Keep in Touch While Blog is Inactive

Hello, I am putting this blog on hiatus in order to turn more of my attention to Purple Crayon Factory and MN Women In Networking (WIN). Both organizations have great e-newsletters with articles and updates. Please keep in touch by signing up for these free e-newsletters: PCF's monthly newsletter (Purple Crayon Factory) and Connect (MN Women In Networking).

Refreshing workshops, events and services support you to
create the life you want with resources you have.

Encouraging one another’s professional growth and business success in the Twin Cities.



Thank you for your continued interest and support.

I wish for you only the best,
Teresa Thomas-Carroll

Director, Purple Crayon Factory and MN Women In Networking (WIN)
612-722-6931
teresa@purplecrayonfactory.com
info@mnwin.org

Taking yourself off the hook

I'm taking myself off the hook for keeping up this blog. When I have blogged, I've enjoyed it but haven't made the time and motivation to post regularly. It's been a small weight nagging at me, "you should be blogging". I'd been thinking of giving it up but then I was in a teleclass offered by Deborah Gallant of WebPowerTools and Lynn Grodzki of Private Practice Success. In the class, Deborah stated that if you're not blogging at least every other day and aren't seeing a result of your blogging, then why have a blog? Hearing this was exactly what I needed. Concrete input that it isn't currently a fit for me. It feels like a relief to let this go. I can always re-examine in the future. But for now, I'm already feeling some energy come back to me as I let this go in order to have more time to devote to other areas of business, especially now that I am also coordinating MN Women In Networking in addition to Purple Crayon Factory. I'll create just one more post in order to help us keep in touch.

What could you allow yourself to be off the hook?

WIN rocks!

If you don't already know about WIN (Women In Networking), I can't wait to tell the world about it and am happy to answer any questions and take suggestions. As of December, I'll officially be the director for Women In Networking (WIN).

Yesterday's event featured Kathleen Watson from Client Connections. She presented on the top ten networking oopses and strategies to avoid them. She helped us become more confident and aware about how to approach networking. I love that she shared the personal "oopses" from her own experience. Twice, I stumbled into making an oops that must be number 11 on the list (calling someone the wrong name--so sorry! I'm much better with faces than names--I'll definitely work on that.).

I've been a presenter at WIN in the past and had been struck by the wonderful energy of the group. But now I get to know these women even better, help them make connections (my passion and purpose!) and apply my creative energy toward coordinating awesome networking events. Can you tell I'm excited?!

I'll keep you posted!

Unexpected Reminders of Why

There are so many reasons we choose our paths. Some of them are obvious (making an income, following our interests, making a difference) and some are less obvious but are what keep us motivated and reminded what makes our lives meaningful. Following the September Small Business Marketing Jam, Taiha Wagner (Mom on the Go) and I received warm feedback not only immediately following the event but well after. Notes like this remind us why we do what we do (used with permission):

"It was a pleasant surprise to be so welcomed at an event that I have never before attended. It was an even more pleasant surprise to receive the support and suggestions from other attendees to reach for my potential "just because I can".

I thought I would feel out of my element since I have not yet started any business, but am just reaching out for ideas. The group activities were enlightening and encouraging as to my gifts and direction. Every attendee really is there as a team member and cheerleader.

Your efforts at creating a professional network are truly outstanding. I say this because I do not think of myself as a professional, yet was treated with respect as an equal to the other professional women in attendance. It dawned on me that they are women helping women and that is the motivating factor as well as the feeling of accomplishment." --Bonita

Think about the unexpected reminders that you get about the value of what you offer. It might be a kind note, word or a request for you to do something again (ranging from making a special recipe, to a warm hug, to a referral). Take a moment to let it sink in and accept the recognition that you are unique and valuable for who you are and the qualities you embed in what you offer.

Difficult Relationships

Is someone driving you crazy? How do you deal with it and maintain your integrity? Often times our most difficult relationships pull out the worst in us, making the relationship all the more challenging.

I'm the type of person who wants to know the "why" behind everything. (I can only imagine how tiresome I must have been as a toddler once I learned that word.) Whenever someone belittled, manipulated or bullied me, rather than enforce my boundaries I'd try to figure out the underlying reasons or wonder if I could have somehow brought it upon myself. After fifteen years, something my husband has been trying to help me learn is finally sinking in. He has always told me that often it is just not worth trying to figure out why someone is difficult or doesn't treat you right. He explained that even if I did find out all the reasons, it wouldn't make it okay and that the bottom line is to be treated respectfully.

I am now much better at setting boundaries in difficult relationships but am still learning.

How about you? What are you learning about working through or exiting difficult relationships?

Our November newsletter reflection is about finding strategies to deal with difficult relationships . It includes a link to a really nice article on this subject from our guest columnist, Cari Vollmer, The Life On Track Expert.

Finding hope and joy by "shaping" the world

My StarTrib horoscope yesterday was right on when it said, "You are not one to ask, 'What is this world coming to?' because you're too involved in shaping it. This afternoon you'll be shaping it ito something that brings you joy." I absolutely love helping to create and being around the energy of people connecting in meaningful ways. I was facilitating a Networking Factory© for MN Women In Networking. The room was full of dynamic business women from a wide range of businesses. The networking was unusual, fun and got them to talk to each other in ways that are less intimidating and gets them to talk about who they "are" in connection with their work and not just about what they "do." As women, it's important for us to develop a sense of relationship and care with our colleagues but we don't always get the chance to do that.

When I returned to my office, I had this e-mail waiting for me from one of the participants (used with permission):

"I heard so many positive comments about today's event. You put on a wonderful event, no one complained about anything, or even was blase about it, everyone was really thrilled and happy to have come. I was very proud to have one of my clients come as a guest and hear her say so many wonderful things about this event. We really ought to have a couple of them per year! Thanks again," - Bobbi Jo Woods, B. Woods Design

The way that I help "shape the world" through these events gives me hope. In creating environments for participants to make authentic connections, I'm reminded that human beings really do care about each other. The laughter that comes along with it gives me joy.

In what ways do you find hope and joy in "shaping the world"?

Doing What You Think You Cannot

Today is my last day of summer "break" if you can call around the clock parenting a break. ;). Our youngest begins Kindergarten tomorrow. It's going to be a whole new world for all of us!

The topic of our September newsletter is about "Doing What You Think You Cannot". I hope you'll be inspired to set upon what you've been wanting to do but have put off out of fear or other perceived obstacles. For me, I'll be trying out "improv story telling" this fall. I'm also finishing up a fun little mockumentary about a faux band I used to be in. These are things I've been wanting to do and the milestone of turning 40 seems to be the perfect time to set upon and celebrate with these accomplishments.

Your turn!
Teresa

Summer fun: Be a tourist in your own town

Here's a great way way to savor the last bit of summer (and save gas, too):

Get your calendar and pick a vacation day to be a tourist in your own town. Set your itinerary, pack your camera, sunglasses and wear something that makes you feel like you’re from out of town—maybe a t-shirt emblazoned with your city’s name. On this day, only do things that a tourist would do (e.g. don’t do laundry or cook from home!). Inspire others: post your ideas of what you plan to do for your at-home vacation as comments on this blog.

Here are some of the "tourist dates" our family has gone on:

-Take a "penny walk". You'll need two pennies. Start at home, flip the pennies; if the pennies don't match go straight; two heads go left; two tails go right. Do this everytime you arrive at a corner. You may end up walking in a couple of circles (but hey, doesn't that help you feel like a lot tourist?). It's fun having no idea of where you'll end up. See everything with fresh eyes and stop to enjoy some of the places your pennies bring you (a park, a beach, a little shop, a different neighborhood...). Don't let yourself get too lost to return home!

-Spend the entire day at Como zoo instead of buzzing through in a couple of hours. See every animal. Arrive early to get good seats and catch the Sparky show. Picnic and treat ourselves to ice cream novelties. Watch the giant tortoises long enough to see them move about and have their snack. Wander the conservatory, pick out which flowers are our favorites. Walk through the Japanese garden and ask to see the Tea House. Maybe even go on the old fashioned merry-go-round or some of the new rides at the adjacent amusement park.

-Leisure about at a waterpark on a really hot day. Arrive early and leave late. Go down the big waterslide a million times or so until a stranger points out that you wore through your swimsuit from sliding down so many times (yes, this actually happened--luckily I had a big towel and a spare swimsuit!). Get gigantic freezees that melt before we're even half-way through eating them, making a mess that is easily remedied by hopping into the pool.

-Nature hike to Minnehaha Creek. Look at everything as though we haven't seen it countless times before. Spend hours looking for fish and then trying to catch crayfish in a tiny container. Watch it for a little bit and then let it go.
-Walk over to Minnehaha falls, view it from every angle and take pictures.

For more ideas of touristy things to do, visit your town's tourism website. In Minneapolis, it is: http://www.minneapolis.org/

How will you spend the day as a tourist in your town? Post your ideas as a comment to this blog for others to enjoy!

Universe Changers: Community

Universe Changers: July topic

Community
Where do you find community in your life?
How do you make community? How do you build and sustain it? What does it look like? What does it do for you? How is it a window into your life?
How do we see our community of Universe Changers? How would we like to see it?

Whether or not you can participate in a Universe Changers circle, you can join in the conversation by posting your comment on this blog. We'll look forward to hearing from you. For information on Universe Changers, click: Universe Changers! (sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press)

Isn't Summer Supposed to be Easy? Tips to help make it so.

In PCF's July newsletter, I shared a couple of tips for helping summer to be easier and am posting more here. I hope that you'll share your tips by posting them as a comment:

-Mulch, mulch, mulch. Who wants to spend time weeding?

-Here's a tip you might find a little weird but want to try: If you've ever stayed in a hostel, you probably used a sleeping sack. It is very easy to make one. Take a twin sized sheet, fold it the long way and then simply sew it along the bottom and up the side about 2/3 of the way. Waalah! A sleep sack is at the ready. When I was a young lass having just returned from my travels, I lived in a very hot apartment. I liked my room to look presentable but didn't like the work that came with it. My roommates were in awe that I kept my bed made every day (at least in the summer). Little did they know that my bed stayed made because I was sleeping on top of the covers in my sleep sack. Each morning, it would take me just seconds to tuck the sack and pillow back under the covers at the head of the bed. I'm thinking I'll try this with my kids. It won't solve their messy rooms but a made bed makes a room look cleaner than it really is. In cooler weather, I suppose you could use a sleeping bag but then you'd miss pulling up the warm covers. I told you the idea was a little weird!

-Speaking of beds and kids... If you have a child at bedwetting age, try out this useful tip (I believe I saw it in a parenting article). Make the bed twice. That's right, two layers. Mattress protector, fitted sheet, top sheet, another mattress protector, fitted sheet, top sheet. Why do this? When your little one has an accident in the middle of the night, you just peel off the top layers and have fresh sheets ready to go. With the sleep deprivation from when my children were really young, I wish I'd known about this tip much earlier. It's no fun making up a bed at two in the morning.

-Use the previous day's folded newspaper as a breakfast placemat. Spilled milk or coffee stains just get absorbed into the recycling. Okay, this isn't something you'd want to do with company over for brunch. If you have kids, use the comics for more fun and to encourage them to read while they enjoy a bowl of cereal.

Happy summer! I hope you'll share your tips!

Universe Changers: Creativity

Universe Changers: June topic

Creativity
How does creativity show up in your life?
What do you create in your life?
Some creative outlets are more obvious
Painting, pottery, playing an instrument, crafting, knitting
Others are less so
Creative ideas, making a family, building a healthy body
Does creativity seem to be important in your life? Why or why not?
Beside the product or outcome, what does creativity do for you?
What does it do for those around you?

Whether or not you can participate in a Universe Changers circle, you can join in the conversation by posting your comment on this blog. We'll look forward to hearing from you. For information on Universe Changers, click: Universe Changers! (sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press)

Lighting Up through Connections

39 of us were at the The Small Business Marketing Jam last night. 38 women in business and one lone man (our sponsor from Best Buy for Business). He said he loved the energy and idea sharing in the room and definitely wants to participate again. It also helped him get a window into how women connect and network. Very useful since the target market for Best Buy for Business is women who appreciate an enhanced sense of care for their purchases through their personal shopper program. I think he was impressed by the openess and authentic care in the idea and resource sharing which happened not only in the small groups but the open networking as well.

The contingent of repeat participants have come to expect this level of meaningful connections through our events. New participants were enthusiastic about the ideas and connections they received. One business owner shared that her tax preparer/accountant (event sponsor: Karen Peterson) had strongly recommended that she attend. But really she didn't want to come. She'd had an absolutely miserable day which wasn't made any better by being stuck in traffic on the way to the event. The gray cloud hanging over her head matched the rain outside. She expected it to be just another networking event where she'd have to fake a happy face and project an image of confidence and success that wasn't in her this day. She lit up because what she found were other women in business offering real support and resources beyond just plugging their own businesses. I even overheard her offering warm words of encouragement and motivation to another participant. When she left the gray cloud over her head had disappeared along with the rain outside.

Another sponsor, Carla Kroger (Daily Administration) drove all the way in from Owatanna. While she could have been frazzled from the long drive, instead she entered gracefully and warmly greeted and interacted with the other participants. As a Virtual Assistant, her services are a great money-saving alternative to hiring support staff for a small business. It was clear that she found the long drive to be well worthwhile.

Can you tell how much I love facilitating these types of networking sessions? It fits with who I am to offer creative, welcoming venues for others to make meaningful and useful connections to enhance their lives. It gives me a true sense of purpose.

What makes you light up? What clues does that give you about what values you hold and what gives you a sense of purpose?

Money-stretching tips

It seems like most everyone I'm coming across lately is experiencing some type of financial setback. In line with our mission to help you create the life you want with resources you have, I'm posting several tips to stretch your dollar here.

• Sign up to be available to market research groups. There are several reputable companies that do not charge you to be in their databases (e.g. Fieldwork Minneapolis, Orman Guidance Research). If you qualify for a research study, they will pay you for your opinions and time. Other research companies such as e-rewards programs award you with incentive points each time you complete a survey. Points can be exchanged for movie rentals or magazine subscriptions.
  

• To receive a free pass for two to the Waterpark of America or Grand Rios (both in the Twin Cities, MN) simply for visiting a website for moms, go to www.momtalk.com for details.

• Notice how many of your meetings are off-site. Plenty of ideas can be exchanged over e-mail or phone. If you do plan an off-site meeting, consider a place that you can walk or take public transportation. It’s better for the environment and your pocketbook.

• When renewing your newspaper subscription, instead of automatically renewing your payment call customer service to ask if there is a current special. We subscribe to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Every single time we renew, we ask for the special and usually save almost 50% off the renewal rate. (Also, magazines will often lower your subscription rate if you wait until after the first renewal notice.)

• Be sure to contact your insurance agent each year to ask if you qualify for any discounts. If not, get various quotes to make sure you are paying a fair rate. We made the costly mistake of ignoring that tip and trusting our agent when she said there weren’t lower available rates. After twelve years with the same agent, we finally compared rates and found home and auto policies with better coverage at half the price. Ouch, all those years of paying way too much!

• Make your first stop the library when looking for a movie or music to enjoy. Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. Some patrons will reserve the movies or music that interests them. Myself, I like the spontaneity of seeing what’s available and finding something I might not have searched out otherwise. We save at least $150 a year by borrowing from the library versus renting.

If you have a tip to share, please post it as a comment for the benefit of others.

Universe Changers: Women Role Models

Universe Changers: May topic

Women role models
Sometimes role models are best friends and sometimes they are someone you have never met.
They might be a public figure or very private.
Who are your women role models?
What have you learned from them? What examples have they set for you?
Why do you admire them?

If someone chose you as a role model, what quality or attitude or behavior would they see in you?

Whether or not you can participate in a Universe Changers circle, you can join in the conversation by posting your comment on this blog. We'll look forward to hearing from you. For information on Universe Changers, click: Universe Changers! (sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press)

Universe Changers: Intentional Communication

We're in our third month of Universe Changers! (sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Press). This month's topic is: Intentional Communication. So far, the Clickity Sticks and Crafty Planet circles have discussed this topic. Whether or not you've been able to attend, you can now join into the conversation through this blog.

Our reflection was provided by Kathy Magnuson, co-publisher of the Women's Press:

Intention.
A theme of our conversations is Changing the Universe Through Women’s Stories.
There is power in telling our stories, sharing our experiences, insights and ideas.
There is power in hearing each others stories.

There is a style (or model) of communication called Intentional Communication.
It is about giving voice out loud to that voice in your head. The one that says
What you said just insulted me and here’s why
I really disagree with you and here is why
Yes, and have you ever thought about it this way
I love you

It can be just as much about the little things in life as the big things. For me it was about
•calling a distant aunt who I have held a grudge against for about 10 years to tell her I have let go of my anger and I forgave her.
•saying to a co-worker – you have seemed on edge the last 2 days. I’m wondering if I am the cause of your anger.

When are times when you spoke intentionally? Or wished you had spoken more intentionally? Or wished you hadn’t? What would happen in our own lives and in the world if we gave more voice to to our thoughts?

So far this month, the conversations have included thoughts such as:

• wishing one would have spoken intentionally sooner than later
• a success story of being clear about options in a friendship that resulted in the friends parting amicably and without resentment
• wondering how to speak up intentionally about something that needs to be said
• how children start out speaking their intentions but then somehow learn to go around the point (e.g. "I want a cookie" evolves into "I'm hungry but not for carrots, raisins, crackers..." while really waiting to be offered a cookie.)
• noticing the nuances of when speaking directly is "worth it" especially if the situation is over and done (and likely to not be repeated) or when it would hurt someone's feelings
• speculating that many men seem to speak more intentionally while many women seem to find it less "natural" to do so and need to work at it

Sedna, a participant, shared this remarkable thought after contemplating Intentional Communication:
"What does my soul want to say versus my ego? What's my part in this? I'm more careful about listening and what I say may be less important than really hearing the other person."

Whether or not you are a participant in one of the groups, we encourage you to share your thoughts here by posting your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

Interested in participating in Universe Changers? Here are the details:

Universe Changers! — sponsored by the Minnesota Women’s Press

Join one of these new discussion circles for women — because we have always made change by talking with each other. Come prepared to discuss the big and the little things in life. Let’s make change in the universe by sharing our stories, ideas, and opinions. And, who knows, you may show up in a future issue of the Minnesota Women’s Press! Facilitation orchestrated by Purple Crayon Factory. No charge to participate. RSVP to teresa@purplecrayonfactory.com. Universe Changers! meets at three locations:

· 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at:
Clickity Sticks & Yarns, 2722 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 612-724-2500
(Non-knitters welcome, too. Bring a project or just come to converse)

· 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at:
Crafty Planet, 2318 Lowry Ave, NE Minneapolis, MN 612-788-1180
(Non-crafters welcome, too. Bring a project or just come to converse)

· 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at:
Brewberry's Coffee Place, 475 Fairview Ave. S., St. Paul, MN, 651-699-1117
(Tea drinkers welcome, too.)

What's really in the shadows?

As a child I had a vivid imagination (still do). Like many other children, the longer I looked into the dark or shadows, the scarier the shapes would become. A sweet teddy bear started looking mean and then turned into looking like a crouching intruder. A tree branch blowing in front of the window was a witch waiting for me to go to sleep (it didn't help any when the branch made scratching noises).

I thought I grew out of that. But it appears that my imagination has taken on new "shadows" to distort. About five years ago, my web designer gently suggested that I could save a lot of money on web updates by getting a simple website program. I told myself that sure it might seem simple to him but I'm no techie and I certainly wouldn't understand it. A few year's later, an artist friend told me she was using a program for web updates and it really was easy. I brushed the idea off when I thought of how b-o-o-o-r-e-d I would be trying to decipher how to use the program and how awful it would be to even give it a try.

Instead of simply trying out the program, I looked high and low until I hired someone to assist me. To me, this assistant may as well have been a knight slaying a fearful dragon. I was SO thankful to have her help. She made it look so easy that I put her on the pedestal of being a technical genius (she really was great). When she moved on with her career I was concerned about how I could ever find anyone else to help me with my website. To my surprise, within a week I received a referral for more good help. When my new assistant had a family crisis, I panicked about how to keep on top of the updates I needed if she weren't available.

I'm embarassed to say that it was the moment of panic and realizing my dependence on her that made me finally decide to approach the shadow and see if it was really that scary. I downloaded a trial version of the program, certain that it would be beyond my comprehension. I readied myself to read a diatribe of information on how to make it work. But poof, within a couple of minutes I'd learned all I needed and was eager to get started. It really WAS easy (and addictively fun, I admit). Suddenly, I felt competent in the web world. There was even a fleeting moment where I wondered, "Maybe I should branch out and offer website services." The scary image in the shadow had revealed itself to be a harmless and useful tool. (I know-just like everyone said it would be.)

So I think I've outgrown distorting the 'shadows.' Oh wait...it's tax time. I've been putting off dealing with that awful, hideous beast that grows and grows until it sucks all the oxygen out of the room. But I faintly remember that each time when I dove in and did my best, it wasn't nearly as painful as I'd imagined. Okay, I better go tackle this 'beast' while I'm feeling brave.

What's really in a 'shadow' that you fear and have been procrastinating on? What would help you approach it so that you could see it's not as bad as you've imagined.

Let's Dish! Business Networking: upcoming sessions

Connect with other businesses, have fun and make your life less hectic by coming home with meals for the rest of the week! $79 covers everything (this is LESS than the price to dish alone!):

· Easy and interactive networking facilitated by Teresa from Purple Crayon Factory

· Four fresh, delicious meals

· Light refreshments

· A chance to win a Let’s Dish gift certificate

· Super goodie bag

“Excellent event! I love the multitasking of it -- bringing home dinner and networking at the same time...great! And your gift bags were terrific -- amazing. Thanks again for a really fun time.” – Lenore Moritz Rabatin, MomCulture (see more wonderful testimonials in the blog entry below)

What more could you ask for?

Choose your session:
Monday, June 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Let’s Dish!, Maple Grove.
Tuesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Let’s Dish!, Rochester.
E-mail us for more details or to be included in the goodie bags. To register, click www.letsdish.com and select the location and “RSVP to private party”. Select the date and enter this password: Purple. Select your four meals (each serves six or split into eight smaller meals). When you check out, enter the promotional code: Purple5 to receive the reduced $79 rate.

Register today!

Fun and meaningful business connections

Wednesday's Let's Dish! Business event was completely amazing. I had intended it to be an awesome event with great connections to be made but I was blown away. E-mails keep pouring in from the participants. Here is just a sample of the wonderful things they are saying:

- Thank you Teresa – I had a fabulous time. Great introduction, fabulous environment and inspiring guests. I think this was a wonderful kick-off event and I would absolutely be interested in attending again sometime. Your sincerity is inspirational and Darcy’s (Let's Dish! co-owner) energy and balance were refreshing – invigorating. Clearly she must have a busy life as she enjoys the success of her dream thus far – BUT she was down to earth and fit in with the group. I am glad to have been there, yesterday. Thank you for everything. Great Job! -- Diane Healey, Sweet! truffles, cakes and more.
(Along with a wealth of wonderful gifts in the goodie bag, every participant received a delicious truffle from Sweet!)

-teresa -- excellent event! i love the multitasking of it -- bringing home dinner and networking at the same time...great! maybe next time we can fold laundry together (nothing like knocking out more home projects.) and your gift bags were terrific -- amazing. thanks again for a really fun time. -- Lenore Moritz Rabatin, MomCulture

-First, I want to say thanks for putting together that great event on Wednesday. I had fun, met some great people and have four full meals in my freezer! Doesn't get any better than that. -- Connie Lanphear, green i communications

- CONGRATULATIONS! This was great - I'm so glad I came. You've got something fun here. -- Beth Woodward, Marketing on the Playground

-It was a great event Teresa. You are definitely in your element in that role, much to the benefit of everyone who attends. With thanks and a WOW back -- Martha Franke, life coach and therapist, Creative Coaching

-(I've set a) meeting on Wed. about a website and 2 other people said they'd give me a call! Pretty good response rate I'd say! Great connections! I really hope you continue these networking sessions with Let's Dish and I think they should just create a position in their company for you to do that. Darcy was very inspiring and obviously impressed with you and the turnout, so good luck! -- Lisa Schmidtke, Web Depot

-You did an OUTSTANDING job pulling it all together and really just making it such a great event for everyone involved. I left feeling very inspired by you and everyone else. Lot's of fun.Thanks and GREAT JOB! - Darcy Olson, co-owner, Let's Dish

We are planning to offer two more Let's Dish! Business networking sessions at the Edina location. The dates are Wednesday, May 9, 7-9 p.m. and Thursday, May 10, 10-noon. I'll post details in my next blog entry and in our e-newsletter.

Happy connecting!
Teresa

Let's Dish! Business

Let’s Dish! Business networking

Connect with other businesses, have fun and make your life less hectic by coming home with meals for the rest of the week! $79 covers everything:

<>· Easy and interactive networking facilitated by Teresa from Purple Crayon Factory

· <>Create four yummy meals that serve 6 (or split into eight smaller meals)

· Light refreshments

· A chance to win a Let’s Dish gift certificate

· Receive a wonderful goodie bag

What more could you ask for?
Choose your session:
Next week - Monday, June 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Let’s Dish!, Maple Grove.
Tuesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Let’s Dish!, Rochester.
E-mail us for more details or to be included in the goodie bags. To register, click www.letsdish.com and select the location and “RSVP to private party”. Select the date and enter this password: Purple. Select your four meals (each serves six or split into eight smaller meals). When you check out, enter the promotional code: Purple5 to receive the reduced $79 rate. Register today!

Online Ideal Business Support

create the life you want with resources you have

Online Ideal Business Support

Full Year Program

(Participate online and at your convenience from anywhere you have internet access.)

Want regular motivation and accountability to bring your business to the next level?

Join this year-long supportive network for mission-driven small business and wellness professionals to pursue and achieve business aspirations. As an online group, participate weekly at the times it is most convenient for you. Our discussion and action will be centered on Twelve Months to Your Ideal Private Practice: A Workbook by Lynn Grodzki.

“I LOVE this group! It’s helping me realize I know more than I thought I knew and I’m gaining clarity by being accountable.” – participant

“I was in a slump and being in this group and the workbook helped me out of it. Thank you!” – participant

"This program is a real kick in the pants for me." – participant

Facilitated by Teresa Thomas-Carroll

As founder and director of Purple Crayon Factory, Teresa creates opportunities for meaningful connections and realizations via workshops and networking groups. Her passion and creative energy is fused into all of her work. She is a collaborator with The Small Business Marketing Jam.

Basic membership – $300 for the full year (price includes the workbook)

Participate in the ongoing online discussions and support. Post your business related events on the group calendar. Receive invitations to teleconference calls with others in the group.

Incentive – each week that you share what you are learning with the online group, you’ll earn a dollar off the basic membership price up to $52 savings making the total price only $248! (Incentive will be tallied and refunded after the completion of the year-long program.)

Optional a la carte services for Online Ideal Business members

1:1 Consultation to Pursue Your Goals (regularly priced at $60/hour)

Choose the plan that works best for you:

· Pay as you go ($50/hour billed in 15 minute increments)

· 1 hour monthly or bi-monthly ½ hour sessions ($500 for full year)

· ½ hour monthly ($275 for full year)

· ¼ hour monthly ($145 for full year)

DISC Assessment and Profile- $40 (regular price is $50)

Use this simple but comprehensive personality styles tool to:

· Identify and maximize your strengths

· Communicate more effectively

· Realize what motivates you and how you can motivate others

· Enhance self-confidence

· Accentuate your management

· Take care of and recognize stress triggers

· Establish a clear connection between how your style affects your business

To request registration, please e-mail your name and type of business to info@purplecrayonfactory.com. Please note whether you wish to register only for the online group or any a la carte services.

Note: Prices and services are current as of April 2007 and are subject to change.

Be Your Authentic Self and Change the World

Our sister i (creative women's) group met last night. We met at the newly created art studio at Kei's home. Especially because we had been along with her on the journey, it was incredible to be witness to the culmination of her vision.

When we first came together as a group 8 years ago, she had shared her dream of having a real studio (not a dark, cold room in the basement) to create her art. She set her intention, checked in with us regularly and made progress over the years. Because she was clear in her intention, when her family was house-hunting she held it as a priority and then recognized the perfect home for realizing her dream. After much planning and patience, the large attic transformed into a bright and beautiful space honoring the process of her artmaking.

We had a deep conversation about how we affect the world when we pursue our dreams. Our friends, family, children's friends and so on, become inspired about how they, too can honor their purpose and vision.

Barb (a member who has a gift for eloquently pulling together ideas), shared, "Just look at the ripple effect of claiming the power of authentic self. It's magnetic! Others think, 'Me, too! Me, too! I want to taste that!'"

Recognize the ways that you are honoring the power of your authentic self and how by doing so, it lifts up possibilities for others.

The Small Business Marketing Jams

When is the last time you went to a networking event and the whole room was erupting into kindhearted laughter? How about the last time you were at one of these events and made meaningful connections AND walked away with great realizations and support contributed by the others in attendance? I am so fortunate to facilitate exactly the networking I described through The Small Business Marketing Jams with Taiha Wagner from Mom on the Go.

Last Wednesday, we had 27 participants and on Thursday, we had 16. It turned out that nearly all of the participants were all women small business owners with one small business banker and one marketing rep. Careers ranged from a a website developer, to a holistic magazine publisher, to a lifecoach and a wide range in between.

Taiha and I were pleasantly surprised at the wealth of ideas the participants shared for each other. In the "Power of Collaboration" session, each small group came up with incredible hypothetical ways to collaborate and it sounds like many of them will be following through to make their ideas for cross support a reality. They also had a lot of fun with the exercises. We love doing these!

When I think about the networking events I most enjoy, it's when I get the chance to really converse with the other participants and learn something new--not just their name, business and type of referral they want. I am drawn to create events that I would be most interested in personally. I learned many years ago that when I try to be something I'm not, I become less interested and confident in my work. When I reveal my own style and passion, everything else seems to fall into place.

How do you bring your true self and interests into your work? Might there be a way to do more of this?

Car-Sharing in Minneapolis

I wrote an informational article about what it's like to use a car-sharing service and encouraging people to consider it as a way to be more environmentally responsible and budget conscious. It was exciting to see it featured nicely on the back cover (page 20) of our local newspaper. To read about HOURCAR, a car-sharing service in Minneapolis, click here: Longfellow Nokomis Messenger.

What environmentally responsible commitment will you make for 2007?

Gratitude Begets Happiness

Some friends had been sharing ideas about happiness and why we desire from a book they'd read. I was intrigued so they lent me, On Desire: Why We Want What We Want by William B. Irvine.

In the introduction this philosophy professor states that scholars on the concept of desire have come to this conclusion:

"...the best way—indeed perhaps the only way—to attain lasting happiness is not to change the world around us or our place in it but to change ourselves. In particular, if we can convince ourselves to want what we already have, we can dramatically enhance our happiness without any change in our circumstances."

Now, when I catch myself longing for things to be different so that I’ll feel happier, I remind myself of this wisdom. I notice how many things in my life are exactly as they need to be at this moment. I recognize the bounty of what I do have (loved ones, support and yes, even treasured things) and cherish that I am so fortunate. I’ve heard time and again that an attitude of gratitude is a key to harmony. Now, it’s sinking in even more deeply that gratitude can also act as an antidote to getting stuck in despair.

What do you think is the way to achieve true happiness?