What was it all about?

At the meeting on Tuesday, June Lewis with Cabi Fashions showed us how to Dress for Success, and how much First Impressions really count. It was amazing how the smallest thing can make the biggest difference in your appearance. Kelley Crane, Linda Rule and Paula Pride were our fabulous models. Kelley looked stunning in her linen slacks and versatile top. Linda was 'Petite and Sophisticate' and Paula showed how the little black dress can go from day to evening in a flash!

Everyone was having a great time and then the time was gone. June suggested a longer version and a chance for everyone to get their own personal 'dress for success' tips. So we will be having another event at Kelley's office on May 11 at 5:30pm. Watch for an 'evite' in your email! If you don't receive it, please let me know and I will send you the details. Wine and hor'dourves will be served, so don't miss it and bring someone with you too!

Attendance has been down a little over the past couple of months due to scheduling conflicts. Being that we are all independant business women, the economy demands that we put our work first. Our meetings are just a little bonus that we squeeze in if we can to inspire and motivate us. Of course we don't want you to lose a sale or deal by attending our meetings. However, I do urge you to make it a priority to attend.

Networking works... if you work it!

At almost every meeting, a show of hands proves that the ones who are faithful have received business from attending.

On a very positive note, since the first meeting in May of last year, there has been one or more new attendees at every single meeting, which means that there's always a new opportunity at every meeting.

We also discussed several other networking venues and all are encouraged to attend as many events as possible. Annette Walden, who I consider the guru of networking has a list on her website that has the latest information on networking events for Hall, Forsyth, Lumpkin, and Dawson Counties. You can find that list at: http://www.paintedladyenterprises.com/ It's the best way to increase your business without the heavy costs of advertising. And there's nothing like the face to face, one on one encounter to build a relationship.

Speaking of meetings, at our next meeting Dr. Kara of Nature's Way Chiropractic will be speaking to us about Stress. Perfect timing, right when the kids will be getting out of school! Make sure to mark the date in your planner.

and lastly.....

Ryan's has a new general manager, Scott Talbot. Scott is very nice and is doing all he can to make us welcome and comfortable. Unfortunately, recent events have prompted the Ryans corporation to require that the front doors must remain locked until just before opening time. At future meetings, we will have a representative near the front door to let you in. If the door is locked, please wait and someone will be there to open it for you shortly.

Today at Women2Women...

Katie Buice with Capstone Financial spoke to us about:

"Five Things You Must Do Today to Navigate These Financial Waters"

1. Manage your cash flow. You should be on a budget and if you're too lazy to do quicken or the like, there's a free website called www.mint.com that you can use to manage your money. (Katie encouraged everyone to read the privacy and security FAQs to determine for themselves if it is appropriate for them.) You must know where your money is going!
2. Stash your Cash. You must build an emergency fund. Find the money and just do it. Look for money in unconventional places such as old insurance policies. Hoard every dollar and put it into savings. You may need it!
3. Don't stop investing. If you have to reduce your contributions, that's ok. But don't stop investing. If you do , you will get used to spending that extra money and when things are better you won't be able to live without it.
4. Look at your protection. You need lots and lots of life insurance. Update your will. Don't let your insurance policies lapse for any reason.
5. Find other ways to make money. Take on extra jobs. Have a yard sale. Sell on craigslist.com, it's free. You don't have to think high level right now. Any extra cash is good and you should be putting it into your savings account.

Katie did a wonderful job of presenting these ideas and helping us understand them. Don't let her young appearance fool you, Katie is a very professional and capable young lady! Thank you Katie for taking the time to do this for us, and for being a huge support for Women2Women. You can contact Katie at 770-377-9834 or ebuice@finsvcs.com .

I look forward to seeing all of you again, next month!

Kimberly

BIG HUGE NEWS coming to Women2Women

on Tuesday, March 17th!

Women2Women is ever changing. This Tuesday (17th) we will be making a few adjustments, and in the words of Martha Stewart "It's a Good Thing".

-We have developed a bad habit of not starting on time (my fault-not yours), which cuts down on the time that most of you have to spend with us. So from now on we will start the meeting PROMPTLY at 10:30am. ( Of course we still want you to come if you are running a little late- just slip on in and join us! )

-If you feel you need a bit more time for networking and can't stay for lunch, come at 10:00am and be first to greet ladies as they arrive. That extra half hour may be just what you need to collect a few more cards and make some new acquaintances. This should be especially helpful to our newest members.

-We will continue to have a 'featured speaker'. However, we will strictly limit these promos to 15 minutes. I will be bringing a timer! Once the 15 minutes is up, you will have to wait until the meeting ends to make the personal contact with the speaker. We must do this to allow enough time for the actual 'networking' part of the meeting.

There will be a couple of other interesting changes that I think you will enjoy as well.

This Tuesday, Katie Buice with Capstone Financial will be talking to us about "Navigating the waters during the recession – what to do to make sure your financial house is in order." This will be a very informative and interesting reason to be there.

And last but not least...the Founders Committee has met twice over the last couple of weeks, and we are ready to announce a HUGE endeavor for Women2Women that I think will excite you all and introduce you to a great opportunity to promote yourself and your business. We are about to do something in Dawson County that no one has ever done before...and you are going to love it!

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Kimberly

SYNERGY

Tuesday was a great day at Women2Women. The word for the day was Synergy. What is synergy?

"The term used to describe a situation where different entities cooperate advantageously for a final outcome."

"The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects."

We talked about the What if's? What if.... The business women in our community pulled together and worked as a team to ensure that all of us not only make it in these economic difficulties, but even prosper and exceed our goals and expectations? I encouraged everyone to pull together, and find new friendships in the group. One person can make a difference. But a group of people, working together can accomplish unbelievable tasks.

We had a very nice table top discussion on current issues, and some were able to share some recent blessings. There's just something so moving and inspirational when a group of women get together to share their concerns or joys with each other, un-inhibited and free to express themselves. Many new attendees recognize this and say that they feel so comfortable and warm with our group.

Women2Women Business Networking Group is truly a place where you can find warmth, laughter, support, and encouragement. It is an invaluable resource to build your network of associates for your business. You never know who you will meet, and what benefit will come from attending our meetings.

Next month, Katie Buice will be giving us a 15 minute presentation on some important things women can do to survive the economy. It will be encouraging and informative. Katie has been attending Women2Women for several months. One thing I have learned about Katie is to not let her young age fool you. I think you will be surprised and happy that you didn't miss it.

In April, we have lined up another exciting event. More to come on that later!

Thank you all for your support. Together, we accomplish much!

Sincerely and from my heart....

Kimberly

What Was It All About?

Our meeting on Tuesday was a huge success. We were so thankful to have one of our members, Paula Pride, share with us things we can do in our everyday lives to reduce stress. It was amazing how quickly the result came. Paula operates “Sense of Pride” right here in Dawsonville. It’s an interactive online fitness program to help you become nutritionally, physically, and energetically fit. Paula will begin a 4 part program beginning Monday January 26th at the Dawson County Library. Call the Library to register at 706-344-3690. It will be very informational, and best of all..it’s FREE!

I spoke briefly about what I believe is the difference between dreams and goals. I believe that we should have both, but should separate the two. In reference to planning your business for 2009, goals are appropriate and you should write them down and give yourself deadlines for achieving them. Goals are more “short term” and do-able in the next few months, or up to a year or two.

Dreams are more of a distant vision. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't have them. As a matter of fact, I think you should dream and dream BIG. If you have no dreams, you have no vision for your life and where you'd like to be, or see, or do.

But if your dream is to retire and live in Florida on the beach and you are 30 years old and starting a fantastic career, you have many many years to go to achieve that dream. Concentrate more on the short term goals that will eventually lead you to the bigger dream. If you’re 30, retiring in Florida should not be your primary focus. If you keep waiting for that big day when you retire and move to Florida so that THEN you can be happy and fulfilled, you may live a wasted life. You should enjoy every day and be happy in every small victory. Remember that life is a journey, not a destination! You will not someday ARRIVE. You have already arrived! Today you live, today is all that you have. Make today the best day of your life.

Anthony Robbins says, "The purpose of setting the goal or achieving your dreams is not to get things. The purpose of the goal is what it will make of you as a person. Making a million dollars can only inspire you so much, but becoming a person of abundance will last you the rest of your life."

On Tuesday I gave each attendee a report that I wrote called “ 7 Steps to Success in 2009”. This can apply to your personal or business life. This plan will show you how to identify the most important goals that you would like to achieve for 2009, and how to plan for the victory. If you would like a copy, email me and I’ll be happy to send one to you.

In a show of hands, there were 4 ladies who said they got new business in the last 60 days as a result of attending our networking meeting. And in the last 6 months, more than half of the attendees reported new business.

Networking works if you work it!

Thank you all for coming and supporting me, and Women2Women! I look forward to seeing all of you again soon!

Sincerely and from my heart....Kimberly