I am still in awe of how fast opportunities can come your way when you spend time creating authentic associations with people.

It is essential to make connecting part of your business plan!

As a coach, business mentor and small business owner, I know how critical marketing is in business. But, times they are a changin’! The old school ways of marketing are fast being replaced by the Gen S (Social Media generation – I just made that up) approach to business growth.

PR, advertising and direct mail are still important pieces in your marketing mix, but there is nothing better than word-of-mouth. Now add social media!

Connecting, networking and word-of-mouth all wrapped in 140 characters or less. The power behind this approach is priceless.

Let me show you what I mean:

On February 2nd I posted an inspiration to facebook – while doing my bike workout at the gym – and the connection took off!

Christine Laureano
Today, for one day. don’t talk about your ailments, gripes or complaints. Don’t engage in gossip or talk about someone “behind their back”. Don’t engage in negative self- talk… Not even to say you’re having a bad hair day.

What did you discover from this little exercise?

February 2 at 8:32am near Hampton Bays, NY
Janet, Robin S, Robin H and 7 others like this.

Donna C – I have been actively doing this for awhile and what I have learned is that I have much more time and I’m much happier! Love to hear other experiences.
February 2 at 8:36am

Christine Laureano – It’s incredible how life changing this is! Thanks for starting the oonversation Donna!
February 2 at 8:39am

Donna C – Smiling also makes an enormous difference, I try to always smile when on a phone call, it really does come across.
February 2 at 8:42am

Shann – Smile, breath and move slowly. We are so blessed to be ALIVE.
February 2 at 8:48am

Christine Laureano ‎:-). Smile, breath, be grateful and pass it on!!
February 2 at 9:05am

Gregory Anne – What you might discover if you could look inside is that your cells are happy, moving freely, and supporting your health. Cells don’t like negative thoughts, feelings or words. Me neither!
February 2 at 2:41pm

Janet – This is amazing!!! Love this and love you my friend!!!
February 3 at 11:43am

From that one post came the opportunity to put one of my products into A-list gift bags for nominees and presenters for the Feb 26, 2012 Oscars. This is huge!!

Donna C spoke to Linda J (another wonderful friend) who mentioned my products. I had no idea that Donna C and Linda J were connected, let alone women that spoke on a regular basis. Donna C mentioned the facebook post, Linda J told Donna C about my business. Donna C knows a woman (Lisa G) that is creating high end, luxury gift bags for the Oscars.

Within hours I was connected with Lisa G and off to the Oscars Ba6 went!

Never, EVER underestimate the power of giving and receiving (The Law of Reciprocity) of your time, your kindness and your support of other! It just may land YOU on the red carpet!

Almost 12 years ago I stumbled upon rosemary essential oil and was hooked! After a very eye-opening lesson from my Green Valley Aromatherapy customer service rep I enrolled in The West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy for an in-depth, and I must say, intense aromatherapy certification program. This was no candles and scents – this was the real deal!

I spent several months indulging myself is this training. I spent over 250 hours of class work in the science of essential oils, as well as a biology and chemistry lessons.  I worked on 25 case studies which included people with Raynaud’s syndrome, aches and pains and skin conditions, and a research paper – the likes I never did in college – I was a trained and certified aromatherapist.

I loved this work and created my first business called Good Ground Botanicals. I made all the lotions and skin care products for my kids – no store bought, chemical laden baby products for them. I developed a skin care program for myself and also concocted products that got rid of sea lice (a nasty little microbe that causes and itchy rash at the bathing suit line), helped with acne, relieved sore and aching muscles and other little ailments and skin conditions that, honestly, we’re still in awe of how this works!

After a few years of growth – and a kitchen filled with product – I had to make a decision. Did I want to be a manufacturer? I had small children and, truthfully, I didn’t want the products to “lose their meaning”, which I was afraid would happen.

I also realized I wanted to help women in a bigger way – and stay home for my children. Coaching was the answer! My next certification came from CoachU. I was a certified life coach. I love working with people in a deeper way – and I love business. So now… the marriage of the two!

Here is the reveal! I took my old company, gave it a new name, a new look and a new purpose. My mission, and my vision, is to provide people with great natural skin care products, and to be a the business mentor that I am to women who have a business that they want to take to the next bigger level.

Ready?   Ta Da!!

Join me as I unveil Ba6 Botanicals - Natural Skin Care. It is the bare and Ba6 site right now and you’re the first to be witness to our evolution as a growing natural skin care company!

Jump over and take a look around… and when you sign up for your FREE guide – The Ba6 to Buff & Beautiful Skin – you’ll become part of the community! Whether you indulge in the products and the fun and free resources we’ll be giving you, or if you follow the steps to business growth and transformation as we start out, market, connect with our community members and make really great products – there’s a little something for everyone!

I’m telling you all this because your dream can become your reality when you look into yourself – heart and soul – find your gifts and talents, align with vision and watch the opportunities unfold.

P.S. For you business builders out there – in 2 weeks we have built a website, made products, connected with a dermatologist that wants our stuff, a Dr who specializes in holistic therapies, all our previous clients and new people that are already spreading the word.

When you set the intention, create ON Purpose, stay in the flow and trust in ALL the opportunities that knock at your door you WILL do exactly what you are here to do!

I have had many people ask me about how to create a marketing message. These people love, absolutely LOVE, what they do but are trying to create messages that they think people will be attracted to.

Truth here…people are NOT attracted to the words!

They are attracted to the message – the one that they can “feel”! They are attracted to YOU!

Think for a minute about messages that you’ve come across, whether online or through another source such as magazines, articles, etc. What attracts you? Is it the words on the page or screen? Or, is it the way the message makes you feel, see and look farther into yourself, what you love or what you can envision for yourself?

When the message is from the heart and soul it draws you in. THAT is how a powerful presence is created!

“Well, how do I do that?” you’re probably asking. Let’s look at a few key elements so YOU can create your powerful presence.

First - Be yourself! The is the number one key I always tell people. When you know yourself, what you are passionate about and how you can serve, that is where your message comes from.

If you are struggling with this part get out your journal and start writing. Ask why you are feeling blocked or why your message isn’t flowing. There may be some resistance to being the “real” you. What is it? As you uncover your authentic self (click here for Embracing Your Authentic Self – stories about women who transformed their lives.) you will have the clarity you are looking for.

Second – Be courageous! To really create a powerful presence, you need to step into your courage. It’s not always easy being a little different, shining in your gifts and talents and standing out in the crowd. After all, people will look at you! They may judge or have certain opinions. This comes from their old programming is really is NOT about you. So, with that said – have a blast being you and shining!

Third – Go for it! Do you know what you want in your life? I bet you do! It’s now or never baby. There is no time like the present to go for what you want. You can not get the past back and the future is yours to create. Look at all you are passionate about, look at your dreams and go for it! Create the daily actions that will move you step-by-step to your desires and to living your life ON Purpose!

Going back to basics is the best way for creating your powerful presence. Remember your true self, what you are passionate about in your life and who you are meant to serve. You wisdom and understanding in these 3 areas alone is the source for create your brilliant and strand out message.

That is a powerful presence!

If you like this material and more on creating your powerful presence…Join me on November 2 for my teleclass The Power In Your Presence. Click here for more information.

Times certainly have changed in the business world. What once was clean, tight and ( I must say ) a rather staunch ways of communicating and getting your marketing message out, is now a 180 turn around.

I graduated with a degree in marketing – a BS in Management Science to be specific. In order to graduate we all had to pass, with flying color, the business and professional writing final exam. A passing grade in the course didn’t mean diddly if the exam grade wasn’t worthy.

I passed with flying colors and wrote spectacularly dry and non-personal business letters and other communications. I even put myself to sleep with the BS, but it was what worked – for the time.

When I went into business for myself, I started out writing the same drab and lifeless content. And then a change happened. I wonderful and refreshing change.

Business owners started putting more of themselves out there, and in the writing content. They started showing the “real deal”, flaws, quirks, mistakes and all. This was for me!

Now, it wasn’t an easy transition because as old-programming would have it… the same old drab wanted to show itself. At first it was a fight, but since I’ve learned to beauty of baring it all in my content and in my business.

Clients want to work with a real, genuine and non-perfect people. The want to work with their brilliance in all it’s quirky shapes and forms. Afterall, that IS what sets us apart from the crowd.

So the message for today – be real! Dare to bare it all when it comes to your business communications. (Well, within reason.)

1. Write from your heart and soul.
2. Write truth…not a version of the truth.
3. Write about what you know.
4. And ALWAYS keep it real!
5. Write with intention and purpose.

I’d love to hear from you and how your communication style has changed, what you’ve learn and how it has changed your business.

I planned something different to write today, but as synchronicity would have it, today is all about the Apple.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noice of other’s opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  ~ Steve Jobs

This is the subject of my new call today and it’s something that has been on my mind more and more. Why?

We have this amazing “gift” inside ourselves. Our own wisdom! Look at what Steve Jobs achieved in his life because he chose to live outside the box. If it wasn’t for his heart and intuition ( and other’s like him ) we wouldn’t have the extraordinary technology evolution that we have today!

And why did this happen? Because Steve Jobs already knew he could do it! No one, not even he, had taken these steps before, but it didn’t stop him because somewhere inside himself he had already done it – so yeah, it could be done!

I’ve been seeing people struggle to find answers to why their business isn’t growing, or why they are not connecting with the right people, I’ve been seeing people in their relationships, wondering if this is the right thing and how can I make the situation better, I’ve been seeing people struggle with either writing their books, starting an exercise program – or even more specific – looking at running a half marathon and wondering if they’ll make it. I’ve been seeing some people try and fail and some try and succeed.

I want to share something with you – and it’s something I think I always knew, but wasn’t really apparent until I was at a Carolyn Myss program years ago. She said our subconscious mind does not know the difference between what happens in from of our eye and what happens behind our eyes – meaning in our subconscious. That hit home with me!

When I talk to people now about this, people that have wanted to write their book, or start a business they knew very little about, the one thing I would say it, well imagine, somewhere in time and space, you’ve already done it. Now you just have to access that information – that part of you that HAS done it. You’ve already written the book, so go journal or meditate or connect with the inner part of you that has this information. It’s amazing what shows up. And that is how it has worked for me – every time.

You absolutely have what it takes to do ANYTHING you want in your life. And, with intention, with being very ON Purpose, you can access this information within you when you let your heart and your intuition guide you to “see” what you already know you can do – it’s there, just ask Steve!

Are you happy?

Happiness is such a wonderful state to be in. When I ask this question, “are you happy?” I get a variety of responses.

“Yeah, pretty much.” “Always.” “Sometimes.” “It depends.” “I’ll have to think about that one.”

What comes up for you as you read this question? It seems like such a simple way to be – happy. When I looked up “happy” in the thesaurus, these are the words that showed up: in high spirits; satisfied, cheerful, content. That is quite a range in happiness, isn’t it?

There are cycles to every part of our lives, our state of being is no different. We want to stay “up”, but end up “down” at the most inconvenient times.

Today I want to share ways to move out of a slump and into bliss. When you are well grounded in your bliss you feel on top of the world! You have the inner strength and confidence to live in your soul’s purpose and step up to achieve your dreams.

It’s our thoughts, beliefs and old-programming that get in the way of our blissful, happy states. In my definition, happiness is the “state” you are in when you are feeling great, when you are content, joyful, peaceful and in your power…but feeling this is not based on anything external – not because you did a good job, not because someone loves you, but because you just do!

Happiness, your inner bliss is when you are in alignment with your inner values & philosophy, your desires, your expectations, and your purpose. I get chills just writing it!

Let’s do it! Let’s come up with a way to get into happiness, even in the grey moments. The Happiness Project!

Here are questions that will prompt you to think “happy” and release the not so happy things that effect your state of blissful being.

What makes you happy? I love the deeper inner work. It’s the way to clear out all the “stuff” that holds you back. Grab your journal and begin writing. List all the things that make you happy – don’t edit, tell yourself it’s a silly thought or hold yourself back in any way. Pour it out onto the paper and see what emerges! Let it give you chills and open you up to the possibilities that are a head of you.

What are you putting up with, or tolerating, in your life that takes away from your happiness? I have to say, we put up with an awful lot in our lifes. Why? Because we’ve been taught to. We have learned all the shoulds, coulds, have-tos and oughtas, but rarely have I seen anyone happy in doing any of these. So next, write down everything you are tolerating in your life – the things that you are putting up with. We have relationships that no longer work, but we hang onto them because we  ”should”. We stay at jobs that stress us out and drain our energy because it’s what’s we’re “supposed” to do. We do things for every one else in our lives, leaving ourselves for last, because we “have-to” take care of everyone. What are you holding on to?

What are you willing to release from your life – that’s not part of your ON Purpose happiness? Now here comes the test. Of all the things that you are tolerating, what are you willing to release in order to begin living your happy life, your ON Purpose life that serves you at the highest level?

In my personal journey, I have realized there were people in my life that brought me down. I thought, “but these are friends and relatives, how could I let them go?” I was standing in a lot of shoulds. When I decided to let go – with grace, kindness and love – my happiness went up a level. It felt so good!

If you are running a business that feels like it’s dragging you under, look inward. What parts are you holding on to because you “should”? What parts will you let go of in order to bring your business to a new level? How happy do you want to be in your business? (After all, it’s your business. Let it be your bliss.)

What ONE action will you take every day to bring you to your happiness? Your awareness around your happiness is key to staying in a state of mind that feels content, joyful, peaceful and just all around good! It’s not to say that you won’t fall down the rabbit hole at times, but you don’t have to let it drag you further than you want. Think of one or two things you can do EVERY day to keep you in your bliss. Be very intentional with your actions. Don’t do something just for the sake of doing it because it “might” make you reach your happiness. Create your actions with your heart and soul. Make these actions part of your life and you will see how easy it becomes to be in bliss.

Happiness is absolutely a state of mind! So, start your Happiness Project and be happy ON Purpose.

If you have story of how you get into your “happy place”, I’d love for you to share it in here!