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MC merchandise is now available at Cafepress! vist www.cafepress.com/mommyscompany to wear your Business Mama pride!Struggling with your business image and don’t know where to start? Creativity Guru, Randah Taher explains the basics of our business image, and how to get started on it! Read More
Once again, thanks for your support! Now, go check out all the great stuff!
Fondly,
Brianna
You’ve probably read all the hype about the iPhone.
You probably read it all on techie websites.
Well…here it is on Mommy’s Company!
The iPhone review - Mommy Style! We’re going to discuss the features of the iPhone from a Mom Business Owner’s point of view!!
Features We Love:
- Visual Voicemail - This is one handy tool for Moms-on-the-Go. A quick tap to the voicemail tab reveals all of your voicemails in a text-like format. One tap to a voicemail will play it! How handy for busy moms!
- Camera - This feature is great for snapping cute shots of the little ones on a whim. I even found a cool app that allows the user to paste pirate dressings over the subject of the photo. Too funny.
- Mailbox Syncing - Handy for on-the-go Email checking. We love having all our messages and being able to respond quickly is awesome.
- Awesome Auto-Correct - Trust the iPhone’s amazing auto-correct feature and you’ll be typing almost as fast as you do on your laptop! We couldn’t live without this feature!
- Music Syncing and iPod - Who doesn’t love to have their favorite songs at their fingertips!?
- iCal Syncing - Mac Users, you know what I mean. Having all of your appointments on both your laptop and your phone is SUPER!
- Notes - I had to use this tool when I didn’t have a pen and paper handy. It is awesome for jotting notes, grocery lists, and any other info you need to remind yourself of.
- Web Browsing - It’s awesome to be able to show off my websites even when I’m not around a computer! I can also check various forums and networking sites that I’m a member of.
- Maps - Another tool I used out of sheer need. It’s handy for finding places in areas of town I don’t normally frequent. I really think it saved my tail once!
- The Silent Switch - Having the convenient silent switch on the side of the iPhone is great to quick silences in public places. No searching through menus or pressing buttons repeatedly to get there. One flick = no sound!
Features We Don’t Love:
- No Bulk Delete in Email - If you’re like me, you get newsletters and forum posts in your email, and often don’t delete things when you should. A way to bulk-delete these items would ROCK!
- The Phone Speaker and Volume - The volume is very fickle. I prefer to use my headset simply for volume quality.
- iPod Volume Control - When the iPod is playing, the touch screen volume control is hard to maneuver.
All in all, this phone is fan-flippin’-tastic. If you’re looking for an all-in-one, this is it! Now that the price has gone down to $399, it’s even better!
Grab yours at www.apple.com!
by Randah Taher
I met a business woman earlier this year at a networking event. After learning about her extensive experience in research and design, I thought that she would be the perfect match for a project I was working on and needed help with. Before leaving, I asked for her contact information and she was happy to provide it. She looked into her bag, grabbed a piece of paper and jotted down her numbers. For me, that was a turn off.
We put so much effort in our work, research intensely for information, contact and meet clients, do phone calls and submit reports. However, we often forget – or neglect – a very important aspect of our business. How do we look on paper?
It is well worth it to give your image a good look-through before handing it to a client. After all, it is what they have to make a decision on hiring you, temporarily at least, to do the job they need. You have no second chances; this has to stick!
So here are some tips for you.
Logo:
- You do not have to have it, but everybody else is. Choose a logo that can be related to your business or line of product. Where people can notice it immediately on your page, and if seen on newspapers or posters, can be recognized.
- If you cannot make a logo, can’t find someone to make it for you, or really don’t like the idea of logos, try to play with the fonts and come up with something that will use your business name as a logo. Example is an exaggerated first letter or mismatched letters if you are going with a more funky style (remember, must be related to what you do).
Business card:
- Don’t overlook your look. You can include a simple design, a logo or a slogan on your card to make it stick out. If using colors, stick with maximum of 3.
- Go with as little detail on the card as possible. A simple name, title (2 words), phone, email, fax and – and only if you must – an address. The more crowded your little card is, the more it will seem like a visual clutter.
Brochures:
- Brochures, postcards, posters, whatever print material you need also needs to be designed effectively for best results. A rule of thump: keep it simple. Don’t overcrowd it with information/colors. Simply state the basic info, and provide a reference for where to find out more: a website, a phone number, email, etc. the trick is to play with words that will catch people’s attention. No need to fill with colors/images/info, you can play with simple shading of the paper and still get a magnificent look. Show it to other people and ask for a sincere opinion before launching it. Go after strangers who will tell you what they really think without worrying about hurting your feelings. High school students seem to fit the deal.
Go online:
- Not every business needs a website, BUT every business needs a presence on the web these days. If you want to target big clients, they must be able to find out about you in all possible ways, including online. Technically challenged? Hire a high school student for this job. You can make your own site, use the provided space that many email accounts give you, or simply link to an online directory in your location or in your field of work.
- Another great option that can connect you directly with the world is a blog. It is a post that can be updated as soon as you finish typing. You can simply open a free account with any of the service providers in 5 minutes, and start typing about your company, events, news, projects, accomplishments, friends and in-laws. A good advantage to it is that you can use tags and link to other writers on the web. Those writers will appreciate it and might just happen to talk about your product line, and link back to you! And goes the circle.
Good luck in your quest for dressing to kill. But unlike clothing, some things you only need to think about once in a while!
About the Author:Randah Taher is a trainer in creative thinking and management. A graduate student at State University of New York – Buffalo College, completing her M.S. in Creativity and Change Leadership. Founder of ‘My Arabic Story’ (www.myarabicstory.org) and owner of “Contagious Creativity” http://contagiouscreativity.wordpress.com.
We love to spoil our little angels and we’ve found just the place to do it! Spoiled Rotten Baby is a luxury baby boutique specializing in all things extraordinary. From baby clothing, accessories, and diaper bags, to cozy bathtime sets, Spoiled Rotten Baby has everything you need to indulge in your new bundle of joy.
They even have a special section to spoil moms! It doesn’t get much better than that.
The Spoiled Rotten Story (taken from www.myspoiledrottenbaby.com):
For the last nine years, owner Shelly Holbrook has immersed herself in babies and everything having to do with them. From teaching childbirth classes at a prestigious hospital in Bellevue, Washington, to her time spent as a labor doula, and now to her continuing role as both
a postpartum doula and mother to her own eight year old son, Shelly has not only learned what Moms need, but almost as importantly, what they want.
Seeing the need for exceptional products for a new (or almost new!) Mom, and soft, quality gifts for baby, Shelly decided to create one of the more extraordinary options for gift givers out there - Spoiled Rotten Baby.
Merging her knowledge of the modern Mom with her impeccable taste and style, Shelly searched high and low to find only the best products which encompassed Spoiled Rotten Baby’s motto:
Be sure to check out the special that Spoiled Rotten Baby is offering MC Readers.
Check it out on the deals page!
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by Amy Lang, MA There’s no doubt that we are living in a world that can be terrifying for parents and kids. The abduction and murder of 12-year-old Zina Linnik, of Tacoma, by a known sex offender has many of us, at least in moments of panic, considering the benefits of convent life for our girls. The U.S. Department of Justice statistics of kidnapped children in America estimates that 114,600 non-family abductions are attempter each year, with approximately 3,200 to 4,600 being successful. Most of these non-family abductions are sexually motivated and only 200 to 300 involve muder or ransom. There are approximately 75.3 million children in the United States - the chance of abduction by a non-family member is approximately .0053%. Unfortunately, the real worry is closer to home, as 90% of people who sexually abuse kids are known to the child. One in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Please don’t get me wrong! We need to provide our kids with basic information about stranger danger and what to do if they get lost - things like don’t get into a car with someone you don’t know and find a mom or grandma to help you if you are lost. We need to help them stay connected to their inner voice that tells them when someone isn’t safe. As adults and especially women, we usually have it socialized out of us - gotta be friendly and nice! Even to that creepy guy, right? Gavin De Becker’s excellent book, Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) is a great resource for reacquainting ourselves, children, and teenagers with our intuition. Our intuition that tells us when someone is “off” - it’s happened to all of us - that guy on the elevator, the woman in the park - something feels odd, off, not quite right about them. That’s your intuition talking. Our kids are very lucky. they aren’t as disconnected as we are and if we pay attention to them and respect their requests to not play at a kid’s house, or sit in Uncle Creepy’s lap, we can help them stay in touch with this great tool.
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Another thing you can do is to learn about sexual development and how to interact with kids who are engaging in play that is sexual in nature, like”playing doctor.” Find out what kinds of behaviors are common and those that are cause for alarm. Know when you sould start talking to your kids about sex and what you should say at what age. These are all steps you can take to help your kids and yourself. My point? Worry waaaaaay less about “stranger danger.” Take all that energy and put it towards opening the door to conversations about sex, love, and relationships with your kids. While I can’t guarantee your child will be safe, there is solace in knowing that you did everythng in your power to increase the likelihood that they will be. Resources: http://www.childrensdatabank.org About the Author: Through her business, Birds + Bees + Kids, Amy Lang teaches parents how to talk to their children of any age about sex, love and relationships. She has a 16-year history as a Sexual Health Educator, a Masters in Applied Behavioral Science and loves to help people learn about this vital part of parenting.
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Designer Profile: Jules Sherman, the designer and founder of Yosi-Girls, graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and was the recipient of the Alexander Graham Bell Award for “Design and Invention,” presented by the RISD Industrial Design Department. She has since been designing fashion and home accessories for major retailers and manufacturers, including Limited Brands, Newell-Rubbermaid, Marjorie Baer Accessories, Forms+Surfaces, Cambridge Silversmiths, Restoration Hardware, Char-Broil, Costco, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.
Inspiration for the Yosi-girls line came from a combination of interests in modern materials and a love of illustration, pattern and color. Forthcoming products include Princess and Fairy hair clips, more back-pack tags for girls and boys, as well as Cute USB Flash Stick keychains to back up all that homework and music!
Jules’s mom, Enid Sherman has been the main support for marketing and sales since the inception of the company. Jules says, “Enid is my biggest asset, and fun to work with.”
Always cruelty free, always vegan products.
Toxic free rubber poly-vinyl material. No lead, cadmium, or chromium.
Yosi-Penina & Yosi-girls passionately supports:
PETA
K.I.D.S.
Girls Inc.
Locks of Love
Check them out here: http://www.yosigirls.com/
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by Erin McKenna Novak
I’ve got plenty of hair to go around even when I’m not pregnant, so I wasn’t really worried when I started leaving “Little Mommies” (my husband’s pet name for the little hairballs he kept finding) around the house. Somehow I had forgotten about the hair fiasco that occurred after Style Baby #1 was born. Last winter Baby #2 was three months old and I was finally starting to feel a bit like myself again. I was poised to go on consultations for my business and the thought of a trip to the supermarket with both children no longer sent me running for the hills. Armed with my fashion magazines and a new ceramic flat iron from Santa, I was ready to start the New Year with a host of new hair looks. But just as the weather warmed and I happily tried my first chic ponytail of the season, I came face to face with my sworn enemy: a 1-inch halo of unruly hairs framing my face. You see for me, post-baby hair loss isn’t really the problem. It’s the dreaded re-growth that occurs afterwards. With Style Sister’s wedding looming and the possibility of having to force my still recovering locks into an up-do befitting a non-matronly Matron of Honor I needed to do something fast! Ever since Reese Witherspoon showed up for the 2007 award season looking fabulous with a wispy new fringe, I’d been toying with the idea of trying bangs myself. After some careful deliberation and a discussion with my stylist, I decided to take the plunge. It’s always advisable to consult your hairdresser on the choice to fringe or not. Face shape, hair texture and length should be taken into consideration. Bangs don’t usually work for women with small foreheads or petite features. And beware if you are blessed with a head of pencil curls…you could end up with that halo I mentioned (just what we’re trying to avoid!). If you do get the green light and decide to go for the gusto, carefully examine what fringe style is right for you. There is no shortage of choices this season, as bangs have been popping up everywhere from the catwalks of New York, to local salons, to the red carpets of Hollywood. One popular choice is soft, piecey bangs like the ones Reese Witherspoon has been sporting. These bangs look great with both center and side-part haircuts and are easy to style. Rake a bit of mousse or your pomade covered fingers through your fringe and tousle and straighten as you blow dry. Shape, gathering and separating pieces and strands, to achieve the finished look you want. I like that these bangs are casual enough for everyday but look great with pulled back elegant evening looks as well. |
The more daring Mama may want to go with long, thick bangs cut right above or at the eye. Models at Vera Wang and Miss Sixty trotted out this blocky blunt cut style during New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2007 shows. Bold and sexy, it’s shouldn’t be too difficult to get a picture featuring this look to tote with you to the stylist. Rhianna, Alicia Keyes and Gwen Stefani have all been spotted wearing this trend.
In the end I opted for a versatile side-swept style. These bangs add a fresh modernity to my ponytail, and help hide my halo of “mini-bangs” until they eventually blend with the rest of my look. This style is youthful, but not too young for me and I like that they taper into my layers at the ends. Pull them straight and off to the side with a brush as you blow dry to ensure they “sweep” in the desired direction. That’s often all I need, but on days when more staying power is required pull dried bangs flat and off to the side across your forehead and give them a quick shot of hair spray. Release and they’re set. There can be drawbacks to going with a fringed look. It’s easy to become a slave to your bangs, sticking with the style for way to long or just continuing to cut them because you’re afraid of weird and bothersome grow-out. I wouldn’t let that scare you off, but I would recommend making sure bangs are the right choice for you before you commit. One reason I chose the fringe style I did was because it seems relatively painless to grow out when I choose to do so. I’m sure there will be some awkward days (or maybe even weeks) here or there, but thanks to the return of the half-up/half-down look and the wide variety of cool scarves, headbands, and clips that are available these days I think I’ll be OK. Besides, sometimes a challenge like that is just the push Style Mama needs to locate her next favorite look. Not every new Mom experiences dramatic hair loss Post-partum, but for those of us that do bangs just might be the answer. Bangs could also be an exciting change for any woman, new Mom or not! Besides the fact that my new style takes less prep time, bangs also come with the added bonus of covering brow wrinkles and minimizing stubborn cowlicks. Now how’s that for multi-tasking? About the Author: Erin McKenna Nowak, is an entrepreneur, wife and the mother of two stylish little girls. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and printmaking, she worked in New York City, Chicago and Providence, RI. Having been everything from a children’s book designer to the art director of several magazines, in 2004 Erin struck out on her own and started Bride Design. Bride Design features Erin’s fashion-forward, custom wedding and event stationery and accessories. Each of her one-of-a-kind creations reflect her clients’ personal style and highlights the unique details of their event. Erin is also the pen and paper portion of Invitastions™—edible cookie invitations—the tastiest trend in event stationery! An author and illustrator, Erin loves just about everything pop culture has to offer. When she’s not busy designing or chasing after her kids, she can be found chasing after the latest styles in beauty, fashion, home interiors, music and more! |
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