Family, Resource Articles, Uncategorized
We all know how important that first hour is when we wake up in the morning, and how it sets the tone for the rest of our day, but how often are we utilizing that first 60 minutes to our advantage, Here are some sure fire tips to controlling your day before it controls you:
1. Claim your space! Before you ever power up the computer, write on a paper notebook what you would like to accomplish for the day.
2. Power it up with Pages! An effective way to fully wipe the sleep from your eyes and clean out the cobwebs are to pick up a pen and write for 5 continuous minutes whatever comes to your mind. Just spill it out without thinking and simply writing. About anything and nothing. This is what I like to call a brain dump. It gets out all the feels that I don’t need to be having to push forward. If something is bothering you, and festering deep within, these pages will find the culprit and squash it.
3. Voice your Value! Give yourself a pep talk each and every morning to dominate your domain. Keep it simple and easy to remember. “Today I will create magic!”
4. Create a ritual! One that is YOURS and belongs to you. Some people find that having their morning cup of Joe on the porch with a newspaper is a wonderful morning ritual. Others do Yoga. I put on make-up. Yep, don’t laugh. It’s MY time with MYSELF looking in the mirror and being artistic with my face. In fact, I put on make-up every day — even during the pandemic. It helped me stay grounded when the world felt so displaced.
As stay-at-home parents and business owners its very easy to get sidetracked with everyone else’s needs, or the unexpected chaos of the world. But as the CEO of your home and business, you do have SOME control over the direction you want to move in. As women, we are built to grow things. Creation of anything is nourishing and fuels us.
Morning rituals are a perfect way of starting the day holding your ground and keep jurisdiction over anything unexpected that may come your way.
Resource Articles, Uncategorized
As parents and entrepreneurs we are dedicated to our family first and our business second. Once we have set aside time that belongs to our business, we often spend a great deal of time demystifying marketing and sales.
No matter how often we hear speakers and advertisers tell us that there is a “secret to success” no such secret actually exists, at least none that can be taught once you hand over your credit card. So I will tell it to you for free. The secret to success is
HUSTLE.
We know that this is true because we see successful people all around us, doing exactly what we are capable of doing ourselves. If you look closely you will see that success leaves a trail that can be followed by anyone. Therefore, there isn’t just one little secret that will turn your business into an overnight success.
If only good intentions were enough to bring us more sales, more income and more
opportunities, we’d all be rolling in it. ACTION is the only way to produce results. No matter what you are facing right now, I urge you to ask yourself, “What action can I take -right now- by me that will set something productive in motion?”
Sometimes it’s just going for a walk, journaling or meditating to get into the right headspace.
Or it could be crafting a new email, Posting something contemplative on social media (don’t get sucked in to scrolling!!) or updating your business plan. Whatever it is… keep moving. Hustle and flow, baby.
Julianne Wish, Member Contributions, Member Spotlights
Formerly a staff member at Our Milk Money in it’s first few years, Wendy did our books for years and we can’t say enough about her!
For tax preparation in Santa Clarita CA, you can count on Wendy Conte at Bookkeeping Scv, Inc. Wendy Conte assists taxpayers and small businesses with taxes in Santa Clarita CA and the surrounding communities. Whether you are an individual or a local business in or around Santa Clarita CA, Wendy Conte has years of valuable experience as an IRS registered tax preparer.
1. Tell us about your business and the service that you provide:
I am a Certified Bookkeeper and Quickbooks ProAdvisor. I offer a full range of bookkeeping services in the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and Antelope Valleys.
2. How did you decide to get started?
After working for someone else for over 15 years, I decided to take control of my employment and use the skills I have to work with a wider range of clients rather than just the employer I had.
3. What kind of background of expertise do you have in your field?
I have an Associate’s degree in Accounting, I am a Certified Bookkeeper and I am Quickbooks ProAdvisor. I am always looking for more learning opportunities in my field.
4. What trends do you see in your current industry?
Bookkeeping is a key part of every business. Businesses will always need bookkeepers. Businesses are always looking for ways to cut costs. An outsourced bookkeeper is a way to accomplish that.
5. What things do you find to be most demanding about your job?
Deadlines are a demanding part of my job sometimes. My clients like to see the status of their financial picture on a regular basis and that means making sure that all of their records are always up to date. There is also the issue of invoicing client customers on time. Finally, reporting information to tax entities for payroll and sales tax.
6. What do you find to be the most rewarding about your job and your day to day routine?
The most rewarding thing about my job is being able to help people. I really enjoy working with very small businesses, many of which cannot afford to have an on staff bookkeeper. I love being able to take the stress of that task off of their hands.
7. What advice would you give to someone else who is interested in starting a business like yours?
I would recommend getting formal education in the field both in the basics of accounting and the software options that are available for the job. The Quickbooks ProAdvisor program is very helpful in learning the overall use of the program and how to set it up properly. Then I would say network and get your name out there.
8. What are you most proud of as a parent-preneur?
I am most proud of being able to demonstrate to my son the hard work ethic that I was raised with.
9. How have you been able to manage your time between work and your family?
Balancing time is always a challenge. I try to work around the schedule of my family as much as possible during the week and to take weekends off unless there is something that really needs my attention or my family has plans that do not include me.
10. What has been the most effective way for you to promote yourself?
Word of Mouth is extremely powerful. Actions certainly speak louder than words. I provide the best service that I can consistently and with attention to the details. Giving at least 100% to your clients is something they talk about.
Finally: What does your “Milk Money” provide for you and your family?
My Milk Money provides a way for us to pay the bills and have a bit left over to have fun.
Chris Loprete, daddysden
As I write this, I am sitting poolside in Vegas with a Tequila and Tonic in my hand talking to five of my closest buddies about what to do with the money I just won from a bet on an NBA game. Okay that last sentence is not entirely true. I’m writing this 2 weeks after that scenario.
To be honest sometimes writing these blogs is work and the last thing I want to do when I’m on vacation is anything that resembles work. And two weeks ago I took a much needed vacation. I won’t go into the details of the trip (what happens in Vegas blah blah blah), and if I did it would probably bore you anyway. Let’s just say I’m getting very old.
The point and this month’s Daddy’s Den lesson is how important it is to take a break. Whether it’s an evening with the guys, a movie by yourself, or a longer vacation even just overnight, recharging your battery is essential to a healthy family life. Believe me, your wife and kids will thank you for it. Not only do you come home happy, rested, and ready to take over the domestic chores and parental duties for awhile, but you’re also so grateful to your wife for letting you go that you’re taking care of the kids and “honey do” list two weeks before you even leave.
And ladies, don’t think I’m forgetting about you. You need a break as much as the Dads. More so if you’re a stay at home mom. But I’ve found that men and women are wired differently in that regard. Whenever my wife has girl’s night out or a weekend without the kids, she always ends up coming home early because she misses us. On Mother’s Day y’know what she likes to do? Spend it with her family! What’s up with that? I don’t know whether to hug her or get mad at her for making me feel guilty for wanting to get away once in a while. I mean am I a bad father for wanting to do everything on Father’s Day BUT be a father? I’m outta there! I have learned one thing though. Getting away is important. But since becoming a husband and father, I’m no longer sad when it’s time to come home.
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