Celebrating Personal Freedom

Happy Independence Day!

 

I’m getting ready for a big reunion party at my house this evening, but I wanted to write to you today about “freedom.”

As we celebrate the birthday of our country, many people are feeling extremely grateful for the freedoms we have.  And as designers and business owners in this country, we have the incredible opportunity to create anything we want.

As your own boss, you can choose to design your business to support whatever lifestyle you desire.  You are completely free to run your business and live your life on your own terms.

Are you doing that?

Imagine...

Imagine if you were able to leverage your talent and your time so that you could give value to more people – without working any more hours.

Imagine if you could work when you want, how you want, and where you want – and make more money!

(You can.)

This is what I’ve been doing over the last few years, and it’s what I’m going to personally teach to 25 of you over the next year.

Will you be one of the lucky ones to join me?

If you are ready to transform your business (or start a whole new one) and begin living a truly extraordinary life, I would love to work with you.

Get all the details of the Extreme Designer Makeover program here, and join me as we expand what you thought was possible for your business.  But hurry – early bird pricing ends when Independence Day is over.

Extreme Designer Makeover
Transform your business... transform your life

CLICK FOR DETAILS - - > EXTREME DESIGNER MAKEOVER
 

To your success,

 

 

 

P.S. Enjoy your holiday weekend.  I wish you the freedom to express yourself and love your life!

 

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:How to Start a Giving Program for Your Business

Inspiration from Maggie Keenan's class, "5 Ways Giving Makes A Difference for Your Design Business"

Having a Giving Program is a great business strategy. It creates Win-Win. You get involved in social issues AND boost your image.

How does "giving" helps businesses?

• enhance your business image
• increase sales
• build client loyalty
• improve employee retention
• create / boost / enhance your brand

COOL TIP: Giving Program does not have to be about YOU giving money. Get creative. Hold a contest. Raise money. Donate time or knowledge.

Don't treat "giving" as side project. It should be an integral part of business. Otherwise you won't reap the benefits AND neither will the charity!

First thing to do is define your Giving Goals. Then develop your Giving Budget. Then create your Giving Story. Use your Giving Story in all your marketing.

If you are a local business, why not give to LOCAL causes. Help your community & boost awareness of your own business among ideal prospects.

INTERESTING STATISTIC: If price and quality are equal, consumers will switch and recommend a new company based on a Giving Program or Cause. Wow!

Make sure your Giving Program is "authentic, not opportunistic."

Maggie F. Keenan, Ed.D., is the author of Small Businesses Give Big… why charitable giving is a great business strategy. You can find her book at: www.smallbusinessesgivebig.com

It's Time for Some More Gratitude (tweet, tweet)

Do you ever have these types of thoughts?

• I wish I didn't have so many challenging customers.
  
• Why can't I find higher-end clients?
  
• My customers don't spend that kind of money.
  
• The market is really slow right now.

"What you focus on... expands."

When you instead start feeling gratitude for the business you NOW have, you will start to attract more of those things you are grateful for.

Do you have clients who pay you (even if it seems like a small amount)? Be grateful for them.

Are you able to arrange your schedule to have a little quality time with your loved ones? Feel gratitude for this blessing.

Are you doing what you love for a living? Remember to feel thankful everyday for this opportunity.

"The daily practice of gratitude
is one of the conduits by which
your wealth will come to you."
- Wallace Wattles, author of The Science of Getting Rich


Earlier this year, I created a Gratitude Experiment for my clients and ezine readers. For seven days, participants wrote down 5 things they felt grateful for. After just a few days, we got comments like:

• "It's amazing how well it works and how much inspiration there is in this simple exercise."
  
• "This exercise has taught me to be appreciative of all things, regardless of how small they may seem."
  
• "I feel a warm fuzzy and think this is a great way to end the day or begin it!"
  
• "This is the best exercise, I am feeling so happy! Let's not stop."

(You can see all the comments here)

***Well, after seeing how powerful Twitter is for bringing conscious, happy, helpful people together, I decided I should bring this Gratitude Experiment to my tweeps.  If you want to see some miracles occur in your life, join in.  Just post what you are grateful for at least once a day, using the hash #gratX.  

Looking forward to sharing in your happiness, appreciation, and gratitude.

I'm grateful for you!