Quotes for business... And life.

We all know that Pinterest is amazing for finding great quotes. I love quotes. This love started when my 11th grade typing teacher (Mrs. Benter) posted an inspirational quote on the chalkboard every day. Yes, I learned to type in 11th grade... on a TYPEWRITER!! Our daily task was to type each quote on a 3x5 card. By the end of the semester, we had a huge stack of quotes. I loved going back and reading through those quotes for years!

Here a a few of my favorites from my Pinterest Board: WORDS

12 Tips...

SOURCE

HOW TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT

There's a specific science to asking for and getting what you want or need in life. Here are some quick tips to get you started. To learn more, I recommend you read The Alladin Factor by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.

1. Ask as if you expect to get it. Ask with a positive expectation. Ask from the place that you have already been given it. It's a done deal. Ask as if you expect to get a yes.

2. Assume you can. Don't start with the assumption that you can't get it. If you are going to assume, assume you CAN get an upgrade. Assume you CAN get a table by the window. Assume you CAN return it without a sales slip. Assume that you can get a scholarship, that you can get a raise, that you can get tickets at this late date. Don't ever assume against yourself.

3. Ask someone who can give it to you. Qualify the person. "Who would I have to speak to to get..." or "What would have to happen for me to get..."

4. Be clear and specific. When someone says "I want more money", you could give them a dollar. They would now have more money, but would they be satisfied? No. Vague requests produce vague responses. Your requests need to be specific.

5. Ask repeatedly. One of the most important principles of success is persistence. Whenever you're asking others to participate in the fulfillment of your goals, some people are going to say no. Just get used to the idea that there's going to be a lot of rejection along the way to the brass ring. The key is not to give up. When you get a "no", ask Why? Because when you keep on asking--you might get a yes!

Business Feature: FamilyBridges

FamilyBridges is a production company that specializes in creating and documenting personal biographies and life events for those who want to preserve their legacy for posterity. Film, interview, music, pictures, and personal home video are all mediums they use to help you create a product you will be proud to share with friends and family. They also offer slide shows as a way to celebrate special people and events in your families lives. Each project is built around your vision with an attention to detail that only comes from a company that considers it a privilege to do what we do. They have the capability to work with any budget.

The founders of FamilyBridges, Corey and Lisa Spray, have a passion for families and bringing them together! The concept of FamilyBridges was an idea that developed when family members were discouraged by the concept of writing their personal history. It is often easier to tell a story than it is to write it down and most of us don’t know where or how to begin. Through inspiration, they decided to take the idea and create a company that encourages people to document and share their lives. It’s as easy as taking a walk down memory lane. They have found great joy in helping people preserve and share their personal legacy.

In a recent interview, Corey answered these questions about business...
1. How long have you been in business? We are a young start up, we have been in business for just over a year.
2. What type of business do you own? Our business is focused on sharing ones legacy through video. We feel that in this day and age, visual stories and real life experiences shared through a video format really connects to the youth. There are a lot of companies that help you share your life in written context, which we feel is still important, however, video is the way moving forward. Just imagine in 100 years, your posterity being able to watch you tell about your life. They are able to see your personality come to life. This is priceless. We call this an infinite rate of return because it can affect the lives of countless people you have never met or perhaps never will.
3. What makes your business different from your competitors? What makes us different is the care, emotion, and personal connection we have with each client. We truly come to respect and love all of them. I think they help us more than we help them and you can't quantify that.
4. What has been your greatest success in business? Our greatest successes have really feeling like we have made lifelong friends with all of our clients.
5. What tips or advice can you share with other small business owners? Our biggest advise we can give other business is to stay in motion, never give up on your dream. If you truly believe in your business and yourself, others will as well.

Want to know more about FamilyBridges? Be sure to check out their website at http://familybridgesllc.com/



It's the little things.

So, apparently my beloved mini van (I never thought I'd say those words back in my cool days) needed a new transmission. 

We got the bad news a couple of weeks ago. 

After some debate over repair or buying new, a run in with an overly aggressive sales agent, lots of stress and tears, a phone call telling me the tech damaged our axel, a nearly two week delay waiting for parts, a drive to idaho to pick up a rental car....and not having enough seat-belts for everyone...

 I finally picked my "baby" up this morning and wrote out a check for almost $3700. Tears welling up. 

And what do I notice when I'm about to pull out on the freeway... Yup. I am COMPLETELY out of gas. Thanks guys. Customer service at its finest I guess. 

Here's hoping this thing lasts me another 100k. 

Answer the phone!!!

Okay, this is one of the most simple business strategies I know, but on that is not used enough in business these days! I mean, how often do you call a business and get recording after recording... and if you leave a message, does someone actually call you back? Probably not!

If a prospective customer or client is calling your business it usually means they've already visited your website and they: 1) Are interested, but have a few additional questions, or 2) They are ready to BUY from you!! 

And if no one answers the phone, chances are they will move on and find someone who will! As a business owner who's goal it was to GROW my business, I ALWAYS answered the phone! I've registered clients, while in the cosmetic aisle at Walmart, writing their info down on a crumpled up napkin I found in my purse. But I got the client that day... because I answered the phone! 

Here's an insider's secret: Your competitors probably STINK at answering the phone. By doing this one thing well, you are miles ahead of similar businesses around you! Give it a try. 

Yes it can be a pain trying to answer calls while grocery shopping, working out, or trying to catch up on projects. But remember... if your goal is to GROW your business, you have to do some uncomfortable things sometimes. When you're not in the office, forward calls to your cell phone. 

If you can afford it, have a receptionist or assistant take calls, or use an ansering service. 

Seriously. You will see real growth when you open up the phone lines and let your future customers in. They will love you for it!

Go Chris!!

I {HEART} this speech from "Chris" Ashton Kutcher at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.   Seriously.  Amazing.  Lessons learned....

YOU