One of my favorite people, Michelle Pippin, posted a blog today that I just loved.  She has “officially” dubbed February LOVE YOUR BUSINESS MONTH.  Since this month includes the International Holiday of Love, (and Michelle’s birthday) I absolutely loved the idea of focusing not just on the PEOPLE we love, but also on the things we love – starting with our businesses and how it effects our lives.

Michelle tells her story about how her business was born out of her love and commitment to her children – above anything else – and how she LOVES that having her own business and being her own boss allows her to stay home with them every day.  She asked us to share what WE LOVE about our businesses as well, so here is mine -

First I LOVE getting to work with amazing women – like you – who are ready to pull up their bootstraps and get to WORK.  I LOVE spending all day every day with ambitious, driven, wont-take-no-for-an-answer, we-control-our-own-economy, this-isnt-your-mothers-industry-anymore business women from all over the World.  They constantly inspire me, motivate me, and support me in Leading them to greatness, and I LOVE it.

I LOVE that I get to drop off and pick up my girls from school each day, do homework with them, cook dinner with them, do crafts, attend school functions, get to know their friends, their friends parents, and stay in touch with what is going on in their lives.

I LOVE that I get to work side by side with my best friend – and someday husband (if I ever give in lol) who is my biggest cheerleader and fan.  I LOVE that each day we wake up together, have breakfast together, stop working to enjoy lunch on our back porch together, and talk about our days.  We get to help each other – pulling from both of our strengths and supporting one another.

I LOVE that if I do not feel well, I do not have to ASK anyone if I can lie on the couch all morning.  I LOVE that if I want to go see my mother in Atlanta – or my grandmother in Tampa – that I just GO.  I LOVE that I do not have to “ask” anyone for the time to go. I LOVE that if I get a phone call from a friend in the middle of the day for no reason at all – that I can answer it and talk for as long as I want to.

I LOVE that I can control my income, control my time, control my business, and control my life.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I work in an industry that allows for ANYONE to have these same privileges that I do, if they are willing to do what it takes to get there.

Thank you Michelle for letting me stop for a moment and focus on what I LOVE about my business and my life.   It is the perfect way to kick off this International Month of Love!

What do you LOVE about your business?

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  And does that play a role in where you are in your life today?  Do you think there are some of the same attributes from your career choice that are present in your Small Business?

See you next week Divas! Be sure to check out the Original Monday Mingle at www.EightyMPHMom.com!

~Lynsey

Today is the day for you to “Sign your check” as part of the New Moon Celebration and the Law of Abundance.  Here is an article I wrote last year about the Law of Abundance – what it is, why you should participate, and how you can get started right now on making 2012 your best year ever.

As a huge believer and follower of the Law of Attraction, I was excited to read up on the Law of Abundance that my local radio was discussing as I drove my angels to school this morning.  The “Morning Guys“  from WABB in Mobile, Alabama  use it and swear by it as a way to bring success and wealth to your life.

I came home and read several sites on the Law of Abundance, looking for more information.  I found several sites that I never knew existed – including www.abundancesecrets.com, www.law-of-abundance-living.com and more.  I was excited to read the same kind of stories that I have known, loved, and LIVED with the Law Of Attraction.

One site summed up the Law of Abundance by stating:  The universe exists on the principle of abundance. It is by giving that you receive. This is the law of abundance, which stipulates that we cannot enjoy the riches of the universe unless we are willing to share them with others.

Basically: it is an Ancient Chinese tradition to guarantee prosperity in the New Year.

Bringing it to the 21st Century: The Law of Abundance Check!

I want to challenge you all to join me TODAY, January 23rd to celebrate the New Moon by writing your own Law of Abundance Check.  Here is how it works:
1. Take a Blank Check.
2. You shouldn’t date the check at all – (why limit your abundance to a single day?)
3. Make the check out to yourself.
4. Use your full legal name.
5. Leave the dollar box and line blank.
6. In the memo area write, “paid in full.”
7. Sign the check, “Law of Abundance”

That’s it! You will need to keep the check with you at all times in the New Year (except when bathing & sleeping), so put it in your wallet, purse, planner – whatever you keep closest to you at all times.

You MUST complete this task before the first NEW moon of the year (which is TODAY – January 23rd).: Experts say, we should complete it within 24 hours of the new moon.

Leave me a comment and let me know if you will be joining us today, and let’s see how this Law effects us all in 2012!

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Tell us about your WHY for being in this business.  We all know there are different reasons why people get into the Direct Sales and Party Plan Industry – tell us yours.  Was it to relieve debt?  Pay off student loans?  Buy a house?  Stay home with kiddos?  Tell us what your WHY is.

I thought the best way for me to show you my WHY was in pictures, plus I got to “play” with one of my favorite video sites – www.Animoto.com.  At Animoto you can make 30 second snippet videos in literally seconds.  Upload images, choose your theme and music, and voila!   For only $5 a month you can make unlimited full length videos too!  It’s a great way to show off new Products, new Hostess Rewards… or your “WHY.”  Here are just a few of my favorite moments that owning my own business has afforded me to have – without the threat of “time off work.”   Enjoy.

Check out Animoto for all of your quick, professional video needs and link up below telling us about your WHY!!

See you next week Divas!

~Lynsey

Hey Divas! Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better. If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

Tell us about YOUR favorite product from your product line.  We would LOVE for you to video your response – show us how you can use it, why we would love it, etc.  Be sure to include a link for how we can order too!  (Note: this does not have to be your ‘best seller’ but the product you personally like the most.  The ‘best seller’ will have its own week!    )

Here is mine!  Enjoy!

If you want to learn more about my favorite product – the Party Plan Divas Membership – check out all of the details here.

Have a great week!  Hope to SEE you soon!

~Lynsey

I was recently asked to contribute to an article about “Mompreneurs”, mothers who started their own businesses. The tips I came up with however, I feel are universal and I wanted to share them with anyone who has ambitions of creating their own business. There are many pros and cons about working for yourself, and I think self-employment has a lot to do with your personality and if you thrive under conditions of pressure, risk and flexibility. Running your own ship isn’t for everyone, but if you feel the itch and can’t seem to escape it, the tips below may help.

Tip 1

Think of what you love: Where is your passion, what do you spend time on, what do you read about and what do you research? I have always been passionate about nutrition and health as well as the biology behind good and poor nutrition. I was always reading about this, researching this, and found myself gravitating toward this in many aspects of my life. Starting a nutrition company was a perfect fit for my passion. Where is your heart and your interest/knowledge base? Simply, what do you love to do?

Tip 2

Start small and look for opportunity everywhere: friends, family, local shops, website, local business incubators. Just take one small step at a time. A well published college professor once told me that he was always so overwhelmed with writing a book that he would just write one page each day until he was done. Let it build gradually, get tons of feedback. You’ll know when it’s time to expand.

Tip 3

Ask lots of questions: Find people that know more than you and utilize their knowledge. People love to teach and advise others. I have had so many amazing mentors along the way, most of whom I sought out (and most who still advise me to this day). I would not be where am today without the help and guidance they gave me along the way. Take full advantage of this as often as you can.

Tip 4

Make a plan: Sit down and design out your business plan. What are your goals for your product? What are your financial goals? How will you achieve these goals step by step, month by month? Alter the plan if necessary or make more than one scenario. Know when you will pull the plug if you have to. Know your strategy for growth. In the beginning, every day I set aside 1 hour for cold calling stores across the country. I set aside 1 hour each day for cost reduction on my bar. The rest of my time was chasing large accounts and day to day business. I had specific store goals month to month and financial goals to go alongside the volume goals. I knew it could take years to break even, but was determined as well to not go deep into debt.

Tip 5

Take the plunge: Business is a risk, but we live in the greatest country in the world for starting and growing new businesses. When I finally decided to manufacture, I had to use a chunk of money that I had received as an inheritance. It was a huge risk, but there is so much opportunity for unique and better products. The way I always thought of it is that I would rather try with the possibility of failing so I could say I gave it my best shot then to always wonder what if.

Veronica Bosgraaf is a mom and entrepreneur who created Pure Bars, organic, whole snacks for the entire family.   When her six year old daughter announced she wanted to be a vegetarian, Veronica took her lifelong passion for health and wellness, and turned it into a large growing business and has been featured in the media such as O Magazine, Shape Magazine, CNN Headline News, CBS The Early Show, The Associated Press, and many more.   Veronica knows first hand how to turn your passion into a career and freely shares her knowledge and expertise with other women entrepreneurs looking to make a difference.

Check out the Pure Bars Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/thepurebar – for recipes, product specials, healthy lifestyle tips and more!

Over the weekend I was a bit scarce on Party Plan Divas, but with good reason.  On Saturday we decided to revamp the house, move some rooms around, and set me up with a brand new office for 2012.  I can not TELL you how excited I am.  There is just something about a “new space” that makes you feel energized,rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world!   By request from a few of my Divas, I am taking you on the “tour” to show you where I work each day, and how I keep my life, time, schedule, and space organized.   Welcome to my office!

One of my favorite tools that I have had for years is my four-month dry erase calendar.  It is pretty large so you can write in just about anything you need, but I love being able to see my next four months “at a glance” at any time.  It is on the wall directly behind my office, so I can spin around and see it any time.  It was a little pricey, but has been worth every penny!

Next is this amazing hutch that my mother in law gave me.  It “hides” a television, so I can watch tv when I am working alone (gotta have some sound) but close it for a great background for when I am recording videos.

1 – it also holds my weights and exercise equipment for when the mood strikes for some curls.

2- Books I love and gain inspiration from.  You can see my Top Ten list here.

3 – My Gold Canyon warmer and pod I received as a gift from one of my Divas.  Currently rockin “Pool Towel” – the scent that reminds me of summer – even when it is chilly outside.

Beside my desk I have a two shelf book case with things that I need to be able to put my hands on quickly:

1 – my corkboard of important stuff – includes my voters registration card, Office Depot coupons, items I need to order, etc.

2 – a mirror… of course.

3 – my “take to the car” pile.  Includes my Mobile Office and things that need to go to Office Depot to be copied.

4 – cute little box of dry erase markers in over 10 different colors – a MUST have.  Color is everything.

5 – my brain (lol) includes binders for Conference Calls, Diva Success Sisters Chapters, Diva Leadership Academy notes, Direct Sales News magazines, etc.  Also has  my random wires to connect my camera, phone, iPod, etc.

6 – shipping items, a huge hole punch, and items that need to be returned to my Corporate Office.

Then of course the nucleus of it all…. the desk.  I love love love love this leveled corner desk that I purchased years ago from Target, but I believe that Office Depot has them as well.  It is huge, but truly perfect.  It gives space for all of my “stuff” while still having plenty of room to write or spread stuff out to make Gardening Gifts.  Truly worth whatever they are asking for it.

1 – camera bag that houses my Canon T3 Rebel with all of its lenses.

2 – web cam which is connected to the PC with Skype running at all times for quick spur of the moment coaching chats

3 – stationery, note cards, etc to send out for recognition, encouragement, or thank yous

4 – business cards and gardening gift supplies – mostly all from Cello In A Box

5 – my current “to do today” pile – includes a book I need to review and my Executive Size Diva Success System Planner.  Also has extra file folders for me to grab in a hurry.

6 – a trash can.  My best friend.  I have to tell you – I fill this thing up at least twice a week.  Truth is we hang on to so much crap we just simply do not need.  If you havent used it since Halloween – throw it away.  If you have to dust it off to pick it up – throw it away.  If it is papers – scan them in to your computer and then throw it away.  Clutter is TERRIBLE for productivity.  Just throw it away.  If you need it again, make the money to buy it again – but I bet you wont need it!

My Tween daughter also moved her desk in here, along with her computer and school stuff.  It has been great to do homework and such with both girls here in the office together.  They know this is a “work room” and not a “play room” and have been great about keeping things tidy and put away.

1 – my 31 Gifts everything bag.  It kind of accompanies my “take to the car” pile.

2 – crafts, crayons, glue sticks and other fun stuff that is for my girls, but I use from time to time for fun activities such as a Vision Board.

3 – her little “audience” of Littlest Pet Shop critters.  Like her mother, she enjoys speaking in front of a crowd.

The only thing that I forgot to take a picture of is the bottom of my desk – where there is space for my file cabinet, computer tower, and printer.   I also have my past Planners and a bag of mini hand sanitizers for gardening gifts.

So that is it!  That is my office!  Thanks for taking the “tour” and I hope I gave you some ideas for organizing your space to help you be more organized and successful in the New Year!   If you have any questions let me know!  I hope to be chatting with YOU (either in person or on Skype!) from this office very soon!

Are you ready to “Go All In” and set a BOLD Goal for 2012?  Join The 100 Club from Party Plan Divas!

Here are are nine days into the New Year…. and some of you are still struggling with setting your goals.  I know, I can totally understand – I used to be the same way.  I used to resist setting goals, avoid writing them down, conveniently “forget” to dial in on the Goal Setting calls…. trust me, I get it.

Goal setting is tough – whether you go SMART or BOLD.  It is hard to know exactly where to begin, and how do you get “specific” when what you want to say is “I want it all?!”  See, I told you I understand.

So to help you get started, and to give you a BOLD Goal to start with, I am issuing a Challenge to every single one of you to join The 100 Club from Party Plan Divas.  Check out this video to learn more:

Ready to jump in?  Great!  If you want to be a part of the challenge you can grab the button above for your blog or Facebook page, and if you want The 100 Club Challenge Form you can email partyplandivas@gmail.com and I will send it right over.

Remember this is for FUN and to get you excited and motivated about 2012!  Imagine what will happen to your business with 100 parties…. higher sales, more bookings, and new team members!!   You have the entire year, but get started now and see if you can put three parties on the books before you head to bed.  That’s BOLD!

I hope you will join in the Challenge with us, and be a part of The 100 Club from Party Plan Divas!  This is a simple, achievable goal if you set your mind to it, and it will increase every single other aspect of your Party Plan Business.  It is a bit BOLD, but that’s our motto this year – Go Bold or Go Home!  You can do it Diva!

See you at the top!!

Hey Divas!  Welcome to another week of Monday Mingle Business Edition, our weekly Blog Hop where we get to talk all about our businesses and get to know each other and our readers a little bit better.   If you are new and not sure how Monday Mingle Business Edition works, check out my video explaining it all right here.

Also, check out the original Monday Mingle hosted by Jen at www.EightyMPHMom.com and feel free to join in there as well!

This week’s topic:

How did you get started with your business?  Did you sign up at a party, maybe online, or even at an event or expo?  Tell us all about how you got started and any “lessons” that can be learned from your experience.

My road to getting started is sad and comical at the same time, with three BIG lessons for us all.  Enjoy:

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you will jump in and link up with us!  I look forward to seeing YOU!

With a New Year beginning, it is a good time to change up your Party Presentation to offer your new Hostesses and Party Goers a new experience at your parties. Plus, it makes it more fun for you if you have fallen into the monotony of doing the same thing over… and over… and over….

One way to change up your Party Presentation is to add some new fun games for your guests to play! Done correctly, Party Games can be very beneficial to the success of your party! The truth is, the more FUN people have at your Home Show, the more likely they are to want to do it again! Playing just a game or two will get people laughing, having fun, and leave the memory of a fun, relaxed shopping experience with their friends that they will want to do again and again.

Here are my Top Ten Favorite Home Party Plan Games for you to try at your next party!

1. Just A Phone Call Away

At the beginning of your party ask everyone to take out their cell phones and hold them in their hand. You will have yours in your hand as well. Tell them this is the easiest game to win all night! *ha!*Ask everyone to dial in your number – call it out to them number by number – and then when you say GO – everyone hits call. Obviously your phone will ring since they are all calling you – simply answer the phone to find the “winner” on the line. Give her a little goodie for having the “fastest fingers in the room” HA! THEN – while everyone still has their phone out, ask them to SAVE YOUR NUMBER with your first name and company – i.e. Lynsey Party Plan Divas, Su Passion Parties, Eliza Jewels by Parklane, etc. Tell them that they have your number forever now, and if they ever need anything, you are JUST A CALL AWAY – ask them to please put their phones on vibrate or silent to not disrupt the party, and then begin with your Party Presentation.

2. Drop The Shoe

This will get guests talking to each other and your products. As each guest comes in, have each guest leave 1 shoe under their chair and put the other in the middle of the room. After everyone has arrived tell them to pick a shoe from the middle (not their own) and find the pair. Once they find it, have them find out what their favorite _______ product is and 1 reason why they should book a party. Once they have done conversing, go around the room and have each person introduce their “shoe friend”. It will sound like this “This is Suzy’s Shoe, her favorite item is ______, and she should book a party because________.

3. Recruiting Rhyme

If any selling you have done before, put down 10 to start your score. If you have a car and are able to drive, the thing to do is just add 5. If some extra money is what you would like, add 10 more which is just about right. A little spare time will add to your score, for this you may add 15 more. If you like people and think they are grand, add 6 more and see where you stand. Add 10 points if you think parties are fun, and when you add this you are almost done. If you score the highest, it is plain to see a_________________rep is what you should be. Add 10 more if you want to be a _______________rep, like me! (Thanks Vicki!)

4. Alphabet Game

Write each letter of the alphabet on a 3×5 index card. Hold each card up like a “flash card” and give it to the person who yells out a word having to do with your business (product, opportunity, etc) that starts with the letter you held up! The person with the most cards at the end of the game wins! (I also give a gift to the person with the least)

5. Crossed Out

As your guests arrive, give every few people a small gift. (For example, you can give every 4th person a gift (or give out the gifts however you choose). As soon as everyone is sitting, tell the group about the “no crossing” rule. If a person holding a gift is caught crossing her legs, then she must relinquish her gift to the person who catches her crossing her legs. This game should be played for the first half of the party. At the halftime everyone who has a gift gets to open it. (If a person who already has a gift catches someone with a gift crossing her legs, she can either trade gifts with that person, or choose a person who is “gift less” to give the extra gift to).

6. Thread Intro

Pass a spool o thread around to your guests and tell them to take as much as they want. Tell them you want to get to know them a little. Tell each guest to talk about themselves as they wrap the thread around their forefinger. When they teach the end they can stop. Start with your hostess. Go around the room till everyone is introduced.

7. Pass The Prize

Have a wrapped prize ready for this fun game. Hand 1 person the gift and have them follow the instructions as you read them. The person who is holding the prize at the end is the winner! (Similar to the Left Right Game)

“You thought all the gifts were meant for you. But I have other items too. So hold up this gift and look around, and give it to the one with eyes of brown. You think you are the lucky one, but let us all share in the fun! Look around with eyes discreet, and give it to the one with the smallest feet. Your feet are tiny and very small. Now hand it to someone very tall. Please, take your time and don’t be harried. Give it to the one who is longest married. You must be proud of your married life, now pass this on to the newest wife. If this parcel you are bereft, give it to the one on your left. The largest earring I’m looking for now, if you’re wearing them, step up with a bow. Now to the person with buttons– big or small, any kind, the most you can find gets the gift at this time. Now don’t get cross and please don’t fight, but pass it to the lady third on the right. We should stop now, don’t you agree? The gift is yours to open and see.”

8. Replace Your Husband

An ice breaker game to play at the beginning of the party
Have each guest write down an item in their house they need to repair or replace. Then have them list 5 simple reasons they want to get rid of it. Now have them cross out the item and place their husbands name in that place. Go around the room and have each person read aloud “I want to replace (husband’s name) because he….(the 5 reasons). The funniest answers win.

9. The Lei Game

This is a great game to play in the warm months or a themed party. Also great if you are offering the Vacation Vouchers for your Hostesses! As you reward your hostess with a gift for inviting you into her home, also adorn her with 3 lei’s. Announce to the crowds that during your presentation if they want to book a party yell out loud “I wanna PARTY!” The hostess will give her one of the leis around her neck. Offer an incentive for the hostess to get 3 bookings and she will also encourage her friends to book a party with you.

10. Party Bingo

Give each guest a blank bingo card and you should have a bag or box filled with cards that have your demo products listed on each one. As you go through your presentation, have them randomly fill in the names of items you show on their card. After you have done with your presentation, draw 4 cards from your bag or box and call them out. For the 5th one say there are 2 free boxes, 1 for booking a party today with me and 1 for becoming a consultant today, please fill those squares in. continue to draw product cards till someone says BINGO.

Check out Party Plan Divas for more games, tips, and ideas for boosting your Home Party Plan Business!

What are some of your favorite Party Games?