State of EmHERgency

SPECIAL EDITION

SECURE THE BAG: FROM CASH FLOW TO CREDIT

BACK TO SCHOOL The basics for parents who now find themselves homeschooling

STUCK IN LOVE more RESOURCES TO HELP YOU START AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS

U

E

CUR E S O T HOW

D YO N A G A THE B

D

MIN F O E C A R PE

contents 06 14

Pivot Don't Pause How your business can survive

the COVID-19 crisis.

How Scared Should You Really Be?

Dr. Cindy Dukes shares valuable COVID-19 information and tips for your protection.

22 26

Stuck in Love

Sexy Activities to help you survive being stuck inside with your boo.

COVID-19 Scams

Tips and resources to keep your network and information safe online.

THE SQUAD JAYLYNN WALLACE, Editor-At-Large MARIA HARRIS, Senior Editor STACI MOORE, Senior Project Manager STEPHANIE ROSA, Senior Art Director ALYCIA MOORE-SMITH, Social Media Coordinator

THE LEGAL STUFF: The information contained in this publication is for informational purposes only and is subject to the terms and conditions found on www.elleseandco.com. Ellese & Co assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organization has been provided by the respective subject or contributor with no verification by us. Further, the opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its contributor and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ellese & Co, therefore, we carry no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon.

All rights reserved. Copyright Ellese & Co 2020

Contact: hello@elleseandco.com www.elleseandco.com Advertising Inquiries partners@elleseandco.com 626.536.1227 2 ELLESEANDCO.COM

WWW.ELLESEANDCO.COM/BONUSES ELLESEANDCO.COM

3

GET ACCESS TO

EXCLUSIVE BONUS

RESOURCES

ACCESS THE VAULT WWW.ELLESEANDCO.COM/BONUSES

4 ELLESEANDCO.COM

curator STATE OF EmHERgency

If you had told me this is where we would be three months ago, I would have insisted that you watched one of those pandemic movies (I am Legend, Contagion, etc.), and were confusing it with reality. This pandemic is something that we have never experienced in our lifetimes, and, for far too many of us, it has changed our lives forever.

Before this storm passes, and I trust that this too shall pass, we will ALL be affected in some way by this crisis. Whether COVID-19 directly affects your health, your loved ones, or your financial circumstances (good or bad), you will reflect on this time for the rest of your life. What you do now will define your testimony.

By all accounts, it is a State of EmHERgency, as women, especially Black Women, will be uniquely affected by this crisis. Will you live in fear, or will you find the courage to flourish? I am choosing to flourish, and I want the same for you. In order to flourish, you must focus. The ability to focus is an especially important skill to have at a time like this, and I want you to know that you already have the power to focus within, you just need to redirect it. We totally understand if your health or the health of your loved ones have been affected, and you must now put that first; however, aside from health concerns, now is the time to focus on your desired outcomes.

If your business is thriving, focus on how you will maintain and even grow it. So, let me lean in and speak to the ladies who have been on the sidelines or those who merely have their pinky toe dipped into their purpose. Now is the time to go all in! This crisis is not a time to tap out; it’s an invitation to tap in! Create an action plan and implement it NOW. I promise you don’t want to be in this same place six months from now, wishing you would have taken action sooner.

This is also the time to support each other, so in this special issue of Ellese & Co, we are bringing you expert resources related to how you can thrive during this season of uncertainty. We understand that in addition to how your health may be affected by COVID-19, you may also be concerned about your next steps, finances, kids driving you crazy with homeschooling, and much more, so dive in and take action.

Stop being hardheaded and listen to the experts. #stayhome

Enisha Ligon-Garrett

ELLESEANDCO.COM

5

6 ELLESEANDCO.COM

Pivot don't Pause BY: ELLESE & CO

How your business can survive this crisis and any other shift that comes your way.

I won’t belabor the seriousness of what has happened to so many lives and businesses because of COVID-19. Many experts say that our economy has never seen anything like this. Experts have predictions on how things will begin to reshape themselves, but no one really knows precisely when, or if, things will return to business as usual. What does this mean for you? It means it’s time for you to flex your strategic muscles; it means that it is time to show the world what your business is made of; it means that it may be time to pivot, not pause.

ELLESEANDCO.COM

7

Now, remember, this is the time to flex your strategic muscles. While you may have to consider the obvious, your pricing, now is not the time to start arbitrarily slashing your prices. It’s time to think about the true value of what you sell and how you position your offers. You can start by ensuring you solve a relevant problem for consumers, segmenting your market, and diversifying how you deliver value.

sition your offer to solve a different, more pressing problem.

SOLVE A RELEVANT PROBLEM.

SEGMENT YOUR MARKET.

Customers’ needs may have changed. However, you don’t necessarily have to change your product or service, but you must po-

IIf your sales are dropping, it might be because you’re trying to sell to the wrong people. For instance, your offer may not be right for individuals, but the perfect solu-

Check-in with your customers, learn more about how they use your product. Is there anything missing? What features do they want NOW? Your customers could be using your product in ways that you never imagined. This intel is invaluable and could be key for a successful pivot. .

tion for businesses that need to invest in solutions right now. If you are finding the opposite to be true, then simply flip it. It may be easier for you to get the attention of individuals right now, so position an offer that will appeal to them.

There is nothing new about this strategy. The founder of Kraft Foods, James L. Kraft, sold cheese wholesale to local stores and door to door before scaling and turning Kraft into what we know today.

ADD A SERVICE TO YOUR PRODUCT (OR VICE VERSA) Consumers may not clearly understand how to get the best value from your product.

Consider adding support services, educational offerings, or consulting to accompany the product. For instance, you are a new author, and you’ve written a self-help book. Rather than just selling your book, offer group coaching calls and accountability check-ins to assist readers with implementing the strategies that you shared in your book. Readers find this valuable and will even be willing to pay a premium for such access.

If you have a service, you can add products that make it easier for customers to implement, be consistent with, or even scale.

Many personal trainers offer supplements and exercise equipment; coaches and consultants provide physical workbooks and manuals; and chefs create take-home meals and cookbooks.

Now is not the time to put your business on pause. It is time to get laser-focused and execute with precision. Now more than ever, you want to be strategic. Keep your eyes on the numbers and make adjustments as necessary.

We would love to support you as you pivot. Join the Black Women Mean Business Facebook Group by visiting: www.elleseandco.com/joingroup

8 ELLESEANDCO.COM

Subscribe

BONUS GIFT AND DIGITAL EDITION INCLUDED WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Ellese & Co is focused on resources that support the businesses and lifestyles of Black Female entrepreneurs and leaders. elleseandco.com/subscribe

TO EMOTIONAL WELLNESS 1 Get out of bed and take a morning shower no later then 10:00am.

2 Eat breakfast (even a small one) before 11:00am.

3 Open the blinds around the house to allow daylight in.

4 Read for pleasure or listen to motivational videos for 30 minutes.

5 Do 30 minutes of at-home exercise (find motivation through YouTube exercise videos).

BONUS: Meditate for 10 minutes in a well-lit (daylight) room.

10 ELLESEANDCO.COM

PAMELA NICOLE DUKES Pamela is a passionate, phenomenal purpose driven author, Emotional Wellness coach and speaker. Raised on the Southside of Chicago, she has served the developmentally disabled and senior populations for over a decade. She is certified in Life, Solutions Focused, and Master Emotional Wellness Coaching. For more info: www.pamelanicoledukes.com

Join the Facebook Group SEARCH: BLACK WOMAN MEAN BUSINESS

BLACK WOMAN MEAN BUSINESS

Portia Wofford Repurposing content is your best kept secret. Not utilizing it is stopping you from increasing engagement, sales, and saving time.

Writer and content strategist at The PW Agency @lipstickandstethoscope

Ellese & Co 30 mins Kayshaun Brooks-Crosby Reevaluate what you are doing in your business after a couple weeks, a month or as needed.

Always make sure you are watching your progress and results and adjust as needed.

Always be willing to learn and grow.

Drop your best business advice in the comments.

The Owner of Renew You Body Butter, a luxury skincare formulated to repair damaged skin. @renewyoubodybutter

Tee Goldsmith-Irby The best business advice I have is to start one even if it is part time because these jobs ain’t loyal.

The creator of “Stop Corporate Shenanigans” which specializes in workplace empowerment. @tee.irby

You, Madelaine, Angee and others Like

Comment

Share

Madelaine Gordon Marketing strategies should always be revisited. Just because one method worked does not mean it will always produce the desired results. The vein can collapse and you will find yourself unable to get fresh blood. At some point you might have to tap into a new vein to bring life back into your business.

Launch Support Strategist and Founder of Super Sidekick Services. @SuperSidekickServices

Angee Jones It's OK to be authentic to your customers and brand. Customers and employees seek transparency and honesty. Make sure your authenticity doesn't broach your business values or jeopardize your brand. Your name is all you got.

HR Practitioner, Life Coach and the Founder of The HR Chique Consultancy Group. www.hrchiquegroup.com Liquisha Monique Don't be afraid to ask for help, no one is capable of doing everything.

Owner of LaMonique Cosmetics, an affordable line of luxury, toxic free products. @LaMoniquecosmetics ELLESEANDCO.COM

11

FULLY Funded

Preparing Your Business for Disaster Relief Funding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), has impacted businesses across the globe at an alarming rate. This Pandemic, which hit us out of nowhere, has caused chaos from professional league game suspensions to school and daycare center closures and has changed many of our lives and financial perspectives forever.

As of 2019, 32.6 million small businesses were operating in the United States. However, due to the Coronavirus, many companies' revenue have come to a screeching halt.

Has the Coronavirus impacted your business? If so, there are disaster relief funding packages to help stimulate the economy in the form of grants (for non-profit and for-profit organizations), disaster relief loans, and business scholarships that may benefit your business. The emergency funding could assist your business with current payroll, inventory or supply chain shortages, leases or rent payments, and more.

COVID-19 resource page www.bausybooks.com/Coronavirus

Share these important resources with your business bestie.

12 ELLESEANDCO.COM

3 TIPS TO HELP PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING: 1. State of Emergency: Check your state’s website to verify if a state of emergency has been declared. Each state’s governor announces this declaration, which could affect whether funding is available.

2. Prepare your business documents: You’ll need to provide essential and up-to-date business documents such as business ownership, the SS4 form from the IRS, and, most importantly, financial statements and tax returns.

3. I do not qualify for the business funding: If you do not qualify for the business funding, contact your credit cardholders to request an increase on your lines of credit. If you must access your personal accounts to support your business, treat it as a loan. Coordinate with your accountant to ensure the loan is recorded on your business financial records.

ARNESHA BOBO is an author, speaker, strategic partner and Virtual CFO for small business owners. She helps small business CEOs reconnect with their money by transforming their money habits. With almost a decade of accounting and financial reporting experience, she understands the need and desire to have accurate financials.

For more info: www.bausybooks.com

VISIT WWW.BLACKWOMENMEANBUSINESS.COM/BONUS ELLESEANDCO.COM

13

HOW SCARED

SHOULD I REALLY BE?

Are the people recovering from the disease actually building antibodies?

14 ELLESEANDCO.COM

T

he number of cases worldwide has caused an alarm and even panic for most people, despite having it as a subject for some debate due to uneven criteria for diagnosis, as well as its variability from country to country.

While treatment is not yet available at this point and the question about how deadly the virus is, still remains unknown to most of us, many of those who tested positive have actually recovered.

What about the Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are viruses that are usu-

ally associated with common colds. This pertains to infections in your nose, upper throat, sinuses, and all those which are generally affecting the respiratory tracts of mammals, including humans.

What are the symptoms of Coronaviruses?

Runny nose, sore throat, and/or cough Headache  Fever  Muscle pain  A general feeling of being unwell  Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea  

COVID-19 VS CORONAVIRUS Who are the people at high risk? www.elleseandco.com/bonuses

You should also be mindful of the length and gravity of the symptoms you’ve experienced and always consider having yourself checked by a healthcare professional before the symptoms worsen and impose potential complications such as high fever, shortness of breath, pneumonia, sepsis or even death. These alarming outcomes are more likely to occur to people with weaker immune systems, underlying lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, history of organ transplants, those on chemotherapy, and older adults.

Is the Coronavirus something we should worry about?

Today’s case of the Novel Coronavirus is actually similar to SARS and MERS in many ways. However, we cannot deny that the number of cases we have today is continuously rising. Although it takes longer to develop, it is always good that we take precautions.

In the bonus video Dr. Cindy Duke answers the question, "Are the people recovering from the disease actually building antibodies?" Find out what she has to say!

For more info: www.drcindyduke.com DR. CINDY M. DUKE, is a M.D. Ph.D trained Physician Scientist and Entrepreneur who is Board Certified in Gynecology and Obstetrics, as well as Fellowship trained in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). Dr. Duke is the Physician Founder, Medical Director, and Lab Director of the Nevada Fertility Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is also a Ph.D. trained, award-winning, Virologist whose research interests centered on the interplay of viruses with the human immune system. Dr. Cindy is also a Telemedicine Expert and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine.

ELLESEANDCO.COM

15

RESOURCES TO

SUPPORT YOU Health related information, regarding government approved prevention measures, treatment and emergency preparedness. www.cdc.gov

Congress has approved $1,200 stimulus payments per person.

The Internal Revenue Service will administer the funds. www.irs.gov

T O O L S

O F

Up-to-date information from the White House and U.S. government agencies on how to prepare businesses for impact from COVID-19 www.uschamber.com

T H E

A list of loans and other relief programs, including their eligibility requirements and how you can apply. www.sba.gov

T R A D E

GOOGLE

INTUIT QUICKBOOKS

FACEBOOK

To slow the spread of COVID-19, many employees, educators, and students are working remotely. Goggle has gathered some free tools and resources to keep you connected and productive. Google’s Remote Work hub, contains tips about running online meetings, collaborating on documents remotely, and much more.

Intuit QuickBooks is partnering with GoFundMe to create a Small Business Relief Initiative. It will help small businesses raise money to overcome the challenges caused

by COVID-19. They are also deferring loan payments and allowing customers to get access to cash more quickly with QuickBooks Instant Deposit.

Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate. They will begin taking applications in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, you can sign up to receive more information when it becomes available.

www.grow.google/remotework

www.quickbooks.intuit.com

www.facebook.com/business

16 ELLESEANDCO.COM

ELLESEANDCO.COM

17

The basics for parents who now find themselves homeschooling.

Living during a time of so much uncertainty can be difficult on its own, but what about the parents and kiddos who have found themselves suddenly thrust into a new normal? A new normal of social distancing, working from home, and dare I say, homeschooling?

Don’t worry! As a former high school science teacher and public health educator turned homeschooling YouTuber and educational blogger, I understand the inner workings of both classroom and widespread community educational environments, and I’m here to help!

For more info: www.mybusybeesandme.com

18 ELLESEANDCO.COM

Enough about me, let’s focus on taking the homeschool plunge, shall we? As you’re reading from here on, I want you to remember something of the utmost importance, you taught your babies first so you are more than qualified to guide

them along this newfound path so don’t panic and let’s dive into a few resources and strategies that can make your homeschool days flow a bit smoother.

Have you found yourself frantically drowning in the sea of homeschool curricula, each with a promise to teach this or that totally necessary grade level skill to your kiddos because your school district didn’t prepare take home learning packets?

Here’s a bit of advice! Take your time and get to know your kiddo’s learning style (how he or she learns best) as well as your teaching style (how hands-on you want to be). This simple task will all but ensure your homeschool success!

YouTube is a gigantic resource.

You can simply type in "ABC song" or "math video," whatever you're looking for, and generally find what you need for all grade

levels. Please don't feel guilty about having your children watch videos because there's absolutely nothing wrong with video schooling. However, if you choose to use videos as part of your curriculum, be sure to include a summary of each video detailing the subject matter and when it was completed.

Again, our goal is smooth sailing over the sometimes turbulent homeschool waters so let’s chat for a bit about a few more easily accessible resources that I highly recommend.

KHAN Academy

Kahn Academy is an amazing, FREE

resource that not only contains a variety of learning activities for a wide range of learners; it also includes video instruction for almost all grade levels.

kiddos, young and old, love this show. We also enjoy, Where on Earth is Carmen San Diego?, as an add-on to daily geography lessons.

PBS KIDS

I am sure you know reading is critical!

Not just handing your sweet kiddo a book and telling them to read it, but reading aloud. Why is reading aloud so important? It affords you the ability to not only assess reading level, but reading comprehension, spelling, and literary analysis skills as well. Take turns reading with your kiddos, always offering gentle guidance and encouragement.

One of our favorites for young learners is Peg + Cat, an animated preschool series featuring Peg and her sidekick, Cat, who encounter unexpected challenges that require arithmetic and problem-solving skills in their day-to-day activities. Also check out Wild Kratts while hanging out in PBS land, as it’s one of our favorite science series for early learners. Lots of adventure and wildlife encounters.

NETFLIX

ADD TO CART!

Netflix also has a wide variety of educational programs. One of my favorites, The Magic School Bus, is science gold! Our

Do you remember what I asked you to remember when we first started our little chat? You taught your babies first so you are more than qualified to guide them along this newfound path. You can totally do this! Just breathe and take it one day at a time. Happy Homeschooling!

NEED MORE SUPPORT?

THE MOMATHON DIARIES Marriage, Motherhood & Motivation!

FlashKids Complete Curriculum Workbook: Grades 1-6

Known as the "Praying Wife of Alabama" after going viral, Christina Garrett is a Pastor's wife of 12 years and homeschooling mother of five little Garretts. With a heart for the woman who is overwhelmed, tired and frustrated in her home life and goal ambitions, Christina works to revive tired ladies through Momathon Mastery VIP days, group coaching, webinars and speaking engagements.

Christina has mastered the delicate art of committing to transformation in family life, homeschooling, priority management, ministry endeavors and pursuing passion in business aspirations.

Times Tables the Fun Way! Multiplication Facts

For more info:

@ RunningAMomathon

ELLESEANDCO.COM

19

20 ELLESEANDCO.COM

build your brand What you need to know before BY: ELLESE & CO

you make your next post!

It warms my heart to see all the businesses showing up in my timeline these days. Smart business owners know that now is the time to get in front of people with the right offer.

More people are online right now; however, there's more competition than ever for consumers' attention. Don't get overshadowed because you neglected a few key steps that will ensure that you stand out in the crowd for all the right reasons.

route. So, there is no excuse for raggedy, yes, I said raggedy, Branding.

The other day, I saw one of those "Drop those Links" posts on a influencers' Facebook page, giving a free opportunity to promote your business. I wanted to support a few of them, so I commenced to clicking. The first was a "No," the second one was still a "No," and the 10th one was a resounding "No." Now mind you, I wanted to get some happy mail and was eager to spend some money. However, after clicking all those links, it was not love, or even like for that matter, so it was easy for me to keep my coins in my pocket.

You don't want to be on the other end of the story that I just shared. Good Branding not only makes a great first impression, but it also builds trust and brand recognition.

Do you know what kept me from clicking the Buy Button? It was their Branding—how they showed up visually and their messaging.

When I landed on their sites (which was not optimized for mobile, but we will get into that at another time), it was really unclear about who their products were for, which made me 100% sure that they were not for me.

Branding is an experience that includes your brand messaging (core values, unique value proposition, and brand stories) and what your customers feel when they think about your business. Consumers may start with what they see, but quickly shift to what they hear, read, and even what they physically touch. As you go through the Branding process, you will identify unique attributes that you can use together in a way that creates a complete brand experience for your ideal customer.

Their visual experience was simply unappealing. Nowadays, it's easier than ever to create impressive brand assets. If you can't take the time to do a few simple things, it's going to be 100 times harder to convert sales. Even if your purse strings are tight, countless free tools make it super simple to go the DIY

Well, not on my watch! There are a few easy to implement strategies that you can take to ensure you stop the scroll and truly connect with consumers.

WHY IS GOOD BRANDING IMPORTANT?

So let's first talk about what Branding is not because there are widespread misconceptions about Branding that we are going to ditch before we even get started. Branding is not just your logo, tagline, website, etc. These elements are visual representations of your Brand, but Branding is so much more than that.

Get your free Workbook w w w. e l l e s e a n d c o . c o m / b o n u s e s In order to effectively communicate your brand to your potential customers, you must first be very clear on who you’re trying to attract. You can accomplish this by creating a Customer Avatar. A Customer Avatar is a fictitious character that represents your ideal customer. Having an intimate understanding of your Customer Avatar will help you craft the right marketing materials and understand what will influence your customer's buying decisions.

If you want to learn more about the full branding process, we have a free masterclass that you can register for by visiting: www.elleseandco.com/bonuses

ELLESEANDCO.COM

21

Stuck in

LOVE

Five Sexy Activities to Help You Survive the Coronavirus Scare with Your Boo!

F

or the first time, in a long time, couples are actually “forced” to be together at home for weeks.

You might have thought, “I can do a week with my significant oth-

22 ELLESEANDCO.COM

er, no problem! We go on vacation for a week, and we have a great time.” Honey, there are no cabanas, exciting new adventures, or the ever-elusive vacation sex romps at home. Or can there be?

While you’re in the house, hunkered down, avoiding the “Rona”, here are five intimate things you and your boo can do to have a good time AND actually enhance your relationship.

2. BE GOOFY

Fun! You do remember having fun, right?

Adulting is hard, and we are always so serious. Since we have this time, add some laughter, joking, and giggling to your relationship. Good ole fun is good for the soul and your relationship. Here are some fun ideas to try: Dance. Turn your living room or kitchen into your favorite club from back in the day. Start with some good two-stepping songs, then end with some bump and grind tunes. 

Turn chores into something fun. See who wins in a head to head match of putting on the pillowcase first or who can put their share of the dishes away first. 

Act out a scene from your favorite movie.

How fun would it be to act out the scene in Love and Basketball like when Sanaa is playing for Omar’s heart? Think of a movie that both of you know, dress the part, recite the words (which I’m sure you know word-for-word), it would be hilarious. 

3. GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

Don’t side-eye me! Listen, this is the perfect time to sit down and have engaging, intimate conversations with your boo. There are always new things you can learn about each other. Sometimes, it can be hard to get this type of conversation going, so here are a few prompts to get you started.

1. COOK A SEXY MEAL TOGETHER

Your sex drive can be down and even more so when doom and gloom are lurking. Planning a sexy meal together can help with that. We all know chocolate and oysters are aphrodisiacs, but now is a good time to think about what actually gets YOU in the mood. Plan out a menu with both of your sexy food picks, get to the store, and cook a meal together (clothing optional).

• What do I do that turns you on the most?

• What is your ideal romantic vacation?

• What is your favorite sexual memory of us?

While you’re at it, think of a few more questions you’ve been keeping in the back of your mind, and go for it.

4. ENGAGE IN SOME SENSUAL PLAY

After you’ve been with a partner for some time, foreplay can get a little routine. Try using the five senses to spice up your foreplay. There’s sight, touch, hearing, taste,

and smell. For example, find something soft or furry to tease their body using the sense of touch. I’m sure you can figure out something to taste... *wink wink*.

5. INTRODUCE A NEW SEX TOY INTO THE BEDROOM

Sex toys definitely can add some spice to your lovemaking. You’re more likely to have multiple orgasms (or at least one good orgasm, for those that struggle to climax), they encourage you to try new positions, and they just force you to have hotter sex!! Yaaaaaaaas!!

Visit your local Adult store together, if they’re still open in your area. You’ll both learn what each other likes and be able to touch and turn on products before you purchase them. If going to the store is not an option, head to the Internet!

Shopping at an online adult toy shop like Hart’s Desires is an excellent opportunity for you and your partner to connect and discuss products you may like. Browsing in the comfort of your own home could make it easier for you to talk openly about what may tickle your fancy. You can shop at: www.hartsdesires.com

SHANI HART is a certified sexuality coach, sex educator, and co-owner of Hart’s Desires, a premiere erotic boutique for the sexually unleashed—or those who secretly want to be. But really, she is a sexual rule-breaker and a relationship healer who reconnects couples in the bedroom and beyond. And a transformational teacher who is leading a revolution to empower women everywhere to take control of their orgasms—and their lives. Follow her on Instagram @sextstuffwithshani ELLESEANDCO.COM

23

COVID-19 Scams & OTHER SECURITY TIPS

FOR REMOTE WORKING 24 ELLESEANDCO.COM

GENERAL SECURITY TIPS 1. Keep your computer and applications updated.

2. Invest in anti-virus software and keep it updated.

3. Use unique passwords for every account and also consider using a password manager.

4. Change your default passwords on your router.

5. Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts.

6. Lock your computer before you leave your workspace.

7. Get “Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection” for your Outlook inbox.

8. Get “Advanced Phishing and Malware Protection” for your G-suite accounts. to steal your money or personal information. For them, this is business as usual, and you don’t want to get caught up in this.

H

ackers don’t sleep. Okay, they do sleep, but they aren’t sleeping on you and your business. Oftentimes small business owners believe that there is no way that they can be targeted. In the Spring issue of Ellese & Co, I shared a story of a business owner that experienced how hackers target small businesses the hard way, and it cost her tens of thousands of dollars.

Don’t sleep on the value of your business because hackers sure aren’t! They know that you have valuable information (client data, business data, personal data, and of course, money).

While we’re all working through the COVID-19 pandemic, hackers are taking this as an opportunity to target businesses, workers, and parents with Coronavirus scams. All of these scams are attempting

COVID-19 SCAMS & HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF •

Stay alert for emails stating: There is a new vaccine or cure New infection cases in your area Safety measures Donate to a COVID-19 charity

•

Always think before you click and ignore the sense of urgency their emails try to give you.

•

Double-check the email address, spelling (please note that not all scam emails have bad spelling/grammar), tone of the email, and general legitimacy.

•

When in doubt, throw the email out.

•

Check the official websites or call the person/business they may be impersonating (if applicable).

•

Note that these emails often impersonate WHO, CDC, your local government, your child’s school, a local hospital, etc.

They’re also capitalizing on the wave of remote workers, events, and changes in the way we are doing business now. This means that not only do you need to know how to spot a COVID-19 scam, but you need to implement other security protections for you, your business, and your family.

FAREEDAH SHAHEED Fareedah is the CEO and Founder of Sekuva, an online security coaching business, where she helps non-tech savvy online small business owners and families implement online security fundamentals in their businesses and lives.

For more info: https://sekuva.mykajabi.com

ELLESEANDCO.COM

25

Finesse your Finances through

COVID 19

KEY ACTION STEPS

No more than ever, cash is a valuable commodity. These tips will help you take care of your business cash flow.  List the possible impact of COVID-19 on your business as it relates to sales, clients/ customers, suppliers, and team members.  Update your financial statements and business reports so you can quickly review your numbers and make informed decisions.  Conducts a business health checkup – "look beyond the balance sheet" – this involves analyzing your business via ratios/key metrics.  Reach out to your suppliers/clients. Ask about any changes in upcoming contracts and payments.  Update/create your cash forecasts

26 ELLESEANDCO.COM

and budgets – include changes you are anticipating related to sales and expenses.

 Talk to your team members and other business owners to share challenges and explore solutions together.

 Review your business insurance to be clear about your coverage for business interruption and loss of profits.

 Reach out to experts as needed for help.

 Review your systems for any increased risk of fraud. Log into your bank account daily to scan transactions.  Explore how you can add additional revenue streams.  Keep abreast of current information as it relates to government regulations, quarantines, taxes, business closures, and employee benefits.  Keep communication current with your clients/customers as it relates to changes in services/production.

KIRSHA CAMPBELL, CPA, CMA is the Cashflow Maven.

She teaches construction-related and real estate businesses to move from chaos to cashflow and build real wealth.

Kirsha is passionate about cost control, efficiency improvement, entrepreneurship, writing and innovation.

For more info: www.theboutiqueaccounting.com

get your next

Page Turner Emergence BLUE ORMUS

BY GINA GOLD www.theginagoldshow.com Emergence is the first book of a three part Blue Ormus series about supernatural strippers who battle evil and fight for the equality of all living beings.

Blue Ormus inspires all women (including women from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and of different sexual orientations and gender expressions) to step into their hidden potential and become their own superheroes.

Fiercely Speaking A Step-by-Step Guide for Ordinary Women Who Are Ready to Awaken Their Extraordinary Voice

BY AUDRA LOWRAY UPCHURCH www.audraupchurch.com In Fiercely Speaking, the voices of 14 authors escort you through a journey of deep wounds and betrayals that yield to healing, hope, and a reclamation of their voices to speak their truths. As you read each chapter, you will have an intimate view into dark family secrets, dysfunctional beginnings, and reckless decision-making and the disastrous consequences. The authors will guide you through the turning points in their stories where critical decisions had to be made on how to piece together the fragments of their lives, along with step-by-step points of how they were able to resurrect hope in themselves and establish a laser focus on their life's purpose.

Now is the time to confront the ghosts of your past, establish a blueprint for your better life, and capture your voice with ferocity. It's time for you to announce to the world that you are now Fiercely Speaking!

ELLESEANDCO.COM

27

Build Business

Imagine having the ability to access $50,000, $100,000, even $250,000 for your business. Now imagine doing this with NO personal credit check and NO personal guarantee. Your success in business will be determined based on your business credit profile and score.

With a good business credit profile, you will have near unlimited borrowing power.

28 ELLESEANDCO.COM

W

ithout having a good business credit profile, it may be a steep path to success because it may limit your access to working capital and funding, which is why almost all Fortune 500 companies use their business credit to secure funding. It’s not that they need the money to operate. Successful companies use funding as leverage to grow their business.

I’m going to let you in on a little something; business Credit is the best-kept secret in business. Over 90% of all business owners

know nothing about business credit or business credit scores. But when you do discover the power of what business credit can do for your business, you will be floored at how easy it is to get money and grow your business.

One of the many benefits of business credit is that you can obtain funding with no personal credit check. With a strong business credit profile lenders will lend you money based on your business credit, not your personal credit. This is excellent if you have personal credit issues as you can still qualify for funding.

Even with exceptional personal credit, business credit gives you DOUBLE the borrowing power. You can get approved for much higher funding amounts using your business credit than you would if you used your personal credit to qualify.

Another great benefit of business credit is there is no personal guarantee required for much of the funding you obtain. This means you can be approved with no personal liability. So if you ever do default, the creditor can’t pursue your personal assets like your home or personal bank accounts.

Business credit also adds more value to your business and gives your business credibility. Stakeholders, partners, lenders, even potential buyers of your business will see more value in your business if you have a strong business credit profile built.

Most important, by having a good business credit profile built, you have security. It is much easier to run your business when working capital is easy to come by.

Now is a great time to get your business ready to qualify for funding so that you can start building your business credit. When this pandemic is over, banks and lenders are going to put money back into the economy to build up what was lost.

Want to connect with other motivated, smart dominate your business with business credit members? Join my group: www.facebook.com/groups/kabbusinesscredit

REGINA is the founder and CEO of K.A.B. Business Services LLC – A company dedicated to providing comprehensive bookkeeping, tax assistance, and business planning services for various organizations and individuals. She dedicates her services to finding and creating innovative solutions while encompassing an unwavering commitment towards development as a whole. She implements the latest financial procedures & processes, being sure to use this knowledge in every effort to monitor and mold positive financial outcomes.

For more info: www.kabbookkeeping.com

ELLESEANDCO.COM

29

# C E O M I N D S E T

I’M A

GOAL GETTER! BY: ELLESE & CO

I’ve never been a person who’s defined by hitting goals. In fact, I’ve spent the first part of my life moving from one project to the next, just doing whatever felt right at the time, with little to no regard as to how I measured the success of my actions.

However, in retrospect, not defining what winning looked like was a HUGE mistake! I’m sure that I’ve accomplished a ton of stuff, but since I did not have defined benchmarks, I didn’t know where to stop, evaluate and reset. I just kept pushing on, never taking the time to celebrate my accomplishments and eventually failing at the thing that I was once winning at. In the end, failing is all I remembered about the experience because I never identified the win.

30 ELLESEANDCO.COM

TRUTH MOMENT

Feeling unaccomplished when you are working your ass off is a miserable place.

You begin to question and wonder why.

“Why am I working crazy hours? Why haven’t I gone out with my friends in weeks?

Why haven’t I done more with my life?”

I was grinding it out, day in and day out, and it felt like I was doing it for nothing.

If I’d sets goals… no, S.M.A.R.T. Goals, I would have known I was killing it! Once I decided it was all about the win and that I was no longer satisfied with just running the race for the sake of running it, goal setting became an essential part of my process.

So what is a S.M.A.R.T. Goal? S.M.A.R.T is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound.

By defining your goals using this framework, you will be able to set clear goals and measure their success.

A - ACHIEVABLE

The goal you are trying to accomplish needs to be realistic. It can be aggressive, but it should not be too far-fetched. If you are $50k in debt and you only make $40k a year, paying off your debit in one year is not going to happen unless you win the lottery or you get some other infusion of funds. A more realistic goal for someone with those financial constraints would be “I want to have a zero balance on the accounts for my Capital One Visa and Discover cards within 12 months”.

R - RELEVANT

You should make sure that your goals mean something to you. It should be something that you are willing to fight for. If you only have $1k in debt and your credit score is already 800, there will be minimal benefits to paying off your debt because, in all likelihood, it still won’t get you to a perfect 850 FICO score. A more relevant goal for

someone in this financial condition might be to invest 10% of their income in a business venture or another investment over the next 12 months.

T - TIMEBOUND

You could go on forever trying to accomplish a goal, but if you don’t have a defined target date, you will never stop to evaluate your success. Most people are not willing to commit to this, they say things like, “I will complete it soon” or “sometime in the near future”. You must commit to a firm date and, even if you don’t hit it, the deadline will force you to stop and regroup.

The S.M.A.R.T. Goal framework is a great tool that provides clarity and focus, which will help you improve at goalsetting and will even have a huge impact on you achieving your goals. Remember, there is no substitute for good ole’ fashion HUSTLE, but Hustle S.M.A.R.T.!

Let’s breakdown the S.M.A.R.T. Goal framework.

S - SPECIFIC

Don’t be afraid to be detailed about what you want to accomplish. For example, instead of saying, “I want to get out of debt,” you should say, “I want to have a zero balance on my student loans, car, Capital One Visa and Discover accounts.”

Being this specific leaves no ambiguity around what you are moving towards.

GRAB YOUR FREE COPY! WWW.ELLESEANDCO.COM/BONUSES

M - MEASURABLE

So let’s stick with the example given above. I am sure that you want to be out of debt sooner than later. Set milestones.

Each month, calculate the percentage of debt that you have paid off thus far by recording the month-end balances on the respective accounts. If there is nothing to measure, you will not know if you are moving towards your goal.

ELLESEANDCO.COM

31

fine

Summertime

There is something about being around the house that may tempt you to eat everything that you can get your hands on and ditch your workouts. Summer is just around the corner, and you want to be ready.

Join celebrity trainer JEANETTE JENKINS as she hosts the “14 Day Love Your Body Home Workouts”. Boost your spirits and strengthen your immunity during this Coronavirus “Safer At Home” quarantine time. No gym, no problem!

This workout plan is perfect for all levels. It includes several methods of training: cardio kickboxing, bootcamps, Pilates, yoga, low impact sculpting, low impact cardio, HIIT, low body blast, ab blast, upper body blast, total body stretch and so much more!

You get access to workouts and healthy recipes when you join The Hollywood Trainer Club ($19.99 a month). You can start and stop your membership at any time.

For more info: www.instagram.com/msjeanettejenkins

CONSITA THOMAS' online coaching is a comprehensive transformation system for the woman who wants help cultivating a lifestyle that makes results inevitable. Her programs help women achieve sustainable weight loss on their own terms.

For more info: www.instagram.com/ concitathomas 32 ELLESEANDCO.COM

TRAP TRIBE is a monthly online membership, curated by Trap Yoga Bae, and designed for those who desire to take control of their lives by gaining the confidence and clarity needed to walk authentically as their best selves and never apologize for it.

For more info: www.instagram.com/trapyogabae

ELLESEANDCO.COM

33

W W W. K L E O P A W S . C O M

34 ELLESEANDCO.COM