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Huge Special: Get 4 for 1!

By on May 10, 2012 in Success

I’ve got a super exciting announcement for you.

You’re going to want to sit down for this one. Are you sitting?

When Mayi and I saw that Marie Forleo {you know–the genius marketer who helped both of us build our businesses} was opening the doors of B-School again, we teamed up to do something that neither of us has done before.

Watch the video below for all the details {and some laughs}.

Purchase HERE {You must use this link}. And, forward your receipt to blacksburgbelle@gmail.com to get signed up for the other three programs. I will respond within 24 hours!

Want to know a little more about our three programs that you’ll get for free? Check them out here: Life is Messy Bootcamp, RoadMap, Blogging for Your Creative Business.

Did you miss any of Marie’s FREE trainings {Warning: They’re only available for a limited time, so take advantage now!}? If so, you can find them here: 6 Pillars, Dirty Little Secret, and Behind the Scenes {affiliate links}. Enjoy!

Click the banner below to help us spread the word on Twitter!

If you want to help us make Bridging the Gaps a reality + if you want get our amazeballs bonuses too, please make sure you use OUR AFFILIATE LINK to enroll in B-School. We cannot stress this enough. We won’t be able to give you our goodies unless you use OUR LINK to purchase. It’s that cold turkey. Help us give you presents :)

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My Pet Peeve and Why It Might Hurt Your Business

By on May 9, 2012 in Creative Business Development, Success

Pet peeves. We all have them.

People who blow their noses at the kitchen table while you’re still eating–and then have the audacity to open up the tissue and look at their snot. People who yell at you from their cars while you’re walking your dog. When the lady at Wendy’s fills your diet coke with mostly ice, so you get like three sips of actual diet coke. The lady with the baby carriage who acts like she owns the ENTIRE sidewalk. When your husband uses the last of the toilet paper on the roll and doesn’t replace it {Yes, Kris, I’m talking to you!}.

Today I’m sharing one of mine. It’s not just a pet peeve, because I don’t like it. It’s also a pet peeve, because it can hurt your business.

Watch today’s video to find out more.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Do you have advertising on your business blog or website? Why or why not? And, if you want to have fun playing this game, throw in one of your pet peeves!

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Are Your Multiple Passions Holding You Back?

By on May 2, 2012 in Creativity, Success

Do you ever wonder how you would spend your time if money was not an issue?

I can tell you one thing for sure–I would do many things. I wouldn’t pick one focus and stick to it forever. That’s just not me.

Even though I love to write, I also love to read, plan and prepare new vegan recipes with my husband, take photos, talk about marketing and business for hours, and speak at live events.

If someone said, “You have to choose one thing to do for the rest of your life right this minute or you’ll die,” I’d rather die. Actually, no I wouldn’t. I’m pretty terrified of dying and I haven’t made my way though half my bucket list yet. BUT, it would feel like a death sentence. I would feel creatively stifled and probably depressed.

When working with creative entrepreneurs, I constantly hear about this issue–the issue of having too many passions or interests and not knowing where to focus. So, I decided to give you my thoughts on this topic in today’s video, and if you want something to laugh at, make sure you watch to the end where I try out my best butterfly impression.

Do you have multiple passions? Has this held you back from moving forward with your business? Or, have you figured out how to make it work? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S. Want to know the best investment I’ve made in my own business since starting it? You can check out all the details here {just so ya know–that’s an affiliate link} and get some super awesome free trainings.

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What You Have to Say Matters

By on April 30, 2012 in Productivity, Success

Nobody cares what you have to say.

You’re not important.

Who do you think you are? You’re nobody.

My impression of your inner critic is pretty good, right?

I think you’re in need of a pep talk. We all have that little voice that says these awful things to us. It holds us back from doing the work we’re meant to do, and that’s no good.

Have you put off blogging, writing, making videos, starting your business, or making your art because that mean little monster is telling you that you suck?

Well, I’m here to tell you otherwise.

What you have to say matters. Your art matters. You matter.

Don’t allow that mean little monster to hold you back from doing your important work.

And, if you need a little more than this short pep talk, I’ve made a fun little print for you. Download and print it right here.

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Do You Suffer from the “But-I-Should-Be-Doing-This” Guilt?

By on April 18, 2012 in Productivity, Success

Do you feel guilty when you’re spending time with friends and family, because you think you should be spending time on your business?

Do you feel guilty when you spend time on your business, because you think you should be spending time with friends and family?

If you do, you’re definitely not alone.

I receive plenty of emails that revolve around this issue–the “but-I-should-be-doing-this” syndrome. Watch today’s video to see my thoughts on how you can deal with this issue in a way that’ll make you, your family, and your friends happy.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you deal with “but-I-should-be-doing-this” guilt? Answer in the comments below.

P.S. How fun are those balloons? I think that’s my favorite background so far. It’s definitely the most dramatic.

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Are Your Daily Habits Hurting or Helping You?

By on April 11, 2012 in Productivity, Success

Monday was the first day in weeks that I wasn’t nauseous. No, I’m not pregnant.

It’s nothing too exciting. I’m suffering from some pretty bad allergies. You know when your nose is constantly running down into your stomach and it gives you that sour stomach feeling? That’s what was happening with me.

Anyways, I saw my awesome doctor who gave me this nose spray that has kept my nose from running like a leaking faucet. Thanks, doc! The slime coming out of me was really unattractive and I’m a little vain.

Plus, I like to eat, and I hadn’t had an appetite in weeks.

You wanna know what I scarfed down in one day, because I finally had my appetite back? Green juice, a tofu breakfast sandwich, tater tots, chips and salsa, strawberries, a tomato sandwich, some more chips and salsa, two bean burritos with tomatoes and arugula, another breakfast sandwich, and another helping of tater tots. And, if I’m being completely honest, I also indulged in a couple Skinny Girl margaritas {BTW, I highly recommend this delicious cocktail}.

If that was my daily habit, vegan or not, I’d be overweight and unhealthy.

I gave myself that day to indulge, because I was finally feeling better, and I had lost seven pounds due to not eating very much over the past month.

Then, Tuesday came along, and I practiced restraint. I didn’t eat two lunches and dinners like I had the day before. I went back to my normal habits of eating three meals and a snack. This keeps me satisfied, healthy, and happy.

You’ve built up habits that impact your business, health, personal success, and happiness. Are these habits hurting or helping you?

Watch this week’s video to find out more about the impact of your habits on your success. Oh, and before you hit play, just know that this is what happens when you let your husband pick up false eyelashes for you–they’re out of control big and way too Kim Kardasian-like for my taste. Yes, I wear false eyelashes in my videos–I already told you that I’m vain.

Now, it’s your turn. I want to know a habit that you want to change. Please take a minute to share in the comments below.

Quick Note: RoadMap will be open for registration again soon. If you want to be first on the list to know when that happens, sign up below.

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Hitting a Post-Holiday Sales Slump? How to Use This Time Wisely

By on January 4, 2012 in Creative Business Development, Goals, Productivity, Success

We all want sales, but downtime can be your friend if you use it wisely.

In between big projects, I always give myself more time to do fun stuff like baking vegan chocolate chip cookies, reading a new Jodi Picoult novel, and watching girls breakdown on The Bachelor. But, I also use the time to get ahead, plan out creative marketing ideas, and stock up on blog posts.

In this week’s video, I give you five ideas on how you can use time in between sales to your advantage. Check it out:

Wanna quick recap? Here are the five ideas on how to fill your downtime:

1. Make a marketing plan to get out of your feast or famine cycle.

2. Pitch a guest post or interview.

3. Stock up on your best-selling items.

4. Stock up on blog posts.

5. Take a class related to your craft or a business class that will help you move forward in your business.

Have you heard?

In a couple weeks, I’ll be launching a group coaching program for crafters, artists, and creatives who want to turn their passion into a business. It’s a simple, straight-forward course that will walk you through each step to setting up a successful creative biz. Want to know when it launches and get in on the special only for newsletter subscribers? Sign up below.

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How to Increase Customer Loyalty In 2012

By on December 28, 2011 in Creative Business Development, Success

Do you want to increase your sales in 2012? That’s a big, fat yes, right?

Did you know that it’s easier to keep current customers and turn them into repeat customers than it is to get new customers? It takes less time and money to focus on your current customers than it does to bring in new customers.

In this week’s video, I detail how you can focus on your current customers in 2012 to turn them into loyal, repeat customers.

I’ve also put together a handy worksheet to make this even easier for ya. You can download it here. {You need Adobe Reader in order to download the worksheet.}

I’d love to hear how you’re going to make your customers feel extra special in 2012 in the comments below.

Quick Announcement:

In January, I’ll be launching a group coaching program for crafters, artists, and creatives who want to turn their passion into a business. It’s a simple, straight-forward course that will walk you through each step to setting up a successful creative biz. Want to know when it launches and get in on the special only for newsletter subscribers? Sign up below.

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3 Must-Read Books That’ll Increase Your Success in 2012

By on December 14, 2011 in Creative Business Development, Goals, Productivity, Success

I’m a book fanatic. I seriously think I have a problem, because I cannot go into a bookstore without buying at least one book–usually it’s more like eight, but who’s counting? I’ve probably read over 50 business-related books this past year. In today’s video, I picked three books that made a big impact on me and that I highly recommend.

And, here’s a quick recap of the 3 books:

1. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

2. The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine

3. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath

Before you go, I’d love for you leave a book recommendation in the comments below. Did you read a book this year that rocked your world? A book that helped you be more successful? A book that you left you in awe? Or, a book that really helped your business? Please feed my book addiction!

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Lovely Creative Entrepreneur, You Need to Hear This!

By on December 7, 2011 in Creative Business Development, Success

Today, I’m giving you a dose of tough love.

You probably need to hear this–so I’m going to say it. And, you’ll get a chance to see my three lab-mixes at the end.

Watch the video below to find out what I’m talking about.

I’m bummed out about how this background looked on video. It’s MUCH more sparkly in person, so just imagine a lot more sparkles. But, my necklace looks super sparkly, doesn’t it? It’s from Elegant Girl, if you’re wondering.

Now, back to the topic of pricing. You want to have a successful business, right? Are you pricing your products to turn a profit? Are you paying yourself more than minimum wage? {Big Hint: You should be!} Do you have to reinvest all of the money you make to buy new materials or are you actually paying yourself? You need to take a close look at how you’re pricing your products. Don’t undervalue yourself.

Are you one of the people that needs to raise your prices? Why haven’t you? Let me know in the comments below if you’re struggling with your prices.

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