Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is difficult for anyone, particularly when our smartphones buzz with each new email, no matter whether we're on the way to the gym, in the grocery store, or relaxing at home. But the challenge can be exponentially harder for today's entrepreneur. Starting a business requires a little insanity, to be sure, but you don't want the lifestyle to send you over the edge.

So how do successful entrepreneurs stay sane while they prosper at work and at home? For me, finding balance boils down to taking it one day at a time, one step at a time, and always staying present in the moment while running and growing my business. Here are a few tips I like to incorporate into my daily routine:

1. Get a grip on time management.

I'm not talking about downloading the latest calendar or organization app. For most entrepreneurs, effective time management isn't an issue with organization, but with prioritization. If you want work-life balance, you'll need to think about everything that competes for your time, then decide what to keep and what to discard.....

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The emails from small business owners typically start out something like this:

Hi! So we took your advice and created a Facebook page for our business. Now that we have the page created, we're not sure what to do with it. What's next? What should we be using it for?

If you've ever stared at your Facebook Business page and wondered what, exactly, you were supposed to do next, you're not alone. Obviously the best way to use your Facebook page will depend on what type of business you're running and what you're hoping to get out of your investment there. However, if you've been finding yourself at a total loss for how to use Facebook to connect with your audience, here are few ideas to help get you started.

1. Ask Questions: However you did it, you were able to get a group of people to take action and announce to the world that they "like" your brand. Now that you have this engaged focus group, use it to your advantage!....

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Search Engine Journal reports that more than 70 percent of online consumers start searching for a product through search engines. As a small business driving sales, you need to employ a strategy to show up in these search results.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can generate thousands of sales leads for your business at no monetary cost. When properly used, it increases your organic search ranking so that you are found by a larger number of prospective customers. It also levels the playing field as you compete with larger corporations spending gobs of money on advertising to attract the same customer. Click thrus on organic search results are at least eight times higher than a pay-per-click (PPC) ad. So, here are six simple steps to help you start optimizing your small business website for SEO:

Step 1: Select Your Keywords Carefully

Search for keywords that are relevant to your business. Your keywords should depict the image of your products or services. You can go for ideal or exact keywords for your small business products, but keep in mind they can be more difficult to rank high for due to increased competition. A good idea is to go for keywords or phrases (also referred to as "longtail" terms) that are unique and highly targeted, but generate less competition and volume. The more longtail terms your can quickly rank high for, the more volume of qualified traffic you'll generate from those collective terms.

Step 2: Optimize Your Content

Regularly optimize the content of your website by focusing on these four basic principles:....

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Greenlee County Spotlight

"3 Sisters Bakery"

3 Sisters Bakery is a local family operated bakery in Duncan that opened on July 2, 2011.  Customers are already talking about their fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, pies, green chile pocket pies, and more.  The culinary team includes Mary Robbins, Sandra Gibson, and Louise Whipple.  3 Sisters Bakery is located at 113 SE Old West Highway in Duncan.  You can reach them at (928) 359-BAKE (2253).

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3 Sisters Facebook Page 

We Appreciate Referrals!

We would greatly appreciate it if you share our services with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

If you would like to write a review/testimonial about your experience with the SBDC, click here to find out how! 

EAC SBDC

 615 N. Stadium Ave.

 (Student Services Building)

 Thatcher, AZ  85552

Phone: (928) 428-8590

 Fax: (928) 428-2578

 Email: sbdc@eac.edu