In recent years we've seen a HUGE increase in the number of small businesses owned by women. This growth has been so dramatic that millions of people now think of a woman when they visualize who owns the businesses they buy from.
Women everywhere deserve a big pat on the back for this amazing accomplishment. But as is always the case for small business owners, there is still a lot of work to be done.
The one thing your small business MUST have is a website. Sure, ten years ago having a site was an option many small businesses could do without. But that is no longer the case. Here's why:
* These days consumers and business leaders are more likely to use search engines than the Yellow Pages. They'll type the name of your town and your type of business into Google and start their research from there.
* A website lets you put as MUCH information as you want in a public forum. You no longer have to pay thousands for a big newspaper ad just to let customers know about your prices, new services, or show photos of what you do. Now you can keep all that information available on your website 24/7 at little or no cost.
* You know as well as I do that most customers are a little shy about asking questions. Often they don't even want you to know they're interested until AFTER they have learned more about your product, service, or idea. A website allows that vast number of potential customers to privately and anonymously read all about your business. Then, when they're ready to buy, they'll come forward with their questions and orders. This is a MUCH more efficient way to do business, which leads to my next point.
* Web based business operations can be EXTREMELY EFFICIENT. Customers often prefer convenient email over phone or in-person visits. Email encourages customers to organize their ideas, contacting you when they know what they want and are ready to act. You'll find your website generates many more customers and the customers you get are better organized.
* Finally, women love to buy from women-owned businesses. Women, as a group, tend to be less compulsive shoppers than men. While a large segment of men will buy an item on impulse, the vast majority of women prefer to learn about your product or service, getting all the details they can before placing an order. Websites are perfect for presenting a lot of information at very little cost.
Riddle: What can fill a room but takes up no space?
Answer: Light
Another point to be considered is common interest. Sometimes opposites do attract, a happening that will be discussed in other articles, but as a general rule relationships have a better chance of survival if the parties involved have many key values and interests in common. This does not mean that the two of you need to be identical images of one another; if you did not have differing opinions what would the two of you talk about? On the other hand, if you do not enjoy some of the same activities, what will the two of you do on Friday night? More important than these trivialities is the need for a shared image of your future. While attraction is fine and good at the beginning the relationship is doomed to failure if you cannot chart a common path.
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Needless to say, I failed the quiz. I got 8 out of 15 right. That's about 60 percent. An 'F' in almost all 50 states. Even New Jersey. I, Tim Ward, humor columnist and straight male could not distinguish between the gluteus maximus of the male and female gender. I started to wonder: Were some of the butts that I said were female really male? If so, does that mean I find some men's butts attractive? Do I have a male butt fetish that I didn't know about? Do I secretly enjoy slapping guys on the butt after a good sports play? And what about the woman's butts that I classified incorrectly? Has it really been that long since I've seen a bare female behind? Am I forgetting what the female body looks like?
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Foods That Actually
Cause Stress
Another item most people don't think about is fast food French fries that are high in salt and fried in a lot of fat. The fast food restaurants thrive on their ability to get you the food fast, so the fries aren't usually given enough time to drain off the excess grease.
The grease can cause stomach or digestion distress, which will most certainly cause stress in those who end up suffering from it. Avoid them as much as possible or limit your intake of them.
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What Is The Raw Food Diet?
A raw food diet means consuming food in it's natural, unprocessed form. There are several common-sense rationales for why this is a good idea. Processing and cooking food can take so much of the basic nutritional value away. Think of some of the conventional wisdom you've heard about for years, such as: If you cook pasta just to the al dente (or medium) stage, it will have more calories, yes, but it will have more nutritional value in it than if you cooked it to a well-done stage. Or you probably remember hearing not to peel carrots or potatoes too deeply, because most of the nutrients and values are just under the surface.
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Are You Achieving Your Goals?
If not, it should be no surprise that you lose interest. You need to develop goals that are consistent with forwarding your purpose in life. When your goals are aligned with your passions, you are more likely to be persistent and accomplish them. Even through difficult times.
You don't know what your life purpose is? Start today to determine what it is. My life changed drastically when I realized my purpose. I know yours will as well. Until then, your goals will never have the meaning and excitement they will hold for you when they are aligned with your purpose.
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Moments To Ponder
Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. - Jim Rohn
It's Just A Joke
I was wondering why the ball kept getting bigger and bigger, and then it hit me.