Greetings!  

Thank you for  subscribing to the SSWBN Newsletter.  Our mission is to provide you with Contacts, Coaching & Collaboration.

Janet LaBerge Dirty Deeds

Happy 2012! What a great year this is going to be for our Network. Join us at the State of the Network breakfast on January 26th to hear all about it.

This event will kick off our new breakfast location at Linden Ponds in Hingham. Some of our members are already doing business with the residents there, myself included. While we have had a great affiliation with Holiday Inn, I think it is important to have our members in a large residential community of folks who could potentially use their products and services.

I'm very pleased to announce that Terri Martini, owner of the Front Street Gourmet in Scituate, will be our new President in June. I am so excited to have someone so kind, smart and generous taking over the reins. As is tradition, the in-coming President runs the State of the Network breakfast. I hope that you will go and show your support. I will be doing my networking on the beach in St. Thomas that morning, but I know that other members will go to cheer Terri on.

Two thousand twelve will feature new luncheon venues, a new format for our professional development series, production of a 2013 SSWBN Women calendar and participation at a charity event. We always aim to keep important elements of our Network consistent, while changing things up in order to stay fresh and interesting.

If you are a seasoned member, I hope you'll check out what's new. We also have many new members who would love to hear from your experience how the Network can help grow their businesses. Let me, Terri or Katie Howard know if you are willing to connect with them, either at an event or via telephone.

Finally, when you're making your New Year's Resolutions this month, make sure you include some FUN. If you're having trouble finding enough laughter and fun in your life, then come to any of our events and I guarantee that you will find both.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet

Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap

Email Janet:  Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Pay It Forward Tip for January: If you got a new cell phone from Santa, consider donating your old one. Many organizations collect cell phones for soldiers or for victims of domestic violence. 

Becky Coletta Coletta Law

Name: Rebecca Westerlund Coletta, Esq.

Business: Coletta Law Office

Telephone: 781-267-6222

Website: http://www.colettalaw.com/

Address: 231 Broadway, Hanover, MA

Special to SSWBN: General Counsel Service Program

Bernie Heine, Professional Business Coaches, Inc.

Don't you really wish we could all be like Ebenezer Scrooge?  In a single night, he is able to obtain a clear understanding of his past, have a realistic grasp on the present and see two paths for the future: 1) the dismal result of changing nothing, 2) the promise of a better future by making significant changes.

While hoping three ghosts may come and help us is an interesting thought, there is a more practical way to get down to business and make that happen for you in your business; and this is just the right time of year for such an exercise.  Did you know that there is a very high correlation between success in business and having written goals for what you want to accomplish?  Why not be part of that successful group of business leaders and write out your 2012 goals now.  Click here for a 3 step worksheet that will help you:

1. Document the good and the bad from the past
2. Analyze a realistic view of the current state
3. Create meaningful and achievable goals for the future.

 Enjoy this exercise and may the spirits move you!!

1. Prepare an estate plan, complete with wills, trusts, powers of attorneys and healthcare proxy. This is especially important if you are divorced or newly married. 
2. Prepare a succession plan for your business.
3. Protect your non business assets.
4. Talk with your parents about estate and Medicaid planning.

Greetings!  There are many exciting accomplishments from our members ... where is yours?

Although not yet quite ready to accept congratulations, Pauline Alighieri, Executive Director of the Friends of Mel Foundation, announced that the organization has so far raised approximately one-third of the $45,000-plus goal that it hopes to reach by May 1st in order to win the Pink Well Challenge for matching funds.  Check out the website http://www.friendsofmel.org/ for more details, and to find out how you can help with even a small donation!

Jennifer Mitchell, ownerof Senza Sole Mobile Sunless Tanning, is excited to announce the opening of her new business.  Her business is the premier mobile spray tanning service in the South Shore area of Boston providing custom airbrush tanning in your home, office, hotel room or anywhere your heart desires.  Senza Sole Airbrush Tanning is the faster and safer alternative to UV tanning. An airbrush tan can help disguise cellulite, stretch marks, blemishes, and give any skin type a natural looking glow.   No mess!  No streaks!  No orange!  They are dedicated to providing clients with a professional and confidential experience that leaves you looking your best.  Check out her link above and give Jennifer a call to welcome her to SSWBN!

Lynn Feingold singer from Songs of the Colonial Days has applied lessons she learned at SSWBN to network more effectively with other experienced performers, resulting in her recent collaboration with three other singers to form a new group called, "Dall-i-ance."  This four-woman group performed Irish and Scottish bawdy songs from a woman's perspective at a "Bawdy Breakfast" at the Boston Celtic Music Festival in early January.  In its 9th year, the BCM Fest features the best Celtic traditional performers from the Boston area.  Well done, Lynn!     

Do you have an achievement, accomplishment or award that deserves recognition?  (Of course you do.)  Wouldn't you love to see it published?  This is a great place to start, so let us know.  Give us the opportunity to celebrate with you!! 

Kristen Ford-Hernandez of Premiere Pros was recently featured in an article on Patch.com.  Please view article here.

As always, I look forward to receiving your announcements and sharing them with the members.  Please email them to me by the 18^th of the month.

Roberta

Roberta Sousa

Roberta.Sousa@Rocklandtrust.com

781.878.7440

What a wonderful year it has been, and what a way to bring 2011 to a close!

On Monday, November 28, the Massachusetts Educational Foundation (MEF) held its annual shopping event at Summer Shack at the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham.

Many of the supporters of our cause were present, along with some new faces as well from I-Network.biz who partnered with us. What a great group of enthusiastic shoppers who care enough to give back!! Not only did our guests receive exclusive discounts from the stores at Derby Street Shoppes - some as high as 50 percent off -- they also generously donated to the MEF.

All net proceeds from the evening go directly to the Massachusetts Educational Foundation scholarship program. We are thrilled to announce that enough funds were raised to cover an entire scholarship!

The Massachusetts Educational Foundation has expanded our scholarship sites to include all of Massachusetts, and we will be planning many events in 2012 to benefit our cause.

Keep a watch on our website for updates.

Remember, your future inclusion of the Massachusetts Educational Foundation in your gift giving will help us to achieve our long-range goals, too, as we work toward our 15th anniversary in 2013. (You will not want to miss that event either!)

The Massachusetts Educational Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of women over 35, enabling them to transition to a more rewarding career, by providing scholarships for education. Donations are tax deductible to the extent of IRS regulations.

Thank you!