Professionalism: Lost in Translation

Has professionalism lost its meaning? While the new 'business casual' trend & the expansion of social media, we've redefined the word more than once. Let's start with

Social Media~That is NOT Professional:
1) Branding yourself and using your personal page for advertisement one day and to rant about your baby mama/daddy the next
2) Posting videos riddled with mispronounced words, misuse of words, & big words you couldn't clearly define
3) Posting videos bashing another individual for their lifestyle. While the 'industry' is dog eat dog, your concern should be you and the building of your business
4) Posting unedited videos.
5) Posting videos on worldly topics unrelated to your business
Side bar: There clearly needs to be a well-defined class on posting videos for profit. This is an epidemic that is getting out! of! control! And it is running rampant! STOP! Seek assistance IMMEDIATELY! Don't hide behind your pride causing failure in your business by not asking the proper questions when it comes to these horrendous social media videos.
6) Accusing others of 'hating' on you

Dress for Success~Don't Wear That:
1) Ladies, if your skirt is more than 3 inches above your knee, IT IS TOO SHORT
2) Ladies, heels that you CANNOT walk in
3) Ladies, heels that are too big-you know, the ones with TOO much room in the back
4) Ladies, summer dresses in the winter-even with a nice blazer, IT IS NOT CUTE
5) Ladies, peep toes shoes with stockings
6) Ladies, jeggings and leggings are NOT meant to be worn into the workplace-I don't care how you dress them up!
7) Men, seer sucker suits are not in
8) Men & women, there is nothing professional about skinny leg jeans
9) Ladies, if your pants or skirt is so tight that it reveals your panty line a) you need to invest in a couple pair of seamless panties b) your pants are too little
10) Ladies, halter tops, crop tops, tank tops-NO! Just don't do it
Disclaimer: No, I am not a fashionista or a fashion blogger. However, this is just flat out common sense.

We all know that there are some things we should NOT do as it relates to professionalism, especially, when we're building our empires. Ladies, even if you work from home, take some time to make yourself look like somebody when you walk out the door. It does not matter if you are just running into the post office to drop a package off or if you are headed to meet a friend for lunch. I am not saying that you need to get dolled up everyday, but a little facial care, lip gloss, etc. Look at yourself and say, "Would I do business with me?" I know that there are days that you may not feel like it, well, those are the days that you need to stay in the house! With the curtains closed. Make a point to 'feel like it'. Quit looking a HOT MESS when you walk out of the house. Heck, quit looking a hot mess sitting around the house. Get up with intention! Intend to make a difference daily.
Taking care of self first is mandatory IF we plan to take care of business.

There is a Right Way to Write: If you are managing your own social media sites, please, do me a favor and invest in a dictionary and thesaurus. You can find both all, every day at the thrift store. Yes, the thrift store. But, what's even better, dictionary.com is FREE and can be bookmarked on your computer. Spellcheck is wonderful-let's use it. If  Grammar was not your forte, please hire a Grammar Nazi to assist you. Nothing upsets my nerves more than an unprofessionally managed business FB Page, Twitter Post, website or blog. Make sure your posts, tweets, blogs, websites, are grammatically correct if nothing else. It speaks volumes on the level of professionalism when it comes to building your empire. While I am on this kick. Here's a side note: IF you have a blog link on your website and have NOT updated it in 2 years, please REMOVE the link from your site TODAY!

We Are Judged By the Company We Keep: How sad it is that the people we "follow" on social media can cause us to be termed unprofessional? I've always asked the question, "Who do you follow?" or "Are you following the wrong people?" From Facebook to Twitter, following matters. One inappropriate repost or retweet can easily spiral out of control causing others to see you in a negative light. Allowing negativity into your life, your soul and spirit, diminishes your value. It alters your thought process, affects your daily routine, it becomes a part of who you are. Removing negativity from your life can and will increase your value-not only in your "business" world but in your everyday world. Negativity can, in no way, help you succeed in your entrepreneurial journey.

Take some time to evaluate your social media accounts. Do they speak professionalism?
Go through your wardrobe & your everyday presence. Would you do business with you?
Watch your grammar.
Do a heart check of the company you keep. What is being said about the company you keep?

The Time is Now: Living in the Overflow

Have you ever felt that your business is never going to take off? You're never going to get to where you want to be? Ought to be? Should be? Could be? Yet, you're wondering how your competition is doing it & doing it well? Press Pause! Put your foot on the brake! Look in the mirror! What are you doing to get to the next level? To move beyond your current situation? I guess, because I see situations and circumstances from a different perspective, the competition does not affect me. How they got what they got and do what they do, does not bother me. Oftentimes we get caught up in the moment and only what we can see before our eyes.

We must take the time to look at the big picture of it all. If you are stuck, right here, right now-you will NEVER move to the next level. You will NEVER see all that God has for your business endeavor. If you continue to hold on to your knowledge and live in your own little world, instead of reaching out and reaching up, you will never move to the next level.

The time starts now, STOP looking around you at what the next beautician is doing! At what the next life coach is doing! At what the next blogger is doing! At what the next landscaper is doing! Instead, start now, researching your industry; attending networking events; become a member of mastermind groups, invest in your business. After all, it is your business. Start sharing your information with others. When I say invest in your business, I don't just mean financially, I mean mentally, physically, emotionally~give your all to your business. Be your best client. Do what others are not doing! Promote your business on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. If you are not on social media or unfamiliar with the different sites, YouTube or Google it. 

The time starts now, live and walk in the overflow. Speak blessings and miracles over your business. Walk in your overflow as if you already have it. Affirm your business and your clients. Don't treat your business like a side-chick, just pick it up when it's convenient for you. NO, treat your business like the main chick. What you see others doing, you too, can do it. Does EVERYONE on your friends list know what you do for a living? Do they know you take your business serious? Do they support your business? If they don't support your business, are they talking about your business? Do you have a business page on FB? If you answered no to these questions, it is time for you to raise yourself from the ashes and take the world by storm. Your every thought should be a way to make your business run a little smoother, to get new clients; to get repeat paying clients. Do you have fliers, postcards, business cards? Are you running specials? Again, I ask, "What are you doing to invest in your business?" Please don't give me an excuse about finances. Educating yourself on your industry is a FREE investment. How so? I am glad you asked. Two words, Library Card. If you are like me and don't like the library, because you have to return the books, e-books. If you have a wireless device, the Kindle app is FREE, there are tons of FREE industry-related Kindle books. Ok, so you don't like to read, well, well, well, guess what? That's why you are where you are in your business. Aside from that, Audiobooks are available on Kindle or any wireless device.

How do you want your overflow to look? Do you look like your overflow? When I leave the house, I make sure my face is made and I look decent. Whether it is jeans and a hoodie, I look decent. Lipstick and eyeshadow can make a world of difference. Because I was ready for change in my life, I cut my hair off-now I don't have to worry about weaves, etc. I can just moisturize and go. My overflow looks like she got it going on. I am more attentive to me and my vehicle. Even if you are struggling with one income, you don't have to look like it. Your current situation is temporary. It is time to look and walk in your overflow. If you don't know what you want your overflow to look like, take some time to write it down. Think like this, "My business can not prosper til I change ______" In other words, "What is holding you back?" Are YOU holding you back?

Are you speaking in your overflow? Every morning I say out loud:
Miracles are happening today
We have more than enough
I have positive, high paying clients
What do you say to your overflow? When you affirm yourself and your business, you are speaking to your overflow. There is life and death in the tongue. Watch your words. Words hurt and once they are spoken, they can't be taken back. Words matter. Speak positive, life-flowing words into your business and mean them. Speak with excitement when you discuss your business and mean it.

The truth is, we make time for what we want to make time for. AND no one else is going to invest more into your business than you are willing to. Make the time now to live in your overflow! It's a free investment.

What Doesn't Kill You Make You Stronger

My granny used to always tell me, "What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger." I never really understood those words until 'life' took over. It became one of my favorite sayings and my very own words of encouragement. Truly, if it didn't kill me, it was sure to make me stronger-and it did. This, also, applies in the world of entrepreneurship.

The daily journey is a task we don't take for granted and one that is traveled & not walked. We start out with a team of cheerleaders that eventually, somewhere along the way, become your haters-or better yet, motivators; a team of players that you thought were in it for the long haul, that somehow, have jumped ship; a crew of pit members that vowed to be there when times got hard, that disappeared at the first sign of despair. IF, the loss of friendship and abandonment didn't kill you-it will definitely make you stronger. Know who to trust!

Now, that your team has dissolved, you've regrouped and decided to journey on; you learn that one of your ex-owns has stolen your idea and started their own business. As a matter of fact-they're up and running and you're still in the start up phase. Well alrighty then! You must once again, pick up the pieces, turn the other cheek and carry on! You must be the bigger person and not call the thief by any other name. Talking yourself through it and congratulating your ex is the best thing for all involved. Knowing in the back of your mind that you cannot, must not, do not, will not, shall not fight fire with fire.

It is a constant reminder that the entrepreneurship journey ain't no joke. There will be lies, backbiting, malice, jealousy, secrets from the past and treacherous individuals that will attempt to bring you down-BUT you must endure. And persevere. And don't look back! And keep your head held high! And walk in faith! And....oh how the ands can go on and on and on and on and on! You won't be the first or the last to do it. There will ALWAYS be someone better than you in the business. Someone with more knowledge. Someone who didn't have to 'fight' for their right in the business. Someone who will try to bring you down. YOU must be reminded that if it doesn't kill you, it will ONLY make you stronger. With strength you are a survivor! You are a dreamer! You are a realist! You are an entrepreneur! You are a successful business owner. You are your own strength in the game of femalepreneurs. AND your own cheerleader. And your own team. And your own pit crew! Why? Because when there's no one else around to believe in you, cheer for you, change your flat, listen to you vent-you must continue to stand! OR you can roll over and die!

At the end of the day, you dreamed it, you built it and you survived it! You were made for such a time as this!

It's Not Too Late to Start...Again

As I sit here in my office/sewing room contemplating over my business and the upcoming relaunch of Kelly L Virtual Office Solutions (KLVOS) and the work I've put in thus far, I felt saddened that I've done so much, yet it still seems so little. Why? Because I left the workforce on August 23, 2013 and never looked back. Instead, I was not only taking a leap of faith but I was committing to NEVER again make another person or company money unless it was ME. I dove right in building KLVOS-didn't know how I was going to make it, but with a loving & supportive husband, we continued to trust and build-trust and build. A while ago, I took a "break" to work on a relaunch and another component to KLVOS. I've been researching and following blogs, watching and listening to podcasts and webinars, reading books and studying the business. In the beginning, I thought, hmmmm, this should be quite simple, I'll start my business and build it through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Ha! NOT! Somebody should've told me better, then I would've known better. Even though I was working my business, I was getting nowhere-FAST! Did I say fast, like in FAST! I was running this race with no finish line in sight. Because I felt that I didn't need a coach, and I didn't need advice from anyone else and I didn't need to network with others and I was an expert at what I did, I was sinking faster than quick. I don't know if I thought clients would fall from the sky and say, "Here I am I'd love to do business with you." No, that didn't happen at all.

I had to have a sit down with myself and let me know that I had to do something IMMEDIATELY! While I have clients...well, you know how that goes. During my conversation with myself, I put together a plan:
1) Dig further into the business -- a) follow people who are doing what I want to do b) seek out podcasts and webinars c) find free training d) see what others are doing -- research and read. Reading provides insight and knowledge. There's a wealth of information hidden deep within books!
2) Release the negativity -- while there are those that will support you, there are also those that will attempt to bring your down. I had to surround myself with like-minded positive people that are reaching for the stars and beyond.
3) Network with others -- there are several networking events in my area that I tend to overlook. Not anymore. Every event, I plan to attend. You never who you may meet that will need your services
4) Seek out FREE training -- it is all over the internet as well as downloadable ebooks
5) Invest in self/business -- I had to learn that everything does not begin and end with Microsoft. As I began to learn and learn some more and learn some more~there's an entire world of software for business-in every area! If you don't have it budgeted, download a free trial and budget for it next month. Attend a paid workshop, join a paid community, and purchase training materials from individuals that you follow.
6) Work everyday with intent -- everyday, even though I am home, I work in my business with intent. I accomplish something. No matter how big or small, something is done in my business.

In essence, I had to change. Change my mindset, rewrite my goals, amend my mission and vision. Once I caught on to the like-mindedness, God place people in my life that I needed-to walk this journey to the next level. I had to change the way I see people and the way I viewed the mistakes of my past. Change comes in all shapes and forms, BUT no one can want it for you. You HAVE to want it for yourself. Now that I know better, I am doing better. In doing better, I am unveiling the second part to my business.

Remember, it is not too late to start-even if you're restarting or planning a grand opening. I am planning a baby shower-to birth this baby! Are you ready to begin again? Or just to begin, period?

The Reality of Entrepreneurship

Building and Maintaining a Business

 

 

As with any and all endeavors, hard work and dedication are required. While we can dream big, we must start out small, making sure not to overwhelm ourselves. We must commit to:

• Countless Hours of Prayer~if you have dreamed about it, smelled the taste of it, believe in your heart it's meant to be JUST for you-spend time in prayer; seeking the Lord for guidance, revelation, patience, endurance, perseverance, strength; ask Him for His vision for your business. Allow the Lord to lead and guide you. Do nothing out of His will.
• Research~research the business, the competition, the market, the finances. If you are not good at research, seek out someone who does not mind doing it for you and providing accurate results.
• Not Giving Up~giving up is not an option. Even when you don't want to, you must continue to strive for and do better.
• Building a Great Support Team~rid yourself of the naysayers. Not everyone is going to believe in your dreams and goal. Some will prove this early on in your endeavor, others won't do so til later in the game. Be prepared to remove them immediately.
• Asking for Help When Needed~don't be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone in your endeavor. There are people that SINCERELY want to help.

Things to Do:

• Ask yourself, "What do I want my business to look like?"-location, ideal client, social media presence, team members.
• Create your model on paper and put before you daily.
• Write out your goals FIRST! Put your 1, 5, 7, and 10 year goals on paper THEN
• Create your business plan-this is where your research comes in to play. There are different plans for different businesses (A business needing funding will not use the same plan as a business not needing funding).
• Build a team. These should be people that have your best interest at heart and are not afraid to step out on faith with you. They should be the president of your fan club and the captain of your cheer squad.