Making Life Rock

If you are running a business of any size, your branding needs to be spot on and effective. So, what is branding? As businesswomen, we know what we do, what we are good at, how we operate and what our place is, right? It's easy for us to talk about all of these things and we should. However, this is not branding. It is simply marketing and bragging about yourself. And, if this hasn't been working for you, this may be the time to put these 3 kick ass rebranding strategies to work for your business!

If you want to have the life of your dreams, the career of your dreams, you have to go create it! You will have many detours and bumps along the way, but don't let that stop you from giving it your best shot. That invisible ladder is always there, waiting for you to step up. As soon as you realize that it is in your power to progress up that ladder, the faster you’ll see your dreams happen. I've compiled a short list of 4 ladder of success boosts you can activate now!

You have a fantastic idea, and it's begging to be turned into a successful business. Perhaps it's a blog or an online store that has you itching to become a business owner. Your daydream always ends with a nice pile of fast cash landing in the bank. Nice thought, but I encourage you to walk on the side of reason for just a bit. The reality is that seventy percent of new businesses fail in the first two years. Furthermore, even if they make it past the 2-year mark, only a small percentage ever see those dreamy piles of cash in the above photo.

So you want to grow your business but are lacking the funds? I hear you. This is one of the most common challenges that new entrepreneurs have. In order to expand your business, you must secure funding and be creative with that money. I've started several businesses with virtually no money and completely understand the ultimate struggles that accompany such a path. So, let's explore some ideas to bankroll your business venture!

Failure is not something that many business owners like to think about, let alone discuss. That said, it’s something that all business owners should take seriously. Simple awareness and mental preparation for such an event clarify the importance and value of keeping your business above water. Avoidance only pushes planning and preparation away. These "just in case" plans might just be the very things that save a struggling business. Studies have shown that 50 percent of all new businesses fail within the first year - that’s a high statistic, isn’t it? With that in mind, as a business owner, it’s important to be aware of the most common causes of business failure and how to avoid them

Small businesses only become big businesses when they have the best employees. Okay, so there is more to it than that, but good employees make a massive difference. Think about it for a second. They are the people who do most of the work, so the company plows forward without a hitch. You might be the boss, but you need quality performers if you want to succeed. For that reason, you only want the best. However, there is a lot of competition, plus finding the right ‘fit’ isn’t always easy. Here are 4 savvy business tips for getting the most talented people on your team!

You get the news: you are pregnant after dating someone for a month? It can happen, and it does, more than you probably know. "How did this happen," you painfully wonder. Well, obviously you took a chance and had sex without protection. Regardless of the reason behind your passion misstep, you need to make some decisions and make them fast. The question: how do you handle this situation with the guy you hardly know? Here is a quick overview of what you need to consider.

Building a highly reputable and successful career is hard work. It demands years of study, dedication, and consistent effort. However, even with all of this preparation and focused effort, you could lose everything, or close to it, with just one serious health issue. I know this because it happened to me. I lost a well-paying job in a field I loved because I was sick.

Entrepreneurship can be one of the most exciting and rewarding career moves a woman can make. However, it can also be one of the most challenging things to pull off successfully. There are some savvy things you must get under your belt if you want to make a name for yourself in business. Having the right tools, resources, and contacts is a must.

Everybody has bad habits. Some people enjoy a cigarette after lunch. Others keep a messy desk. And some need drugs or alcohol to get through the day. While some bad habits can annoy your coworkers, others can isolate you from your friends and family and even destroy your mental health. Some can kill you. These are the type of habits you want to get rid of as soon as possible: the addictions. If you think you might have a problem with any of these, it’s time to make some changes. Here are 3 things you can do to help end destructive bad habits for good.

Living with or knowing someone with a drug or alcohol problem is not an easy experience. Addicts suffer but, unfortunately, their erratic behavior can create confusion, feelings of rejection, and despair in those around them. This is why successful recovery often includes not only the addict but his or her family as well. Because the odds of overcoming any addiction are greater with support, it's important to educate yourself about the process. You will come up against many challenges that will strain your relationship with the addict. Don't worry, though, you can help an addict and still stay close.

College is expensive, there's no doubt about that. And even if you are lucky to have some of your expenses taken care of, you probably still need money to supplement living expenses. With limited time and resources, you will have to get creative to earn the extra cash. Here are some savvy ways to make money while in college.

Professionalism isn't only about your image but how people view you as a person and businesswoman. You want your colleagues, clients, boss, co-workers and followers to know that you're honest, reliable, hardworking, and trustworthy. While it's easier to cultivate a new image with a fresh set of onlookers, it's a little trickier to start over with people you know. However, it's not impossible. Check out my top 8 musts to cultivate your best professional image and reputation.

It has been scientifically proven that when you are focused on happy, positive thoughts you feel and perform better. When you’re happy, you feel positive and as though you can overcome anything. And, though, positive thinking is not all you need to have to change your life, it certainly is a good place to start.

Routines can bring comfort and stability to our lives. That said, our habits aren’t always good for us. In fact, there are several things that many people do before hitting the sheets that are actually detrimental to their health. Take a look at my top 5 that can be sneaky but oh so damaging.