Excelle

I knew since I was about five-years-old — when I wanted to play “office” instead of “house” with my sister — that I loved the idea of running my own business. Like many other women, I pursued my education, started a family and found myself quickly approaching the ceiling in the organization I was working in. It was in my burnout ...

The older I get the more I realize my time is worth as much to me as any money I could possibly earn. And while I firmly believe I have unlimited earning potential in my chosen business, I also realize that no matter how hard I try, I cannot increase the number of hours in my day. Yes, I’ve managed to ...

If you are searching for funding, whether from venture capitalists, angel investors, bankers, or even friends and family, one of the first requests you'll receive is this: "Send along your business plan." Before you hang up the phone or acknowledge the e-mail, you may want to ask one question: What kind of business plan do you want me to send? Business ...

Did you know that forty percent—40 percent—of young people want to be their own boss someday? That’s a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs. Millions, in fact. Truth is, only a fraction of those people ever really start a business. Some get comfortable in a lifestyle that they can’t afford to give up. Others realize just how hard it is to be an ...

Wow. As I thought about the past eight years and what it’s been like being an entrepreneur, I was struck by how many mistakes I’ve made. I was also struck by how great those mistakes have been for my business. If it were not for all those mistakes, my business would never have grown. I would never have written a book, ...

I love reading Sara Pennypacker’s “Clementine” books to my girls because I laugh out loud at the antics and musings of this spunky third grader. But while Clementine is amusing, I wasn’t expecting her perspective in “The Talented Clementine” to resonate with me. I mean, come on, it’s been 30 years since I’ve been a third grader! But in this book, ...

I never, ever, considered having my own business. Ever. But when I finally figured out what I wanted to be doing, it just so happened that starting my own business was the answer — helping others figure out what they want to be doing with their careers and lives. As I learned what it meant to be a coach, and learned ...

Whether starting your own business is something you've always dreamed of or it's one option after an unexpected layoff, there are several points to consider before striking out on your own: A New Business Is Like a New Baby If you're a parent, you know how your baby changed your life in ways you never anticipated. You may have envisioned parenthood ...

Starting a new project means different things to different people. Some people take on new projects with a sense of adventure, while others may take on new projects with a serious sense of apprehension. Me? I tend to fall into the latter group. For me, new projects have always meant dredging up old fears and having to expel them time and ...

Whether you're starting a new business or looking to branch out on your own as a consultant, marketing your products or services can be challenging, not to mention expensive. *1. Warm Up Your Prospects*: Don't cold call. Instead, "send a short, tight, funny intro letter with samples of past work," says freelance writer David Geffner. "Then follow up with an email ...

So, what’s the deal with the power of persuasion? Is it just a good business skill or is it manipulation? Let’s talk about manipulation first. A typical sales pitch involves the motive to manipulate. It will look like a set up, and the one being set up will feel like a caged animal. The seller begins zeroing in on the potential ...

I own a business. Over the years, I have owned several businesses. To me, they were all successful, depending on your definition of success. I like to think of each attempt as a stepping-stone to finding my true purpose. I am entrepreneurial by nature and always yearned to be in control of my destiny. I have probably earned a few million ...

With over 300,000 “Internet Home Business” related searches on the internet every month, it’s safe to say that there is a lot of demand for information on how to make money on the internet. Sadly, this also means that there are a lot of shady characters preying on this group of people. I knew someone who fell for one of these ...

I have been my own “boss” most of my life. It is such a privilege to set my own work schedule, to discern whom it is I work with and for, and when I work. To work independently has also been my greatest challenge, for in the freedom that self-employment brings, there are also potential pitfalls. At times my office has ...

I have researched and found three very effective tools to help you market your business more effectively. The first tool is the advice of successful entrepreneurs and public relations specialists. When telling people what you do or what your business is all about, say the name of your business and one sentence describing it. _Example:_ "Excelle, networking for career minded women." ...

When I first started my own site, it was my goal to inspire women to build businesses from home. Obviously, the site has evolved considerably since then, but that still remains one of my goals. As things have evolved, there have been times when I’ve seriously lost sleep or wanted to check myself into a mental institution. To get through these ...

Social media will be of paramount importance to any new internet business’ success in today’s connected world, and that’s a check under the ‘pro’ column for us home-based female entrepreneurs. Women are at home in the social networking landscape. We are forging relationships and entering into conversations with others as if they were likely to join us for lunch the next ...

Since speaking at Small Business Marketing Unleashed, I’ve been thinking a lot about the both the best use and the abuse of social media. After listening to my extremely talented peers speak on the subject, it occurred to me that I sometimes take for granted that people know the best practices of using web 2.0 to build their businesses. I’ve seen ...

So you’re starting a small business. You figured out what you wanted to sell or do and went out and got it all set up, had your DBA framed and on the wall, and now all you need is for someone to buy your product or use your service. Right? How are you going to go about getting your public to ...

Originally published on MsCareerGirl, by Andrea Travillian Coaching is a rapidly growing profession. People are looking for a good process to help people, and at the same time, people are looking for added support in moving forward in their lives. This creates a win-win for both the client and the coach. Do you think you would be a good coach? Interested ...