By April MacIntyre Oct 15, 2009, 2:29 GMT
Even with some optimistic news on the economic front, the majority of people feel they are still struggling financially these days. It has become more impossible than ever, especially for women, to establish themselves in business and move up the career ladder.
Lifecoach Amy Applebaum wants to help hundreds of women gain the business knowledge they need in order to succeed. Applebaum is the creator of the "Millionairess Mindset" event taking place on October 24th, 2009 in Southern California.
Applebaum teaches her six step process to help women get out of their own way and find success.
This all-day event is designed to help female entrepreneurs -- and those who aspire to be -- get on the right track to turn their dreams into a reality. Applebaum's event is described as a life-changing seminar where average women, who didn't necessarily go to school to become entrepreneurs, will be equipped with the tools and information they need to make it happen for themselves.
The event is part inspiration, part workshop, part networking event, and booked with celebrity speakers. The seminar promises vital information and even a cocktail reception and a big gift worth over $50,000 reserved for one lucky attendee who wins the 'fast track your business' contest.
Attending are several notable female entrepreneurs with the "Totally Fabulous Female" awards -- they have experienced incredible success and are true "rags to riches" stories, including:
Mari Winsor, Creator of Winsor Pilates
Kim Coles, Actress/Comedienne/Author
Major Suprise Honoree
The all day event details for Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
Amy Applebaum spoke to Monsters and Critics about her unique approach to being a Lifecoach and advice for anyone out there going through a reinvention process, and maybe looking to invest in a Lifecoach professional for help.
Amy, it seems in these times we are all reinventing ourselves from what we originally thought was to be our vocational path. What made you become a lifecoach? What skills and talent distinguish a good lifecoach?
Amy: Yes, with everything that’s going on in the economy, we have to make our own way and for those of us who have never done that before, it’s pretty frickin' scary. The fastest way to start is to take your expertise and turn it into a business and, that’s what people are doing. The problem is that many of us didn’t learn how to be entrepreneurs in school.
It may sound silly, but I truly feel I was born to be a coach. I was the oldest child of divorced parents, so I had to take on a high level of responsibility with my siblings. I had a lot of opportunities to “boss” people around and I guess I developed a taste for it.
But really, I saw a need in the community that traditional therapy wasn’t solving. I created 'Bootcamp for Your Mind' because people don’t just want to talk about their dreams, goals and challenges anymore…they want to do something about them…they want to be taken through the process.
When selecting a lifecoach, first, make sure you like them! Credentials are important. There are people doing weekend certification programs whose lives are in shambles and they want to be in charge of yours. So do your research.
Know how long they have been in business, where they studied, what their success stories are, and, what their process is. And, most importantly, do they have what it takes to push you. Because if you could do it on your own, you would have already. What are the biggest obstacles people, especially women, place in front of themselves hindering personal and financial growth?
Amy: First, women’s desires and actions around money are inconsistent. We want lots of it but we aren’t willing to ask for it.
Second, many women’s beliefs around money are hypocritical: they want lots of it but think it’s bad, evil and dirty.
Third, many women don’t believe they are worthy of being compensated for what they give. This is a self-confidence issue.
And, Fourth, many women just have no practice asking for money. So, they are afraid and uncomfortable with the subject.
In the scheme of things, women are still “newcomers” to the entrepreneurial world. They just need a new relationship with money and practice asking for and receiving it. The challenge is that by nature, women are people pleasers.
They give and give and give, often with no concern as to whether they will receive. They end up depleted and with no money. So, I teach women how to “receive” and that “receiving” is good and necessary for them to flourish. So, women not only practice liking money but they get good at receiving it, and asking for it. Can you share a bit of your six step process to help women chart their way out of a dead end job or situation? Amy: Absolutley. I have helped thousands of women all over the world achieve their most ambitious goals and dreams. Women who were stressed out and struggling financially; Women who are now incredibly successful and living the life they were destined to live. I don't tell you this to brag. I tell you this to outline something very important. Being successful in business isn’t about how talented you are, or how good a job you do. Of course you should do a good job and offer a great service or product. But, you can be the best interior designer, the most thorough accountant, the savviest retailer… and still struggle.
Here’s what I discovered: While women were great at their expertise, very few were good at, marketing, networking, branding, selling, or any of the other skills necessary to be successful in business.
That is why I launched my latest event, “Release Your Inner Millionairess.” Because when women learn to master these areas, their businesses begin to boom.
It seems women are becoming more like men in their networking and professional organization groups that foster and support them, what are some of the best pro-women business and networking groups for women to join?
Amy: Networking is an art. And it’s about the networking itself, not the organization. If you know the art, you can create opportunity in a room filled with unmotivated people whose businesses are floundering.
Here are a few tips to start:
1. Select a group of people who are motivated, passionate and active in their businesses
2. Select groups that you like!
3. Work with your group to explore how you can give each other referrals and referral sources.
4. Be involved in more than one so you can cross-network
5. Don’t be a biz card collector – build relationships
5. Most importantly, be an outstanding connector. Find out who your networking buddies want to be connected with and connect them. . Is it ever too late to start over? Do you find older women have to approach their game plan with different expectations than a younger woman?
Amy: Absolutely not. I just watched this episode of 'Grey’s Anatomy' and there was this guy who was 82 who wanted a penile implant. He had just met this woman at his nursing home and he wanted to please her.
His son fought him like crazy on it. Long story short, the question they posed was, why shouldn’t an 82 year old man have great sex with his new lady in the nursing home?
This might sound ridiculous but it made me realize it’s never too late until it is. Unless you are dead, you must LIVE!! So…what I’m saying is, “it ain’t over till it’s over.”
In terms of approach for an older woman – she should make sure she is set up for success. For example, if the older woman doesn’t have the same energy level or computer skills, she might choose to partner up with a younger woman who is good at those things. Just think outside of the box and go for it! Biggest mistake women do with their money is...?
Amy: Ignore it. Pretend like it’s not there. If we see “money” like we see a partner, a relationship, we would treat it a lot differently. We would know where it was all of the time. We would be nice to it. We would treat it with respect and love. We would nurture it so it would grow. Imagine if we treated money like that? Best businesses for women to explore in today's economy?
Amy: Healthcare and Beauty. If they don’t have start up capital, network marketing is a great option – the brand has been created, and they just need to master network marketing skills.
http://www.amyapplebaum.com/
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