Lead by Example:  Your Kids Will Be Our Leaders, Caretakers

Janet LaBerge

Ah, September!  Every year at this time, I picture the Staples commercials with the father pushing a shopping cart full of school supplies, skipping along to the song, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of The Year.  What a stroke of marketing genius that was!

For those of you with kids, we all know that Christmas isn’t the Most Wonderful Time of the Year — it’s BACK TO SCHOOL!  It’s that magical time of year, when your little “Mini Me” becomes disengaged from your side and returns to the Land of Learning.  If you are like me and maintain a home office, running a business while your children are at home becomes a daily challenge of multi-tasking and prioritizing home versus business.  While it is always a juggling act, the presence of family members with their own agenda makes it doubly difficult.  My least favorite commercial this summer?  Canobie Lake’s ad where the kids put sticky notes all over the house.  Anyone else feel the pressure to go?

I have found it very helpful to share the stories of my teenage boys with other members of this Network.  Simply viewed without any framework, my sons can seem to me like the laziest, most slovenly children on the planet.  It has been very helpful to hear from other members that their children become exhausted from the slightest exertion or are struck blind when they walk into the kitchen, making them incapable of seeing a sink full of dishes.  It is an odd juxtaposition to have boys that are bigger and (possibly) stronger than me be unable to keep up with this 50-year-old on a job site.  At 17 and 16, they claim to know so much more about the world than I do and I have learned to bite my tongue, because experience is the best teacher.

Our children are growing up in a world where things are given to them in an instant … the ability to reach someone, find information about a restaurant, directions, etc.  The down side to this explosion of technology is that it makes it harder for them to realize that life doesn’t often occur in an instant, particularly when it comes to achievements.

Running a successful business doesn’t happen overnight.  It requires planning, goal setting and perseverance.  Building relationships also takes time, and consists of more than just “friending” on Facebook.  Perseverance and good relationships will help us all to succeed in business.

Whether it’s as a parent or as your President, I always use a Lead by Example rule that I learned in the military.  I want my children (and our members) to be honest, generous, fair and hard working.  By modeling that behavior, I show all around me that this is the standard that is acceptable and this is the response that gets rewarded.  It isn’t always easy, that is true, but I have never had any respect for those that follow a “Do as I say and not as I do” sort of creed.

As your President, I pledge to lead by example.  We owe it to these young kids like my sons.  They will be our work force, they will be the future business leaders and (most importantly) they will be the ones caring for us old ladies in the nursing home!  It’s imperative that they understand that helping others, doing what’s right and always giving 100 percent will always lead to success.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Janet LaBerge

Hello, and Happy Summer!

Man, it’s been hot.  I’m a little envious of all of you members who have a nice air conditioned office to sit in, while I’m sweating it out in dusty attics and basements!  Hopefully everyone is finding time to spend a little time at the beach, or hanging out with family and friends, while still doing business.

I’m so honored and excited to be your President this year.  So many people showed up for my Coronation . I mean for Celebration!  I’m going to prove all year long that we can have fun and still do business together.  Thanks to all of you who joined us at Celebration!  We had FUN.  Life is too short for all of us hard working business types to not celebrate our successes.

If you were one of the folks who couldn’t attend because you were at something more important like a wedding or a funeral, please check out the video on our website, and after you wipe the tears from your eyes, sign up for our next event.  If you were there and had a great time, then don’t miss our upcoming Not Your Average Golf Tournament on August 30^th at Squirrel Run in Plymouth.  You don’t have to be a good golfer, because we will play by ‘best ball’ rules.  After the golfing, there is a dinner, raffle prizes and a live auction, with yours truly as the auctioneer.  The Golf Team has started contacting members, letting you know how you can maximize your exposure through raffle prizes or sponsorships.

Two thousand eleven (2011) is just around the corner, and the Network celebrates its 20^th year.  We’ve already started planning some great events to mark this milestone.  I’m pleased to say that we are embracing the Pay It Forward theme and will be doing much more giving back to our communities this year.  The generosity, kindness and helpfulness of our members really makes our Network different from all the rest.

As your President, I pledge to help you in any way I can.  Want to meet to practice your 30-second intro or your three-minute presentation?  Have a suggestion for a networking exercise or a new PDT program?  Need a couch or desk from my clean-outs?  Want to surprise your husband with a collectible comic book for his birthday?  Just ask.

Happy to lead with fun and humility,

Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com

Stacey Shipman

June is often a time to reflect on the goals – both personal and professional – that you set out to accomplish this year. So how are you doing?

I just started making a list of my accomplishments to date, along with those things I have yet to complete. With six months to go, there is still have plenty of time; and if you need help to ensure a successful end to 2010, the Network is here to support you along the way.

As I think about all that the South Shore Women’s Business Network has accomplished, I am humbled.  Two thousand ten started off with a bang, and we are not slowing down. In case you missed it, our May 6^th Professional Development Day:  Communication Revolution was a huge success. And we are well under way to have a successful golf event August 30^th.

But instead of providing a list of accomplishments here, instead I want to invite you to join us at our annual Celebration! event coming up on the evening of June 24^th at the South Shore Country Club. You and your partner/spouse/friends are welcome to join us for an evening of celebration.  The Network will introduce its new leadership for the 2010 – 2011 year, the Educational Foundation will announce this year’s scholarship recipients, we will celebrate the accomplishments of our members, and most importantly give you an opportunity to celebrate YOU.  Without all of you, there would be no Network.  So, please:  will you come celebrate with us?

In the meantime, if you have made a mid-year list of your accomplishments, share them with us!  Send an email with your good news to Patty Funder, the managing editor of this newsletter, or to Roberta Sousa, the Movin’ On Up columnist.  Those accomplishments are worthy of sharing with others!

I look forward to seeing you at Celebration! In the meantime I invite you to contact me with any questions you have on how to get the most out of your affiliation with the South Shore Women’s Business Network.

Wishing you a successful second half of 2010,

Stacey

Stacey Shipman
President, 2009- 2010
Stacey@staceyshipman.com

Stacey Shipman

I want to welcome our new members who have joined us in the last month, and thank those of you who have recently renewed your memberships. I appreciate your support of the Network and your belief in the importance of support networks.

Creating support networks is a key component to your success as a professional. While the SSWBN as a whole provides that support, did you know about some of the smaller groups within our Network that available to you? For example, did you know about …

Roundtables – a group of eight individuals in non-competitive industries who meet monthly in an effort to share ideas, work through challenges and provide support along the way. Though not designed to be referral groups, inevitably referrals happen.

Professional Development Seminars – Whether you are a morning person or prefer to get away for lunch, our monthly Professional Development Workshops provide an affordable, intimate setting to network and learn.

SSWBN Teams– Participating on of our many teams constitutes a great way to not only showcase your skills and abilities, but to meet and work consistently with other members in a smaller group environment.

No matter what your role at work, having support around you can help ease the burden. Make the most out of your membership by getting involved in or creating a group of your own.

Not sure how? Get in touch with me. I’m happy to help you identify the best option for you to make the most out of your membership.

I hope to see you at an upcoming event soon, including the May 6 Professional Development Day – Communication Revolution. One workshop is dedicated to helping you create YOUR network. Join us to learn how!

Best,

Stacey

Stacey Shipman
President, 2009- 2010
Stacey@staceyshipman.com

Stacey Shipman

Spring has arrived, and as we all try to dry out from the recent rains, the weather is warming up.  It’s time to come out of hibernation and back into networking and business building.

And of course as a network, our mission to help you do that!  The first quarter of 2010 brought many successful events with fantastic speakers including Hank Phillippi Ryan, investigative reporter,  and Peg Feodoroff of Spirited Sisters, creators of Healing Threads.   We continue the second quarter of the year with a similarly dynamic program.

Looking for professional development?  Try a Lunch and Learn or NEW! Coffee Connections for those early risers in the group.

Then on May 6, The Network is excited about the Communication Revolution, a full day professional development and networking event to help you grow your business using a variety of online and offline resources.  The day includes breakfast, lunch, workshops, keynote speakers, Q&A sessions, goal-setting — and of course an After Hours, giving you a chance to put into practice what you learned.

Spring is often a time for renewal, fresh starts, new beginnings. Whether you are a new or veteran member/business owner, come out of hibernation.  Let the SSWBN provide you with the fresh start and networking opportunities you need to succeed in your personal and your professional life.

Have a suggestion, comment or question? Or just want to get in touch? Please feel free to email me.  This is your network, and I want to help you make the most of your membership.

Best,

Stacey Shipman
SSWBN President 2009-2010

Wellness Expert. Author. Media Host.
Phone: 617.548.5877
email: Stacey@staceyshipman.com
website: www.staceyshipman.com

Stacy Shipman

At Celebration! last year I talked about wanting to get back to basics and keep your networking efforts easy.  Since that time we have secured staff so that you have point people to contact when you have network related questions, maintained a consistent schedule of events and added professional development opportunities to meet the needs of our members in the Plymouth area.

The latest and perhaps most exciting development in making your networking efforts easy is the unveiling of our new website.

After months of development we are so excited to announcement the launch of our newly designed website.  Here are some of the highlights of the new site:

• New home page that highlights upcoming events and offers easy navigation
• Improved events view and sign-up options
• New, updated Member Directory
• Connection with us on LinkedIn and Facebook
• And a new blog which will be continuously updated with event photos, highlights, member information and general business resources.  Visit the blog often or make sure you subscribe for updates.

Two thousand ten started strong for many of our members and the Network itself.  We are certain the use of this new website will only serve to make your interactions with us more user friendly.  Your feedback is always welcome.  See something you like or that we missed?  Please feel free to send me an email.  Remember, this is your network.  Let’s work together to make it work for you.

Stacey Shipman
SSWBN President 2009-2010

Wellness Expert. Author. Media Host.
Phone: 617.548.5877
email: Stacey@staceyshipman.com
website: www.staceyshipman.com