Dirty Money?

Can you remember the day? That special day when your mom or dad sat you down for..."The Talk"? They started by saying that they needed to discuss something with you that was going to be a wonderful part of your life, someday. They wanted you to be prepared for the joys it could bring, but wanted to alert you to the dangers that lurked. They told you that you could come to them, at any time, and they would answer your questions, without judgement.

Do you remember that chat? The chat about finances, money, economics? No? Oh, my.

Well ladies, if you are in the business world, you need to be comfortable speaking about money. It is not the dirty subject that nice girls don't talk about. Money is the key to business, and it works as a tool in keeping your business afloat and growing.

We have produced events on retirement plans, saving for college, the more delicate side of the dollar bill. This week's Marigold Forum focuses on MONEY, CASHOLA, CLAMS, SMACKERS and how we use them in the daily operation of our work. How to collect customer receivables, do you charge interest? Need more inventory... do you understand your credit line? Laddering your CDs for cash on hand?

Money makes the world go around and YOU need to understand how to USE money to get what you want. Join us for Money is the root to all.............. Business Success! A Marigold Forum on Feb 26th, 11-1PM. Click here for details.

Lesson Plan

This month I am giving a couple of speeches to womens groups where I have promised to share lessons I've learned on the way to, well... here. In preparing my remarks, I remember my 16 year old son commenting to me just a few years ago: "Mom you're to old to be relevant and too young to be wise". Touche. So, I hope that the six years that have passed have brought me some wisdom, or relevance.

I know that women listen and learn best when information is presented in a story. The curious thing is that when I look back on the lessons I have learned (that are worth sharing) the stories seem to have the common thread of calamitous results. How do I feel about getting up in front of large groups and telling tales of disastrous situations? I can't wait! Because we all share these moments in life, which we either created all on our own, thank you very much, or life handed them to us almost as a dare. "No way will she survive this little gem".

That is pretty much how I feel about my personal and professional life. A combination of the shiny little chrome ball bouncing around a pinball machine (TILT!!!) and a game show contestant waiting to see what she's won, hoping that the powers that be will reward me, if for no other reason, than sheer resilience.

Some women had a clear path from high school graduation to where they are today as grown women. I never had a 5-year plan, a goal or a vision. I just knew that at any point in my life, I could take a quiet moment and say to myself: "I don't have a clue what my life will look like it 5 years from now, BUT, I do know that it will be completely different than it is today, and it will be fabulous. Can't wait to get there!"

So what is the lesson in that? Have faith that if you prepare for the just next step, the journey will reveal itself.