If you had to pick just ONE marketing channel today, what would it be?   Google Facebook Instagram Email SMS Referrals Word of Mouth Something else?   What's performing best for your business in 2026? ... View more

It doesn't go against your credit good or bad unless you don't pay it of course. No hard inquiry....the more processing the higher the limit. Easy features in the square app to make an extra payment or payoff. So easy to set up recurring payments. Even apply your rewards back to your square credit card balance. Lock it when you're not using to protect yourself. So far we have used ours for equipment. Highly appreciated 👍 considering they offer this separate from your business loan amount.   2 different ways to help small businesses. Square ⬜ is a blessing.   ... View more

Hello Ladies!!   I had fully intended on Friday to post about Easter, wish everyone well and see how everyone is doing.  Obviously, I completely spaced that... I'm sorry.   How was everyone's Easter?   How are we all doing?   What's new in your corner of the world?   How's your weather?   How are you feeling about the season so far?   How are you feeling about your business this season?   Got any struggles going on that we can help with?   Let's get some conversation going and wish each other well!    Spring has popped here in Montana and it's looking beautiful so far.  Winter forgot what month it was and thought it was going to try and show up.  It's typical for us to get spring snow from March through June.  But this year, since winter was so light in the valleys, she thought she could make an appearance.  We've had three major storms come through in the last month that provided white-out conditions and bad roads, lots of accidents.  It's getting warmer, got some nice days with spits of snow and rain in between, which is actually normal for us.  I'm worried about fire season this year, since we did not get enough snow and I'm actually sad that we didn't get to see feet of snow piled everywhere this year.  That's my favorite part of winter.   Business has been almost non-existent since September but is finally starting to pick back up.  Hope you all had a wonderful Easter, have a great spring and that you're businesses are doing well! ... View more

I know we've had a lot going on and emotions are definitely everywhere right now.  This group was built to empower and support women in business, but we've all made at least one friend in here so that in itself impacts our personal lives. Let's make sure we continue to show up for each other and keep this group a safe place.  We are all in this togetHer.   Now here's my topic question....If the women who come after you could learn one lesson from your journey, what would you want it to be? ... View more

I have attended a local, annual event for the last two years (I missed the first year), that focuses solely on women in business and bringing resources to the attendees.  This summit brings together women who are not only local business owners and CEO’s (from around the state), but some from around the world.  This summit also occurs within a day or two of International Women’s Day and they celebrate that through inviting an international dignitary to attend our event.   As attendees, we gain so much from this summit.  Networking, education, camaraderie, encouragement and resources, just to name a few things.  We have an average attendance of 250-300 women at this event, from all walks of life.   Gaining experiences from our peers in our field, our neighbors in our communities and business owners and CEO’s from our state or region, is quite simply invaluable.  You will never know the impact that attending an event like this can have on you, until you’ve been to one.   Now, before you tell me that you don’t have time to go... or can’t leave your business, or family, etc... consider this....  When you need training, how will you get it if you don’t take time away?  If you need a break before you burn out, how will you get it if you don’t step away?  If your oxygen tank is low because you’re keeping everyone else going, how will you refill your tank?  Will your employees or business partner put on your oxygen mask before their own?  I know this sounds backwards and you’re probably thinking that “see, I can’t take time away because no one but me will keep this place running!” but hear me out....   You cannot refill your business’ oxygen tank until yours is filled first.  We cannot give from just a “full cup”, we can only give from an overflowing cup.  We can only give out of our excess.  If we give without having an overflow, we will feel taken advantage of, depleted, empty and frustrated for saying yes.  We must take our own nourishment and well-being seriously, in order to benefit others, whether that’s your business or your family.  The best of the best CEO’s and large business owners know this and practice it.  They are successful in it because they delegate responsibilities.  (I have another post on this subject J)   Events like this lift your spirits, give you ah-ha moments, introduce you to strategies and ideas you probably haven’t thought of and spark creativity.  Hearing someone else’s story of going from rock bottom to great success can give you the boost you need to remember “you got this!”.   Attending an event like this is also not just about collecting business cards.  It’s about establishing connections and building relationships with those new people.  One of the comments that was made by one of the speakers was “Just because you got my business card from me, does not mean I’m going to give you __________’s phone number.  My relationships with other people are valuable to me and I don’t sell them out.”  Regardless of the size of your business or those that you do business with, authentic connections are vital to the success of your business and theirs.  We need to always be mindful that if we don’t want to be ‘used’ in networking, neither do others.   When considering where you’re at with your own personal leadership journey, ask yourself these questions:   What kind of leader am I? What kind of leader do I want to be? Who is my authentic self? In what way do I lead from who I actually am and in what way do I need to change it? What people or organizations do I need to seek out to gain more education as a leader and be more effective in my business?   Also, along the lines of leadership in business – what skills do you have to offer others who are seeking leadership skills?   Do you have specific leadership qualities that you can share with those around you?  Do you share your available resources with those around you, so that they can gain from them as well?  What can you do to offer such skills and resources?  Can you host an event in your business or community?  Do you put out a podcast or newsletter that you can share them in?  Think outside of the box!   So.... now that you’ve got a bit of pep in your step and you want to seek out opportunities to grow, how do you do it?  Where do you go?   There are lots of places to look and if you’re not already connected to them, consider what it will take to join so that you can remain connected going forward.  Some suggestions are:   Your state’s Chamber of Commerce (if you have one, not all states do) Your local chambers and surrounding chambers of nearby towns you do business in Local business member groups Local networking groups Toastmasters Rotary Club Local business groups on Facebook Advocacy groups that align with your values Non-profit boards you can serve on   Again, these are just suggestions, but you’d be surprised how many of them will turn out results!   If this seems overwhelming and scary to you, step out of your comfort zone, even just a little bit, and take one step towards something new.  If you find an event to attend, invite someone to go with you.  Commit to learning something new, to making a new friend and/or connection and give yourself permission to be fully present and not be distracted by other things during the event.  Silence your phone.  Tell your family that you’ll get back to them at the end of the day or event.  Take notes, even little ones.  Really do your best to absorb what you’re hearing.   Lastly, I want to encourage you to share your resources or suggestions here!   And always remember.... as a business owner... YOU ARE A CEO!!  Be proud of it!!! ... View more