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Greetings!
Thank you for subscribing to the SSWBN Newsletter. Our mission is to provide you with Contacts, Coaching, Collaboration, Community.
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From the Executive Director
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 | | Katie Howard |
Dear Members and Colleagues:
I hope that you are enjoying your summer. As many of you know, August 19th is SSWBN Golf outing. You can download the brochure, by clicking here.
I found this quote while researching Jack Nicklaus and wanted to share it:
Donʹt be too proud to take lessons. Iʹm not.
-- Jack Nicklaus, US golfer
To say that Jack Nicklaus is a REALLY GOOD golfer might be an understatement -- and yet he still takes lessons! This is a good message for business people as well. Never be afraid to ask questions, sharpen your skills or perhaps take a class.
In regards to golf, there is still time to take a few lessons before our outing. Golfing is GOOD for business!
I look forward to seeing you on the course.
Katie
781-696-9901 * khoward@sswbn.org
Dedicated to the success of our members through Contacts, Coaching and Collaboration - our mission.
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Message from the President
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 | | Stacy Doherty |
I thought that writing this monthly letter would be a challenge, but lucky for me there are a lot of changes being made in the Network and I would like to share a story of experience with you.
It was once said to me that people resist change because it causes stress. As true as that may be, I think it is also because we tend to get comfortable in situations, and really, who wants to move into uncomfortable? I also think change is avoided thanks to the fear of the unknown.
Change is unavoidable. Embracing change comes when opportunity has a chance to grow and flourish. I once had the opportunity with a restaurant group to be relocated to Bethesda, Maryland. This was a group that I had worked with, and had been lucky enough to travel to Chicago for three months and Colorado for two, all on the company's dime.
Making that decision was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. It was scary to have to pack up all of my things, say goodbye to my family and drive the eight hours in a UHaul - all the way tempted to turn around and stay within my comfort zone. What put everything into perspective to me was when someone said, "But you only have to stay for a year if you hate it. If you live to 100, a year is only one percent of your life. Plus, you can always come home." After I heard those words, I knew what I had to do.
For the first two months, I stayed with friends in their spare room, apartment hunting and acclimating to my new role in my new store. As time wore on, I became more comfortable and I started to call the DMV (the tri state area of the District, VA, and MD) my home. I loved living in DC. I found an apartment, and for the first time in my life, I lived alone: no roommates, no sisters, no parents and no boyfriends -- just me. I made friends, found new hobbies, and got to visit museums on my time off.
I learned a lot about myself in that first six months, that I might not have had the opportunity to discover otherwise. I realized I LOVE to read. I went through all of high school and most of college dreading text books, and reading assignments. So, to find myself poring over books on the weekends and well into the night was very unlike the Boston version of Stacy Mafera. I discovered that going to the movies alone and sitting in the back row with a box of Raisinettes is my favorite way to relax. To this day I still, once a quarter, take a "movie day" to just escape my mind and take in a movie, solo.
While this might seem like a story of self discovery, and it sort of is, it is also about a difficult decision I had to make that wound up changing not only my life, but the lives of my family and close friends. Picking up and moving 500 miles away is certainly a drastic and stressful change, but knowing the outcome, if I had the chance, I would do it again.
Change might be stressful, it is absolutely scary, and uncomfortable; but when faced with an open mind, an open heart and with a warm embrace, change can mean the difference between success and failure.
The Network is making some major changes, and it might seem unconventional and different, but please understand that the Board of Directors is working with the success of the Network as their beacon in the night.
We will be rolling out new events, trying different networking activities, and putting in place some new policies and teams. If we can all embrace these changes with open hearts and open minds, I am predicting great success for not only the Network, but for you as members as well!
Stacy
Stacy Doherty
Errands Etcetera
Email Stacy
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About the Law |
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Barry Gordon
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Sell, Buy or
Stay Where You Are
Unbelievable as it may seem, interest rates have risen -- as have prices.
Since we all have short, very short memories, let me remind you the rates are still low.
Having represented BUYERS, SELLERS AND LENDERS for more than three decades, what I have learned is:
If the time and the deal are right for you then make the deal: Remember that this is a place to live it is not a temple or a shrine. Hopefully it will meet most of your expectations. It will not meet all of them. Many things are cosmetic some are serious. Some are so difficult that they will take your breath away and often the cash in your wallet.
Never buy a house if you are concerned about job stability. Never buy a house if your marriage is unstable or if your spouse or partner has serious reservations about the house.
Never buy a house because your friends are buying houses. Buy a good house in a good neighborhood. The best house in a less desirable neighborhood is not a good thing.
Decide whether a single family home or a condo is best for you. Don't forget to determine if you can have pets in your new home, and what kind of pets you might be permitted to have.
Speaking as a lawyer who knows real estate, I want you to talk with us before you enter into an agreement with a real estate agent -- whether you are a Seller or a Buyer.
Be prepared to listen to your lawyer and to pay your lawyer to represent you. Hire a thorough home inspector. Find a respected and knowledgeable lender.
Call me, Barry Gordon. 617-786-0800. email, bgordon@gmo-law.com
Barry
Barry Gordon
Gordon, Mond & Ott
(617) 786-0800.
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| About Your Money - Cheryle Brady, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. |
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Cheryle Brady,
Amerprise Financial Services, Inc.
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Five Ways to Plan an Affordable Summer Vacation
Summer is a popular time for family vacations, yet the thought of stepping away from work to travel can be daunting in uncertain economic times. Whether or not taking a vacation is one of your financial goals this year, here are five tips to help make your summer vacation plans more affordable this year, or any year. With careful planning, you can look forward to relaxing time off and memories that will last a lifetime.
- Set a budget. There are two ways to approach your summer vacation budget; decide where you'd like to go and then estimate the costs, or set a maximum dollar amount and let that number determine what kind of vacation is within your reach. It's important to be honest and realistic with yourself as you set your summer travel budget. Whether you choose to travel near or far, make sure your vacation tab won't damage your financial future in exchange for a little pleasure now. And if you can't afford to venture away from home this year, consider planning a "staycation"-vacation time spent at home doing fun, low-cost activities in your area.
- Give yourself time. Planning your vacation is half the fun, so put time on your side. Advance planning makes it possible to daydream about your upcoming opportunity to get away and relax. And with several months to anticipate, you can save a portion of your household spending money to fortify your vacation budget. As needed, set up automated savings between your checking and savings accounts for consistent contributions. Planning in advance can also give you more time to seek out affordable entertainment and relaxation activities during your vacation.
- Seek out travel bargains. You can save money with a little investigative work to uncover the lowest prices for the things you need and want to do during your vacation. Deals on hotels, flights and car rentals are typically available in advance and online. Also, flights leaving or returning midweek tend to be cheaper. You can bid on lower-cost flights using some services up to the day before your departure, though you often can't select the exact times or airline. If you're feeling adventurous, you may also consider non-commercial property rental sites like online services that connect private parties to short-term lodging.
- Strategize to cut costs. No matter where you plan to spend your vacation, there are ways to minimize expenses. Conserve on your food budget by booking a hotel that offers free breakfast or has a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. Pack snacks to avoid paying inflated prices at the airport or at theme parks. If you're visiting a city, bring comfortable walking shoes and use mass transit to avoid the expense of car rental and overnight parking. Pack light to avoid paying extra baggage fees. Keep in mind that little things can add up quickly and make a difference in your total costs.
- Plan low- and no-cost activities. Nearly every major city in the United States has an online discount site that posts local deals. You can log on before your trip and snap up discounts on restaurants, concerts, spa visits and more. Seek out museums and parks that charge low or no admission. Hiking or walking and site seeing are two activities that are good for you and your pocketbook.
A little planning can go a long way toward making short- and long-term financial goals a reality. Consider working with a financial advisor to help you create a comprehensive plan for your financial life and save for what matters most to you and your family.
Cheryle Brady, is a Financial Advisor and Associate Vice President with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Quincy, Massachusetts. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 25 years. To contact Cheryle
http://ameripriseadvisors.com/Cheryle.Brady ,
Cheryle.Brady@ampf.com
617-691-2167,
859 Willard Street, 3rd floor,
Quincy, MA. 02169
Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
© 2013 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SSWBN Connections
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 | | Lynn Feingold |
Hello everyone!
I hope that you are enjoying your summer, and you will keep your eyes and ears open for new accomplishments among fellow members (or yourself!) to contribute to this column!
Tricia Cromwell of Trust in Tricia said, "I am new to the group and haven't met everyone yet, but I have been working with Lauren Cloutier of Cloutier Photography and I would like to rave about her! She's not only an awesome photographer, she is a smart business woman and a great team player as well. I have worked with her on photo shoots and she has been the photographer at a couple of my fashion events. She is dependable and professional and I know I am guaranteed some great images! She is caring, and has everyone's best interest at heart. She is organized and reliable. We have a great dynamic when we are on set together and she is a pleasure to work with!"
Alison Schirone of AC Associates sends a warm thanks to Tina Sousa-Vieira and Teresa Tavares at Inspiring Windows for helping her parents with their window treatments ..."all the way down in South County, RI!" said Alison. "My parents were very happy with their Hunter Douglas treatments and made some new friends in Tina, Teresa, and John. Thank you!" Alison also thanks George Boerger of Boerger Law for helping the Schirone family with a personal legal matter. "George always makes any legal transaction easy, efficient, and jargon-free!"
Kim DeGust of Coughlin & Company Real Estate thanks Maureen Elliot, Jessica Foley of Dave & Busters, Patty Funder of LaserLight for Men and Women, and Anna Linzi of Lightheart Enterprises. "These ladies have committed auction item donations for Dove's 35th Anniversary Fundraiser on October 25th. The generosity of the community has enabled DOVE since its founding in 1978 to provide Emergency Shelter to more than 5000 victims of domestic violence, answer more than 45,000 calls on the 24-hour hotline, and provide community services and education to more than 50,000 individuals! For more information on Dove and how you can help, see http://doveinc.info/ or email me at kim@coughlinhomes.com. Thank you again for your generous support of Dove."
"I've got a TON of thank yous to get started for my new term!" said new SSWBN President and owner of Errands Etcetera, Stacy Doherty, as she commented about each one:
- Lori Cook of A Fork in the Road Deli for creating some delicious treats for a tea party themed bridal shower. "Lori was easy to work with and incredibly accommodating."
- Lisa Marie of Lisa Marie Boutiques for taking such good care of not only my wedding gown but also both of my sister's dresses. "The dresses look seamless (literally!)."
- Lauren and Al Cloutier of Cloutier Photography: "There are no words to express my everlasting gratitude. They were both professional, fun, detail orientated, patient and absolutely wonderful to work with. I would recommend them for anyone without reservation."
- Rita Daddio of Liberty Mutual for looking over my policies and making some really helpful suggestions for moving forward.
- Janet LaBerge of Good Deedsfor finding a new home for lots of gorgeous picture frames!
- Thank you to Kim Degust of Coughlin & Company Real Estate for sending a referral my way. This person was looking to put her rental on the market and it needed some cleaning done!
Joe Hernandez of Premiere Pros thanks Reiko Beach of The Toolbox Inc. for her assistance with Premiere's WordPress website. "She was so efficient in getting the changes done and we appreciate her time spent!" said Joe.
Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds and Good Deeds has a long list this month! She would like to thank the following SSWBN members who have helped get Good Deeds off the ground:
- "Thanks to Lois Wood of Lois Wood Graphic Design for coming up with a perfect logo, incorporating Pay It Forward, strong woman and Mel's bracelet. "It's really easy to get to the heart of the matter with a logo when the person you're working with knows you and gets what you are trying to communicate," said Janet.
- A big thanks to George Boerger of Boerger Law for offering superb legal advice on the lease for Good Deeds at 209 Water Street. "Not only did George help me to negotiate a better deal, but I always feel so cool when I can say, 'I've got to run this by my lawyer'," said Janet. "Thanks George."
- Thank you to Kristen Ford Hernandez of Enterprise Marketing, who "designed a cool, tailor-made website for Good Deeds. Again, when you are working with people who know you and know the vibe you are trying to create, it makes the process so much easier and smoother." Check out the new website at www.gooddeedsstore.com.
- Thank you to Jean Delaney of Father Bill's Mainspring, for including me in their job fair and for making the connections that allowed me to find some much needed workers.
- Thank you to Kyle Harney, one of Kathleen Keegan's "rocking agents at Real Estate Rocks, for handing out my brochures and cards at a recent collaborative meeting that he held. It was also extra special that Kyle broke into a song from West Side Story, accompanied by my dog, Rita Moreno, at Good Deeds. I am still chuckling about it.
- A special thanks to CPA Chris Hanson, who stops into Good Deeds on a regular basis with various family members. "You brighten my day and I LOVE meeting your family. It is a privilege to be introduced to your mother and sisters."
- "Thank you to my favorite Tavern Wench, Lynn Feingold, for favoring the crowd with a lovely song at our last 'give back' party. I am proud to know you and inspired by your journey this past year."
- Thank you to Maureen Elliot, "who volunteered her time to come into Good Deeds and help me price out items when I first opened up and was overwhelmed with the many tasks in front of me."
- "Finally," said Janet, "Thanks to all the members of this Network who have stopped into Good Deeds, helped to spread the word and encouraged me in this venture. I can't say it enough, I just LOVE this Network and am so appreciative of the support that I receive."
Reaching out to other members, making a connection, is one of the highpoints of being a SSWBN member. Who could you help? Come to an event soon and find out!
Lynn
Lynn Feingold
colonialsongs@aol.com
www.songsofthecolonialdays.com
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| Above and Beyond | |
| | Lynn Feingold |
Hello everyone!
I know you must be enjoying your summer because only a few of you have contributed to my columns! Luckily I have a few tidbits to share with you.
Congratulations to Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap who was featured in Pembroke Life this month, highlighting the opening of her new store, "Good Deeds." This is a unique thrift store filled with all the items that come in from Dirty Deeds house cleanouts, as well as through donations from the community. All the proceeds benefit a different charity every month. Last month Good Deeds donated $1,525 to The James Library in Norwell Center. The charity that will be supported this month is the Plymouth County 4-H. Stop in and shop to get great deals and support 4-H. Dirty Deeds and Good Deeds were also recently featured in a Patriot Ledger blog by Sue Scheible, as a result of a Facebook post by the James Library. That's some great networking!
New SSWBN member Tricia Cromwell, Wardrobe Consultant who is taking the guessing out of dressing! at Trust in Tricia, will have cause to celebrate this fall for reaching five years in business, She's thrilled, and said, "It's a major milestone for me!" We have no doubt that joining SSWBN will help her achieve even more milestones on her path to success. Welcome to SSWBN!
If you achieve a goal, create a success, or win acclaim, share it here! Your success may be the inspiration for someone else in our group to take that next step toward their goal. If you feel like you are stuck in neutral, SSWBN and its members are great resources. Let's network, and share of ourselves, and celebrate our successes.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Lynn
Lynn Feingold
colonialsongs@aol.com
www.songsofthecolonialdays.com
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| Networking Nova | |
Each month the SSWBN Membership Team recognizes a member who exemplifies the qualities of a Networking Nova, a person who embodies the Network's core values of coaching, contacts and collaboration; someone who is visible at many SSWBN events and who treats others with respect and dignity.
In addition, this person utilizes the Network to build his/her business and helps others do the same.
Nicole Peterkin,
New York Life
'You cannot give back to a network that is not helping your business'
I have been a member of the SSWBN for a year and a half, and I have made the most out of the Network by attending events, following up with contacts I've met at them, and making sure to do business within the Network as much as humanly possible -- and to always refer others to members in the Network.
The Network has meant an opportunity for me to do my part in helping the growth of small, local, women-owned businesses, which I think is incredibly important. From a business perspective, it has allowed me to meet people I would not have necessarily met otherwise outside of the Network to share what I'm doing.
I would encourage other members to make it a priority to do business within the Network. This doesn't mean giving your business only to other members; but it also means making a concerted effort to help the other members businesses grow.
Growth within a business happens through client acquisition -- that's obvious. It is also obvious that you cannot and will not do business with every member business; but by getting to know the other members not just at networking events but in coffee meetings and over lunch, you build relationships. The knowledge gained and relationships built in these meetings create opportunities for you to become more referable and give you the confidence to refer other members. You can't refer someone you don't know and trust.
A business networking group can only grow if the member businesses are growing and thriving -- you cannot give back to a network that is not helping your business. You aren't going to do business with everyone in the group and not everyone will do business with you, but the best way for everyone to grow is to have a group philosophy and culture of doing business and referring business within the network with a goal of group growth.
I'm very excited for the future growth of the SSWBN!
Nicole Peterkin, Financial Adviser
New York Life & New York Life Securities
www.nicolepeterkin.com
(508)369-9745
nepeterkin@gmail.com
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OUR PARTNERS
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GOLD PARTNER
SILVER PARTNERS
BRONZE PARTNERS |
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serves as your Managing Editor of the SSWBN Compass.
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E-newsletter designed by
Kristen Ford-Hernandez,
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| Editor's Note: | |
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Patricia Funder, Editor
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SSWBN - They're Everywhere!
Look at the scenery I get to
enjoy every day, directly
across the street from my Plymouth home - an Almar Building and
Remodeling sign! A few
months ago, my neighbor
reputable, fair builder to remodel her asked me to recommend a downstairs bathroom to install a shower, and to vouch for their integrity and expertise. I gave her the contact information for SSWBN member businesses that did this kind of work.
Vouching for the integrity of any SSWBN member is always the easy part - and to the consumer, always the most important. Even if you have no direct experience to attest to the expertise of a member, you always have other members who can. I feel pretty darn good about having recommended Alison and Craig Guido and their staff at Almar. Just as an FYI, I can now directly vouch for the neatness with which they work: my neighbor carefully maintains a beautiful home and yard, and Almar has kept their work area very neat, even as they deconstructed the existing bath and closet to update it.
While we expect to see fellow SSWBN members when we go to planned events, I find it quite fun to see them out of the area -- indicating, I guess, that their businesses touch more than just us. In one weekend recently, I passed Dirty Janet LaBerge driving her big Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap truck north on Route 3. I was heading to Braintree to donate blood platelets at the Red Cross, and she was just pulling off onto Burgin Parkway.
Earlier that day I had been talking to a Wound Care Nurse at the South Shore Hospital (an SSWBN corporate member), and noticed her fun earrings almost exactly like a pair that I own -- both from the hands of Lisa Marie Williams at Lisa Marie's Boutique. I felt kind of like I knew a celebrity designer! The next day, while getting my father's grave spiffed up for the Memorial Day activities that always happen near his plot, I saw Nancy Allonen-Allie doing the same! Funny, you never expect to see your business connections hanging out in the cemetery.
Same weekend, guess who catered the graduation party that I attended? Lori Cook, from A Fork in the Road, of course! The chicken saltimbocca was sooo good, that I did not mind that I missed the steak tips -- which were also sooo good that the kids ate 'em all up before I could get to them!
And here is an SSWBN blast from the past: I just got an Email from the son of one of our earliest members - one of the first men to join the Network, and who served on a couple of  teams -- who is starting a new business at 90 years old! George Weir (When you hear, "We're moving, call Weir Moving!") just launched The Independent Moving Coach, as a fully certified moving consultant. Check him out, especially if you know of anyone about to move, and who might like to simplify and de-stress the process.
As George's son reminds us, "There is a dignity to George. He started this business because he has an important product to sell: 50 years of knowledge and service."
I hope you have an unusual siting of an SSWBN specimen.
It might give you, as it did me, that little twinge of self-satisfaction that you chose to belong to a very special Network.
Patty
Patricia Funder
Managing Editor
LaserLight for Men and Women
www.laserlightskin.com
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