Friday, August 31, 2007

Looking for Folks Who Want to Make $100 a Week


I'm looking for a group of folks who are interested in working towards an extra $100 per week. Does that sound like you? Oh yeah and you get to improve your health while you are at it. Straight from national convention, the number one vitamin supplement, USANA, is again seeking a few motivated folks who want to improve their health and in turn earn a little money (or a lot) along the way. By joining the USANA team, you can improve your personal health and have a way to pay for the benefits. Are you that person? Email me and lets get you going!


If you are that person that says, "yeah...sounds good but I just cant' remember to take my vitamins", then we have a solution for you. It's called My Health Pak. I will work with you to identify your nutritional needs. USANA will put your supplements in a handy day and evening pack. No bottles. No sorting. You just open your AM packs and your PM packs and enjoy better health at once. I think you are out of excuses! Give me a call!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Advertising Hits Buttons


It's been fun to see the comments I have received about the Good vs. Bad Advertising. Apparently it's something we all pay attention to otherwise Super Bowl spots wouldn't go for the millions they do! This doesn't appear to be an avenue of reaching the public that will die out fast. But what about radio advertising? Is it still effective? With the addition of satallite, do people still hear public radio messages like they used to? And print? Sponsors of big magazines still pay top dollar for advertisement there but what about newspaper? Is that still a viable medium for increasing business? In my line of work I hear both sides that yes, it still pays or no, not at all. People in my line of work are getting more creative in getting a message out about a new concept, business or idea. I'd like to hear from my readers. What is working for you and what isn't. What audience would you like to reach that you haven't been able to? Let me know.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Bad Advertising vs. Good Advertising


I was just inspired to write about what constitutes good and bad advertising. The one that I just saw that DID NOT inspire me to buy their product is the Sour Skittles commercial with the milking machine hooked up to some hairy crabby old guy. The idea that sour milk from a sour old man creates Sour Skittles. I most likely will not buy that product if for a moment I think that product comes from the mammary glands of an old icky man. Now one I recently saw that did picque my attention was for Hineken beer. It had catchy techno music and an attractive "robot" come out to the beat to expose that she was carrying a Hineken mini keg and demostrate the ease in which you could tap the keg. The commercial had me thoroughly engrossed throughout because I wanted to see what was going to happen next. I even found myself thinking that that might be handy for the polo field instead of six packs (who am i kidding ....cases) of beer. The Cavemen? Bad. Entertaining, yes. But I couldn't tell you for one second what it is they sell. In my opinion, good advertising is anything that makes you stop and look at it. A magazine ad. If it catches my eye long enough to read it, study it or just try to figure it out? It was worth the money they paid for it. If I skim by it? Rethink it. I also just attended a webinar regarding added video to your website. Wonderful concept. With the popularity of You Tube these days, you will begin to see more and more of that. I would suggest keeping the above mentioned in mind. If you would like to know more about what I learned, shoot me a comment. I'll be happen to enlighten. And I didn't think I had anything to say today.....Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

It Was A Good Day


Not to temp fate or anything but it was a good day. A really good day. Two more people are entrusting me to do their business justice and build their website. Driving out to approve a rear window design done for me by Taylinn Signs, by the road was a set of dishes with a sign that said "FREE". My college daughter is in need of dishes for her apartment. My mare seems better today after a rainy two days and nursing an injured pelvis and I have a winter home arranged for her. I am grateful. I am grateful for a job I love, kids that are home and healthy and friends who care about my life. Today I am chosing to blog about the gratitude I feel for my life when things go well. I used to consider myself and unlucky person. Things just didn't seem to work out for me. And then one day I decided that I am lucky. I have all I need. You always want more but there are plenty of people out there who do not have the basic things in life that they need for survival. I have that and so much more. I made some scary changes and I waited a long time for some of the good things in my life to materialize. But I can honestly say that many of them have arrived. I changed to course of the river and I am such a lucky person. So if you consider yourself unlucky, start saying to yourself that you are lucky and watch what happens. Be receptive to the good the Universe wants to bring to you and see what materializes. Good luck to you. Let me know what happens!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Get Your Websites Here!


In this day and age, it is a true statement to say that without a website, you business does not exist. Think about it. A lot of people, most of you, like me, work from your desk with an internet connection. If I need to find something, I will hit that address bar and see where I can find what I need. If I don't see the company I need, I'll move on. Or, if it's a new service I need, I will tend to go with the one that I can learn more about from their website. So having that been said, what does your internet pressence look like? Do you have a viable way for people to find you business and learn more about your products or services you have to offer? Do you have a method of cross referencing your marketing? A most importantly, has cost stopped you from having the website your business needs? It's time for you to no longer worry about that. How does $150 a page sound to you? How does a website done in a timely manner sound to you? How does someone else taking on the headache of domains and hosting sound to you? If this sounds like the answers to your website needs, don't wait. Call me today and let's get your website off the ground. I'd be happy to show you websites that I have designed and work with you to design the site that beautifully reflects your business. If you need assistance beyond websites, I'd be happy to design a website/marketing package that is right for your business and your budget. Let's get started. I'll look forward to your call! 541.786.1613.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

We Won!


My feet are finally starting touch the ground. I was lucky enough to be on the winning team of the Papa Murphy's Classic Polo Tournament in La Grande, Oregon this past weekend. It was a bittersweet weekend due to the fact that my horse sustained an injury right before the match. I played an unfamiliar horse but was able to hold my own on the field. I had wonderful teammates in Alex, Liz, Jason and Logan and my job was to keep opponents away from them so they could work their magic. What a great group to learn from and I feel completely blessed to have been a part of the weekend. I can't wait for the next one!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Business Owners - Shred All Papers!


As you have all heard to a sickening degree that I have recently moved and with that comes cleaning out old files. The IRS suggests keeping your tax records for 7 years and I think I had 10 years accumulation. Since I have been self employed most of my adult life, that's a lot of paper shredding. It was soul cleansing to do so. Remember where I was working, who I was working for and how I felt and who I was at that time was a trip down memory lane with most of them good. But what I was interested to find was old credit card slips that I had saved. I owned a hair salon and had kept those receipts. Well back in the days when ID theft wasn't such a huge concern, I noticed most of the these slips had the cards full number printed with the name of the client and their signature. Be certain that I was careful to shred each and every one of these but the thought entered my head of who had my information and were they being as careful. Business owners, if you haven't cleaned out those file, now might be the time. Take care not to only dispose of them but to carefully shred them so there is no potential of an ID thief to take advantage of what you discard. Do it for your faithful clients and protect their safety. It was scary for me to find this so intact after all this time and I wanted to bring it to the attention of business owners everywhere. Fall cleaning is a great time to start!

Monday, August 13, 2007

Going Green is Easy with the NW Modern by ideabox


Hey all…I just found this brand new green and sustainable living concept on the market that was invented in Oregon. It’s called the NW Modern from ideabox and the man who created this home was also the brains behind the e-rated appliances, the predecessor to the Department of Energy’s Engery Star Program.

Ideabox is sustainable and green in both building materials and construction. It’s the hippest and most resourceful thing I’ve seen since Bluetooth technology! This energy efficient pre-fab home is wrapped up in a cool, modern design that is actually affordable!

For the environmentally responsible consumer this cabin is cool and sleek. I mean we’re talking living large here in 400 sq. feet of luxury in a clever high end pre-fab home with a very intelligent design.

The research I’ve done shows that ideabox uses environmentally friendly products and construction with wireless technologies. Designed with the idea that you can live large in a small space, ideabox is attracting very posh customers. And hey…less can be more! My family is considering it for a vacation home on some land at the lake or the beach. Another thought I have is putting it on my property for when the kids come home. Once you’re in college, staying right with mom is tough. This way, they can have space but still be “home”.

Here is some more information I found on how environmentally friendly ideabox is…

Wireless technology because power lines are SO last year.
Standing seam metal roofing – sustainable and fire retardant
Fiber-cement siding for low maintenance
Galvalume corrugated metal siding for an industrial look and efficient construction.
Bamboo flooring because it’s sleek and renewable
Energy Star appliances and lighting for the best in energy efficiency
Marmoleum countertops, made from renewable resources
Fully insulated walls for maximum energy efficiency
Energy-efficient ENERGY STAR labeled windows to regulate temperature
Less than 2% construction waste because materials are ordered to size
Low volatile organic compound paints for better, healthier indoor air
Duo-flush toilets for water efficiency
Day lighting; windows in all exterior walls and interior re-lite strategies
Tankless water heaters to reduce electricity use

For more information you can visit http://www.ideabox.us/

Thursday, August 9, 2007

I'm Moved...I'm In....Life Is GOOD!!


I am happy to announce the move is over! Yes...for all intensive purposes (nothing on walls..the stray box here and there...)I am moved in. I love my new house. But I definately hit that place we all hit when moving when after the 40th trip up and down the basement stairs that announcement we all make...say it with me...."I'm NEVER moving again!" But the truth is, we do. And I'm not so sure it is bad for us. You learn a lot when you move. You cleanse your belongings along with your soul. And you have the opportunity for change and a new beginning. None of us like it. Most of us try not to seek it out. But like any new beginning, it offeres us the opportunity for change and betterment. It inspires us to keep the momentum going. I plan to update my website with more than just a new address. I know I have at least one more move in my future. I want land. I want sheep. Sounds silly to some I am sure but I want Shetland Sheep (just a few) and try my hand at spinning my own yarn. I want a place where my wonderful mare can be close by me. And maybe get her a friend or take her wonderful bloodlines and create a new thoroughbred. Or both! I want a place for a big horse trailer with a living space tack room and ....I digress. The point is, moving is opportunity. Now that the last batch of my belongings is finally her, I can say that i'm glad I did it. Thank you for bearing with me and BACK TO BUSINESS!!!