NAWBO Newsmakers -Women, Business and Politics...Do they Mix?

NAWBO Newsmakers - Live & Recorded Episodes:

 NAWBO Newsmakers Women, Business and Politics with  Dana Brown 

Episode Notes: Please join us as I interview Dana Brown, Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics from Chatham University,  is our special guest talking about an issue that women business owners need to know.
Women, Business and Politics ...Do they Mix?  Yes they do!  Why it is important. ..

Also updates on biz information WBO's need to know.
Host for today's show, JoAnn R. Forrester,  Board Member  Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of  Women Business Owners. JoAnn Forrester is also the host of the Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn Prosper.
For more up dates on the Pittsburgh chapter please go to www.nawbopgh.org.

Empress of Biz, Biz Tips: Technology changes ...where is my Abacus?

Technology changes...30 plus years

Just thinking about technology...the tool I love and hate to use. It is the big game changer in my 30+ year of owning a business.  In the old days we used an abacus..ancient chinese adding machine....just kidding.  What a fantastic change .  Now we have the cloud, laptops, I-pads, cell phone, pc, printers, copiers, scanners, websites, conference calls  Google, Amazon, Aol, Facebook etc etc...
All making a dramatic impact on the way we think, act and do business. So much beeps, squeaks, rings all over the place.  The investment in my small business in equipment is significant...and grows every year.
Along the way I also became a co-developer of a software program (very expensive) Price it Perfect (tm) and now I am a talkcaster (podcaster)The Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn, Listen  using the internet to share ideas, business tips and opinions   Who would of though..now back to my abacus.
PS.  Check your insurance policy make sure all the above gadgets are protected...it can be very costly if you do not have the right protection and backup plans.

Empress of biz, Biz Tips. Sunday Morning...Thankyou

Sunday Morning Reflection:

Thank you...two words...eight letters. 

Often neglected and not said. When spoken with meaning helps ease the way and make new friends and re-affirm old ones. During this holiday season I am grateful for those who have taken the time to be my friend, like my comments, extend a hand in need and just be there as a fellow entrepreneur. 

Thank you! 

And may you be blessed this week with many heartfelt thank you's and good friends.

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Stupid Mistakes Biz Owners Make

EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

Mistakes happen in business. Some minor..some major. Some you recover from...others you do not! Today we discuss the TEN STUPID MISTAKES you can AVOID that will SINK your business. Today's show on the EMPRESS OF BIZ is VITAL to all business owners..... Knowledge is POWER and can Prevent DISASTER if you use it. Join me today as I share from my 30 plus years experience as a business owner, business growth specialist, teacher, mentor and MISTAKE MAKER. My lessons could be the difference between SUCCESS, HEARTBREAK, FAILURE and Bankruptcy Court . Listen, Learn and Prosper with the Empress of biz...JoAnn R. Forrester.

One mistake I wish I did NOT make: 
1.   Start a business without any idea what I was doing.  I was so frustrated with my job and personal life.. I was looking for anything that would get me out.  So of course,  when that opportunity came to start a business with two others who I looked up to...I JUMPED.  I thought everything would be perfect.  Nope! Not the best decision in the world.  While I had some skills I did not know anything about business structure, costs or taxes etc.  I just trusted the older members and did what they said.  Sometimes it worked out...other times it did not.  It took me years to gain their respect and not be treated like a kid.
Lesson Learned:   Think before you leap....Learn as much as you can BEFORE you start...and KEEP on learning...and do not allow yourself to be patronized and treated like the "kid" on the block.  
For more got to the EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! - Live & Recorded Episodes:

- EmpressofBiz, Biz Tips Listen! Learn! Prosper! StevieAward winner Regina Broudy

- EMPRESS OF BIZ! Listen! Learn! Prosper! StevieAward winner Regina Broudy
Regina Broudy CEO is Clayton Kendall one of the fastest growing businesses in the Pittsburgh region.  Her latest award includes two Stevie Awards this past November 2013  in  New York.

Listen to Regina as she share her story and her success in a difficult economy.  Regina's company has received a number of  honors in the the past two years including the following:
2012 and 2013 as One of W. PA Best Places to work  by the Pittsburgh Business Times
2012 and 2013 100 Fastest Growing Business in W. PA 
2013 U. S. Small Business Administration Pennsylvania  Small Business Person of the Year

I am proud to say that Regina is a client of mine and S. I. Business Associates.  We have written with her staff her nomination for the Stevie Awards and the SBA Awards.

Awards are a fantastic way to gain publicity and be recognized as an expert in your field. For information on how awards can benefit your business and accelerate the growth of business   please give me (JoAnn R. Forrester) a call at 412-440-6969.  We have created an unusual niche in the awards writing field.  Our clients have won over 300 awards, nationally, regionally and locally since 1999.  Give us a call to get your award winning profile written and submitted.  412-440-6969 is the number to call.

Empressofbiz, Biz Tips. Are you Listening?

Sunday Morning Reflection:

 This week as I listened, observed and worked with businesses it came to me that many of our problems occur because ....we are so busy telling people what to do and thinking of the next thing ...we miss what is going around us.

 Non-listening creates a great deal of frustration and alienation with employees, associates, vendors, friends and loved ones. By our non-listening we tell them they are not important.

Take a deep breath, slow down and be quiet for a minute. Stop the chatter in your head and just breathe and focus on the moment...and then start to communicate with people. You may be surprised at what you hear and learn that will eventually improve your business and life.

Make it a good week folks and give the gift of listening.

Thanksgiving Thoughts :   
When you are in business you have a tendency to feel alone....after all you are the one who is responsible for... well everything. Even if you have employees...you are still the one that as President Harry Truman stated, "The buck stops here." And that is at it should be. 

The BONUS is the friends you make along the way. Fellow business owners who share with you, associates who help and customers who are loyal.

Today I am thankful for all those who have been my friends, associates, business partners and clients. Thank you for being there and thank you for still being there after all these years.

 Special Thanks to the Following: 
Joanne Quinn Smith of Positively Pittsburgh Live
Jill Kummer of Blacktie Pittsburgh, 
Donna Baxter ofThe Soul Pitt, 
Allen Levine of Pittsburgh Sportsline 
Ola Jackson of OWN
Diane Daniels of DID Associates
Ruth Byrd Smith, Director of Allegheny County M/W/DBE Department

Thank you for everything you do to help small business.  Happy Thanksgiving.