Another year to embrace and live our goals. This year NEW is excited about announcing our First Annual ReFocus, ReCharge, and ReCommitt Retreat.
Our speakers will inspire us, educate us, and support each woman-owned business. This retreat will be open to other mother-owned businesses.
The date is set for January 28-29, 2011. More details will be posted next week. If you are interested, stay tuned or email us for more info.
We look forward to sharing the experience with you.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Organized Gift Closet
The Gift Closet is a dedicated space (not necessarily a closet) used to gather and organize and hold gift items and gift cards, in addition to cards and wrapping for later use. This closet is especially helpful when confronted with “unexepected or last minute” occasions, and can be used to buy and stockpile known and desired gifts early when they are on sale, to help you spread out your spending budget for planned occassions such as Christmas.
Step 1: Find the Space
Start by selecting an area that is accessible. Homes with curious children may require "secure" space.
Step 2: Stock with essentials
Stock with blank and/or seasonal event cards, wrapping, gift bags, baskets, tape and ribbons.
Step 3: Gather existing gifts
Start with shopping at home. Go around and gather all likely gift items from their current hiding places about the house. Whether they are purchased items, or never-used items to re-gift..
Step 4: Keep an Inventory
It is essential to keep an inventory list of what you have to avoid purchasing duplicates, over purchasing, and to ensure the gifts aren’t forgotten.
Step 5: Wrap when possible
When pre-purchasing and gathering gifts for occassions with specific people and gifts in mind - wrap and tag the presents when you get them home. This will keep prying eyes from discovering presents early, and will ensure the few days before the occassion are stree-free to concentrate on things other than last-minute wrapping, and discovering you don't have enough wrapping paper!
Avoid the pitfalls of the Gift Closet
• Be careful not to fall into this common mental trap: Often the feeling of excitement you get when you shop and purchase something has faded, so now the gift no longer feels exciting or thoughtful.
• Be careful not to stockpile too many items. And avoid the urge to stock for any and all "just in case occassions". Also, keep an awareness of gifts that will expire or become outdated quickly, including gift cards.
If you avoid these pitfalls, you can have a well thought out and properly managed gift closet that can help eliminate stress and save you time and money this Holiday Season.
Start by selecting an area that is accessible. Homes with curious children may require "secure" space.
Step 2: Stock with essentials
Stock with blank and/or seasonal event cards, wrapping, gift bags, baskets, tape and ribbons.
Step 3: Gather existing gifts
Start with shopping at home. Go around and gather all likely gift items from their current hiding places about the house. Whether they are purchased items, or never-used items to re-gift..
Step 4: Keep an Inventory
It is essential to keep an inventory list of what you have to avoid purchasing duplicates, over purchasing, and to ensure the gifts aren’t forgotten.
Step 5: Wrap when possible
When pre-purchasing and gathering gifts for occassions with specific people and gifts in mind - wrap and tag the presents when you get them home. This will keep prying eyes from discovering presents early, and will ensure the few days before the occassion are stree-free to concentrate on things other than last-minute wrapping, and discovering you don't have enough wrapping paper!
Avoid the pitfalls of the Gift Closet
• Be careful not to fall into this common mental trap: Often the feeling of excitement you get when you shop and purchase something has faded, so now the gift no longer feels exciting or thoughtful.
• Beware of "small/side" gifts that you impulsively buy -only to later feel like none of theses items feel like enough to “count” as a main gift, so now you feel that you have to go buy another “main” gift to with the “side” gifts or you end up leaving them unused in your gift closet for someone else- completely defeating the purpose of pre-purchasing gifts!
If you avoid these pitfalls, you can have a well thought out and properly managed gift closet that can help eliminate stress and save you time and money this Holiday Season.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Networking is More than a Business Card
Yes, Network of Enterprising Women is about networking. Yes, we personally offer our business cards to each of our members. Yet, it is more. We are a group that offers support, resources, and many friendships. Come out to Blue Mesa at Granite Park to talk to other mothers who are business owners. April 8, 2010 at 6:30pm. Email for more details johnita.salerno@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Facebook | Abadi Accessibility Reviews
Facebook Abadi Accessibility Reviews
I launched my facebook page on January 20th, 2010. It will be an information page which will have discussions about accessibility in design and construction. I hope to make it interesting and useful.
I launched my facebook page on January 20th, 2010. It will be an information page which will have discussions about accessibility in design and construction. I hope to make it interesting and useful.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A New Year, A New Focus
The start of a new year brings with it a clean slate. You can once again plan for your goals and then work towards them. I ran across a great article that make a plan for you with your small business. The Focus is on your customers. Take a peek at the article and make your plan.
The 2010 New Year Checklist for Your Business
The 2010 New Year Checklist for Your Business
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Putting your Best Face Forward {DFW, Frisco Family Photographer}
I am saying it again...It is holiday picture time. December will be here before you know it and now is the time to plan for your family's holiday portraits.
Here are a few basic tips to get your best faces forward for your family.
1. Plan ahead! Do not wait until the last minute to do photos. Texas weather is unpredictable and you never know if it will be snowing in November or be 90 degrees.
2. Opportunity Knocks...The closer it gets to December, the photos will move down in your list. It is one missed opportunity to capture your kiddos at his time. They will never be this young again.
3. Dress for the part. You do not have to be matchy for photos. Yes, it works, but you can be creative with your use of color or styles. Talk to your photographer for suggestions and guidance.
4. Smile with a purpose...Think about how you want to display your photo. Think bigger than a snapshot. Photos are great art and conversational pieces.
5. Stress Be Gone. The more you stress about photos; the more your kiddos act out. They know your buttons.
Holidays are a wonderful time to share your memories with your family. Enjoy these moments and share them for years to come.
Here are a few basic tips to get your best faces forward for your family.
1. Plan ahead! Do not wait until the last minute to do photos. Texas weather is unpredictable and you never know if it will be snowing in November or be 90 degrees.
2. Opportunity Knocks...The closer it gets to December, the photos will move down in your list. It is one missed opportunity to capture your kiddos at his time. They will never be this young again.
3. Dress for the part. You do not have to be matchy for photos. Yes, it works, but you can be creative with your use of color or styles. Talk to your photographer for suggestions and guidance.
4. Smile with a purpose...Think about how you want to display your photo. Think bigger than a snapshot. Photos are great art and conversational pieces.
5. Stress Be Gone. The more you stress about photos; the more your kiddos act out. They know your buttons.
Holidays are a wonderful time to share your memories with your family. Enjoy these moments and share them for years to come.
Monday, September 1, 2008
School Paper Madness
Welcome Back to school… and 180 days (or so) of endless paper!
Are you ready for the invasion of class work, tests, projects, artwork, schedules, flyers, and newsletters? If not, it's not too late to develop a plan of action to deal with the onslaught of paper.
To start: designate a place for ALL incoming school papers for the KIDS to place the papers. (And not on the counter, entry way, or dinning table!).
This can either be a single in-box for all papers, or designate one per child. If they want the paper signed… Put it HERE. Remind kids to not place incomplete/ungraded schoolwork here, unless it needs your signature.
Next, sort and handle the papers as follows:
A) Papers requiring your attention (signatures, approvals, completion, mark the date events)
After paperwork is completed, either place in an “out-box” for the children to check if they are older to teach responsibility for school papers returning back to school; or if younger, return to their backpacks. Next, put any important dates (holidays, due dates, testing dates, practices, meets, open houses, conferences etc) immediately onto the calendar! By creating and In/Out system for children to deliver and retrieve paperwork for you, you will create a system that creates accountability and is habit building for your children and you!
B) Papers frequently referenced throughout the year (calendars, band/sport schedules, menus, bus schedules, contact info, etc.)
I recommend a school “command center” binder. Use tabs marked either by child, subject (band, menu, bus etc). In this binder place bus schedules, lunch menus, school calendars, band or sports calendars, etc. Anything you need to reference frequently throughout the year. Purge at the end of the school year or at report card time, or as extracurricular activities end during the year.
C) Keepsakes (art, great grades, creative work, certificates etc)
Rule of thumb: Give each “masterpiece” or “90-100%” 1 week on the fridge or other prominent showcase. Then toss. Aim to keep 2 pieces of artistic and scholastic per quarter- focusing on superior efforts, creativity, and personality. Use a large manila envelope/bankers box or try the School folio http://www.schoolfolio.com/ for each child for all the keepsake papers, drawings and small items they bring home from school. Be sure to include: Name, Age, Grade and School Year. Review and "edit" further if needed/desired at the end of each school year .
D) Other. (School Handbooks, testing info, progress and report cards, class rules, photo/yearbook info, and other misc.,)
Create a file with the child’s name and school. This is for less frequently referenced material. This should be purged at the end of the school year. Most will be tossed. Final report cards can be incorporated into “keepsake” storage. Some may roll over to the next year or be forward looking.
By designating and setting up these 4 areas to handle all school related papers, you can quickly decide how to handle, what to keep, where to store, and can quickly retrieve information as needed. Now go forth and conquer!
Are you ready for the invasion of class work, tests, projects, artwork, schedules, flyers, and newsletters? If not, it's not too late to develop a plan of action to deal with the onslaught of paper.
To start: designate a place for ALL incoming school papers for the KIDS to place the papers. (And not on the counter, entry way, or dinning table!).
This can either be a single in-box for all papers, or designate one per child. If they want the paper signed… Put it HERE. Remind kids to not place incomplete/ungraded schoolwork here, unless it needs your signature.
Next, sort and handle the papers as follows:
A) Papers requiring your attention (signatures, approvals, completion, mark the date events)
After paperwork is completed, either place in an “out-box” for the children to check if they are older to teach responsibility for school papers returning back to school; or if younger, return to their backpacks. Next, put any important dates (holidays, due dates, testing dates, practices, meets, open houses, conferences etc) immediately onto the calendar! By creating and In/Out system for children to deliver and retrieve paperwork for you, you will create a system that creates accountability and is habit building for your children and you!
B) Papers frequently referenced throughout the year (calendars, band/sport schedules, menus, bus schedules, contact info, etc.)
I recommend a school “command center” binder. Use tabs marked either by child, subject (band, menu, bus etc). In this binder place bus schedules, lunch menus, school calendars, band or sports calendars, etc. Anything you need to reference frequently throughout the year. Purge at the end of the school year or at report card time, or as extracurricular activities end during the year.
C) Keepsakes (art, great grades, creative work, certificates etc)
Rule of thumb: Give each “masterpiece” or “90-100%” 1 week on the fridge or other prominent showcase. Then toss. Aim to keep 2 pieces of artistic and scholastic per quarter- focusing on superior efforts, creativity, and personality. Use a large manila envelope/bankers box or try the School folio http://www.schoolfolio.com/ for each child for all the keepsake papers, drawings and small items they bring home from school. Be sure to include: Name, Age, Grade and School Year. Review and "edit" further if needed/desired at the end of each school year .
D) Other. (School Handbooks, testing info, progress and report cards, class rules, photo/yearbook info, and other misc.,)
Create a file with the child’s name and school. This is for less frequently referenced material. This should be purged at the end of the school year. Most will be tossed. Final report cards can be incorporated into “keepsake” storage. Some may roll over to the next year or be forward looking.
By designating and setting up these 4 areas to handle all school related papers, you can quickly decide how to handle, what to keep, where to store, and can quickly retrieve information as needed. Now go forth and conquer!
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