OffBeat Business Magazine February 2016 by OffBeat Business Magazine

ISSUE 15 | FEBRUARY 2016

4 Ways To Keep Your Customers Returning

Working With Your Spouse - And LOVING It!

Your Heart Is In YOUR Hands

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Off BeatMa CONTENTS

06 When Your Spouse Is Your Business Partner

19 Working It Out “Cooperative” Law

30-31 Engaging Entrepreneurship

By Shari Voigt

By Lisa Zahn

By Jonathan Bodnar

09 4 Ways To Keep Your Customers Coming Back

20 5 Ways To LOVE Your Skin

32 Talyor’s Tips: A Dancing COW!

By Kathryn E. White, M.D

By Taylor Kay Stephens

By Phoenix Sagen

11 Are You Ready For The Next Wave? By John Carroll

13 Take Your Heart In Your Hands By Clint Fuqua

16 ROI Re-Imagined: It’s Time To Be ‘Self-ful’ By Candy Barone

23 33 How Does A Mastermind Susan Says: Support YOU? PRIORITIES By John Gilchrist

25 CranioSacral Therapy & Pain Relief By Brenda Wakefield, MS, LMT, LMTI, CEP

28 It’s A HOT Conversation By Dorothy Skinner

By Susan Hamilton

OFFBEAT BUSINESS

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agazine Susan Hamilton

susan@offbeatbusiness.com

SHOW & MAGAZINE

EDITOR’S NOTE Friends, I love you!

Here we are in February, and talking about relationships in family, in our companies and with our customers, clients, patients, referral partners and affiliates. Inside, you’ll discover how to say ‘thank you’ like you mean it endearing those you want to stay in relationship with. If things aren’t working in your love life, we share perspective about how you can still work together - even through divorce. Then on the flip side, you’ll see what romance looks like to a young business owner after a long courtship (so sweet!). We encourage you to take back control of your heart. We connect your heart to your pocketbook with insight into what it takes to run a successful nonprofit. Is your spouse also your business partner? That can be tricky. Enjoy Shari Voigt’s feature on what her and her husband have learned that helps them do it so well they enjoy it! And on the other side of that coin, Candy Barone reminds us that if we don’t take some time to be ‘self-ful’ we’ll not have enough of us to give anyone else on our team. Business coach John Carroll gets you ready to ride the next wave and I chime in with some conclusions I’ve come to watching my husband recover from a stroke.

Off BeatMagazine Editor

Susan Hamilton

Art Director

Jonathan Bodnar

Manager

Susan Hamilton

Marketing

The OffBeat Business Show

Designer

Jonathan Bodnar

Publisher

Robin Roberson

Producer

Roberson Squared

Onward! Please enjoy this issue we submit to you with love. May it bless you and grow you as a person, mate, team member or outreach. I welcome your comments and ask you to submit them to Info@OffBeatBusiness.com so that we continue to improve and share the most helpful information for a successful LIFE in business! ~ Susan Hamilton

February is all about Love in business on The OffBeat Business Show! Expert American Business Owners Share Their Tactics & Mindsets With YOU! Feb 2nd and 5th - Love is in the air! Relationships between business owner spouses can still get spicy, and it’s important. Susan Hamilton talks with Beverly Fells Jones about our love lives. Feb 9th and 12th - Love them with chocolate! That’s what Phoenix Sagen of Dove Specialty Lines says. Susan Hamilton talks with Phoenix about ways to use chocolate in business you’ve never imagined. Feb 16th and 19th - TBA Feb 23 and 26th - Susan Hamilton talks with her producer, Robin Roberson, about the little talked about advantages of digital marketing strategies in 2016. 20 minutes could change your life!

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WHEN YOUR SPOUSE IS YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER “How do you do it? Doesn’t it drive you crazy to be with your husband ALLTHE-TIME?” By Shari Voigt

F or most of my adult married life, I’ve been asked, “How do you do it? Doesn’t it drive you crazy to be with your husband ALL-THE-TIME?” In the past, my husband and I worked separate businesses from separate offices in our home. For a short while, we even worked separate businesses from the same small home office. But for the past 2-1/2 years, we’ve worked side-by-side cooperatively in one business from a 38’ motorhome. Throughout our entrepreneurial journey my answer to the “how do you do it” question has remained the same. “We happen to like each other!”

Honestly, it goes far deeper than that. Working with your spouse requires a commitment to keeping your priorities straight. In other words, the marriage is way more important than the business. I won’t pretend I have all the answers, and it’s not always easy. There are disagreements, times when one of us feels the other isn’t putting in enough effort or isn’t paying attention, times when one of us does or says something stupid – sounds like any working arrangement or any marriage, right?

A few pointers that we’ve found helpful:

1 Every day can be a good day or a bad one, but don’t let the events of the day make the

determination. Make good choices – and start your day with the choice to be grateful for another day on this planet, another day with your loved one(s), another day to make a difference, and a commitment to do your best.

2 The marriage comes before the business, ALWAYS. We refuse to solely focus on business

from sun up to sundown. We take time for romance, for having fun together, for spending time together when the topic at hand is not business-related.

3 Serious business discussions are best done while on the move. Seriously. A walking “staff

meeting” is a terrific way to get some good ideas flowing.

4 Don’t let a disagreement escalate. Again, go back to point number one. Make a conscious choice. Is a business disagreement worthy of messing up your marriage? Sometimes it’s necessary to agree to disagree. Ask yourself, “Is being ‘right’ worth the cost?” And if you know

you’re wrong, apologize already!

5 Mix it up every so often. Don’t let every day turn into the same routine. 6 When a project isn’t going as planned, your computer is acting up, a customer is driving you crazy – take a break. Don’t take it out on your spouse, your customer, or your computer. The good that can come from a short break never fails to amaze me.

7 Patience – you’re going to need it! Don’t take everything your spouse does personally. 8 Focus on each other’s strengths, not their weaknesses. The first builds your spouse up; the

latter tears them down. You may find that you’re strong where your spouse is weak and that you’re weak where your spouse is strong. Use this to your advantage.

Shari Voigt and her husband Gerald took their marketing business on the road and never looked back. Now seasoned RVers, they work with companies ranging from manufacturers to brick and mortar stores to help them sell more products through improved techniques, demonstrations and event participation. Discover more about their experiences on USA-RVNomads.com, and connect with them on Facebook/RV-Nomads. Hire Shari and Gerald Voigt for your team training, marketing materials or product sales at 920-257-4944.

In short, working with your spouse can be frustrating or rewarding. It really is up to you! Give love first place and everything else will fall into place.

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4 Ways To Keep Customers Coming Back By Phoenix Sagen Do you know the number one reason why your clients/customers do not return to do business with you again, or why they don’t refer you business? Once you hear what it is, you probably won’t be too surprised because it makes sense once you think about it. The number one reason people do not come back is because of perceived indifference! Do you know what perceived indifference means? It’s basically a fancy way of saying they think you DO NOT CARE. Obviously you care, but if the perception is that you don’t, guess what the reality is? You do not care. Perception is reality. Think about it, it’s nice to get the courtesy wave from that person you let into traffic, or the thank you from the person you just held the door open for. How about when leaving a restaurant and they say “thank you for coming, see you again soon.” We feel better inside when someone says thank you. How do you feel when you don’t get that small token of thanks? Doesn’t really make you want to go back, right?

Is this how your clients feel? We don’t take the time to say “thank you” very much in our businesses. We should and we easily can. There are so many ways to show you care. We can start by simply saying, “Thank You!” You know, my mother used to say that the world would be a much happier place if more people would just say “thank you”. Whether you find yourself on the receiving end of someone’s generosity, have special clients that have been loyal, a babysitter that your children adore, or a referral for new business, it’s important that we acknowledge it - whatever “it” is. How do YOU say “thank you”? Sometimes it can be challenging. Do you write a note? Send a gift? Drop by? Well, if you need a little help, or a gentle nudge, here are some basic guidelines that you can follow: Be Timely: Recognize when someone is being

super nice or helpful. Sometimes we tend to overlook that which is right in front of our noses! And let’s face it; some people are better about this than others. But that’s okay, there is never a bad time to start showing appreciation. The key is to start. Be Prepared: Have your stationery, cards, little gifts, or some kind of plan ready to implement. It doesn’t have to be difficult or costly. It’s the thought that counts! Be Sincere: Have a gracious heart. Smile. Deliver your message with meaning. It’s more than just going through the motions. If you send a gift, make it something fun or enjoyable. If you drop by, you don’t have to stay long. If you write a note, make sure to let them know what you are thanking them for and use their names. People love to be personally recognized. Just Do It: Showing gratitude can be something you do everyday. Make it a habit. You might have to work at it in the beginning, but before you know it, it will be second nature. It’s just good business, personally and professionally.

And remember…the best thank you gifts come from the heart, and speak volumes about your appreciation. Implementing this small gesture of thanks, with consistency, you will find your clients coming back to you again and again, bringing their friends and sending you referrals. All because you took a moment to say “Thank you.” Phoenix Sagen is an independent Dove gourmet specialty chocolatier who conducts private tastings in home or at the office, bringing the chocolate to you! Contact Phoenix at 303-229-2173 or TexasChocolateGal@yahoo.com for team building/bonding exercises, corporate gifting and fundraising programs. It’s all about having fun with chocolate! Discover more at www.TexasChocolateGal.com

Are You Ready For The Next Wave? By John Carroll

February 8th marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year for 2016. Chinese New Year 2016 is the year of the (Red Fire) Monkey, symbolizing competition, challenge and rapid change. An appropriate primer for this article. The start of any new year always brings with it a lot of promise, energy and excitement. There are new calendar year business and prosperity plans, New Year’s resolutions, and a high level of enthusiasm and anticipation about the prospects for the future. Let’s be honest, we all start the year with great intentions, enthusiasm, BIG dreams and goals.

So, why do those grandiose plans seem to get derailed so early in the year? Most of the month of January is consumed with post-holiday planning, kick-off meetings and launch activities, the roll out of new products, programs, staffing and compensation plans, etc. Generally, this initial wave of energy and excitement about the New Year’s outlook does not begin to dissipate until around the middle of February. Then those little voices in your head grow louder and start asking those tough questions.

What is really different today from last year? And … are you fully prepared for what lies ahead (the next wave)?

For the first 4-6 weeks or so of the year we’ve been swept up by a renewed energy, sense of purpose and excitement about the future. However, somewhere along the way things will become more difficult as “stuff” gets added to the pile, unexpected challenges arise, and our focus and energy levels decline. As a result, reaching those lofty goals can get pushed farther and farther out until they become a distance memory (and missed opportunity).

Don’t let this happen to you in 2016! Recognize that those needed changes will not take place until you make the commitment and put forth the effort required to make them happen. This is true for personal and professional goals alike. Whether it is an exercise and weight loss goal, a business expansion and revenue growth goal, or something else. Much like a surfer, you need to be thinking about and preparing for that next wave, so you can enjoy the ride when it comes. Here are my top five suggestions to help you stay focused, keep the energy level high, and be fully prepared to reach your goals and to capitalize on whatever comes next: ● Slow your roll. Don’t be in a hurry to fill up the “To Do” list with a lot of new projects and get caught up in the ‘Busy Being Busy” activity trap. Keep the focus on your top priorities.

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● Build from within. Make this the year to work on yourself first, and challenge yourself to be great. This will enable you to build a stronger foundation for the future. ● Enlarge your vision. Take a global approach. Don’t sell yourself, your business or your life short by thinking too small. View your future outlook through a wide-angle lens. ● Work on balance. For your health and well-being, invest the proportional amount of time, resources and energy to all of the ‘Five F’ areas – Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness and Fun. ● Execute with precision. Accountability is the driving force for change, and the area where most people struggle. Keep Nike’s slogan in mind at all times and ‘Just Do It’. Make 2016 your “Monkey” year. Your year for competition, challenge and rapid change. Stay committed to making those requisite changes to reach your goals, and then build upon the great results and momentum for future growth

and prosperity. Doing so will help you stay focused, keep your energy level high throughout the year, and be fully prepared to reach your goals, capitalize on the next wave and enjoy the ride. John Carroll is a business and leadership strategist who works with business leaders to help them ‘achieve the results to move beyond their vision.’ He is a best-selling author, educator, blogger and speaker. Email John at john@trescoach.com or learn more at http://www.trescoach.com/. Discover YOUR Formula for Success: https://www.udemy.com/discover-your-formulafor-success

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Take Your

Heart In Your

Hands By Clint Fuqua

hump, thump, thump, thump. That is the sound that makes your world go round and keeps you six feet above a box in a whole in the ground. That is the sound of the clock, the ticker, the engine; the four chambered pump that floods your arteries and veins with the warm red fluid of life with every beat. Heart disease is the health topic of the month, topped only by the very things creating the opportunity for more of this ever expanding problem. I say ‘problem’ because there are very simple solutions to fix it. I don’t say ‘disease’ because a disease implies that it cannot be stopped, only managed. Take your heart in your hand for a few minutes and feel it beating away in your chest like the most dutiful of servants. It never stops, it never questions; it only beats to the commands given whether fast or slow. Your heart will give all that you ask

for any and every task. As master, you are the one in control and the one with the most to lose if there is lack of care, or if you are one to overwork and abuse. Pushing to the max and never giving time to relax is as much a detriment as piling on weight in a sedentary state. Both cause extensive undue stress and will leave your heart in an unhealthy, over grown, out of rhythm mess. Train with a long life in mind, and start learning to live by getting off your behind. The true master of the heart knows there is a time to work, a time to play, a time rest, and every moment of living is a moment that you are blessed. Take your heart in your hands and care for it as though your very life depends on it. Your heart is such a unique and precious organ that it has its own electrical system, nervous system, and muscle tissue unlike any other in your body. Your heart needs 13

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“Train with a long life in mind...” very specific balance of nutrients to be able to pump all day every day and keep all of its systems in fine working order. Minerals like Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper all keep the electrical system firing and cardiac rhythm in proper tune. Nutrients like water, oxygen, nitrogen, cacao (yeah the real dark chocolate), and ginseng reduce stress and keep it cool under pressure. Nutrients like CoQ10, pomegranate extract, beet extract, l-carnitine, and fish oil keep the cardiac tissue strong so it can beat hard and long when needed for fun. Your heart needs good stress in the form of exercise every day so it can stay strong and be ready for anything life will throw at you. Feed, water, and walk your heart every day for many years of life and play. “Giving is living” has been a phrase tossed around and placed on memes, though many don’t even know what it really means. Giving shows just how much you have and it only comes from the heart. The biggest and strongest hearts give without reward because they are full, while the smallest give only for reward just like a fool. Love, build, and strengthen your heart until it is so full you must give your all in everything you do. Watch your life grow in every area as a result of the care you give yourself pouring out into the people and world around yourself. Respecting yourself is the first step in caring for yourself and having the ability to care for those around you every day from that day forward.

Action Steps: 1. Take your heart in your hands and care for it as you would a pet or child that means the world to you. Protect it from bad elements that would seek to weaken and destroy it. Expose it to the elements that would aid in strengthening and growing it. Walk with it and show it love in every action daily for as long as you live. 2. Make your heart strong enough to endure any stress of life and last a lifetime. Nourish your heart with the needed nutrients for heart health with every drink, bite, and breathe you take. Strengthen your heart with every action and activity in which you engage every day. 3. Give with all your heart so the world can experience all that you have to offer. Give your family all your love. Give your work all your dedication. Give your community all your support. Give yourself all your respect. Give all so you can receive all and in the end have it all. Visit me at www. ClintFuqua.com and contact me with any questions, comments, request, recommendation, proposals, fan mail, or hate mail at Clint@ ClintFuqua.com.

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ROI Re-Imagined:

It’s Time To Be

‘Self-ful’ By Candy Barone

As a leader, how many times have you found yourself in a position where others deem you selfish for putting your needs first, making decisions they don’t understand, or going against the grain?

replenished. If you are only scraping out the residual effects left in the well, then all you are able to serve is all the crap, and all the fear, and all the anxiety to your teams, family and clients.

Or maybe, you have found yourself feeling selfish for taking time off, taking on a new project, going back to school, leaving your company, or changing directions and setting new goals. How many times have you secretly beat yourself up for being selfish, or have internalized others chastising you in the same vain? Probably more times than you can count.

As an analogy, I have my clients imagine a well that is no longer being replenished with fresh, clean water. Then I ask if they know what happens in that instance. Before the well completely dries out, there is this thick, black, grungy sludge that forms on the bottom of well. So, when you go to take something out of the well to give to others, that icky, tar-like sludge is really what you are offering up.

I am hear to tell you that there is a difference between being selfish and being, what I call, “self-ful.” It all comes down to your intent and your purpose. Being selfish is the act of making decisions in spite of others, with no regard for consequences, no sense of purpose or responsibility for your actions. And often, being selfish is simply a way to warrant instant gratification. Selfish comes from a place of fear, insecurity and lack of accountability. Real leaders, though, know how to differentiate between being selfish versus being “self-ful”. Because being “self-ful” is the act of filling your cup first. Leaders know that in order to truly show up authentically and serve others, they must have their cups full or overflowing first. Point being, you cannot serve what you don’t have

I don’t know about you, but I believe serving that sludge is what is ultimately selfish.When you don’t take time to serve YOUR needs, replenish YOUR well, and fill YOUR cup, then you are left with nothing but sludge to give anyone else. You can only give 100% if you take time to be at 100%. So, if your priorities and calendar don’t reflect time for you to recharge, replenish, learn, be challenged and rest, then how do you expect those around you to model the same. This is not a “do as I say, not as I do mentality” (one I remember hearing often growing up … and, actually IS in itself a selfish perspective). Because being a leader means walking the talk you want others to follow. You have the ability and responsibility to influence how others honor and respect themselves.

Off BeatMagazine And it starts with YOU! The best part is that by demonstrating the power of being ‘self-ful’ you actually will serve your teams and your clients better. Employees will be engaged at a higher level. People will feel connected and energized by the work they do. The returns you capture will increase. Being ‘self-ful’ impacts your ROI. Clients will feel this love and new level of commitment and respect to the work you stand behind. And, it all impacts YOUR bottom line. I came across a great quote the other day that really resonated with me, “True leaders don’t create more followers, they create more leaders.” Well said and so true! By showing your people how to be “self-ful” you are: 1) making decisions that are authentic to who you are, 2) are purposeful in how you show up, and 3) are willing to take full responsibility for the choices you make, THEN you are handing over those tools to help your teams, colleagues and clients empower themselves to play at their highest and best level. True leadership.

more leaders? • Are you taking time to fill your cup on a regular basis? • What would happen if you allowed your cup to be full or overflowing? • How would you be able to serve more if you decided to be ‘self-ful’? • Are you willing to do what it takes to be ‘self-ful’ and lead by example. When you figure out the answers to these questions you may find that some don’t understand, and some think you’re crazy, but those who need you most will step up and being to fill their cup, too! Make 2016 your year to be ‘self-ful’ and fill your cup first! You will be amazed at what happens as a result. Because, remember … ROI is a return on investment, not a return on intention.

Candy Barone, CEO & Founder, You Empowered Strong“Your Pull-No-Punches Accountability Powerhouse”, International Speaker, Business Strategist, Executive Coach & Trainer, & Best-selling Author

candybarone@youempoweredstrong. com www.youempoweredstrong.com (512) 693-9732

My questions to you are: • Do you want more followers or do you want to create

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Working It Out “Cooperative” Law By Lisa Zahn Many people have heard of the Collaborative Law model as a vehicle to help them amicably resolve their disputes. However, Collaborative Law isn’t right for everyone. Many people feel uneasy about the requirement that both parties must fire their respective lawyers and start over with new counsel should they be unable to resolve the case.

of the case having been filed, it isn’t necessary to serve the other party if he or she will sign a Waiver of Service or file her own Answer to the lawsuit with the court. Instead of serving the other party with Citation, my clients frequently choose to have me send a friendly letter to the other party informing her of the case having been filed and asking that party to respond (or have her attorney respond) to discuss Never fear. There is another solution. Attorneys have any temporary agreements that might be reached in been practicing what I will refer to as “Cooperative Law lieu of a hearing. If the other party hires counsel to “ for years. Cooperative Law means that attorneys for represent her, that attorney will see this action as an each party work together in a cooperative manner to ‘olive branch,’ intended to promote settlement and keep attorneys’ fees and expenses to a minimum by goodwill during the development of the case. reaching agreements on a myriad of issues. Not every case is appropriate to be developed in a For example, in a divorce case, the court will almost “cooperative” manner. However, it is worth asking always order the parties to exchange with the other your attorney how she typically approaches a case party a financial document called an “Inventory and that doesn’t involve family violence, financial fraud, Appraisement.” The Inventory of each party should or the like. If it is possible to pursue the case as reflect every item of community property, separate a “Cooperative Law” matter, the parties will save property, the children’s property and any trust thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees, time off from property. In a Cooperative Law case, the parties’ work, and the agony of having to face a soon to be attorneys simply agree to exchange Inventories ex-spouse in court. on a specific date and also provide back-up Lisa Zahn is a family law attorney documentation for every asset and liability listed on who protects your best interests and the Inventory. This saves time and money. Sounds works hard to ensure you, your family, simple, right? Although most attorneys I work with and your business are prepared for whatever journey lies ahead. A partner will agree to such a request, there are many who at Mackoy, Hernandez, Qualls, Brown & won’t even though the court will order that it be Zahn and Board Certified by the Texas done. Board of Legal Specialization, Lisa is a recognized expert in the family law arena. If you need family law services Another way to approach a case in a cooperative, in Denton, Dallas and Collin counties, rather than in a litigious manner, is not to serve wait no longer. Call 214-387-9056 today. http://www.hqattorneys.com/lisa-zahn. the other party with Citation at the onset of the Look for her ad in The OffBeat Business lawsuit. Although the law requires that a party be Magazine. served with Citation to give that party legal “notice”

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Spa Treatment

Ways To LOVE Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ of your body, but we treat it like it’s invincible! Weather, age, stress and routine wear out our skin - but there’s good news. There are almost no limits to what can be safely done to treat tired, weary skin and unsightly veins today, right from the comfort of a physician-guided spa. Skin tightening procedures, for instance. Who knew you could tighten up sagging skin? Venus Legacy is a device that delivers multi-polar radio frequency and magnetic pulsed fields to the skin to produce collagen synthesis and contraction. Radio frequency and magnetic pulsing have been used for years and have no side effects. Though you may look fabulous when you’re done!

By Kathryn E. White, M.D

yourself be pampered. Lose yourself in customized masks, serums, lip hydration and moisturizers during a relaxing facial massage, stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage, which, by the way, have been known to delay wrinkles coming on the scene. For seriously damaged skin, consider a powerful Fire and Ice Facial. Imagine smoothing and softening the surface of your skin, all while stimulating cellular renewal. How long has it been since you’ve been

Laser vein removal is another way you can love your skin. Unsightly veins in legs and arms may not just be cosmetic issues. It’s important to speak to your doctor about the severity of your situation and to learn if there is a risk to ignoring them. Facials have come a long way, baby. Minimize blemishes, dry skin, wrinkles and acne when you take a few moments to let

radiant and glowing? It sounds aggressive,

Off BeatMagazine and it is, but it’s completely safe and pain free.

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takes about 45 minutes. Short pulses of light seek out damaged areas and cause cells to go into ‘repair’ mode so new cells get called to action. This stimulation accelerates healing with minimal discomfort and no downtime. Once dead skin cells and hyperpigmentation are removed, skin looks radiant and refreshed. You may not want to wear any makeup after this treatment, but you could if

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MASTERMIND SUPPORT

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How Does A

YOU? By John Gilchrist

You’ve probably heard of mastermind groups. They’ve been around a long time. When a business owner decides to take his or her company to the next level, but isn’t sure about the next steps, they start to seek out information from the experts. Ever since Napoleon Hill wrote Think And Grow Rich, taking mastermind techniques to the masses with his best-seller, people have been exploring how relational learning might uniquely benefit them, too. People attend for various reasons - new strategy, new direction, bigger thinking, barrier breakthroughs - but here is a short list of what I see our members come away with. Accountability – Solopreneurs need accountability. When my members come to each meeting, they know the others expect a reporting on the status of the tactics developed from the last meeting. Who wants to be ‘that one’ who comes with nothing to report – or make excuses for not doing what he/she agreed to do from the prior meeting? The sentinel effect has some impact, but the greater impact is what is VITAL for your business! One example of the accountability principle in one mastermind occurred when a member expressed some hesitancy to work with two board members in an effort to motivate them to either step up to their responsibilities or consider why they are on the board in the first place.

The member was understandably anxious, but chose to implement the three tactics and talking points the group helped her develop. The member was so excited about the results she volunteered to be first on the hot seat! Encouragement – Too many business owners can fall into the trap of feeling totally alone. The mastermind group provides the ‘attaboy’ that can be sorely missing from the owner’s daily routine. Members enjoy sharing successes, regardless of how small they may appear. As members share these successes, the cascade of positive energy directed their way represents a powerful motivational force without being too ‘rah-rah’ – because the actions achieved tangible results. Even when sharing missteps or struggles, the member can rely on the other mastermind group members to lift his/her spirits and embolden future efforts. Experience – Each mastermind participant gains from the unique body of experience of the entire group. One member may have experience in business planning, another in cash flow forecasting, another in marketing and business development, etc. It is up to the individual member to take advantage of the successes of the group to further his/her business. One example of a member who took advantage of the group’s collective experience: one individual had an issue with the CEO’s micromanage-

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ment. The group clarified specific examples and dug deep to ascertain the rationale; the group provided specific action steps for this member to implement in the next 30 days. While not all steps yielded success, the member reported at the next meeting of two specific successes – and how the CEO has ‘loosened the reins’ in these two areas! The next Philanthropy Mastermind group in the DFW area is forming to begin launch in May of 2016. You want to be part of this group! You will gain added productivity AND more profitability.

John Gilchrist, FAHP, CFRE, is a leader in the nonprofit sector, guiding business owners with philanthropic outreaches to fill board positions, generate productive funding and create an overall rewarding scenario that impacts positively the community at large. Visit http://FundraiserStrategies. com to discover what John can do for YOUR nonprofit and contact John@PhilanthropyMastermind.com or call 469-215-1651 today. Look for the Philanthropy Focus advertisement in The OffBeat Business Magazine.

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CranioSacral Therapy & Pain Relief Brenda Wakefield, MS, LMT, LMTI, CEP

Cranio-what, sacral-who … not often heard of or even known at all. Many times the question “what is it?” slides off the lips of those who hear the term not knowing what in the world is this. Let me bring attention to an alternative pain relief method that operates on another level. Hippocrates once said, “Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease,” and with good reason. The brain is amazing, and if you give it proper nurturing, it may bring the body much overdue relief. So let me help; I anxiously want to share. Craniosacral therapy is a light touch that enhances the body’s natural healing ability, dramatically improving quality of life. Think of it this way, release tension and stress deep within the body to let go of pain and discomfort and feel better overall. Who would not want to feel better after chronic conditions enslave the body and mind day after day? I practice this modality weekly on my patients, and to the surprise of many, the relief one experiences from a single or even multiple craniosacral therapy sessions is quite apparent. The body takes ownership through the Inner Physician, coined by Dr. John Upledger, an Osteopathic Physician featured in TIME magazine as one of America’s next wave of innovators. From 1975 to 1983, Dr. Upledger’s team at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University contributed

work and research which led to The Upledger Institute, eventually founded in 1985 to share this effective approach with the world. What value does craniosacral therapy bring to the client lying on the table? For simplicity, craniosacral therapy is the body’s way of balancing itself to release stress and tension within the fascia (webbing). This ‘under the hood’ maintenance helps the body get a tune-up that enhances the ability of our physical ‘engines’ to run smoothly. A computer with a virus needs a clean out and reboot to get back to its original state. A cranialsacral ‘reset’ improves functionality. Using this therapy, we tap into the central nervous system, hit the reset button and get clearance to forge forward and improve all systems. The craniosacral system is comprised of tissue and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord, and when compromised, leads to dysfunction and discomfort. Releasing the tension and stress in the craniosacral system improves performance and naturally decreases and eliminates pain and stress. This modality is an approach that enhances health and wellness with special light-touch techniques to correct restrictions and live a better quality of life.

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The beauty of light touch is its effectiveness for all ages, from birth to the elderly. Collectively, all ages included, a host of conditions may be relieved:

• Migraines and Headaches • Chronic Neck and Back Pain • Stress and Tension-Related Disorders • Motor-Coordination Impairments • Infant and Childhood Disorders • Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries • Chronic Fatigue • Fibromyalgia • TMJ Syndrome • Scoliosis • Central Nervous System Disorders • Learning Disabilities • ADD/ADHD • Birthing Trauma • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Orthopedic Problems • And Many Other Conditions

The proof is in the results. Sessions are held in a safe and quiet office. How awesome to receive bodywork, to release stress - AND you don’t undress, fantastic! To lie down on a comfortable table fully clothed and relax, wow! Schedule an appointment now. The session starts with an evaluation using light touch on various parts of the body to check the rhythm of the flow of craniosacral fluid around the central nervous system. Just imagine a piece of cellophane floating on top of water and the ease of movement barely touching it. Light touch compares to 5 grams - roughly equivalent to a nickel - and is all that is necessary to achieve phenomenal results. It’s like using a metal detector, but with our hands we find the restrictions within the tissue. Restore balance and proper function using light touch techniques that improve and enhance the central nervous system. If you feel pain or discomfort in a particular area, such as your head, it may be trigger from a referred point such as your neck. Trace the area of weakness to the area of complaint and ‘surprise, surprise!’ relief can be restored. An hour of your time may be the best time spent to gain relief and experience the most deeply relaxing bodywork one may ever experience. No two sessions are the same. Brenda Wakefield, MS, LMT, LMTI, CEP offers proactive massage and touch therapies and initiates the body’s natural healing ability after injury. Start feeling better today, call her office at 214380-9700, or her mobile phone at 469-955-6530. Learn more about the therapies she provides at www.handsofchoice. abmp.com. Schedule an appointment in the DFW area at http://styleseat. com/brendawakefield

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It’s a HOT Conversation By Dorothy Skinner

When it’s time to replace your water heater, people want to know they got the best deal for their money. Tankless water heaters appear to have all the features people want - low energy cost, zero waste and instant satisfaction. There are so many makes and models out there now that research is quite time consuming, but necessary to understand what it means to use a tankless system. In the North Texas area we serve, our plumbers are routinely called out to look at residences that have water heaters in the attic. We have never understood why someone thought it was a good idea to put a couple 50 gallon tanks in the attic. When those things spring a leak, water bursts through the ceiling and cost so much in additional damages. Homeowners want solutions, but making a change from the existing installation to tankless is not just an easy switch. Homes have been plumbed and wired for what the builder designed. One misconception people have is that water will stay the same temperature constantly with less energy used to make it so. But actually, in a tankless system, that is often dependent on the temperature of the water entering the system. In addition, how far the water has to travel should be considered. Hot water leaving a small tankless model from the outside or in the garage area may have to travel a good distance to a kitchen, bathroom or laundry area. Drawing that water faster through the plumbing requires a recirculating pump, an additional expense many don’t consider. Another misconception is that they are a ‘set it and forget it’ deal. But without routine maintenance, scale develops that requires a descaling agent and process to remove. In the scope of things,

that may not be a big deal. Just something that should be accounted for when considering a tankless model. Scale develops on traditional tanks as well, but not as frequently. For the right size home and family life, a tankless model may be an ideal hot water solution. The initial project costs are often misunderstood, so have the conversation with a knowledgeable plumber - not a handyman or store clerk - and get the details before you pursue this. Often, the homeowner doesn’t plan to stay in the home long enough to reclaim the initial investment. As far as the attic water heaters are concerned, though, adding a floodstop device will shut the water off at the first sign of a leak. Highly recommended. Dorothy Skinner is the owner of Gary’s Quality Plumbing, serving the north Dallas area. Read the Ask The Plumber Blog to learn how to protect your home or place of business, and find beautiful fixture options for your next remodel. Contact Info@GarysQualityPlumbing.com or call 972-424-6479 for your gas or water plumbing needs.

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The Date Is Set!

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Engaging Entrepreneurship By Jonathan Bodnar

xactly two years, two months and two weeks ago I was invited to a house party where one of my friends was playing with her band. I was at first reluctant to go; house parties aren’t really my ‘scene.’ But little did I know going would change my life forever. I was always a strange kid growing up. I listened to Simon and Garfunkel, Chicago and an occasional Van Halen track when I was 13. I started listening to political talk shows around the same time, and my favorite past time was beating my 9 siblings in a Monopoly tournament lasting 2 days. So, it wouldn’t be a big shock to learn I started my first business when I was 14. It was a car wash company…*cough* a thriving enterprise grossing $5 a month. One of my best friends agreed to go to the house party with me, so I wouldn’t be a lone duck. After walking in and finding a little empty space in the hallway to stand my friend tapped me on the back and nodded to a girl standing in the corner with a few friends. Instantly my heart sank. I’m not sure what exactly caught my attention first, her adorable smile, her long dark hair, or the biggest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. Throughout the beginning of our relationship, Sierra found it hard to understand why I started my own (real) business. Frankly, why I put myself through excruciating stress every month trying to make up for bills, lost contracts, and threatened lawsuits. Having run the company for about 3 and a half years before we met, I thought I knew what I was doing.

But the reality was I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. As we began getting more serious, I realized my “company” was just a freelance business with the occasional outsource. And that wasn’t enough to sustain a family one day. So I looked long and hard at my business, my clientele, and any options to expand. Soon, my company built a development center in india, and hired some local hands to accept bigger projects. It still wasn’t enough in my eyes to give my desired family a comfortable life free of financial stress. As we grew closer Sierra began seeing my passion, she became incredibly supportive of my business and my dreams as a whole. Walking through a few failed attempts to start a second business, pull in investors, and accomplish the impossible, she helped me identify what area I should focus on. Often just knowing she’d listen to my insane dreams weaved the impractical ones from the ones more capable of succeeding. Thus birthed Apollo. Apollo is a content app design company offering apps to businesses, churches and individuals for an astronomically lower price than custom development. The closer we got to engagement, the more real making a stable income needed to be. The biggest question in my mind was, how do I create a monthly income without having to work 9 hours a day, so

This was it. I knew it was the one. The diamond was the biggest thing I’ve ever seen, the band had these vintage swirls with diamonds running down the side. This was the ring. And she was the one. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. Through everything, she showed me it’s me she loved, and not my business or my failures. She supported, loved, encouraged and even helped redirect me. So, on monday, the 25th of January, exactly one day after our two years of dating I proposed. Under a canopy draped with christmas lights, beside a crackling fire beside a trail of roses and candles, I asked her to marry me.

When I express the vision to her, she can see the holes that might cause issues when I can’t. I realized even though it’s “my business” it’s really OUR life now. Every decision I make matters now because I’m not just the entrepreneur, we both are. We’re pioneering a marriage, designing a relationship and building a family.

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one day, I had time for a family, travel and the life both of us dreamed of. So I build Apollo to sustain a model that doesn’t require my presence and isn’t limited to the hours I or any of my team works, but instead the volume of apps we can sell. Allowing me, in a few years to step back and make money without working.

Jonathan Bodnar is the CEO of Apollo, an app design company with the customer in mind. Discover what an app can do for your small business when you call 214-628-6518. For more information, go to ApolloApps.co

This decision wasn’t light. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, especially not the first few years of your business. And as I’ve been told, neither are relationships. But they’re both incredible investments. But, she was willing to walk with me through the ups and the downs, the craziness and the financial fear. The key to merge a relationship and business is to include your partner, the whole reason they’re there is because they see things you don’t. In our albeit short - relationship, that’s been my goal with Sierra. I try to make her feel a part of it even if it’s just consulting her on who she thinks is best to hire.

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Taylor’s Tips

A Dancing COW! By Taylor Kay Stephens

“You look like a dancing cow – in fact you look so bad I can’t even watch you dance!” Ouch! Those words that were said to me really stung at the time, but help propel me to success. Oh yes I wanted to dance like the masters, but I had two left feet that usually ended up in my mouth instead of going in the right direction on the dance floor. I was anything but graceful without a clue of what to do with my awkward and clumsy body.

“Whenever you’re asked to dance, you get up and dance.” Then she shoved me out onto the dance floor – it was was not a fun experience. I had two choices; Either tuck my tail between my legs and slink off into the dark or do whatever it took to be an accomplished dancer. I wanted the thrill of victory instead of the agony of defeat! I immediately started taking private lessons and practicing what I’d learned at home by myself almost every day. Believe me, I was not a natural talent and it didn’t come easy – I had to work my tail off. As I stumbled my way across the dance floor I would visualize myself as an accomplished dancer performing in front of an audience. When I watched the masters perform, it would inspire me! I thought, “Someday I will dance like them!” Fast forward six years later; Imagine how I felt performing in front of an audience with my dance partner and hearing the loud applause as we finished! Have you ever felt like a dancing cow?

Who did I think I was at 56, trying to learn Argentine Tango, the hardest dance in the world? I’ll tell you who I was – I was the bumble bee whose wings are too small for it to be able to fly, but she doesn’t know it, so she flies. Even though I could hardly stand up, wobbled uncontrollably and stepped all over my partners’ feet, I never told myself I couldn’t learn to dance. The first time I went to a dance and was asked to dance by a gentleman, it scared the crap out of me because I didn’t know how to dance. I shook my head no, then my best friend said to me,

Taylor Kay Stephens, speaker, author and transformational life coach, is no stranger to tragedy, adversity and obstacles. She teaches people how to get out of overwhelm, change their bad habits and stop self-defeating behaviors. What makes Taylor different? She challenges the status quo and thinks outside the box. She’s developed her own easy, practical techniques and systems so simple a child can do them. Discover more at TaylorKayStephens.com.

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Susan Says:

Priorities By Susan Hamilton

Just when I think I have it all figured out, I get

defeated and do all I can to comfort him. I will NOT not be there when he needs me to stroke his beautiful hair and tell him how much he is loved. I WILL drop my evenings and weekends - working while he’s at work - and miss some networking and event opportunities. It’s just the way it is right now. And I’ve decided I won’t feel like I’m not doing enough in the process. I will manage my days even better. I’ll make time for meditating in the Word and walking and prayer and exercise and grocery shopping and laundry and cooking healthy meals. I will equip myself best I can, and I have tremendous peace with that decision.

But I was seriously struggling with whether or not my business would lack credibility if I had to back out of our first huge event. I was seriously looking at the tasks ahead of me as though I ‘just might’ be able to pull it off successfully. Her words stung. How could I have been willing to to gamble like that? On everything?

Life is different today. We’re well on our way to full recovery, I have no doubt about that. But until he goes more than 2 days pain free, I’m going to be prepared for what lies ahead to the best of my ability. He’s been working since 2 weeks after his stroke. At first it was easy, now he can just make it through the day. Some days he’s highly functional until he passes out. Other days he mopes along till he can reach the couch and winces in pain for hours. I never saw this coming; he certainly didn’t.

called on the mat. Know what I mean? I was talking to a good friend of mine the other day, and she literally had to say, “Susan, I would need someone to say this to me, so I’m going to do you a favor and say it to you. I give you permission to walk away from that opportunity to focus on your husband while he recovers.” It made me cry a little. Of course my husband of 20 years comes first. Of course I’d do anything to assist him through his pain. Of course NOTHING else matters but getting through this with compassion and understanding and telling every extra thing on my plate to wait in line.

My personality says ‘you can do it’ until I’m just too tired to move. I kind of hate that about myself, but I have to acknowledge that people like that are the ones who get the tough stuff done. And tough stuff needs to get done. So we move forward through difficulties. Pretty sure that’s what ‘entrepreneur’ means. Unfortunately, I have no looking glass. My gift of the prophetic does not equip me to estimate how many days are left until Randy’s pain freedom manifests. We expect it continually. I have to decide, every day until we see it, how I will choose to show up for him in his struggle. I will NOT be cruel. I will NOT disregard his emotional well-being. I will recognize when he feels

When life hands you grenades, my friends, make sure you continually reset your priorities. They’re easy to screw up. I sure am grateful for friends who speak truth to me when my mind is letting too many thoughts run through it. I don’t want to forget to love when it matters the most. “Be still, and know that I Am God.” Yes, I think I will. Love well. ~ Susan

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In December of 2013, a request was made by a retired Marine. “Give me five reasons to live each day.” Author and Battle-Buddy Info Founder, responded with a quick, “I can do that!” This is the chronicle of those encouragements, inspirations, and facts of friendship. We can all use a little remembrance and recounting of five reasons to fight, five reasons to stay alive, five reasons to make it through another day.

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IAVA The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and their families. Rapid Response Referral Program, assigns a case manager to help IAVA members navigate through a variety of resources available to them. The Career Pathfinder program includes resume builder, military skills translator, and career mapping tool.

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