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Don't fight forces, use them.

Buckminster Fuller

Don't ignore forces, use them.

Me

Hot dog! It feels like spring time finally. Yes I live in Southern California, yes I am spoiled rotten with the weather.. I just love it when its finally warm enough to go sockless, you know? Warm enough to break out the old computer and post a little blog.

I hope that by now in this year of 2011, you have gotten your groove on and have been planting seeds for what you wanna make happen this year. I never used to think of the cyclical nature of business (and were all in some kind of business), in fact, I blatantly resisted conforming to any kind of schedule. For the first 5 years of running 11:11 enterprises I didn't even tune in to what times of year the stores would be looking to buy. I just figured I'd be here when they wanted to talk to me so whatever... well after 2008 when the economy tanked, the rules all changed. It became do or die. Tune in or drop out.. so I tuned in. But not just to the market forces and the man made time tables... While those have their place, what I am really getting at is the importance of tuning in to the cycles of the seasons, of nature.

It is so blind to think we, with our calendars and schedules, are separate from NATURE, in any way. We are all made of the same stuff. I've noticed that I plant the seeds of what I want to have happen in the late winter and early spring, by writing, planning and plotting, and then I nurture those ideas, projects , goals through the year...

Over at 11:11 enterprises HQ, we've been using this potent time to write a business plan!!!!!! It's been MASSIVE. Sitting down to write it each day has been so uncomfortable. But I've been taking it one word at a time, and I'm about the print the finished draft and off it will go to my best financial prospects. To say I'm excited that its nearly done is a huge understatement. The best part is that the process of writing the plan, of figuring out what we REALLY want to DO, has been incredibly valuable and is something I would recommend EVERYONE doing, and not just entrepreneurs either.

I look forward to writing more about the transformation that occurred for me as I wrote the plan, in hopes that it inspires you to write a plan for your self, and your business. In the mean time, get out side, enjoy the sunshine and smell a flower!

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This is a long winded post  where I relate a recent experience involving 11:11 the time, yoga, business and what can happen if you just SHOW UP for life. It happened to me...

There can be a potent relationship between yoga and business on a personal level- these are not 2 separate subjects! In fact , the only way I am still in business after 7 years is because of the peace I get from my daily practice. Its simply too stressful being an entrepeneur without something to balance it out- and after years of being a fall down drunk neurotic lush, that was not working for me anymore. Even though this is all true, it seems like a lot of times yoga and business are on opposite ends of the subject spectrum. I had an experience the other day that really illustrates how they intertwine beneficially in my life.

I had been considering going to two events that night - but was unsure. I tend to work really hard all day and then just want to chill at night, so getting me to go out anywhere is sometimes a challenge.. But I was intrigued by what sounded like an interesting product launch at one of my favorite stores in LA - Zero Minus Plus at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, and the Zappos CEO Tony Hseih's  "Delivering Happiness" Book tour meet up coordinated by Alaia Williams of The Entrepreneur Connection. I was thinking about these options as I drank my daily dose of caffiene and got ready to do my morning yoga.

For the last 2.5 years I've been doing a yoga practice everyday and since it takes 45 minutes I like to get it done first thing. The practice is a Kundalini Yoga  technique called Sat Kriya and it's a powerful and efficient way to connect with and distribute energy around the entire body. I do it because it works. It makes me feel amazing afterwards no matter how tired or bad I feel before I start. In fact - if I were to think of one thing ( besides my husband) that has allowed me to bust through the mental, emotional and physical blocks that running a small business brings up- it would be this practice. I can't say enough good things about it...and yet I still get bored with it from time to time and don't do the practice with the kind of attention and devotion that really can take you to the next level. My mind wanders,my eyes wander and my arms go up and down. But at least I show up. I was having these exact thoughts as I was going through the 31 minutes of active engagement in the posture.  First about whether I should go to the events...then about what a slacker job I was doing that day with the yoga... but then I thought to myself- AT LEAST I SHOW UP (dammit!)! Then at the exact moment I had that thought that I looked down at the timer and saw that I had EXACTLY 11:11 ( yes it's the name of my biz- but is also a universally affirmative sign) minutes left of Sat Kriya! I immediately took that as a signal that I needed to just show up at the events I was teetering on...because anything can happen if you go...but you'll never know if you don't!

So I went. First to the event at Fred Segal. It was amazing! This brand new and super cute accessory line made from pennies called Project Pennylane was debuting, and the whole business model is about giving back to mindful awareness education programs for children. So cool! We got to learn about what these charities were up to - including a talk by a father who's 20 year old son was murdered by a 14 year old  gang member while delivering a pizza ( a job he had to help pay for college at San Diego State). This father grieved heavily like you would expect from such a tragedy, but then he decided to forgive his son's murderer, partner with the murderers grandfather, and work directly with at risk youth teaching non violence- for the past 10 years! It was amazing. I was so inspired. I kept thinking of a charity that is close to my heart- Y.O.G.A. for Youth - they bring yoga into inner city schools and prisons, and I've been thinking about them a lot since I am  coordinating a benefit raffle for them this holiday season in conjunction with our Holiday mART. But I digress-- this was just my first stop of the night!

Next up was the Delivering Happiness Book Bus tour event. I've been a Zappos fan since way back..I used to spend too much money and time on there looking up gold shoes. I've since cured myself of that habit, but I still have enormous respect for the company, as their customer service is legendary. So when I heard about this event with the CEO of Zappos Tony Hsieh I knew I wanted to check it out- and I'm so glad I did! Not only did I get a free copy of the New York Times bestselling book- I got to meet Tony and ask him how I should go about getting in touch with the right Zappos buyer! He said to just email him! YA I know right! It was so inspiring! I was seriously jazzed.. ya I said it. JAZZED! It was also great just be out of the office...and  talking with fellow business owners- very refreshing.

So you see the moral to my story. Do yoga regularly, pay attention to the intuition and signs you're given, and just SHOW UP! Anything really can happen- and I bet it's going to be good!]]>
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Well this Unique LA show just gets better and better. I love it when show organizers listen to feedback and continually improve on the system to create a better and better experience every single time. Heck I love it when anyone does that- but especially when it has to do with work + money. I am deep into improving my work scene as well, and more and more I see - it's working!!

Ok so - Show tip #1 Get a Chinese prosperity kitty! She really works! We got her in San Francisco during the last Renegade show- These gold kitties are used in all the shops in Chinatown to bring in prosperity so we figured we needed one too. Totally effective I am telling you, on so many levels. Show tip #2 - Give away candy!! I just started doing this last holiday season- it's so simple and cheap, but so few vendors do it. I'm  telling you. Lure em in with sugar- it works.

So many nice people everywhere- the people watching at these shows - TDF! Endless entertainment! Thanks to everyone who came by and shared a smile and a sweet- you LA people rock!

ps check this awesome little bit of press too! and the LA weekly came by too..looking for that link as well..

pps After the show on Saturday I had to take the bus home (long story)  and then the bus broke down right around twilight on Venice Blvd. I walked the rest of the way home, a few miles, and had the most gloorrriousss time. I felt so alive! The sights, smells and sounds of the city were just calling to me from every corner. I hadn't had that feeling in too long, since in Los Angeles one is so often cloistered away in the car, rushing from here to there.... I posted some of my favorite pics of the evening here]]>
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I finally have gathered the photos and the courage to show you my office before and after pictures. Remember that post I wrote a month or so ago about how I wanted to have a store and all that? Well instead of going further down that fantasy road (a store could still happen, but first things things first) I decided to just clean up my own act- right where I was. For me at the time, imagining a store space was easier than just making the best of the situation at hand. Don't get me wrong- I am all about having big dreams and imagining them. If you want to bring your dreams to this reality however- you have to get practical and just start working with what you've got.

So I looked around- saw how incredibly un organized I was being, and decided to change that. You have to create the form that you want the success to come in to. In my case - I want to create a successful business that operates seamlessly without me. I know, I've got a ways to go, but I am closer now to this goal than I was even yesterday, so I know it's possible.

Ok deep breath. This is my before shot:

Deeply embarrassing to show you. But hey. I'm committed to sharing my process and transformation here so that means  my pride can just suck it. Plus by showing you the above shot then you can rejoice a little more deeply for me when you take in the splendorous vision below-

Yes I know the decor is a little dull and its not going to win any design awards- but it works! It's efficient! Everything has a place! All these things make my heart sinngggggg with joy! I also finally feel like I work in an office that can actually function and support the endevour of making money... which sometimes we art minded entrepreneurs lose sight of.... making money is the point of a business!!! Duh! And successful businesses are run from organized spaces. And now I have one. YAY.

If you see yourself in any of the above, I encourage you to do whatever it takes to get your self out of the disorganization rut and makeover your office space. Even if the space is just your kitchen table- make it organized and create systems that will support you in your daily tasks! It makes all the difference in the world- trust me!

Here are some great resources to help get you get started (but don't just keep surfing- do the work! Its worth it)

Great article on basic office organization

Find a professional organizer to help you:

http://www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org/

http://www.napo.net

http://www.oneorganizedbusiness.com/ ( the best organizer in LA- Alaia Williams)

Other great organizational resources:

http://thirdhandworks.com/ Clairene is a organizing genius specializing in helping creative types

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/ - for virtual organizing

Move your stuff, Change your life - an amazingly helpful book on Feng Shui]]>
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I've been trying to avoid writing this post all morning. I don't like taxes, I don't understand all the rules, and the whole subject just makes me want to go eat a cupcake and deal with it later. Thank God for accountants is all I really have to say!!!

With April 15th looming closer I thought it would be helpful if I rounded up some resources for us to maybe take the edge off a little bit. Lets get empowered and tackle this head on- together! Now! Yay!

Check these links out:

A really great article from the always awesome Design*Sponge blog: Biz Ladies: Tax Info for Small Business

If you need some info on the different types of taxes you are responsible for as a small business owner check out this helpful article- Tax Considerations for Self-Employed Arts and Crafts Vendors

Great article explaining the tax breaks we can get as creative small business owners -Tax Advantages from Your Craft Business

Check out the Small Business Adminstration's Small Business Planner - its more awesome than it sounds- no seriously- very helpful stuff.

Go straight to the horse's mouth and visit the IRS's Small Business and Self Employed Tax Center

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A few more things- If you are running a small business without any kind of software to help you keep track of things- STOP MAKING THINGS HARDER ON YOURSELF! Get Quickbooks.  Like right now! Quickbooks allows me to keep track of my expenses , bank and credit accounts, customers, invoices, payments, sales reports.... on and on. It took me a little coaching to get started with it, but once I got the hang its been very intuitive. I actually was so lost when I first installed the software that I went online and found an accountant that was willing to coach me in getting started and then he ended up not even charging me! So don't be afraid- it will make your business so much more organized you will wonder how you ever lived without it!

And lastly- hire a good accountant! If dealing with taxes feels like just too much, let your fingers do the walking and call someone! I found mine by asking around for recommendations, but here is a good and easy way to get accountants to bid on you!

Don't you feel better already?! Now for that cupcake..]]>
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