Matters of the Heart

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February is American Heart Month. This month gives us lots of different ways to celebrate and honor matters of the heart. On the first is Women's Heart Health Day. We have National Wear Red Day, today, Feb. 5, which brings awareness to the Number #1 disease of women, heart disease and Valentine's Day on the 14th.

I attended a luncheon yesterday and the speakers were doctors and representatives from a local clinic that specialize in women's health issues. It was interesting that what they talked about initially was mammograms and the HPV virus. However, when someone asked the question about other diseases that women should be concerned about, the presenter then stated that heart disease was the number one killer of women, not breast cancer. That being the case, why is so much emphasis put on breast cancer rather than heart disease? Don't get me wrong, they are both very serious. I just think that women need to be educated equally on all their risks.

I think the problem with most women is that we are so very busy with family, jobs/businesses, etc. that we tend to ignore our aches and pains. We tolerate more when we should. We should be more aware of what our bodies are telling us, which was the message of one of the presenters. Be aware of changes and seek help if it's something out of the ordinary.

In the past six months I have had two women acquaintances, both in their 40s to pass away. One from complications of what may have been swine flu which developed into phneumoneon. The other colon cancer. And just recently I learned another friend and business associate has been diagnoised with HER2 Stage T-III cancer. So I guess my musing for this blog is take the time to take care of yourself, because you can't take care of anyone else if you're not well. Get regular check ups and not just the pap smear check up, but a complete physical.

And the other part of my musing, let the people who matter most to you, know how much you care. You never know when you won't have that opportunity.

Rather than list all the holidays for February, here are a list of websites that I have discovered that offer listings of just about every holiday and observance imaginable. Also, I do post, almost daily, on Facebook various holidays at 'We Have a Card for That.' Hope you will become a Fan.

Holiday Insights
Web Holidays
Earth Calendar
Wellcat - Quirky Holidays

Celebrate the lives of those you love Everyday! Show them you care. Send them a
H.U. G. - A Heartfelt Greeting.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

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• It's Heart Month (diabetesmine.com)

How to Build a Strong Network

February 1 - 5 is International Networking Week.

They say that Millionaires have the largest Rolodex or in today’s terms, databases.

Would you agree that most of the time when you go to a networking event and/or meet someone that you exchange business cards and exchange information about our respective business?

What happens next?

Afterwards do you sit around and wait for your phone to ring from someone who wants to do business with you?

Lets examine how to take those meetings and collected business cards build a Network so that so the Phone will start ringing.

It’s all about building relationships.

Here some things that will help with building strong relationships.

If you are a member of BNI you know what VCP means.

Visibility + Credibility = Profitability

The philosophy of BNI is

“Givers Gain”

The 10 points below are based on these two key points.

The first five are about Visibility which all help to build your creditability

1. Be Visible - Show up – Now that seems kind of obvious, right? How many times have you heard someone say, “Well I went to that network meeting and handed out my cards and I didn’t get one single lead.”

Do you know it takes people seeing and hearing you 7 to 8 times before they remember you and what you do?

In Advertising and Marketing it’s called ‘Spaced Repetition Education.’ Why do you think they run the same ads over and over again on TV? Because most of us don’t remember them. The same applies with meeting new people.

Think about when you join a networking group. Most want you to commit to at least 90 days.

When you run an ad, they want you to commit to running that ad a minimum of 3 to 6 times. Why? People have to see you and hear you 7 to 8 times before they remember you, must less what you sell or the service you offer.

So Find the Networking groups that work for you and go on a regular and consistent basis.

2. Brand Yourself – By Name, By Business Name, Tag Line, or Appearance, etc. This will make you memorable.

Examples of branding - What companies do you think about when you see -

I meet people all the time. A lot of people know me as “The Painted Lady” even though they don’t know my name. Or when I give them my business card they will comment, 'Where have I seen that before?' So I know my branding works.

Part of branding yourself and your business is being consistent in all your marketing material. And have a memorable business card. Because when they look at those cards later, you want yours to stand out. If someone doesn’t comment on your business card after handing out about 5 to 10, you need to redesign and get new business cards.

3. Your Elevator speech – Be able to tell someone in 30 seconds what you do that peeks their interest and makes them ask questions and want to hear more.

Know your USP – Unique selling proposition. Be able to tell someone what makes you and your business unique. Different from everyone else’s. And don’t say “Because I give great customer service.” Everyone says that.

Example: I have a friend and business associate that is certified to sell luxury homes. I thought that was pretty unique.

Practice your 30 second informercial until it feels natural and make sure it is in terms your audience will understand.

4. Volunteer – Give back. Going back to the BNI philosophy of “Givers Gain.”

a. Within your networking groups – Offer to help

b. Chamber – Be an ambassador

c. Community groups – Charities, whatever is your favorite cause.

One of the best positions to volunteer for is the sign in table for meetings and events and/or membership chair. These are two key positions that will get you visibility.

This is giving you Visibility and building your Credibility

5. Be Reliable – Say what you do and do what you say. Building a relationship is about building trust. Being a person that can be depended on and to get the job done. Also part of being reliable is showing up on time or better yet - show up early. By being early you are more visible and you have the opportunity to meet more people.

6. The Fortune’s in the Follow up - How many times have you heard that?

a. Follow up if at all possible within 24 to 48 hours. Strike while the iron is hot. While you are still memorable

b. And - Keep in touch with people – Phone call, Email, Drop by, Send a card with a personal note by Snail mail, Just Because, birthday, anniversary, Congratulations, etc. Why? Because that makes you different. It shows you do go the extra mile. It shows you want to build the relationship. Any good real estate agent is taught to ‘touch’ their warm market at least 10 times per year – why – because Everyone knows somebody that will be buying or selling real estate. This same principal can be applied to any business.

c. Also, follow up with the person who gave you the referral. Say thank you and let them know you followed through, because that person has put their trust in you and they are depending on you to follow through.

7. Take the Initiative – Go beyond the follow up. Ask questions. Find out how you can help them be successful. Let them know you have an interest in them.

Call someone and invite them for coffee or lunch. One of the best ways to get someone to agree to meet you for coffee or lunch is to say “Gail, your business sounds fascinating. I would love to meet you for coffee and learn more so that I can be a good referral source for you.”

Now do you think Gail is going to turn me down.

An even better way to build that trust and relationship is to arrange an introduction. And all three of you meet. Now that shows trust and confidence.

Everyone has a Circle of Influence of about 250 to 300 people. You want to know who is in their circle of influence, but they has to trust you first to give out that information.

8. Be the ‘Go to Person’ - Be a referral source. We all know someone we trust and that knows everyone and when we need a product or service, we call that person. Be that person. Be a source for information.

Zip Ziglar says that if you help enough people get what they want, you’ll get what you want.

9. Offer something of Value – Do you have a website? A blog? Newsletter?

a. Offer tips, ideas, information, etc. Don't always be trying to make the sale.

I have a website that is dedicated to “Networking Opportunities” in my local area. Why do you think I maintain this website? It offers people a source of information and something of value. I also host an all women networking group. Again it’s a way to help others and especially women.

10. Say Thank You. “Silent Gratitude is of Little Value”

a. Honor and thank all those that lend a helping hand. Show your appreciation to your referral partners, clients, and anyone that has reached out and helped you in any small way. A simple Thank You card goes a long way

68% of clients go somewhere else due to perceived indifference.

In my business, I have a gifting program set up for referrals and repeat business. I want my clients and referral partners to know just how much I appreciate them.

In closing John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”

Let’s give that a new twist – “Ask not what your Network can do for you, but what you can do for your Network.”

Networking is the most effective form of marketing and the most cost effective. But in order for networking to work, you have to work it. And I believe that by working to build long term strong relationships you will be rewarded ten fold.

Happy Networking,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Good Home Training

Today, January 11, is International Thank You day. In my research of this wonderful day, I came across this great article by Michael de Jong. He consented to allowing me to post it here. One of the points in the article is to teach our children early the importance of sending thank you notes. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

"Thanks to the morning light, thanks to the foaming sea, to the uplands of New Hampshire, to the green-haired forest free." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

When receiving a gift, my bother John sometimes reacts with, "Well...Thanks a lot!" And when he says it in "just that way" you can bet that he's already mentally digging a hole way back behind his house for it to be buried. (He's got a heart of gold, but he can really be that transparent.)

Said with fussy embossed and engraved cards, a two-second email, a bouquet from the corner deli, or even a bottle of re-gifted Chablis -- the thank-you gesture and the words "merci," "gracias," "xie xie," or just plain old "thank you" can go a long way when you really mean it.

When I was about eight years old my mom's sister bought me a box of greeting cards, each with an image of Charlie Brown and Snoopy hugging on top of a doghouse. With mom's encouragement, I then scribbled a few thoughtful words to my aunt on my new stationery, stuck it into the envelope mom had addressed and stamped, sealed it shut with a swipe of my tongue and then ran and tossed into the corner mailbox. Easy lesson learned -- someone gives you a gift, you're happy; acknowledge that gift, they're happy. (Our dear friend, Clarence, calls this "Good home-training.") Our nieces and nephew, Lindsay, Hayley and Matt, are so good at it that often (so it seems) we get a thank-you card even before the arrival of presents...now that's good home-training.

I grew up in a home where the importance of "an attitude of gratitude" was stressed. We were taught to bring little gifts when we visited others (as a thank you for their hospitality), to write thank-you notes for everything we received, and, if the giver was in earshot, to say it out loud.

Understanding how to form those two golden words and knowing when to speak them greatly influenced the kind of person that I am today. Sure, just like the next person, I can be irritable, grouchy, unpleasant (and, even at times, a downright "B!+@#"), but I'm never ungrateful.

Therefore, when I'm expecting a "thank-you" and don't receive one in any of it's many potential incarnations, I'm usually thrown off course. I rationalize it as other people being too busy, or just forgetful, but deep down inside, it feels like my social order is out of balance.

Appreciations are those deep-seated, primal reactions, yet some people are either reluctant, too rude, or were just never "home-trained" to openly show theirs. But even the teeny-est of gestures can let others know just how appreciative we are. International Thank You Day (Yes, there is such a holiday!), which was January 11, is a wonderful opportunity to identify and reveal things for which you're grateful, and express them with simple acts of thanks.

Are you overdue in expressing thanks to your family (hmmm, when did I last thank my partner Richard, sister Mags and hubby Jim, brother John and wife Lori?...you get the idea), pets (in my case, our deaf dog 'Jack,' and four goldfish: Phil, Jill, Bill and Gill), friends, co-workers, neighbors, the mail carrier, or the Universe (God or whatever you like to call him or her)? If so, now's the perfect time to put that "thank you" out there.

Say it and show it again and again and again because practice makes perfect.

And in the event that someone, like my brother, should actually bury a gift? Remember the old adage "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt."

Michael de Jong is the author of a forthcoming series of books on clean, green living, the next of which is Clean Body. Future companion books will cover food, first aid and other topics. Michael's website is www.mykindofclean.com

Thank you Michael for this insightful message.

Who needs aThank you from you? Have you sent those Thank Yous out yet from the holidays yet? Visit www.WeHaveACardForThat.info for a simple and easy way to get all your cards out in a simple and timely manner.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

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Social Media Etiquette

A while back I had an experience that prompted me to write a blog ‘How’s that working for you.’ I do a lot of networking both face to face and online and sometimes I am just amazed at the actions and tactics of some people. Recently I had an online experience that has prompted me to muse about Social Media Etiquette. If you are just getting started with using Social Media for your business, I encourage you to research and study the proper and effective ways to use it.

Social media is the online version of working the room, and basically, all the social graces and standards that you apply to your every day interactions in face-to-face situations apply online as well.

Social media is a great tool to use in marketing and good marketing can be done through social media sites when it is done correctly. This is a great marketplace full of ideas, random thoughts, fun links and a wealth of knowledge. You can make sure your business, brand name and website shows up in this marketplace but if you do it the wrong way, you could end up blacklisted. If you break certain rules of etiquette, it’s likely you will be labeled as a spammer or even blocked and rejected by users of the site.

Here are some basic rules to keep in mind:

• Be polite and respectful
• Don't swear or be rude
• Resist the temptation to argue
• Don't be confrontational
• Help others with advice and answers to their questions
• Say please and thank you
• Extend the courtesy of responding when someone writes on your wall, @s or DMs you, or messages you
• Don't blatantly push/sell your product or service
• Avoid blatant spam of your links or products to people who you haven’t had a conversation with or don’t even know
• Don’t spam your links or products to new friends who you haven’t even talked to yet
• Don’t fill up their inbox unless they have not expressed interest in your product or service. That's called 'spaming'
• Know that you don’t have to follow or add everyone who asks you to
• Don’t expect people to add you just because you add them or send them a request
• When sending a friend request, unless it’s obvious, state who you are and why you are wanting to make a connection
• Don’t put your product advertisement in your friend request.
• Don’t put your product advertisement on their personal page unless you have asked permission first.
• Don’t use your numbers as a status symbol or verification of worth (and especially don’t brag about it)

The professional goal of social media is to build relationships that may one day turn into business opportunities. You would never walk into a restaurant, interrupt everyone's dinner, pass out your business cards, then leave. So why would you think this is acceptable online?

People do business with people they like, and the way to earn respect is to be authentic and genuine in your interactions with social media friends and acquaintances. Treat people the way that you like to be treated, and always remember that once online, it's there for good. Draft, review, and reconsider before posting. Protect your reputation.

If you hire someone to manage your social media sites, you need to be sure you are working with an experienced professional that knows proper etiquette as well and will represent you properly.

Portions of the above were taken from ‘Grow Your Company” and ‘SEO Driven’

Happy Networking Online,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

The Quick Connection – Effective Connecting for Effective Results

I was talking with a friend and business colleague last week. We were attending a networking meeting. She said that she had recently talked with someone who said that their business was so bad that they were now having to get out and network. We both agreed that if the person had been doing some effective networking all along, that their business would not be suffering.

One of the most effective networkers I know is Bonnie Ross-Parker, CEO and Founder of The Joy of Connecting. Here is a recent article she wrote on being an effective networker. She gives three strategies that will help to establish rapport and build a solid relationship.

The Quick Connection – Effective Connecting for Effective Results

By Bonnie Ross-Parker

Maybe you’re a veteran of the networking arena and agree you could be more effective. Or, perhaps, you’re just getting started and would like to better understand how to network productively. “The Quick Connection” is a reference tool to help you effectively impact others and increase your success.

Here’s the familiar scenario: Show up. Shake as many hands as possible. Give out and get as many business cards as you can. Tell everyone, “I’ll call you” or expect the people you meet to actually call you. Now, consider another approach that over time will get you better results.

“The Quick Connection” can be implemented any time and in any networking arena. The plan is based on three components: Differentiate, Be Memorable and Make A Difference. If you focus on attending any business environment with all three or any one of the strategies, your success will increase significantly.

Strategy # 1 – Differentiate. Being unique distinguishes you from others, especially those that are in the same industry. Remember when you were young and fitting in meant doing the same thing as everyone else in the crowd? Being the same was a way of establishing acceptance. In the business world, the opposite is true. You will have an advantage when you differentiate. For example, initiate conversations with people you don’t know. Ask how he/she got into the industry they are in, what trends they anticipate or what they did before their current career. Ask what they find to be their biggest challenge. If you’re wondering why this line of questioning, it’s because most business people are more eager to share what they do then to engage in building rapport with some one else. Find out what a good lead is for the individual you’d like to assist. If you want to get to know another business person, consider extending an invitation to an upcoming networking event as your guest. When you implement strategy #1, the emphasis is off of you and focused elsewhere. This is not typical in networking situations.

Strategy #2 – Be Memorable. There are two ways to be memorable – appearance and behavior. In one’s appearance consider branding yourself. For example, men can wear unusual ties, different lapel pins or colors unlike every other man. Women have an easier time? Jewelry can easily help a woman be memorable. Barbara Bush wears her infamous pearls and Larry King is known for his suspenders. They have branded themselves. I always wear cowboy boots. Every day – 365 days a year. While I may not be as well known as Barbara or Larry, having a unique style makes me memorable. People may not remember my name, however, they do remember the lady who always wears cowboy boots. Having a signature style has advantages – especially when you are recognizable!

The second way to be memorable is in your behavior. You must focus on being remembered for the right reason – generosity, punctuality, follow through, integrity and resourcefulness are examples. Being remembered means leaving positive imprints in everything you say and do. People are watching and will choose to do business with individuals that display consistency and integrity.

Strategy # 3 – Make A Difference. You never know who you will meet and the difference you can make in someone else’s life or the difference that encounter will make in your life. Replace a simple thank you with “I appreciate you”. Go out of your way to make a newcomer feel comfortable at a networking event. Over time, you’ll be amazed how differentiating yourself, being memorable and making a difference will impact your success. Like anything new, being conscientious and consistent will take time. Let’s face it, the marketplace is crowded. Everyone is scurrying for their share of business. Find out for yourself if the effort involved in applying strategies of “The Quick Connection” will be worth the results. Get Up! Get Out! and Get Going!

For more ideas on being an effective networker I recommend the book "42 Rules for Effective Connections." This book is by Bonnie Ross-Parker and Cindy Elsberry. The author provides a broad range of strategies that make the difference between networking that is ‘hit and miss’ versus networking that hits the bull’s eye.

Happy Networking,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Everyday is A Celebration!

A new year and a new decade. What are you hoping and dreaming for, looking forward to? Each new day is a reason to be thankful and to celebrate. It is said that what we think about is what we bring about? What's on your mind today?

The Earth Calendar lists all the holidays from around the globe. Listed below are some for the US. The most notable one for me is January is the 8th, The King's birthday for more reasons than it's Elvis' birthday.

Also, check out the Wacky Holidays from WellCat and we have also added a list that was posted on the SOC corporate blog.

January-1	New Year's Day
January-4	Trivia Day
January-5	Twelfth Night
January-6	Epiphany
January-8	Jackson Day
January-8	The King's Birthday (ELVIS)
January-9	Balloon Ascension Day
January-12	National Pharmacist Day
January-12	Stephen Foster Memorial Day
January-14	Ratification Day
January-16	Prohibition Remembrance Day
January-16	Religious Freedom Day
January-18	Maintenance Day
January-20	Inauguration Day
January-27	National Activity Professionals Day

January Events
Unless otherwise stated, these are generally observed in the US only.

Month Observances
Occasion	Link
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month	March of Dimes Birth Defects Council
National Glaucoma Awareness Month	Prevent Blindness America
Eye Care Month	Optic Foundation of America
Hot Tea Month	Tea Council of the USA
Human Resource Month	Personnel Journal of America
Oatmeal Month	Quaker Oats Company of America
Prune Breakfast Month	California Dried Plum Board
Retail Bakers Month	Retail Bakers of America
Soup Month	Campbell Soup Company of America
Thyroid Disease Awareness Month	American Assoc. of Clinical Endocrinologists
Volunteer Blood Donor Month	American Assoc. of Blood Banks
Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Month	Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
National Radon Action Month	Environmental Protection Agency
Adopt a Rescued Bird Month	American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Cervical Health Month	National Cervical Cancer Coalition
National Physiotherapy Month	Canadian Physiotherapy Association
National Birth Defects Prevention Month	March of Dimes

Third Week
Occasion	Link
International Printing Week	International Association of Printing House Craftsmen
World Kiwanis Week	Kiwanis International

Fourth Week
Occasion	Link
National Handwriting Analysis Week	American Handwriting Analysis Foundation

The Wacky Holidays from WellCat

Jan 2	Happy Mew Year For Cats Day -- Felines, ever above mere humans in the great chain of being, have a day unto themselves to celebrate the “mewness” of a new time.
Jan 3	Memento Mori -- "Memento, mori, Latin for "Remember, you die," is also the title of a novel by Muriel Spark. We suggest posting the words at home and at work, not to be morbid, but to remind us to cherish all that we have today, for tomorrow may never arrive.
Jan 4	Dimpled Chad Day --This is a day to commemorate all the dimpled chads of the world, left over from various and sundry contested elections. Chads, roasted in garlic, make an excellent sprinkle topping for salads.
Jan 8	Show & Tell Day at Work -- Since students have show and tell at school, adults should get to do the same.
Jan 17	Judgment Day -- Now you don't have to die to see how you measure up to your deity's standards. Just look in the mirror, wait for the answer, and go out and give it another shot.
Jan 22	Answer Your Cat’s Question Day -- If you will stop what you are doing and take a look at your cat, you will observe that the cat is looking at you with a serious question. Meditate upon it, then answer the question!
Jan 23	Snow Plow Mailbox Hockey Day -- It's wintertime, and time for Snow Plow Drivers everywhere to see how many rural mailboxes they can knock over. Twenty extra points for boosting one into the next township.
Jan 25	A Room of One’s Own Day -- For anyone who knows or longs for the sheer bliss or rightness of having a private place, no matter how humble, to call one’s own.
Jan 30	National Inane Answering Message Day -- Annually, the day set aside to change, shorten, replace or delete those ridiculous and/or annoying answering machine messages that waste the time of anyone who must listen to them.

From SOC - I do not know their source for these, but they are some good ones ;)

1- Bonza Bottler Day
6- Sherlock Holmes' Birthday
8- Bubble Bath Day, Clean Off Your Desk Day
16- Psychiatric Technician's Day
17- Golf Day
18- Martin Luther Jr.'s Birthday- (observed the third Monday in January, actually the fifteenth)
20- Penguin Awareness Day
21- National Hugging Day
23- Answer Your Cat's Questions Day, National Pie Day, Compliment Day
25- Fun at Work Day, Healthy Weight Day, Robert Burns Day, School Nurses Day
26- Australia Day, Spouse's Day
30- Inane Answering Machine Day

What ever day you choose to celebrate remember 'We Have a Card For That.'

Happy New Year!

Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Reflections and Resolutions

I have spent this morning catching up on the other blogs that I follow. It being the end of the year many are writing about the past year and the new year approaching. One of the best blog posts, 'Are You Ready for 2010?,' was from Bonnie Ross Parker, CEO and Founder of The Joy of Connecting. I think she put into words most of what I was thinking.

We are not only embarking on a new year, but on a new decade! Do you remember all the hype about the new millennium? Y2K? Seems like yesterday. My how 10 years has flown by. What did you accomplish in the past ten years? What do you think the next 10 years will bring?

With a new year comes new resolutions for changes. What are your New Year's resolutions, goals, aspirations? Whatever they are, write them down and review them often. Wikipedia states Goal Setting involves establishing specific, measurable and time-targeted objectives.

We all need to be reminded to use the SMART method in goal setting:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.

Another highly successful method to achieving success is to activate your Reticular Activating System - or RAS. Your RAS plays a vital part in your ability to achieve goals. Your reticular activating system is like a filter between your conscious mind and your subconscious mind. It takes instructions from your conscious mind and passes them on to your subconscious. First, you can deliberately program the reticular activating system by choosing the exact messages you send from your conscious mind. For example, you can set goals, or say affirmations, or visualize your goals. I recently heard a personal trainer state not to let the bad weather keep you from your daily exercise routine. He said to exercise in your mind. Close your eyes and go on that walk in our mind. That we can visualize our daily walk and get the same effects because our body will react to our thoughts.

Another good blog I read was about 'Change Mastery' by Tracy Brinkmann. Resolutions are all about change and I think Tracy's advice about change goes hand in hand with our making our goals and resolutions for the new year. If after a few weeks you're not getting the change and results you want, don't give up and quit, review and tweak. Don't be to hard on yourself. You didn't get this way overnight. Make changes. Adjust your sails. Rome wasn't built in a day. How do you eat an elephant.....one small bite at a time.

I remember hearing Zip Ziglar speak many years ago about his starting his exercise routine. On his first day, he walked to his mailbox and back. The next day to the neighbor's mailbox. Each day he would walk a little further until he had increased his daily walk to several miles.

Think about the things you want to accomplish. Write them down. Develop an action plan. Translate your goals into affirmations that have already been accomplished. Read them often. Everyday is best. Have visual reminders. Send yourself reminders in the way of emails or cards. Set a specific time to review what's working, what's not, and make the necessary changes to get back on course.

We would love to hear what works for you with achieving your goals.

Wishing You a Very Happy and Prosperous 2010 and Beyond!

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

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History of Greeting Cards

Sending greeting cards to friends, lovers and family is a tradition that goes back over 200 years. While the first greeting card actually dates back to the early 1400's, greeting cards became popular in the mid 1800's when the cost of color printing dropped, and cards could be delivered for just a penny.

Sir Henry Cole is credited with coming up with the idea for the first mass produced greeting card, which turned out to be a Christmas card he had created by his good friend, John Calcott Horsely. That year, Cole was late sending his usual holiday greetings letters to all his friends and relatives for Christmas. He contacted Horsely to ask if he was able to hand colour and engrave a thousand cards for him with a seasonal message which could then be sent to everyone. Horsely accommodated him, and thus began the tradition of sending holiday greeting cards.

And so the first modern Christmas card was born. It depicted a young boy with a red scarf and the greeting 'Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year'. Sir Henry was delighted with the result. He even sold the left over cards in Old Bond Street for a shilling each! With the help of the penny post, which had been introduced in England a few years earlier, the practice couldn't help but catch on and grow.

By the 1860's, Americans were importing most of their greeting cards from Germany, but in 1906 a gentlemen from Cleveland by the name of Jacob Sapirstein started his own greeting card business. With a $50 loan acquired at a local bank, Sapirstein began selling penny postcards greeting cards at local drug stores, and quickly became a success. After his death in 1918 his son and wife continued the business and grew it to enormous success.

As the concept of greeting cards grew, people found many occasions to send them, including holidays, birthdays, or just to say hello. The greeting card then became a fixture in American culture, and has continued to grow ever since.

In the 1980's the greeting card market was growing by 10% per year. Small publishing houses were establishing themselves and specialist card shops, also selling giftwrap and associated gifts were springing up on nearly every high street and shopping mall.

By the 1900's the Post Office was having to handle an extra 11.5 million letters in Christmas week alone.

Today, the greeting card business grosses over $7.5 Billion dollars per year, with literally millions of cards sent annually. All of that adds to the wonderful feelings we hold for our friends and family members and we reach out to let them know how we feel about them!

Information taken from Make Loyal Customers

How many greeting cards will you send out this year? What type will they be? i.e. Custom, family photo, handmade, specialty, business, etc.?

I love to send greeting cards all year and especially for the holidays. I would love to help you with your card sending.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

How Do You Choose to Celebrate

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The holiday season is here. We received our first greeting card yesterday. Every where we turn we are bombarded with constant reminders from every possible angle. Given the past year's tough economic state, lots of people are finding creative ways to celebrate the holidays. How are you celebrating this year? What traditions are special for you?

For me each holiday season is a time to be with family that we don't get to see often enough. It is a time to reflect on how truly blessed we are to live in this country and to have the freedom to celebrate however we choose. Let us especially be thankful for those past and present who have helped to give us the gift of freedom.

Listed below are the holidays, besides the obvious ones, for the upcoming month according to the Earth Calendar. We have also included the quirky ones from Wellcat.com.

December Events

December-5	Day of the Ninja
December-7	Pearl Harbor Day
December-10	Human Rights Day
December-10	Nobel Prize Day
December-12	Poinsettia Day
December-15	Bill of Rights Day
December-16	Boston Tea Party
December-20	Louisiana Purchase Day
December-21	Forefather's Day
December-23	Festivus
December-25	Christmas Day
December-26 to December-31	Kwanzaa
December-31	New Year's Eve

Month Observances

Occasion Link

Safe Toys and Gifts Month Prevent Blindness America
National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month Parenting Without Pressure
Universal Human Rights Month International Society of Friendship & Goodwill

First Full Week
Occasion Link
Aplastic Anemia Awareness Week Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation

Third Week
Occasion Link
Human Rights Week United Nations
International Language Week International Society of Friendship & Goodwill

From WellCat.com - The Quirky Holidays

Dec 1	Bifocals At The Monitor Liberation Day -- Our hearts fill with compassion today for co-workers stuck wearing bifocals at the PC. Shed a tear as their heads bob up and down, in and out, trying to read the monitor, trying to decide which set of lenses to use.
Dec 5	Bathtub Party Day -- Almost everyone nowadays takes showers, so here’s a day to recall some of the luxury of days gone by. Invite a few friends.
Dec 13	Pick A Pathologist Pal Day -- Pathologists and coroners are an especially jovial lot, and befriending one of them offers an ongoing reminder than “tomorrow” is not necessarily a guarantee.
Dec 15	Cat Herders' Day. If you can say that your job, or even your life, is like trying to herd cats, then this day is for you, with our sympathy.
Dec 16	Barbie and Barney Backlash Day -- If we have to explain this to you, you don’t have kids. It’s the one day each year when mom and dad can tell the kids that Barbie and Barney don’t exist.
Dec 21	Humbug Day -- Allows everyone preparing for Christmas to vent their frustrations. Twelve humbugs allowed.
Dec 29	Tick Tock Day -- Time runs out! All those dreams you've had, all those fantasies? It's time, friend. Do it!
Dec 30	Falling Needles Family Fest -- Now that the Yuletide tree’s been up for weeks and hasn’t been watered since a couple of days before Christmas, gather the gang around and watch the needles gently fall one by one. Live it up! Dance barefoot.

We wish each of you and yours a Happy Stress Free Holiday Season.

Sincerely,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

A Time for Thanksgiving

The time has changed. The days are definitely shorter, but it also seems the years are getting shorter. I would like to think that 'time flies when you're having fun' rather than it being because I'm getting older. But with every passing year I cherish my life and my loved ones even more. For who knows how much time we have left to be with them and enjoy their company.

I received a phone call this week from a father who had lost a daughter in the prime of her life. She was a business acquaintance of mine. I had sent her a birthday card. That is what prompted her father to call me. She had been in the hospital with complications from pneumonia. So sad for someone so young to be taken. Another reason to keep in touch with those we love. You just never know.

As this month is most noted for Thanksgiving, let us give thanks for All the things for which we are grateful. What are you grateful for? I am grateful for my wonderful family, my health, my marriage, my friends, my home, my business, and my list goes on and on.

Listed below are some of the other holidays for the month of November according to www.earthcalendar.net and also the quirky ones are also listed from www.WellCat.com

November-1	All Saints` Day
November-2	All Souls` Day
November-3	Sandwich Day
November-10	Marine Corps Birthday
November-11	Veterans Day
November-15	America Recycles Day
November-18	Mickey Mouse's Birthday
November-19	US Marine Corps Day
November-20	Children's Day
November-22	John F. Kennedy's Assassination
November-22	National Stop the Violence Day
November-26	Thanksgiving Day

Month Observances
Occasion	Link
Diabetic Eye Disease Month	Prevent Blindness America
American Indian Heritage Month	KQED
Addiction Awareness Month	National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Alzheimer's Awareness Month	The Alzheimer's Association
Child Safety and Prevention Month	National PTA
Diabetes Awareness Month	American Diabetes Assoc.
Epilepsy Awareness Month	Epilepsy Foundation
Great American Smokeout Month	Citizens for a Smoke-Free America
Home Care Month	National Association for Home Care and Hospice's
Hospice Month	National Hospice Association
Drum Month	Percussive Arts Society
Peanut Butter Lover's Month	Peanut Advisory Board
Real Jewelry Month	Jewelers of America Inc.
Stamp Collecting Month	United States Postal Service
World Communication Month	International Society of Friendship and Goodwill
National Novel Writing Month	NaNoWriMo
America Recycles Month	America Recycles
International COPD Awareness Month	COPD International
Movember	Movember

First Full Week
Occasion	Link
National Fig Week	California Fig Advisory Board

Second Week
Occasion	Link
Key Club International Week	Key Club International
National Notary Public Week	American Society of Notaries
National Split Pea Soup Week	USA Dry Pea and Lentil Industry
Osteopathic Medicine Week	American Osteopathic Association

Third Week
Occasion	Link
American Education Week	National Education Association
National Geographic Awareness Week	National Geographic Society
Operating Room Nurse Awareness Week	Association of Operating Room Nurses
National Children's Book Week	Children's Book Council
Geography Awareness Week	National Geographic

Week of US Thanksgiving
Occasion	Link
National Adoption Week	National Council for Adoption
National Bible Week	Laymen's National Bible Assoc.

Last Week
Occasion	Link
Family Caregiver Week	National Family Caregivers Association
National Home Care Week	National Association for Home Care

And here are the Quirky ones from WellCat.com

Nov 3	Cliché Day --Use clichés as much as possible today. Hey, why not? Give it a shot! Win some, lose some. You'll never know, 'til you try it.
Nov 8	Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day -- Especially for those of us who have tightly closed up the house against chill weather for the next six months. Now is the time to create the heavenly, homey odor of pungently bold cooking. Don’t forget the sauerkraut and garlic!
Nov 18	Married To A Scorpio Support Day -- A worldwide day of remembrance to honor all those married to Scorpions and who suffer greatly. Assert yourself today! Hide their household flow charts.
Nov 19	Have a Bad Day Day -- For those who are filled with revulsion at being told endlessly to “have a nice day,” this day is a brief respite. Store and business owners are to ask workers to tell customers to “have a bad day.”
Nov 20	Name Your PC Day -- Hey, why not? People name their boats! And there’s a lot more PC’s than boats these days. “Binky” is already taken.
Nov 25	Blasé Day A perfect day for the world-weary to revel in their apathy.
Nov 30	Stay Home Because You're Well Day -- So we can all call in “well,” instead of faking illness, and stay home from work.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963

I wish each one a Happy November and Thanksgiving. Be safe as you travel and be grateful for all of your life's bounty.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

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There is Room for All

Well I am sitting here in shock right now. I had sent out an email this morning to a business acquaintance who runs a very successful networking group asking if they would like to list their group on the new networking site I had recently created, NetworkNorthGeorgia.com. I received a reply saying that they were confused because there were some other sites with similar names and wasn't I a member of the some of the other sites.

Well I guess great minds think alike. Yes there are some other sites for the area with similar names and I think the creator has done an excellent job with the sites. I just now tried to log into the ones I belonged to, only to find out I have been banned.

I recently created www.NetworkNorthGeorgia.com for the purpose of listing networking groups and events. I have had a list of networking opportunities on my website for a number of years and just wanted to give people a central location for this type of information. It certainly was not my intention to do anything that would jeopardize any membership or relationship I had with any other site.

It seems because this is a NING site and my identity is for most all my Ning sites, that perhaps other sites see my universal posts as being solicitations which was not my intention.

I did not even know some of these other sites existed until a few days ago. And with the receipt of the email from my acquaintance, I checked to see which ones I was a member of, only to find out I had been banned. I feel that these sites are different, in that the goal of NetworkNorthGeorgia.com is for the purpose of listing networking groups and events not news, not public affairs, not music, fishing reports, politics, lake levels, etc.

I hope that we can come to a mutual agreement that we can both co-exist and perhaps help each other.

I'm very sorry if I did something I wasn't suppose to. So folks, if you want to see NNG grow with serious networkers and like minded business people in the North Georgia area, join yourself, list your networking groups, events, and invite others to join.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Trick or Treat

Image via Wikipedia

Fall is in the air. It is October already. This month is filled with lots of holidays besides Halloween. Some notable ones that would be good to remember to send a greeting card - Boss' Day - October 16 and Mother-in-Law Day - October 25.

Lots and lots of monthly observances also this month. The most notable, I believe, is National Breast Cancer Awareness. Do you have a friend or relative who has been affected by this? It also reminds us to schedule the 'girls' checkup. Please note there are a number of other health related observances during October also.

Some other observances that I want to call attention to are: 'Get Organized Week,' 'Customer Service Week,' and 'Home Based Business Week.'

And lastly, the Well cat Wacky holidays. When I read over the list, I didn't think they were to wacky this month, for instance - 'Evaluate Your Life' day. Hmmmm....sounds pretty serious to me. But on the other hand 'Haunted Refrigerator Night' reminds me I need to clean out my frig. That can be pretty scary. I think there are some science projects growing in there.

What is near and dear to your heart of all the observances in October? What do you like about this time of year?

One of my favorite quotes for this time of year is: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus

US Holidays -

October-6	National German-American Day
October-6	Physician Assistant Day
October-9	Leif Erikson Day
October-11	National Coming Out Day
October-14	Peace Corps Birthday
October-15	Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
October-16	Boss Day
October-16	Dictionary Day
October-16	Ether Day
October-16	National Feral Cat Day
October-17	Black Poetry Day
October-18	Alaska Day
October-23	National Mole Day (Avogadro's number)
October-24	United Nations Day
October-25	Mother-in-Law's Day
October-27	Navy Day
October-31	Hallowe'en
October-31	National Magic Day (for Houdini)
October-31	Nevada Day
October-31	Reformation Day

Occasion	Link
Halloween Safety Month	Prevent Blindness America
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month	(see website for board of sponsors)
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month	A.S.P.C.A.
American Magazine Month	Magazine Publishers of America
Campaign for Healthier Babies Month	March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation
Car Care Month	Car Care Council
Celiac Sprue Awareness Month	Celiac Sprue Assoc.
Child Health Month	American Academy of Pediatrics
Computer Learning Month	Computer Learning Foundation
Consumer Information Month	Consumers Index to Product Evaluations and Information Sources
Cookbook Month	International Association of Culinary Professionals
Country Music Month	Country Music Assoc.
Crime Prevention Month	National Crime Prevention Council
Dental Hygiene Month	The American Dental Hygienists' Association
Disability Employment Awareness Month	US Presidential Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
Dollhouse & Miniatures Month	Miniatures Industry Assoc.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month	National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Energy Awareness Month	US Department of Energy
Family Health Month	American Academy of Family Physicians
Sexuality Education Month	Planned Parenthood
Fire Prevention Month	National Fire Protection Association
Healthy Lung Month	American Lung Assoc.
Hunger Awareness Month	Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger
Kitchen and Bath Month	National Kitchens and Bath Association
Liver Awareness Month	American Liver Foundation
Lupus Awareness Month	Lupus Foundation of America
Mental Illness Awareness Month	American Psychiatric Assoc.
Pasta Month	National Pasta Association
Physical Therapy Month	American Physical Therapy Assoc.
Pizza Month	Pizza Today magazine
Popcorn Poppin' Month	The Popcorn Institute
Pork Month	National Pork Producers Council
Quality Month	American Society for Quality Control
Seafood Month	National Fisheries Institute
Spina Bifida Prevention Month	Spina Bifida Assoc. of America
Spinal Health Month	American Chiropractic Assoc.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month	SIDS Alliance
UNICEF Month	US Committee for UNICEF
Youth Against Tobacco Month	Tobacco Education and Prevention
Vegetarian Awareness Month	EarthSave
Clergy Appreciation Month	Christianity Today
National Roller Skating Month	The Roller Skating Association
Fair Trade Month	Fair Trade Certified
Stress Awareness Month	The Stress Institute
National Caramel Month	National Confectioners Association

First Full Week
Occasion	Link
Get Organized Week	National Association of Professional Organizers
Mental Illness Awareness Week	American Psychiatric Foundation
National Health Care Food Service Week	American Hospital Association
Customer Service Week	International Customer Service Association
National Spinning & Weaving Week	Handweavers Guild of America
Walk a Child to School Week	National Safety Council
World Space Week	Spaceweek International Assoc.

First Two Weeks
Occasion	Link
Hispanic Heritage Month	Education World

Second Week
Occasion	Link
Home-based Business Week	Association of Home-based Businesses
Fire Prevention Week	National Fire Protection Assoc.
National Newspaper Week	Newspaper Assoc. Managers Inc
School Lunch Week	American School Food Service Association
National Physician Assistants Week	American Academy of PAs

Third Week
Occasion	Link
Teen Read Week	Young Adult Library Services Association
Health Education Week	National Center for Health Education
Hepatitis Awareness Week	American Liver Foundation
Infection Control Week	Assoc. for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

Third Full Week
Occasion	Link
National Healthcare Quality Week	National Assn of Healthcare Quality

Second Last Week
Occasion	Link
National Pharmacy Technician Week	-

Fourth Week
Occasion	Link
National Consumers Week	White House Office of Consumer Affairs
Disarmament Week (the week beginning October 24)	United Nations
National Chemistry Week	American Chemical Society

Last Week
Occasion	Link
Respiratory Care Week	American Association for Respiratory Care

Wacky Holidays by Wellcat -

Oct 12	International Moment of Frustration Scream Day -- To share any or all of our frustrations, all citizens of the world will go outdoors at twelve hundred hours Greenwich time and scream for thirty seconds. We will all feel better, or Earth will go off its orbit. Co-sponsored by Low Thresholders of the Earth League.
Oct 14	Be Bald and Be Free Day -- For those who are bald and who either do wear or do not wear a wig or toupee, this is the day to go “shiny” and be proud.
Oct 19	Evaluate Your Life Day -- To encourage everyone to check and see if they’re really headed where they want to be.
Oct 27	Cranky Co-Workers Day -- In honor of all the complaining and just plain cranky co-workers you have to endure all year, this is the day to let them go with it and enjoy their miseries.
Oct 30	Haunted Refrigerator Night -- Who knows what evil lurks in the refrigerators of men . . . and women. It's time to be afraid, very afraid. Gather friends, open the refrigerator door, and venture unto the realm of the lower shelf, rear. That "thing" inside that container is much more horrifying than any haunted hayride.

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo Buscaglia

Show someone you care. Send them a H.U.G - Heartfelt Unexpected Greeting - Act on your prompting today.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Whirlwind

Life is good and so exciting! I've been gone for nine days on a vacation, wedding trip, honeymoon, and company convention. And yes, I planned it all to coincide. Now trying to get caught up.

First things first, yes I did get married to my long time significant other of nine and half years. We were married in Lake Tahoe. Hope to have pictures posted on Facebook soon. From there we went to Salt Lake for my company convention.

I am so excited about all the new announcements at convention, especially the new product to become a sender of greeting cards. It is a great product for home, office, and school parties, trade shows, fund raisers, etc. The list just goes on and on. Also, a new low entry fee to get started making money, and all just in time for the holidays! ALL The best features of direct sales.

So I am busy scheduling 'Celebrate Life' parties and following up with all those folks who have expressed interest. This is a wonderful opportunity just in time for the holidays - gifts and greeting cards.

Let me know if you would like more information.

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Advertising Specialty Promotional Product Study

Image via Wikipedia

It’s important to show our clients that we appreciate their business. After all they are our best sales people. At this time of the year we begin to think about gifts that we can give that will show our appreciation. Imprinted ad specialties provide a gift of appreciation as well as a gift that will keep on giving impressions to your client as well as to new prospects.

Here are some highlights of a study done by the ©Advertising Specialty Institute on the impact of promotional products. It provides some interesting information to consider when selecting imprinted ad specialty gifts for your clients. If you would like to see the entire study, let me know and I will send it to you in its entirety.

The purpose of this study was to understand how advertising specialties influence end-user’s purchasing decision; determine the number of impressions of popular advertising specialties; and analyze the Cost Per Impression (CPI) of advertising specialties compared with other popular advertising media.

Respondents were asked if they had received any promotional products in the last 12 months. Most respondents were business/professional people and all were age 21 or older.

Summary of Conclusions:

• Instant recall: 84% respondents remembered the advertisers of the promotional products they had received.
• Very Impressionable: 42% had MORE favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving the item. And 24% said they are MORE likely to do business with the advertiser on the items they receive.
• It’s all business: 62% have done business with the advertiser on a promotional product after receiving the item.
• Pens are in: Writing instruments are the most-recalled advertising specialty items (54% recall owning them), followed by shirts, caps, and bags.
• User-Friendly: 81% of promotional products were kept because they were considered useful.
• Staying power: More than three-quarter have had their items for more than 6 months.
• Bag It!: Among wearables, bags were reported to be used most frequently with respondents indicating that they used their bags an average of 9 times per month. Bags also deliver the most impressions: Each bag averages 1,038 impressions per month.
• Most Impressive: The average CPI of an advertising specialty item is $0.004; as a result, marketers get a more favorable return on investment from advertising specialties than nearly any other popular advertising media.

Commonly owned advertising specialty items:

• The most commonly owned promotional products among all respondents were writing instruments (54%) followed by shirts (45%) and caps (31%)

Usage: How often do you wear/use the item per month? (Asked to those who had shirts, caps, other wearables, and bags).

• Shirts – 4.32
• Caps – 6.06
• Other Wearables – 4.62
• Bags – 9.33

Number of Impressions:

Impressions were calculated based on the number of times items were worn or used per month and the average number of people that came in contact with the user.

• Bags made the highest number of impressions (approximately 1,038 per month) followed by caps (approximately 476 per month).
• Among non-wearables, writing instruments made the most impressions, with 363 per month.

Length of Time an Item is Held:

• More than one year:
o Bags – 42%
o Wearables – Shirts, caps, etc. 39%
o Other – 37%
o Recognition awards – 34%
o Glassware/Ceramics – 26%

Frequency of Use:

How often do you use the item? (Asked of those who had writing instruments, glassware/ceramics, desk/office/business accessories, and other promotional products).

• Nearly one-third (32%) of glassware/ceramics items received were used once per week and another one-quarter (25%) were used once per day.
• 40% of writing instruments were used at least two times per day.
• On average, writing instruments were used most frequently per month (approximately 64 times per month).

Are you able to identify the advertiser of the item?

• Respondents were able to identify the advertiser the vast majority of the time (84%).
• Wearables were the most often cited product where the recipient was familiar with the sponsor.

Why do you keep the item you received?

• The majority (81%) of promotional product items were kept because they were considered useful, i.e. bags, writing instruments, wearables, glassware/ceramics, desk/office/business accessories, and calendars.
• Receivers of wearables items were more likely to keep these items because they were considered attractive, i.e. bags, wearables, calendars, caps, and shirts.

Which of the following best describes your impression of the advertiser after receiving the item?

• Among respondents of all promotional products received, 42% indicated that their impression of the advertiser had become either significantly or somewhat more favorable after receiving the item.
• This was especially true among receivers of bags with over one-half (53%) reporting that they viewed the advertiser more favorably.

Since receiving the item, have you actually done any business with the advertiser?

• Among respondents of all promotional products received, 62% indicated that they had done business with the advertiser after receiving the item.

Total Impressions/Cost Per Impression (CPI):

• The cost per impression of ad specialties is very low, with fractions of a cent per impression, i.e. 0.004 average.
• Advertising specialties are less expensive per impression than nearly any other media.

Caps – 0.002
Bags – 0.002
Writing Instruments – 0.002
Calendars – 0.003
Glassware/Ceramics – 0.004
Shirts – 0.005
Desk/office/business accessories 0.007

Excerpted from 13 page 2008 study ©Advertising Specialty Institute. All Rights Reserved.

Again if you would like a copy of this 13 page report, let me know and I will send you a copy.

As you consider gifts for your clients and prospects this holiday season, consider ad specialty promotional products imprinted with your company logo. These are gifts that will keep on giving. A useful product your client will use with your contact information at their fingertips so they can call you for more business and/or refer you to others.

I also have some BOGO specials right now that I can also send or you can search for your perfect item at www.LesterBMartin.com Let me know what you are interested in and I will be glad to get it ordered for you. Also, while you are on the website, be sure and register to win $1000 in promotional products. Be sure and list that I referred you.

I would also like to hear what advertising specialty item you currently have that is your favorite and why.

Happy Marketing,

Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
“Helping You and Your Business Look Good”

Infinite Possibilities - The Art of Living Your Dreams

I am a huge fan of Mike Dooley. Mike was featured in the book and movie 'The Secret.' He has written a new book and has some exciting news and special offers to go along with the release. This book has already broken publication records for its pre-published sales to bookstores. The worldwide release date was Tuesday, September 8th and in celebration of the release, TUT is declaring September the “Month of Infinite Possibilities,” dedicated to making people’s dreams come true. Click here to order your copy.

Here is a preview of the book -

Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams The brand NEW book by Mike Dooley!

A profound exploration into the mysteries of the Universe. Infinite Possibilities is bestselling author Mike Dooley’s manifesto, revealing that we are literally the eyes and the ears of the Divine. He enlightens that our dreams are not accidental but serve rather as invitations to understand the truth about ourselves, hinting at the lives we can create. Dooley shares that our “default settings” are abundance, health, and harmony, and he explains that once we grasp the truth about our heritage, thinking far beyond what spirituality has traditionally meant, it becomes evident that life, itself, is the ultimate adventure—filled with unending opportunities that day-by-day lead us to rediscover how powerful we are, how much we deserve, and why we’re here. With recognizable insight, lighthearted wit, and striking sincerity, this new work by the much-celebrated author elevates the lessons learned in The Secret, Choose Them Wisely and his Notes from the Universe trilogy to a whole new level. Prepare to be challenged and excited with this unique guide to living the life of your dreams—purposefully, lovingly, brilliantly.

An international tax accountant turned entrepreneur turned writer for “the Universe,” Mike Dooley lives in Orlando Florida, where he runs TUT’s Adventurers Club and sends out his Notes from the Universe to hundreds of thousands of e-mail subscribers each weekday. As a featured teacher in The Secret book and DVD, Dooley is actively using the profound concepts and principles he expounds upon to travel the world speaking on life, dreams, and happiness.

A “Month of Infinite Possibilities” – TUT is making dreams come true!!

In celebration of the release of Mike Dooley’s brand new book, Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams, TUT has decided to make the entire month of September a “Month of Infinite Possibilities,” dedicated to making people’s dreams come true! Each person who purchases the book can be entered into a drawing with a chance at winning several “dream” prizes, including a trip for two to Egypt, a Tahiti Cruise for two, a week in Hawaii, a spa getaway retreat, a year of chocolate, and lots more!!!). For more information about the prizes and other fun contests and events, please go to http://www.tut.com/events/ip/thebook/! To enter the Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes*, just purchase the book and mail a copy of your receipt to the address below:

TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes Entry
625 Panorama Trail
Building 2, Suite 100
Rochester, NY 14625

For Canadian Residents:

TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes Entry
17-7000 McLeod Rd
Unit 135
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7K3

*You may also enter the sweepstakes without purchase. Simply send a stamped postcard to TUT’s Month of Infinite Possibilities Sweepstakes at the address above.

And remember 'Thoughts become Things' choose the good ones!

In gratitude,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"