It’s always interesting to meet the person behind the art. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Farmer, owner of Andrea Farmer Photography. She offers a variety of unique, photographic art and can capture your special memories – maternity, newborn, children, family, seniors, professional headshots, engagements or weddings. We met through a fabulous local organization we both volunteer with that is all about historical preservation. As I’ve gotten to to know Andrea, I understand why her clients love her and her beautiful work. She has an irresistible personality, a contagious laugh, an eye for capturing unique shots and perspectives and knows how to get the job done! She’s also an incredible mom and wife, too! I’m very excited to introduce you to…Andrea Farmer!

Andrea, tell us how you discovered your passion for what you do.

When I got my first Fisher Price camera as a birthday gift for my 6^th birthday.  What a lucky girl- I found out in Kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up.  That left the rest of my life to just learn, have fun and play!

Who is your target customer and/or reader? 

People who value the priceless nature of photographs – the ability to capture a moment in time and to portray people genuinely and at their very best.

How do you maintain a work/life balance? 

Having two children and a husband who is also an entrepreneur makes balance a tricky thing.  Time together, QUALITY time together, is our top priority.  I spent too many nights falling asleep at the keyboard doing late night edits and missed out on bedtime stories and quickly realized that was not the kind of family life I wanted.  So I took a workshop on Life/Work Balance and it really put some things in perspective and I had the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences.

Communication is paramount.  Its not fair to assume the other person assesses life events and appraises them with the same value you do, and visa-versa.  For example, to YOU saying yes to the double-date with your best friend and her hubby on Friday night may be a 5 but to your husband it may be a 2.  To your husband, taking a run together on Sunday morning may be a 5 but to you it may be a 2.  Say so.  Communicating what’s important to you and what you NEED your partner to say yes to is vital.  Also, I try not to ever turn down an opportunity to play with my children when they invite me into their sweet worlds.  That time, you can’t ever get back. 

Do you have employees / an assistant / intern program? If so, how did you adjust to letting go of the work and entrusting someone else with it? 

After trying to do everything myself as a one-woman show, I was running low on spare time to spend with the people in my life (refer to Question 2).  So I made the executive decision to take the roles that I either a.) enjoyed the least or b.) wasn’t extremely adept or skilled at doing… and I sought out experts in those fields and selected pros in those areas to delegate to.  I have found illustrious leaders in the Graphic Design, Lab & Printing and Website Design fields and have had great success with our partnerships.

What has been your best method for generating new business? 

I am a grassroots kind of girl so up to this point, it has only been word of mouth.  I preferred this kind of growth as it’s grown organically and given me the opportunity to build my business without many growing pains.

What is the biggest personal sacrifice you’ve had to make because of your business?

Honestly, time with my family. But that’s a work in progress and I’ve made huge strides in finding that balance over the past year.

What aspect do you most enjoy about your business? 

EVERYTHING- working with people, getting to know the families, playing with props, sets, styled shoots, my camera, lenses and other gear.  The post-production side of things… all of it.  The photography community is just an amazing group of individuals- some who are wired for the creative side and some who are wired for the technical side.  I try to learn from the best of both sides.

What is your favorite thing about being self-employed? 

The freedom to plan my own schedule so I can be there for the soccer games, art classes, story times and family dinners.  That’s the most important aspect, for me, of being an entrepreneurial mother.

If you could go back and give yourself one tip from day one of the business, what would it be? 

Don’t compare yourself to others.  Especially in a creative field.

Are you involved with any community outreach / non-profit organizations? If so, tell us about it/them and why you got involved. 

I am.  Community so important to me.  I am on the Board of Next Generation Heritage Foundation, which holds community involvement and historic preservation at the helm of our mission.  My husband and I also do a lot of work with Autism Speaks.  We do a lot of volunteer work and charitable donations.  We try to do a lot of the monetary donations anonymously because, to us, that’s the true definition of altruism.

Where do you go for inspiration? (Person, website, location, book, etc…) 

I get inspiration from EVERYWHERE.  A cup of tea, a conversation with a friend, a children’s story book, a day at the park, movies, EVERYWHERE…  I really respect the work of other photographers and artists and draw a tremendous amount of inspiration from perusing others’ work.  I love that we can all draw inspiration from one another- it keeps us all connected and can provide a fresh view of an old landscape when you see it through someone else’s lens.

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

Shoot a traditional Indian wedding.  Go on a photo safari around the world- especially Eastern and Western Europe, South Asia, Eastern Asia and Africa.

What gets you excited about the future of your business?

Watching the families grow, add new family members, reach exciting new milestones, get married, graduate high school…  and to grow alongside them

What activities make you lose track of time? 

Pinterest- OBSESSED!

What is the one thing you would most like to change about the world?

Wish people would let go of bitterness and one-upmanship and just open themselves up to being happy and lifting up those around them.

What’s your favorite joke?

A:  What’s a nosy pepper do?  Get’s jalapeno business!  heehee

How can we connect with you?

Facebook fan page

Website

Thanks a ton, Andrea! Wow, I don’t know many people who actually knew at such a young age what they would choose for their career. I certainly didn’t! At that age, I wanted to be a veterinarian, an astronomer, a marine biologist and an actress. Clearly, none of those panned out, but I’m okay with that.

So what did we learn from Andrea? Did you take away a few great nuggets? I hope so! Although I’m not a mom yet, I will say that family is one of the biggest reasons I’m thankful for my business. I love being able to set my own schedule and be a daughter, wife or friend when it’s most important…not just on the weekends or after 5pm.

In closing, a HUGE thanks to Andrea Farmer! Please do connect with her on Facebook and check out her lovely portfolio on her website. You have big weekend plans? I’m in Dallas learning about some MAJORLY exciting announcements for my business. I can hardly wait to share! Until next week!

The post W.O.W. interview – Andrea Farmer – “Being an entrepreneurial mother, I love having the freedom to plan my own schedule.” appeared first on Krista Dial.

Let’s face it. Waiting isn’t always fun. We want to see progress and we want it NOW. Some folks agonize over even small windows of time. What good does this really do us? Why the constant rush and/or distraction? It’s in these periods of patience that we truly see growth and progress. Much like a caterpillar needs a specific amount of time in it’s cocoon before it transforms into a butterfly, so we all must confidently be patient with our respective journeys. And if we rush the process, we’re losing vital components necessary to personal growth and development. There is purpose behind our struggles.

This parallels well with my business. What I do really boils down to a numbers game, however, everyone’s numbers are different. In my business, I know that if I’m engaging with enough people, I will continue to see growth and success. This past year is a clear indicator of this. If I came into this business saying “I hope this works,” or “I hope my business will grow,” then I might as well throw in the towel right there. We have a proven, duplicatable system that WILL work…given that one follows it. Now, everyone’s path is going to be different. Some businesses are going to grow quicker than others…again, because everyone’s numbers and networks are unique. What’s key is that you keep following the system and you keep stepping out in faith, knowing that your patient persistence will be rewarded.

I came across this lovely image and Bible verse that fits well with this:

…See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm…(James 5:7-8 NIV.)

We must follow suit with the farmer – who doesn’t question or rush the process. Whatever your career or endeavor, know that your desires will be fulfilled if you continue to walk in faith, serve others and continue following that little voice inside your head that says you’re destined for great things…

The post Wait with confidence. appeared first on Krista Dial.

Maryn, tell us how you discovered your passion for what you do. 

I was in corporate America for many years climbing that ladder of never ending carrots and knew something had to change.  My husband had a marketing consulting company and we recognized that marketing was going online.  We bought into an organization in 2004 that provided us with ongoing and top notch training, systems and a global network of resources and providers. My passion is to Simplify the Internet for others and help businesses find the right tools and solutions to be remarkable!

My passion kicked in when social media entered the scene!  I never liked the “push” style of advertising and  am not a social butterfly but I do love the authenticity inherent in the successful use of social media.  I enjoy working with clients to understand their customers, how the client approaches situations and finding their strategic social voice.

What services or products do you offer?

Our company is called WSI WebSense and we offer all things digital – site, search, social and mobile. We are unique in that we are not selling any one product or a specific area of expertise like many agencies but instead we find comprehensive solutions to the business needs of our clients by taking a strategic approach.  We develop websites, provide search engine optimization and paid advertising, develop and manage social media profiles and local presence, build mobile websites and apps as well as email marketing and analytic support.

Who is your target customer?

Our ideal customers understand the power of digital communications and are looking for a partner in developing their digital presence.  We have worked with a diversity of clients from large engineering firms and health care communities to local retail outlets and restaurants, to industrial products distributors and home improvement providers and have found solutions that work for each!

How do you maintain a work/life balance? 

I don’t!  I can work 24/7 and since my office is in my home, I often do.  But I can also take time out in the middle of the day to have a cup of coffee,  water the plants or pick up the grandkids.  I love the flexibility of working around my life as opposed to living around my work.

Do you have employees / an assistant / intern program?

My husband and I are partners so we work together.  As far as delegating, my absolute best talent is delegation so I have no problem letting go!  We outsource some work to our remote/virtual partners and contract some work with local professionals.  We are also currently seeking  a part time sales person.

What has been your best method for generating new business? 

Word of mouth, online and offline, continues to be our best method of generating new business.

What is the biggest personal sacrifice you’ve had to make because of your business?

It took a while for our business to generate enough income to support us both and so there are some financial sacrifices that were made.  However, these pale in comparison to the sacrifices in the name of “My Corporate Job”.

What is your favorite thing about being self-employed? 

The flexibility and ability to seek new options when I have a “hunch”.

If you could go back and give yourself one tip from day one of the business, what would it be? 

Believe in myself and invest more up front.

Are you involved with any community outreach / non-profit organizations? If so, tell us about it/them and why you got involved.

I am a member of CABLE, a non-profit organization that connects women and opportunity.  It is a great network of professional women who help to balance my perspective and inspire me to do better.  I am a member of Church of the Advent Episcopal and  I volunteer for Luke 14:12 who serve the homeless.  Most of the homeless are mentally ill and  I feel that this is the least I can do to help those who are unable to help themselves.

Where do you go for inspiration? (Person, website, location, book, etc…)

There are many websites and books that inspire me but my best soul building exercises are being still in nature and my monthly Dining Diva groups.   I am continually inspired by Marty Nord who is so graciously embracing her illness, I am inspired by Allison Christian who moved to Paris and became a Chef de la Patisserie, I am inspired by my daughter who gives her whole self to efforts she believes in, by Leigh Williams whose creativity amazes me, Beth Tanner and Stephanie Bleecher whose words are “like butter”, by you who charged off on your own at such a young age.   People are so incredible, it is easy to be inspired!

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? 

There are too many to count but lately I find I am trying to prioritize.  My next thing to do is to get my bum knees replaced and then maybe I can think about going and doing more.

What gets you excited about the future of your business?

The past.  Look at the changes and progress made in the past eight years.  It is amazing!  We have just scratched the surface of the potential that the connected web provides us.  I am looking forward to moving beyond how to use the tools (ie Facebook, Twitter, Ebay) and into what we are going to DO differently, what behaviors will change, what new business models will evolve and what new opportunities will arise.

What activities make you lose track of time? 

Words with Friends, Pinterest and other shiny new apps – thanks to Krista Dial

(I don’t know what you’re talking about! ~Krista)

What is the one thing you would most like to change about the world?

I am not really interested in changing the world, I would just like to enjoy it more and argue about it less.  I think that every problem we face has a solution in our world and if we listened more, searched further and argued less, we would find it.

What are you working on now that excites you?

I have started a new blog for my alter ego “The Dalai-Nana”.  As a Blooming Baby Boomer I recognize that most of us who were not born into the internet age struggle with the details, the language and the complexity of this new world and are in fact digital immigrants.  My goal as the “Digital Sage for Grandparents”  is to help guide others through the maze of information and technology and create simple solutions to make life as grandparents more connected, inspired, productive and fun!

How can we connect with you?

Well now you have hit on my split personality!  It depends whether you are asking about me personally, my business or my alter ego.  LOL  I have a few profiles!

WSI WebSense can be found via these channels…

Facebook fan page

Twitter

Google Plus

LinkedIn

Pinterest

YouTube

Blog

Website

You can connect with me personally via these channels…

Facebook

Twitter

Linkedin

Google Plus

Pinterest

Discover DALAI-NANA via these channels…

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog

What a FUN interview today, Maryn! I hope you will follow Maryn’s many profiles. Make sure you tell her I sent you!

As I continue to interview these incredibly inspiring entrepreneurs, I’m curious if you’re noticing the same patterns I’m noticing. Their biggest business growth has been fueled by word-of-mouth. They’ve all made small, temporary sacrifices in regards to lifestyle or income, but agree that the rewards have been far worth more than the risk.

It’s clear that the business world is changing, friends. If you have the desire to be self-employed, start considering your options TODAY. Don’t wait until tomorrow…because tomorrow never comes. The world needs your passion, energy and desire to make a difference. Not sure where to start? Let’s have a conversation. Until next week…I hope you have a fabulously inspiring weekend!

The post W.O.W. interview – Maryn Williams – “I love the flexibility of working around my life as opposed to living around my work.” appeared first on Krista Dial.

I encourage you to wait in eager anticipation for what’s next. Anxiety is a stressor. In fact, Seth Godin says that anxiety can be defined as experiencing failure in advance. Why would anyone want to live that way?

When you wake up and work with anticipation each day, you’ll be more optimistic and more excited about what you’re doing. Being anxious, on the other hand, can be the surest way to disaster…because it encourages you to “play it safe”. And as the old saying goes…the rewards go to the risk-takers.

I came across this great image that I thought was fitting for this post…

Worrying is weak faith. You were made for more. Have faith and hope that good things are ahead. You won’t be disappointed. Until next time…

The post Choose anticipation over anxiety appeared first on Krista Dial.

Jessica, tell us how you discovered your passion for what you do.

Blogging has really combined a lot of my passions and strengths. I’ve always enjoyed writing, I wrote poetry and kept a journal from a young age. I have also always been interested in arts- always doodling, sketching, crafting, painting and trying to do other creative things. Blogging combined the best of both worlds for me!

What was the catalyst for starting your blog and the purpose behind it?

I was planning my wedding and wanted to keep a journal or scrapbook of sorts of my wedding planning journey. Little did I know it would turn into a career path! The purpose of Budget Savvy Bride is to inspire brides who want to have a beautiful wedding on a small budget by sharing realistic inspiration, tips, diy projects and advice from other real budget brides.

So you launched The Budget Savvy Bride in May of 2008 and recently launched your design business in October of 2012. Tell us a bit more about that. 

Yes, through Jessica Bishop Paperie I offer wedding invitations, personal stationery, various other paper goods and gift items. To read more about why I’ve started this new business, click here.

Who is your target customer?

Savvy and stylish girls who appreciate quality for a great value.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

It is something that I struggle with but you have to set boundaries. Since I work another job in addition to running my blog, I schedule specific ‘blog time’ to work on it. I also make sure to schedule coffee dates and social time, too. I think the hardest part about finding balance is that I LOVE what I do, so it doesn’t always feel like work!

Do you have employees / an assistant / intern program? If so, how did you adjust to letting go of the work and entrusting someone else with it?

It’s pretty much just me behind the curtain. I have contributing bloggers who write for BSB on a voluntary basis about their own weddings. I decided to go that route because I felt that the thing that draws brides in to the site is hearing from other girls who are going through the same things they are.

What has been your best method for generating new business?

Social media! I wouldn’t be where I am in either of my businesses without creating relationships via social networks.

What is the biggest personal sacrifice you’ve had to make because of your business?

Time, really! There are evenings that I spend on my laptop working late into the night to get things done, but luckily they are few and far between.

What aspect do you most enjoy about your business?

I think the feeling of accomplishment and ownership- knowing that I built it and it is mine. I feel a huge sense of pride for creating something that other people find valuable and helpful.

What is your favorite thing about being self-employed?

Meeting other entrepreneurs and small business owners. I love the community I feel with others who are like me, and the wonderful people I’ve met and gotten to know and support over the years.

If you could go back and give yourself one tip from day one of the business, what would it be?

Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to others. Only measure your success against yourself to see how far you’ve come!

Are you involved with any community outreach / non-profit organizations? If so, tell us about it/them and why you got involved. 

I participate in community outreach through my church, and I also like to support the ASPCA because I am an animal lover!

Where do you go for inspiration? (Person, website, location, book, etc…)

I’m a Pinterest junkie- I love how visual it is. I also love to read other people’s blogs, especially different traditional artists, illustrators, watercolor artists, etc.

What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?

Travel to Europe!

If you could ask one person, alive or dead, only one question, who would you ask and what would you ask?

I’d ask Martha Stewart if I can work for her.

What do you imagine yourself doing 10 years from now?

Running my own business with my hubby, maybe a couple of kids? Who knows! I take it day by day and trust in God’s plans for my life!

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Moved to NYC with no job! Feeling the fear and doing it anyway… stay tuned!

How can we connect with you?

Budget Savvy Bride Fan Page

Jessica Bishop Paperie Fan Page

Budget Savvy Bride on Twitter

Jessica Bishop Paperie on Twitter

Google Plus

Pinterest

Budget Savvy Bride Blog

Jessica Bishop Paperie

Isn’t she inspiring, friends?! Thanks again to Jessica for taking time from packing for her big move to share some of her valuable insight with us. I don’t know about you, but I can empathize with her in a number of areas – being so passionate about my work that it often doesn’t feel like work and remembering that we’re each on our own journeys, so it’s futile to compare our paths to others’.

I hope today’s interview fueled a desire to “take the leap” towards whatever passion you have. Life tends to pile up on us and bury the goals, dreams and desires we once had. Just take a step forward. Every step counts! Until next week…be inspired…an have a delightful weekend!

The post W.O.W. interview – Jessica Bishop – “Don’t get caught up in comparing yourself to others.” appeared first on Krista Dial.

Multi-level marketing is often misunderstood…which is funny to me, because this business model has been around for many, many years. (Even Bill Gates endorses it!) Running any business can be a confusing, emotional or challenging experience at times. But isn’t buying a house? Or having a baby? Yet people still do those things quite often. And in the end, amidst those small challenges, the journey is all worth it.

Truly, MLM is the most genius business model on the planet, in my opinion. Here are just a few reasons why I LOVE multi-level marketing and why you should explore it:

1) The career you can create. Thanks to my MLM business, I now have freedom to choose where I work, when I work and with whom I work. Some days I work from a coffee shop and others I’m in my home office being productive in my PJs. I’ve even worked from the beach before! I can be super flexible with the time I work. Some days I’ll work straight from 8am-5pm. Others I’ll work an hour in the morning, run a handful of errands throughout the middle of the day and then work another hour or two in the evening before shutting everything down for the day and spending time with family or friends. The people I work with are some of the most passionate, driven people I’ve ever met. They have big goals, won’t settle for mediocrity and have big hearts for others.

2) The lives  you can touch. Not only has this network marketing business changed our lives in a number of ways…it’s given us the ability to do the same for others. Unlike Corporate America where only one or two people are promoted…with network marketing, everyone wins. There’s no point in anyone trying to outshine or outdo anyone else, because there’s truly no competition. If anything, you’re in competition with yourself to keep doing better and better each month. It’s such a rewarding business model. There are millions of people struggling in the world. Networkers can help people dream again – giving hope to the hopeless, inspiring others to face and overcome fears. When this business was shared with me three years ago, I never imagined how my life would change for the better and how it would be a catalyst to help others do the same.

3) The causes you can support. The world is full of wonderful organizations and groups who can only operate based on big hearts and generous donations. Perhaps you simply want to give to your family, a friend or give more to your church. Maybe there’s a non-profit that really pulls on your heart strings. Network marketing can be the vehicle to help you do that.

4) The person you become throughout the process. In the end…it’s about the journey as much as the destination. While I was a successful, driven individual three years ago, I’ve become a much more focused, intentional person who leads with a servant attitude. Three years ago I didn’t have an “envisioned future”…I simply had dreams…and I wasn’t doing anything to move towards them. Today I have daily goals, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. It’s incredible to watch yourself move closer and closer to a big accomplishment. This career has truly transformed me in a number of ways that I’m very thankful for.

If you’re remotely skeptical about direct selling, network marketing or multi-level marketing, I encourage you to continue educating yourself. No, this industry isn’t for everyone, however, anyone who is driven, passionate, coachable and willing to learn the system will succeed with this model…and can then enjoy the incredible benefits I shared above. This industry does not discriminate for education, age, background, experience, race, location, etc. I really can’t think of a better gig.

Have a question about network marketing? Want more information on the industry? Not sure where to start? Let’s have a conversation.

Make sure you come by for tomorrow’s W.O.W. interview! Until then…

The post Why I love MLM appeared first on Krista Dial.

The first time we met, I felt like we’d been longtime friends. And I now see why she’s so successful. She comes up with brilliant ideas on the spot and makes everyone around her feel important – both vital qualities for a PR professional. I always learn something new when I’m around her and guarantee you’ll have some great takeaways from our interview below. Enjoy today’s power-packed interview with Kia Jarmon, owner of The MEPR Agency!

Kia, tell us how you discovered your passion for what you do.

I was working in social services in college and my long time mentor, who was also the CEO of the organization, asked me what my future plans were and what I enjoyed. I rattled off several things I did in college; started a promotions and marketing company, pitched to our on campus media, worked in leadership for a few organizations, and loved to speak, write, and generally communicate. She told me “sounds like you are interested in public relations.” I had heard the term but I really didn’t know what ‘those people’ did. I had a series of lunches with three high-level PR pros in Nashville, got a paid internship, and fell in love! 8 years later and it’s been amazing!

What services or products do you offer? Who is your target customer?

We are a boutique public relations and brand strategy firm and we bridge the traditional with digital and social platforms to communicate our clients message. We offer services like media relations, community engagement, social media, internal communications, brand strategy, as well as some areas of marketing like media buying and internet strategy.

We offer services to established small and mid-sized businesses, non-profits, and government agencies.  Our ideal client understands the value of public relations and realizes that it is an ongoing function of their company.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

I believe strongly in balance and it comes with practice and training. I set boundaries with my telephone and texting time, family time, and other miscellaneous distractions. Unless it is an emergency or I am finalizing a project I rarely answer a business call or text after 6 or 7pm. I am also pretty selfish with my nights and weekends. I work a lot so it is important to get as much rest and ME time as possible.

Do you have employees / an assistant / intern program? If so, how did you adjust to letting go of the work and entrusting someone else with it?

The way the company works is that we hire specialists, which are usually entrepreneurs, to create the ideal team for our client. We entrust them with their area of expertise but myself or our PR coordinator will handle the project management. That method ensures we have the most accountable individuals working on the project and we don’t have to micromanage each task.

Also, we have an intern program that has been revamped and allows for college juniors who are entrepreneur, business or marketing majors an opportunity to be a part of the team and learn actual processes that will serve as a case study for them as they enter the workplace.

What has been your best method for generating new business?

For the first five years of business, new opportunities came through referrals and word of mouth. I have now completed a business and sales system that will allow for others to lead some of the business development of the company. I have started with writing out the businesses that I would like to work with and then researching how I can be a good fit for them.

I also believe in creating products so I have several products that allow for more people to experience our assistance outside of being an ongoing client.

Did you encounter criticism from friends or family when you started your business? If so, how did you respond?

I probably receive more criticism now—six years in—then I did when I started. Part of that could be because I still had a full time job up until two years ago (2010). I believe that entrepreneurship is disruptive to what most people think and believe. I have learned that people will criticize anything they do not understand or wish they could do, but feel they can’t. I am honest enough with those people to laugh about their questions like “do you make money” but educate them by sharing that I don’t work for free and my time is valuable.

What aspect do you most enjoy about your business?

I enjoy teaching people how to run a more effective business and also the strategy. Those two areas allow me to see the most growth with clients and allow them to see my interest in their long-term company goals.

What is your favorite thing about being self-employed?

I love a few things but I would say the freedom is one of the most gratifying parts. Not just freedom to run an errand in the middle of the day, but also the freedom to work with those businesses and brands that I can appreciate and want to represent. I am not forced to work with those who do not fall in line with our core values and platforms.

If you could go back and give yourself one tip from day one of the business, what would it be?

Listen to your first mind, your first thought or intuition.  I adopted that about a year into business but I found that learning it early on could really save me from a world of trouble.  You often know when the client is not a good fit or when a relationship won’t work with a business partner but ignore those feelings.

As an early entrepreneur you also second-guess every decision and sometimes even clients can make you feel bad about the decision.  It is our responsibility to guide them and we must feel confident in that.

Are you involved with any community outreach / non-profit organizations? If so, tell us about it/them and why you got involved. 

I am extremely interested in organizations that work towards the equality of people, particularly diverse groups. I am on the Junior Board for the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee, the marketing chair for the TN Economic Summit for Women, and on the board for the TN Latin American Chamber of Commerce.

I also work with each of our clients on their social responsibility commitment to the community.  It is important that our clients impact others along with their financial bottom line.

Where do you go for inspiration? (Person, website, location, book, etc…)

I have an amazing peer/colleague network that I consider a part of my personal board of directors. Speaking with them absolutely allows me to breath a sigh with relief. I also have a couple of accountability partners who keep me in line and inspire.

Also, I meditate, listen, and seek inspiration from my Source.

Lastly, I have a great family who serve as constant inspiration and have always been a large support.

What impact do you want to leave on the world?

I aspire to impact people to change and action.  I hope that my fiery influence will excite others to create movement in their lives and their communities.

What gets you excited about the future of your business?

As a business we have come a long way but I get so excited to see where else we can go. We have so much more to accomplish and many more areas to evolve in.

What has life taught you recently?

Life has taught me that things are not always black and white but can be grey or in color! I am an extremely colorful person, but in business I am pretty matter of fact. I found that allowing myself to color outside the lines could be beneficial in seeing more opportunities for myself and the company.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself teaching on the collegiate level, publishing a couple of books, international traveling, and training more businesses and professionals.

Where else can we find you and your work?

I have a candid blog at www.KiaJarmon.com, I also have a segment called ME Factor Business Segment on 760AM at 8:25am CST and am a co-contributor for the Tennessean.com’s  Biz Talk show on Tuesdays at 3pm EST. I am also the Brand Strategist contributor for SheOwnsIt.com

How can we connect with you?

Facebook

Twitter

Google Plus

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What a great interview! Thank you, Kia, for taking time to answer these questions and share your experience in business with us. I’ve had similar experiences with some of the things you shared – particularly how people criticize what they don’t understand. Over the last few years I’ve learned that one of my major roles is “educator”. I spend a lot of time educating people about my industry and how my business works. It’s fun to watch those “aha” moments occur.

Well, that wraps us up for today. Come back next week, friends. I have some great topics lined up for you and another FABULOUS W.O.W. interview to share. Until then…have a great weekend!

The post W.O.W. interview – Kia Jarmon – “Entrepreneurship is disruptive to what most people think and believe.” appeared first on Krista Dial.

If happiness is on the opposite side of success, your brain never gets there. We think we have to be successful, then we’ll be happy. Not true. In fact, our brains work opposite of that. We need to focus on being positive in the present. When we do that…our brain is not stressed and we have the ability to perform better…thus these “happiness advantages”:

They also found that after 21 days of practicing a few of the following activities, the individual’s overall happiness improved because his/her brain was focusing on the positive versus the negative…thus leading to longer term happiness – encouraging behavior that looks for the positive in life or one’s environment instead of focusing on what is negative or what isn’t ideal.

Just making these small changes in your day-to-day life can create HUGE happiness advantages for you. And I can attest to this personally. In my previous post I shared about my faith and how I’ve started a daily quiet time. This quiet time includes several of these activities – writing what I’m grateful for, journaling and prayer/meditation. Just this simple change has made an incredible difference in my life outlook and how I handle my day.

Do you practice any of these activities? If so, please tell us how it’s impacted you.

If not, then I have a simple step you can take that will have a huge impact on you and the person you share it with. Choose a contact that you haven’t spoken with in quite some time. Send them a brief message simply to say you were thinking about them, you’re grateful for their friendship and you’d love to reconnect in person soon and catch up on life.

Most people are “too busy” to take the time to do anything like that…when in reality, in only takes 2 minutes, tops. Do this a few times a week…and you’ll watch not only your happiness level change…but you’ll be inspiring those around you as well…and that’s what our world needs more of.

The post The science of happiness appeared first on Krista Dial.

Although I do consider this a “business” blog, I also consider this my personal space where I can share personal experiences, thoughts and beliefs. So today’s chat about faith isn’t going to be a surfacy, “you need to have faith in yourself” (which is important), conversation.

Today we’re going to talk about faith on a deeper level and I want to share a snippet of my own personal faith walk with you. I think you’ll see why this is an area I’ll be addressing more and more as we move forward.

If you’ve read my story, you know I’ve been running my network marketing business for just over three years now. My first year in business was a HUGE year of learning and growth. I’d started this business alongside my full-time job, while also planning our wedding…so I had to be VERY strategic with my time. My employer had started down-sizing, so I saw this as a great Plan B and that’s what pushed me to get this going.

My second year in business was the year my husband and I committed to creating an exit strategy from my job so I could solely focus on growing this business. Again, this was another HUGE year of growth and personal development. I was seeing radical changes in my business and knew that with continued effort, I would be able to fully pursue my desire of self-employment. Mid-way through this second year in business, I gave my two weeks notice at my job and fully entered the world of entrepreneurship.

This last September marked the close of my 3rd year in business. As I reflect on this last calendar year…it was, yet again, an enormous year of growth. I’m not who I was this time last year. And when I say that, I mean that I feel I’m a better, improved person. What’s changed? Where I put my faith.

This is where we need to rewind a bit. See, I was raised with an “I can do anything” attitude. My parents are incredible people who raised me in a loving environment and instilled unlimited belief in me. They were always fair, disciplined me accordingly and passed on high values and morals to me. Although I attended church services somewhat regularly as a kid, the whole God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, faith thing always confused me. It wasn’t until I went to a youth summer camp that I started to wrap my mind around faith, forgiveness, etc. It was at this summer camp that I accepted Christ and was baptized the following week.

Now, of course, this was a very exciting time for me, however, I was also still very young and confused. I knew that I’d been “saved”, but I still didn’t fully understand what that meant or what this “daily walk” was supposed to look like. So, for the next several years…on into my teenage years and even into early adulthood…while I’ve always held myself to high standards and “done unto others as I would have them do unto me”…I certainly wasn’t maintaining a daily relationship with God or partaking in any “daily bread” from the Bible. My life was all compartmentalized into separate boxes. I checked off my “God box” for the week on Sunday mornings when I would attend church. Then throughout the week I would check off my “business box” as I would make calls and schedule meetings. Next I would check off my “husband box” when he and I would do dinner and a movie. And so on.

Now, this brings us to Summer of 2012. A few things happened that both personally and professionally utterly confused me. Looking back, I realized this was God saying “Hey Krista. I’m in control here. Why don’t you turn to me for counsel? You seem to turn everywhere else but to me.” Situation after situation, I realized God was slowly and gracefully drawing me to Him. And it was at this point that it hit me…what I have isn’t mine. It’s His. And even this business…I’ve done it on my own for so long…but He can do more in two seconds than I could ever imagine doing in two lifetimes.

I will tell you…since I’ve given it all over to Him, committed to a daily quiet time (which consists of a brief inspirational devotional reading, a few Bible scriptures, reflection, prayer and listening) and simply acted on faith, some miraculous things have happened. Things are occurring that I truly never could have done on my own. In the past I was a closet Christian. I kinda knew what I believed…but not enough to really share it with anyone. Now, I’m not saying I have all the answers…not at all…but now I know who does and I’m not afraid to ask Him…or encourage someone to ask Him.

Whatever your beliefs, your background or upbringing, I truly believe life all boils down to one thing. Love and service. We must love and serve others, just as we love and serve ourselves. That’s why we were created.

And you…you were created with a purpose way larger than anything you can imagine. So whatever your dream or desire is…it’s there for a reason. You need to explore it. Step out in faith and God will meet you there. I have and He has.

In closing, I hope my VERY condensed faith journey thus far has inspired you. In the coming weeks and months, I will be sprinkling in more and more bits of wisdom and inspiration, scripture that has encouraged me and will be sharing more about this great guy named Jesus that I’m finally building a relationship with. He’s been chasing me for awhile.

Make sure you come back on Friday for this week’s W.O.W. interview series. I’ll be introducing Kia Jarmon, owner of The MEPR Agency. You’ll be inspired! Until next time…have a wonderful day!

The post A journey of faith… appeared first on Krista Dial.

Fast forward to last Summer. I decided I would attempt this Zumba thing again. I walked into the class and there was Angel…a delightful gal whom I discovered was very welcoming and attentive to “newbies” like myself. After attending Angel’s Zumba class multiple times, I finally decided to introduce myself and found she was very easy to speak with. Given that I am in the business of engaging with people, I proposed a coffee chat. It was during our enjoyable coffee conversation that I really got to hear Angel’s story, understand her heart for serving others and hear how Zumba and her other fitness classes through The Fitness Angel are positively impacting lives.

I’m honored to have the pleasure of introducing Angel Faulk.

Angel, tell us how you discovered your passion for what you do.

I took dance lessons of all sorts as a child, was a cheerleader in my teens, and loved to do aerobics in college. I continued to work out while teaching elementary school children, even if it meant running on a treadmill (which I found boring unless I was able to watch a great movie.) After having my first child and becoming a stay at home mom, I wanted to go to classes at a gym, but it wasn’t in the budget-so I got a job at the front desk, greeting people and folding towels. The aerobics coordinator knew me from class (I took classes every day!) and asked why I was folding towels when I should be teaching. Those words sparked something inside of me and I got certified to teach Group Fitness classes in the next month! That was 15 years ago! I’ve taught all kinds of classes since then. Earned many new certifications. Zumba is currently my favorite class to teach because it teaches me how to use music and cultural dances from all over the world and I get to add my favorite praise songs to give God glory through dance. I started my own business as The Fitness Angel after surviving a brain tumor. I realized how short life is and how we need to go after our dreams!

What services or products do you offer?

Zumba and Zumba Toning classes, Personal Training (ladies only), Boot Camps, Praise Parties for church or Bible study groups, kid or teen fitness classes, birthday dance parties. I also speak about faith, fitness, inspiring others to stay FIT to PRAISE. I have recently added FIT to PRAISE t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, and fitness towels.

When did you launch your business and who is your target client?

I launched The Fitness Angel in January of 2012. My desire is to reach people of all ages, sizes, shapes who desire to be fit. According to my website, the majority of my followers are women ages 30-55.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

I’m still working on this one! My husband and children are my first ministry. I try to spend my first moments of the day praying and reading the scriptures for wisdom for what God desires for me. I pray for my family first, then the precious ladies that God has blessed me to serve. My business is also my ministry. I try to do the paperwork while the children are in school. My husband keeps all the records in the computer for me and he encourages me when I feel like I’m not succeeding. I also include my family by sharing my music and new routines with them. We dance in the kitchen a lot! We all get excited when a new shipment of t-shirts arrive and sometimes they help me take things to the post office, make deposits at the bank, or pray for a lady in class who is having a hard time in life. They know Mamma is trying to share the love of God and the gift of health with others. I also spend time doing what they love- going to movies, going shopping, reading books together, playing basketball. And my husband lets me know when he wants to watch something on TV, even if it’s Amish Mafia! We have 2 dogs which keep us laughing and cuddling.

Do you have employees / an assistant / intern program? If so, how did you adjust to letting go of the work and entrusting someone else with it?

I have childcare and have to make sure my childcare is there. And I have mentored several new instructors. One in particular that I saw grow and become very talented also became my friend. I let her sub for me when I was out of town. It takes time to develop trust, but we can never do everything alone.

What has been your best method for generating new business?

Referrals from my clients! I haven’t spent any money on advertising. I Facebook, tweet, and send emails to my ladies from class, but the best way to get new clients is from my friends inviting their friends. Periodically I will have specials for my clients to bring a friend for FREE.

Did you encounter criticism from friends or family when you started your business? If so, how did you respond?

I did get some comments like, “it will be so hard, so time consuming, you won’t make any money, etc.” I just listened and said that they may be right, but I had to try having my own business. I knew I could always go back to working at a gym. I have always had great relationships with management from the different gyms where I have worked. But I knew there were people who didn’t want to go to a gym. They like the idea of fitness being fused with faith. They like having one instructor to know them by name, pray for them, encourage them in family life, nutrition, fitness, overall health in every area of life.

What aspect do you most enjoy about your business?

I love hearing women say that I’ve changed their lives. Most have lost weight and feel so much better, many say that coming to my class is the highlight of their day, some have received prayer and support while going through cancer treatments, some have had breakthroughs in their marriages, some needed a community of friends when just moving to Franklin, many wanted to have a fun fitness class that didn’t leave them feeling convicted over the music choices.

What is your favorite thing about being self-employed?

I can spend as much time with my clients as needed – no rush in/rush out. I can be creative with methods of inspiring and encouraging. I can pick the music and the workout I feel led to use. I can be as creative as I want!

If you could go back and give yourself one tip from day one of the business, what would it be?

Believe in yourself and be good to yourself. Your clients want you to get a break sometimes!

Are you involved with any community outreach / non-profit organizations? If so, tell us about it/them and why you got involved.

I love having ZUMBATHONS- 2-3 hour special classes bringing in different guest instructors while raising money for a good cause – I’ve helped anyone who has asked! Pediatric cancer when my friend’s daughter got cancer, Our Thrift Store (gives jobs to those with disabilites in community) because the owner goes to my church and needed bags of merchandise to sell, a baby shower when a friend from church was called to help a teenager expecting a baby, a Zumba friend was going through a divorce and needed help with her family struggling at Christmas, breast cancer when a friend’s neighbor had outrageous bills from the treatments, and my favorite- Brain Tumor Research. My surgeon who performed my 14 hour brain surgery came and cried when he watched me on stage leading hundreds of people in Zumba. He even bought a belly dance jingle skirt from me.

Where do you go for inspiration? (Person, website, location, book, etc…)

My Bible, my church, Beth Moore Bible studies, God Calling (my mom’s devotional), Jesus Calling. I also follow Chalene Johnson, founder of Turbo Kick and several other fitness experts on Facebook.

If you could ask any person, alive or dead, one question, who would you ask and what would you ask?

I would ask my Mamma about Heaven.

What has life taught you recently?

We never know it all and we must be open to what God is teaching us, even as we are teaching and serving others. We can learn something new from each person in our life.

How do you define success?

Doing what you KNOW God has called you to do and experiencing peace from walking in God’s will.

How can we connect with you?

Facebook fan page

Twitter profile

Google Plus profile

Pinterest

YouTube channel

Website

To get involved in Angel’s ministry? Contact her at angelfaulk2@gmail.com or call 615-419-5026.

What an inspiration. Such an incredible picture of how, through faith, hope has been restored for Angel and how, through her business, she is restoring hope for others too. As I’m going through these interviews, I’m seeing incredible patterns. Taking the leap of faith. Believing you can do it. Ignoring the naysayers. Seeing success build upon success through word-of-mouth-referrals. We truly live in a unique era to leverage such powerful media and technology, not only for business purposes, but for engaging with and inspiring others around the globe. We are blessed.

Thanks again, Angel, for taking time to share your story with us. I wish you all a wonderful Friday and hope you have fun weekend plans! See you next week!

The post W.O.W. interview – Angel Faulk – “We need to go after our dreams!” appeared first on Krista Dial.