The Spark to Start

I am blogging on behalf of Visa Business and received compensation for my time from Visa for sharing my views in this post, but the views expressed here are solely mine, not Visa’s. Visit http://facebook.com/visasmallbiz to take a look at the reinvented Facebook Page: Well Sourced by Visa Business. The Page serves as a space where small [...]

The Spark to Start2016-12-01T14:55:14+00:00

3 Business Lessons Served on CNBC’s Crowd Rules

I love watching TV! I steer clear of bad TV. However, there is solid programming out there. And there is great free advice if you are building a business.  I love Restaurant Impossible and Tabatha's Salon Takeover.  (BTW, I am at the ready to host an Extreme Makeover - Service Business Edition show!) I love it [...]

3 Business Lessons Served on CNBC’s Crowd Rules2017-01-23T21:31:14+00:00

Set a Goal and Go for the Gold

While she was white-knuckle-scared as we walked to the top of the slide, Zoe experienced the pure joy of swooshing down at the speed of light (albeit slowed some by the burlap bag.) Isn’t it a blast to set a goal, face the fear, take the risk and GO?! Yes! From there, you can go [...]

Set a Goal and Go for the Gold2016-12-01T14:55:18+00:00

The Power of Gratitude!

Watch this free business building webinar as special guest, Lori Saitz and I discuss “The Power of Gratitude.” Lori lives and breathes this classic business strategy: Be thankful. Let your customers know how much you love them. I know I fall down on this one. I often end up spending time on the biggest problems and [...]

The Power of Gratitude!2017-01-05T19:19:09+00:00

How to Give an Elevator Speech

Serendipity: The faculty of happening upon fortunate discoveries when not in search of them. I love the moments that take me completely by surprise. When I expect one thing and find another. The other day I received a call from a woman named Cathy… “Hi Ellen, I read your article in the local business journal [...]

How to Give an Elevator Speech2017-04-05T16:52:23+00:00

Four Myths That Can Sink Your Business…

Business is easy: Be of service. Charge more than it costs. Take the money now. We really make it harder than it is. Perhaps it’s not the mechanics of business that get in our way. Maybe it’s the emotional baggage we attach to money. Or the things we think we know about business. Once upon [...]

Four Myths That Can Sink Your Business…2016-12-01T14:55:19+00:00

Business Planning – Lessons from the Garden

Got the beds in. Got the plan together. And this morning, we got snow. That’s the thing about gardening. It can be rewarding and spiritually uplifting. It can inspire you with its beauty and bounty. Or, it can disappoint you beyond words. It can humble you, until you feel as low as the soil. It’s [...]

Business Planning – Lessons from the Garden2016-12-01T14:55:22+00:00

Why do you do it?

Once a month, I invite a smart business expert to be my guest star on the Bare Bones Biz Teleseminar call.  We ask folks to join us on the call to share and learn and have some fun with business building.  In April, my guest was Simon Sinek.  You could call Simon a marketing expert.  [...]

Why do you do it?2019-09-26T01:11:57+00:00