by Kathleen Hawkins,
WOAMTEC President
Are you going to wash that grey right out of your hair?
As I was getting ready this morning, I noticed it was time to get my hair done because my roots were showing. I thought of all the things women conceal: we hide our grey with color, we hide our nails with acrylics, we hide our dark circles and imperfections with concealor, we hide our arm fat with long sleeves and our butt fat with Spanx… The list goes on and on….
You know what I am talking about, Ladies! We all do it.
Then I thought, what else are we concealing or covering up because we don’t want the world to see or know about ourselves or our businesses?
Later today at church, I was reminded by our Pastor (Dr. Joel Hunter) that there are lots of things we CAN’T fix, lots of people we CAN’T help, but WE are not one of them! In the end, does keeping it concealed matter or will making a change make all the difference?
Take today and ponder all the things you conceal in your life and in your business. It can be as simple as hiding files that need to be organized, keeping a garage door closed so people can’t see the mess, hiding behind emails instead of making personal calls Or it could be much bigger than that: hiding an abusive relationship, an illness, an addiction, or a secret.
Remember, you CAN change who you are, if you are determined. Stop hiding the things you don’t want the world to see and start mirroring the reflection you want to be. You are not hiding it at all from the ones that matter the most. They can still see it!
By Kathleen Hawkins
QUESTION: What makes a successful business owner, different from a struggling one?
ANSWER: How you market your talents often count more than your talents? Are you Selling YOU!?
“ Easiest Ways To Promote Yourself ”
- Networking is one of the easiest ways to promote yourself and your business.
- Networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
- Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings? Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
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By Kathleen Hawkins
President/Founder WOAMTEC
Many businesses struggle with the idea of implementing an amplified product focus because they believe their demographic can’t afford a luxury product especially during these tough times. Though offering a higher-cost product does affect the perceived value of your products and your business identity, it is not the only factor in luxury perception.
Consider implementing these practices to help create a luxury appeal:
1. Never underestimate your customers. Believe that they have the desire and ability to upgrade to the next level. Especially with Women, when they want something, they find a way to make it happen. Believe it.
2. Create genuine benefits. Don’t try to get by on a brand recognition alone or deceive your clients by pretending what you offer is better if it not. Also, focus on improving your talent and making your products technically and functionally more adept. Constant education is imperative when evolving your business. If you are not attending conventions like the Confident Women Conference or the Make Money Conference to continue evolving your business, it will be difficult for you to get ahead.
3. Deliver a flawless experience. It is difficult to always offer something your competition doesn’t; it is only a matter of time before they catch up. However, you can always outshine the competition by implementing procedures that ensure a perfect experience.
4. Think like your competition. Sure, we all love each other. Most industries are an open and friendly one. However, top businesses take the time to think like their competition. Study other businesses and incorporate any of those that will benefit your clients. Try to see your business from the outside in.
The bottom line is this: if you are working and making money, you own a business. Though you might want to pour all of your time and energies into what you like to do. You have to focus on the things you don’t like to do as well or be able to afford to hire someone to do those things. CATCH: delegating does not mean dismissing. If you are not doing it, you are still needing to supervise what is being done.
Your clients expect you to show some business savvy and competency. If you elect to emphasize or offer only the basic or anticipated products in your studio, you may gain more clients initially, but you will retain fewer clients and will need to work harder to gain your overall market share. In an era when relationship marketing and customer service is the pulse of most successful businesses, making less, giving less, and doing less for your customers should not be an option. Help your clientele cherish their experience with you. Amplify your products.
If you don’t give your clients what they are looking for, someone else will.
The Best Gift you can give yourself or someone you love this Holiday Season!
Gift of Faith
Gift of Friendship
Gift of Focus
Gift of Guidance
Gift of Prosperity
Where can you find all that together?
WOAMTEC!
As you are doing last minute holiday shopping, remember the best gift you can give someone is the tools and support to prosper their business in the New Year. Join in December 2009 or purchase a membership Gift Certificate for a loved one this month and our Christmas gift to you is one additional month for FREE!!!!
Plus as an extra bonus this Season…..WOAMTEC is ready for growth Nationwide. Help us and we will help you!
Refer a qualified applicant between now and January 15, 2010, who is interviewed, hired, and launches a WOAMTEC chapter before February 15, 2010 and
YOU receive a 1 YEAR COMPLIMENTARY membership and a special Blog advertorial on our website. $650 value!
So who do you know that may be a qualified to join our WOAMTEC leadership team?
Visit for more information
http://woamtec.com/woamtec/becoming-a-woamtec-chapter-director-do-you-have-what-it-takes
If you think if someone who would represent us well and benefit by bringing WOAMTEC to their area….ask them to give us a call. 866-757-2611 to schedule an interview and make sure they say they were referred by you!
Best wishes,
Kathleen Hawkins
President and Founder
Don’t wait, the Member promotion ends December 31, 2009 and the Director Promotion ends January 15th, 2010. Please visit http://www.woamtec.com for more information.
by Kathleen Hawkins
WOAMTEC President/Founder
Expand your horizons to find new business opportunities
Often we tend to focus on the side of our business we prefer to do while avoiding the daily grind of paperwork and marketing so necessary to keep the bills paid. This mindset may result in a activities but are the activities building your business and generating revenue? If you don’t continually foster new relationships, you will lose out on potential business required to maintain a healthy client base. In this economy, especially, you need to think outside of the box when it comes to business development.
Redefine “networking”
For many of us, the idea of networking, or socializing with strangers, is something we dread. To make it easier, redefine the word to mean building a relationship based on honesty and trust and an interest in one another. By thinking about how you can help others, you can develop business that gives you a healthier bottom line. Consider everyone in the room a potential friend. If you take some of the pressure off yourself, networking can become a pleasant event that allows you to establish new contacts, hear business ideas, and gain motivation.
Five tips for easier networking
1. Always ask for a person’s name and what they do, before introducing yourself. This creates an open dialog and helps make a positive first impression.
2. Create a list of the businesses you want to work with to make sure you meet with the key people for your business. If possible, research who you want to meet prior to the event and work on getting them invited.
3. Remember that you need to take an active role in any networking organization you join. The more involved you become the more likely others will remember and refer you.
4. Find a role model and observe how they promote their business to learn from their experience and success. Ask that person to become your mentor and have her work with you to think out of the box and develop powerful and profitable relationships.
5. Follow up with the people you meet. When you ask for a business card, contact that person after the meeting to let them know you enjoyed meeting them, or to follow up on the conservation you had. Add them to your contacts list. You might even want to schedule time together after the meeting to share more ideas about each other’s business.
Know what makes you unique
When you network, you are selling yourself. Know what makes you special, and be able to clearly articulate it when asked, “What do you do?” Become known as a powerful resource for others; the person to know. Remain visible by sending out cards, using marketing software, or developing a client newsletter. If you take the time to make business friends and form alliances, or in other words, network, you might be surprised at how much more you enjoy and benefit from the experience!
Happy Holidays!
All of us at corporate wish you only the very best this Holiday Season. Make sure you take the time to STOP and recall the reason for the Season. All too often we get wrapped up in the holiday hectic and craze, we forget the purpose of what and why we are celebrating. I am guilty of it as well. If you have talked to me lately, you may know I have been sick. Add the stress of the Holiday Season and I caught myself snapping at my little girl. It was comical as I sat back and realized what I did. My older daughter came in and said, “Mommy, Rachel just wrote on the sofa!” I went into the living room and sure enough, my four year old took a black pen and wrote Rachel loves Mommy in big bold letters on our leather seats. She carved it so hard it literally sketched it into the chair so even if the ink came out it wouldn’t. I got mad and immediately started yelling while I was trying to scrub it out. I looked over at this precious face with huge crocodile tears streaming down her cheeks and then read what she wrote. It made me stop and think, what is more important? The love of my child and her willingness to show it and the pride she had she could spell it or some stupid leather chair. When you unwrap gifts this Holiday Season, remember the gifts of the heart are the most important and never forget the reason for the season! Blessing for a Happy Holiday!I Kathleen Hawkins President
Don’t forget our DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE! Refer a member to a qualifying chapter and when their membership is accepted as our gift to you this Holiday Season both YOU and the NEW Member receive ONE MONTH FREE membership! Several new popular categories now available: Buckhead/Atlanta Chapter- Medical Spa Winter Springs, Florida - Payroll Roswell/Georgia- Life and Health Insurance Winter Park, Fl- Life and Health Insurance Altamonte Springs, Fl - Interior Design Winter Park, Fl- Weight Loss Clinic Debary, Fl- Personal and Business Banking Leesburg, Fl - Property and Casualty Insurance Heathrow, Fl - Physical Therapy Leesburg, Fl- Chiropractor Contact corporate for additional promotional details. Guest can attend 2 meetings free prior to joining member special ends December 31st, 2009. Lunch is available to be purchased individually by each person in attendance. There is a fabulous menu available at all venues that will range in price from $15-25. Please visit http://www.woamtec.com for more information or email info@woamtec.com or call 407-767-5417 ext 405 with questions or would like to determine, if your category is still available, the location of your chapter, or to reserve your space in the next luncheon. |
Just received some cards from Devereux of Florida some of the wish lists of the children in Foster care waiting for adoption. I wanted to share them with you, so if you or anyone you knew wanted to make their Holiday wish come true you could….we know times are tight for many of you, but every little bit helps and big or small we can work together to make a difference in the Life of a Child!
Tyler - age 7
Shorts and pants size 8 Shoes size 2 1/2 Toys anything spider man, matchbox cars
Jacob -Age 5
Baseball with bat, GI Joe, Swimming Goggles, Transformers
Quinton- Age 17
Clothing Gift Cards,Keyboard
Shymaine -Age 5
Educational Toys, Barbies, Pixos
Kyle Age- 2
Wuzzby Toys, Toy Car
Martin- Age 16
Camera, MP 3, Bicycle, art classes
Tyraye -Age 9
Shorts, pants, shirts size 10-12, Shoes size 4 1/2, Toys- anything football
Collin- Age 6
Spiderman Figures, Hulk Figures, Digital Camera
Karmine Age 3
Games, Trains
Terrell Age 4
VTech Games with Cars
Roselyn Age 8
Nintendo DS, Book- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jerome- Age 13
Bike, Nintendo, Books
Debra -Age 8
Pet shop toy, Pet Shop anything! Bike, bed set.
Samantha- Age 16
Shoes size 8m, Jeans size 3, Shirts size 5, Harry Potter sound track
These are just a few….Many more….but this gets you started!
Let me know if you have any questions or if we can help in anyway. If you purchase anything at all for the child in need, we can either have a case worker pick it up or you can have it sent or delivered to WOAMTEC Corporate. at 830 East State Road 434 #3 Longwood, Florida 32750 Our number here is 866-757-2611. Thanks for helping make a difference in the life of a child this holiday season! Together we build communities, strengthen families, and Empower Women and Children with the Courage to DREAM!
Best wishes,
Kathleen Hawkins
President and Founder WOAMTEC & WOAMTEC Foundation
www.woamtec.com
Our Mission
WOAMTEC’s intends to expand into new regions as quickly as possible to help more women succeed in business and to increase additional revenue opportunities through conferences, seminars, and workshops. However, we do not believe in hiring someone as a Director simply because she desires to be one. Our Directors are compensated for their success, however, most do not care about the money. They enjoy being around people, are people magnets, and are committed to promoting WOAMTEC’s philosophy of faith, family and career!
Our IDEAL Director:
• Has a background in sales.
• Owns her own business or has a flexible work schedule.
• Is able to devote at least 15 hours a month to successfully market and run her chapter.
• Has a passion for her community and is already involved with a non-profit as a volunteer or has a strong desire to get involved.
• Is well-connected in her community socially, through other professional networks, Chambers of Commerce and organizations.
• Has an established email database with at least 400 contacts.
• Makes a positive impression when one meets her (she likes to smile!).
• Dresses professionally.
• Has good computer skills and knows how to create emails, email distribution lists, and understands marketing software like Constant Contact, etc.
• Has polished and effective verbal skills, speaks clearly, and is not afraid to stand up in front of a crowd.
• Is organized and efficient.
• Has a desire to serve others and enjoys being a mentor.
• Is self-motivated, has high energy, and is seen as being on the move and a go-getter.
• Possesses a clear and passionate faith and understands that faith plays a key role in her life. (Her faith does not have to be overt) However, without this quality, she will struggle with attracting the type of women who excel within WOAMTEC.
If you are interested in partnering with us and are able to represent WOAMTEC with the utmost enthusiasm and integrity to create an environment where women can help each other to grow their businesses, we want to hear from you!
Please call 866-757-2611 or email kathleen@woamtec.com for more information about a launching a chapter in your area. Visit www.woamtec.com for more information.
Debary Chapter Members team up to raise money
Orlando, FL —- Andi Whitten, Director of the Women on a Mission to Earn Commission (WOAMTEC) Debary chapter, presented a check for $915 to Zoe Peterson, Special Events/Volunteer Coordinator of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home (FUMCH) during a luncheon on Thursday, August 20. The money was raised during an August 4 event sponsored by WOAMTEC, a premier business building organization for women, and hosted by the Debary Golf and Country Club. Fifty-eight attendees, including 18 WOAMTEC members and their families and friends, paid $5 each to take part in a Pilates class led by Gale Kohler, a fitness instructor and WOAMTEC member, followed by a buffet dinner. Additional donations were raised through drink sales, individual donations, and a $100 donation from the Swamphouse Grill.
FUMCH cares for children who cannot live with their families as the result of sexual or physical abuse, abandonment or because of family breakdown due to divorce, drug abuse, illness or death of a parent.
Approximately 85 percent of the Home’s funding comes through private donations.
WOAMTEC’s Mission is to help women grow their businesses while maintaining their priorities of faith, family and career,” notes Whitten. “Our members are committed to giving back to their communities, and we think the Children’s Home is an extremely worthwhile cause.”
For information about the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, log on to www.fumch.org.
For more information about WOAMTEC, log on to www.woamtec.com or contact WOAMTEC Founder and President Kathleen Hawkins at 407-767-5417.
by Kathleen Hawkins, President
Times are tough, life is challenging, crime rate is up and the economy is down. That is all accurate. However, every day, I talk to someone who blames their business troubles strictly on the economy.
I have to stop and ponder….”Is that really the only reason their business is not flourishing right now or are they missing key elements that are actually in their control?”
Stop for a moment and reevaluate your business.
Are you focusing on price and product instead of what your customers are actually hoping to get in you?
These are the 5 characteristics every customer is looking for when they hire or do business with a business:
- Qualifications: This goes beyond the obvious. How does someone know if you are qualified to do the job? Is it the degree hanging on the wall or the acronyms following your name? No, it is what others say about you, your reputation in the community. That is why it is so important to focus on developing relationships instead of focusing on sales. Have you requested endorsements from your best customers? Do you have a sales team of customers promoting you sending you referrals? If you don’t, maybe you should ask why?
- Dependability: People want to know they can trust that you will deliver what you say you will, when you say you will do it. In Photography business, we have lots of customers who pay lots of money prior to their big day and trust that we will do what they have contracted us to do. With the fragile economy and the amount of small businesses going under, how can you build your business where people know they can depend on you as well? Again, it is about your reputation in the community. How do other people with in your community view your business? Are you a stable, dependable source, or are you holding on by a thread?
- Appearance:Have you reevaluated your Appearance lately? This directly conveys your client’s perceived value of you and your business. How do they feel when they walk into your office? What level of success is your personal appearance portraying? What do they envision when they see your marketing materials? What perception to they get when going to your companies website? People do judge people based on appearance. How are they judging you?
- Communication Skills: This is key. This can be the effectiveness of your marketing collateral copy, the qualifications of your receptionist, or your ability to adequately do a 60 second infomercial at a WOAMTEC networking meeting. If you are not a good communicator, you need to align yourself with a team member who is.
- Critical Thinking Skills: People want to hire and do business with people that can think things through. This is the ability to spot assumptions, weigh evidence and more importantly see things from more that one point of view. If you are a one way is the only way type of business leader, it will hold you back. Customers don’t always have to get their way, but they want to know you have at least seen their point of view.
WOAMTEC strives to create an atmosphere where our members can create relationships to promote their qualifications and dependability. The social element of WOAMTEC gives women a reason to put on that extra special outfit or make the connections needed to redo their website or design new marketing materials. Lastly, the focus on ongoing education helps build interpersonal skills and develop communication strategies and adept critical thinking skills.
