Promoting me while serving you

I've never sold an Execumama-related promotional item in my not-so-long-legged life! Why? Because I'm scared, duh!

• I'm scared about coming off like a pushy salesperson.
• I'm scared about investing money in a set of items that won't sell.
• I'm scared that I won't be able to afford the fanciness I really want, and will instead have to settle for lameness, which is NOT an option.

But, as Creator would have it, I've worked through those fears (#ForTheMostPart), and come June 11th, when I'll be in my second round of introducing amazing resources to amazing women at With Mom in Mind, I will be offering some branded materials that celebrate our everyday amazing selves!!

I'm considering some supa-dupa-fly promotional mugs, branded out by my hubby. Would you buy those? Or, I was eyeing these GoPromos Notepads to carry around in my bag when I'm out and about being all networky and stuff :)  Of course, promotional pens are always a safe bet, but I'm not sure those convey the message I want to give.

Anyhoo, I just know that I'm over the fear of saleswoman label, and that I CAN convey an authentic message that speaks to women like me who want to remember to celebrate their everyday amazing selves. So, I'm gonna, and I'm starting this June!  *Drops mic and storms out, Chris Rock style*

This post is brought to you by GoPromos.com

Choosing a Family Environment of Life By Design

She had me at immigrant parents.
Then she grabbed me again when she talked about working multiple jobs in college and being a certified workaholic, and knowing that I didn't want that same workaholic philosophy to be transferred to my children.

My friend Christine Martinello is a best-selling author, international speaker, and most importantly, a great mother/woman.  She and I talked over lunch last week about how to honor our unique Life Design, and to consistently convey that message to our children.  I feel Kris and I are doing alright by our daughters, and that is far more rewarding than any other priority or purpose in my life.  Christine shares that sentiment.

I invite you to read Christine's brief article over at Duluth Patch and consider your current parenting style.  My parents are immigrants, and so am I. I know how much/hard they worked, and I know they're not living their dreams. I want more for them; I want more for me; I want more for my Warrior Princesses.  Christine's article is another affirmation that with conscious living/parenting, it can be done.

What kind of family environment are you creating? We have chosen a more balanced lifestyle. My husband and I have spent many years discussing our definition of success. Here it is: We raise healthy, loving, well-rounded people who are living their God-given plan.

This article begs us to ask more questions: What is your parenting leadership style? Are you strict, overly controlling and forceful or lenient and a push over? Or are you in the middle and change based on the situation?

Our parenting style is ... READ THE REST OF CHRISTINE'S ARTICLE HERE

Event-Planning With Personality

 Okay, Execumamas--what's on your event agenda for the next few months? 

I'm so proud of my blogpreneur homies, because I'm seeing interesting events popping up all over the place, and they're being produced, hosted, and promoted by US!! #Score!

@AndreaAmir and friends are bringing us The Mini Bloggers Retreat

@TarynP is bringing us the Business Bootcamp for Wonder Women

 Don't you just LOVE it! We have our experiences, we learn and connect, then instead of hoarding the information or being too afraid to step out, we plan and execute events that enhance the lives of others! Now THAT is Life Design at its core!

But what if Eventbrite and Plancast are too broad and informal for the type of events you want to host? What if your event needs to convey elegance and a hint of formality that can only be complimented by a good ole'-fashioned in-the-mail invitation? Remember those?! Of course you do!

Well, here's one place to consider perusing when you're in the market for invitations for your party, wedding, or other uniquely personal event.

Wedding-Needs.com.  Don't let the name fool you, they offer more than wedding invites, and some of their offerings are beautifully unique. Check em out!

My Top Three Favorite Items:

1.  The Do-It-Yourself Accessories: Because a) it's a great budget-keeper and b) my idea might be hotter than theirs (lol) so I get to show my creative coolness with them supplying the materials.
2. The "Parties" Invites: Look at this Mocha Moment party invite.  I love it!! 
3. The Modern-style Wedding Invites: Since not everyone likes frilly, fluffy, Elizabethan era stuff (lol!), I appreciate that they've gotten hip with the invites, ya know?!

 Had to include this cutie-patootie welcome baby invite, but I hope to NEVER need to send it, because I'm DONE!

Okay, so let me know what you've got going on as far as events.  I'll be happy to tweet and Facebook my heart out about quality, worthwhile events. 

This post is brought to you by Wedding-Needs.com

Managing My Purpose|Nurturing My Missions

 Marley & Sage at Hope Gardens. Kingston, JA, November, 2010

I held my oldest daughter and cried happily as she knowingly released me from my worst fear...

"Mommy, you don't have to try, you're a natural at it. I think you and daddy have been doing a much better job at managing your time with your work and with being me and Sage's mommy and daddy.  Don't be worried, you're doing fine!" ~Marley A. Richards, Age 6 and three-quarters.

Permission to SHIFT: Granted!

So, basically, my first-born just gave me permission to high-five myself and Kris, and continue to know that Creator saw fit to grace us with an abundance of blessings that takes many forms.  These forms include our daughters, our marriage, our commitment to purpose-driven living, and our knowledge of ourselves as unique instances of God's self-expression.

Settling Herself In Faith (in Creator) and Trust (in her divine path) - SHIFT.

I go hard, period. I love hard, I work hard, I commit to things with an adamancy that requires me to roll in it, love on it, and let it fuse with who I inherently am.  I'm straight with that, but it does scare me when it comes to the finite nature of time.

My work is actually my passion, and I know that's a blessing, so I treat it as such. But sometimes, when I'm talking Life Design with a client on Skype, or hunkered down in my bedroom writing customized short stories to show my clients where they could go if they just let go, I stop...and I listen...for my babies.  I listen to hear whether they might need me, or if they might resent how much I throw myself into my work.  I've read stories about women who appear to the world as brilliant LightCasters who make millions of lives better through their work; but at home, their children felt like their mamas gave to everyone...but them!

HELL. To.The. #&$)##^ NO.  My daughters will NOT sing those blues.

So when Marley wanted to sit in the truck yesterday due to a stomach ache while we were all at the Farmer's Market, and I shared with her my and Kris' resolve to be even more present in their lives because I worry about it, her answer may as well come directly from God's mouth, because it healed me; it nurtured me; it told me with certainty that I AM...

A NATURAL AT LOVING MY BABIES RIGHT.

ENTITLED TO FOLLOW MY LIFE DESIGN.

EQUIPPED TO PRIORITIZE MY PASSIONS.

IMMERSED IN A FRIKKIN AWESOME LIFE.

So, if you're also immersed in challenging, fulfilling, soul-soothing work, AND you are 5,000,000 miles past passionate about loving on those divine beings with whom you share a roof and a bloodline, then assess your time management, communicate with your babies, and by all means, embrace your Natural Right to be your amazing self.

LOVE YOURSELF | LIVE YOUR LIFE | CAST YOUR LIGHT.

Women-owned Businesses and Retail Details

Hi, Execumamas! I received this information today, and since I know many of you have excellent products that I should be able to walk into the closest retail store and pick up, I'm passing it on to you.

 =============
Currently, Macy’s is accepting applications for its newly crafted vendor development program.
The Workshop at Macy’s is a comprehensive week-long training course set to start in the spring for up to 20 participants. Free to those selected to participate, classes will be held at Macy’s Herald Square Corporate Offices in New York City, and taught by Macy’s senior level merchants as well as offer a number of expert panelists including Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price.

According to the company, the program's goal will be to educate, prepare, and mentor high potential multicultural and/or women-owned business owners on how to perform and sustain growth in the retail industry. With a curriculum scheduled to tackle strategic planning, branding, sales and marketing, and access to capital among other topics, the program will offer participants a world-class toolkit essential for business growth and development.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 online or by mail. For full program details including requirements and how to apply, visit www.macysinc.com/workshop. All eligible applications will be reviewed and selected applicants will be asked to attend an in-person interview. Final selections will be made after all prospective candidates are interviewed. Classes begin spring 2011.

Children and Money: The "Earn My Keep" philosophy

Quick! Tell me a fun way to teach my children about money, work, and the value of time well spent!

Like many of our fellow parents, Kris and I do our best to use everyday examples to convey the importance of paying attention to energy--particularly the energies of time and money.  Also like many of our fellow parents, we're always open for new insight on how to illustrate the idea of identifying needs and turning them into possible sources of income.

To be clear, Kris and I do not believe in paying our children for the things they are supposed to do.  Therefore, chores and good grades are not on the menu of items for which they earn money.

That said, a wonderful resource for all of the above landed right smack into my Gmail inbox: "A groundbreaking twist on traditional allowance" that I found quite useful, so I'm happy to share it with you!

Here's the scoop on Alisa T. Weinstein's Earn It, Learn It, a detailed, easy-to-use guide for how to teach our kiddos about money, work, and time:

It's easy: parents and kids choose a task from one of 50 fun careers, complete it within a set amount of time, and earn while they learn.

The benefits of spending 15 minutes per week as a toy designer, paleontologist, or chef? Kids learn the difference between making the bed as a member of the family and earning a living in the real world. They are exposed to art, manners, math, research, science, and more, without even realizing it. And they build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning and fiscal independence, all while having fun!

The most useful elements for me about Alisa's book were the suggestions on how much to pay our girls for each task, the FAQ's section (because I had plenty of Qs!), and the tips for how to shadow an expert in a chosen field.  Great stuff!

Earn It, Learn It was created for children in the 4 to 12 age group, and I find that the format and suggestions work well for both our daughters, ages 6 and 4, neither of whom are currently getting allowance. 

My favorite element of the book is the diversity of career options.  The girls and I got details on everything from entomologists to social activists, and tons of cool stuff in between.  My daughters were drawn to the copywriter, journalist, and event planner careers (much to their mama's delight!).

You can grab a copy at Amazon.com, or check out the other purchasing options here: Buy Earn It, Learn It.


Disclosure: I was given a complimentary copy of Earn It, Learn It and asked to share my opinion.

On Marriage, Divorce, and Delusions of Happiness

Kris & Me. 11.2010. Photo by Glenn Glasser

Girl meets guy.
Girl falls in love with guy.
Girl and guy get married.
Girl and guy have beautiful babies.
Girl and guy live happily ever a... SCRATCH THAT...

Girl is no longer amused by guy's "endearing" traits.
Guy is no longer turned on by girl's "spunk".
Girl and guy realize parenting can be extremely stressful (duh!)
Girl and guy trip over each other's personalities more often than before.
Girl and guy try to work it out and remind each other that LOVE is present.
Girl and guy occasionally place ego in between love's presence.
Girl and guy grow tired of trying to reign in their egos.

Girl and guy get DIVORCED...

Waaaaaiiiitt *RECORD SCRATCH*

GIRL AND GUY MANAGE TO WORK IT OUT AND NOW THEY...
Love harder
Prioritize resolve over egos
Learn to listen to each other
Drop the need to be right all the damn time
Become more assertive when it counts the most
Recommit to their marriage and family

AND CREATE THEIR OWN VERSION OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Kris and are featured in this month's Real Simple magazine, and we got really open about our marriage and what it took for us to get to our current version of HAPPY.  Click here to get the deets.  It is our hope that our candor helps other couples whose failed communications are leading down the path of divorce.