SISARINA SPEAKS
Entries tagged "business"
Trello: The Best Project Management App... Ever
January 12, 2012
Finding myself down an internet rabbit hole, I tumbled around & came out in front of a site: Trello.com
Trello's tagline is: Organize Anything, Together.
Shortly before...
Filed under: Great Applications - Tags: web application, web app, project management, trello, business, to do list, organization, organize
The F Jar: Lessons Learned
December 5, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina
Today is brought to you by the letter F.
As 2011 was the year of intentionality, we've set into motion many new things...
5 Ways to Be Yourself... at a Networking Event
November 8, 2011
Ever go to a networking event where you really want to meet new people but you wander around looking like you're looking for someone so...
Filed under: Marketing - Tags: business, business relationships, networking, networking events, marketing yourself, being you, conversations, discovering, entrepreneur, empower, growing a business, inspiration, intentionality
Trick or Treat: Driver's Ed Concepts for Business and Life
October 17, 2011
by Cynthia Hovda, @CyImagesforLife
I learned two great concepts in driver’s education that apply more than to just driving. Here are a few steps to...
MISTAKE: Starting & Sticking With It
August 30, 2011
by Erika Dickstein, SpringInsight (@springinsight)
As an entrepreneur with kids and a spouse in a high hour/high stress job, I think the biggest challenge I have...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business goals, business owner, starting a biz, business, entrepreneur, business success, business mistakes
MISTAKES: Not Being Valued
August 10, 2011
by Christina & Greg Tindale, @TindaleTeam
When we sit down to meet with a new client, the first thing we tell them is that our number...
Filed under: Uncategorized - Tags: clients, business, entrepreneur, running a business, discovering, client communication
MISTAKES: Confessions of a Blogger Turned Entrepreneur
August 9, 2011
by Roxanne Alvarez, @microfinanseer
July was a bit of a rough month between record heat waves, moving plans falling through yet still needing to move from...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, starting a business, business mistakes, business tips, business systems, business success, entrepreneur, start a biz, discovering, empower, marketing, business sales, business marketing
MISTAKES: More Money, More Problems
August 5, 2011
by Nan Gibbons, Fitness Expert & Motivational Speaker
I met my husband in college, where I was studying exercise physiology and nutrition and he was majoring...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: entrepreneur, relationships, building relationships, ask for help, growing a business, business, business owner, discovering
Entrepreneurial Mistakes: August Series
August 1, 2011
Every entrepreneur makes mistakes.
It's what you do with those mistakes that make you great.
Sisarina's August series is focused on entrepreneurial mistakes and how each entrepreneur...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: entrepreneur, business mistakes, being a good boss, being a boss, balance, business, business owner,
Are You Ready to Date the Government?
July 15, 2011
Get Your Small Business Up to Par for Government Work
by Diana Kurcfeld & Molly Gimmel, Design To Delivery Inc
Many companies got into the government contracting...
Filed under: Government - Tags: government, government contracts, business, working with government, business goals
Small Business, Government & You: July Series
July 1, 2011
Government Contracting for Small Businesses
With July being the month of independence, Sisarina is hosting a series on how small businesses can learn to work with...
Filed under: Government - Tags: government, business, business relationships, working with the government, accessibility, websites, government proposals
Standing Behind Your Staff
April 22, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina
Every entrepreneur dreams of the growth their business will take. You work alone in your bedroom for awhile, then start hiring people,...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, business goals, business owner, business success, businesses grow, business tips, company values, communications, customer relationships, customers, employee satisfaction, empower, entrepreneur, future leaders, growing a business, guidance, being a boss, being a good boss, inspiration, intention, intentional, intentionality, organization, personality, professionals, reflection, supportive environments
Building a Tribe: a Seth Godin Moment
April 8, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina
I never defined myself as a leader... until I read Tribes by Seth Godin.
In a great list of books I found...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, building relationships, business success, collaboration, community building, conversations, creativity, curiosity, generosity, discovering, Seth Godin, entrepreneur, future leaders, leader, graciousness, intentionality, guidance, inspiration, networking, overachievers,
Design: April Series
April 1, 2011
Sisarina Loves Good Design
Ever wonder why design can cost so much? Wish you knew how designers figured out usability? Find out during April when the...
Filed under: Design - Tags: designer, design, brand identity, branding, business, Business Branding, business owner, business tips, creative, creative genius, creativity, design process, web development, development, graphic designer, guidance, inspiration, intentionality, intention, intentional, marketing, marketing campaigns, web design process, web developer, web marketing, web-based, website, marketing materials, print design
5 Tips to Eating Healthy on the Job
March 30, 2011
by Jill Spaeth, Citizen Creative
An eight (or ten) hour work day is like a hundred meter dash. When you make it to the finish you're...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: balance, business, business owner, goals, career coaching, discovering, entrepreneur, empower, enjoyment, getting ahead, intentionality, mindfulness, motivation, minimizing stress, personal goals, reflection, resource, self-awareness, physical fitness, solopreneur, time management, time saving tips, time-saving tools, tips, work life balance
My Time... Away From Everything
March 22, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina
Have you had days (or weeks) where you are working so much that you forget to eat? That you get much less...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, business goals, business owner, intentionality, company values, curiosity, discovering, entrepreneur, future leaders, getting ahead, goals, goal setting, intentional, growing a business, inspiration, intention, keeping it simple, networking, motivation, personal goals, overachievers, perspective, reflection, sisarina, starting a business, women business owners
Breathe: Take Care of #1
March 7, 2011
by Jessica LaGarde, Peace at Hand Massage Therapy
As small business owners, it is easy to give our business and our clients first priority, and to...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, business owner, checklist, creativity, discovering, empower, entrepreneur, getting ahead, guidance, inspiration, intention, intentionality, mindfulness, motivation, positive attitude, personality, personal goals, reflection, starting a business,
A Focus on Non-Profits: February Series Recap
February 28, 2011
We Heart Non-Profits. So Does Small Act!
For the month of February the fabulous non-profit lovers at Small Act (@smallact) & Sisarina's Melanie Spring focused on...
Filed under: Non-Profit - Tags: company values, non-profits, business, business goals, brand identity, community building, discovering, customer relationships, creativity, curiosity, communications, empower, employee relationships, employee satisfaction, efficiency, inspiration, intentionality, marketing, networking, motivation, non-profit goals, non-profit organization, non-profit organizations, non-profits, nonprofit event, NPOs, online presence, reflection, sisarina, self-promotion, sincerity, social media, social media strategies, successful business, supportive environments, web design, web marketing, women business owners
Patagonia: Product, Planet & People
February 2, 2011
by Jenny Trucano of Small Act (@SmallAct)
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, led the way for businesses to measure organizational success not just by profits,...
Filed under: Non-Profit - Tags: business, non-profit, businesses grow, business goals, company values, community building, conversations, creativity, customer development, customer feedback, curious, curiosity, generosity, creative genius, discovering, entrepreneur, environmentall-friendly, future leaders, getting ahead, giving, goal setting, growing a business, guidance, inspiration, marketing, mindfulness, positive attitude, reflection, resource, sincerity, starting a business, strategy, success, successful business, Small Act
Non-Profits: February Series
February 1, 2011
Sisarina Hearts Non-Profits
In 2011, Sisarina is working toward a goal of being intentional. Not the fluffy kind of intentional, the hardcore real kind that makes...
A Focus on Goals: January Series Recap
January 31, 2011
The goal: be intentional. The intentional series: goals.
For the month of January Matt Brock (@matthewbbrock) of Divergent Planning & Sisarina's Melanie Spring focused on...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: business, business goals, intentionality, goals, entrepreneur, growing a business, inspiration, mindfulness, personal goals, reflection
Systems Drive Efficiency
January 30, 2011
by Matt Brock, Divergent Planning (@matthewbbrock)
I love systems. Most of this love stems from being a creature of habit (to a fault at times) but also...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: business, business goals, business owner, business systems, inspiration, intentionality, listening, organization, time-saving tools, reflection, motivation, searching, searching online, strategy, time saving tips, tips, technology
Get Organized, Be Efficient
January 26, 2011
by: Melanie Spring, Sisarina
As business owners, we have to maximize our time, be efficient and find profit in the nooks and crannies. There are 24...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: business, business goals, businesses grow, checklists, discovering, empower, entrepreneur, growing a busienss, guidance, mindfulness, time saving tips, efficiency, profitability, time management, free online software, free online applications, personal goals, reflection, saving money, searching online, intentional, intentionality, starting a business,
Financial Planning with Intent
January 19, 2011
by Matt Brock, Divergent Planning (@matthewbbrock)
Financial planning is a very broad term. It can cover investments, savings, retirement, education, cash reserves, short term goals, long...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: business, business goals, businesses grow, discovering, entrepreneur, goal setting, goals, giving, guidance, inspiration, intention, intentional, intenationality, motivation, personal goals, resource, small business, solopreneur, money, financial, saving money
Business Plan Simplified
January 17, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina (@Sisarina)
True or False: All businesses without a business plan fail. FALSE.
10 years ago today I started Sisarina. (Yep, now I...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: business, starting a business, growing a business, businesses grow, business goals, checklists, client, company values, customers, discovering, guidance, goal setting, goals, identity development, influence, intention, intentionality, marketing campaigns, marketing, mindfulness, motivation, personal goals, resource, reflection, ROI, searching, self-promotion, sincere, sincerity, solopreneur, entrepreneur, strategy, success, technology, transparency
Being Intentional with Clients
January 13, 2011
by Matt Brock, Divergent Planning (@matthewbbrock)
Like most philosophical ideas, "Intentionality" leaves room for interpretation. For me, intentionality brings about thoughts of having an overall mission...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: customer relationships, client, client collaboration, community building, company values, conversations, customer development, customer feedback, customer relationships, customers, business, business goals, goals, entrepreneur, guidance, goal setting, reflection, success, transparency, welcoming
The Goal of Graciousness
January 11, 2011
by Melanie Spring, Sisarina (@Sisarina)
In the online age of social media and blogging, we have become an openly snarky generation of people. When we don't...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: goals, transparency, grace, graciousness, positive attitude, socialize, small business, sincerity, reflection, mindfulness, listening, inspiration, guidance, growing a business, entrepreneur, empower, friendships, giving, goal setting, goodwill, discovering, customer relationships, conversations, company values, community building, business, business owner, business goals
Go Beyond Goal Setting
January 6, 2011
by Matt Brock, Divergent Planning (@matthewbbrock)
Most people set goals in life but far fewer are able to live their life intentionally toward achieving those goals....
Filed under: Goals - Tags: goals, goal setting, business, businesses grow, business owner, company values, entrepreneur, growing a business, guidance, inspiration, intentional, intentionality, knowledge vs information, personal goals, business goals, reflection, starting a business, strategy, transparency
Be Sincere. Be Welcoming.
January 5, 2011
by: Melanie Spring, Sisarina
Sitting in my usual church service this past Sunday, our pastor delivered one of his most incredible sermons so far and...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: goals, business owner, intentionality, intentional, business, businesses grow, sincere, sincerity, friendships, business partnerships, listening, business goals, personal goals, giving, welcoming, welcome,
Goals: January Series
January 4, 2011
This is the year of intentionality & clarity.
In 2011, Sisarina is working toward a goal of being intentional. Not the fluffy kind of intentional, the...
Filed under: Goals - Tags: intention, intentionality, influence, growing a business, businesses grow, inspiration, partnering, business, business owner
Entrepreneur Talk: Learn From Your Mistakes
December 14, 2010
I started my first business when I was 13 years old, washing cars on the weekends. As business picked up, I hired my friends and...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, business owner, businesses grow, growing a business, reflection
Foursquare: Life as a Mayor
November 29, 2010
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
by: Todd Thomas
It may surprise some folks, but I never actually held a public office before becoming the Foursquare Mayor...
How to Write a Simple Website RFP
November 26, 2010
You need a website. Either a brand new one or an overhaul of your current one. You walk into a web design firm and they...
Filed under: Web Design - Tags: brand identity, branding, business, Business Branding, business owner, checklists, identity development, interactive web strategies, marketing, project management, project management, small business, starting a business, strategic partnerships, web design, web design process, web developer, web marketing, web site development, web site launch, web-based, website, website design, website content
Entrepreneur Talk: 4 Ways to Work Smart, Not Hard
November 23, 2010
Although it is counter-intuitive, working longer hours does not make you more productive. If you are reading this article, you are motivated, hard-working and looking...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, businesses grow, business owner, creativity, discovering, entrepreneur, inspiration, motivation,
Entrepreneur Talk: Stop Spinning & Do What Makes You Happy
November 22, 2010
I have a friend who has said more than once that she admires ‘what I’m doing’. [I run a small business]. We met years ago...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, businesses grow, business owner, discovering, empower, entrepreneur, getting ahead, future leaders, human knowledge, inspiration, reflection, starting a business, success,
National Entrepreneur's Day 2010
November 19, 2010
So it's Entrepreneurs Day, but no entrepreneur is aware of it because they are too busy! I always kind of laugh when people call me...
Entrepreneur Talk: The Art of Reinvention
November 1, 2010
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through
to achieve that beauty.“ - Maya Angelou
A few...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, branding, company values, creativity, discovering, green, environmentally-friendly, growing a business, human knowledge, identity development, inspiration, mindfulness, self-promotion, small business, solopreneur, strategy, supportive environments, women business owners
Entrepreneur Talk: It's Not Bragging if It's True
October 15, 2010
I have a secret. I’m not comfortable with self-promotion. I preach “learn to love marketing” to the entrepreneurs who I coach. I believe that making...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, self-promotion, businesses grow, celebration, communications, conversations, future leaders, personality
Entrepreneur Talk: Listen For Your Voice, Speak with Passion
October 14, 2010
I’m certain when you decided to become an entrepreneur, it wasn’t strictly because you wanted to become a millionaire, but rather you had a desire...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, businesses grow, business owner, discovering, empower, entrepreneur, getting ahead, future leaders, human knowledge, inspiration, reflection, starting a business, success,
Entrepreneur Talk: Spin Your Web
October 13, 2010
Changing careers is tough no matter what, but establishing your own business is particularly challenging. I am an aspiring screenwriter with a day job, so...
Entrepreneur Talk: The Business of Writing
October 10, 2010
Like many entrepreneurs, I started my company on an idea. For me, hard work, long hours, and diligent networking have helped my idea blossom into...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, businesses grow, business owner, creativity, discovering, entrepreneur, inspiration, motivation,
Entrepreneur Talk: Running to Shut Off
September 27, 2010
You became an entrepreneur because you love what you do & wanted to give that service or product to others. You work harder than anyone...
Filed under: Entrepreneur - Tags: business, businesses grow, business owner, discovering, empower, entrepreneur, getting ahead, future leaders, human knowledge, inspiration, reflection, starting a business, success,
START A BIZ: 5 Lessons Learned
September 15, 2010
by Roslyn Ashford of ra redoes rooms
So… you're thinking of starting a business?! Congrats! After six years of running my service business, I can easily...
START A BIZ: Create a Safety Net
September 14, 2010
by Elizabeth Buie of Luminanze
My decision to go solo pounced on me and took immediate hold.
One evening in the spring of 2007, just after dark,...
START A BIZ: Making the Ask
September 13, 2010
by Casey Golden of Small Act
Every business needs at least some money to get started. Depending on your business, you might need to seek investors...
START A BIZ: Public Speech 2.0
September 10, 2010
by Jill Foster of Live Your Talk
As a new business owner, I keep re-visiting these questions:
Where are my most ideal customers?
Am I accessible to them?
And...
START A BIZ: The Uber Simple Start-Up Guide
September 9, 2010
by Kathy Korman Frey (aka Chief Hot Momma) of Hot Momma's Project
A good friend of mine is a riding the entrepreneurial break, BIG TIME. She...
START A BIZ: The Importance of Partnerships
September 8, 2010
by Greg Kihlström of Carousel30 Interactive
Starting a business takes a lot of work. A lot. So, being the type of person that works long hours,...
START A BIZ: Just Do It
September 7, 2010
by Heather Coleman, Future Entrepreneur
But...but...but…I can’t. Wait, that’s not true! The real truth is I just haven’t… yet. I am holding onto the hope that...
START A BIZ: Real Talk
September 3, 2010
by Evelyn Bandoh, RFC of EAB Creative Planning Services
For over 8 years, I have been either teaching about, growing my own or helping to grow...
START A BIZ: Never Look Back, Always Look Up
September 2, 2010
by Erin Pfiffner of The Epiffany Effect
I'd like to think I'm one of the lucky few who have had opportunities fall into my lap and...
START A BIZ: The Alternative Entrepreneur
September 1, 2010
by Nicole Skuba of Online Marketing Branch
I own a business and I don’t work nonstop or sacrifice time with my family. It is not the...
START A BIZ: Know the Little Guys
August 31, 2010
by Veronica O. Davis, P.E. of Nspiregreen
There is the old business adage that says, “it's all about who you know.” It's nice to know the...
START A BIZ: Starting a Biz is Like Raising a Child
August 30, 2010
by Beth Schillaci of VillageWorks Communications, Inc.
Reflecting on my 11+ years in business for myself, I thought about when I made the leap to...
START A BIZ: Know the Law
August 27, 2010
by Nellie Akalp of CorpNet
Starting a Business? ...Get your legal ducks in a row!
Yes, I know. Most of you did not start a business because...
START A BIZ: It Takes Faith
August 26, 2010
by Amy Phillips of Social Pollen
Remember that part in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Indy was finally going through the last tests to...
START A BIZ: Partnering
August 25, 2010
by Matthew Brock of Divergent Planning
“If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail”
Winston Churchill
Not every business owner desires or...
START A BIZ: Ask For Help
August 24, 2010
by Keri Kae Almstead
For some, new enterprises are born out of job dissatisfaction or financial need. After my position was eliminated, I spent the better...
START A BIZ: A Life of Its Own
August 23, 2010
by Dan Morrison of Citizen Effect
I never planned on starting an entrepreneurial nonprofit. It was a complete accident, but a happy one. I was running...
START A BIZ: Taking the First Step
August 20, 2010
by Jesse Bouman of Demeter Interactive
My Dive Into Entrepreneurism
Starting my own company is the most exciting and terrifying thing I’ve ever attempted. Nearly six weeks...
START A BIZ: Lessons Learned
August 19, 2010
by Gabe Hilado of Zenpo Software Innovations
Ten years ago, at the peak of the dot-com boom a group of friends and I decided to start...
START A BIZ: The Sign
August 18, 2010
by Mary Kate of Mary Kate McKenna Photography
Note to self: be prepared for big answers when you ask for them.
In 2007, On my way back...
START A BIZ: Vision
August 17, 2010
by Joe Natoli of Mind Over Machines
Some men see things the way they are and ask, "Why?"
I dream things that never were, and ask "Why...
Five Tips To Build Your Business Smarts
July 29, 2010
~from a Women Grow Business blog at Boot Camp
Once upon a boot camp the young entrepreneur with the growing company and the old advisor with...
Filed under: Marketing - Tags: business, businesses grow, conversations, creativity, customer relationships, getting ahead, marketing, women business owners, work life balance
Want to Grow Your Business? Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
June 14, 2010
Humans are creatures of comfort.
We seek it in our friendships, our families, our homes, our jobs and more. Most of us tend stay within our...
Filed under: Marketing - Tags: business, businesses grow, conversations, creativity, customer relationships, getting ahead, marketing, women business owners, work life balance
Motivation is Key: Insight from Melanie Spring, Sisarina
May 21, 2010
by: Amy Liz Martin
Original Post on Gen Y Networking
Each Friday, its my goal to bring you an interview with someone who has walked many miles...
Filed under: Tell Us - Tags: business, coaching, community building, conversations, daniel pink, future leaders, guidance, networking, motivation,
CNN: How to Avoid Getting Burnt Out at Work
May 21, 2010
CNN came to Sisarina HQ in downtown Bethesda to interview us on how the downturn in the economy is affecting small businesses and came up...
Filed under: Tell Us - Tags: CNN, business, company values, creativity, inspiration, Marisa Peacock, Melanie Spring, Teresa Thomas
How To: Keep Clients Coming Back for More
May 18, 2010
“Will you walk into my parlor?”
Getting a client takes a lot of time, motivation and resources. Now that you have the client, how do you...
Filed under: Tell Us - Tags: business, businesses grow, client, company values, customer development, customer relationships, customers, inspiration, strategy
One Year in Bethesda Sisarina
April 28, 2010
Reflections from Melanie Spring:
One year ago, on May 1, after years of giving my skills to help entrepreneurs & corporations, I went back to what...
Filed under: Tell Us - Tags: brand identity, thank you, business, reflection, inspiration, marketing, sisarina
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