And what a day it has been. Indecision 2008 has treated me well. I’ve been living it up like a true entrepreneur with a residual income from Uncle Sam (for this day only). You see, I kindly volunteered my day to work the polls (no, not those poles silly) and was put on standby notice in case one of the workers was sick or didn’t show up. Apparently they didn’t have any problems because here I am. Here’s where the residual income part plays in…they pay me to standby even if I’m not called in for duty! Can I get a whoop-whoop?!

(ok…perhaps not mega bucks, but it’ll pay a bill or two or three)

Anyhoot, I woke up to the sound of RAIN after nearly 8 rainless months. Threw clothes on (then raincoat) and ran out to cast my vote before returning to my humble adobe home office to begin a cozy workday in my PJs. Got sooooo much work done in the A.M. that I decided to treat myself to a nice lunch out…at a brewery. Returning home 99.9% sober to work (and in case Auntie County Registrar of Voters calls), I continued my winning work streak until RIGHT ABOUT NOW.  I’m officially off election standby duty and ready to bust out of here for an election news surfing party.

Tomorrow is November 4…ELECTION DAY! As educated business owners and career women, it’s vital we voice our opinions on issues and candidates by VOTING. Here is why you should vote:

1. Have a say.

If you don’t vote…save the drama for ya mama. I don’t want to hear a single complaint come out of your mouth about political leaders, taxes, or laws. You had an opportunity to make a change, but you let it go down the tube. You’ll simply have to stick duct tape over your mouth until you decide to actually vote.

2. Set the example

If you have kids, coworkers, or employees it’s vital you set a civic minded example. In addition, if you own your own business perhaps extend the lunch hour, break time, or opening hour tomorrow under the condition all employees go vote. Don’t impede their ability to exercise their right to vote, instead be sure you are encouraging the democratic process!

3. Need further reasons to vote? You can find them here:

GET OUT AND VOTE TOMORROW!

It happens to me every single year. Two seconds before the door bell rings or it’s time to take someone else’s kidlets trick-or-treating, I panic because I don’t have a Halloween costume.

How about being a Successful Woman Entrepreneur this year? Here are a few simple and easy costume ideas:

1. Oprah Winfrey:

Directions: Blow up this picture of Oprah’s face and print out. Glue onto cardboard, discarded cereal box, or stiff paper. Cut out eye, nose, mouth holes. Eat popsickle and glue stick to back.

Recommended Accessories: A copy of “O Magazine,” pant suit, cocker spaniel, and your own product or service to tout at “Oprah’s Favorite Thing for Halloween.” Hey, why not get in some PR on Halloween while you’re at it?

2. Martha Stewart

Directions: Follow same directions as above.

Recommended Accessories: “Marth Stewart Living” magazine, suit, handcuffs, and a fresh batch of handmade cupcakes for the kiddies. This is a great costume for interior designers as you can be “playing the part” while giving decorating advice and seeking business all at the same time.

These are just a few ideas…you can expand the same basic concept to be anyone you want for the night. Enjoy and happy trick-or-treating for business.

Sometimes lack of communication can get you in trouble at work. Communicating the wrong message can make things worse. Here are a few tips to avoid a communication disaster:

Think before you speak.
So simple, yet so difficult. At some point or another, it happens to everyone…you open your trap and mutter words without thinking about what you’re saying or the consequences of your actions. Next thing you know, you’re the one with the pink slip. If someone annoys you, make it a habit to let the comments roll off your back, collect your thoughts, and process the information before striking back with fabulous whit.

Understand where the boss is coming from.
You don’t have to like the perspective where she (or he) is coming from, but you need to understand their reasoning. Perhaps it’s nothing personal and you boss needs to think with the head and not the heart. Or, maybe they really are out to get you…but you need to understand WHY.

Respect all beliefs and opinions.
You don’t have to agree with everything a boss or coworker says, but instead choose to listen and respect. They should do the same. Also, everyone should reserve the right to refuse non-work related discussions. Even if your boss is oblivious to employee feelings, you should make it a point to foster a comfortable workplace…even if they are voting for an idiot on November 4.

As an entrepreneur, people often look at me in admiration. Some faint and while others cry of pleasure or ask for my autograph. Just kidding. But seriously, I’ve heard more people than I can count tell me how cool it is that I’m an entrepreneur and explain that someday they’d like to do the same. This statement is often followed by a laundry list of excuses about what is holding them back.

What is holding you back from becoming an entrepreneur?

Time?
Is it a full time job? Kids? A full social schedule? If you really want to do something you’ll make the time. It’s about making changes in order to do what you want.

Money?
When there’s a will, there’s a way. The only thing holding you back is an excuse. Despite the…ooo…I hate saying this…so I’ll whisper…”ECONOMY”…there are still financial resources available to people who want and need small business loans. If you’re not ready to quit your day job, start becoming a weekendpreneur.

Ambition?
If you’re not ambitious, perhaps you’re not entrepreneur material OR simply haven’t found your passion quite yet. Keep your eyes and ears open and maybe someday something will click and you’ll be creating and marketing the next greatest thing!

Always remember: How you choose to live your life is a choice….so choose wisely!

“I’m stronger than yesterday.”
-Britney Spears

I’m not the biggest Britney fan, but her lyrics and tunes are obnoxiously catchy. There are more days than I’d like to admit that I find some portions of her songs unconsciously seeping into my brain. It can really get annoying (especially since I don’t know what comes before or after “I’m stronger than yesterday”), but other than electroshock treatments, I’m not sure what I can do about avoiding this unpleasant phenomenon.

There’s some truth to the quote above: I am stronger than yesterday. Although I’d like everyone to be honest and ethical, this is simply NOT the case. No matter how honest YOU ARE, there are always jerks who sleep just fine at night after lying and stealing. Lucky for me, I am a lesson learner and everything negative that happens…makes me “stronger than yesterday!” (Cue black belt Kung Fu Diva Mogul with nunchucks)

When you have bad experiences, do you take the time to learn from your mistakes or other people’s stupidity? Always remember that what doesn’t kill you…MAKES YOU STRONGER. Apply this to your business or career and you’re ahead of the wolf pack.

Trying to decide on dates, times, places or take a general opinion poll can be difficult and test your patience as well as the storage space in your email account. This is especially true if done over email with ten people involved. Ever attempted that? Your inbox is quickly filled with reply messages and the replies for the replies…from all ten people. Within minutes or seconds (it is, after all, a BlackBerry world) you can become utterly confused with who can and can’t on which days and times. Whether scheduling something for the office or a ladies night out…let me introduce you to DOODLE!

A friend recently introduced me (and a whole group of people) to the ease of Doodle.

• Those dozens of one-liner emails? Gone.
• Confusion over who said what and in what email? Gone.
• Agreement on date? Not included.

Here’s an actual agenda I’ve used:

Additional fab features:

• Export Doodle to pdf
• Export to Excel
• Printable version
• Available in over a dozen language

Only in existence for about a month now, Doodle has quickly gained both fans and awards. Our German friends have already rated it a top Facebook application.

I want to hear your email scheduling horror stories (I know I have plenty) and how Doodle has saved YOUR life and inbox storage limit!

Geez. These MLM (Multi Level Marketing) people are in hot pursuit. They’re acting like I’m their ONLY OPPORTUNITY to make any money. What is hard to understand about the word “NO” and the phrase “I have absolutely no interest in being a part of XYZ Company so please do not contact me further”????

At least one of them finally gets the fact that I don’t want to be a part of “the team,” but today she emailed me asking if I would consider being a CUSTOMER. Oh, she also asked for NAMES of people that might be interested in joining their team. I started thinking about people whose lives I would like to make miserable… but then concluded that I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone. Yes, even THAT ONE PERSON.

The other MLM lady doesn’t get anything. At all. I gave her the same run-around I gave the other lady and she had the NERVE to call me today. She didn’t even remember me telling her that stuff! How many people is she annoying daily? Obviously too many to count or remember.

Take this as a warning: be VERY careful about who gets your business card. MLM people can never use YOUR services, they only want a larger database of suckers.

I love connecting with and hearing about women who have turned their passion into a career or entrepreneurial opportunity. The other day, I offered suggestions to determine whether or not you’re on the right career path. Here are some videos of women who KNOW they are following their passion and have turned opportunity into business:

Carissa Comp

Carissa started snowboarding as a weekend hobby and practiced so much that at the young age of 19, she has sponsors and is starting her own apparel line! Check out her website at CarissaComp.com.

Made in Germany

This video follows two German career women who explain how and why they do what they do. For them, running companies is about discovery as well as setting and meeting business goals.

Robin Wilson

This construction business guru is one of the few contractors in the business. Robin discusses how she deals in a male dominated industry.

I’ve resolved not to write too much about the economy. Aren’t you SO SICK of turning on the TV and hearing nothing but bad news about the economy and how much people are suffering? I am and I don’t even have cable. Reading and hearing snippets is more than enough “economy overload” for me. The world continues.

But, sometimes I take recommendations from family and friends. Recently, 60 Minutes interviewed Ken Lewis, President of Bank of America. I watched it because I want and need to know what’s going on with banks across the country and world (I don’t want my bucks in the wrong place at the wrong time ). This gives you an inside scoop as to what happened when the nine major financial institutions met with the U.S. government. It’s a very enlightening interview:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO!!!!

• Banks were given $125 BILLION in taxpayer money from government and told to “take it or take it” regardless of whether or not it was needed
• The money is supposed to be so banks can continue lending, but there are no requirements attached.
• Bank of America is currently the strongest bank in the USA: they chose not to participate in sub prime lending, which helps them today.
• Bank of America President Ken Lewis only takes home $25 million/year, pennies compared to other bank and Wall Street executives.
• Despite being strong, B of A is still looking to save $7 billion and will probably be forced to layoff some employees.