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Thank you for subscribing to the SSWBN Newsletter. Our mission is to provide you with the Contacts, Coaching, Collaboration, and Community you need for success.
Know someone who might benefit from reading this newsletter or attending an upcoming event? Please share this information!
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From the Executive Director
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Stacey Shipman
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Dear Members and Colleagues:
During my first month as Executive Director I've enjoyed many conversations with members, prospects and partners. I keep hearing the same thing: "I want to make new and better contacts!"
Contacts constitutes one of the Four Cs we promote at SSWBN, the others being Coaching, Collaboration and Community.
SSWBN events provide a starting point to meet new contacts. To deepen and strengthen relationships you must commit to:
- Follow-up -- Invite a new contact for a walk, coffee or a phone call to follow-up and learn more about them personally and their business. (This is most likely not a sales call.)
- Keep in touch-- Social media (i.e., follow people on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn) is a great way to stay in touch, especially when you're short on time. Comment on a post or status update, send a message or start a conversation.
- Ask for what you want -- Once you've developed the relationship and feel comfortable, ask for what you want. Do you need a bookkeeper, lawyer or client referral? Ask! At our September breakfast, speaker Hank Phillippi Ryan told us she is where she is today because she got help. If you need help, please ask. Contact the SSWBN office, ask a trusted member or colleague, or start a conversation on social media.
Business Planning Retreat, October 26 - 27. Imagine if you could spend a day and a half free of distraction, networking, learning and planning for a successful 2014. You can at the first-ever SSWBN overnight business planning retreat! Click here for more details.
Halloween After Hours, October 29, Comfort Keepers, Plymouth. Join us for a spook-tacular time! What better way to meet new people than in a fun, relaxed atmosphere? No fee RSVP requested. Click here.
Women's Business Achievement Breakfast, October 31, Linden Ponds. Come celebrate women in the South Shore community who have made a difference in their community! Register here.
We've also begun planning for 2014 and will have new and exciting opportunities to share in the coming months. To learn about the exciting details as they unfold, read this newsletter, "like" SSWBN on Facebook, follow SSWBN @thesswbn on Twitter, or attend a live event.
I look forward to seeing you at an event this Fall.
To your success,
Stacey
Stacey Shipman
Executive Director
617-548-5877
sshipman@sswbn.org
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Message from the President
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Stacy Doherty
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Hello friends,
I can't believe I'm already four months into my term -- time sure does fly by when you are getting work done! Speaking of which, I know a lot of folks were looking forward to September after a slow summer season (myself included), and I wanted to take this time to check in and see how things are going for you.
As part of my "ramping up for fall campaign," I did A LOT of reading. If you have attended any of the Coffee With The President events, you have no doubt heard me reference a few of the books that I enjoyed the most. If not, well then my friends, read on as I would love to share with you some great tips for networking.
The first thing I learned was that there are different types of networking groups, and for the most part, it is okay and should be encouraged to sample other groups. Specifically there are six types (according to Ivan Misner, PhD in his book The World's Best Known Marketing Secret). You have got your Casual Contact Networks (e.g., Chamber of Commerce), Strong Contact Networks (BNI or other referral group), Community Service Clubs (Rotary), Professional Associations (American Bar Association), Social/Business Groups (Jaycees), and Women's Organizations (SSWBN). Out of those six vastly different types of groups, how many do you belong to? The suggested answer is three -- with no two of the same types of groups.
This is incredible to me. Upon reading it, I thought, "Three groups?! I barely have enough time to tie my shoes some days: how am I supposed to schedule one more thing into my calendar?!" But sure enough, I made a commitment to start visiting other types of groups, and I carved out the time to do so. Of course, it meant a few nights a week would be spent wearing my networking hat, but low and behold, I made some really great connections that I would not have made by sitting on the couch!
The second thing I learned was the value of really knowing what to ask for. I cannot tell you how many times someone has asked, "How can I help you grow? What does your business need?" and I sat there dumbfounded, surprised by their question, and promised to let them know if there was something I came up with down the road. Here's a tip: keep a list. Sure, you might be toting around a "To Do" list, a grocery list, or a list of appointments, but why not keep a list of professional needs and desires?
This could be of specific people you're looking to be introduced to, services you might need (side note: I'm looking for a great local printer!), or even your ideal client. Keep this list, and I promise you will always be prepared when someone OFFERS their help!
The third thing that was ground breaking for me was really getting to know who my ideal client actually is. I know that she's a busy (sometimes single), working mom, looking to make the most out of her shortage of time. But I found out where she lives, what her income bracket looks like, how she likes to spend her free time, what she values, and what sorts of chores or tasks she needs help with. Knowing what this person looks like on paper has done nothing but open doors for me. I know who I'm looking for and I know what they want!
Regardless of whether you are an experienced networker, or brand-new to the game, it never hurts to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. If you are feeling hesitant to check out a group, give a friend a call and see if they are interested in joining you (I would love an invitation/introduction to a different group!). Set a few goals for yourself for the month ahead -- maybe you want to take a deeper look at your ideal client, or perhaps you do need to meet a few more people by way of networking -- whatever your goals is, the SSWBN is here to support you!
As always, my email is always open for your thoughts. I'd love to hear about your networking and business success stories (and so does Lynn Feingold, Keeper of our Connections column!).
Keep your suggestions and questions coming!
Stacy
Stacy Doherty
703-304-4067
Errands Etcetera
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz
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Financial Tip
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Cheryle Brady
Ameriprise
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Small Business Owners: think about your personal bottom line
I
f you're a small business owner, you probably devote most of your time to making your business successful and functioning well each day. You focus on the obligations you have to customers and employees, and you surely put considerable energy into maintaining a healthy bottom line.
All of these things are important, but with so much going on, it can be too easy to neglect your own finances. It's important to think long-term about your business, your personal financial future and how the two impact one another. As a business owner, you are in a unique position to address both business and personal needs together. Here are some important areas to consider as you work to keep your personal financial goals on track:
Retirement planning
Business owners typically have much of their money (and therefore their future financial security) tied up in their businesses. For that reason, it's important to supplement that equity with a separate workplace retirement plan that is invested outside of the business. Setting up an employer-sponsored savings plan at your business helps your employees build a secure retirement while giving you the opportunity to save in a tax-advantaged way.
Protecting yourself and your business
You take significant risks as a business owner. One is that the business relies on your continued presence. It is crucial to determine how your business would keep functioning (and generating income for your family) if something prevented you from overseeing it, such as an untimely accident, illness or premature death. Also consider the impact it would have on your business if something happened to your business partner or any of your most critical employees.
Providing protection for your family by having adequate life and disability insurance in place is the first step in helping secure the financial stability of your business and your family should something happen to you. A good policy can provide income for you and your family, and as a business owner, replace lost revenue and provide funds to help keep your business operating in your absence.
Life and disability insurance may also be purchased by your business to protect against an untimely incident affecting a key employee. So-called "key person insurance" is often considered an important part of a business operation.
Managing cash flow
As a business owner, you should consider maintaining a larger emergency cash fund than what might be required for people who work for a large employer. This is especially true if your business activity tends to be unpredictable and you are forced to reduce your own income from time-to-time to meet business expenses. Having a cash cushion in your personal account will help you manage through difficult times.
Moving on from your business
Assuming you ultimately plan to sell or turn over your business to a successor, your goal should be to have a succession strategy in place well in advance. If you own a family business, there are special considerations and unique ways you can structure a transition plan to your family members. If you have partners in your business, think about establishing a buy-sell agreement that is funded by insurance. This allows one or more partners to be in a position to purchase your share of the company at its true value if something should happen to you.
Building personal financial security was probably one of the reasons you started or acquired your business in the first place. Careful follow-through with a well planned, reasonable transition strategy is a logical step to achieve the ultimate reward from the years you dedicated to your business. Consider working with a financial professional who can help you develop and evaluate a personal financial plan that keeps your goals and dreams for your small business in mind.
Cheryle Brady, is a Financial Advisor and Associate Vice President with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Quincy, MA. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 20 years. To contact Cheryle : Cheryle.brady@ampf.com, Ameriprise Financial Services, 359 Willard Street, 3rd Floor, Quincy, MA 02169, 617-691-2167. http://ameripriseadvisors.com/cheryle.brady Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation. 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. File # 717206
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SSWBN Connections
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 | | Lynn Feingold |
Hello everyone!
Celebrate this season of change by changing something about the way in which you connect with SSWBN members. Are you making an effort to get out and meet members at events? Are you following up on a new contact with an email or a call or a Facebook invite? Are you submitting your notes of thanks and appreciation to this Connections column? Follow the theme of change in your networking this season, and see if it makes a difference in your business.
Certified Yoga Trainer Nancy Boyle of Live Light Yoga sends a thank you and kudos to Kristen Ford-Hernandez of Premiere Pros Carpentry and Painting for helping her to connect to the Group Exercise Director at the Weymouth Club. The Club was holding auditions for yoga instructors for their new Mind/Body Studio. "The connection was timely -- I auditioned and secured a teaching position," said Nancy. "I will be teaching a 5:45 am Power yoga class on Wednesdays and a 5:30 pm Power Basics class on Fridays starting in October. Thanks for the connection Kristen! Hope to see you all at one of my classes!"
Stacy Doherty of Errands Etcetera has made some great connections this month! She sends a GIGANTIC thank you to Rayna Minder of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce for the wonderful referral. Stacy says, "She's exactly what I was looking for!" She continues, "Thank you to Pauline Alighieri of Friends of Mel for opening up your office for the September Coffee with the President. Thank you to Bridgette Barbato of Miniluxe and Ewa Deveney of Studio123 for the great additions to a gift basket." She also sends thanks to Lynda Chuckran of Welch Healthcare and Retirement Group for hosting a delicious lobster dinner for care takers within the community!" Finally, Stacy says, "Thank you to Sue Chandler at DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended) for thinking of Errands Etcetera when it was time to hang more pictures in the waiting area!"
Stacy also thanks Washawn Jones of the Boston Business Journal for inviting the Board of Directors to share a night of baseball at the Brockton Rox game, and then again with a night of Networking with the networking group Cordial Connections! "Thanks to Alison Schirone of AC Associates for sitting down and talking with me about future plansfor marketing my business and what it could look like," said Stacy. "I look forward to working with you in the future and taking Errands Etcetera, LLC to the next level!" She also thanks Theresa Barbadoro of Baker, Braverman and Barbadoro for trusting her to pay attention to detail in cleaning her house to get it ready for incoming guests.
Lindsay Rentz of Lindsay Rentz Fitness sends thanks this month to Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap for offering support and posting a photo of her swingset on her Facebook page. "Janet was great in suggesting ideas of how to donate our old play structure, and took time out of her busy schedule to help me. Thank you, Janet."
Lois Wood of LW Creative Group would like to acknowledge Mike Christopher of DataSmith (formerly of MyTech Solutions). "Mike and I hit it off the first time we met at SSWBN when he was still with MyTech, and he suggested a collaboration: MyTech would work with clients on hardware and networking, but they would offer my services for website design. It was a great partnership, and now I'm happy to say that he's introducing the same collaborative idea at his new company, DataSmith! Recently, South Shore Stars asked LW Creative Group to design a new website for them, just because of their long association with Mike Christopher. Thank you, Mike!"
Kristen Ford-Hernandez of Premiere Pros would like to send a huge thank you to Judy Rizzo of Rizzo Plumbing and Heating. "Judy has sent us a few customers lately who need carpentry work or painting," said Kristen. "We appreciate the faith and trust Judy has placed in us."
Think about this - if you made a diagram showing all of your connections in your business life, and those people were represented by dots, how many dots would your diagram have? Try to add a few dots to your connections diagram this month -- refer a fellow SSWBN member to a friend or a neighbor, or even another SSWBN member!
Lynn
Lynn Feingold
Songs of the Colonial Days
colonialsongs@aol.com
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| Above and Beyond |
 | | Kim DeGust, Real Estate Professional |
Suggestions for Getting Your Business 'Above and Beyond'
Congratulations to our president, Stacy Doherty, owner of Errands Etcetera, whom South Shore Stars recognized as a 2013 40 Under 40 Awardee. Each year the organization honors emerging leaders on the South Shore based on professional accomplishments, community involvement and leadership. Great job Stacy!
Past SSWBN President Janet LaBerge of Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and Good Deeds thrift shop was recently featured on Plymouth Access TV (PAC TV) for her "good deeds" Congratulations Janet! Click here to watch the video segment online.
The Weymouth News recently featured Executive Director Stacey Shipman in their "Meet Your Neighbor" column available in the print version.
What's Your Good News?
Last month I attended a workshop, "Economic Power of Women and You: How to Embrace Your Personal and Professional Power In Today's Business World," sponsored by South Shore Bank. Thank you to Jacqueline Hurstak for inviting SSWBN members, and several other SSWBN members. According to guest speaker Kathleen Burns Kingsbury of KBK Wealth Connection
, "Women own a majority of the personal wealth in this country and we can learn to embrace the power we have. Be confident in your financial decisions, speak up and brag about your accomplishments." I know the powerful women of SSWBN have plenty of accomplishments to brag about.
Please share them with me and I will help you brag right here in a future edition of this column!
Kim
Kim DeGust
Coughlin & Company Real Estate
(781) 335-2357
(781) 363-0485 cell
kim@coughlinhomes.com
www.degustrealestate.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.
People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel
I joined the South Shore Women's Business Network about 18 months ago. In my position
I have been involved with many networking groups and
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Jessica Foley, Dave & Busters
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organizations, and I must say that the SSWBN is a very organized and welcoming group.
Being involved is key to your success, which includes attending networking events - networking breakfasts, networking lunches and business after hours. Not just attend: be active, mingle, and exchange business cards.
The more exposure you have, the more members see you, trust you, understand you, and are then willing to pass along referrals. The follow-up is the best part of networking and extremely important. Set up meetings to discuss partnerships with everyone you meet, discuss how you might be able to help each other, pass along business ideas and referrals.
Dave and Busters opened December 2011. The EAT, DRINK, PLAY AND PARTY concept was new to the area and I needed to get the word out. I was also new to the area looking for mentors, connections and sales building techniques. I have been very grateful for the SSWBN relationships that I have built. Many members have come to tour the facility, as well as hosted events here. Not only have I made business connections, I have made friends who feel like family.
My most fundamental advice is:
- Know who you are: Your tag line, elevator pitch
- Show who you are: Business cards, check your web directory
- Get Noticed: Sponsor an event, donate door prizes, join a round table
- Schedule a Three Minute breakfast or lunch presentation
- Be informed: Check the calendar, read the newsletter, submit to the newsletter
- Be Seen: Monthly events, annual events
- Take part in Member to Member services
I am so excited to be featured as this month's networking Nova. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting everyone at future gatherings and expositions. If you are not familiar with Dave and Busters please contact me for a tour!
I would like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Mya Angelou:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Jessica Foley, Special Events Manager
Dave & Buster's
www.daveandbusters.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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Featured Business
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Name: Susana Griffin, Regional lending manager Bank of Canton
Business Name: Bank of Canton
Address: Marshfield
How did you come to be in this line of work?
I was in banking and many years ago was introduced to the mortgage side and
became very interested in this aspect of banking
What are the top three things that separate you from your competition?
We are a local bank with the processing done in Marshfield. We offer a wide variety of products to meet everyone's needs and I care sincerely about my clients.
Describe your dream/perfect/ best customer.
It would be anyone who is thinking of buying a home, building a new home, refinancing to lower rate, or consolidating debt.
What changes are happening, or can you predict happening soon, within your industry?
The three-month moving average for both number of sales and prices are at their lowest levels seen since January, giving a clear indication that the demand for new housing is slowing in the wake of rising mortgage rates. However, increases in inventory have slowed price increases, and that will hopefully serve to balance out the rise in rates for overall affordability going forward.
What do you regard as your greatest achievement in business to date?
I have enjoyed this Network and have made some great friends and got some great referrals.
What benefit(s) have you received through your networking efforts?
I enjoyed the people I work with and how we support each other.
What do you do in your spare time for fun?
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my three kids, husband, dogs and practicing martial arts.
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this great group of people!
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