When business turns personal: What are these guys thinking?

OK, in a blog that is dedicated to women entrepreneurs, this topic is LONG overdue. Women, does this sound familiar?

You meet a prospect who happens to be male. Now, I'm talking about meeting in a business setting....a networking event, a trade show, an office meeting, a seminar, etc. (If you meet this "male prospect" in a bar, you've only yourself to blame!!)

At any rate, you and the prospect talk shop and he acts interested in your professional product or service. You agree to meet. Only when you get together for that meeting, it strangely feels like a date instead of a business meeting. And sure enough, you discover that he's not really interested in your PROFESSIONAL products and services so much as your PERSONAL ones.

WHAT? Since when is this ACCEPTABLE?

Now, I understand that in sales, you must build relationships. And sometimes, you build relationships with members of the opposite sex. And sometimes people can take things the wrong way. I get all that. (Which is why it's SO important to always walk with integrity. The last thing any woman entrepreneur wants is to have a tarnished reputation.)

But what I'm talking about is the old Bait and Switch. Where the man pretends he's going to bring you business (which he knows you won't say no to) only to get you in a setting where he can then hit on you.

Now I'm not saying this happens alot...but it does happen from time to time. And I know I'm not the only one...many of my professional female friends have had this very same thing happen. And from what I can tell, status, looks, and style of dress have nothing to do with it. (In other words, I don't think we're "asking for it" at all.)

If you are a woman reading this blog, BEWARE of such behavior.

If you are a man, and you do this...STOP IT. It's NOT ok. And even if you don't actually do this, make sure you aren't giving the IMPRESSION of doing this.

For one thing, I'm out networking because I have a mortgage payment, a car payment, and two children to provide for. I don't need to waste an hour or more of my time meeting with you if you have no intention of bringing me business.

And women, how can you avoid having this happen to you? Again, it goes back to integrity. And try not to talk about your personal life (especially your love life) too much. Sometimes it comes up, of course. After all, there's bonding and repore to be done.

I'm not really saying I have the answer to this issue....I'm just saying that it's a business practice that I watch happen that really gets under my skin.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this topic? Women, how do you handle yourselves to avoid such things?

Starbucks: A small business owner's best friend

Starbucks. Expensive coffee, or cheap office space? You be the judge.

I would say at least 85% of my one-on-one business meetings are held at one of the many Starbucks in my area. In fact, I am sitting in one right now. I'm early for an appointment, and thought this would be an ideal blog topic. I think Starbucks might be responsible for most entrepreneurial ventures in the past decade getting off the ground.

Ok...my appointment is here. I'll come back to this shortly.

I'm back. Thanks for waiting patiently for me to finish this blog (although if you are just now reading the blog for the first time, you just waited an entire 1/100th of a second. But I digress.)

So today I had two Starbucks meetings back-to-back. I had an appointment that lasted from 1:30-3:15. Then another that went from 4:00-5:00. Wow. I was one seriously caffeinated girl. Could that be the reason that I'm up blogging at 1:00 in the morning right now? Naaah. This time of night is the only time I know I can focus without the phone ringing, emails pouring in, kids needing me, etc. (Which, don't get me wrong....all three of the aforementioned things are wonderful things in my life! But we all need some time to focus.)

At any rate, back to my point. Starbucks. I can't imagine trying to start up (or maintain for that matter) any small business venture without this terrific icon of the 21st century as a co-conspirator to my success. I know that it wasn't too long ago that home based businesses actually met their clients...get this...in their home. **Gasp!**

Now we have an overpriced coffee house on every street corner in urban and suburban America where, for approximately $4, we can conduct our business. A neutral trading ground where both the person selling and the person buying feel they are on equal ground. Also a place that provides safety. I can't imagine I'd have been as anxious to meet with strangers if I had to bring them to my home in order to do business. (Not to mention the added business start-up fee of a housekeeper in that case. Geez)

If you are an entrepreneur, or in sales of any kind for that matter, than I'm sure you stand united with me in thanking Starbucks for the role they play in your business. Is there anywhere else (other than a Starbucks competitor) that you go to for client meetings? I'm always looking for a great alternative....especially since I practically dumped my entire Venti Latte into my potential client's lap today, thanks to all the caffeine coursing through my system.

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Tax Season

I met with my CPA this morning. Ahhh....it's that time of year.

For any of you reading this that have ever stepped foot in my office, you might already realize that I am not the most organized person on Earth. (Big understatement, you may be thinking!) So today I went into my CPA very proud of myself. I had a 7-pocket folder. Each folder had it's own little section (SendOutCards, Real Estate, tax forms, receipts, personal expenses, etc). I figured I had all my bases covered.

Hey, for an unorganized person, I was doing good! But she gave me some great tips to stay organized for next year. As simple as an excel spreadsheet, and what columns I want to track. She suggested I have separate spreadsheets for my SendOutCards business and for my real estate business. She even gave me an assignment to fill the spreadsheet out every month. For me, this simple advice is exactly the thing I needed.

I have Quicken, I have Microsoft Money, I have other assorted organizational software just hanging out on my computer waiting for the proverbial rainy day when I will decide to devote some time to learning how to use them. The problem is, every time I open them up, I am overwhelmed. And time is a precious commodity. I can't waste it on something like this. So my paperwork just piles up waiting for me to figure out how to organize it.

So my hero of the day is my accountant!

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Entrepreneurs Networking for Change

Have you ever been a part of something bigger than you? Something that started out small and then it morphed into something else? That's happened with a networking group that I'm involved with.

The group recently restructured itself to gain a bigger purpose. Our leadership team felt that we needed a bigger purpose than just growing our businesses. They decided to make our group one that gives back to our community. We are in the process of choosing the charities that we will support, and I have to say...I'm excited about it!

If you live in the Valley of the Sun and are looking for a networking group, contact me right away! We just might have a place for you. You have the opportunity to build your business, network with some of the Valley's GREATEST people, and benefit charitable causes at the same time.

The group has been christened Entrepreneurs Networking for Change. I think that says it all.

If you want to get in on the ground floor of something big, this could be your chance.

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Standing on Shoulders

OK, this is something I struggle with: asking for help. I am too independent for my own good. And I realize that this problem is fairly common with women entrepreneurs. We tend to think that we CAN do it all (which who am I kidding...of COURSE we can!) and we think that we SHOULD do it all (which we all know is ridiculous.) But it's what we do...or am I the only one with this struggle?

I'm starting to get a little bit better at asking for help, but it's not easy. Here's the thing: I only have so much time in my day. So why am I beating myself up to accomplish tasks that I don't HAVE to do? Is this profitable?

And what about the people that actually are the ones doing the helping? I know that the biggest reason I hate to reach out to them is that I don't want to inconvenience anyone. I don't want to ever be THAT girl. You know, the one that people inwardly groan when they see her coming? The one that has people avoiding her phone calls? Yeah...THAT girl. Secretly, this is one of my biggest fears (OK...not so secret now that I've advertised it to all of cyberspace.)

This is on my mind because today I got past myself and actually reached out to someone to ask them a favor. I'm not sure if she was happy to help, or if she was rolling her eyes on the other end of the phone. But I did it anyway. And she did help out, and accomplished something in about 15 minutes that would've taken me all day (not to mention the cost to purchase the PhotoShop software required for this particular task.) And I am truly grateful. Today, I stood on her shoulders for a brief part of my journey to success.

Until Next Time,

Jacki

Who is Jacki Semerau, and why do you care?

So here it is: my blog about being a woman entrepreneur. My journey into entrepreneurship has been a long one. Sometimes fun, sometimes...not so much. But along the way, I've picked up some pretty valuable information. And I am running into new situations every single day. I have no problem admitting that in many cases, I have no idea what to do. But in many other cases, I either DO know how to handle it, or I learn quickly. I figure I'm not unique in that.

So this blog is about me sharing my experiences with you. Sometimes it will be because I am offering advice. And many times, it will be because I'm SEEKING advice from my sister entrepreneurs.

In pondering the all-important question "what should my first entry say", the most logical place to start is by letting you know who I am and why you would care to read my blog. So here goes:

Jacki Semerau is:

• A business woman
• A Strategist
• A SendOutCards Independent Distributor
• A single mom
• A choreographer
• A friend

Jacki Semerau believes:

• In the power of positive thinking
• That I will be successful in any venture I put my mind to
• In the importance of a strong work ethic
• In God
• That you and I are a lot alike and can truly learn from each other

So why read my blog? Why post comments?
Because we have a lot to say! We have a lot to learn! We need each other!
If you and I are going to get ahead in the business world of the 21st Century, we will only be able to accomplish this through supporting each other.
Just a few days ago, I heard Charlie Plumb speak. He is a former Vietnam Vet and POW. He was held prisoner for 6 years in an 8x8 cell. And he credits his survival in large part to the support he received from his fellow prisoners during that 6 year period. (If you're interested in reading a portion of Charlie Plumb's inspirational story, I would highly recommend it!!)
At any rate, I was truly inspired by hearing him speak. And he's right...if we want to survive, we need each other's support. So this blog is meant to be a source of support, from me and for me.
Until Next Time,
Jacki