I’m Not Done Yet

It’s so good to be back here in my place on this blog. I have been away busy with various tasks, projects as well as everyday ups and downs. But thank God that He is faithful and when we get “busy”, He gives us a gentle nudge, reminding us of the things we ought to do. We now have a group on Facebook known as Christian Business Women where we encourage women to share tools and advice that may be beneficial to others, please join me and the other ladies here. 

I am really happy to be back here where I can share my thoughts and ideas and connect with my readers in a different way. Welcome to a new chapter at the Christian Business Woman blog, I’m not done yet...

I Prayed for You Today

I said a prayer for my blog readers today.

That God will surround you with favour and give you divine wisdom. I prayed that your needs will be met and you will thrive inspite of any challenges you may be faced with. I asked God to bless and keep you and your loved ones in good health. I requested that He keep the vision He has planted in you alive and give you the right people, strategy and tools to work with. I pray that this week will be a week of testimonies in your life.

In Jesus name.

Amen

What Is In A Name

Selecting the right business name is crucial to getting positive attention and remaining memorable. While big businesses have the resources to ensure the success of their name, small businesses running on much smaller budgets need to be more careful in the selection of a name since a poor choice can greatly reduce your chances of getting a referral if people simply cannot remember what your business is called.

There are several businesses similar to yours so you need to find a name that will stick in the minds of your contacts as well as convey your intended image. It is also important to keep your name before potential and current clients so that you are not easily forgotten.

In order to re-enforce your name and ensure that you are on top of the name game here are some tips.

• Don’t pick a misleading name. For example calling your virtual assistance business “Office Architects” will greatly confuse prospective clients about what you do if they were reading your listing in the yellow pages.
• It should distinguish you from the competition.
• Ensure that it is easy to pronounce and remember.
• Easy to spell. Having a name with an unusual or complicated spelling while being unique, has the drawback of not being found in business listing. A graphic design business called "Imajeenation" may not be easily found by in a business listing.
• Consider using your own name. If you have an uncommon name and you are well known and respected, this option works well. Because of your reputation, your business gets instant recognition, as such, is easily remembered.

Spotlight: Jennifer Nordin

Jennifer Nordin is a massage and aromatherapy practitioner and the owner of At Peace, a Christian wellness studio for women in Hudson, Wisconsin. With close to a decade in the healing arts, she mentors and educates people on the benefits of pure therapeutic essential oils through her blog Oils for Wellness. Aromatic medicine is her passion, compelling her to invest hundreds of hours training with Young Living Essential Oils and The Center for Aromatherapy Research and Education. She is currently working toward her Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner certification through the R.J Buckle Associates program for health care professionals.

CBW: What made you decide to go into business?
JN: I had a strong desire to be a blessing to the lives of others in a personal way through my profession. Herbs and natural remedies have been a part of my life since a young age, so when I discovered aromatherapy, it captured my interest and continues to fascinate me. Massage and aromatherapy appealed to me because it wasn't just a business, but also could be an active expression of my faith as a Christ-follower by ministering with hands on care and compassion.

CBW: How long have you been in business?
JN: I started very part time in 2000, mostly giving friends and family massage therapy and sharing the benefits of essential oils here and there whenever I had the opportunity. My family owned and operated a housecleaning service at that time, so I was committed to a full schedule and didn't have much time to pursue my endeavors in the healing arts. In 2003, I rented my first studio space and began to build clientele. I took a few years off to get married and then take an extended maternity leave. My blog was born in July of 2008 and propelled me back into another passion, writing! It has been very fulfilling to combine all of the things I greatly enjoy-educating, essential oils, writing, and business networking!

CBW: Do you have any lessons to share from your start-up days?
JN: Be charitable in business, but don't run your business like a charity. I had to learn to value my time and expertise and not be too quick to give products or services away for free if I thought I may get a "no" from a client or customer.

CBW: What key services or products do you offer to your clients?
JN: Private aromatherapy consultation, educational ezine, workshops, aromatherapy business building/product training, home spa parties, and on site seated massage for workplace and events. In my wellness studio, I also offer integrative massage services which combines Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Acupressure techniques. My specialty is the Raindrop Technique which incorporates 8 essential oils, hot towels, and heated stones into a deeply therapeutic 60 or 90 minute session. Each essential oil performs a specific therapeutic action in the body, such as supporting the immune system, enhancing circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting bone, ligament, and muscle health.

CBW: Completing your Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner certification will undoubtedly enhance the services you provide, can we expect new dimensions to your business anytime soon?
JN: Having a clinical certification (CCAP) would definitely would give me credentials to teach community health classes at area hospitals. I also would like to take the exam to be a Registered Aromatherapist (RA). Both of these certifications may enable me to teach at community colleges and healthcare facilities. My long term vision is to provide aromatherapy consulting for healthcare professionals in an effort to educate them on integrating essential oils with the care at their facilities. I am trusting God to provide the money needed to complete these certification programs, as it does not seem financially possible according to our budget at this time. This is my current lesson in faith. Believe me, I am very excited and eager to see those letters appear after my name!

CBW: From where or whom do you get support and encouragement?
JN: Prayer and God's Word are the most powerful support and encouragement resources in my life. I am blessed with a supportive husband and a few authentic friends who cheer me on.

CBW: Do you have a favourite scripture or one that you find particularly uplifting?
JN: 2 Corinthians 2:14 "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." As an aromatherapy practitioner, this verse has special meaning for me. It helps me keep the question in my mind--am I spreading the aroma of Christ by how I am living, serving, speaking today? It also gives me encouragement that we will always triumph and overcome when we are IN CHRIST.

CBW: How do you stay focused?
JN: By trusting in the purpose, plan, and timing God has for me and my business. I focus on running the race well with His strength (instead of my own). This enables me to avoid getting bogged down by my own shortcomings and stumbling.

CBW: How do you balance running your business with being a wife and mum?
JN: I am learning to prioritize what needs to be done each day so I am not consumed by my To Do list! I work three evenings a week at my studio, then on the computer during nap time and often at night after my son goes to bed. Weekends are usually designated for just family, friends, and church time unless I have an occasional class or event on a Saturday. My husband cares for our son when I am at the studio so I am blessed to be able to enjoy my little guy all day and work a few hours at night knowing that he is having fun with daddy.

CBW: What do you find most challenging about being a business owner?
JN: Having patience when things don't seem to be progressing like I hope they would!

CBW: What 3 nuggets of wisdom would you offer to someone just starting out?
JN: Be passionate about your purpose and love what you are doing. Trust God and surrender your plans to His guidance. In all of your efforts, strive for the words "Well done, good and faithful servant" above all promotions, accolades, achievements, and monetary gain.

Please visit Jen’s website to learn more about her services. Her blog is highly recommended as it is filled with lots of (no cost) information and inspiration.

Calling All Christian Business Women

Are you a Christian woman? Do you run or aspire to run your own business? Calling all Christian ladies (single, married, young or old). I would love to hear from you, learn about your experiences or read your comments? What would you like to see hear?

Don't forget to take advantage of the no cost listing on my directory page.

Link to me by copying and pasting the code at the bottom of this page.

Spotlight: Sandra Hersey

Sandra Hersey is a Christian Life Coach for Women, Author, Motivational Speaker, and the Founder of G.I.R.L.S (Girls Inspiring Real Life Success). Sandra believes that everyone has a purpose in life and should pursue it with passion. As a life coach and minister Sandra’s primary focus is helping women discover their gifts, strengths and inner power, and to lead more successful lives.

CBW: Why did you decide to start your business?
SH: I really was already "coaching" women even before I started my Life Coaching for Women business. I had already been mentoring women, and as a minister I knew that I could help women in all areas of their lives. So my Life Coaching for Women began.

CBW: How would you describe your ideal client?
SH: My ideal client is any woman who wants change in her life, whether it be change in her body, change in her relationships, change in their careers, or change in their spiritual lives.

CBW: What advice would you give someone going through change (business, family, relationship etc)?
SH: No one likes change; change is hard. However, change can be very rewarding if we learn to see the good in what is happening. Everything that is bad can have some good in it. There are life lessons in everything. Change no matter how difficult is good!

CBW: How important is getting the right support when going through change or entering a different phase?
SH: Support is essential! Whether that support is a loved one, or a professional. As we go through changes in our lives, we need a support system in place to keep us on track and to spur us on through the "scary stuff."

CBW: Do you have any tips on how one can discover their life's purpose?
SH: Discovering one's life purpose is one thing that both as a minister and a life coach I can help with. I believe we all have a purpose in life. We just need help in being steered in the right direction to find what our purpose is. For me helping women is my passion and therefore, my purpose.

CBW: What do you consider a challenge to being your own boss?
SH: I have been my own boss for over 25 years. I have owned several businesses both with my husband and by myself. Challenges come every day. It is important to look at those challenges from every angle to get a grasp of what is really happening; then take action. Discipline is very important when being your own boss, especially if you are working from a home office as I do.

CBW: What words of wisdom would you offer someone just starting out in business?
SH: Perseverance! Learn it and live by it. Hard work brings about rewards. When things don't happen like you expect, persevere.

Please visit Sandra’s website and blog to learn more about her.

Spotlight: Amber Vlangas

For my first feature interview, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amber Vlangas Owner/Principal Consultant of A.Vlangas Consulting, a management and development consulting firm for non-profit organizations. Amber is a Christian mom of three beautiful children; 11 year old Timothy, 8 year old Deborah, and 3 year old Lilliana. She has been married to a wonderful Navy Musician, Christopher for 12 years.

CBW: When and why did you start your business?
AV: I started my business earlier this year, after spending years working in the areas of management, marketing and development for nonprofit organizations. I had been taking freelance consulting jobs on the side for some time, but finally felt led to break out on my own.

CBW: What obstacle(s) did you face in getting started? How did you overcome it/them?
AV: I think the biggest obstacle that I faced starting out was transitioning from a stable paycheck to contract work. Having a background in marketing and management made startup easier, but it is always scary making a big change. I overcame this obstacle through faith. God always came through, giving me the wisdom and strength that I needed to move things forward.

CBW: We sometimes loose sight of God's ability to give us all that we need to bless us. Do you have specific habits that help you stay focused?
AV: The truth is that having faith is hard-especially when we do not understand God's time table or methods. We need to try to differentiate wants from needs. There were times for me that were harder than others, financially and otherwise. I found myself giving concerns to God and then taking them back, trying to do it on my own. Keeping a prayer journal has become invaluable to me. It is a place that I can write down not only my concerns but also the things that I am thankful for. It is fun to look back in the journal and realize how good God has been. It truly helps me understand that he will not forsake me. The history, coupled the reading of scripture, refreshes my spirit and helps me stay focused moving forward.

CBW: What is your favourite scripture?
AV: That is a very hard question, as there are so many that I hold dear! Galations 5:1 is definitely one of my favorites. It reads: "Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery." In modern days slavery can be so many things...sin, anger, disbelief, fear, or doubt. How great it is to know that when we trust in Him, he releases us from the "slavery" of all those things!

CBW: What is your favourite business tool/resource?
AV: By far I would have to name the web as my favorite tool/resource. It is a great place to get a business out there, learn new things, and connect with people that share the same interests as yourself. Social Networking (myspace, facebook, linkedin, twitter, blogging forums, etc) really takes traditional "word of mouth" advertising to a whole new level.

CBW: How do you balance running your business with managing your family?
AV: Every woman constantly struggles with this question- it is difficult to juggle it all. In this age of technology, clients can reach you at all hours of the day and demand more work in shorter periods of time. For me it has been important to set boundaries and schedules, even if it means saying no to a client or sending them to voicemail. I have had to train myself to live for God and family first, then let everything else fall into place. I have even had clients comment on how much they respect me for that! In my experience, the key has been to be responsive and clear with my clients, setting boundaries in the beginning of the relationship.

CBC: What words of wisdom would you offer an aspiring business woman?
AV: The best advice I can give to any business woman is to set up a time with God on a daily basis and keep it like it was a business meeting! The busier you get, the more you will need this (though we all will have our moments of weakness). Prayerfully ask Him to reveal what the focus of the day should be. Then be still and listen! Don't make business decisions without consulting Him. He so much more equipped to handle everything than we are.

To learn more about Amber please visit her website and blog. Please let me know if you have been blessed by this interview, I certainly have.