Archive for December, 2008

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I hope you are all having a happy and profitable forth quarter.? I know the “reason for the season” isn’t about profits, but this is a business blog, so that’s what we talk about.? Things are winding down and online orders are just about done.? It’s been a good quarter.? Most certainly way up from last year, as I had just launched, but down from where I would hope I would be.? I just did not and could not have predicted the blows that have been dealt to the economy over the past 6 months.? Oh, before I forget, please see the below posts, reviews and blogs.? They are worth checking out and subscribing too.? I want to thank everyone for your support.?

http://blog.wellalarm.com/2008/12/gift-idea-grill-charms.html?

http://simplyfablife.com/index.php?s=grill+Charms (fellow inventor friend with a cool product, Strappys, check it out!)?

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1513?

http://simplecookery.blogspot.com/2008/12/cool-kitchen-gadget-grill-charms.html?

http://theblazingbbq.com/blog/2008/12/bbq-meat-which-steak/?

http://stacyknows.blogspot.com/2008/12/is-there-foodie-on-your-list.html?

http://barbequemaster.blogspot.com/2008/12/are-you-tired-of-getting-those-grill.html?

http://zestycook.com/product-review-grill-charms-and-a-good-cause/?

http://simplefoodrecipes.net/grill-charms/?

http://www.palatetopen.com/?p=436?

http://momfuse.com/2008/12/review-grill-charms/?

http://www.yesyoucangrill.com/lesliehaywood.php?

This will be my last blog for Christmas.? Thank you all so much for your continued support and for everything ya’ll do.? Have a very Merry Christmas!? ?I want to leave you with a funny little article in the Boston Herald.? It’s got to be hard for my husband, being married to a semi-recognizable personality.? It means that everything he does has the potential of being splashed all over the internet and any moment.? A reporter from the Boston Herald needed a source about a topic that is a little bit less then “business” related.? I actually had a very true story, and couldn’t help but share it.? Enjoy:http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/lifestyle/view.bg?articleid=1139241?

Leslie Haywood, Founder and President of Charmed Life Products, Inventor of Grill Charmsâ„¢? www.grillcharms.com

Hi

Here’s my latest release.? I believe it is so fitting.? I don’t know many who don’t know of someone who is effected by the economy and/or laid off.? Tell us what you are doing to survive?

Margate, FL (December 2008) In November alone, 533,000 jobs were lost and the unemployment rose to 6.7 percent nationwide with an estimated 10.1 million people throughout the country out of work. While here in Florida, the news is even worse as Florida hit a 15-year high unemployment rate of 7 percent in October, according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel. So what’s the answer for those people who are out looking for jobs and those companies which are cutting back, but still need work done. Simple-Virtual Assistants.

Virtual assistants are independent contractors who offer administrative support, publicity and marketing assistance, and more to companies large and small throughout the world. These tasks can include anything from typing, medical or legal transcription to website creation and marketing. And because virtual assistants work globally, they are not hindered by their local economical situation.? This is a perfect business for those who have recently been laid off, or those who just need to supplement their income.

In fact, according to a recent South Florida-based CBS4 News segment entitled “Working from Home Can Rake in Big Bucks,” the Virtual Assistant business is “one of the fastest growing home-based businesses and getting even bigger.”

Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com, who was featured in the segment, stated she received a tremendous response from people out of work and looking to supplement their income. “It has been fabulous to be able to help those in my community get back on their feet,” says Ennen.

Ennen, along with Kelly Poelker, founder of the Academy for Virtual Professionals, co-authored Virtual Assistant-The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought after VA, a staple in the VA Industry for those wishing to start a business or excel in their current business. Both agree that starting a Virtual Assistant business is “one of the best ways you can survive in this gloomy economy.”

Ennen and Poelker also agree that another reason why virtual assistants are excelling today is the fact that with so many businesses cutting back, the work still needs to be done.? A virtual assistant is able to handle all those tasks from the convenience of their own office.? The work gets done, often times even better because of the extensive qualifications and experience of the virtual assistant.

For more information on starting your own business stop by www.vatheseries.com or take a look at the Academy of Virtual Professionals’ website at http://www.academyvp.com.? Times can be tough, but with the right virtual assistant, you can still survive and thrive.?
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Hits: http://thedirtytshirt.com/?p=886?

http://www.circleoffood.com/blog/2008/11/30/new-gift-idea-grill-charms-to-identify-food-on-the-grill/?

http://mwav.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/holiday-gift-guide-for-men/?

http://www.justluxe.com/fine-living/dining/feature-239740.php?

http://everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2008/12/grill-charms-review-giveaway.html?

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/7946?

http://www.momstakeonthings.com/?

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid769493954/bctid3655744001? (video)?

The holiday shopping season is in full swing.? It’s time like these when I am so thankful that I have an order fulfillment company handing all my shipping. Without Janene at Trending Solutions (www.trendingsolutions.com) my days would be filled with packing boxes, going to the post office, filing out packing slips, more going to the post office…? Instead I am focused on getting the most out of marketing and sales for these last few weeks of the 4^th quarter, which is when a lot of companies actually go from “in the red” to “in the black”.? As lean as times are right now, I am still finding that it is better for me to outsource that function then it is to save the few bucks and try to do it all myself.? Personally, I think it’s important as a business owner (especially if it’s just you) to really analyze what activities bring in revenue and focus the majority of your time on those things.? Sometimes (especially when time are tight) it’s hard to imagine paying anyone to do anything when you can do it yourself, but you need to think about how much money are NOT bringing in that you COULD because you are doing tasks just to keep the business going. ?For the new year, regardless of whether you are an entrepreneur or not, now is a good time to evaluate how you spend your time and if it contributes positively to your “bottom line”.? (Replace “bottom line” with “goal in life” or “goal in business”).? The things that take up our time that do not contribute meaningfully to what we are trying to accomplish is life and in business, might need to be “outsourced”…our just plain OUT!?

Leslie Haywood, Founder and President of Charmed Life Products, Inventor of Grill Charmsâ„¢? www.grillcharms.com

So many today are facing unemployment.? It’s downright scary.? One of the things that I’m finding is that there is some bright news.? What we are finding is that many are using this time to start their own business.? And one business that is really growing in popularity today is starting a virtual assistant business.? As the Virtual Assistant Mom here, I want to help.?

?First, what is a virtual assistant?? Here’s a brief description

Virtual assistants are independent contractors who offer administrative support, publicity and marketing assistance, and more to companies large and small throughout the world. These tasks can include anything from typing, medical or legal transcription to website creation and marketing.

How can you start a virtual assistant business?

Easy, research, research, re