Online Biz Member Success Blog

Pat Matson, The World of Within

Your Name: Pat Matson

Name of Business: The World of Within

Type of business: For women who suffer with anxieties about self esteem and being fat.

What does your business do? Teach spiritual principles to aggrandize health, wealth, success and harmony.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I began this business in 2004 to bring my message of hope to Obese women via my book, my workbooks and my teleclasses.

How many people in your company?  Only me.

What's your office location like?  I have an office in my third bedroom. It is completely dedicated to my work with the single exception of an infrequently used futon. I have a wireless network to the rest of the house so I can always know when emails arrive.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   The toughest part of running my business is positioning myself appropriately on the internet to appeal to my target market.

What's the most fun part?  The funnest part for me is getting comments on my blog that I've helped someone by creating a piece of enlightenment. That really warms my heart.

Anything you would have done differently?  I'd have gotten a marketing coach two years ago.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I have two businesses. I'd like The World of Within to make more money so I could lay the other business aside completely and concentrate on only one of them.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Even if your heart's desire is fully obvious to you, others don't always see it. You sometimes need to tout yourself in full color with a band playing Sousa in the background to grab people's attention without using long sales pages (ug!) to manipulate them.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  I am going through my initial three months of coaching with Donna and just getting that done is more than I can handle plus run my company. I find OnlineBizU a healthy wealthy source of information that is frequently overwhelming because of the quantity of it. It's taken me 5 weeks to get to doing this outline, after all. ;)

Personal Info:

School

Carlow College, Pittsburgh, PA.  English major; Education Minor

Prior jobs or business?

I have spent 43 years in corporate America where I held the titles of Office Manager; Executive Assistant; Sales Training Manager and Technical Writer.

Favorite food?  I adore Persian food.

What are your pets' names?  I have two tuxedo cats named Percy and Chi. One day as I stepped out of the shower, there they were; hence, The title of my book "My Cats Have Seen Me Naked.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  Percy frequently warms my In Box.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself? 

Youthfully immature middle managers who could NOT handle my expertise or experience.

Website URL:

http://www.theworldofwithin.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Kathy Dannel Vitcak, The Blissful Dog

 Your Name: Kathy Dannel Vitcak

Name of Business: The Blissful Dog

Type of business: Holistic Dog Items, specializing in Nose Butters for flat faced dogs

What does your business do? 100% all natural nose butters to help flat faced dogs that suffer from dry, crusty noses...French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers and more! We also have Vibrational Essences, Aromatherapy and MORE!

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open?  About five years ago I was slathering some shea butter on my legs and my French Bulldogs all rushed around and started licking my legs. I had a EUREKA moment and realized that would be a great solution for their crusty noses. The rest is Blissful Dog history!

How many people in your company?  Me

What's your office location like?  I have a great little home office nestled deep in the far north woods of Minnesota. We also have a small resort, Dancing Bear Resort, and that is one of my other passions.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   The expense of advertising like I want to!

What's the most fun part?  The heartfelt emails and letters from people who are thrilled with my products.

Anything you would have done differently?  I would have had a more robust email marketing list in place from day one and also would have advertised more in breed specific magazines.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I want to broaden my horizons within all-breed groups online and so some more intense target marketing. For instance, Facebook ads, Dogster, etc.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Get all of your systems in place before you get started. Be ready to be professinal from day one, but do not lose what makes it personal and YOU!

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  Donna's info has been a blessing. I am still plowing through, with delight, all the fabulous content . I cannot wait to implement MORE of her well researched info.

Personal Info:

School

Mississippi University for Women, graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1978

Prior jobs or business?

ACK, so many careers/jobs...so little room! I worked in the fashion industry for almost 15 years when I graduated from college and was blessed to travel internationally during a bit of that time. I also worked for Petsmart and Petco and loved that. About 15 years ago I moved to MN to take a job as an apprentice graphic designer and met my husband a week after I moved to MN! Along the way, I bred top- winning, top-ranked French Bulldogs (yep, Best in Shows and all that), but have retired from breeding over the course of the last few years. By the way, Francesca and Sharkey (Martha Stewart's French Bulldogs) were both bred, born and raised by me. We bought Dancing Bear Resort in 2001 and at that time I started my Graphic Design business. I still do graphic design work, but am concentrating on other areas. Now, I am lasering on The Blissful Dog and my newest venture, a spiritual growth site (new info soon).

Favorite food?  oatmeal, I know, but it is

What are your pets' names?  French Bulldogs (these are there pet names, not fancy show names): Money, Vegas, Keeper, Mudd, Nink Nink, Favor, EZBoy; Newfoundland: Deuce; Great Pyrenees: Zoey; Mini-horse: Nyker; Alpacas -- there are 14, so will skip all those names.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  The dogs have enriched my life so very, very much. from all of the wonderful friends to business partners to an actual business! I adore my dogs and hold them so very near and dear to my heart.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  My husband, Steve 

Website URL:

http://www.TheBlissfulDog.com/ 
http://www.KathyDV.com 

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Maria Elena Duron, Buzz to Bucks Connections | personal branding agency

Your Name: Maria Elena Duron

Name of Business: Buzz2Bucks.com

Type of business: chief buzz agent | inspiring identity coach

What does your business do? Building compelling connections through inspiring identity:  career upgrades, business growth and increased influence, brand development through emotional intelligence ~ vision casting ~ networking ~ image ~ etiquette ~ presentation ~ relationship marketing

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? 

January 2006 - My oldest son accidently shot my other son - after the trauma, physical therapy, and life changing surgery -- all the sudden I figured out with laser focus what was most important and what was least important in my life. It's my hope to bring that stellar focus to other entrepreneurs without the traumatic experience.

How many people in your company?  20 people - 2 in person/ 18 virtually

What's your office location like?  It's an office space created in my home with a "meeting office" located at the Hispanic Chamber's Incubator Project.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   Believing in yourself everyday - even the days when you're not making and things are the way you would exactly like - keeping the vision of what you want it to be.

What's the most fun part?  Seeing my clients reach success and sharing their success with my family.

Anything you would have done differently?  I would of started at this business sooner.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  To develop more residual income products and touch more lives.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Business is not easy - it's consuming and it can be overwhelming. Keep the vision of what you want and your priorities in front of you always - even your family.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  It shortcuts the forms, information and experience I need. I don't have time to fool around in business or get distracted. This is my one stop entrepreneur shop.

Personal Info:

School

Texas Tech University, BBA - Marketing. Graduate studies University of Phoenix and Cornell University. Coaching studies at Corporate Coach University.

Prior jobs or business?

Franchise owner, Referral Marketing Group; Professional Fundraiser.

Favorite food?  Wing Stop!

What are your pets' names?  Rocky

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  No, in fact, I have to make sure it's his nap time when I make phone calls so they don't hear barking in the background if he feels that there's someone in the yard!

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  When I was at a huge corporate gala ball in a fancy hotel while my son was receiving his basketball team award - I was in the wrong place.

Website URL:

http://www.buzz2bucks.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Karen Schatz, Virtually With You Virtual Assistance

Your Name: Karen Schatz

Name of Business: Virtually With You Virtual Assistance

Type of business: Virtual Assistant/Virtual Business Manager

What does your business do? I help my clients implement 1ShoppingCart - a specific online-based system that can help run, automate and grow their coaching and consulting practice by creating multiple streams of revenue.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started my VA biz in June 2006 because I had an inner desire to be my own boss and create a life that fits my style -- a little unstructured and unencumbered (I don’t like to work typical M-F 9-5 hours and I don’t want a career that dictates those hours).

How many people in your company?  Just lil’ old me (for now).

What's your office location like?  I live in a 3-story townhouse and my office fluctuates from the 2nd floor bedroom converted into office to the living room couch to my outdoor haven on my deck. The office is painted with muted gold walls and one accent wall faux-painted in a garnet-colored leather look. The furniture is cream-colored French-country design with cherry wood tops. The living room is a comfortable European country style and the colors are camel, hunter green and garnet. The pine hardwood floors are just divine! But the deck is my very favorite place … fully closed-in double deck with privacy fence stained a natural pine color with an 8’x8’ canopy tent that houses my comfortable outdoor furniture with gold and garnet striped cushions! Are you seeing a theme here?

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   Becoming disciplined enough to avoid distraction due to the influx of emails that come in throughout the day. Also, avoiding getting lost in non-billable type work.

What's the most fun part?  Knowing that my practice is filled with the most fabulous clients whose work is energizing and engaging. The very bestest part is when I produce at my highest level because I feel so incredibly proud of myself. Working at my optimum is a heady-rush!

Anything you would have done differently?  I should have decided on my target market and niche from the beginning. Once I decided who to work with and what my specialty was, clients were seeking me out via Google and my practice began to fill at an unbelievable rate of speed. Thanks to Donna Gunter’s coaching, which was critical to my success.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  Adding assistants to help me so that I can continue to grow my VA biz plus creating multiple streams of income through strategic alliances, joint ventures and referral programs.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Be a life-long learner and always be willing to invest in personal development (starting with a reputable training institute like AssistU.com.)

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  Read my story here.

Personal Info:

Schooling?  AA Degree in Business Administration, P.G. Community College, Largo, MD

Prior jobs or business?  Office Manager/DTP for organizational development consulting firm, Administrative Assistant for commercial real estate developer, Administrative Assistant for Bose Corp.

Favorite food?  Everything ethnic

What are your pets' names?  Amber (dog), Precious (cat) and Jalen (cat)

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  They are good company.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  I come from a family of entrepreneurs (mom, 2 brothers, uncle).

Website URL:

http://www.VirtuallyWithYou.com 

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Stephanie Bell, World Prayer Project

Your Name: Stephanie Bell

Name of Business: World Prayer Project

Type of business: Spirit and prayer coach, inspirational speaker, author

What does your business do? I am here to encourage you to laugh more, and to inspire, uplift and support you. I teach you how to "Dialogue With Your Divine" and how to use prayer to simplify your life.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started the biz full time in Feb 2008, with my first website, PrayerWorksBecause.com going live Jan, 2008. I started the biz because I'm passionate about the unlimited benefits anyone can have from developing their relationship with a higher power in a way that fully embraces their ideals, beliefs, and values.

How many people in your company?  Me, myself, I, and God, of course!

What's your office location like?  HMMMM -- my office space is currently in my den at home. I sit at my computer and with a slight right turn of my head I can see our sparkling turquoise swimming pool, beautiful green spruce hedges, and the bright blue sky, with glorious sunlight streaming everywhere!

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   For me the toughest part of running a one-woman show is not having trusted associates to run ideas past, etc. Of course that is why I have the greatest online internet marketing coach on the planet : )

What's the most fun part?  The most fun part for me is learning anything and everything about putting all the pieces together to build a deep and strong foundation. While I do sometimes get a tad overwhelmed with all of it, at the same time I feel more stimulated than I have in years and years and know it was one of the best decisions of my life to "retire" from 25+yrs career as a legal secretary/assistant.

Anything you would have done differently?  What I would do differently - and do more even now -- is trust my own heart and my instincts and not waste time and energy second-guessing myself or having anxiety, guilt or fear about whether I'm doing "the right thing". Life flows best for me when I just trust in my Divine Guidance and believe I can fly! : )

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I'm learning how to ride the waves of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, etc.) -- It's a wild ride but I'm absolutely loving it -- it totally suits my personality.

What advice do you have for others? (Don't hold back!)  Guess I covered that a bit in what I would do differently -- My best advice is to be still on the inside, listen carefully for your inner wisdom, and then follow it with your arms and heart open wide! Believe that you are a glorious child of a loving God and a great treasure to the world PERIOD! Then GO FOR IT!

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  OnlineBizU is a fabulous resource and I use it to save many hours of my time and energy. Donna has a knack for putting all the internet marketing pieces together in a very usable way -- complete with products and resources to go along with all the strategies, tips and tricks. Online BizU articles are clear, easy to understand and get straight to the point. I don't have to waste time surfing the net for information from random sources -- Donna has it all in one, easy-to-find place!

Personal Info:

School

School of 54 years of Life Experience with a Doctorate in "Hard Knocks" and "Doing It The Hard Way" . . .

Prior jobs or business?

I've owned 2 businesses in the past -- a legal secretarial transcription service, and a travel agency. In between I've also been a Law Office Manager, and IT Manager, a Project Coordinator and many, many years as a Legal Secretary/Assistant.

Favorite food?  Mexican, Thai/Chinese and most anything on the Cheesecake Factory's menu!

What are your pets' names?  no pets at the moment

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  n/a

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?  One of my theme songs would probably be REBEL YELL because I've never been very good at doing things "conventionally" . . . I think was just a born entrepreneur, even though certain life circumstances caused me to opt for a steady paycheck in between businesses!

And as for THIS particular business -- The "person" who led me here was definitely The Big Guy In The Sky (and in my heart! ) : )

Website URL:

http://www.WorldPrayerProject.com 
http://www.PrayerWorksBecause.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Patricia McArver, pmwriting LLC

  Your Name: Patricia McArver

Name of Business: pmwriting.com

Type of business: Speechwriter, ghostwriter specializing in tributes and toasts

What does your business do? I write speeches, toasts, tributes and profiles. I specialize in written documents or presentations that honor special people on special occasions.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I have been in start-up mode since I registered my LLC in March 2007. I figure I will work long past 65 and want to work on my own terms, not somebody else's. I've worked long enough to know what I'm good at and what I enjoy -- coming up with the right words to make people feel appreciated.

How many people in your company?  I'm a solo entrepreneur.

What's your office location like?  We moved into a new house several months ago and I took the small upstairs corner bedroom as my office. The afternoon sunlight is almost blinding and it can be become quite hot but the view of the tops of crepe myrtles and our quiet street is peaceful. I don't care for the fire-truck-red shag carpet but it will have to do for the time being. Two bookshelves filled with literature, history, grammar and quote books line one wall. In addition to pictures of my daughter and husband, I have my father's 1940s photograph of a big snowfall at his western N.C. homeplace on my wall.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   It's tough to get past the fears and take the plunge. Writing is a subjective product and writers always wonder if what they do will be good enough for others. Also, I'm a big-picture person and not detail-oriented and as they say, the devil is in the details.

What's the most fun part? The most fun part is the preparation to write:  reading, doing research and jotting down ideas. Then dealing with people after the piece is finished and they are pleased.

Anything you would have done differently?  I wish I had started this ten years ago so that my business would be better established by the time I retire.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I'm working on an ebook of toasts and tributes. I plan to use my vacation this year to finish it up. Also, I'm trying to get enough material to start an ezine but it's tough when I have to devote so much time and energy to my day job.

What advice do you have for others?  In terms of being an entrepreneur, I need to get advice from others. I don't have enough of a track record in that area to tell anybody anything. In terms of working and jobs, my advice is to take every job as an opportunity to learn something new whether it is providing support for a real estate office, filing library cards or editing a newspaper. I've done them all and
the lessons from those first jobs have served me well as my career developed.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  I joined OnlineBizU because I had read Donna's ezine for three or four years and every single issue contained something worthwhile. Her ezine was so substantive that I knew the material offered by OnlineBizU would be helpful, not hype.

Personal Info:

School

B.A. and M.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Prior jobs or business?

Library assistant, camp counselor, reporter, newspaper editor, small business marketer, college communications and teaching.

Favorite food?  It's gotta be pizza because it's tasty, easy to fix and easy to clean-up.

What are your pets' names?  Ike and Daisy, two mixed-breed rather large dogs.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?  Just in providing moral support when I'm in a slump.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?

A younger co-worker and friend who became a stay-at-home mom and started a children's photography business. I had been thinking about starting my own business for years since people are always asking me to write something for them. After her hard work and success, I asked myself, "What am I waiting for?"

Website URL:

I have two sites:
www.SpecialSpeeches.com and www.PMWriting.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

 

Sheila Edens, Sheer Elegance Virtual Assistant

Your Name: Sheila Edens

Name of Business: Sheer Elegance Virtual Assistant

Type of business: Virtual Assistant

What does your business do?  I provide Admin Support, web design, marketing and other virtual assistant support.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started my virtual practice in 2005 after not wanting to be a part of the corporate world anymore. I had started working temp services a couple of years before that so that I could make my way to a home-based business.

How many people in your company?  At this time just myself.

What's your office location like?  My office is located in a spare bedroom in my house. It has 2 computers, computer desk, chair, file cabinet with telephone and small radio. I don’t have room right now for a filing cabinet.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   The toughest part of running my business is taking the time for marketing, which I know is an important part of staying in business.

What's the most fun part?  What makes my business worthwhile is the fact that this is my business, and not only am I able to make a difference, I can use the creativity that I have been given.

Anything you would have done differently?  There is nothing that I would have done differently.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I have training to be a Virtual Assistant for coaches. I am also taking training to become a business coach and will take the certification for it.

What advice do you have for others?  My advice is to follow your heart. Whatever goals you have put a plan in action and follow through.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  I will use the materials to grow myself and my business. I am always in a learning mode and this is a stepping stone for me.

Personal Info:

School

MSTA Business College and Moody Bible Institute; also complete Failure is not an Option program for Virtual Assistants

Prior jobs or business?

Twenty five years in Administrative Assistant for public and private sector

Favorite food?  Lobster

What are your pets' names?  I have none.

Website URL:

http://www.sheerelegancevirtualassistant.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Marcia Walker, Step by Step Coaching

Your Name: Marcia Walker

Name of Business: Step by Step Coaching

Type of business: Life and business coach

What does your business do? I work with individuals, couples and groups who want more connection with themselves, with others and with Spirit.  I love to work with couples who are putting together a stepfamily (one or both of them have children already). I do custom-designed workshops and presentations, coach individuals, couples and groups, and teach courses about self-esteem, purposefulness, and communication

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? After years and years of working with people, I discovered that the particular way that I listen and ask evoking questions, and help
people see themselves and their options in a new light is actually called coaching! I wanted to focus on solutions rather than problems, on creating rather than fixing, so I took the plunge, left my steady job and opened Step by Step Coaching in the spring of 2004

How many people in your company?  Just me!

What's your office location like?  My office is officially a front room in my home, where I can look out of the window as I write or talk on the phone.  The office travels with me when I pick up my phone or my computer and wander to different parts of the house that suit me at the moment A favorite is in the back yard which looks over a field that is home to our neighbor's horses.  Since I often work with clients on the phone, I can work also work anywhere I have a cell signal.  It's part of what I love about my business.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   The learning curve of using the web, blogging, e-books, etc. is pretty steep for me! Actually, defining and articulating what I do is a challenge for me, so that makes it tough to do much with my website, for example. When someone is in front of me or on the phone, I am in my element.  It flows naturally and effortlessly through me.  But translating that into words and images for a website or brochure can be mind-boggling!

What's the most fun part?  Being present when someone has an "ah-ha!" moment is such a joy for me, but watching how they put it into practice is the best.  I love hearing from people about how they are moving forward, making subtle or even huge changes based on a new freedom or a new perspective.  I've just loved getting to hear a client's demo CD, attend a dance my client choreographed, or see the pictures of a stepfamily couple's new baby.    Ahhh!!  It is exhilarating and fills me with gratitude!

Anything you would have done differently?  There have been several times that I've pulled back from my business to invest more time in family and other big projects. I would find ways to keep
more going and planning the ramping back up better to avoid that sense of starting over again

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I want to develop some information products and maybe an online community that can serve more people than I can ever serve in
person

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity?  Wow! There is so much information on this site and so many opportunities.  I am reading something new every few days and
following links to all kinds of amazing services and tools that are out there.  It's like being in school.  This first phase for me is learning what there is to learn.  Next phase will be actually learning it and putting it into action.  This is a gold-mine!

Personal Info:

School

I got my BS in Psychology in 1978 from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL, then headed off to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for graduate study in Counseling Psychology.   In 2004, I completed the Coach Training Alliance Certified Coach program.

Prior jobs or business?

I have been the director of two domestic violence shelter programs, and on staff at a sexual assault crisis center, all of which required direct services for clients as well as the administrative, PR and fundraising tasks.  After several years in victim services, and a stint as a behavioral health educator for a weight management program, I became the director for the local center of an international personal development program.  I worked in different capacities for that program for seven years, and still teach through the program some five years later. My career hasn't all been about trauma and challenging personal issues, though I found out that I am not cut out to sell long-distance service or nutritional supplements or Avon (which I sold as a teenager and bought as much as I sold!).

Favorite food?  My husband's red velvet cake.

What are your pets' names? I have an empty nest now that the kids have moved out and the pets went with them! I'm always glad to see the cats, Samson and Tiger, but have to admit that I
don't miss Clio the snake

Do any of these pets help with your biz? No, but I do appreciate the company of the horses in the field out back and the llamas I see on my morning walks

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?

When I developed chronic fatigue, I wanted to work on my own terms and by the time I got well, I was hooked! I also have a close friend who started her coaching business about 5 years before I did .Watching her business grow inspired me --and still does!

Website URL:

http://www.StepbyStepCoaching.biz.  Be sure to click for more information and the client area to see more about me and my coaching practice.
http://www.beingyoubeingus.blogspot.com/ Being You, Being Us Blog

 

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Monica McPherrin, EmpoweredPaths.com

 

Your Name: Monica McPherrin

Name of Business: Empowered Paths Coaching

Type of business: Life Coaching with a specialty in Divorce Recovery

What does your business do? I help support women going through or already divorced who are having a hard time readjusting or want to work on enriching their lives by following their passion.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? Business opened January 2008. I wanted to help women feel empowered and aware of their greatness. I always wanted to help facilitate positive change in women after a divorce.

How many people in your company?  I’m a 1-woman show.

What's your office location like?  I work from home and have an office in a spare room of my house.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   As with most coaches, finding new clients and continually marketing is probably the toughest part of my job.

What's the most fun part?  I enjoy helping someone realize that they are more strong and powerful than they thought. It’s great to see them motivated from our discussions and make positive changes in their lives.

Anything you would have done differently?  I’m working on an E-book and Teleseminar. I’m also putting together some online coaching groups.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I want to move into e-products that I can sell and gain income while I am not awake, so to speak. I would like to publish more of my writing and increase my phone clients by just a bit.

What advice do you have for others?   Don’t live your life for (or) in the shadow of others. Find what makes you happy and do it! Don’t put up with people, jobs, relationships or careers that are not for your highest good. Always be improving yourself and stay away from negative or toxic people. They rob you of your energy and joy. Life was meant to be abundant so stop playing small and live in the manner that pleases you. If you want more, then go for it. There is nothing wrong with catching up to your dreams.

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity? Well I am new, but I really enjoy the articles and teleseminars. I love to learn and this is a great site for that.

Personal Info:

School

I attended Georgia State University and received my coaching certification from Lifeworks School of Coaching.

Prior jobs or business?

I was a Corporate Travel Agent for 15 years and a Mortgage Loan Processor for 5 years.

Favorite food?  I love sushi and Italian.

What are your pets' names?  2 Dachshunds, Lola & Amber and 1 cat, Chelsea.

Do any of these pets help with your biz? No, but they would like to. They want to be with me all the time.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?

My father was self-employed most of my life, and while I realized it was a lot of work I knew he loved being his own boss. I wanted that for myself as well and I’m glad I finally have it.

Website URL:

http://www.EmpoweredPaths.com

Want to be profiled in this blog?  Go here for more details.

Sue Painter, SuePainter.com

Your Name: Sue Painter

Name of Business: In Sight

Type of business: Mentoring and guidance

What does your business do? In Sight fosters and enhances health and spirit, supports your business and the work you do, reminds you of the importance of play, encourages you to be mindful about life and its choices, and strengthens the sense of intuition, connection, and love in your life.

Why did you start the biz and when did your business open? I started In Sight because people began calling and asking to meet with me to work out solutions to business and personal problems. My business developed out of my passion to help others take that leap of faith into entrepreneurship and conscious living. I “officially” opened my business in November of 1998.

How many people in your company?  Me plus two part-time staff.

What's your office location like?  Truth is, I work just about anywhere! I do have an office space tucked away on the second floor of a small office building on Knoxville’s main drag. But just as often I work via phone from my deck, my home office, my car. And I frequently meet people in restaurants where we can feed both the body and the soul at the same time.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?   Handling all the ideas I have for new ways to work, things I want to write, requests from clients and wannabe clients. Secondly, keeping up with the technology (blogs, e-commerce, ezines, etc.)

What's the most fun part?  There is absolutely nothing I love more than seeing someone who was frightened but courageous get their business launched to the point we both know they’re going to make it. It thrills me, I swear, as much as it does them. I will move heaven and earth to come up with the right combination of marketing savvy, confidence-building, and chutzpah needed to help that kind of person succeed.

Anything you would have done differently?  Probably not. My business has grown organically, and sometimes I think I should have had a grand plan all mapped out. But serendipity and taking advantage of opportunity seems to have worked for me.

Explain what's next on the horizon for you and your business?  I want to move into e-products that I can sell and gain income while I am not awake, so to speak. I would like to publish more of my writing and increase my phone clients by just a bit.

What advice do you have for others?   First and foremost, take the leap. It is such a waste of a good life to stay somewhere you are miserable just because you don’t have the guts to leave and go out on your own. I see people in my massage practice (another business) every single day who literally hate going to work and cry all the way to their office. I know you think there is no way you can leave that job and survive. My point is, if you DON’T leave that job you won’t survive. Gather up your guts and go. Fake it till you make it. For the most part, we learn early in life to play it too safe. Shake things up – you’ll be amazed how your life can change for the better!

How do you use OnlineBizU.com to help with your biz or sanity? Well, actually, I AM too new to answer, ha ha.. BUT I do see this as an easy and friendly way to go to school on using the Internet to the highest and best degree in support of building and keeping my business. I like that the forum allows space for specific questions. There is a wealth of information in the many articles, too. I really like getting the once-a-week e-zine, from there I can browse as needed.

Personal Info:

School

I earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s from Auburn University (War Eagle!), worked toward a Ph.D. at the University of Colorado (didn’t finish that, we moved away before I got my dissertation completed). I also attended the Tennessee Institute of Healing Arts for my massage and neuromuscular therapy training. Besides formal education I have literally thousands of hours in advanced training, seminars, and workshops that form the base of what I do.

Prior jobs or business?

I have worked as a counselor for people recuperating from traumatic injury (car and industrial accidents), served as the Executive Director of an international organization that developed and shared industrial training across the U.S. and Europe, and owned a private clinic for therapeutic massage.

Favorite food?  Bruster’s Ice Cream, preferably Coffee Toffee.

What are your pets' names?  Phoebe the Mighty Huntress and Jake the Tough Boy

Do any of these pets help with your biz? Absolutely! They remind me every day about consistency and loyalty and the importance of love in our work and toward each other.

What person or event in your life led you to go into business for yourself?

I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was about 10, starting with lemonade stands. I worked for others for many years and realized that the inflexibility was killing my creativity and my soul. Sometimes I saw that it literally made others around me sick. I really had a burning desire to be “outside” the box and I finally took the leap about 11 years ago now.

Website URL:

I have several. SuePainter.com is my “overview” website. SendOutCards.com/suepainter is my website for Send Out Cards. ScrapbookSpirit.com is the site for scrapbooking supplies and classes. TouchTherapyCenter.com is the site which explains our massage services. And finally, In-sight-practices.blogspot.com is my blog for daily spiritual practice.

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