Keep Him Interested--10 Remarkable Gestures He'll Love!

By Shakirah Brown

When it comes to relationships, most men have a tendency to lose interest awfully quick. Some may start to drift and invest most of their time in other activities (anything that doesn’t include you) and sometimes a man will stick around. You’ll get to be with him, just minus the spontaneous hugs and kisses. A lot of men view commitment to one woman as dreadful: seeing the same, old girl doing the same, dull, unexciting things. Why not hit him with some new and innovative gestures?

1. Fine, fine like a bottle of wine.

Is it your beloved’s birthday? If he enjoys a nice drink every now and then, present him with a bottle of what he likes (Hennessey, Remy Martin, Bacardi, Merlot.) A beverage he and his friends can get toasted off of when they celebrate.

2. The Love Letter.

Express your appreciation for him in a sweet poem or letter. Mention all the little, wonderful things about him that attracts you. Let him know the appealing things about him that he may not have noticed himself. Don’t forget to spray it with an intoxicating fragrance.

3. Music makes you lose control.

Burn a CD with all his favorite slow jams on it. Or put him up on certain songs or even a different genre of music that he wouldn’t have otherwise listened to. He’ll think of you every time he hears it.

4. Hey, Baby, what’s your sign?

Hit the bookstore or go online and print out a full and thorough description of his and your zodiac signs. Converse about the traits he has in common with his sign. See if the stars declare that you two are compatible.

5. Make it a Blockbuster night.

Have an all-night-long-movie fest! Sit through all the boring, gory, “action-packed” movies he loves to watch. Rent a documentary on his favorite actor or sports player.

6. Extreme make-over.

Help him to chill out and relax. Give him a facial. Pluck his brows. Give him a manicure. All your girly beauty secrets—give him the whole treatment. Make him feel like a king!

7. Microsoft PowerPoint.

Make your man a cute little slide show. Design each slide with sweet, endearing words; short little poems; and pictures. You can even add music to it, have it play your favorite song while he views it.

8. It’s in the game.

Grab some beers and pick up the other Play Station 2 controller. Let him teach you to play one of his video games that you previously had no interest in.

9. Back to school.

Colleges offer a lot of Continuing Education courses. Sign the two of you up for a single-session lecture at your nearest institution. Creative Writing, Public Speaking, Acting, CPR, etc. There’s an array of interesting classes to choose from and it won’t kill your funds.

10. Cook for him!

Swing by the Supermarket and get the ingredients to his favorite meal. Not sure how to make what he likes most? Stick to a dish everybody loves to eat: Lasagna. Spaghetti. Baked Ziti. He’ll love it, regardless!

These 10 tips may be simple, but the trick is to develop an element of surprise. Don’t mention anything, just bust out with it! The mystery behind the gesture is what intrigues him. Experiment with these ideas and come up with some of your own. The key is to have fun and use your imagination to keep him digging on you. True, a relationship requires a lot of maintenance; however, you’ve got to keep it fresh and sexy. Be unpredictable and exciting!

As Darius Lovehall states in the movie Love Jones, when couples say that the romance is gone, that’s not the case… “it’s because they’ve exhausted the possibilities.”

Shakirah Brown is a Freelance Writer. Her services include Writing, Editing, Proofreading, among many others. For more information, please send an e-mail to Shakirah_Brown@comcast.net

Plus Size Erotic Lingerie Shopping? No More Embarrassing Moments

By Peter Crump

Just because you are overweight doesn’t mean you have to be embarrassed by shopping for plus size erotic lingerie. Women with the perfect figure staff many of the stores in malls that do sell sexy lingerie and many women that are plump feel self-conscious shopping in these stores when they want plus size erotic lingerie.

Well, the internet has solved that problem. Shop at home and view all the various plus size erotic lingerie you want to purchase.

Sexy erotic plus size lingerie, such as a stretch lace bustier with thongs and garters or a rhinestone thong and bra set, are just a click away. This lingerie help to boost your self-confidence and help you feel sexy. Knowing that you are wearing such sexy clothing to work will make your partner think about you all day. In addition to being very comfortable to wear, erotic plus size lingerie helps to keep the relationship alive and well.

Plus size erotic lingerie lets a woman feel that she is in control of her body and her sexuality. When you shop online, you will easily find erotic sexy plus size lingerie to fit every size. Most regular stores don’t carry a wide selection of this clothing, but online retailers are able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

The size charts on these sites make it simple to get the plus size erotic lingerie you need. For example, when you want to order a plus size sexy bra, the site will give you detailed instructions on how to measure to ensure you get the perfect fit.

The best thing about shopping for your plus size erotic lingerie online is that you don’t have to pay extra for the larger size. Many retailers have a higher price for sexy erotic plus size lingerie, but when you order online, there is no price range for sizes.

The order is shipped to your door, so only you can see it. You don’t have to bump into someone you know when browsing the erotic plus size lingerie on the racks and wonder what this person thinks about your purchases. Shop from the comfort and privacy of your home for your private items that only you and a significant other will see.

Buy plus size erotic lingerie for a great range, good prices, and no-one looking over your shoulder.

For a website totally devoted to Plus Size Clothing visit Peter's Website Plus Size Clothing Ideas and find out about Plus Size Erotic Lingerie as well as Plus Size Swimwear and more, including Plus Size Bras, Plus Size Dresses, Maternity Wear, Wedding Gowns and Shoes.

Is your Authentic Designer Handbag Really Authentic?

By Deanna Key

So, you have just bought a new designer handbag. Maybe you have had your eye on a Christian Dior Saddle Handbag, or Gucci Jackie-O that you know your friends will drool over . You got a huge discount off of the hefty retail price and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. But know you are wondering- is my designer handbag authentic.

Determining the authenticity on any product can be a little tricky, but if you know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.

One of the best ways to ensure your new handbag is authentic is to look at the bag itself. Designer handbags are popular and cost as much as they due because first and for-most they are made from quality materials. Take a good look at the stitching. There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced. If the handbag is leather, the logo should be engraved, not just printed on the leather.

Also take a look at the hardware. All of the hardware should match in color and sheen. The hardware should also be free of scratches. Many manufactures, including Gucci, Fendi and Prada, protect their hardware with a removable plastic cover that is to be removed only after it has been purchased. The brand name or logo should be engraved, not embossed or simply printed on the hardware. You can also find the brand name of logo engraved on the strap hardware on Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Chanel and

Inspect the material the bag; lining, hardware and accents are made of. Many handbags are made of different types of leather, from Lambskin, Calfskin, Goatskin and Patent Leather, but it is easy to distinguish if the leather is of a good quality or not. The lining is usually made of a satin material that has a nice shine to it and most designer handbags have the name brand name or logo on the lining. Designers almost always use leather accents, not plastic. Some purses have straps that are specially coated and seem to be artificial. However a quick look at the edge of the strap, usually near a stitched joint, should reveal a leather core.

Is there an authenticity card. An authenticity card is a little card that usually has the manufactures logo embossed on the front and has some information about the product you purchased and sometimes includes a magnetic strip, bar code. Many manufacturers, including Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Kate Spade and Coach, use these cards.

Check for a serial number. Not all manufacturers use serial numbers, but many do. The serial number for Fendi purses can be found on the inside pocket. Simply turn the pocket inside out and there will be a printed number on the fabric or possibly on the leather tag. Gucci includes a small leather tag on the zipper seam of the handbag which includes a serial number.

If you shop wisely, and inspect the bag carefully, you will be able to spot a fake from a mile away.

Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at http://www.handbag-spot.com.

Bachelorette Party: Girls-Night-Out Scavenger Hunt

By Sandra Mahoney

We’ve been to them. We’ve hosted them. We’ve even starred in our own. Today’s bachelorette party is an opportunity for brides, their bridal party and good friends to spend a night on the town, a cozy evening at home, a pampered day out, or even a weekend hike.

But like any bridal tradition, the bachelorette party that mimics the groom’s own bachelor party has become a right of passage for brides: something old, something new, something borrowed and something so shocking that the discovery of it by the groom before the wedding is a constant fear. “Do you take this man?” “I do. Oh God if he’ll still have me!”

The party often starts innocently enough at a designated meeting place. There the bride is decorated and armed with props: a veil, an “I’m the bride” t-shirt, a garter, a male blow-up doll, candy necklaces and one of many cocktails. They play games like penis ring toss, pin the hose on the fireman, and have a ‘carve a penis out of a banana’ competition. Then they dance out to their limo or chauffeured van on a nocturnal quest of bar-crawling often including Fabio-type strippers and an estrogen-infused scavenger hunt.

Dares and Duties

How does the scavenger hunt work? There is a checklist of tasks or dares that the bachelorette and/or her fellow partners in crime must tackle by the end of the night. The one who completes the most tasks or scores the most points is the winner. The following are just suggestions. Make your own list as risque or as tame as you'd like.

Get a picture with a cop; you hold his nightstick (3pts.)

Kiss a bald man on top of the head (1pt.)

Find someone with the same name as the fiancé and have him propose to you (1pt.)

Have a man order a sexy drink for you, i.e. Sex on the Beach, Slippery Nipple, Blow-Job, etc. (3pts.)

Have a guy write his phone number somewhere on your body where no one can see it (2pts.)

Be serenaded by a random guy while you sit on his lap (2pts.)

Find a guy with a hidden tattoo and have the bride find it and kiss it (3pts.)

Have your picture taken with mullet-man (1pt.)

Remove an article of clothing on a guy (1pt.)

Do a body shot off of a stranger (3pts.)

The possibilities for a memorable bachelorette party are endless; it all depends on how crazy or mellow the group is and the goal of the event. One way to find out if the scavenger hunt was a success: if the groom discovers a strange phone number on his new bride's backside during the honeymoon, than it was successful! The marriage? Well, that's another story.

Sandra Mahoney is mother of 3 and co-founder of http://www.million-dollar-mama.com a website devoted to helping mothers put themselves back on the “to-do” list. For a free monthly Mamazine filled with tips, articles and special offerings for moms who crave "me-time" go to http://www.million-dollar-mama.com/Mamazine/mamazine.htm

Bikini Waxing: Making the Move From Hair to Brazilian Bikini Bare

By Sandra Mahoney

Guess what? I’m not the only 30-something woman left I know who's never had a bikini wax. The fact that I’m not the only one doesn’t surprise me but why did it take so long to have a waxing conversation with a good friend. The answer: I’ve always looked at personal grooming as something private. I’m someone who up until my 20’s referred to my vagina as a front bum.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m no prude and no stranger to pain. I like to look and feel feminine and have my own beauty rituals including Venus razors, tweezing, indulgent moisturizers, foils, and the occasional manicure. I’ve gone through childbirth THREE times without drugs and was clearheaded enough to know that my hoo-ha was on display to the whole hospital staff including the cleaning person. You think that would have wiped out any modicum of modesty I had left. Wrong!

A bikini wax to me is like letting the world in on a secret that I think no one else knows about. (Maybe I need to out my demons and go to Pubicholic Anonymous…Hi my name is Sandra and I have pubic hair…). I’m no sasquatch but how do you make the move from the privacy of your shower to stripping down in front of a stranger and assume they are not saying to themselves, “My God, she’s got sideburns!” My friend and I discussed the styles, techniques, and ways to rationalize our embarrassment. Here’s what we came up with:

The Bikini Wax Ouch Factor – Thank you! Might I have another?

We decided that when and if the time comes to make that leap, we’d ease into it slowly starting with the ultra conservative bikini wax which takes care of the areas around the swimsuit line. My friend thought that you kept your underwear on and simply hiked up the sides as far as you wanted the wax to go. I thought similar except you were given paper panties to wear. Either way it would, to our knowledge, require the least amount of discomfort and minimal embarrassment. If I can undress in front of women at the gym, I can have a basic bikini wax.

The French Bikini Wax Ouch Factor – Parlez-vous Yikes!

Next up is the slightly less conservative 'modified' bikini wax or ‘French bikini wax’. Simply put: more area covered, greater discomfort and increased redness (I’m talking about my cheeks blushing here). We’ve learned this technique leaves a narrow line in front and goes very far between the legs, but not all the way to the buttocks. Excusez-moi! Needless to say you’re sans undies here. So the question is, can I imagine myself spread eagle for 15-20 minutes in front of a stranger until I here the magic words, “you’re done.” My friend doesn’t know if she could do it. After a glass or two of champagne and an out of body experience, oui oui I think I can.

The Brazilian Bikini Wax Ouch Factor – How do you say “my loins are on fire” in Portuguese

Perhaps someday I’ll reach the point where I’ll say to hell with it give me the works. We’re talking front to all the way back and everything in between. Some believe the Brazilian to be absolutely hair-free, while others characterize it as leaving a small "landing strip" in the front. I guess you have to be specific when you place your order: “I’ll have the Brazilian, no strip, extra bare please.” However, getting on my hands and knees to have part of it done from the back or by holding a leg straight up in the air seems way beyond my comfort level. I suppose I could try reminding myself that I am #7 out of 15 vaginas and butts on the table that day and at some point they must all blur together into one. I have another friend who during her Brazilian thought to herself, “Sandra would never get this done”…Bottom line is she’s probably right!

Sandra Mahoney is mother of 3 and co-founder of http://www.million-dollar-mama.com a website devoted to helping mothers put themselves back on the “to-do” list. For a free monthly Mamazine filled with tips, articles and special offerings for moms who crave "me-time" go to http://www.million-dollar-mama.com/Mamazine/mamazine.htm

Divine Love Making

By Judy Lacroix and Steven Lourakis

Have you read or heard about the controversy surrounding the story as to whether Jesus and Mary Magdalene were partners or actually married? There are several books that elude to this matter, including the latest best seller, The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Let’s suppose for a moment this were actually true. Jesus was in human form after all and he embodied the principles of Divine Love or in other words he was a being of love. So, how would a being of love make physical love? If love’s eternal nature is to keep giving of itself, then would it be safe to say that a Divine being would GIVE love through the sensations of the body’s pure sexuality when making physical love?

What is the body’s pure sexuality? In essence, the body is a universe unto itself. Every internal and external organ works in harmony with each other to assure the survival of the system. The intelligence which governs the body happens naturally, and does not require you to think. For example: Do you have to tell your heart to beat? Of course not. Pure Sexuality is the innocent knowledge of love in the body. The magnetic power of pure sexuality attracts the Divine in another in order to give every quality of Love. This knowledge or intelligence directs the whole body during the making of love through the body’s sensations.

This is also referred to as making love with the Divine in you and in your partner. This is how a spiritual being of love makes physical love. When two partners join with the conscious intent to make Divine physical love, there is no thinking necessary and the love between the partners is then amplified as their vibrations are raised.

How does our thinking get in the way when making love? Thoughts get in the way when certain demands or expectations are placed on the encounter, instead of each partner being in the moment experiencing the beautiful sensations which occur naturally. Thoughts also get in the way when allowed to go to other places, persons or events from the past or to future imaginings during the love making. When this occurs, we lose the connection to the pure sexuality of the body or the Divine.

Everyone has experienced Divine love making at some time or another. These are the sensational moments when we come together without thought involved. We experience the great passion and connection with our partner through the sensations of the bodies. When the love making ends, we produce the vibration of well being and serenity that is recognizable in the presence of others. We remember these times fondly and may long to repeat them, but they cannot be recreated by thinking about them.

You can not make Divine physical love by wanting to recreate the past because your thoughts are in the way. Making Divine Physical love requires you to be the love that you are in the moment and to give from that place with no expectations or demands. If Jesus and Mary made physical love, we believe this is how they would have practiced.

What do you suppose would happen if more people practiced making love this way? Practicing Divine love making can heal and restore an existing relationship or build a powerful foundation in a new relationship. This may be what is needed to end the disharmony, pain and unhappiness that so many suffer from today.

Man and woman have forgotten how to naturally engage the body’s pure sexuality in order to make Divine physical love. This ancient knowledge has been buried under the piles of self absorption and self justification that humanity has been practicing for thousands of years. Giving up these behaviors is the key to freedom and the greatest challenge to realizing the way to Divine love.

When pure sexuality is present, the making of love between man and woman releases energies that are stored in the bodies creating a space for LOVE to expand which increases the vibratory rates of each person. Making love then becomes an opportunity to grow the knowledge of love and restore harmony. This occurs through the release of the finer energies that are exchanged through the organs of love during the making of love. This is really a great miracle and women can especially benefit from these releases, as they tend to store more emotion in their bodies than men do. This also can be transformational and restore man and woman to their true nature or the being the love that they are.

Practicing Divine love making is as natural as breathing once we get our thoughts out of the way. The effort lies in the great undoing that must occur to allow the Authority of love to command our lives. We can return to this beautiful state of being by practicing honest communication and making our intentions with our partners pure. The Authority of Love is ever present and available to us every moment. When we consciously choose to align with this presence, we begin to experience more Divine love in our lives. Is there anyone on earth that would not benefit from having more love in their life?

Those who choose to consciously practice Divine love making can experience a transformation that benefits all their relationships through the realization of something greater than themselves. This is the awesome power of the Authority of Love that lives within each of us.

Judy and Steven share the powerful knowledge of Divine love and Divine love making with the teachings of JustLove and Just Communication, which they created to assist man and woman to awaken to the authority of love once again. You can learn more about these teachings at http://www.justlovenow.com

Hairstyles 2007 – The Hottest Look For 2007

By Kelly Price

It’s a new year and with it comes change and what better way than to enter the new year with a new look and changing your hairstyle will certainly do that.

Let’s look at hairstyles for 2007 and the trends that women will follow including the most popular style of all.

Long Hair

This year we’ll see the continuation of length with both a wavy and curls being popular. Long lengths are great for women who don’t mind taking a little time for this style.

The focus this year however will be on shorter hairstyles.

Short is stylish chic convenient and its back!

Shaggy styles, pixies and bobs that are very short at the nape have suddenly become popular. Short hair has been popular for around 90 years now and have never really gone away.

In the 1920’s it was seen as the height and the short page boy cut was the height of fashion. In the sixties Twiggy became a superstar and launched millions of short cuts with her great look.

The 60s were a time of liberation when women felt a new equality and power and having short hair made a statement – Female liberation started to gather pace in everything from hair to clothes.

Through out the 70s 80s and 90s, short hair continued to be popular but it’s set for a huge boost now.

The revival in the crop

Short hair cuts received media attention when the model Agyness Deyn cut her hair into a stunning platinum crop in homage to by 80s model Jenny Howarth.

Her career blossomed and many of the top fashion models have followed her lead.

Short cropped hair can be seen on the covers of the major fashion magazines and more women are going short.

Why short Crops?

There are two main reasons for this new trend.

1. It Gives Freedom

Women use the crop as a statement of a new start and a great way to do this is to get a new look and short hair makes the statement I am free and proud.

Many women when they divorce break up with a partner or change career are changing to short hair as a way to indicate a new start and a new found confidence.

Although forced upon her by her cancer scare, think of Kylie Mynogue when she faced the cameras with her new short look.

It was forced upon her but she looked great and was making the statement - I am confident I Will not be beaten.

2. It Saves time

You can simply wash and go and save time to do more important things than worry about hair care. Does face shape matter?

The best face shape for a crop is oval, but you can have a crop that will suit any face shape and your hairdresser or stylist will advice on which one is best to soften your features, even if you don’t have perfect bone structure.

The short crop is for everyone.

It’s a new year and a new start so why not get with one of the hottest fashion trends of the year a new short cut.

You will save time on care but still look stylish, chic and sexy! So make a statement today!

Get More FREE Style PDF's, Video's & Articles

For more FREE fashion articles, video's, PDF style and fashion reports and all you need to know about fashion & style visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

How to Get Your Husband to Help Around the House

By Christine Conners

If you find yourself frequently fighting with your husband over the division of labor in your home, you are not alone. The University of California at Berkeley tracked 100 couples from their first pregnancy through the child's entry into kindergarten and found that the primary source of conflict during the first three years of parenthood involved the division of labor.

One day, I was complaining to a friend about the impossible amount of housework in my home, and she asked, "Does your husband show appreciation for all you do?" I gave this some thought and said, "Yeah, I guess, but I'm not sure it matters."

See, the nature of housework is often so unchallenging and so uninspiring that I could hardly take a compliment as anything more than a joke. I mean, what could he say that would help? "Gosh, babe, that countertop looks so spectacular, you'd think the sparkle fairy cleaned it!" Or maybe he could give me a wink and say, "Gee, honey, I really like the aesthetically pleasing way you stacked those dishes in the dishwasher. Did you experiment with a different loading technique today?" If he was feeling particularly sentimental one evening, he might call me to his side, look tenderly into my eyes and say, "I just wanted you to know that I sense your love for me in the way you fold my underwear."

The way my husband shows appreciation is to give me a little help when he comes home. That simple act conveys the message that he recognizes that I am not the maid and that I, too, work. Now don't get me wrong. The division of labor should be fair. If your spouse is hard at work all day and you are at home, you can't reasonably expect him to come home and do two or three more hours of non-stop housework every evening. But getting a little help at the end of a long day is surely grand.

So how do we get our man to help?

Sex, of course. Next time you are slaving over the kitchen sink, unbutton your blouse a couple of notches and purr:

"Baby, have you heard about the research coming out of the Love Lab of Dr. John Gottman of the University of Washington? Seems when men help more around the house, their wives are more likely to get in the mooooood." At this point, you should whip your hair back in a hot, sexy manner (being careful not to hurt your back), rock your hips over to where he's sitting, then whisper in his ear, "I just thought you might really want to know." Don't forget to wink over your shoulder as you walk away towards the bedroom.

Clearly, when our husbands help us around the house, we can interpret that as a sign of love, which, in turn, helps us find them more attractive. But here's the catch. When our husbands help, they typically want to know that their work is appreciated. While we are likely to see their contribution as a natural part of their marital duty, they are more likely to see it as a special favor that they are doing for us. This can be a tough concept for liberated women like us to accept. But you'll need to get past it in a hurry if you are seriously looking for more help. So stop nagging. Instead, on those occasions that you catch your husband cleaning, give him a big hug, a pinch on the rear, or a sultry wink-wink. It will help assure that he cleans again.

Now what should you do if you happen to have a man who never cleans? Walk up to him, give him an incredibly juicy kiss and thank him for doing the dishes. When he confesses that he actually never did the dishes, look surprised. Say, "Oh." And walk away, forgoing the over-shoulder wink. He'll likely get off his duff and work a little harder for that next kiss!

Copyright (c) 2007 Christine Conners

Christine Conners is the author of several books including "From High Heels to Bunny Slippers: Surviving the Transition from Career to Home". Christine is a psychotherapist and mother of four who is helping at-home parents “bloom where they are planted”. Visit Christine at: http://www.booksbyconners.com/bunnyslippers.htm

French Perfume You Can Afford

By Eugene Benade

French Perfumes are no longer only available to the wealthy. The perfume industry has undergone several changes in technique, materials and style. All of which has created the modern French Perfume that is still as romantic and provocative, but affordable to the masses.

Perfume became popular in France during the seventeenth century. As with industry and the arts, perfume has undergone profound change in the nineteenth century due to the development of new fragrances and production methods that bring us the finest quality oil based French Perfumes ever. Perfume is no longer considered a luxury. Finding the brand of perfume that creates mystique and romance in your life is the greatest gift you will ever receive.

French Perfumes are not only applied to the skin. Spraying a thin spray over your ironing board before you iron that sexy new outfit will leave a lingering fragrance around you that would certainly compliment you.

Before leaving on that special date, spray a whiff of French perfume into the air in front and above you. Then walk into the mist of the spray. You will not only turn heads but you will stand out in a crowd.

Let them think you spend a fortune on expensive perfumes. You and I know better. Anyone can afford this “luxury” at the fraction of the cost, thanks to modern and advanced technology.

All of the most popular and well-known brands are now available to you. Give it a try and we promise you will never regret it. High quality French Perfume available to you just go to, QUALITY FRENCH PERFUME to read more.

My Top Ten Tips to Keep Your Man Interested

By Gina Michelle

1. Don't Suffocate Your Man
I don't mean he should go out to the pub every night without you as this would not be fair to you, but men (and women) do need a certain amount of freedom.

2. Always Keep A Little Of Yourself Back
A certain element of mystery keeps it fresh and is challenging. Let him have enough that he's secure, but not too much that you appear boring or too available!

3. Tell Him You Love Him At Least Once A Day
Men really are big babies on the whole, and it makes them feel special.

4. Bodily Functions Are a Definite Turn-Off
Passing wind and belching are very unattractive, and going to the toilet in front of your man really is not necessary. Sharing should not extend to these habits!

5. Don't Let Yourself Go
This has nothing to do with weight or size - lets face it we come in all packages and who determines what's sexy and what's not. I'm talking about keeping yourself and your hair clean and presentable. This will not only make you feel better about yourself, but also shows that you still care enough to be bothered. You don't have to get all tarted up around the house, just make an effort to look nice and fresh.

6. Be Spontaneous
Don't be afraid to try something new and exiting - find out your mans innermost sexual fantasies and surprise him - he'll love it and you'll probably enjoy it too. This really helps to keep things spicy.

7. Buy Some Really Sexy Lingerie
It will make you feel hot and sexy, and your man will find it irresistible! There are so many sexy and fun styles available on the market right now you'll be spoilt for choice. Look at some lingerie websites with your man - you can have fun choosing it together without subjecting him to the embarrassment of high street shops.

8. Be Good Friends
Listen to each other, have fun and laugh a lot.

9. Keep The Moaning To A Minimum
Moaning really infuriates men so if you have to, moan to your best friend instead.

10. Show An Interest In His Hobbies
You don't have to take them up yourself, just appear to be interested!

Many thanks for reading - now go forth, apply my rules, and keep your man interested!! Or for those of you trying to get rid of him - just do the opposite!!

http://www.sweetheartsandtarts.com

In Direct Sales- What Do Women Want?

By Jane Deuber

Surely you’ve noticed. Go to any company recruiting or training event or attend any national convention and without a doubt, you will see… women are the driving force behind the direct selling industry.

Now before anyone gets uncomfortable or moves on to the next article, let us recognize that men, without question, have and will continue to play a significant role in the growth of the industry. Men bring a much-needed perspective to both the corporate and field level. But the truth is that if your organization mirrors the national statistics put out by the DSA, more than 70% of your distributors are women.

Why is that? First and foremost, women are natural networkers, nurturers, and jugglers. They are driven by an “inclusive vision” that represents a better life for themselves, their families, their companies and the people within their organizations. Studies conducted by the Direct Selling Women’s Association found that above all, women are drawn to direct selling because it enables them to wear the many hats of individual, mother, wife, leader, friend and successful business person without giving up their most prized possession – their freedom!

Notice that it is not the promise of “big money” or the hype of long-term residual income that brings them “in mass.” Rather it is because a direct selling career meets their very real needs, right now, in a personally significant way that draws them to this industry. In short, direct selling offers a viable and lucrative alternative that enables women to fulfill their roles, grow as individuals and create financial stability for themselves and their families.

Now, more than any time in history, women are putting their high-powered careers on the back burner and choosing to stay at home with their children. Sadly, this loss of a second income creates a heavy financial burden on most households. In fact, it has been said that 80% of all home foreclosures could have been avoided with just $100 per month in additional income – a benefit easily enjoyed by even a part-time direct seller.

Why is this important to you as a leader? Because, according to the US Census Bureau 2000 statistics, there are over 144 million women here in the United States, of which, only 8 million are in direct selling. We have not yet begun to scratch the surface of possibility! We need to pose a “collective question” and ask ourselves how we can engage more women in the magic of this industry!

The DSWA is so intrigued by this vision that they have set as a primary objective to see that more women join the direct selling wave this year than in any year in its history! How can you play a part in bringing more women to the industry and better yet, your organization? The answer is quite simple… you absolutely must understand what women want.

What do women want? It’s a question that has puzzled men for years and is now being asked by every company offering a product or service since Faith Popcorn, author and trend expert, shared that women control 80% of household spending today. This question is such a hot topic that it even inspired a Hollywood movie script, headed by none other than Mel Gibson, who, despite the antics, never truly discovered the answer to the question.

Ok, Let’s begin by looking at what we do know about women. According to Faith Popcorn…

• A woman opens a new business every 60 seconds.
• Women are leaving corporate America at twice the rate of men.
• Women consumers control 80% of household spending.
• Women are juggling more now than in any other time in history and they are looking for a way to simplify their lives.
• Women are masters at multi-tasking, able to switch roles and responsibilities as quickly as they change their shoes.
• Women are looking for work alternatives that allow them to be home and maintain a connection to the world outside.
• Women are moving up in leadership positions and becoming top producers in companies around the world. And the list goes on and on! Whether you are a distributor building a large organization or a corporate CEO steering your company into the future, you need to become a student of the wants, needs and challenges of women today.

Here are some places you can start.

1. Read Faith Popcorn’s book, EVEolution. Never before has anyone so clearly and expertly shown us inside a woman’s heart and mind. Every chapter is filled with suggestions and insights that can revolutionize your approach to sales and recruiting.

2. Ask more questions. It may be a mystery to you, but it is not a mystery to them. Women know what they want and they will tell you if they believe your interests are genuine and well-intentioned.

3. Talk less, listen more. Ask for the thoughts, opinions and suggestions of the women on your team. You may be surprised that they already have the answer you’ve been looking for.

4. Walk a day in their shoes. High heels and stockings are optional! Recognize and appreciate the multiple roles and responsibilities that women juggle every day and let this help you see them for the strong, capable women they truly are.

5. Build relationships, not hierarchies. Women want and expect their business relationships to be rewarding, enjoyable and enriching. Take the time necessary to know them for the dynamic individuals they are. For those of you who took a moment to jot down these words of wisdom - congratulations, you are on your way to finding the answer to this important question! For those of you who did not, that’s OK, we’ll catch you next month. Because the truth of the matter is… patience happens to be one of our strong suits as well.

Jane Deuber is a Co-Founder of http://www.DSWA.org (the only association dedicated to the needs of the independent party plan and network marketing professionals). Discover what makes the DSWA so unique. Listen to three motivating and informative free teleseminars by visiting http://www.mydswa.org/tele_class.asp

My Entrepreneur Success Story - Inspiration

By Harry Lake

A couple of years ago I started to think that my job is not what I've always dreamed of, not what I expected and, of course, salary wasn't big enough to fulfill all my dreams. I realized that to become financially free I need to work for myself and be my own boss. Either hate it or love it, it's just the way it is. Nobody will become rich working for someone, nobody ever did.

My passion were computers and it had always been that way, so I decided that I should connect my new business with computers. I started to look for ways to make money on the Internet, because I heard rumors that many entrepreneurs are making a living on-line, and I thought - 'Why Can't I Be One?'

Oh, hell I can and I am going to be one, that was the best decision I have ever made. You know why? Because in 4 months of studying this whole Internet Marketing thing I was able to do at least 2 things: 1) I quit my day job, fired my boss, heh. 2) I became financially free, and that's a really great feeling.

Look, I am not bragging about it, I am just saying that it is possible and dreams do come true, you just have to work hard for it. Believe me I did, I used to spend 10 hours behind my laptop just to study, test and figure out ways of promoting different kinds of products.

And to back that up with some proof, I am going to show you a screen shot of my real earnings and if you think that it's still isn't possible, I suggest you rethink your strategy. My life have changed, I live differently, I can afford anything I can, anything I want, I am not a shiny type of people, I am very humble I would say, but if you want proof, here you go.

Harry Lake is an Internet Entrepreneur, averaging an income of see here. If you would like to know how I make that much money online I suggest you read Jeremy Palmer's Quit Your Day Job.

Playboy - Hugh Hefner's Success Story

By Evan Carmichael

Famous Quote
'If you have to sum up the idea of Playboy, it is antipuritanism. Not just in regard to sex, but the whole range of play and pleasure.'

Growing Up
At a very young age, Hugh Hefner was in the publishing business. While in high school, he wrote articles and illustrations for the school paper. He then started his own magazine called Shudder, which focused on short stories, comics, and book and movie reviews. He also set up a members only club for readers with a five cents per year membership fee. Upon graduation, Hefner joined the U.S. Army and was put to work as a clerk where he spent the next two years.

When he left the army, Hefner tried to fulfill his passion and find a job in publishing. He was, however, unable to get hired as a journalist and his idea of selling a comic strip named 'Fred Frat' about university student life was also turned town. To make money, Hefner ended up taking uninteresting jobs such as working at a cardboard-carton manufacturer.

Not willing to let his dream job pass him by, Heffner continued searching and eventually landed a position with Esquire magazine where he learned the ins and outs of publishing and marketing a magazine. Unfortunately, Esquire decided to move to New York City and close down in Chicago, leaving Heffner once again unemployed.

Hefner's intuition told him that there was an opportunity to be had in publishing a magazine for men that focused on sex. His plan was to publish pictures of nude women – a move which had not been widely attempted for fear of being prosecuted for the distribution of obscene material through the U.S. mail. Hefner was not concerned about the legal implications and had a big plan to get the word out about his magazine.

Starting The Business
Before she became famous, Marilyn Monroe posed nude for a calendar photo. Everyone in the publishing world knew about the picture but no one dared print it because of the legal risks. Hefner decided that he would take the risk and use the picture for the inaugural edition of his new magazine, Playboy in December of 1953.

At 27 years of age, with a startup investment of only $600 and some credit from his printing company, Hefner went to work. The first issue sold for 50 cents each and had a press run of 53,991. The entire issue was quickly sold out giving proof to Hefner's market opportunity prediction.

While Playboy had been known for its nude pictures, Hefner also strove to add well-written content and attracted the likes of Tennessee Williams to author articles for him. By 1960, the magazine's circulation topped the 1 million mark.

Building An Empire
With a profitable magazine flourishing for him, Hefner decided to expand his business into other areas. Two of his more successful ventures were Playboy Clubs, a chain of nightclubs, and a number of London casinos.

In the 1980s, however, Hefner fell upon hard times. Ronald Reagan's election victory reflected the conservative nature of Americans at the time which affected Playboy's sales, the company was forced to close its London casinos due to numerous complaints, Hefner himself was turned down by the New Jersey Gaming Commission for the license to run his newly built $150 million casino, and in 1985, he suffered a stroke.

In 1988, Hefner handed the reigns of the business over to his daughter, Christie who turned the business around. Christie changed the focus of the magazine, which would now feature more content on fashion and entertainment. In addition, she launched Playboy TV and a pay per use Website. Through Playboy, Hefner challenged the rules and societal norms and changed the way sex was seen in America.

Evan is an entrepreneur and international speaker. At the age of 19, he became an owner and Chief Operating Officer in Redasoft, a biotechnology software company. The company quickly grew to over 300 organizations as clients, including NASA and Johnson & Johnson, in 30 countries. He started Evan Carmichael & Associates with the goal to give entrepreneurs the motivation to follow their passion and the strategies they need to succeed. Evan has delivered over 100 keynote presentations to entrepreneurs in North America, Europe, and Asia. He has been interviewed by newspapers, radio stations, and television stations including CHUM FM, CityTV, Global TV, OMNI TV, Enterprise, and the Toronto Sun. Evan's website, http://www.evancarmichael.com is the world's #1 website for small business motivation and strategies.

Money Making Strategies for Non-Commercial Websites

By M. Shane Huey

Let me state from the outset that what follows most likely won’t make you rich, but there are ways to generate a sizable extra income by utilizing easily accessible tools that are readily available to everyone who has access to the internet. If you are reading this, then you obviously have access to the internet and most likely have your own website, whether non-commercial or otherwise. (What follows applies to commercial sites as well though the strategies of implementation will vary somewhat—but that is the subject of another article.)

Strategy #1) Google is presently, by and large, the most popular search engine on the planet, but there is much more depth to Google than this. Google offers several easy-to-use marketing packages that can earn you, as the owner of web space, a nice auxiliary income. First and foremost is the Google AdSense suite. Google AdSense allows the individual who owns web space to post content-related advertisements from paying sponsors on his or her site. When the traffic generated from your site views the advertisements displayed on your site, you make money. It’s really that simple!

Strategy #2) As well, Google has another marketing suite called AdWords. With the AdWords suite you can design the same type of ad that appears on your site via AdSense and this will increase traffic to your site which will in turn result in a net increase in your visitors clicking on sponsored ad links which further increases your revenue.

Of course you must pay for AdWords, having to set a monthly budget of what you are willing to spend (minimum effective budget is around $30.00 per month). So I recommend becoming proficient with AdSense prior to implementing this second strategy or you may risk cancelling your AdSense profits out with what you are spending for your AdWords campaign.

Strategy #3) Affiliate marketing is another strategy that I recommend for generating good income utilizing unused space on your non-commercial site. Affiliate marketing essentially consists of you endorsing, recommending, and providing a link on your site to someone else’s product. If, because of finding that product on your site, due to the link, an individual were to purchase the product you would receive a commission from the sale. Most affiliate commission payouts are pretty generous. Try to find a product that relates to your website content so that your visitors are more likely to purchase it.

Strategy #4) Sell advertisement space on your website. Contact other businesses that are in some way related to your site content and offer them affordable advertising on your site. This strategy takes some initial effort but the rewards are well worth it.

Related to selling advertising space to other businesses, you might also consider, if your viewer base is large enough, offering your visitors classified ad placement on your site. Again, the advertisements need to be related in some way to your site content. You will do best here by charging a nominal fee for the classified placements.

The above are just a few strategies for earning extra income by means of a non-commercial website. There are more to be sure. But those listed above will get you started. If I may make a suggestion, especially if you are new to internet marketing but wish to implement any one or more of the strategies discussed above, I would recommend first utilizing strategy #1 (Google AdSense). If I had to augment that with one other strategy, it would be strategy #3) affiliate marketing. These two are by far the easiest methods for generating income with a non-commercial site.

Begin by utilizing AdSense and then add one strategy at a time. Start slowly and have patience. You are going to learn a lot in a very short time. Oh yeah—and have fun!

Copyright 2007 by M. Shane Huey. All rights reserved.

M. Shane Huey is a freelance writer, writing on diverse topics from travel to e-commerce. He is also the founder of http://www.MShaneHuey.com, a business that specializes in e-commerce development, education, e-ghost writing, and the provision of web content. He also serves as Director of Curriculum Development and Instructor with Global Survival Technologies http://www.globalsurvivaltech.com .

He makes his home in Birmingham, Alabama where he lives with his wife Kelli.

How To Quit Your Job

By Brad Mitchell

There are a number of things to take into consideration before quiting your job. Quitting your job requires a plan of where you want to be. The first step in quitting your job is to put your mind into thinking through the process backwards. Anyone successful at doing this knows, that you first need to know where you are going. So to start, start at the end.

As an exercise you can sit down with a pen and paper, and lock yourself in a quite place where you are relaxed, and won't be disturbed. I recommend grabbing your favorite beverage. Get focused, and then think what do I want. If that is I want to make $10,000 a month, and have 5 hours of free time with my family, write it down. One of things you need to put down, is that your residual income will exceed your take home income at your current job. Then take each are you wrote down, and drill it down into simpler steps. The process of breaking something down into smaller steps, is called Analysis. Anyone successful at doing this, already has down an analysis on some level. Now, break the steps down to something you can do everyday to reach your goal. What you have just created is a map. Very important in knowing where you are going.

The next step is critical, it is called action. Make yourself put the smaller steps into action. This is the key. Go pick up the phone, make a call, email or whatever the smaller steps are, and do it without thought or hesitation. The more you can get in the habit of doing this, the more it will happen in an automatic fashion.

No matter how big a tree is, if you take a swing at it everyday, it will eventually fall. I recommend taking a few swings a day at each of your end goals. By doing this, you will have ensured your success. In no time at all, you will have quit your job, and achieved all your other goals, using this simple, but effective methodology.

B Mitchell http://quitsjob.com

Small Business Mistakes: Are You Making Enough of Them?

By Rose Hill

That's right ­ are you making enough mistakes in your business? Some of you are probably annoyed at my question; others are thinking "Geez, Rose! If I made any more mistakes I'd have to run screaming back to a day job!"

If you went to school in the public school system in America, you were culturally trained to avoid and hide mistakes, after all; your teachers and professors didn't give you a great grade for your efforts unless those efforts produced great results. So, too, if you were an employee in corporate America you were rewarded for chasing perfection and penalized for making mistakes.

But now you're self-employed.

And it's a necessity that you rethink the whole issue of mistakes. One of the most important mental shifts we all need to make as self-employed business owners is from hiding and avoiding our mistakes to embracing them! And to making lots of little ones ­ frequently! (It's those big mistakes that happen "once in a while" that will kill your business ­ not the little mistakes you make daily.)

Here's an example of one of those business-killing mistakes:

Sam had been doing subcontracting work for Fred off and on over the past 5 years. Initially, Sam had a full workload for his business between the work he got directly from clients himself and the work that Fred hired him to do. Sam had a non-compete agreement with Fred. Essentially Sam agreed not to solicit work directly from any of Fred's clients for at least a year after having worked for Fred, but things are tough out here in the real world this year.

Sam knew, from Fred, that Fred was actively marketing his business to a new department in a very large local corporation for whom Fred had worked for many years. In fact, Fred had brought Sam onto several past projects for this client. However, when Sam was approached by a local job-shopping temporary employment agency about the same gig, Sam agreed to allow the agency to submit him for the job.

Sam didn't tell Fred that he was violating their non-compete agreement. Sam interviewed for the job and got it. Then he told Fred.

This was a big mistake (to say nothing of the violation of several of my Client-Savvy Proficiencies for Successful Solopreneurs!) You can bet that Sam has just eliminated any further work coming into his business via Fred.

Here are some examples of embraceable, little mistakes:

• Emailed my first status report to my client and assumed she received it. She hadn't received it, which I discovered in the next on-site project meeting. After that I both emailed and faxed her my weekly status reports.
• Bought an indicia from the Postal Office with the intent to save money in my direct mail campaigns through reduced postage costs. Didn't check it out enough to learn that the PO won't return undeliverable items when they are stamped with an indicia. Sent out several mailings to a bad mailing list that I couldn't update because I didn't know how many of the addresses were defunct. When I learned how this really worked, I switched to using first-class postage for my mailings. Now my mailing lists are cleaned and updated after each mailing...saving me more money than I saved with the indicia.
• Started a new health program than included walking a couple of times each day. I checked my schedule, phone messages, and email messages before I went out for each walk, and carried my cell phone with me during the walk. But I hadn't started the habit of checking my phone for messages upon re-entry to my office. I missed a call from a lovely prospective client and didn't return it for 3 hours. Not a great way to begin a relationship in business. Now I forward my office phone to my cell phone during my walks.

As a self-employed professional, you grow and mature by making, and then, correcting mistakes. The key is not only to make the right type of mistakes, but also to correct them yourself and, hence, turn them into a non-repeating event.

Your processes, systems, and expertise develop one mistake at a time. This is an on-going process, not a one-time thing. So you need to be doing this each and every day as a normal and consistent part of how you operate your businesses. You won't stay in business long if you hide your mistakes or blame them on your systems, processes, or others.

Try being more aware of how you respond to your mistakes, and to what type of mistakes you are making in your business. Then set a goal to make your mistakes lower-risk (i.e., little) and more frequent. Let me know what you learn!

Copyright 2004, Rose Hill, Inc

Rose Hill, Founder and Owner,of Biz Whiz Expert (http://www.SoloBizVille.com) and Team Member of Solo-E.Com (http://www.Solo-E.Com) has been self-employed since 1990. Knowing how to run corporate departments and how to market corporate entities, products, and services did nothing to prepare her for successfully running and marketing a one-person business. That is why Rose created the SoloBizVille and SoloBizU community — to specifically to help solo entrepreneurs jumpstart their business success without all the trial-and-error learning.

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

10 Essential Tips for Starting Entrepreneurs - Ignore these at Your Peril!

By Terri Zwierzynski

1. Do What You LOVE: If you've chosen your business because you read that this niche was the next hot one, or because your favorite uncle (or your best friend) thinks you'd be well-suited for this business, you may as well pack up now and save yourself some time and money. If you don't love what you do, it will show...potential customers will know it and will go elsewhere. Is it possible to be successful anyway? Sure -- but it won't be easy and it won't be fun...and isn't that why you want to be in business for yourself anyway?

Instead, choose what you love. You'll know what that is when you find yourself being incredibly productive, forgetting the time passing by, and not being able to wait to get up in the morning to do more! At Solo-E we call that being juiced...but whether you call it being in the flow, or the zone, or whatever, FIND IT!

2. WRITE DOWN Your Business Plan: As a small or solo business owner, you still need a business plan. Even if you aren't getting a loan! Would you invest thousands of dollars of your own money buying stock in a company that didn't have a written prospectus? (I hope not!) Then why would you spend thousands of dollars AND hours of your precious time on a business that doesn't have a written plan?

Write your plan, get it critiqued by professionals, and most important, BE READY TO CHANGE IT. This may seem counterintuitive...why bother writing it down if it's just going to change? Because writing it down makes it more clear...and helps you get to the next stage of learning and planning and revising. It's critical--67% of businesses that failed had no written business plan. Want to play the odds?

3. Multiply Your Expected Startup Costs by Two--or Maybe Three: When I started my business, an honors MBA grad with 15 years of solid business experience behind me, I figured I was smart enough to estimate my startup costs accurately. I knew all the things I needed and made conservative estimates and I was still WRONG! That's right, I was still off by a factor of almost three. Don't make this mistake! One of the biggest reasons small businesses fail is because of lack of capital. Give yourself the best possible start by saving or acquiring sufficient startup funds NOW. Before you start!

4. Make Your Market Niche as Small as Possible: Again, this is counterintuitive--shouldn't you try to appeal to as many people as possible? The paradox is that the more you try to appeal to EVERYONE, the less you will appeal to ANYONE. Let's say you are selling your house...would you rather list it with the agent who operates in 14 counties, sells both commercial and residential real estate, and sells everything from cottages to estates? Or would you pick the agent who specializes in your community, selling only houses in a well-defined price range that she knows extremely well? Ruthlessly define your niche, make it as small as possible, and stay true to it. You'll thank me later!

5. Do Marketing Your Way: The temptation is to choose all the marketing methods that the competition uses. To stay with tried-and-true marketing channels. To place advertisements that you know nothing about creating, or make cold calls that give you heartburn. Why? Because (all together now) "that's how it's always been done."

It's difficult to stand out among your competitors when you are doing the same kind of marketing! So instead, look to your strengths. What do you like to do? What are you good at? Then choose three marketing methods that play to those strengths. If you need ideas, check out 136 Ways to Market Your Solo Business, another article at www.Solo-E.com.

6. Remember the Most Important Ingredient in Your Business--YOU: Business-owner: know thyself. Spend some time learning about who you are and how you are unique. Then let that uniqueness shine through in your marketing, in how you run your business, in everything you do. Don't hide your quirks--celebrate them!

Customers go to small and solo businesses primarily because they are looking for a personalized experience. They want a relationship with you as the owner of your business. If you try to come off as who you think they want, they'll smell right through that and not come back. Be who you are, and trust that who YOU are is going to be attractive to the right people.

7. Build Your Business by Building Relationships: Being a small or solo business owner isn't about sitting in the corner alone. Actually it can be--and that isolation is what drives many out of business and back into a "job". Build relationships to survive! Start with your colleagues--others you know who are at the same stage of business as you, or are farther along and willing to mentor you.

Next, build relationships with potential customers. Ask them what they want! Then create products and services based on their input and come back and show them what you have done. Get feedback, tweak, and maybe make your first sale. Stay in touch with your customers even after they leave you.

Last but not least, build relationships with your competitors. You might be able to do this right at the beginning, simply by asking them for their advice. Surprisingly, many ARE willing to share their secrets if you just ask. Later on, build cross-referral relationships, co-marketing alliances, and other relationships that are win-win for you, your competitors, and your customers.

8. Don't Accept a Customer Just For the Money: This is probably the hardest advice for new business owners to apply. Especially when there is a job, a project, a potential client, just outside your niche, that could keep your business solvent for the next six months. Don't do it! Taking on a client outside your niche inevitably results in frustration for you, dissatisfaction on the part of the client, and in the end, usually costs you more than you make. Ask any successful business owner and they'll tell you this is true!

9.. Don't Do Everything Yourself: It's so tempting to fall into the self-deception that "it's cheaper for me to do it myself." IT"S NOT! If you aren't good at something, for instance bookkeeping, it will probably take you 2-3 times as long--time you could be spending doing things that are essential for you to be doing personally, like writing your business plan or deciding your marketing strategy. Put sufficient capital into your business upfront so you CAN hire help right from the start. Your business will get off to a quicker start because you aren't distracted by time-consuming tasks that drain your energy.

10. Assemble Your Support Team: Start with the people who will help you do the things you aren't good at. Some examples: bookkeeper, marketing writer, web designer. Then add the people who give you professional business advice: a lawyer, an accountant, a business coach. Finally, include the people who support you personally: your family, friends, and colleagues.

Don't forget to be part of other's support teams, too. Share your expertise at Solo-E, start a networking group where business owners support each other, share a referral with a colleague. Solo Entrepreneurs supporting other Solo Entrepreneurs is what will make us all successful!

Copyright 2004, Terri Zwierzynski, Accel Innovation, Inc.

Terri Zwierzynski is dedicated to the success of lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneurs. She is the CEI (Conductor of Extraordinary Ideas) at http://www.Solo-E.com and the author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business. Terri is an MBA honors graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been working with solo entrepreneurs since 2001. You can reach Terri at http://www.TerriZ.com

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

Growing Your Small Business Through Alliances and Joint Ventures

By Janis Pettit

-- Beyond Cold Calling, “Warm” Calling and Sending E-mails --

Many Solo Entrepreneurs work from a home office. Our only connections to the outside world are the internet / e-mail and the telephone. Cold calling, “warm” calling and sending e-mails may seem like the most obvious way to let people know about us and to generate sales. But, there’s another way that works even better.

An alliance is usually an agreement between two businesses whose services or products compliment each other. Each agrees to recommend the other’s services to their respective clients and to pay a percentage to the other if the referral results in paying work. Let’s say you’re a marketing expert, but you don’t do public relations. However, sometimes your clients require public relations as part of their marketing strategy. You meet with several public relations experts who specialize in different fields, but who don’t offer your type of marketing services, and you form 3 alliances. A 10% commission is what you agree on for mutual referrals that result in work. Now, both you and your alliance partners are more “full service” providers. You can offer PR services to your clients and your partners can offer marketing services to theirs through you. In addition you could add them as “partners” on your website, giving your company the advantage and versatility of an expert team. It’s a win - win situation.

A joint venture is formed when you not only have an alliance but you come up with a strategy to find customers together. Suppose you make custom window treatments. You decide to speak to a local fabric shop that specializes in upholstery and window fabric. If you could be their exclusive referral for customers that need someone to make their fabric into beautiful draperies, and you are willing to pay them a commission for each referral, what happens? They can say they now offer a new value-added service to their customers, which may mean a customer chooses their store above another. You have a steady source of customers. You may even get them to display some of your draperies made with their fabric in your store. They agree to allow you to advertise in their store, perhaps even offer a workshop, and you’ll recommend them exclusively to your clients. You may even advertise together. The possibilities are limitless.

There are numerous ways to put together alliances and joint ventures. Thinking outside the box and being clear about what benefits both parties would receive are essential. As always, getting the agreement in writing is a good idea, as is being sure the person you're dealing with is honorable and reliable. And try to discover ALL the alliance possibilities that exist for your business. Our custom window treatment business owner above could also contact interior designers, furniture stores, residential real estate agents, home builders sales offices and even paint stores. So, what are you waiting for? Start today by:

-- Making a list of at least 5 prospective alliance partners.

-- Making a list of 5 ways the alliance would benefit them and you.

-- Making a list of 5 ways you could implement the alliance. start making contact!

One Final Note – some people have asked whether or not to disclose the partnership to the client. Sometimes it’s obvious that you are referring a client to your alliance partner, as in the case of the drapery maker and the fabric store. If it’s not so apparent, you may want to simply inform your client that you will be working with your alliance partner who is an expert in their field. For the sake of consistency, how much to explain to a client is something that you and your partner should agree upon up front.

Copyright 2003, Janis Pettit

Janis Pettit, Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.solo-e.com) and President of SmarTrack (http://www.smartrack.net), that specializes in improving profit and productivity through small business marketing and growth consulting, business coaching, workshops and tele-classes. As well as owning 4 successful businesses over the last 18 years, Janis hosted her own TV business talk show. Her articles have been published locally and internationally.

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

How Your Habits Control Your Small Business Success

By Rose Hill

Habit: A consistent behavior you perform so frequently that it is automatic.

For example, if you learned to drive a car with a standard transmission, the first few lessons were pretty jerky while you learned to synchronize the clutch with the accelerator pedal. If you released the clutch too fast, the car would stall. If you pressed the accelerator too fast without releasing the clutch, you raced the engine ­ but you and the car were still sitting there! However, with practice, practice, and more practice, you learned to synchronize control of the clutch with control of the accelerator so that you don’t even think about it any more. It is now a habit.

All habits consist of knowledge combined with skill from practice. What all this means is that you can learn new habits to replace those that are no longer working for you. You have to change what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and the choices you make in order to change your business results.

If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always gotten.

That means that if your business is not headed in the direction you desire right now, you must make new choices and start new habits to ensure you ultimately get the results you want.

Your choices of habits, determine your success.

That may seem harsh to you. Especially if you’d like credit for having “Good Intentions.” The fact is that your intentions, however good, are immaterial until they are supported by your behaviors. In fact, good intentions that are not actualized will drain you of the energy necessary to take effective action. Remember, the only question of significance is “What's working and What's not?”

Every habit has its consequences. Habits that are working for you create positive consequences; habits that are not working for you create negative consequences ­ every time. You may not like that your habits create consequences ­ but you’ll still receive those consequences just the same. Whether or not you like it isn't a factor. The fact is that as you keep on repeating a behavior you will get repeatable, predictable results.

Up to 90 percent of your current behavior is based on habits.

By and large, these habits work for you. They save you from the tedium of having to make new decisions each day. Wouldn’t it be boring and a waste of energy if each day you decided to brush your teeth, but then had to decide where, with what toothbrush, with what of the 100’s of toothpastes now available, for how long, with what type of action on the toothbrush, and so forth. It's much easier to go into automatic and let your neural net take charge ­ freeing you to plan for that important meeting with your big client at 2 PM.

Habits are part of being human; we all have them. We use them to conserve energy and effort; to provide familiarity/security; to free up energy for other things; to improve and fine-tune our skills; and to assist in avoiding physical and/or mental pain. Often, a particular habit can lose its usefulness. Yet, because we are human we tend to continue the habit, knowingly or unknowingly. Only with awareness and a strong reason or motivation to change can we initiate and sustain change.

Habits tap into the nearly human obsession to be (and to appear) consistent with what we have already done. Once we have made a choice or taken a stand, we encounter personal and interpersonal pressures to behave consistently with that commitment. For good or for ill, the drive to be (and to look) consistent constitutes a highly potent weapon of change.

To understand why consistency is so powerful a motive, it is important to recognize that in most circumstances consistency is valued and adaptive. Inconsistency is commonly thought to be an undersirable personality trait. The person whose beliefs, words, and actions don’t match may be seen as indecisive, confused, two-faced, or worse.

On the other side, a high degree of consistency is normally associated with personal and intellectual strength. Certainly, then, the personal consistency brought by habits is highly valued because it provides us with a reasonable and gainful orientation to the world. Most of the time we are well served by habits... without them our lives and our businesses are difficult, erratic, and disjointed.

By superimposing a new habit on top of an existing habit, you can create a new way of doing things. In other words, you start replacing old negative habits with new positive habits.

For example, if you always show up late for meetings, your stress levels are probably high and you feel unprepared. To improve this you might decide to develop a new habit of arriving five minutes early for every appointment, including meetings. If you take on this challenge you might notice:

- The first month or so of the new behavior is tough. In fact, you’ll find yourself reverting to the old behavior during times of stress or unawareness ­ this is normal because it is in compliance with our need to be consistent with our prior behavior. However, don’t resort to self-recriminations for the backsliding. Just pick yourself up and recommit to the desired new behavior!

- The more you activate the desired new behavior, the easier it becomes. Eventually, it will be become just as strong as the old habit you are replacing ­ then it will supersede the old behavior. Employ the principle of consistency to help you build your new habit.

By systematically replacing your negative habits with new positive habits ­ one at a time ­ you can dramatically change all aspects of your business.

Copyright 2004, Rose Hill, Inc

Rose Hill, Founder and Owner,of Biz Whiz Expert (http://www.SoloBizVille.com) and Team Member of Solo-E.Com (http://www.Solo-E.Com) has been self-employed since 1990. Knowing how to run corporate departments and how to market corporate entities, products, and services did nothing to prepare her for successfully running and marketing a one-person business. That is why Rose created the SoloBizVille and SoloBizU community — to specifically to help solo entrepreneurs jumpstart their business success without all the trial-and-error learning.

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

Differentiation - Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

By Terri Zwierzynski

Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to prospective customers because you can’t readily explain why they should come to you rather than go to your competitors? Sure, you might have your 30-second elevator speech, but then they ask you that dreaded question, “So what makes you different?” Then, all those self-doubts creep in, and you just aren’t sure what to say. Differentiation can boost confidence--yours in yourself and that prospective customer’s confidence in you!

-- Dif-fer-en-ti-ate v. tr. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate. --

In business terms, to differentiate means to create a benefit that customers perceive as being of greater value to them than what they can get elsewhere. It's not enough for you to be different--a potential customer has to take note of the difference and must feel that the difference somehow fits their need better. (Other words that mean virtually the same thing: Competitive Advantage; Unique Selling Proposition; or Value Proposition.)

As you are building your business, you can use differentiation to attract more customers. Once you have momentum, differentiation allows you to charge a higher price because you are delivering more value to your customers. Make a point to evaluate and adjust your differentiation methods at least annually.

The various methods of differentiating your businesses fall into four general categories:

Price Differentiation

Focus Differentiation

Product/Service Differentiation

Customer Service Differentiation

Price Differentiation

Differentiating on price is probably the most common and easily understood method. HOWEVER, for Solo Entrepreneurs, caution is in order. On the one hand, potential customers might expect a lower price from you than from your larger competition because they perceive you as having less overhead, etc. On the other hand, cheaper prices can evoke perceptions of lower quality, a less-stable business, etc. And if you compete on price against competitors with deeper pockets, you can price yourself right into bankruptcy. Be creative with this differentiator by competing on something other than straight price. For example, you might offer:

- More value--offer more products or services for the same price.

- Freebies --accessories, companion products, free upgrades, and coupons for future purchases.

- Free shipping, etc.--convenience sells, especially when it is free!

- Discounts--includes offering regular sales, coupons, etc. (see cautions above)

Focus Differentiation

For Solo Entrepreneurs, this is the most important method of differentiation, and in many ways, the easiest. Why? Because as a Solo Entrepreneur, you simply can't be everything to everybody, so you must pick a specific way to focus your business. Once you have done that, you have an automatic advantage over larger companies because you can become more of an expert in that one field --and you can build close relationships with key customers that will be hard to duplicate. For example, you might differentiate yourself through:

- Location--take advantage your closeness to prospective customers.

- Customer specialization--be very specific about what characteristics your customers will have—for example, racing bicycle enthusiasts or companies with a spiritual conscience.

- Customer relationships--know customers really well, form partnerships with them, and get them to speak for you!

- Affinity relationships--associate your product/service with a well-known person or organization.

- One-stop shopping--offer everything your target market needs, in your area of expertise.

- Wide selection (within your niche)—although this one may seem to be the opposite of focus--the key is to be very specific in one dimension and very broad in another.

Product/Service Offering Differentiation

How much you are able to differentiate your product or service offering will vary based on what type of business you are in. For instance, if you are in a highly regulated business, your options may be limited. Explore a totally new market or type of product or service, however, and the possibilities abound. The key to successful differentiation in this category, again, is to know your customers, really, really well. Talk to them often, and you will know what they need most and be able to offer it, long before your competitors know what is happening. For example, your product or service could stand out in one of these ways:

- Quality--create a product or service that is exceptional in one or more ways. Examples: Lasts longer

- Better

- Easier to use

- Safer

- New/First--be the first one to offer something in your location/field.

- Features/Options--offer lots of choices, unusual combinations, or solve a problem for a customer in a way no one else does.

- Customization--as a Solo Entrepreneur, you may be able to more easily handle special orders than big, mass-market competitors.

Customer Service Differentiation

Have you noticed how customer service seems to be out of vogue these days? This situation makes excellent customer service a great opportunity for differentiation and another natural advantage for Solo Entrepreneurs that already know what’s important to their customers. Build your reputation on making customers feel really good about doing business with you. Works great with referral marketing, too. Examples:

- Deliver fast--next day, or one-hour--make it faster than customers think possible.

- Unique channel--offer a service over the phone or Internet instead of in person or in their office rather than yours.

- Service-delight customers!--it may seem expensive to offer exceptional service--but it pays off in word-of-mouth advertising.

- Before/during/after-sales support--provide technical or other support to customers using your product. You might use joint ventures to provide that support--but customers will perceive it as being from you!

- Guarantee/warranty--offer 100% money-back, or free replacement parts.

- YOU--offer yourself, your unique blend of talents and skills, to attract customers. Make sure they get access to you, too!

Keys to Successful Differentiation:

- Know your customers, really, really well.

- Pick a blend of differentiation methods that, in the eyes of your customers, truly sets you apart.

- Talk about your differentiation in terms of customer benefits.

- Tell everyone about what differentiates you--often.

- Keep your differentiation fresh by listening for changing customer needs.

Copyright 2002-2003, Terri Zwierzynski, Accel Innovation, Inc.

Terri Zwierzynski is dedicated to the success of lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneurs. She is the CEI (Conductor of Extraordinary Ideas) at http://www.Solo-E.com and the author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business. Terri is an MBA honors graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been working with solo entrepreneurs since 2001. You can reach Terri at http://www.TerriZ.com

Marketing Messages: Your 10 Most Important Business Principles

By Rose Hill

As a self-employed professional, you have two basic strategies for your marketing efforts: Writing or Speaking.

No matter whether or not you do both of these activities or only one of them, you need to know what messages you want to convey to your audience.

That's why you need to create a list of your 10 Most Important Business Principles (MIBP). Without them, your marketing efforts will be too diffuse to really grab the attention of your intended ideal clients.

Your 10 Most Important Business Principles inform, expand, and provide clarity for your business vision. For example, the vision statement for my company, SoloBizVille is:

Through collaboration, community, and continuous learning, any professional can create a joyous, sustainable, and profitable one-person services business.

For me, as a Business Coach for Solopreneurs, my 10 MIBP are:

• Nobody needs a stronger weakness.
• If you chase 2 rabbits, both will escape. Focus is power.
• Ideas are "a dime a dozen," but right action is rare and worth millions.
• Mistakes are the stepping stones to success. Embrace them.
• Success and integrity are not mutually exclusive.
• Embrace the goal, not the plan.
• This is your life, not a dress rehearsal.
• At least 5% of your clients and projects are from Hell. Always. No exceptions.
• Success comes by doing what you do magnificently. Delegate everything else!
• Your strengths are so easy you think everyone can do them. They can't!

As you can see, some of my MIBP are reasons why solopreneurs are frustrated; while others are principles for business success. But all of them are principles that I believe in and use when I coach solopreneurs.

For a contrast, these were my 10 MIBPs when I was working solo as an Independent Technical Writer and Publications Project Manager:

• The client is always right, even when he isn't. Always respect and honor the client's objectives.
• Project risk is always reducible.
• Success requires mistakes ­ but make them small ones! And always correct your own ­on your own time and dime.
• The client wants options and possibilities.
• Never surprise the client.
• Always communicate cleanly, regularly, appropriately, and proactively.
• Use an editor!
• Keep all boundaries professional, clean, and open at all times.
• Hold the client as accountable as I hold myself.
• Manage the client's expectations at all times.

Once you know your 10 MIBP you immediately have at least 10 topics for promoting your business. You can write a series of articles like this one, or use them as topics for speeches or seminars, or create checklists and worksheets based on your MIBP for use by your clients, or print them on the backs of your business cards, or write a book or ebook about them. You get the idea.

Using your 10 MIBP in your marketing ensures congruency in your business messenging ­ strengthening the image of your business in the minds of your potential clients.

Copyright 2004, Rose Hill, Inc

Rose Hill, Founder and Owner,of Biz Whiz Expert (http://www.SoloBizVille.com) and Team Member of Solo-E.Com (http://www.Solo-E.Com) has been self-employed since 1990. Knowing how to run corporate departments and how to market corporate entities, products, and services did nothing to prepare her for successfully running and marketing a one-person business. That is why Rose created the SoloBizVille and SoloBizU community — to specifically to help solo entrepreneurs jumpstart their business success without all the trial-and-error learning.

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

Top 10 Business Plan Myths of Solo Entrepreneurs

By Terri Zwierzynski

Don't let these stop you from having a business plan for success!

A recent study of 29,000 business startups noted that 26,000 of them failed. Of those failures, 67% had no written business plan. Think that's a coincidence?

Here's the top 10 myths Solo Entrepreneurs often have about business plans—usually, the reasons why they don't have one. De-bunk the myths, and see how having a business plan for your solo business, can actually be easy and fun--and can jumpstart your success!

1. Myth: I don't need a business plan--it's just me!

Starting a business without a plan is like taking a trip in a foreign country without a map. You might have a lot of fun along the way, and meet a lot of friends, but you are likely to end up at a very different place than you originally set out for—and you might have to phone home for funds for your return ticket.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Successful Solo Entrepreneurs know that the exercise of creating a business plan, really helps them think through all the critical aspects of running a business, make better business decisions, and get to profitability sooner.

2. Myth: I have to buy business plan software before I can start.

Business plan software comes in many shapes and sizes, and prices. Many are more geared at small and growing businesses with employees.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Business plan software can be helpful—but it’s not required. Software is more likely to help if you have a more traditional type business, like a restaurant or a typical consulting business.

3. Myth: I need to hire a consultant to write my business plan.

Consultants are an expensive way to have your business plan written.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Your business IS you—and you need to be intimately involved with the creation of your business plan. A better strategy, if you think you need professional help, is to hire a coach or mentor—someone who can guide you in what you need to do, not do it for you.

4. Myth: The business plan templates I’ve seen have all these complex-sounding sections to them—I guess I need all those?

The only time you need to follow a specific outline is if you are looking for funding.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Your business plan needs to answer ten basic questions—that’s it! Don’t make things more complicated than necessary.

5. Myth: My business plan needs to be perfect before I can start my business.

If you wait for everything to be perfectly detailed, you may never start.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: If you have at least a first draft that answers those ten basic questions, you are ready to launch your business! Make your business plan a living, evolving document. In the startup stages, review and update your plan every 2-3 months. As you grow and stabilize, you can slow down the review cycle to every 6-12 months. All business plans should be reviewed and updated at least once a year.

6. Myth: I have to do everything I say I’m going to do in my business plan, or I’m a failure.

Many Solo Entrepreneurs never start because of this myth—which leaves them feeling that the success of their future business suddenly rides on each stroke of the pen or click of the keyboard!

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Think of your business plan as a roadmap for a trip. Expect to take some detours for road construction. Be flexible enough to take some exciting, unplanned side trips. And don’t be surprised if instead of visiting Mount Rushmore, you decide to go to Yellowstone, if that turns out to meet your vacation goals better!

7. Myth: A good business plan has a nice cover, is at least 40 pages long, must be typed and double-spaced…

Business plans intended for investors, such as a bank or venture capitalist, must meet certain requirements that such investors expect.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: As a Solo Entrepreneur, your business plan need only satisfy YOU. It might be scribbled on a napkin, on stickie notes on your wall, or consist of a collage of pictures and captions. It might be all in one document or scattered among several mediums. As long as you know it in your head and heart without having to look at it, and and it is easily accessible to you when you have doubts, that’s all that is necessary.

8. Myth: I don’t need a loan—so I don’t need a business plan.

YOU are the investor in your business—and would you invest in the stock of some company without seeing a prospectus?

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Seeing your plan in black and white (or color, if you prefer!), can give a whole new view on the financial viability of your business. If “doing the numbers” seems overwhelming, remember you don’t need fancy spreadsheets. Just lay out a budget that shows where all the money is coming from (and going), and have an accountant review it for additional perspective.

9. Myth: My business plan is in my head—that’s good enough.

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes can’t remember what I planned yesterday to do tomorrow, if I don’t write it down!

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: There is a real power in writing down your plans. Some schools of thought advocate that the act of writing a plan down triggers our subconscious to start working on how to manifest that plan. And, of course, it’s a lot easier to remember when you have it in front of you. And a lot easier to share and get feedback from your non-mind reading supporters.

10. Myth: Friends and family are the best sources of feedback and advice on my business plan.

If your brother is an accountant and your best friend is a market research expert, then this might be true.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: As well meaning as our friends and family can often be, they just aren’t the best way to get honest, objective guidance. Instead, seek out folks that have specific knowledge that will help you, are willing to be candid with you, and that have a genuine interest in helping you succeed. A business coach is one resource to consider!

Copyright 2004, Terri Zwierzynski - Accel Innovation, Inc.

Terri Zwierzynski is dedicated to the success of lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneurs. She is the CEI (Conductor of Extraordinary Ideas) at http://www.Solo-E.com and the author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business. Terri is an MBA honors graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been working with solo entrepreneurs since 2001. You can reach Terri at http://www.TerriZ.com

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

Out of the Cubicle and Into Business - Book Review

By Terri Zwierzynski

This is a fantastic reference if you are thinking about going into business and want the rigor and discipline to ask yourself all the challenging questions before you start. Lea walks you through all the aspects of starting a business, from deciding what your business will be, putting together a complete business plan, and setting up the legal entity that will be "your business".

Along the way she poses 114 questions that every entrepreneur ought to be able to ask themselves...and yet many of us fail to do so until we are already in business and things aren't going the way we planned! Space is provided right in the book to write your answers, so you don't even need to fret about starting up the computer to get started. The icing on the cake lies in the narrative around the questions, giving these queries depth and increasing your understanding of why they are so important.

Add in the "Perspectives", little pieces of information that make you look at business in a different way, and you have a dynamite book. My favorite is her perspective titled "Business Plans - It's not the Document"; which explains that the goal of doing a business plan isn't just to get the document written -- rather, it is to ask the probing questions and really get a good feel for the feasibility of your business model.

The book includes a section on the different legal entities you might choose for your business, choosing how you are going to keep track of your business financially, and several other considerations. Plus a complete Glossary of Terms.

I recommend this book for those that might otherwise explore business planning software (which is costly and really unnecessary, in my humble opinion!) for its complete coverage of the basics and beyond.

Out Of The Cubicle And Into Business: 114 Questions To Answer Before You Make The Move From A Corporation Or University Job Into Your Own Business! (Paperback)
by Lea A. Strickland (Author)
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: Authorhouse (February 28, 2005)
ISBN-10: 1420831305

© Copyright 2005, Terri Zwierzynski

Terri Zwierzynski is dedicated to the success of lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneurs. She is the CEI (Conductor of Extraordinary Ideas) at http://www.Solo-E.com and the author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business. Terri is an MBA honors graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has been working with solo entrepreneurs since 2001. You can reach Terri at http://www.TerriZ.com

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, along with hundreds of other articles, classes, and other resources for the lifestyle-inspired Solo Entrepreneur, "...because it's not just about the business!"