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Articles by Cameka Smith
One of the Hardest Jobs You Will Ever Have
For me it is. I can tell you that as the Founder and CEO of The BOSS Network, one of the fastest-growing women business communities, and as CEO and Principal Event Producer of City Global Events, my Chicago-based event planning, marketing and production company, I have heard countless stories from women who share their dreams of starting their own business. The idea of starting a business can be very appealing-especially for women.
Are You a Manager or a Monster? Here a Few Traits to Tell the Difference!
Don't be that type of boss Managing people can be a difficult job. Being a manager takes a special skill set and, unfortunately, not everyone has those skills. Just because a person is a good employee, does not mean they will be a good manager. Some become managers and turn into monsters. They don’t know how to handle their new power and the responsibilities that come with it. They become demanding, unapproachable, obnoxious, and just hard to be around.
Are You Protecting the Lifelines of Your Business?
Is your business about to flatline? Let’s examine the heartbeat of your financial statements and learn the benefits of understanding them Have you ever given any consideration to the fact that businesses and people are similar? In order for humans to continue breathing, they must have oxygen and blood constantly flowing to the entire body, otherwise there’s a sure chance one could potentially see a flatline.
How to Reach Your Target Audience with Content Marketing
The ABCs of content strategy for small businesses No matter what business you are in, you must have a marketing strategy to get in front of your target audience. Attracting ideal clients and customers on a consistent basis is an art form that can be mastered. Content allows you to show your expertise in a non-invasive marketing way while adding value to your readers or viewers. Here’s how to get started with content marketing and methods to reach your target audience: Most people miss this step.
Learn the Art of Effectively Mastering Time Management in 4 Steps
Mastering time management can set you apart from your competitors. Become a master by practicing these four time management tips daily Have you ever said, “I’ll do that later,” only to find that there were at least three more things waiting for you to complete…later? For the next two minutes, read this carefully and take notes. Here are four free tips to help you master managing your time more effectively. These tips will help you to truly transform your chaotic day into a calm experience.
Done! 9 Steps to Tackle Your To-do List like a BOSS (Part 2)
Parent. Spouse. Employee. Entrepreneur. Managing your daily tasks while wearing multiple hats can become overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like you’re busy being “busy,” but accomplishing nothing. Each day seems to add more items to your to-do list. In part two of this two-part blog, I share the first four steps you can take now to conquer the chaos and put an end to that never-ending to-do list. If you missed the first part, you can read it here.
The New Resume: 7 Must-Haves for Every Media Kit
Whether you are launching a new business or seeking a new career, you need a solid need a media kit Media kits are a great way to highlight your successes in a professional and informative manner. While they are commonly used to aid in media pitches, secure sponsorship for events, or even highlight year-end wins, media kits can also be a great tool to help secure employment, too. Don’t believe me?
The Executive’s Balancing Act: Importance of Self-Care
Make the choice to engage in the activities that are required to maintain your best level of health Are your feeling overwhelmed? Asking yourself how do I balance family, business, and my needs? Learn how to use the Self-Care Formula. I know you are saying “Self-care! What’s that? There is not enough time in a day for self-care. I have a business to run! I have a family to take care of! If I miss work who will do my work for me while I am out?
Living With Intention Allows Your Purpose To Guide Your Life
How finding my purpose prepared me for my entrepreneurial journey You never know where your life will lead you. Believe it or not, I always hated exercise and I never considered becoming an entrepreneur, but today I own a fitness boot camp in Chicago, and I have an online fitness coaching business that helps people all over the world lose weight and live longer. Once I allowed intention to guide my life, I found my purpose. All my previous jobs simply “fell” into my lap.
Why Compete When There’s More Than Enough Opportunities for Us All?
Collaboration is the key to growth and success Competition is dead, collaboration is the key! Why do people compete in the world of entrepreneurship and business? I’m still trying to figure out this answer myself. I believe when people compete for the same promotion, the same customers, and the same opportunities you are doing a disservice to yourself and the people you are called to serve. There are more than enough blessings for all of us to receive.
Your Resume Sucks: 4 Ways To Get Your Resume Noticed
Writing a résumé is one the most daunting, yet imperative tasks you will complete at some point in your life. It’s challenging trying to capture our greatness to a potential employer into a 2-3 page document. And it may not convey the whole story of the qualifications, experiences, skills, and personal/professional development that we possess.
Who Is on Your Dream Team? Meet 6 Key Players That Can Make Your Business a Success
Could you pick out a 'Dream Team' from your inner circle? The NFL Draft is the topic of the day. I don’t follow it, but I do see news clips and social media posts running down my timeline. People are discussing the skills of each player, and what teams they should be drafted to. A lot of thought goes into the selection process; the skills of the player, the needs of the team, and how it will all mesh together to produce some wins.
A Recipe for Success: 3 Easy Ways to Achieve Personal and Professional Consistency
Achieving consistency is a critical, yet overlooked skill all entrepreneurs must master When I think of consistency, I think of smooth cake batter—the kind that my mother turned into delicious cakes when I was a child. Consistency means that each separate ingredient blends together to create a delicious end-result. As an entrepreneur, we are constantly taking individual items, putting them together, and turning them into finished products or services—that’s our goal.
Financial Intimacy - Are You Prepared To Become Financially Naked?
Think of your finance life in the same way as your sex life Did you know that intimacy does not just apply to physical, emotional, or sexual contact with people in a relationship? Intimacy can apply to finances also, hence the term financial intimacy! Possessing a joint account sounds like the ultimate climax of financial intimacy; however, it may be ideal for some relationships to practice financial abstinence. There might be secret details hindering someone from disclosing their finances.
5 Tips on Marketing Your Business For $100 Or Less
You can do much more than buy a Facebook ad. Excited Woman Working At Desk In Design Studio Looking Excited You don’t have to break the bank in order to market your business effectively. Below are five ways you can market your business for $100 or less. Ensure that your advertisements are visually attractive. Include clear images, a call to action, and a link to your website. Select targeted geographical locations, genders, age, hobbies/interest that your clients might share.
Stop Killing Your Book Sales! 7 Common Mistakes Self-Published Authors Should Avoid
Yes, you can make money as an author Many writers, especially entrepreneurs, have turned to self-publishing as an option to get their books in the marketplace, quickly and affordably, in hopes of gaining more business and increased revenues. However, most authors are unable to tap into revenue potential because they omit important processes before and after their book launch, making it difficult for their books to be listed on online bookstores or getting traditional bookstore shelf placement.
Self-Love: The Foundation for Implementing Your Dreams
“Love yourself. Forgive yourself. Be true to yourself. How you treat yourself sets the standard for how others will treat you.” —Steve Maraboli Knowing how to love yourself is very important. Self-love is the foundation of our well-being, happiness, self-motivation, joy, contentment, stability, and our ability to create and enjoy the kind of life that we want. We cannot be content and happy, if we are not at peace with ourselves and in love with who God made us to be.
Put to Use These Savings Vehicles That’ll Drive You Home
Learn to better manage your savings by understanding the difference between money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and government bonds If you’ve created a regular savings account with your bank, you are probably getting a pitiful interest rate (something like .001%). There are other ways to save that give you back a higher percentage of interest.
So You Say You Want to Network! Here Are a Few Things to Remember.......
The ability to network is one of the most crucial skills any entrepreneur can have. So make sure you are making the most of your networking experiences Networking has an important role in business success and yet there are many people who dislike networking and avoid it like the plague. There are others who attend many networking events but aren’t really getting the most out of them. I have attended networking events and didn’t meet a single new person.
Conquer the Chaos! 9 Steps to Tackle Your To-do List with Ease Part 1
There always seems to be so much to do and not enough time to do it. Follow these steps to conquer the chaos in your life and get your to-do list done Parent. Spouse. Employee. Entrepreneur. Managing your daily tasks when wearing multiple hats can become overwhelming. Sometimes it feels like you’re busy being “busy,” but accomplishing nothing. Furthermore, each day seems to add more items to your to-do list.
7 Ways to Fix Your Bad Credit
Use these steps to restore your credit and obtain the credit you deserve Are you tired of having a low credit score, but have no idea where to turn to help? If this sounds like you, then read on to find out how to repair your credit on YOUR terms. All it takes is a little elbow grease and know-how. Obtain free copies of your credit report—once per year—from The scores are not included for free, but just having the reports is a huge step in the right direction.
Tantrums of a Grown Woman
Learn the importance of successfully managing your temper and how it can determine your success or failure in the workplace What adults do you know that have TEMPER TANTRUMS? Have you ever had a hissy, (a bitch fit, a meltdown) and didn’t know how to handle it? Where did that anger come from? I mean it’s one thing to get angry; it’s another to get so mad, you can hardly control yourself! I’m talking about how I felt and what I did to control myself.
Why Every Entrepreneur Should Become an Author
Becoming an author will position you as an expert in your industry Entrepreneurship is a world of its own, and so many give up before they even get started. Several factors play roles in individuals giving up too soon; from not making enough money, to feeling alone in the business world. I believe that if more entrepreneurs shared their stories, it would encourage others to hang in there. Everyone has a story, and someone is waiting to hear the story you’ve never told.
The Business Owner's Guide to Telling Stress....BYE!
Stress causes illnesses like chronic pain and hormonal imbalances. As business owners, we can't allow these things to creep up into our daily routines Stress is defined by the National Institute of Mental Illness (NIMI) as the brain’s response to any demand which can be triggered by just about anything. These include changes that are positive or negative, as well as real or perceived.
Follow These 3 Tips to Live a Happy, Whole, and Successful Life
Learn how to clear out emotional clutter from your past, as these practices will help improve your chances for having a successful future “Always show up as your authentic self.” As a resilience strategist and “The Life Detox Coach,” I hear that statement often. As a matter of fact, you will hear it frequently in the life coaching industry.
Don't Be a Relic: How to Maintain a Relevant Business
With emerging businesses developing each day, it’s imperative that entrepreneurs maintain relevancy within the market space. Those who are reluctant to adapt often become relics within their field, but those who do rise to the top. Below are four key tools to keep your business fresh and appealing during changing times. One of the biggest mistakes most entrepreneurs make is ignoring current and future customers’ demands.
The Price of Perfection: The Cost of Being a BOSS
Perfection is often fear in disguise, and it keeps our brilliant talents from showing. But when you're a BOSS, you don’t need approval Have you heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect“?
Suffering in Silence: The Entrepreneur’s Dilemma of Dealing with Stress
Entrepreneurship can be very an extremely stressful journey. Do these 5 things to manage the stress of running a business Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Starting a business requires a lot of sacrifice of time, money, relationships, and resources. It may take years before your business begins to turn a profit that you can live on. Often the financial, emotional, and physical strains associated with the journey can take a toll on you.
5 Steps to Rebuild Your Confidence and Get Stuff Done
Are you struggling to boost your energy and passion for life? Discover how to overcome confidence traps by building strong habits and routines Have you ever been at a networking event and got to talking about common business problems? If so, you won’t be surprised that confidence (or even the lack of confidence) frequently comes up in the conversation. Successful entrepreneurs don’t necessarily know more than unsuccessful ones.
The Importance of Writing the Vision and Making It Plain
Similar to a vision, a vision statement is a personal vision that defines what you aspire to become. That's why it's imperative to write your vision down “Write the vision, and make it plain…” (Habakkuk 2:2, New International Version) “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.” —Helen Keller “Similar to a vision, a vision statement is a personal vision that defines what you aspire to become.
Are You an Entrepreneur or a Wannabe?
Here are three ways to tell if you're ready to be an entrepreneur Desire to be your own boss? Below are three ways to tell if you are really about that entrepreneur lifestyle, or if you should keep your day job. If any or all of these apply to you, it doesn’t absolutely mean that you shouldn’t pursue being your own boss. It does mean that you need to have some hard conversations with yourself about WHY you want to be an entrepreneur.
How to Leverage a Bestselling Book in a Saturated Market
Three reasons why it's not only important for your book to achieve "bestseller" status as an author, but how this merit boost your business Every entrepreneur wants to know which strategies, methods, and best practices can improve their business. A consistent theme in my articles has been how publishing a book is one of those strategies, and in my company, I train authors how to take one step further and leverage their “bestseller” status.
The Top 5 Reasons You Should Relocate to Your Dream Destination
Because relocating is all about having the freedom to create the lifestyle you desire Are you living the life you desire? Or are you just existing and really desire more? Life is short, and there is so much many of us want to accomplish before we leave this Earth. I recently turned 38-years-old, and as I begin to reflect on my life, I realized there is so much I haven’t even begun to experience yet.
10 Things You Can Do to Help Prevent Stress in Your Life
A strange thing happened the other day. It was an extremely busy morning during an extremely busy time at work. I had already taken care of three problem telephone calls, four problem emails, with several more waiting for my attention. I was sitting at my desk trying to decide which fire I wanted to put out next when I noticed my right arm jumping. I looked down in surprise for a few seconds as my bicep muscle jumped beneath my sweater. It was a strange feeling and one I had never experienced before.
15 Creative Ways to Produce Multiple Streams of Income
Today’s tough economy forces us to generate multiple streams of income. Give yourself an automatic pay raise when you need and want it Producing multiple streams of income can have a big impact on your finances. An extra $500 per month could go a long way in paying down debt or raising your investment. Diversifying your income streams is important, especially in today’s tough economy and the unpredictable downturns in markets. You decide how you want to produce the income.
Dreamers: Implement The Life You Were Destined To Have
Work on your dream every day until it comes to fruition What has stopped you from following your dreams? Do you know what your dreams are? In order to truly live, you should try following your heart. Then, you may realize that your dreams can be achieved and you will be the person God destined you to be. Regardless of your age or station in life, now is the time to live the life you were destined to live. Throughout life, we make mistakes, and we have to own up to them.
10 Ways to Help Establish a Strong Banking Relationship
If you aren't BFFs with you banker yet, you should be. Here are nine ways to effectively forge this relationship, and the long-term benefits of this partnership Entr???€r??n??ur?• d?žn’t consider ? ?žmmun?–? ?°ting with th???–r b?°nk ?žn regular basis, wh?–? h could mean ?€?°?•?•?–ng up gr???°t ?ž?€?€?žrtun?–ties f?žr profitable future ventures.
My Thank You Letter to Black Entrepreneurs
It’s imperative to remember those who have encouraged us to step out on faith and begin this journey of entrepreneurship In a world where children are surrounded by fear, hope can be found in the faces of those adults who look like them. Do you remember the first black entrepreneurs you met?  I do. They were my parents and neighbors. As a child, my parents owned several businesses, including Creative Lady Boutique and Quickies Hotdogs.
It's Time to Jump! 3 Ways to Leap Into the Life of Your Dreams
Start living the life you want and deserve today Are there things that you desire to do, but you let fear and doubt hold you back? I know there were times when I let fear hold me back from moving forward. I had fear of the unknown, fear of what people would say, and of course, that fear of failure. I’ve realized over the years, after a life experience, that I must do what I am called to do without hesitation.
5 Tips Career-Driven Women Need to Know to Become an Entrepreneur
Check out the five things female entrepreneurs need to know, when transitioning from a standard nine-to-five to running a small business Questions regarding leaving corporate jobs to establish a business is something I hear about on a regular basis. Many of us may not agree with Trump being the president, but one thing everyone is keen on is his innate ability to dominate as a businessman, owning and investing in lucrative business deals across the globe.
3 Ways To Make Money In Real Estate That You Never Knew‌Until Now
Learn how to increase your monthly income by an extra $2-$3k in as little as 10 hours per week by using these three key niches Most of us know that the real estate industry still presents the most efficient way to create sustainable wealth. Yet, when most people think of real estate, they automatically think of property flipping and/or working as a traditional real estate agent to help people to buy and sell homes.
Lessons I Have Learned From My Millennial Friends
Learn about how spending quality time with millennials can change your entire outlook on life, and even the way you do things I jokingly like to say that I am a baby boomer “doing it� in a millennial world. Every day, I see magazine and news articles, social media posts, and commercials talking about how millennials are making it happen. They are changing the game�and I love it! I also hear and read how some people are calling them the lost generation, the “me, me�
Get Your Mind Right and Attract the Love You Deserve
Make this the last year you spend Valentine’s Day alone! Attract the love you desire by doing these 5 things to get your mind right! Your mindset affects everything, from your finances to your health, and even your relationships.  Below are a few things to do to get your mind right so that you can attract the love you desire. Let it go. You’ve been hurt before and don’t want to experience that again.
The Professionals Practical Guide To Practicing Stillness
“Once you know yourself in this living stillness, there is nothing in this world that is greater than you� As human beings, we often hear the word “stillness,� but what does that really mean? How can we, as busy professionals and entrepreneurs, incorporate this into our busy lives, when time is of the essence? Well, let’s take a closer look into the practice of stillness and seven actionable steps that you can start taking NOW to begin your journey of stillness.
3 Types of Books You Can Publish When You Are Not a Writer
Creative ways entrepreneurs can make money from books when they do not desire to write While writing a book has its many benefits—including showcasing your specific knowledge, insights, and opinions as it relates to your niche—writing a book isn’t every entrepreneur’s strength nor desire. However, there are several creative options to authoring a quality published book that may require little or no actual writing from the entrepreneur.
4 Ways to Keep a Breakup From Hijacking Your Work Mojo
Successfully managing your emotions during a breakup or divorce is the difference between a rising corporate star and an overwrought, stressed out person Remember how you felt after breaking up with your high school boyfriend? It took you awhile to recover? You cried yourself to sleep for two weeks and lost a ton of weight. Fast forward 20 years—you’ve got the job of your dreams, and life is going pretty well, until you break up with your long-time partner.
7 Surefire Ways to Destroy a Business Relationship
It can take years to build and nurture solid relationships, but only takes a second to damage them It can take years to build and nurture solid relationships, but it only takes a second to damage them. Having good communication skills is essential to keeping the right kind of people in your circle of influence.
3 Reasons Why Every Entrepreneur Should Publish a Book
An important strategy to immediately gain instant authority in the marketplace As a former business management consultant, I worked with some of the top influential solopreneurs—coaches and speakers—who were also authors with published work. While we often explored sales tactics around selling books in the “back of the room” at speaking engagements, sending buyers to Amazon or their website, and planning book tours, I questioned, “Why aren’t book sales being made every day?
Here's How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Six simple steps that can help you get on the road to financial freedom According to National Payroll Week’s 2015 “Getting Paid In America“ survey, 32% of Americans say it would be difficult to meet their current financial obligations if their next paycheck were delayed for a week, meaning the financial ground they’re standing on is incredibly shaky or, as I like to say, many Americans are walking a tightrope that could snap at any time.
Entrepreneurs, Slow Down! Your Life Could Depend on It
Four strategies entrepreneurs can implement into their daily lives to achieve a healthy work-life balance I know we all live in a fast-paced society, and we are used to making power moves at every second. However, the reality is, this is not healthy! Yes, I said it—we risk our lives when we consistently run around without taking any time to fill our own cups back up. I’ve seen people work themselves to a state of exhaustion, and they can barely think when it’s time to take care of business.
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