Mobile Office

If you meet a potential customer or recruit away from home, are you prepared to service their needs? When you are out and about you want to be prepared for anything. Just because you are off running an errand doesn't mean you are off "the clock." You want to create a mobile office.

Your mobile office can be a simple file box with separate file sections for catalogs, hostess packets, recruiting packets, business cards, brochures (sales and recruiting), order forms, calculator for on the spot orders, and pens. I use a really nice accordion file at the moment. Everything is organized and neat. You can even use those nice colored milk crates with hanging file folders.

You may even want to consider a mini demonstration kit so you have a few of your most popular products available to show. Samples are other items you may want in your mobile office.

Keep your mobile office in your car (or any car you are driving at the time) so you are always prepared when you come across a potential customer or potential recruit.

A couple things to remember:

• Check and restock your mobile office weekly or as needed. This way you always know you are never out of anything and avoid that moment of saying "I am all out"
• Keep that car clean. You do not want to have your potential customer or potential recruit looking over your messy car. Even when you are making house calls, this is an extension of your home office. Keep it clean and professional.
• You may want to also consider a car freshener. Most don't think about this because we are used to how our car smells but it may have an odor. Having an air freshener helps with this. Don't go overboard. Just something simple and light such as vanilla and lavender work well. 
• Do not smoke in your car. Regardless if your mobile office is in the trunk or backseat, smoke does linger and will get into your mobile office. Many people are allergic to the smoke while others are simply turned off. You do not want your personal habit to get in the way of your business. 
• If you sometimes travel with your pets, it may be best to keep your mobile office in the trunk. This area is less likely to come in contact with pet hair and dander that some people are allergic to.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

Knock Offs, Replicas, Mirror Image

Knock offs, replicas, mirror image are common terms used for illegal copies of products such as designer purses, designer glasses, or other copyright/trademarked goods. But are these ok?

It is illegal no matter how you try to reword or excuse it. If it has the designer name and is an exact replica of the real deal, it is illegal. You cannot sell these. It does not matter whether you state these are fake. If it looks like the real deal, it is illegal and you can be prosecuted to the extent of that law.

Knock-off handbags are also known as counterfeit purses and they are made to look like an original designer version and are meant to fool others into thinking they are the "real thing." Knock-offs are big business. There is lots of money to be made in selling knock-off versions of the best designer handbags, but at what cost?

You can sell inspired styles meaning they are not replicas or attempted to be sold as the real deal. Handbags and sunglasses that say they are "designer inspired" don't have a fake designer label on them. They are purses that look similar to the latest styles and in fact are inspired by the latest designer purses but have their own unique characteristics.

Even if not sold as the real deal you still need to be careful. You may have seen a story at one point in time where target was sued for a purse design they sold was too close to the original design and it infringed on their trademark and/or copyright.

I bring this up because I am seeing more and more online stores opening with these illegal knocks offs and many do not realize it is illegal. They see others doing it and figure hey it must be ok. Its not. You can research this online, call your local small business administration, business lawyer, the US patent office.

Trademarks and Copyrights are put in place to protect the original design. Would you want someone to steal your idea and sell a copy of it as their own?

DO NOT get in the middle of knock off purses and the legalities of this. You can be buried in legal fees, fines, your reputation, lose your freedom.

No matter what business you begin always do your research. There is no excuse for not knowing something. It is your responsibility to know your business and how it works. A little homework can go a long way in your success.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

Everyone Else Is Doing It

It is so easy to use what others are doing when it comes to your business especially when you see their success. In most cases there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Follow their lead and add your own spin to this making it your own.

If everyone does the same thing there is nothing that stands out about you. That is where the problem with this method comes in. You sell candles out of a box as your gimmick and you are good at it, several will come along and do that same thing. And the reason why people do that? "Everyone else is doing it."

There are a few times you do not what to use the "Everyone else is doing it" line. This includes illegal activity. Now you think deceit, theft, fraud, or as I call it - lying, taking, faking, or anything else. Did you know there is more out there that some justify and is accepted as being ok?

Now I love my Disney items and I love crafting Disney inspired items for personal use. Now lets say you take Mickey Mouse and put his face on a t-shirt and sold these. If you did not get licensing from Disney to sell these Disney items you are infringing on copyright and trademarks owned by Disney. Now Disney items are not the only items in which this is occurring and only using it as an example of things I do see out there. In fact I seen a so-called reputable boutique selling outifts handmade using copyright and trademark images for resale without permission. They even complained their account on a website dedicated to crafters was closed because the lawyers of this company went to the owners of the crafting site and demanded all copyright infringed items be removed immediately. The comment came up that "everyone else is doing it" and that company is just greedy by going after the small people. Well as an artist if you create an image and hold the copyrights to it, you have to go after anyone, big and small, who is using the image unlawfully to hold any ground in court. And you know what? They are still selling these outfits even knowing these lawyers and putting a stop it it.

Now just because "everyone else is doing it" doesn't mean it is not illegal and cannot get you in hot water. Would you want someone to take your copyrighted image or trademark design and pass it off as theirs? How about that hair bow design you worked so hard to come up with and someone steals your idea?

Now the time you want to say "everyone else is doing it" is being successful. Do what you love and work it as a business. Don't just put a link out there because "everyone else is doing it." Make your mark and stand out.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

How to Prevent Cyberbullying | eHow.com

This is a serious issue especially our younger generation. This is not a typical topic for this blog but I feel it is important. Together we can combat and overcome such a hateful situation.

Even in the WAHM community I have seen this become an issue that has been ugly and devastating. You get some cliques that become relentless in their attacks trying to help "their" friend. In all actuality this is cyberbullying. No one should have to suffer or tolerate such actions.

Children are not the only victims. So are adults so don't allow this to happen to you or anyone you know.

How to Prevent Cyberbullying | eHow.com

Get in the Habit

Getting those business cards can be difficult to get out there. You can never remember when is it ok to hand them out, who to hand them out to, when it is not appropriate.

Here are my tips:

Whenever someone asks for your phone number regardless of what it is, hand them a business card. I just hand them one and tell them its easy to to give you this and it has my email in case you ever need it.

When someone asks about my business I hand them one and tell them call me sometime and lets have a drink. It keeps it casual and keeps the gate open to a new customer.

I never leave them in areas that are iffy such as bathroom stalls. Some will tell you this is ok but I do not. Most times stores have policies against this and can just get you into hot water. Plus when the maintenence people come for a cleaning your cards go down the drain and possibly without one ever being seen.

I have a business card case which I have attached a magnetic version to the outside. When I am out having a drink with the girls or out to dinner I place this on the table. Most times the server will ask about it and I will give them a card. I don't leave a card because for me most times these just get throw away and never where I intended it to go.

When at the nail salon they have cards from others available. I will ask if I can leave some with them.

I trade business cards with my hair dresser. When someone needs a new stylist I had them a card. When he has a bride to be come in or hears of someone going to a bridal shower he passes on my card.

When I pass out cards I want to keep the ratio high when it comes to going into the hands of someone who will use it. I know not everyone will use them but I want this to be effective marketing.

What are your tips for passing out business cards effectively?

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

WAHM or SAHM? What is the difference?

Over the years you have seen these terms and they are interchangeable depending on the situation. Before we discuss these, lets define them.

WAHM - Work At Home Mother/Mom... This means you have some sort of business that you work from home. This may be crafts, direct sales, or a business you started. This can mean you have children at home while you work or they may be at school while you work. Either way if you generate income from home you are a WAHM

SAHM - Stay At Home Mother/Mom... This means you stay home with the children and your only job is raising your children. You do not generate an income from home. You may have children at home all day or at school part of the day. If you generate no income from the house and no outside work you are a SAHM

When asked whether you are a WAHM or a SAHM you are not both. I see many say oh I do both or I am a part-time WAHM and a full-time SAHM.

If you are a SAHM, embrace it. Enjoy it for all its worth. There is absolutely nothing wrong with staying home to raise the beautiful children you have.

If you are a WAHM, embrace it. There is nothing wrong with making an income by working from home and raising your children.

If you are a WAHM you need to have the mentality of this. If you do not see yourself as a WAHM or see yourself as a WAHM and a SAHM this can and does hinder your success. You need to see yourself as a working mom with a job.

In the past I have talked about schedules as a WAHM and why these are important. The use or lack of use is why you need these schedules. You need to work your business. Doesn't matter if you make money blogging, crafting, selling avon, transcribing, or do home parties. If you want to make money, start it with attitude. You will see the difference.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

Look back to move forward

2011 is now here and a fresh start begins. It is time to look ahead and write down your business goals for the year.

Before we do that, lets take a look back at 2010.

What were your business goals?

Did you accomplish any of those goals? Partially or fully?

How did these goals affect your business?

What were your disappointments?

How did these affect your business?

These are just a few questions you should be asking yourself. You may ask more. This is not about reflecting on the past. This is about learning. To know how to move forward we need to know how we arrived at today.

Expand on the successes of last year. Go over the disappointments and learn how a different path would change the outcome. These should be reflected in your new goals for 2011.

We need to write down the goals for 2011. We need to start with the long term goal for 2011. Break that down to 6 month goals, 3 month goals, 1 month goals. The first step to your long term goal is what will you do this week that will lead you in the direction of accomplishing your 2011 goals.

These need to be challenging but attainable goals. Lets break it down in an example to see where we need to go.

Lets say your goal for 2011 is to be in the position to pay your entire mortgage through your business earnings. If your mortgage monthly is $1,000, what will you need to earn each month? If after all business expenses your take home is 20% of all sales you will need to sell $5,00 monthly by the end of the year.

Now remember the goal is not to begin earning this much in the first month. The goal is to lead up to this. Maybe you will find it best for you to start with $1,000 each month for the first 4 months. You have to decide what is best for you.

In your goals you need to list what you are and are not willing to do. We all have something we are not willing to do so be honest here. If are not willing to go door to door or hold home parties, you need to list why you are not willing. Again be honest here. If you are not honest with yourself, you will not accomplish anything. If you say you will not do home parties because you do not like people, how can you work around that? Don't just list what you will not do and not offer yourself options. You may find what you will not do is something you are willing to do just didn't have options to make it happen.

Olivia Vidal
© 2011