She blogs at her website: http://www.karendemmery.com.au/blog/ and she is “very open to anyone contacting me if you have any questions or would like to chat about anything.”

She has the added knowledge and experience of being able to explain more about the Australian Aboriginals: “I’m here to answer any questions or share what I know with you.”

Karen blogs periodically here at A Successful Woman:
Self Acceptance First, by Karen Demmery

Is Failing Really that Bad? by Karen Demmery

It is Possible! by Karen Demmery

I am thrilled to offer her supportive knowledge and tools to you. Visit Karen at her home website:
http://www.karendemmery.com.au

Follow Karen Demmery on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/KarenDemmery

A spiritual teacher, guide, and mentor, you”ll find great insight on her blog, Yes to Me.
She shares both metaphysical and practical insights and she is always honest and engaging.

She also does one-on-one readings through her personal reading service, Akashic Record Reading, where her mission i “To heighten our spiritual awareness and bring the Divine Love and Abundance to us all, one soul at a time.”

She lives in the Portland, Oregon, area, where she is a spiritual consultant and life coach. From her blog:

“I have a big dream: World liberation from the soul level up.”

“We are at a critical point of evolution. I don’t think we are doomed. On the contrary, we are facing a great opportunity to create the New World. I want the New World to be firmly founded on Love, Light, Truth, Abundance, and Power. And in creating this New World, your freedom to be yourself matters.”

“You are a critical part of this world. You are part of divinity. You came to life to express your inner gifts. And you are contributing to the creation of this New World when you express your authentic self with integrity and sincerity. It’s the highest service you can do.
Yet, at this time, so many souls are constricted. So I write, with the hope that my writings may shed light that resonates with your inner light. When you embrace your inner light and power, you liberate yourself.”

To visit her blog:
http://www.yes-to-me.com

To visit her record reading service:
http://www.akashicrecordreading.com

Follow Akemi on Twitter:
@akemigaines

Meghan founded C5 in 2008 after realizing that the jewelry industry was failing conscious consumers. C5 jewelry is fair-trade manufactured from recycled precious metals and only ethically sourced gems, so you can truly feel good about purchasing, gifting or wearing it.

We’ve interviewed Meghan for our 2008 holiday gift guide:

“Like many other consumers today, I appreciate beauty and craftsmanship, and strongly believe that both should be attainable without having to compromise my values.”

Seventeen years ago, Meghan had a peace dove, the symbol of social justice, tattooed on her ankle, as an expression of her commitment to serving others. She now uses C5 Company as well as her new venture, Sulusso, to invites customer to a new model of ecological sensitivity, cultural consciousness, and sustainability.

“I believe that if consumers were aware of the severe negative social and environmental issues associated with fine jewelry, and they were presented with jewelry of comparable beauty, they would purchase the sustainable alternative.”

Learn more about Meghan through her websites:
http://www.sulusso.com
http://www.c5company.com

From her own story:

I used to wish I’d had a community of peers and mentors that I could have exchanged job search tips with, learned a bit about various industries, what’s in a job title? where do I go to network? how do I negotiate my salary? Well, you get the idea…

Mujeres Camino al Éxito grew as the resource I wish I’d had throughout my career. A place to learn about other Latinas who are launching companies, careers, or pursuing their passion and in doing so are overcoming challenges and defining what success is to each and every one. This is a forum, a white page if you will, where we all write bits of our story in hopes it helps guide another woman’s journey.

You’ll find interviews, real stories, pictures, videos, events, and ongoing training tips at the website — there is always somthing new going on. I highly recommend you bookmark the homepage for ongoing original content from real Latinas. Here’s to our shared success!

I wanted to point out my own observations of success — when I first invited her to post a story for the blog, she didn’t think she was ready to share her story. However, the response to her article has been quite high — many of us want to hear real stories of other women. Also, the more you share your story, the more you find in the way of supporters, helpers, associates, potential partners, and potential customers.

Be brave.
Talk about your story.
Share your unique gifts and talents with the world.

Reg’s shop on Etsy has really taken off, and she offers darling notebooks, memo pads, to-do notes, and now tumblers, cups, stickers, and more: http://www.wedgienet.net.

FOLLOW YOUR PASSIONS:
Over your lifetime, the process of understanding and following your passions will help you identify and navigate towards your highest, most worthwhile achievements.

I’m a true believer in following your passions. There is something within you that you know, deep down inside, is your core “thing to do.” It’s your mission in life! It’s what gives you a sense of deep, fulfilled purpose, and if you do not accomplish this thing, you probably feel just a little bit uneasy or bad inside.

One way to help you understand your passion in life is by inventorying your life stories, in particular those stories where you truly enjoyed what you were doing. What are you most proud of? When were you doing something with your whole heart, soul, and every fiber of your being? Were there some instances, or events, or achievements, where you were most happy?

Exercise 1:
Richard Nelson Bolles’ “What Color is Your Parachute” is an excellent guide for this exercise. He challenges you to identify twelve “stories” of your life in great detail, even from your earliest childhood days. Then, he encourages you to identify the *VERBS* within the stories. For example, typical verbs for me include: organizing, connecting, educating, and empowering.

Once you know those three to five verbs that capture you at your personal best, it’s time to expand your life to include those occupations, activities, and volunteer options where you put those verbs into practice. These could take the form of a Goals list, where you identify your top twenty goals for your life: these are items that you must accomplish for you to feel your life has been worthwhile.

It may take some time to narrow this list down, but now’s a great time to get started on your Top Twenty Goals.

Exercise 2:
Write down your goals on a piece of paper and carry it around in your wallet. Or declare them and refer to them at least once a day for the next month.

OVERCOME OBSTACLES:
When I was a junior in high school, I went to summer music camp at Florida State University, where I took master classes with the piano professor in residence. He told me straight up that “You will never be a concert pianist”. He was right!

In retrospect, if I had believed in what I was doing with an unshakeable strength, I could overcome any obstacle, especially someone else’s opinion. If I truly believed, I would have even taken that statement as a challenge to prove my intent and I would have worked even harder to achieve. However, this particular teacher was right: he sensed, at some level, that I didn’t want to be (and would never become) a concert pianist.

I still play piano and I still love sharing music with others, but I’m not in private recital.

Now, there is an interesting thought experiment here about the role of this teacher, the role of my own self-defined limitations, and the nature of an obstacle.

If, for example, I had been told since I was a young girl that I would always be successful, that I would lead a charmed life, that I would be able to do good in the world, and that I would be an agent for positive social change, then I would probably act in ways to fulfill that belief system. Obstacles would become challenges to overcome on the road map to my end destination.

If I had been told since I was a young girl that I would never achieve anything, that I would never amount to anything, that nothing I could ever do would make a difference, then, most probably, I would act in ways to fulfill that belief system! (including believing any potential obstacle)

What are your obstacles? What are your beliefs about what is possible and what is not? To what extent are you willing to believe your own reality, and to what extent may that change?

When we identify our values and goals, and when we start living in a way that supports those values and goals, we will find all kinds of resources and opportunities that match our desired result.

CONTINUOUS GROWTH:
Does change scare you? If so, you’ll never be able to improve, and you’ll never be able to take advantage of new ways of thinking and new ways of doing something.

Change is scary! That’s just the way it is! No one liked to change their thought patterns or behavior, especially because as humans we are pre-programmed to desire routine and sameness.

That said, “if we’re doing what we’ve been doing, we’re going to get what we’ve been getting!”

If you’re not feeling like you’re achieving your full potential, then embrace change. Don’t be afraid of failure, and definitely don’t let fear get in your way. Fear, as my coach says, is “False Evidence Appearing Real.”

When you are thinking as a change agent, you are open to manifesting whatever the universe has in store for you. T. Harv Eker in his Secrets of the Millionaire Mind book, explains his definition of an entrepreneur as “someone who solves problems… for a profit!” When we incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into our basic mind-set (this might mean releasing any self-limiting or self-destructive thoughts), we start to see a world of opportunities: we start to see great ideas everywhere! We start to see an ability to change an existing product or service and make it better! Or we see a new product or service that we can create!

Exercise 3:
Change your routine! Once every thirty days, incorporate something from your Goals list into your regular routine. Practice new habits! It takes ten times to get my son to try a new food and like it, so a new habit may certainly become part of your routine when you commit to it. Write down your routine on multiple pieces of paper and post them in conspicous places throughout your environment.

Changing your routine might be something as simple as taking an additional 15 minutes each day to take concrete steps towards your Goals, using your values to guide you.

You will be surprised at how much you embrace change, especially positive change, that brings you closer to your true self.

UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMS:
The world is made up of massive, interconnected, inter-related systems.

For example, capitalism is a system with creators, inventors, proucers, organizers, distributors, and consumers.

The ocean is a system with tremendous mini-systems including the wind, water temperatures, air temperatures, oceanic currents, water pressure, all kinds of bio-diversity from plankton to whales, etc.

Our own physical body is a system including the nervous system, the digestive system, the circulatory system, the skeletal system, the endocrine system, and thousands of other processes.

What affects one item affects other items. Once we understand how our actions and results “fit in” with the system that we are a part of, we achieve more clarity on our own skills and abilities. We achieve a greater understanding of the specific nature of what we offer. We utilize better knowledge on where we best “fit”.

In the United States, women of color in business are traditionally minorities: we are not usually in the majority of opinions, thoughts, or decision-making at our place of work. This means we have a fantastic opportunity to closely observe our own system, then use our knowledge to share with each other, communicate and brainstorm to actively change our system, where change is needed.

For example, if each of us pro-actively promotes an anti-discrimination policy, or if each of us actively works to gain a seat on the Board, or if each of us contributes some of our time, talent, and treasure to better our communities, we actively shape and create the systems around us.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE:
If you’ve come this far, thank you. I appreciate your readership and I encourage you to take some of these ideas and make them real in your own life. Practice and then come back and report on what you’ve learned so you can share with the rest of this community.

I love sharing any knowledge that I’ve learned with other people and I hope that you, too, will feel comfortable sharing your own valuable, unique knowledge. You will be amazed at how receptive other people are to your message when it’s delivered straight from your values list.

So, to recapture the above: follow your passions, overcome anything that looks like an obstacle, always strive for continuous growth, understand the system that you are working within, and share your knowledge with others.

Exercise 4:
Send this link to someone that you trust and include a declaration of something you plan to achieve this year from your Goals list. This person will be a cheerleader for you and will help you achieve your goals… you will also inspire them to live with their values and goals in mind!

And come back and share with me what you’ve learned!

Ross-Krieger is a life coach, entrepreneur and author who encourages her readers to believe that “success is in your nature.” In her marvelous book, she talks about her own journey and uplifts the reader on their own path: “life is a quest… to bring your unique strengths into the world, to live more fully, to achieve your dreams.”

Read more of her lengthy process of becoming who she is (very interesting, especially if you’re just beginning your life path, like I feel I am).

http://www.wellnesscoach.com/about

Erica is very focused on wellness, entrepreneurship, and balanced living, and she is a “Entrepreneurs’ Coach & Mentor for Business Success and Well-Being”. You may contact her for business coaching if you’re ready to go to the next level in your own business.

Who do you know?
Who do you work with?
Is ‘who can help us’ your first question when you tackle a new project or initiative?

The “who” question is probably the most important question to pop into your mind when you start to think about your work, the task at hand, and your long term goals.

For example, if a catering company is committed to landing five new clients, all in the $7500 to $10000 range per event, here are some of the questions they might ask, and the potential followthrough (in order of what works least to what works best)

1) WHY are we doing this?
Probably not a great starting question. If you’ve committed, then start “dialing for dollars” with *who* can help you get the project rolling.

2) HOW are we going to do this?
True leaders can find others to help them do the work. If you don’t know how to do a project, find someone who *does* know how: this relates to line staff all the way up to C-level executives.

3) WHEN are we going to do this?
A timeline totally depends on the parties involved. With lackluster people on your team, expect lackluster results. With stars on your team, you are rolling immediately, and arrive at your destination more smoothly: it all depends on who you’re working with!

4) WHAT are we going to do?
Who you know determines the answer to this question. Find a connector, an early adopter, a well-connected person, or someone more experienced to give you tips and advice on tackling your project.

5) WHO will help us? (BEST QUESTION TO ASK)
The best question to start with! It’s who you know that determines your success. You can call upon other friends, associates, and coworkers to help you achieve your goal.

For example, if I’m the caterer looking for five new clients, I would call around and ask the people who make decisions about company gala dinners, product launches, and employee events. I’d call event planners and audio/visual folks. I’d call my friends who’ve invited me to company bashes in the past and have them put me in touch with the corporate events contact. I’d call larger foundations and ask for their upcoming schedule. I’d call a company with an anniversary or founder event coming up.

Ask WHO!
…………..and see your personal and professional success flourish.

Originally published by Monica S. Flores on SistersinBiz.com

She has run Prairieland Herbs as part of a mother-daughter team with her mother, Donna Julseth since 1998, and she and her mom work on about two acres of land.

They grow “a wide variety of perennial and annual herbs and flowers, and spend our summers planting, mulching, harvesting, and drying herbs and flowers for use in our herbally infused oils and other herbal preparations, as well as dried flowers bouquets and wreaths.”

Girl with a Sword is where Maggie offers naturally hand-dyed silk scarves and handkerchiefs, created from a wide variety of sustainably-grown, certified organic, and wildcrafted dyestuffs.

Maggie and her family-owned business “create, bottle, label, package and ship your orders entirely by hand, ourselves.”

All of the Prairieland Herbs and Girl with a Sword products are made in small batches, with great care and attention to detail.

Maggie and her mom use only fresh, natural, and food-grade ingredients. Pictures on the website show the farm kitchen and land where they work, with recognizable items like herbs, oils, honey, oatmeal, salts, and sugars — no synthetics, preservatives, or petroleum by-products.

The scarves are dyed with ingredients like goldenrod (yellows), rust, black walnut, and tea (browns and reds), and berries (blue).

Support Maggie’s organic and locally-made artisan offerings by visiting her shops.

Follow Maggie on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/girlwithasword

From Karen: “My goal is to build my business so that I can retire from teaching and still have a job I enjoy.”

BellaandGracies.com

A business owner and mom, she offers children’s apparel and accessories. All of her items can be custom made, so here’s your chance to create a soft, fluffy, pretty piece for your toddler, baby girl, or daughter, niece, or granddaughter.

Check out her cute pettiskirts, pillowcase dresses, and other toddler apparel. We all know the thrill of being a princess and having lovely clothes to play dress-up with — you can support Karen and learn more about her custom clothes for children by viewing her online shop at Etsy:

bellaandgracies.etsy.com

Follow Karen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/bellaandgracies