Not Your Everyday Post... Paying it Forward Request
So my loyal readers, I know normally I blog about saving time, yummy recipes, and interesting stories, but today I'm blogging for your advice and suggestions.
My newest client is a full time tutor and a homeschool teacher, a few months back her home was infested with mold, and on top of having to organize an emergency move, she also lost a great deal of her belongings. She's hired me to help find her some resources to replace all of her lost materials. Because of the unique circumstances, she is not being compensated financially for this huge loss, and as you can imagine, has come upon hard times.
I've searched the internet for non-profits and other organizations that focus their efforts on helping those in the education profession, but to apply for donations, in most cases one must be a full time teacher for a public system.
So here I am, my friends asking if you know of any resources that would be a good fit for this person; her students are fourth grade and up, with a focus on English, Reading, Writing, and Math. She's seeking any school supplies of any kind- stickers, word games, paper, pencils, etc. She's also looking for Piano sheet music, as she is also a music teacher.
If you know of a group or organization that would be worth researching, or reaching out to, please let me know and I will be happy to forward on the information.
Making Mom proud- 20 years later!
Saturday morning I woke up at the ungodly hour of 6am- I don't mind getting up at 6 during the week, but on the weekend I like to lounge until at least 7 (Sunday morning it was 5:30, ick). I figured since I was up, I might as well get something done, something that would no doubt, make my mother proud.
Growing up, my mother was the "Bad Cop" most of the time, especially on Saturday mornings. While my dad would escape to work, my mother was left with three girls (the boy didn't come along until much later), and had a LONG list of rules to enforce. Saturday morning was no different. Saturday morning was the worst actually; for all of us. Looking back, no one had it easy on Saturdays (except for my Dad), and we're lucky to have made it out alive. Mom had this rule- there was no leaving the house, no playing in the yard, no talking on the phone, and certainly NO watching TV until our room was cleaned. The no TV rule was the worst- while I knew my friends were watching the awesome Saturday morning line up (The Smurfs, Snorks, Fraggle Rock, etc), I was busy with the Saturday morning chores. My two sisters and I shared a room, and we shared a mess.
This project took HOURS... and I'm not exaggerating. There were few memorable Saturdays in which I can recall not finishing the job until well into the afternoon (much belated apologies, Mom). It wasn't because we were total pigs, it was because we were kids, and we were easily distracted. A project that shouldn't have taken more than an hour, took multiple. I'm the oldest, and there's a 5 year difference between myself and my youngest sister- that's a wide array of toys. From dolls, to Barbies (yes, there's a difference), to magic tricks, to board game, to dress up clothes and electronics it was easy to focus for a few seconds, and then get caught up playing in the mess.
Looking back on it, having the "Bad Cop" making sure we cleaned our room, was beneficial for several reasons (safety being the most obvious, and probably most important), but I also have a real appreciation for cleaning on a Saturday morning- and I never wait a week between cleaning. Since right now, it's just Rick, Sammy and myself, cleaning is not such a distraction, and yields major rewards.
So Mom, I'd like you to know that the floors were washed by 9am, and the house was sparkling clean before I went to run errands!
Is there something that was a rule growing up in your house that you've carried with you?
-Stacy
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What are you up to?
Knowing how busy today was going to be, I had intended to start my day with the last scoop of Shakeology blended up and ready to go... when the blender died on me. It's a good thing that there's a surplus of fresh fruit and healthy choices available to whip up a quick breakfast!
So after I finish my delicious and nutritious meal it's off to work with 3 clients today.
1. I'll be spending a couple of hours doing a bit of housekeeping. I usually work with this family every other, to every third week, for a set amount of time. The wife/mom/lady of the house, usually leaves me a note with what room(s) she'd like me to focus on. Easy-peasy.
2. Next stop is down to Scituate. This person has two older children- both in high school, and both fairly independent. Mom is away on business, and while they don't need a sitter, or a nanny, Mom would like me to check on the house- make sure everyone is at school, and there haven't been any wild parties. Throwing in a couple of loads of laundry, washing the dishes, and giving the dog a little exercise and playtime is all part of the plan!
3. I'll be wrapping up my day in Hingham, meeting with a social media client. She wants her personal training business to grow, and how important Facebook/Twitter/Blogging can be to her business- but is overwhelmed by all that's out there. I'm helping her to filter out the junk, and make it work best for her!
Seems like kind of a busy day, but nothing I can't handle with a great start!
What are you up to on this dreary Wednesday?
-Stacy
Guilt to Empowerment!
Each month I flip through the catalog, and while I'm not (yet) a mother, it's full of great tips, tricks, and advice to pass along to my clients. In a previous issue there was an article that the focus was on guilt; and how many mother's let feelings of guilt rule their lives. This really got me thinking. We all have guilt in one form or another. Whether you feel guilty for putting your child to bed a few minutes early so you can enjoy some down time, or working a crazy schedule at work to meet a deadline, or maybe you're feeling guilty that your house isn't as clean as it used to be; this article hit all the points of feeling guilty.
Unfortunately, guilt can be so tightly hard wired into our brains, that it's become almost a natural feeling. I know that when someone asks me to do something, if I say "No," I'm left feeling guilty that I was unable to help; regardless of the circumstances. I feel guilty when I come home from a long day of work and instead of taking the dog out for a walk, I open up the back door and let him play in the yard. Guilt practically lives on my shoulder when I don't feel like I've done my share of the housework, or laundry.
A great deal of my clients hire me to help lessen that feeling of guilt. If they have me to clean the house, go grocery shopping, and do all the time consuming errands, they feel more empowered to spend quality time with their kids- not wondering when they will have a chance to scrub the baseboards. In the course of a busy life, we all feel guilt at one point or another; it's how we deal with that guilt, discover the root of the problem, and help eliminate the negative feelings associated with it.
What are some things that leave you feeling guilty? How can you avoid this series of events and live your best life for your children?
-Stacy
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Every Busy Fiance Needs A Wife!
Last Saturday, we went and traded in my Traverse. It was killing me on gas and it was much more car than we need right now. Having seven seats is perfect... if you have five kids you're constantly shuttling around. That's not our life. It's just Rick, myself, and the dog. I usually have a variety of cleaning products and tools, but all of that can fit into a trunk. So we pick out a car, a nice four door sedan, with a huge trunk, the dealership swaps the plates, I sign a million different papers and off we go.
Tuesday afternoon I get a frantic call from the dealership telling me I need to get back to the dealership immediately and exchange my plates. The ones they had swapped over had expired.
I'm thinking about this, and I'm scratching my head (here's how my thought process went down
: "there's no way they could have expired. I bought the Traverse last March, and aren't plates good for a year? I've still got... Oh.My.God. It's April." I've been signing checks, dating invoices, cards, and looking at the calendar daily- but somehow I'm still living in March. Sometimes that happens- we live such busy lives that it's easy to lose track of time. I met with a woman this morning, who has been meaning to call me since Christmas... December?! Somehow, here we are in April and we're just getting around to talking about the project she had wanted taken care of and completed by now.
When you put things off for a few days it's easy to forget altogether, and then wind up shocked when you realize an entire month has gone by.
Is there something that you've been putting off- how can you hold yourself accountable for making sure it gets done? Do you have a system to take care of projects you might otherwise avoid?
Stacy
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Spring Cleaning: Washing the Dishwasher!
Someone posted to my Facebook yesterday asking me how to clean dishwashers and washing machines... My first thought- brilliant idea for a blog!
When people do their spring cleaning the focus on the floors, walls, window sills, baseboards, and sometimes ceilings- but when was the last time you thought about your appliances?
Dirt, grime, slime, and lime build up in cleaning appliances when we don't remember to thoroughly clean- preventing ultimate shine, freshness, and overall cleanliness. With products that are currently being flushed with water, you'll want to take special care in cleaning- to prevent this gross build up, and minimize the risk of mold.
When it comes to cleaning out the dishwasher, you'll want to check your manual to ensure safety and see if they have any tips for cleaning. Generally, you'll want to take the arm in the bottom that spins out, and clean each hole- I like to use skewers to poke the build up through. I also like to take out each rack and wipe down, as well as give the interior and wheels a quick wipe.
Truth is, all that cleaning is time consuming- and I don't think that you should have to sacrifice your busy life for a clean home... and neither does Real Simple! With a few strokes of fingers across my keyboard and a quick click on a link provided, I found this great tip: Lemonade Kool Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner. I've used products like Affresh before for washers and dishwashers, but never would have imagined that one could use a sugary sweet drink as a cleaning agent!
What unique things have you used to clean?
-Stacy
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Delivering Happiness, Delivering A Giveaway!
A few months ago, someone gave me a list of books to read to help me grow myself as a business owner, and keep me inspired. One of the books suggested was Delivering Happiness, it's journey of the owner of Zappos. Somehow in my excitement of receiving this book, I ordered two.
Well, isn't that lucky for you, my dear, lucky reader.
I am only going to read one copy of this new hard cover, and I'll be passing the other copy along to a lucky reader.
How can you win your own copy of this book you might ask... well, my pal Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds, and current President of South Shore Women's Business Network is a big believer in paying it forward. So here's what I'm asking from you; in the month of May, I'm seeking some do gooders- you can nominate yourself, or someone you know, and you can post a quick note about the experience as a comment under this blog. While details are wonderful, let's keep it simple- just a few sentences or a paragraph about what you did, or what you observed, and how it left people feeling.
Pretty simple.
A great example- the same person who referred me to this book is known for on a very hot summer day having gone out and found some pals that were working outside (landscapers, painters, movers, etc.) and delivered popsicles and cold water to help brighten their day. While my friend making the deliveries expected nothing more than a smile, that's a story that's hard to forget, and even harder to top!
I'll be choosing a winner at random on May 29, 2012 and you can enter as many DIFFERENT situations as you wish between now and then. The winner will be announced on the Facebook Fan Page, so make sure you like us!
-Stacy
Social Media isn't Going Anywhere!
We spend a great deal of time talking about social media- how overwhelming some of these women find it, and how some have sourced out virtual help with postings, and some have hired Errands Etcetera for some coaching. The bulk of our conversations revolve around FaceBook (wait until they hear about Twitter and FourSquare!), why you should keep your business and personal pages separate, and is it something they really need.
I recently gave a presentation on social media and I opened my talk with something like "People are no longer looking in the yellow pages for a plumber. They are searching reviews on Yelp, and asking outright on FaceBook and Twitter for referrals. You don't see many people flipping through the National Enquirer anymore while standing in line at the grocery store- instead they are scanning through status updates on FaceBook. While you may not be tech savvy, and while it may be new to you, the next generation of your customers or clients are very likely to rely on social media and technology to connect with their world. If you're not easily found on line, with reviews, or testimony- you most likely just lost a sale."
While social media may be confusing, time consuming, and overwhelming, it's just like any other component to consider in the health of your business. I can speak from true testimony, that without Social Media (specifically FaceBook), my business wouldn't be where it is today. I can reach all of my clients with the tap of a few keys with specials, incentives, tips and tricks, and to let them know what I'm up to.
If you're a business owner and know that you need to take that next step, please feel free to contact me, or anyone else in your network or circle that seems to be tech savvy and ask for the help you need. You're only doing yourself a favor!
Is there something that has brought your business great success that you were hesitant to do/invest in?
Stacy
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BBQ Pulled Pork!
My name is Stacy, and we've been apart for far too long.
That's how I feel this week. If there's such thing as summer-fever, I've got it. With unbelievably warm temps, it's so hard to focus while working inside (even now, I'm planted at the window seat of the coffee shop, watching the world go by and feeling the warm sun through the glass). I spend time dreaming of my garden, and being outside with the dog while I should be scheduling clients and getting down to business. With the warmer weather, Rick's been cooking on the grill almost every night, and as much as I love his cooking, sometimes you need something other than steak or chicken.
Yesterday I dragged out the old crockpot- I know, I know... but it kept the house cool (despite the 86* temps outside), and took no maintenance while I was off at work. Following a recipe a friend shared with me, I tried something new.
Rick loves BBQ, and he really enjoys rich, delicious dinners. So I made pulled pork sandwiches with fresh cut potato wedges and cole slaw.
Into the crock pot I put a 3lb salt and peppered pork loin (after trimming the fat away), one can of diet root beer (you can use regular, but I was concerned about the calories), a few table spoons of BBQ sauce, one onion cut into chunks and sprinkled around the meat, and finally placed the cover back on for 7 hours. Following the rule of low and slow, the pork cooked to perfection.
Having dinner preparing while I was at work allowed me some extra time to hit up out door bootcamp, before heading home to eat!
What are some time saving dinners you love for summer nights?
Running the Boston Marathon, Running a Business
Here we are, the first real day of April vacation, Patriot's Day, and Marathon Monday (if you're lucky enough to live in the Boston area). Today we are expected to hit record breaking highs which is not in the runner's favor. I heard last night that organizations were asking people not to run- due to the health risks. Running 26.2 miles in mid-high eighties isn't going to be good for anyone. According to a Fox 25 morning news poll that about 1000 people responded to, only 46% would have taken the option to back out at the last minute. This is not really surprising. If you spend hours upon hours, training for such a big event, you might literally think nothing can stop you- not even high temperatures.
This got me thinking... a few years ago, when I was starting Errands Etcetera, I was also training for a triathlon (yes, while also working at a bar- I enjoy over extending myself!) When I told people I was starting a business, they looked at me like I was crazy; "didn't I know where the economy was?" was something that was constantly brought to my attention. The truth was, no I didn't. I'd heard the economy was bad, but I was determined. I had a goal, and I'd been sitting on this idea for over 5 years- it was time to make things happen.
Today I compare myself to those runners- the runners that have been warned about the dangers of a marathon in general, and for an added challenge, the rising temperatures making "Heartbreak Hill" that much more heartbreaking! The runners that have been cut a deal- if they want to not run, they will receive a discount on next year's race. I too was warned of the risks and dangers of starting a business- you never get a day off, you're at the mercy of your clients, you might fail. Yet, through all of those speed bumps, I've grown my business, and never given up. I've been offered other positions, and turned down some lucrative work- all because I had a goal.
Is there something that people tried to talk you out of that you felt couldn't be sacrificed?
Stacy
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