Biz Growth Ideas from a GCA Board Meeting

I thought this was a brilliant idea!

I attended a board meeting last week for the Georgia Coach Association.  Our focus for the evening was growing the GCA revenue budget so we could continue to support our growing membership community and provide quality programs, and more.

Our esteemed leaders started the meeting by asking each of us to share 1 idea we are doing to grow out own businesses.  First, of all it totally set the theme and focus for the meeting - brilliant!  And, we all took away some great ideas!

Here's a few of the business growth ideas:

-Hiring an assistant so I can work with more clients

-Creating a product from a system that I use over and over again

-Scheduling more speaking engagements

-Launching a Platinum Private Coaching Program (yours truly!)

-Adding people to my newsletter list

-Reviewing my expenses so i'm aware and can enjoy the revenue

Thought you might enjoy these spontaneous ideas!

En-joy1

Laura

Joyful Business Podcast - Its Time for Great Work!

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

If you enjoyed this Joyful Business Podcast then sign up for our free ezine. so you won't miss out on the announcements about upcoming podcast interviews. Click to subscribe...

In Episode #8, we talk with Michael Bungay Stanier, an award-winning author, creator of the viral movie, Eight Irresistable Principles of Fun, and recipient of the 2006 Canadian Coach of the Year Award.   Michael reminds us that in order to create a joyful life, we need to think big and live big. His energy is contagious as he discusses ways bring our focus back to our ultimate mission -- to move from good work to great work.

Listen Now:

  Enjoy!

  Laura

Letting Go of Money Struggles :Joyful Business Favorites!

today is Tax Day in the U.S. so it's appropriate that we talk about money!

Are you attracting all the money you desire? Or does it still seem like there is an invisible barrier blocking money from easily coming to you?

I often get clients asking me about my favorite tools for shifting those pesky (and often giant boulder-like) limiting beliefs. Often many of those limiting beliefs will have to do with money.  I work with a variety of products and I like to share with you my favorites!

As you know I'm a huge believer in the Law of Attraction and have often been called a Goddess of Manifesting! Hee...don't you just love that title!  Using law of attraction I have totally shifted my life, my relationships, my creativity and my business  - flourishing is a word that I often use about each area of my life.

Still sometimes when I'm moving into a new level of growth I find I need some energetic belief shifting. I need an extra boost to shift those long standing beliefs, habitual thoughts and energetic patterns that keep me playing small.   One of my favorite tools is by Stacey Mayo, the Dream Queen and author of the book, I Can't Believe I Get Paid To Do This!  Stacey was my first coach when I was looking to make the leap from corporate and first introduced me to Abraham-Hicks work on law of attraction.

Stacey has created a CD Package totally aimed at shifting those limiting thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that surface and cut off the flow of your money (and your creativity since they are so connected). I wanted to share more information about this CD series in case you find yourself caught in the money struggle trap.

She has 3 CD's (or MP3 downloads):
Part 1: Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs and Behaviors Around Money
Part 2 : Cutting the Cords that Limit You
Part 3 : Raising Your Energy Level to Create all You Desire and More

In this comprehensive 3-part program, you will learn what beliefs are in the way of you attracting all you desire, you will clear those beliefs and begin to rid yourself of old habits or worry and impatience so that the money, creative ideas and inspiration can flow easier and more joyfully.

Each time you listen to this program, you will clear old beliefs and anxieties at a deeper and deeper level, allowing you more freedom to make the choices that feel good for you.

I want to warn you though...her work is intense.  It's not a CD that you can put in and listen while doing other activities. It's highly interactive, in the moment, and constant and consistent shifting for over an hour on each CD. Whew...but it works...I experienced major shifts and financial flow. This is my best financial year ever!  I'm so glad I have Stacey's audios to support my personal growth that goes with my professional growth! Each time I listen I find my energy soars, my belief in the possibilities for my life and business are high and open, and I tap into more creativity which is on the path to more money, right!

Find out more about Stacey's products at: Letting Go of Money Struggles

En-joy your flow!

Laura

PS:  From time to time I might make a recommendation of products which I receive an affliate fee like for Stacey's programs and products.  I ONLY recommend the one's I use!  So I KNOW it's good stuff!

Joyful Business Podcast - Allow yourself time to flourish

Don't miss another episode - subscribe today and be the first to know when a new podcast comes out - http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/subscribe.html

Here is the latest episode of the Joyful Business Podcast featuring interviews with some of the most talented and joyful entrepreneurs on the Internet. Each interview is full of nuggets of wisdom about how being joyful and mindful in your business brings you the success you deserve. You'll find tips, stories, and real life ideas for keeping the joy, passion and creativity alive.

Join us every two weeks in Cafe Entrepreneur for a new interview.

If you enjoyed this Joyful Business Podcast then sign up for our free ezine. so you won't miss out on the announcements about upcoming podcast interviews. Click to subscribe...

Episode #7 features Nicole Mertes, Founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Image Institute, and creator of the   Miracle Project.  Nicole teaches us, through real-life experiences, some of her secrets to a joyful business life. She has found that positive energy flows into a business by giving to others what you would like to receive.  She gives valuable pointers on how to truly give of yourself and in return see your personal and professional life flourish.

Listen Now:

  Enjoy!

  Laura

Creative Retreat Time at the Ocean - Filling Up!

This week I am really delighted to share that I am on creative retreat…at the ocean!

A few months back I realized that my boys were going skiing with their dad for spring break and my husband was going to be traveling this week. I didn't really want to be home alone all week. Well, I woke up one morning around 5 am wondering, "What would my future self….my inner audaciously successful & savvy business woman…my future self in 3 years do?"

I knew instantly. She would find a beautiful place to visit, nurture herself, and spend some chunks of time finally getting to some of those creative writing projects like revising my web page for the Joyful Business Guide and putting the final details together for my new Platinum coaching program. And, of course, it would have to be by the beach!

With a little research, I found a delightful island off Charleston, SC - Seabrook Island -and booked a wonderful little villa with a great view and a few steps from the salty waves…heaven. Turns out my husband's travel plans changed and he was able to join me for the first half of the week. Now it's on to marinate in some creative juices for these projects! It's great to finally have the time and inspiration to spend on getting these projects done!

It's been interesting sharing with others about my retreat.  There have been a wide variety of responses, especially when I thought I was going away for a week by myself. Many women had trouble imagining taking time out of their life for themselves....a day much less a week. Some asked about spending money on just me! They would feel a bit guilty even though it's a business expense!  I had my moments of "feeling like i shouldn't" be spending money on "just myself'.  But what I know is every time I do something like this it fills me up so that can keep giving to others - it helps me be a better mother because I got some downtime, I'm a better business woman because I'm more relaxed and I got some creative projects done so i'm serving my clients in new ways.

You don't have to start out with a whole week!  Many of my collegues and friends have other creative ideas for what they do for reflection, nurturing and creative time.

My friend and collegue, Wendy Watkins and I took a beginning of the year retreat for a few days up in the North Carolina mountains.  Wendy used her bartering services to get us a great deal.

Dawn Goldberg of Write Well U, who used to work with me until she started her passionate dream of a teaching writing business, she often blogs about her business planning and creative weekends with pal, Stacey Brice at AssistU.  they book a weekend in a hotel together to brainstorm, get things done and have some fun girlfriend connection time.

Earlier in the week, I spoke to my friend Susan Vitale of Vital Threads Coaching.  She was on her way to a program she was leading in Boston and had planned to stay overnight.  I loved hearing that she put her Joyful Business Guide in the trunk for added inspiration when working on her business!

Many of you know that most mornings I take about an hour and go to a local cafe for my "Creative Bagel Time".  I had some something refreshing and then read an inspirational book or newseltter.  I write my gratitude lists and journal for a few minutes and I'm primed to connect to my business and see where my energy and focus will be for the day.  This is an easy practice to fit into your schedule and doesn't take a lot of money but pays BIG RETURNS in focus, connecting to flow, ease and clarity.

What's your Creative Retreat Time look like?

En-joy!

Laura

Listen in: Laura's on BlogTalk Radio on Attraction in Business!

I had a great interview with Melanie O'Kane of MODCOM Radio.  She interviewed me for her BlogTalk Radio show about using Law of Attraction in your solo - entrepreneur business. 

We talked about the real deal for how you combine business and attraction for small business owners - especially those lifestyle entrepreneurs who are wanting to create a life they love and a business that brings them joy - in all forms!

Here's what Melanie had to say...." We've all heard about it.  But have we really considered the endless joy we'd receive if we truly implemented the Law of Attraction into our personal and professional lives?  I thought I had, until I spoke with Laura Howard West of the Center for Joyful Business this morning.  Laura really changed the way I look at myself, my business and my relationships with people as I take it day by day, putting my britches on one leg at a time, just like everyone else." 

~Melanie O'Kane, BlogTalk Radio Host

I even made a special offer at the end - mention Melanie's program when you purchase a Joyful Business Guide and I'll give you a bonus audio and transcript of the "60 Ideas in 60 Minutes for how to Market Your Business with Grace and Integrity!" Just mention this program and I'll extend the offer until April 15th!

Listen Now: (it's a 1 hour program)

En-JOY!

Laura

PS:  If you are looking for professional, experienced speakers for your community of lifestyle business owners looking for ways to combine law of attraction with smart business principles please contact me.  For more information about possible programs and experience visit my media page at the Center for Joyful Business.