Dragon Lady is on a mission and she’s unstoppable. She knows how to flex her muscles and brainpower to get what she wants and needs. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows Kung Fu. There is no man holding Dragon Lady back (not even her sweet Latino hubby). I’ll also mention that Dragon Lady is rich. Very rich.
Who is Dragon Lady? Moi…! No, sorry, I wish. Dragon Lady is Yan Cheung, chairman of Nine Dragons Paper and is the fifth (5th!) richest person in China (according to Forbes, other sources rank her higher). Sister power! Nine Dragons has huge investment plans that will make it the top paper company in Asia in the upcoming year (and Dragon Lady a lot richer).
What has made her paper company so successful? While it’s secretly credited to her Jackie Chan-like business abilities, she publicly mentions that the company’s success is largely due to not overdiversifying. Cheung runs the company more like a multinational corporation instead of a family business, unlike many Chinese companies.
In the upcoming years, Nine Dragons Paper hopes to spread its paper wings and take over the world kick the you-know-what of their Japanese competitor for the #1 Asia spot…and then beyond.
Whether you’re in the market for a new desk or looking to buy a desk for your first-ever home office, here are some great ideas to fit all needs and budget! Remember to think outside the stereotypical desk space when creating your home office… (don’t be boooring!)
THE SECRETARY DESK:
Classy and elegant. This desk is ideal for the entrepreneur who deals with light bookkeeping at home and carries her laptop to and from the office. $329.
A modern-day secretary desk, Ikea sticks to tradition with clean, modern lines. Ideal for entrepreneurs on a budget without the need for large amounts of storage space. $199
THE MURPHY DESK:
If you have a slightly bigger budget and like to kill two birds with one stone, a murphy bed/desk for your guest bedroom is the solution for you! Companies will custom tailor the wall units to fit your needs and price range.
THE COMPUTER CABINET:
If you don’t have a special room designated as your office, a computer cabinet does the trick. Place it in your living room or studio apartment and when guests come, simply close the doors and nobody has to know! $699 at Rooms to Go.
THE TABLE:
Currently the option I’m using. A hand-me-down antique table makes up my headquarters. There’s always room for the printer, phone, computer, and an area to organize documents. Separate storage is a must with this option. Ikea $130.
1. Amber Mac
Canadian Amber Mac is a true Diva Mogul at heart. She started out as a TV reporter and eventually decided to quit her job to do her own thing. Now Amber is the head honcho at her own website AmberMac.com where she hosts an online weekly TV show, commandN. Amber’s show is a great way to catch up on all the latest and greatest tech trends. The show is already the 151 episode, which is no surprise because the show is smart, fresh, and all about the latest geek crazes.
2. iJustine
Justine Ezarik is, without a doubt, a Diva Mogul blogger. A web artist and graphic designer, Justine has turned her blog, Tasty Blog Snack, into a full-time business. She doesn’t go anywhere without her iphone and appears to have found big sponsors to fund her well-documented trips and activities. She blogs with her iphone and most recently, with her Nikon camera. Apart from every Social Media site on the planet, you might find Justine featured at a tech launch party or blog expo near you!
There are lots of bad business cards out there. Here are a few things to avoid:
1. Ugliness. If you are going to go to the trouble of business cards, please make them presentable. I recently received a full-text business card and had to spend 20 seconds looking for the person’s name. This is a no-no. This same business card has a logo…the size of a pea. Again, I also had to look hard for the name of the business.
Remember: Clean, clear, and minimalist.
2. “Printed for free by ____.” This is just tacky. Nothing screams “cheap skate” and “I don’t take my business seriously” more than this. Don’t do it. The quality is also sub-standard and flimsy. The worst thing is you still have to pay for the shipping. Really, these cards aren’t even worth the cost of shipping…and you might lose business.
Remember: Shop around for deals, but make sure they are high quality. Next time someone hands you a high quality card, ask.
3. Business card templates. Everyone will know if you use a template. Everyone. This also screams “cheap” and “uncreative.” If you’re going to have a business, it’s important to brand yourself and have original cards. There are hundreds of business card templates, but haven’t you noticed that everyone tends to gravitate towards the same five? Don’t be a follower. Be original.
Remember: Perception is reality. Spend the money to hire a designer to help you brand your business.
Toyota Prius:
This car lets the world know you care on every level. Not only do you care about your business, but you are concerned about how you are personally impacting the environment. The Prius is practical, good looking, and will save you major gas money down the road. This car is great for Diva Moguls who have to travel to appointments without cargo.
Prius Diva Mogul Personality: Aware & practical
Mercedes-Benz SLK-class:
This car communicates that you are a successful Diva Mogul. Fast, sleek, and with a price tag to match the image…you’ll capture that attention you love. The SLK-class convertible is perfect for financial advisors and those Diva Moguls who are in the latter stages of business development. Buying a car like this too soon could be the kiss of business death.
SLK Diva Mogul Personality: Fun & trendy
Honda CR-V:
This car is for practical Diva Moguls who desire more space. For an SUV, the CR-V gets good gas mileage while allowing business owners to transport necessary materials to clients or trade shows. This car is perfect for Diva Moguls who have to carry a load while managing a family.
CR-V Diva Mogul Personality: Busy & hands-on
