Dirty Money? Part 2

"From birth to 18, a girl needs good parents. From 18 to 35, she needs good looks. From 35 to 55, good personality. From 55 on, she needs good cash. I'm saving my money." - Sophie Tucker

I loved, absolutely loved, the discussion about money at the Marigold Forum Lunch last week. As is our way, the conversation weaved its way from business to personal and back again, with the group getting increasing comfortable with each other and the topic. Do we pay down our debt or stash or cash (do your debt duty, but stash any extra cash was the consensus)?

How do we better collect on accounts receivables? Stay on top of them and make it personal. Don't let unpaid invoices go unacknowledged. How do we increase cash flow? Invoice customers when the work is done, not just at the end of the month. Send reminders more often. Be light-hearted in your invoice reminders but make your point.

So much great information was shared by women who are in the trenches of their business and household finances. Thank you to those of you who participated!! And, a big open armed invitation to attend our next Forum Lunch which will focus on when it is the right time to expand your business. New services, products, employees, buying a building, etc... Whatever form it takes, timing is crucial
Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow; Is it Time to Grow Your Business?
April 23, 11AM-1PM- Elks Lodge

Register here

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.

The Salute has begun!

This week we kicked off the 2009 Salute season. Over the next several months, 30 awesome women will share their stories of how each started their business, or how they came to own them. What I love most about meeting these women is that in speaking with them you would never know that our economy is the most challenging in decades. They love their businesses like their children. And just like parents, they beam when explaining their products then gush when describing their service.

Please check out all of these women and their businesses, you can contact them through our website to congratulate them or ask questions.

Thank you to the folks at Williams Honda for sponsoring this year's Salute to Women in Business.

Pay Equity Legislation Moves Forward

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi looks pretty happy here. Well, so should you! On January 9th, the House passed the Ledbetter Act which would reverse (or correct) the US Supreme Court's ridiculous ruling last year that stated women must file a discrimination claim with the Civil Rights Commission within 180 days of their first discriminatory paycheck.

In other words, if you've been paid less than your equally-tasked and qualified male co-worker(s) and you don't find out until 6 months after you start work... guess what? No luck!

I'm working on getting an interview with the press secretary of the Center for American Progress, but YOU can check out their current article HERE. Please sign up there for e-mail updates on this issue as it still needs Senate approval.

Have you been paid less than your male colleagues with equal qualifications and job duties? Tell us.

Where are the women?

As I line up speakers for Marigold events and guests for Mary in the Morning I begin to notice trends. I have an increasing interest in civic affairs and the community leaders shaping policy for our future. Why it that so very few women are in these leadership roles?

I do NOT believe that women are kept out as they were in the past. Rather, I have a completely unscientific theory that when we reach the age of interest in public service or the "top job" in organizations, (call it our late 40s) women are raising teenagers and managing their own parents and frankly.... we are simply exhausted from balancing our professional and personal lives. I know one woman in her late forties that is scaling back all ambitions until she can trust her body/brain function under the storm of menopause! Maybe that's the problem!

Have you held back a desire to be more involved in the community or in a cause that speaks to you because you were just too darn tired and pulled in every direction? So what do we do about this? I believe that women bring unique talents and perspectives to the table. We finally earned our place at the table, but many seats remain untaken.

Marsha Smith, executive director of Rotary Charities has been there, firsthand, as the pendulum has swung one way... and then the other. Where are the women? Come hear her insights on this and please share your thoughts here as well.

2009: The Year to Adapt

How do we adjust our business and career goals within this new economic landscape? Hide under the covers? Get angry?

Here is my suggestion: Change your perspective. Engage your imagination and release your thoughts from current obligations. What would you do if you were offered a fresh start? Would you have a different type of business? Give up the storefront? Would you change industries? Become a freelancer instead of an employer? You may have more flexibility than you think.

Consider a re-do. What would it take to get from where you are to what could be? Does it seem just too hard? I will bet you that the hardest part of this is too let go of the current model. Ego, stubbornness, fear of new ideas will make the "Ostrich Position" very attractive.

The most successful people at the end of 2009 will be those who were the most adaptable. If General Motors is having to re-think everything , maybe you should too. There is no failure in changing directions. Everything is on the table, so to speak.

How will you recreate, adapt, re-do in 2009?