Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast interview with KAIRA ROUDA

I know, you can't judge a book by it's cover, but you can make a pretty good assessment of the book by talking with the author. You can tell by listening to KAIRA STRUDIVANT ROUDA that she knows 'her stuff' and that she has the knowledge and passion to really launch entrepreneurial women.

President of Real Living (one of the fastest growing real estate company in the U.S.) and creator of the Real Living brand, Kaira is passionate about entrepreneurism, marketing and the power of women in the workforce and beyond. A published author, journalist, marketing executive and business owner, she built her career by working in marketing for national brands and large regional advertising agencies. She is also a contributing writer and editor for national and regional publications. In addition to this, and an active volunteer schedule, Kaira is also a wife and mother of four.

With all this, Kaira found time to talk with Girlfriendology on our podcast about her new book - Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. Together we discussed the importance of female friendship (aka: support) as an entrepreneur and we learned a lot, like these 'Lessons from a Girlfriend':

* BE YOU - This book is no fluff. It is a great guide to living a life you love and creating a career of your dreams. As the title references, you need to be 'you' to be a happy, fulfilled, successful entrepreneur. The book helps you identify your 'word' - a description that is the core to building the career and lifestyle that is uniquely perfect for YOU. And, Kaira (whose word is "visionary" - which is true!) shows us how YOU are the brand and how that is a very good thing. (Read the book - you'll agree!)
* HAVE TIME FOR YOU - Kaira's days are filled with running a successful company, fulfilling her book PR, volunteering and more - PLUS being a wife and mother of four. The most frequent question asked of her is "How do you do it?!" Listen in for her answer and be prepared to be inspired from a realistic and inspiring woman! (Great lesson there!)
* DREAM BIG - Kaira believes you hold the cards (and the real you) to a wonderful, BIG life. In fact, in her book she wrote: "Allow yourself to think big, be ambitious. This is your life, so get it right." Such a great reminder on the important things in life and the role we all need to take in getting our life right.

Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men and 1 out of 11 women are an entrepreneur - that's a lot of us! Maybe there's an entrepreneurial dream inside you (or a girlfriend) or perhaps you just need to jumpstart your goals.

Listen to Kaira on this inspiring podcast. Read an excerpt, check out Kaira's web site and definitely get her book Real You Incorporated (for you and/or a friend). Isn't it comforting to know that the woman you dream to be, is already inside of YOU - just waiting to emerge!? Thanks Kaira for your interview, book and overall guidance. We all benefit by your visionary inspiration!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with KRISTEN BEIREIS

Isn't it funny how you meet and find girlfriends? Some of mine are from college or previous jobs, others are neighbors or friends from organizations (like my friend Vicki), some friends are friends of friends or just women that I found we have something in common. All of them leave imprints on our lives. And, all of us have the opportunity to inspire others and to help them on their journey to a happy life (as they also accompany us on this adventure!).

KRISTEN BEIREIS believes we need girlfriends to help us in so many areas of our lives. As a life, career and business coach, she helps her clients explore ways to 'love Mondays' and their lives. As a girlfriend, she supports her friends in the same process of identifying their dreams and encouraging them as they reach to achieve it.

Kristen spoke with us this week on our podcast (now semi-weekly!). Wise beyond her years and enthusiastic about life and her profession, friends and family, Kristen uses lessons learned in her life to help her clients and girlfriends live happy. A few lessons from Kristen:

* BE HAPPY - From her cheery voice and her contageous enthusiasm, you know Kristen is a nice person, a good girlfriend and a positive influence to all around her. Her coaching business, Amazing Steps, is about helping people be happy in their careers - which may mean changing careers or staying where they are and making it what they really want. She helps us find our passion and turn it into a career so we 'love Mondays' - and that's a happy thing!
* BE A FRIEND - As Kristen shares in this podcast, girlfriends often are our support systems that help us make transitions in our lives. So, girlfriends play a large role in our careers. Support from girlfriends is sometimes how we get the courage to admit that something isn't working. And, they're there for us to help us figure out the best solution - which is great since they know us so well and are acting on our behalf.
* BE CREATIVE IN MAKING AND MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS - Kristen is a social media maven and uses the internet to find, establish and grow her friendships. She embraces sites/networks like Twitter and Facebook* to find new friends who have common interests and even possibly work together in the future. Communication with internet friends is different than with face-to-face friends, Kristen explained, but it doesn't mean they are any less a girlfriend. Some of the friends she has made over the internet are the ones with whom she shares more openly.

I met Kristen online and am happy to have found her! Be open to meeting new girlfriends. Explore new friendships and make contacts online or even in-line at your local grocery store! Just connect with other women - you never know when you'll make a great new girlfriend!

Check out Kristen on AmazingSteps.com and VirtualHelper4u. And, listen in to Kristen on our latest semi-weeklyGirlfriendology podcast. Thanks Kristen!

Tune in Wednesday for our podcast interview with Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, President of Real Living real estate company and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. (And, enter the contest for a chance to win a copy of her great book!!)

* Check out the Girlfriendology Facebook group to meet some great girlfriends too!

Have a dream? Start a Girlfriend group!

Big or small, dreams are passionate goals that can transform our lives. And, the people who help us in reaching them, are indispensible mentors and cheerleaders. In many cases, girlfriends are the ones who help us see and reach our dreams. And, when you bring a group of girlfriends together, with the goal of challenging and helping each other, magical things can happen.

I know. Several times in my life, as I was following my entrepreneurial goals, I found (or started) a gathering of like-minded women to help each other. Shown here are a few of my WE (women entrepreneurs) group. Each have different skills, experiences, personalities and passions. Our dreams and businesses are diverse, but our friendship and support for each other keep us together and actively stretching ourselves.

WE meet monthly to discuss our updates, challenges, achievements and goals. WE hold each other accountable and offer grace if we were not able to achieve what we had hoped. WE listen, cheer, share, brainstorm and support.

Meet my WE girlfriends: Tina (top left) is the owner of Casa DeLorenzo - and makes exquisite custom pillows, as well as offering Interior Design Services. Jennifer is the Director of Beaded Hope - Beaded Hope's mission is to fight HIV/AIDS one person at a time by providing South Africans with the opportunity to earn an income, support their families and nurture their creativity while preserving age-old beadworking traditions.* (Jennifer - Sorry for the closed eyes photo!) Judy is a writer with lots of experience, promise and ideas for PublishSmart. Joyce (bottom right) is opening an online store of beautiful heirloom clothes and gifts for children - watch for HeirloomsToBe.com!

Do you have dreams? Aspirations? Creative ideas you'd love to pursue? You don't need to go it alone - bring along your girlfriends! Start a girlfriend group and dream together. Share the successes and struggles, joys and jolts along the way. But you'll love the company along with you on the journey!

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NOTE: Jennifer also 'stars' in our upcoming Girlfriendology video which should be posted early next week. However, in the meantime, she is offering a discount on BeadedHope.com for Girlfriendology girlfriends! Just enter "GOGIRL" in the discount code for 15% off until May 15th. Thanks Jennifer!

Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with STELLA GRIZONT, from Ladies Who Launch

Each of us are 'wired differently.' Some women are moms, some are moms of dogs/cats. Some of us love to cook, others just love to have someone cook for them (me!). Some women are 'home-bodies' and others (like previous podcast guest and travel solo author Beth Whitman of Wunderlust and Lipstick) love to explore exotic destinations. And then there are those who love working in a corporate environment and women who thrive as an entrepreneur. I am one of those women!

Actually, those women (female entrepreneurs) are 11 million strong in the U.S. and are growing at three times the number of male entrepreneurs. So, where to do these women go when they need a 'push' in launching their creative projects/businesses? One great resource is Ladies Who Launch - an organization that helps women successfully plant and grow their ideas into thriving businesses. To tell us about it, STELLA GRIZONT, Director of Incubator Development for Ladies Who Launch, joined us on a recent podcast to share information and resources for women with an entrepreneurial spirit and dream. (FYI - there is also a book for Ladies Who Launch: How to live your dreams and love your life!)

I totally enjoyed talking with Stella about Ladies Who Launch and their successful programs and resources for female entrepreneurs. I learned a lot from her too, like:

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - You can have all the resources, money and time but if you're not passionate about what you want to do, you may be successful but it will be more of a challenge and not as rewarding. Stick with what you're completely passionate about! (Like for me - promoting female friendship! I think Girlfriendology can make the world better and I'm passionate about that!)

* LOOK FOR RESOURCES - There's no reason to go it alone when you've got girlfriends who can help! Ladies Who Launch offers great resources for female entrepreneurs like events and entrepreneurial incubators - plus they have a book for anyone who wants to venture into their own venture.

* SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO JUMP - At 24, Stella was a Senior Brand Strategist at Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest ad agencies. This prestigious position wasn't enough for her - she needed (you guessed it!) to do something for which she had passion. So, in 2007 Stella joined Ladies Who Launch full time as Director of Strategic Development working to expand the Incubator program into a global platform for women launchers. She develops new programming for members, trains leaders and continues to grow and garner the Ladies Who Launch brand experience.

Listen in to Stella on the newest Girlfriendology Podcast. Entrepreneurial dreams or not, you'll be inspired. Maybe to start your own business or just to start a new creative project. Or maybe you'll just be more equipped to inspire another girlfriend who may have dreams of being an entrepreneur. Inspire each other. That's what girlfriends do! Thanks Stella! Thanks Ladies Who Launch!

Lessons from a Girlfriend ... LISA SHEPARD STEWART

Previously I belonged to an organization that was almost 100% women. SCD (the Society of Creative Designers) was a group of professional designers who worked in the craft and hobby industry (as well as other industries). Being a group of almost all women (but we loved you Ed!), and, specifically, a group of CREATIVE women, it was a fabulous collection of women with talents in all areas - from painting to plastic canvas, sewing to stamping, beading to beadazzling! It was an organization of creative girlfriends who offered assistance, support, ideas and a willingness to help others.

Change happens and SCD transitioned into the CHA (Craft and Hobby Assn.). I don't get to see these women nearly as often as I'd like, but I know I can still call on them for ideas and assistance. I called on one recently after learning that she was holding creative girlfriend events. So, I did and I learned a lot.

That experience, as well as the lessons I've learned from so many of the 'girlfriend authors and experts' that I've interviewed previously inspired me to create "Lessons from a Girlfriend" - a blog to accompany each weekly podcast with a behind-the-scenes and/or revelations before/during/after the interview. After all, we learn SO MUCH from our girlfriends, that I feel it is my duty to share what each amazing woman on our podcast has to pass on to you!

A graduate of NYC's Fashion Institute of Technology, LISA SHEPARD STEWART is a designer, award-winning author, creative director, event leader, TV 'home/lifestyle' personality and successful creative woman! In her how-to project books African Accents, Global Expressions, and On The Go!, Lisa encourages others to express their creativity through culturally relevant techniques and materials. Her company, Cultured Expressions, Inc., offers her books, kits, imported fabrics & embellishments, lectures, workshops, projects and more. She also organizes retreats and special events internationally, combining her other personal interests of travel, holistic health and entertaining. Check out her upcoming Quilter's Retreat in Jamaica and Lisa's creative ideas on a TV show she did on creating a girlfriend spa night.

Okay, so what did I learn? (Since this is the first of weekly "Lessons from a Girlfriend.") I learned ...

* FOLLOW YOUR PASSION - Lisa visited West Africa in 1986 (when she was a young teen, no doubt!). She fell in love with their fabrics - especially Mudcloth. That, along with her creative talents and following those talents to the Fashion Institute of Technology, put her on the path to 'quilting together a career' - piecing together different aspects of her passion (like kits, projects, books, events, etc.) into a lifestyle living. She is very inspiring!

* BE SMART - Lisa mentioned that it is almost ten years since her first book was published, so she's preparing for ways to promote that as a way to continue the momentum for her creative business. (What things in your past should you celebrate and continue to use to further your business, career or dreams?)

* BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS - Lisa is participating in an upcoming Natural Hair Care Expo in Baltimore, for her first time. Always learning and being open to trying new things is a great quality and, I believe, the sign of a successful, creative entrepreneur!

* HAVE FUN WITH IT! Organizing a retreat is hard work. There are preparation and planning, financial deposits and potential travel hassles. However, if you check out Lisa's Quilting Retreat in Jamaica, you'll see that she still has fun. She makes sure that everyone (including herself) gets to experience spaaaa treatments! (I think Lisa has some fun on this event too!)

I'm grateful to SCD for the opportunity to meet amazing women like LISA SHEPARD STEWART who continue to inspire me long after the organization is gone. Thanks Lisa for your time and inspiration! Listen in to Lisa's podcast interview for lessons that you may need to learn from this creative, inspiring girlfriend. Thanks Lisa!

Great Girlfriend Info for all you Work at Home Moms (or wannabes!)

You know how one web site leads to another, which takes you to yet another and before long you're on a totally different subject matter than when you started?! I found myself on a site that was very well done, informative, and while I'm not a 'mom' (do pets count?), I found myself reading and being very impressed with the information and style presented. It was one of those - "I should share this with my girlfriends" kind of moments!

So, I contacted Lisa Mills, the founder of Work At Home Mom Revolution and she was gracious enough to share her story and her passion for helping women find fulfillment and income while meeting the needs of their family by being at home. So, from LISA:

I started my site, Work at Home Mom Revolution, a little over a year ago. I really feel that the Internet has opened up a whole new world of possibility to moms who want to work from home. There are so many opportunities available online to make money, whether it's starting your own business, working as an independent contractor, virtual assisting - you name it.

My main "girlfriend" support for the last few years has been the community at WAHM.com. I've learned so much from the other moms who frequent the discussion board there. Also, that's where I found my first and primary job as a transcriptionist. I believe networking is key to finding the right work at home job. It's also key to avoiding the multitude of work at home scams out there.

My site is set up to provide information not only to those moms looking for work from home, but also those already working there. I try to mix the posting of new job and business opportunities with helpful articles on productivity, personal finance, parenting, saving money. And frequently, there's a little bit of my own personal life in there. I often throw in something just because I find it interesting or funny.

I'm really excited about how far Work at Home Mom Revolution has progressed so far. I've met the traffic goals I set for myself when I started the site. But what's really exciting is that I've met so many nice people and made so many online friends through the site. Working from home can be lonely at times, so this has really been a blessing.

Check out Lisa's site and send it on to your girlfriends who will benefit from this information. Thanks Lisa!

Girlfriend Entrepreneurs Club - should you start one?

Tina is a interior/pillow designer. Judy is a techie and writer (with a talent for poems and being funny). Joyce is creating a shop for heirloom gifts for children. Paula and her daughters started a catering business. Helen (who joined us for the first time today) is working on a book and a new source of income. (Becky, "the Kitchen Goddess", and Melody, the Tupperware Manager Maven couldn't join us - but we missed you!) And, you know me, I'm dedicated to building Girlfriendology - a place for 'inspiration, appreciation and celebration of girlfriends.'

We're a diverse group - some are neighbors who've known each other for years, some are new friends and new entrepreneurs. We meet monthly to help each other grow our businesses and see our dreams become reality. And, to assist each other with challenges we struggle with, but also very much to celebrate our successes together.

WE ("Women Entrepreneurs," what WE call ourselves) met today to not only explore our dreams and businesses, but to discuss how our group can best benefits each of us. One part of our discussion this morning was men - should we allow them in the 'club?' It was a tough decision because we don't want to exclude other entrepreneurs who need a group to help them with their businesses. To be honest, I crave the unique strength, energy and support that I receive from women entrepreneurs - things that I very much benefit from and value. Nothing against men, but men and women communicate differently and, to me, it just seems to work best in an environment where WE 'speak the same language.'

Are you an entrepreneur or someone with a dream? Perhaps you should start a girlfriend club to help and hold each other accountable toward reaching your dreams. I'd highly recommend it as much for ideas and support as for the camaraderie and community. Not an entrepreneur? Start a Mommies group or book club, a group of girlfriends to go to dinner or bowling every month (or monthly GNO - 'girls night out'), a knitting night group or scrapbook 'sistas, take classes or experiment on gourmet recipes together. Just do life together. And who better with than your girlfriends?!

Sisters, neighbors, coworkers, moms, yoga/running friends ... all kinds of Girlfriends

Here's the girlie-girl way of looking at it ... You have pumps, tennis/walking shoes, platforms, boots, sandals, flip flops, Crocks(tm!), etc. in your closet, right? Guys may look at is as just a room full of shoes and think that they are silly and unnecessary. Women see it as the basics of getting dressed and feeling good about your personal style.

In the girlfriend world, there are close friends you've known since school or new neighbors on the street. Women you work with to friends of friends you've met and run into at the grocery store. Coworkers who become friends outside of work and women you see at yoga or book club. Look around and you'll most likely see a variety of girlfriends at different stages of friendship, with unique qualities and a variety of things in common. It's a wonderful world of girlfriends! Kinda like having a selection of shoes - you have lots of options for women with whom to share your life.

Still in Minnesota visiting friends, I had dinner with my girlfriend Amy last night. Amy is dating, I'm married. Amy has a corporate job, I'm entrepreneurial. Amy lives in the cold north(!), I live in the mid-west. She's a world traveler, I dream of being (and have had some very fun international adventures with her!). But get us together and we have so much in common and so much fun.

What type 'shoe' is her friendship??? Last night after dinner I thought about that. Our conversation ranged from her recent dating adventures to my entrepreneurial dreams. From common friends to philosophies on perspectives of life. I very much respect her opinion, welcome her advice and appreciate her friendship.

Our interaction reflected what I feel is so important about girlfriends and why I started Girlfriendology. I think if we girlfriends 'put our heads together' and help each other through life, that we all learn and benefit from each other. After talking with Amy, I felt stronger for having her support and friendship. Not that we focused on any negative issues but life can be stressful. Together I felt we each contributed problem-solving ideas or creative solutions to hopefully benefit each of us in reaching our dreams. And, thinking like shoes, (and I hope she sees this as a compliment!) to me our interaction was kind of like workboots. Very functional and productive, the "git-r done" type interaction that I love and benefit so much from.

Have a problem? Talk to a girlfriend. Want to do something fun? Call up a girlfriend. Need to laugh or share a great story? Go see a girlfriend. Stressed over life? Have dinner with a girlfriend. Together we make a great pair (or lots of pairs, like that shoe analogy!). After all, aren't girlfriends the perfect accessory?! Thanks Amy for being such a great girlfriend and for sharing life (and solutions/ideas!) with me! Big hugs!!!


p.s. If you're into the above shoes, you might be a "Desperate Housewives" fan. They're on Seenon.com.

Entrepreneurial Girlfriends & Reducing Stress!

Great things happen when you share what is on your mind and in your dreams with other girlfriends!

At our monthly entrepreneurial girlfriends group today, Judy confessed that her creative brain is always busy and she has LOTS of ideas for businesses she could start. (And, she's right!)

From someone who knows personally, creative women sometimes get overwhelmed with innovative ideas and an excess of dreams. And, add a busy life with a full-time job, family and trying to follow our dreams 'on the side,' and you can end up with a whole mess of stress!

Meeting with other girlfriends and discussing your ideas, challenges and dreams is therapeutic. It just feels much better to know that others struggle with the same things and that encouragement and feedback are offered with a loving voice.

Thanks Judy for sharing your dreams and for helping me on my way to mine. I look forward to being your girlfriend through whatever creative, entrepreneurial roads we follow. I feel better, lighter and more focused - thanks to you!

Do you meet with your girlfriends to discuss your dreams? If not, should you?! Add a comment if you have a dream you'd like to get input on from helpful, caring female friends or tell about girlfriend groups and how they've helped you. I bet your stress level is much lower because of your great gal pals!

* Sorry about the bad photo Judy! I'm just learning how to work my new phone camera! I'll get you another time! Check out Judy's blogs: PublishSmart and Blind Hog Press.

Lunch with Carole

Okay, so once again there goes my aforementioned 'no lunch out' rule! Today I had lunch with Carole, a co-worker who has become a good friend. She and I share a lot of corporate experiences (and often frustrations!), an interest in our city/cultural events, restaurants and movies, and more - including our entrepreneurial dreams.

I shared my passion for Girlfriendology and pursuing a business that connects women with their girlfriends to just make life better! She confided her future plans to open a B&B and to pursue her passion for food/cooking. (Having visited her B&B-ready home and tasted her cuisine, I know she has exactly what it takes to be successful!)

It's so nice to connect with a girlfriend. To find out you have more things in common. To learn little insights into their sense of humor, beliefs and even dreams. It was the first lunch we've shared together, but it won't be the last. And, throughout our corporate or entrepreneurial status, I have a girlfriend who will help me (gladly!) break my 'no lunch out' rule! Thanks Carole!