Expectation And The Bottom Line by Beverly Inman-Ebel, TLC

In my travels around this great country talking with thousands of women business owners, many revealed to me that they started their own business because they were not advancing as quickly as they wanted.  Others replied that they wanted to do it their way and simply be their own boss.

The Center for Women’s Business Research (NY,NY) released statistics this month on average revenues per firm by gender and race of ownership based upon the 2002 Economic Census.

Average Revenues per Firm by Gender and Race of Ownership, 2002 Economic Census

$154,582  White women average revenues

$565,829  White men average revenues

$158,010  Asian women average revenues

$366,087  Asian men average revenues

$75,219   Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander women average revenues

$201,687  Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander men average revenues

$73,612   American Indian and Alaska Native women average revenues

$152,349  American Indian and Alaska Native men average revenues

$65,216  Hispanic and Latino women average revenues

$182,441 Hispanic and Latino men average revenues

$37,787  Black and African American women average revenues

$107,720 Black and African American men average revenues

®Center for Women’s Business Research 2006

One statistic is consistent: women business owners earn less than men business owners.  I am confident there are multiple reasons for this.  I want to concentrate on one: expectation.

How often do we get what we expect?  The question was not asking if we get what we want.  Expectation is the anticipation of an event.  To anticipate it we must have put thought into it.  By thinking through this event, we have created a plan.  If we truly expect it to happen, we will put action into that plan.

One of the best ways to increase our expectation is to talk positively to ourselves.  I bet you encourage your best friend, sister, daughter, and mother.  Don’t stop there!  Give yourself a daily pep talk.  Do this the first thirty minutes in the morning and the last thirty minutes at night because this is when our left hemisphere of our brain is shut down.  The right hemisphere is open to suggestion and will believe whatever you tell it, so be sure to tell it positive stuff.  These are commonly known as affirmations.

There are rules to follow to ensure success with affirmations.  First, use the first tense such as “I”.  You have control and influence over your own right hemisphere so direct the message to you.  Second, use the present tense such as “I am” rather than, “I will.”  You want your brain to work on it in the here and now rather than some unspecific time in the future.  Finally, use only positive words in the affirmation.  Instead of saying, “I will not get tense during the sales call” say, “I am relaxed during the sales call.”

Once you have created three-to-five affirmations, attached mental movies to them.  Close your eyes and see them happening.  Include sound, and your other senses of touch, taste, and smell.  Visualize yourself reaching your sales goals.  Hear your presentations that you make to prospects.  Hold a new product that you have created.

Now attach these mental movies with a positive emotion, such as happiness, confidence, and pride.  Your affirmation and visualization have now been recorded in your brain as a memory.  The more positive memories we have, the more likely we are to keep going when the going gets tough.

Perhaps you do not want your business to earn more money.  If you do, remember these positive steps of 1) make affirmations; 2) visualize; and 3) attach a positive emotion.  I believe you can be anything you set your mind to be.

Beverly Inman-Ebel is the CEO of TLC, Talk Listen Communicate, LLC.  More information can be found at www.talklisten.com or 888-BECAUSE.

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Beverly Inman-Ebel is the CEO of TLC, Talk Listen Communicate, LLC.  She is the former national president of National Association of Women Business Owners and was named the 2004-2006 International Woman Entrepreneur by FCEM.  For further information about Beverly Iman-Ebel click her, or contact bie@talklisten.com.

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A Time for Renewal by Dr. Tanya  Horne, M.D.

Health & Well-Being   A Time for Renewal by Dr. Tanya Horne, M.D. Spring is just a few weeks a way.   Springtime is a time for renewal, new beginnings and spring cleaning.  Before you start on those spring cleaning chores.  Stop and take some time for yourself.  As workingwomen in the home or outside the home, you are often so busy taking care of everyone else that we seldom stop to take the time to take care of ourselves.  There are projects and deadlines at work, school activities, church activities, sports, community events, family events, not to mention the cooking, cleaning and the laundry that has to be done because your son says he has no more clean undershirts to wear.  You know the saying, “A woman’s work is never done.” Today’s women lives are filled with activities.  We are often rushing from one event to the other from sun up to sundown and we fall exhausted into the bed to sleep for just a few hours before we start all over again.   It is not a restful sleep because we are thinking about all the things we have to do tomorrow.   Proper sleep and rest is very important to your body and your overall health.   Our bodies can take only so much stress before it starts to breakdown.  As women, we are nurturers and caregivers and we get satisfaction from caring for others.  However, if we do not take care of ourselves, we cannot take care of anyone else.  Take a look at your schedule and eliminate those things that are not necessary.  Determine your priorities. Learn to say no and don’t feel guilty about it.  Put yourself on the schedule.  Take some time for yourself everyday if it is just 15 minutes.  Take care of your mind body and spirit. This spring, make a promise to renew yourself: R-Rest Get 8 hours of sleep each night E- Eat a well- balanced diet N-Nurture yourself and treat yourself to a massage E-Exercise on a regular basis W-Worship your Heavenly Father and ask Him to order your days Dr. Tanya M. Horne, MD __________ Tanya M. Horne, MD is both business executive and entrepreneur. Tanya works in a professional position as a Medical Consultant at Unum Provident  in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She also is an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International. For more information about Tanya Horne and Arbonne International Services click here.  You may also contact her at (423) 313-7065 or tanya@tanyamhorne.com.   Top   Marriage GOD’S STYLE, by Rosalyn Hickman, Covenant Keypers   Marriage God's Style, Rosalyn Hickman, Executive Directory, Covenant Keypers Marriage GOD’S STYLE by Rosalyn Hickman, Covenant Keypers Does anyone still believe in Marriage God’s Style?  Does anyone believe that God’s Love will overcome anything, and that God really had a great idea when he created marriage? Yes, Yes, and Yes!  Let the record show that Covenant Keypers and true believers in Jesus Christ, still believe that God’s way is the best way and the only way to a successful marriage! Some may ask; “What is the difference between marriage God’s style and any other marriage?”  The obvious answer to that question is, “God!”  But the practical answer is simply how spouses respond to God; how they respond to their differences; and how they respond to adversities; in their marriage.  It’s easy to get along with your spouse when things are going your way and there are no problems.  But the true test of the relationship is in the storms that will come. In fact, it is no different than your Christian walk.  How ever you respond to differences and adversities in your life in general, is how you will respond to differences and adversities in your marriage.  Did you know that “You” take “You” everywhere you go?!  So, the key is to let God work on “you” and everything else will fall in place as He intended.  It’s not a trouble-free marriage you need, but a “me-free” marriage! So, start enjoying marriage God’s style.  Don’t get sidetracked with the high rate of divorce in the church; or the fact that fewer and fewer people are considering marriage but choosing rather to cohabitate; or the popular voting in favor of marriage agendas that oppose the Word of God.  Just remember, God’s way is the best way!  Just ask Adam and Eve:  They tried it their way and look where it got us all! ___________ Rosalyn Hickman and her husband Gary are founders of Covenant Keypers, Inc., a marriage ministry to Christian churches, Christian businesses and today's multicultural community.   Rosalyn is also a Christian mentor/counselor to married, single, and divorced women who are seeking the will of God for their lives.. For more information about Rosalyn Hickman click here, or email hickmans@covenantkeypers.org.   Top

Save the Date:

2nd Annual Business Women's Empowerment Luncheon and Expo,

June 8  2007

Sisters In Business will host its "2nd Annual Business Women's Empowerment Luncheon and Expo" June 8  2007 at the Chattanooga Convention Center located at 1100 Carter Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA). 

The event will feature a community luncheon with dynamic keynote speaker, and showcase of selected businesses offering a variety of products and services that cater to women in business, home, and the community. The event will also once again serve as a youth fundraiser to benefit Girls Inc of Chattanooga's GirlVenture and other youth development programs.  Keep watching the SIB eNewsletter for further updates about the event. 

Sponsors and advertisers are welcome and will be greatly promoted.  Applications for exhibitor tables are also now being accepted.  To find out more about being an advertiser, sponsor, or exhibitor for the event, please contact Tekelia C. Kelly at 423.421.5646 or email sistersinbusiness@comcast.net

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SIB Company Presentation Online

See an overview of the Sisters In Business Network!  Learn about becoming a SIB Client or Partner; Earn Extra Money as a SIB Affiliate, Advertise in SIB Yellow Pages & Women's Guide.  Click here to watch our company presentation and find out more.

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