Diet and Exercise for the Small Business Owner

Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you? It's true, even us small business types need to watch what we eat and exercise when we can, probably more so. There's nothing like sitting stagnant in front of the computer all day to find when you finally do take a break your joints ache and you have no semblance of nutrition in your belly, much less your cupboard.

Well, here's my cure for the common problem we face: practical meals and snacks and at least an hour of exercise each day.

I started a new diet and exercise plan yesterday and the reason I didn't jump in with both feet and blog about it yesterday was because I didn't want to let you, or myself, down. I'm one of those people who's notorious for starting something, not seeing results fast enough, then giving up before I've even given it a chance. Like all independent business owners I think that's the "fear" thing AGAIN. Diet and exercise is no different. But, this time feels different.

I promised as a consumer entrepreneur that I would experiment on myself before I share anything with you and here I am again trying it before you buy it. I purchased the Nutrilite (R) Better Balancer Plan through my iCommerce portal last week. It was delivered on Friday so I set the plan to start on Monday.

Once again, as with everything I have tried so far, I'm not at all disappointed. I have supplements to help boost my metabolism and balance my glucose and give me more fiber. There is a journal where I track my progress that contains weekly shopping lists, menus, and a place for me to keep track of how I feel. Then, there are meal and snack bars and meal replacement shakes. Combine that with huge plates of food and you meet with success.

So, I figured 1,500 calories a day would be perfect. These 1,500 calories have delivered (I'm not kidding) dinner plates full of food - soup, crackers, an apple, and two cups of fresh vegetables for lunch alone today. The meal and snack bars and shakes taste good. How rare is that? And though I know these first couple of days are tough because I'm used to 2,500 to 3,000 calories per day, I also feel like this will be much easier than any other plan I have tried.

Now, in addition to the dietary changes I am continuing to walk one mile and more each day and, for the moment, I'm adding to that a 5 minute warm-up and 10 minute workout. Ten minutes not enough for you? I end up sweating my rear off after one ten minute workout, but will add two from the 4-3-2-1 Workout DVD soon.

Ultimately the point is this: I feel like a success and it's only day two. As an IBO, maybe my positive attitude will lead to more sales and business growth.

I encourage you to get out from behind the computer to eat healthy foods and snacks, exercise, and feel like a success too.

Your Real Life Entrepreneur,
Lindy Chaffin Start

Shameless marketing for Tuesday, September 12, 2011: Become a Real Life Entrepreneur! Come to my first Business Preview this Thursday, September 15th to find out how. E-mail me. Visit my iCommerce site. Have a great day!

In Sneaks Fear...

Today is the day the invitation went out. OMGoodness! I've never been so nervous in my entire life. I've started this business, I am happy doing this business, and I know it will help make my dreams come true - BUT - in sneaks fear. Can you believe it? I can't! I'm mad! I didn't choose fear.

Sitting here at my desk I wanted to procrastinate but I knew in my soul if I did then the invitation wouldn't go out and my dream of hosting gatherings to bring my friends together to promote my new business and their businesses would go out the window. The very first one would end up cancelled and I would have let myself down - AGAIN.

So, I opened up my list of contacts. Mind you this list has everyone from agents, editors and fellow writers to Red's school friends, our family, and people I've known since I was little. Who will I invite? I’m going to be so embarrassed! No one will come to this. See, there's this thing known as negative self talk. Can you hear yourself asking these same questions about something you always wanted to do?

Earlier this year, God handed me this thought to bring my friends together to network, talk about our dreams, and share with one another our small businesses. At the time I was focused on my graphic design business and though I wanted to promote myself, I just wasn't confident enough. So, my idea of bringing my friends together to promote and support each other went out the window.

Then, God handed me another opportunity. This opportunity. And with it, my interest in bringing my friends together to promote and support one another was affirmed.

I didn't let negative self talk stop me from sending out invitations this morning. I sent them to 30; yes I said 30, of my closest friends. I wouldn't have known I had so many friends if it weren't for this invitation. I'm so excited and can't wait to bring everyone together to meet my new friends Don and Bobbie Boyken. To hear them tell their story you'd think every opportunity is that of Divine Intervention.

My first Business Preview is on September 15th at 7:00 PM here at my house. If you'd like to come, meetsome great folks, eat good food,and laugh - a lot, say the word and I'll get you on the list.

Shameless marketing for Tuesday, September 6, 2011: Become a Real Life Entrepreneur! Come to the Business Preview to find out how. E-mail me. Visit my iCommerce site. Have a great day!

Consumer Entrepreneurship. Huh?

This isn't the first time in my blogging career that I penned a clever idea like "consumer entrepreneurship" and, thinking it was my own Googled it to find, in fact, it was not. Ha! But alas, I don't want to trudge down blog history road. Instead, I want to share with you what it means to me to be a consumer entrepreneur.

I can offer a whole host of products through my new iCommerce portal. Anything you can imagine from health and nutrition products, to cosmetics, to earth-friendly cleaning products, to food and anything, I mean ANYTHING in between. Before I chose to launch this business I had to decide if I was going to be one of those people who represented products on the "sympathy pitch" meaning I tell you a sob story to play on your emotions to sway your buying decision - OR - if I was going to be that person who tested and experienced the effects of the products I offer and share my honest opinion with you - the customer. Well, being a director of customer service in a former incarnation I found that honesty is the best policy.

So, here I am my own consumer-entrepreneur. So far I have purchased and tested a good number (certainly not all) of the products I offer to quality test them myself. I'm happy to report: I haven't been disappointed. In fact, I've discovered some really cool offerings that I had no idea existed and feel certain my holiday shopping is almost complete. Did you just hear a choir of angels sing? I sure did! Joy!

So, that's what I mean about being a consumer entrepreneur. I'm not going to put something in front of you that I'm not willing to try myself. That's critical to me and to my success and I'm proud to do it.

Moving forward, as the blog settles into a routine, I imagine you'll begin to see helpful tips and ideas for using products, especially food, and handy recipes too. After all, I got into this to do the things I love like cooking and writing, right?

One of the products I represent is Molinaro's Deep Dish Pizza Starter Kit. I have an almost four year old at home and she loves, loves, loves to help me cook so I'm always looking for smart ways to teach her fun, healthy habits. We started simple because we were eager to test the product, but just wait until I get back to the farmer's market:

Its-So-Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza

One Molinaro's Deep Dish Pizza Starter Kit
1 pkg of your favorite pepperoni
1 pkg of your favorite cheese (we prefer six cheese Italian)
and willing hands to pile on toppings



Our first homemade Pepperoni Pizza


No joke, this was fifteen minutes from package to table and it was yummy! So what we dripped a little sauce off the edge of the pizza, it was fun, fast, delicious and something we could do together. Next time, with some of my farmer's market favorites, I can offer even more great pizza ideas.

I'm having a new business Open House on September 15th at 7:00 PM. Come and meet some amazing women, network and eat good food including pizza made using Molinaro's Deep Dish Pizza Starter Kit. It promises to be a great time!

Shameless marketing for Wednesday, August 30, 2011: Become your own boss! Come to the Open House to find out how. E-mail me. Visit my iCommerce site. Buy some Molinaro's! Have a great day!

Be Your Own (Fill In The Blank)!

I'll bet you filled in that blank with "boss!" I sure did. We've heard it for years, "It's so simple to become your own boss." Well heck, it sure is! Quit your job and start your own venture! It's that easy. So, why don't we?

Fear!

Did I hear screams out in cyberspace? Yes folks, fear is what keeps us from achieving anything, ANYTHING in life. Am I kidding? No. Think about it...

WOMAN WATCHING THE OCEAN

© Eric Limon | Dreamstime.com

We have BIG FEARS, but that doesn't stop us from having BIG DREAMS! So take ten minutes out of your life today and write down your dreams - short term, intermediate, and long term. Here are mine:

Short Term (6mos to 1 yr):

• Secure and income of $30,000 annually
• Paint Red's room for her birthday
• Plant a tree and re-do the flower bed at the front of the house
• Zero debt
• New roof with a ridge vent and new insulation in the attic.

Intermediate (1 to 2 yrs):

• Secure and income of $60,000 annually
• Afford to keep Red in Montessori school
• Invisalign braces for me
• Travel to Ireland with Red

Long Term (2 to 3 yrs):

• Secure income of $100,000 annually
• Renovate our house and add 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, an office, and enlarge and update the kitchen
• Take Red, Mom, and Dad to Alaska on vacation
• Invest in a property at the beach
• Invest for our future, retirement, college, etc.

Does this seem like an unbelievable list? For someone without a job and a mortgage to pay, sure. But, that's why I became an entrepreneur. Won't you join me?

I'm having a new business Open House on September 15th at 7:00 PM. Come and meet some amazing women, network and eat good food. It promises to be a great time!

Shameless marketing for Wednesday, August 29, 2011: Become your own boss! Come to the Open House to find out how. E-mail me. Visit my iCommerce site. Have a great day!

Why an Entrepreneur?

Another good question for me to answer about myself today. Why did I choose to be an entrepreneur? Well, because I like the rush of experimenting with my life. I love trying new things! I love diversifying my career. I have chosen to do the things that I love most and make them work for a business that is mine! Can you hear the Rocky theme in your head? I can!

I'm excited! I'm going to write and cook and share the things I learn with you so that not only will you get the entertainment value of seeing someone screw up from time to time (not a chance) but you'll get the benefit of hanging out with greatness.

That's me...greatness!

This is me celebrating greatness with my dear friend Linda at Cafe Istanbul here in Decatur. I see myself celebrating the trials as well as the triumphs because that is how I will learn and grow in business. 

So, back to the original question: Why did I choose to be an entrepreneur? Because I want to be the one who picks up and drops off my little girl at school. Because I want to set a positive example for my friends so they will join in my quest for success. Because I want to build new, joyful friendships. Because I want an excuse to entertain, to cook, to write, to invite more joy into my life. Because I want the house at the beach, to never worry about Red's future, to leave her something BIG. Why not let it be about doing good business too? 

So, there you have it. That's why I chose to become an entrepreneur. I'm not afraid to say that anymore. I'm not scared of "no." I am excited about "yes!"

What might keep you from being your own boss? Come on, shoot out an answer or two and I'll invite you to the inaugural dinner.

Your Real Life Entrepreneur,
Lindy Chaffin Start

Shameless marketing for Wednesday:
Check out the website: http://www.amway.com/reallifeentrepreneur?lng=EN&lng=EN
You won't believe what's in store.

Real Life Entrepreneurship

You're probably wondering what the heck Real Life Entrepreneurship is, right? Is it a concept? Is it a blog? Is it an opportunity? The answer to all three of those questions is...YES!

Today is Tuesday, August 23, 2011. I have many things to be grateful for. Do you? I have money to pay a few bills, food in the pantry, and a roof standing strong over my head and my daughter's. This is us:

No resemblance, right?

Here's the thing, I have these dreams, and values, and goals that I want to achieve and guess who is my prime motivator? Little Red here. For her I want to be a positive example of a mother, a friend, a leader (in that order). I want to empower and inspire the people in my life and those who I reach, to be their best selves. I want to experience ultimate joy, selflessness, wealth, success and security for both myself and my daughter through my actions (after all that is all I can control). I want to enjoy the benefit of spiritual peace and abundance.

As Red went off to school a couple of weeks ago and I began to find more time to look for employment (long story short, I need to work to keep me and Red in this house), I started being handed opportunities. It's funny, because if I hadn't been looking they would have found someone else to give life to them. So, this blog is the story of these opportunities come to life.

Besides being Red's mommy and wanting to be that person I outlined above I am a writer who aspires to be published, a graphic designer who loves being on a creative team, a cook who loves food, I treasure music and love to sing, I appreciate art and enjoy painting, and I am a woman who wants to succeed and help other women entrepreneurs enjoy success.

And, there begins my story. What will happen tomorrow? Stop by and see. You might get turned on to a good idea, introduced to a recipe or a new friend, or even get invited to dinner. Until then, I wish for you the most amazing life. Have an inspired day!