
Hosted by Get Clients NOW! author C.J. Hayden. Discover the barriers that prevent talented VAs from building a thriving business and how to overcome these challenges and attract more clients with less effort by making a few simple changes. Also, how you may be sabotaging your own marketing efforts, the three most reliable ways to build your business, and how to build a system to make marketing effortless. Click to read.
VAF Admin
Forum Administration
Posted in Archived Virtual Assistant Forums Events
Did you know that the VAF Chatroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for YOUR use? Well, it is!
Here's a quick and easy way to get your fellow member VAs in there with you for a quick social chat, right NOW (or whenever you feel like it):
Grab a link to the Chatroom and turn it into a Tweetable, TinyURL. Here, to make it super easy, we did it for you ---> http://tinyurl.com/c6a4bg [copy that]
Now log into your Twitter account and post an invite. Something like:
VAF members: join me in the Virtual Assistant Forums Chatroom for a quick social chat right now! http://tinyurl.com/c6a4bg
(feel free to copy and paste that for your own use, it's just under 140 characters...
Posted 06-23-2009 at 04:44 PM by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance
This month's VAF Blog Challenge was a bit challenging for me simply because I am inspired by so many things! A photo, a movie, something someone says, these things can all resonate with me and inspire me to feel a certain way, think a certain thought or do something I wouldn't have otherwise thought of doing.
Once, as a teenager, I watched the movie Alive. The movie was a story about a plane that crashed in the Andes and told the story of the passengers on the flight. It was graphic, at times hard to watch and extremely powerful (at least for me). Moments after watching that movie, I closed myself in my bedroom with my teal painted walls covered with images of kittens and rock stars. I took out a pack of white index cards and...
I use the word divine but I mean it. Attached is a picture of my two girls, one a Maori mermaid at the local santa parade and the other wearing our Santa stockings on her feet(!) and a Christmas hat.
These two young ladies inspire me more than anything else in the world. I would turn the world around for them if I could. I feel no less unique for it - rather I feel blessed to be part of world full of parents, each wanting the best for their child and sharing that worldly understanding with all other parents internationally.
A parents love knows no discrimination. Before I had children I thought about what I would do until I die, now I think past that, like what can I do for them even...
I have been involved in a 10-week blogging internship program on Kelly McCausey's WAHM Talk Radio blog. Let me tell you - she is one smart gal and under Kelly's weekly guidance I have learned a lot of great tips about how to take my business blog up a notch. One of the most important things I have learned is that if you expect anyone to come BACK after they happen to stumble on your blog once, you have to post often. Like, most days of the week!
So yeah, I know, it's difficult to come up with that many topics! Here are a few sure-fire, quick, *easy* things I have learned to get some creative post ideas flowing:
Spread a little link love - link to 5-7 interesting posts on other blogs you have read recently
I have seen lots of posts about taking baby steps in order to achieve your goals, and I agree with this concept 100%. But because I agree with it, does not mean that I have been implementing it! And this is going to change...
This forum has so much valuable information and I have read so much of it but have done little about what I have learned. So now it's time to not only gather information, but to use the information that I get and put it to use immediately! I have searched job boards and found many jobs I "should" be qualified for, but yet I don't apply! What is my purpose there if I'm not even going to apply for the job then?
So it's time to get to basics, I would say "back" to basics,...
Inspiration can come in many forms. Many are inspired by their families, friends, athletes, etc., so you may find it odd that I found inspiration in my parents rose garden. My family and I would spend a lot of time working in this garden together. However, this is not just any old rose garden. This is the rose garden that many people warned us would never grow. This rose garden, much like my business, is the result of what people can accomplish when they are willing to work hard to achieve their goals and not allow the negativity of others to get in the way of achieving success.
It's a pretty good bet that if you're not making a Twitter or Facebook application, you're probably making a lifestreaming application. Okay, so not everyone is into lifestreaming, but it is one of the hottest areas for development out there, and there are an overwhelming amount of services offering a way to aggregate all the little bits of your online life (which, for the purpose of this post, is the definition of lifestreaming that we'll use). Richard MacManus wrote an excellent primer on lifestreaming in January, but we touched on just 5 such services. The purpose of this post, rather than to review, is to just list the various options out there.
...
Lately it seems I can't go anywhere without running into a gaggle of social media consultants bloviating about the wonders of social network marketing. Sure, you've seen 'em, too. Slick shake-and-bake "experts" promising to help you leverage the power of Twitter and Facebook to raise your profile and, inexplicably, boost your profits. But scratch the surface on most of these claims and they instantly crumble. Meanwhile, it seems the only people making any money in social media are the consultants themselves.
For anywhere between a few hundred and a few thousand...
A post from Lon Safko on the Fast Company blog today talks about The 10 Commandments of Social Media. The advice is good and serves as a great starting point for individuals, brands or any organisation looking to use social media. Safko’s ‘Commandments’ are:
Thou Shalt Blog (like crazy).
Thou Shalt Create Profiles (everywhere).
Thou Shalt Upload Photos (lots of them).
Thou Shalt Upload Videos (all you can find).
Thou Shalt Podcast (often).
Thou Shalt Set Alerts (immediately).
Thou Shalt Comment (on a multitude of blogs).
Thou Shalt Get Connected...
Posted 06-09-2009 at 02:37 PM by ShelleyH
Updated 06-09-2009 at 07:46 PM by ShelleyH
(spelling)
I started the VA business in January and have had a few bites, people I thought would come through but havent. I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to find someone to work with. A couple weeks ago I was talking with a lady I already work with (for) as a merchandiser. Its quick, easy cash just not alot of it. She is always swamped every time we talk, its crazy. I told her she needed more help (which she was already well aware of) but we had talked about my business and she couldnt afford my rates (translates to the co. she works for wouldnt pay for an assistant.) I finally told her that I would work for my regular merchandisers rate (much less than my VA rate), here at home, to help her out. Last week she gave me 30 hours. It felt great!!...
Why can't I just be at home, on my computer, reading the VAF and then applying all the knowledge I am gaining to my business? Why do I have to come into this office each day and waste my valuable networking and marketing time? I think this is completely unfair! I can only read the VAF, but checking out all the links and everything just takes too much time, and I'm supposed to be doing quotes and tracking orders for my day job...I want to be working on my SEO strategies and finding forums to join and engage in!! I want to have my music on my computer what I want to listen to...not this boring elevator music they have playing in the background. I want to be able to take a breather and take my dog for a short walk and then happily come...
How are you going to do this? Who is going to pay for this? Where are you going to find clients? What does it all mean?
I'm finding as I am telling more and more people about my business plan, the questions are being thrown at me left and right and with each one, little bits of "doubt" start creeping into my mind. I believe in myself and I believe that I have a valuable service to offer AND I believe that my time is worth a monetary reward...as with ANY service. I believe that my gifts and knowledge have been given to me for a purpose and that I can indeed make my dreams come true.
But I also find with the questions...come opportunity. A chance to once again state my...
It may be a small one, but I met a milestone today. I managed to make enough posts to VA Forums to earn the right to post to a personal blog. This then allows me access to join one of the groups that I tried to join the other day but was blocked due to the minimum number of posts you must have to blog!
Posted 06-07-2009 at 12:51 AM by hbplifestyle
Updated 06-07-2009 at 12:53 AM by hbplifestyle
(Wording)
I'd like to share with other VAs something that just happened to me and will happen to them at one time or another. Recently I decided to get my on blog and host. After that I was going to create and maintain the blog. On this blog I have podcasts I want to post. Needless to say I've never worked much with audio posting. It took me two weeks to trying getting it on my blog. Finally enough was enough and I just said I've learned what I can but I pulled in a fellow VA that is an expert with Wordpress. And Woo La she had the audio I gave her posted within 48 hours. A big thanks to her.
Learn from me and just hire an expert, don't waste valueable VA time
Here are some tips and ideas to keep critters out of your gardens using garlic:
* To remove moles, put a bulb of garlic in one of the holes.
* Surround your garden with garlic plants to deter woodchucks and raccoons.
* Scattering garlic and rotten eggs around your garden will deter deer.
* Plant a clove of garlic with each spring-flowering bulb to deter rodents.
Now a few ideas using other items:
* Sprinkle ground red pepper in the entrances to mole .tunnels
* Scatter broken egg shells around your plants will keep cats and raccoons away.
* Tie clothes that smell of human sweat and old sneakers to posts to deter deer and raccoons.
* If you won’t disturb...
I knew one of the weaker areas of my business was marketing myself and had been working on a more polished elevator speech about what I do. The opportunity came shortly after we unfolded our chairs when the gal behind us asked what I did. Without hesitation the elevator speech rolled off...
summer festival so I threw a few business cards in my bag along with sunscreen, sunglasses and water. You never know when you’ll meet a potential client.
At least in time for me not to fall behind on my rent, which would just sink me into a whole I do not want to try to climb out of.
I use the word divine but I mean it. Attached is a picture of my two girls, one a Maori mermaid at the local santa parade and the other wearing our Santa stockings on her feet(!) and a Christmas hat.
Why can't I just be at home, on my computer, reading the VAF and then applying all the knowledge I am gaining to my business? Why do I have to come into this office each day and waste my valuable networking and marketing time? I think this is completely unfair! I can only read the VAF, but checking out all the links and everything just takes too much time, and I'm supposed to be doing quotes and tracking orders for my day job...I want to be working on my SEO strategies and finding forums to join and engage in!! I want to have my music on my computer what I want to listen to...not this boring elevator music they have playing in the background. I want to be able to take a breather and take my dog for a short walk and then happily come...
Where are you going to find clients?
What does it all mean? 
A chance to once again state my...
Here are some tips and ideas to keep critters out of your gardens using garlic:
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