Many people are trying to eat healthier to help them feel better and live longer. In fact, a report from the Earth Day Network and Yale University showed 94% of Americans are willing to eat more plant-based foods.  

Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to do this. They think they need to give up their favorite comfort foods and replace them with unusual foods like kale, tempeh, or quinoa.

But now, a man in Arizona is providing an easy way to eat more plant-based food without radically changing one’s diet or sacrificing taste.

“Most people I meet want to eat more plant-based food. But they have no idea how and they don’t have time to figure it out. Salads are often the only thing that come to mind,” says Ken Beller, creator of the new video series Plant-Based Eating Made Easy.

Born into a cattle ranching family, Beller ate a meat-heavy diet most of his life. After discovering the benefits of a plant-based diet, he switched to it more than 20 years ago.

Taking his plant-based journey further, he earned a certification in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University. He drew on it and his professional experience as an engineer, award-winning author, public speaker, and workshop creator in designing this series.

It offers easy plant-based substitutes for America’s 16 favorite foods, like burgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, ice cream, and more. 

Beller explains, “I realized most people don’t know how many amazing plant-based substitutes are out there. And they don’t taste like cardboard, but like the real thing they’re replacing. That’s why I created this series… to help others learn about these simple swaps. I wish there had been a series like it when I started eating plant-based.”

In videos of fewer than ten minutes each, Beller shows where to get today’s best swaps – both at grocery stores and restaurant chains. These swaps range from the Impossible Whopper at Burger King to creamy, meltable cheeses from Miyoko’s to a fluffy scrambled egg alternative from JUST. They also include private label products from grocery stores like Target and Kroger and plant-based proteins from meat companies like Tyson and Hormel.

These innovative new products are designed to have taste and texture identical to the real thing and appeal to vegans, flexitarians, and meat-eaters alike.  

Beller says, “Friends I thought would never be interested in plant-based eating have told me they tried many of these new swaps and could not even tell the difference. They were truly blown away by them.”

In Plant-Based Eating Made Easy Beller provides a guide to these many options and gives honest reviews. He also gives his personal recommendations for what he believes are the best grocery store products and restaurant chain dishes. Further, he includes a nutritional breakdown comparing fat, protein, and other nutrients in the plant-based substitutes to their conventional counterparts.

“Bottom line,” says Beller, “Plant-Based Eating Made Easy is designed to save people time, money, and frustration wading through all the options currently in the marketplace. It’s a quick and easy way to take a step toward better health without sacrificing taste.”

More information about the series can be found at PlantBasedEating.com.

The traditional law firm model, which has served firms well for decades, is now largely broken apart because of new market realities, according to a report published by the Thomson Reuters Legal Executive Institute. Today’s successful lawyers are leveraging technology and use smart marketing strategies to reach and attract clients, while embracing alternative ways of practicing law and providing more affordable legal services.

Sue Howard, digital marketing expert and founder of www.VocMarketing.co, thinks that “Whether you are a large law firm or a solo practitioner, there are business models of delivering legal services online that can easily increase your client base without having to bill more hours of your time. This allows for more flexibility and work-life balance in the legal profession.”

With more and more consumers turning to the Internet to buy everything from books to therapists and professional services, it makes sense for a solo lawyer to add an online component to their practice. This means selling educational content like e-books, seminars, webinars, templates or courses, which can be a great way to diversify revenue and improve profitability while building industry authority.

Although digital programs are not viable for every practice area or client type, lawyers can start taking advantage of this expanding market by leveraging the power of automation and offering more standardized, affordable solutions. Here are the required steps:

Choosing a niche and creating a digital program

Focusing on a specific problem within a legal niche, such as e-commerce or real estate planning, makes scaling up much easier because marketing will become laser-focused and avoid a lot of the existing competition. “Your digital programs must solve a very specific challenge within a niche and identifying the right problem to solve is one of the most challenging and important steps in the process. It needs to be common enough and painful enough so that you can consistently sell it to many clients,” says Howard.

The easiest way to create a digital program in the legal niche is by packaging a few simple services together, such as a set of templates and a video tutorial on how to customize it for a specific case or business.

Building a marketing funnel

When it comes to digital programs, online marketing is the best approach, due to its greater reach and high efficiency (much lower cost per result than traditional advertising). Howard explains that “The next step is setting up a landing page that explains the value proposition of your program. You will start driving traffic to this page and capture the email addresses of all those who are potentially interested.”

Promoting the program and start selling

There are many different strategies to drive traffic to a program, from content marketing to paid ads and social media. The best strategy depends on who is the specific targeted audience.

With its three billion users worldwide, Facebook has become more and more of a staple in almost any industry. Howard says that “With the ability to target your audience by city, age, life events and lots of interest, Facebook ads can help you put your programs in front of the exact people you want to reach. It is the most targeted and economical form of advertising today.”

Howard adds that “The world is moving online. By designing programs that can be marketed online and delivered with the help of technology, lawyers can tap into a new market and boost the bottom line without worrying about the number of billed hours.”

Sue Howard is a digital marketing consultant, making her mark online through her agency, VoC Marketing. Howard helps professional service providers ditch the day to day grind of trading hours for dollars by creating second income streams with digital products. Find more at www.VocMarketing.co

The app, which has been developed in close collaboration with clinical psychologists, Spanish language teachers, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) experts, mindset and meditation experts, is specifically designed to help people learn Spanish with a unique guided meditation style approach to learning.

Ruiz says that “Learning a foreign language is mostly about having the right mindset. Without this, it will take a lot longer to have the desired results. With the app, we hack people’s brain, so they are at peak performance to learn. If you have focus, the right motivation and your stress level is down; the knowledge will stick.” The app uses a mix of guided meditations, mindful practices and NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) to create the perfect learning environment.

“People ask me how they can meditate and learn Spanish at the same time.  Meditation is a natural cognitive enhancer. It doesn’t always have to be you sitting in silence on your yoga mat. It can actually be something that is a reflective experience. This is why we developed a mind active method for our guided meditations,” shared Ruiz. “Our meditation method is not body passive; it’s mind active. We use higher frequency voice patterns and upbeat sounds in our guided meditations. This is a subtle but key way of keeping your mind active and energized. The difference in our meditations and others is that we are boosting your brain power and unlocking specific belief systems to help shift your mindset for maximum learning potential.”

The content of the Medita Spanish app is standardizedbased on the Instituto Cervantes curriculum, which is the Spanish curriculum that is followed worldwide and includes guided meditations forevery subject from physical descriptionsand characteristics to family, colors, food and emotions. “There is even a visualization about somebody you love. We do this because the more personal it is,the more your mind relates to the lesson,” adds Ruiz.

The app combines video stories, audio stories and infographics, making ideas easy to remember and improving learning by 400 percent and help the users acquire Spanish in a natural way rather than consciously. In other words, learning becomes easier and enjoyable. This is why it has already won two bronze Stevies from the American Business Awards: for Startup of The Year and Tech Startup of The Year. “But the most valued prizes are the results of our users like increasing confidence by 23 percent and learning motivation by 16 percent, while decreasing anxiety by 13 percent,” adds Ruiz. “And the coolest part is that we are able to analyze how you feel before and after the meditations. This allows us to measure your progress so we will be able to tell you what works best for you. Because our motto is: if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”

Ruiz concludes that “We foster a growth mindset by incorporating meditation in our learning methodology and we have seen a dramatic change in our students’ performance. Bringing together Spanish learning and meditation techniques can be a game-changer because we are making the learning process more meaningful. It is very effective for improving focus, the way brain processes and stores new information while increasing the overall productivity.”

After years of teaching Spanish at Cambridge University, Ines Ruiz realized that learning a new language does not depend on IQ or language and grammar skills, but on having the right mindset. As a result, she founded Medita Spanish, a company that uses innovative mindset techniques to accelerate the results of its students. Find more at https://www.meditaspanish.com

According to statistics, about 500,000 new businesses are started each month and half of them fail within their first five years, with the most common reasons being not having an effective marketing strategy in place.

“Small businesses must evolve with the changes that marketing is facing today because consumers are evolving especially with changing technology,” says Ashley Deland, award-winning business coach and founder of https://ashleydeland.com.

So what does it take to successfully market a local business in 2019?

An effective social media strategy

Starting a social media account can provide huge benefits for any business. The content a business pushes out on social media should be highly relevant to their targeted audience.

“Post content that adds value to your clients. If you’re offering plumbing services, talk about five common plumbing mistakes homeowners make or if you’re a mom and pop diner in a small town, talk about fun things visiting tourists can do in the area. You can even curate videos, photos or articles that you think your target audience would like,” says Deland.

Paid advertising

With organic growth no longer being a solid option, local businesses need to consider paid advertising. Luckily, running ads on social media is something that works with all budget sizes. With its three billion users worldwide, Facebook has become more and more of a staple for the local businesses.

Deland says that “You can target your audience by city, age, life events and lots of different interest. Facebook ads are a great tool that will immediately put you in front of your ideal clients.”

Brand humanization

Standing out from the crowd can be hard for a local business, especially in competitive niches. Nevertheless, there are ways to be visible and brand humanizing is one of them. People buy from people, not from businesses.

“Storytelling instantly establishes a human connection. Have the courage to pull back the curtains and share your story, so that people start to know you: who are you, why have you started this business and what makes you different? What problems do you want to solve and what are the things you stand for? These are a few great things to start with,” says Deland.

Content marketing

Great content is a powerful way to build brand awareness, add credibility, make your audience like you and ultimately build trust and convert readers into clients.

Deland says that “You can use any form of content, from blog posts and infographics to podcasts and videos, as long as it is highly relevant to your audience. This being said, videos are currently getting more engagement and are encouraged by all social media platforms.”

Content marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. Businesses need to create and distribute content that establish an emotional connection with their audience while meeting them where they are on the client journey.

Great customer experience

Consumer trust is tough to earn and in short supply. Going that extra little mile can make a huge impact on the overall customer experience, ensuring increased sales due to referral marketing (word-of-mouth).

“To be a successful business you must live by the manifesto of always over deliver. If a customer feels acknowledged, cared for and heard they would not go anywhere else,” says Deland.

A recent survey found that 86% of U.S. consumers regularly consult online reviews and ratings when evaluating local businesses.

Deland adds that “People trust online reviews as much as they trust a personal recommendation from a friend. If your clients have a great experience with your brand, they will tell their friends, family and then go on social media outlets and let the public know just how amazing the experience was. And this will help your business tremendously.”

Ashley Deland is an award-winning business coach, mentor and marketing expert with over 10 years of experience growing businesses for solopreneurs, small business owners, and start-up founders. When she is not creating personal empires for her clients, you can usually catch her zenning out on the yoga mat or cooking up new things in the kitchen to help fuel her passion for plant-based foods. Find more at  www.ashleydeland.com.

Research shows that only four out of ten adults in the United States have a will or a living trust. As studies point out, most people over 72 have some level of estate planning. However, according to attorney Kent Phelps, founder of Estate Planning US, younger adults must do it too, especially if they have children.

A basic estate plan benefits more than just the retired and the wealthy. “This is the only way to ensure your kids will be taken under the wing of the people you want to, in the event you are no longer with them,” says Phelps. However, 78 percent of millennials don’t think about this.

Here are five common estate planning mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Putting off naming a legal guardian for minor children

If something happens to both parents and they never named the person they want to take custody of their young children in a will, the decision will be left up the government.

As Phelps observes, “This scenario can be avoided by simply identifying the person you want to finish raising your children in a valid will.  Naming the person who will love and nurture your children instead of letting the government make that decision for you may possibly be the single most important thing you can do to protect your children should something happen to both parents.”

2. Thinking a will is enough

After someone dies, their original will needs to be filed with the court and judged to be authentic and valid under state law. This process is called probate and it means that the heirs will have to rely on a judge to oversee the administration of the estate within the court system.

“This process takes a lot of time and you find yourself at the mercy of the court. It is also costly and can create family conflict,” says Phelps. “I strongly recommend to my clients to transfer their property to a revocable living trust, which will keep their estate out of court. It is easy to do and you won’t have to file an additional tax return for your trust,” says Phelps.

3. Failing to fund the trust

Your home, bank accounts and other property need to be transferred to your trust to avoid probate. Phelps says that “This is one of the most common mistakes we see when a new client comes to us with an existing trust. So often, estate planning attorneys fail to follow up with their clients to make sure all eligible property is transferred to the trust.”

4. Incorrect life insurance beneficiary designations

Most people don’t realize that when minor children are named as beneficiaries of your life insurance policy and something happens to you, the insurance company will require court supervision of the life insurance money until your child is 18.

Phelps says that “This can be avoided by simply filling out a change of beneficiary form provided by the life insurance company and designating your trust as the beneficiary of the life insurance policy.”

5. Not transferring our values with our money

There are many stories of lottery winners, Hollywood stars and heirs to fortunes ruining their lives after coming into a large sum of money. The way children use the money left by their parents (including life insurance money) can have a great impact on who they ultimately become. Ignoring this can have unintended negative consequences and create dysfunction.

“Sometimes, clients say they don’t care what their kids do with the money when they are gone. As we talk more about this, however, the client comes to realize that they do care what their children become as a result of the way they use the parent’s money,” says Phelps.

Phelps concludes that “Squandered wealth and ruined lives are a choice, not an eventuality. With proper value-transfer planning, this cycle can be avoided. We provide a Letter of Wishes and other resources with our estate plans to help clients pass on their values to their loved ones and future generations.”

Estate planning attorney Kent Phelps is Founder of EstateplanningUS, a company which provides access to quality, affordable estate planning services for everyone without sacrificing the help of an attorney.

To learn more visit www.estateplanningus.com or www.myguardianangelplan.com

Remodeling is exciting and there is no shortage of home improvement projects, whether you go online, open a magazine or watch a television show. But frustration is also inevitable if you encounter delays, budget increases and the general inconvenience of living in a construction zone. However, according to Peter Glaw, founder of Premier Quality Renovations, homeowners can watch out for a few common pitfalls.

The following tips will help homeowners make the most out of their renovation projects.

Know what you are getting into

Planning ahead and budgeting accordingly are two very important aspects of any renovation project. “I strongly recommend to my clients to start with the amount they can spend and make design choices based on that. Also, thinking in terms of must-have versus nice-to-have helps when you have a tight budget,” says Glaw.

Home renovations are known for being expensive and a good contractor can help you save lots of money.  It is important to set a realistic budget and having a contractor who can look over the numbers helps, as material and labor pricing can easily be underestimated.

Decide the scope of work

The next step after determining the budget is to determine what type of work will be done and when.

Glaw says that “The more decisions you can take before the project starts, like what materials you will use or what type of appliances you will install, the better off you will be. Doing this will help you avoid having to decide under pressure, as well as unneeded delays.”

Get help but be smart about it

Finding the right team to complete a home improvement project is key. Using a personal recommendation from a friend can be a good start, but a thorough verification is still important, in order to avoid any unwanted complications.

Glaw thinks that “A good contractor asks a lot of questions about what you really want from this project. It is very important to work with someone who understands your vision, who you trust and get along with well.”  

There are also products that make a big difference when it comes to planning any home building project. An example is the one-of-a-kind Premier Access Card that Premier Quality Renovations offers to homeowners who want to have access to an elite database of more than 100 of Premier’s reputable and trusted suppliers and trades. If that isn’t enough of an encouragement, cardholders are also entitled to wholesale pricing which offers huge discounts.

Glaw adds that “So many people struggle when it comes to their renovations because they don’t know who to hire or how to find the suppliers they want. The Premier Access Card gives them complete access to a comprehensive list of industry professionals that we have personally worked with. The wholesale pricing offers such steep discounts that many of our clients have saved tens-of-thousands of dollars on their home renovations.”

“Our Premier Access Card is perfect for homeowners who want to oversee the renovation process, but also want the assurance and confidence of working with an experienced building renovation consultant,” concludes Glaw.

Peter Glaw is Founder of Premier Quality Renovations, a company which creates valuable additions and award-winning renovations for any living space. Looking to start a renovation but are unsure as to what is required? Premier’s experienced consultants can get you started down the right path – perfect for homeowners who want to oversee the renovation process, but also want the assurance and confidence of working with an experienced building renovation consultant.

To learn more visit www.premier-renovations.com or follow the Instagram account @premierqualityrenovations.

United States is the only industrialized country with a rising maternal mortality ratio, despite spending more per person on health than any country in the world. American women are dying at an alarming rate while giving birth, with life-threatening birth complications being more common in minorities. Research performed by the World Health Organization shows that black women are 2.6 times as likely to die due to a pregnancy-related cause as white women.  At least 60 percent of maternal deaths are preventable.

“Our country is the only developed nation that offers zero paid maternity leave, one of only two developed nations whose mortality at birth rate has worsened since 1990, and the only country that bifurcates its mental health system from medical care system leaving mothers floundering to find help with the most common complication of pregnancy, maternal depression” says Joy Burkhard, Founder and leader of Mom Congress, a coalition of non-profit partners and brands working to bring mothers to capitol hill for the Mom Congress event this May.

In 2010, Christy Turlington Burns launched the maternal health organization Every Mother Counts, to heighten awareness about the global maternal health crisis. After having endured a childbirth complication herself, she directed and produced the documentary “No Woman, No Cry,” highlighting the maternal health challenges that impact the lives of millions of women. “I was shocked to learn of the magnitude of the risk of maternal death after I became a mother, and I’ve been on a mission to end preventable maternal deaths ever since,” says Turlington Burns.

In 2016 Judge Glenda Hatchett lost her daughter in law, Kira, who died due to a massive postpartum hemorrhage following what was supposed to have been a routine cesarean section. Following Kira’s death, Judge Glenda Hatchett and her son and Kira’s husband, Charles, embarked upon a crusade to honor Kira’s memory while also advocating for reforms that will protect women giving birth and their children.

Serena Williams has also experienced important complications after the birth of her daughter in 2017 and raised concerns about doctors and hospital employees dismissing her concerns. “I almost died after giving birth to my daughter, Olympia. It began with a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. This sparked a slew of health complications that I am lucky to have survived,” Williams wrote in an article for CNN.

New Jersey’s first lady, Tammy Murphy, is focusing her efforts on reducing the state’s high maternal mortality rates, by looking at disparities in care among African American women, including calling on health insurers to cover community based doula services.

Joy Burkhard thinks that “When mothers and children thrive, this country thrives. But, as we’ve seen time and time again, the needs and rights of mothers are often brushed aside, which can impact not only mom’s health but the health of her children, too. It’s absolutely time that this country prioritize caring for our mothers.”

Christy Turlington Burns, Judge Glenda Hatchett and Tammy Murphy are three of the speakers at the upcoming Mom Congress, which will take place in Washington D.C. between 5th-7th of May, 2019.

“The 2019 Mom Congress agenda includes advocating for what Mom Congress leaders are referring to as the Momnibus bills anchored around improving maternal health and support. We’ll build on the momentum of the recent successful efforts addressing maternity care. Our focus includes reversing the rising maternal mortality rates and health disparities among African American mothers, and efforts to identify and treat maternal mental health disorders like postpartum depression, paid family leave and more. We are comprised of and work with all political parties because maternal and child health transcends party politics and affects us all,” says Burkhard.

Burkhard concludes that “With the Congress now including the largest number of mothers in our history, we believe it’s time to build on the momentum and act now to address critical issues concerning mothers, for the future health of our nation.”

Mom Congress is being hosted by a coalition of non-profit partners and boutique brands to bring moms from throughout the U.S. to the capital city to hear from inspiring change agents, to learn how to advocate and tell powerful stories, and in 2019 to address one of our basic rights as women – improved treatment and support during birth and the postpartum period. 

Find more at https://www.mom-congress.com

Mastering a foreign language does require dedication, patience, motivation and the right mindset. Ines Ruiz, former Cambridge University Lecturer and founder of Medita Spanish, thinks that “Learning a foreign language is mostly about having the right mindset. Without this, it will take you a lot longer to have the desired results.”

Mindset describes a way of thinking and it determines how people act in any aspect of their lives. Ruiz says that “If and how fast you acquire a foreign language depends on what you believe about your abilities and your mindset will also dictate the learning method you will choose.”

Here are three mindset components that Medita Spanish incorporates in its teaching methodology, to help people learn Spanish faster:

Motivation

Little information retention happens when children enroll in a class because their parents think it is for the best. Personal motivation is key to getting good results from any learning process. Ruiz says that “It is important to be clear on your why and constantly remind yourself about your main motivation, whether it is getting a promotion or simply wanting to better communicate with your neighbor.”

Confidence

While doing mistakes has always been the way to learn, school and exams teach us that failure has bad consequences. As a result, people try to avoid as many mistakes as they can.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; this is how you grow. Having the confidence that you can do this goes a long way. Fear of failure is usually the biggest barrier to success,” says Ruiz.

Resilience

As with any learning process, consistency is key to picking up a foreign language. Consistency translates into the total time you are putting into learning. Ruiz says that “Have specific learning goals in mind, like spending a certain time every day on language learning or perform a certain set of activities each day. Although it is possible to become fluent in a new language in only a few months, this requires a concentrated effort.”

Ruiz adds that “Research has shown that the people who learn the most effectively have a growth mindset. They are not worried about their mistakes, they challenge themselves and this is how they have success. So keep going and be consistent and soon you will see the results.”

“We foster a growth mindset by incorporating techniques like meditation in our learning methodology and we have seen a dramatic change in our students’ performance. Bringing together Spanish learning and meditation techniques can be a game changer because we are making the learning process more meaningful. It is very effective for improving focus, the way brain processes and stores new information while increasing the overall productivity,” concludes Ruiz.

After years of teaching Spanish at Cambridge University, Ines Ruiz realized that learning a new language does not depend on IQ or language and grammar skills, but on having the right mindset. As a result, she founded Medita Spanish, a company that uses innovative mindset techniques to accelerate the results of its students.

Find more at https://www.meditaspanish.com

While everyone’s morning habits are different depending on factors such as lifestyle, type of work and children, how people choose to spend their first moments after waking up can make or break their day.

Wellness expert Alisson Carmany thinks that “It is important to have a mindful routine that empowers us and reinforces a positive mindset throughout the day and set us up for success.” Here are five morning habits that are proven to help with a great start of the day:

Journaling

Journaling has been proven to help with ideas exploration and grounding one’s thoughts.

 “You can journal about your intentions for the day or simply brain dump all your thoughts and make room for constructive thinking,” says Carmany. “But maybe one of the best benefits is that journaling helps you silence your inner critic and write away your negative feelings, which will positively impact your happiness level.”

Working out

Working promotes endorphins in the brain, which can elevate an individual’s mood and help them start their day off on a positive note. Exercise also boosts energy levels and relieve stress. Studies show that exercising in the morning is linked to increased brainpower and boost cortisol to feel more awake in the morning. Carmany says that “If you don’t make it to the gym, dedicate at least 10-15 minutes to stretching, yoga or dancing.”

Reading

Taking the time to read something stimulating to the mind before you leave your house can go a long way. Morning reading can improve your creativity, boost your motivation and all the information you get from the book will be better stored in your memory. A great alternative is to listen to an audiobook, podcast or TED Talk.

Spiritual practice

Meditation and expression of gratitude are a great way to start the day and your daily tune into your inner compass.

Carmany says that “Being thankful for all the things in your life is one of the best ways to gain clarity and cultivate a positive mindset. This is a powerful technique to remember what matters most to you and keep things into perspective. It will also inspire you to do your best in every circumstance.”

Mindful breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, waking up the metabolism and boosting energy levels. Feeding our body the right foods gives us the needed energy for the coming day. 

“Experience the present while you are preparing and eating your breakfast. Try not to think about all the things on your to-do list for the day, but appreciate every aspect of your present moment,” says Carmany. The process of appreciating present life experience is a meditating practice that helps unleash inner confidence.

Carmany concludes that “The most important part of any morning routine is consistency: lack of discipline equals no change. Of course, in the long run, morning routines must be flexible to yourself and your growth and specific steps in your routine may change over time as your mindset and your needs evolve.”

Wellness expert Allison Carmany is dedicated to leading people to a more joyful, vibrant and fulfilling life.  Learn more at http://soulfulrevolution.com

 “Life after fifty can be a great time for new beginnings,” says Colleen Kochannek, a business coach who helps women over fifty start a business they love. “We can take advantage of all our accumulated experience, skills and network to start a successful business we love.”

And the statistics agree: research shows that a 50-year-old entrepreneur is almost twice as likely to start an extremely successful company as a 30-year-old.

Do the prep work

Focusing on a list of different potential business ideas is the first step to take. Women in their fifties have the opportunity of tapping into a great set of skills to define the best business ideas for them.

Kochannek says that “It is always a great idea to find a mentor, someone who can guide you on your new path, whether this mentor is a business coach or an established entrepreneur in the field you want to start your business. This can save you a lot of time by telling you exactly what to focus on at each step.”

Make a plan

Having a detailed plan in place will make things clear and the implementation part much easier. Kochannek says that “You need clarity on who are your clients, what are you selling to them, how will those clients know about your business and how will you deliver your products or services to them.”

Start with a side business

Starting small has a series of benefits like limiting losses while validating the offer and gaining a deep understanding of the market.

“Starting a side business has the advantage of putting you on the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship, preparing you fully before going in full time,” says Kochannek.

Set up the basics

Today there are lots of free or low-cost solutions for all the tools that a small business needs, like websites and payment processors.

“Technology has evolved a lot over the past few years and today you can build a basic website without writing one line of code or running an entire business of your phone,” says Kochannek. “Also you can go online and quickly hire any type of help if you need to, at great prices.”

Master marketing

An effective marketing strategy is key to any business growth, as it helps get new clients and increase repeat business. Kochannek says that “Usually this is the hardest part for most people, many are afraid of being too promotional. But you need to get the word out about your new business, and there is a way for everybody.”

Marketing doesn’t have to be aggressive: by publishing great added value content, for example, new business owners can position themselves as an authority in their fields and reach lots of people.

“Believing in yourself is important. All the research and statistics prove that your experience, your skills, as well as your age are advantages. So if you are committed and work smartly, you can put all this at work and have a business you love in no time,” Kochannek concludes.

Colleen Kochannek is a business coach and mentor for women over 50 who want to get off the starting block and launch the business they have been dreaming of forever.

Find more at: https://www.scrappyfrontier.com

5G is a new technical standard for wireless networks and its arrival will transform the tech industry, exponentially increasing the download and upload speeds and also the way various devices connect with each other.  It is expected that the 5G networks will have a big impact on the Internet of Things  technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry bigger amounts of data.

The United States, China and South Korea are expected to be some of the first nations to install full 5G networks, with others including the UK not far behind. Many companies are already busy making sure their networks and devices are 5G ready.

And the hype is for a reason: industry analysts say that the 5G technology will enable revolutionary things like creating smart cities, connecting self-driving cars and giving space to new applications in medicine, production and augmented reality environments.

Sam Benzacar, CEO of Anatech Electronics, thinks that “With the enormous amount of hype surrounding 5G, one fact cannot be disputed: marketing works. The claims may be dubious, like some companies already placing a 5G icon on the smartphone displays for products that are not 5G. A simple Google search I performed yesterday delivered 570 million results for 5G, only 227 million fewer than for 4G that has been around for years and was promoted for years before that; And 5G isn’t even here yet. So yes, marketing works and for 5G its results are truly stupendous”.

Now that 5G is actually very close to fruition, it’s making an already complex topic even more confusing.  One example of this is the current lawsuit between Spring and AT&T over deceptive advertising.

So what is the current status of 5G? “The first stage began in October 2018, with the fixed wireless access Verizon rolled out in Sacramento and three other cities, making it the first actual 5G deployment. Mobile 5G has started making appearances in the United States this year, with much more comprehensive rollouts expected in 2020,” says Benzacar.

Before we can all use it, wireless companies and phone makers have to upgrade. Phones need new chips and radio antennas. The phones we have today will not work with a 5G network.

“Our current smartphones will not be able to connect to the new network, we will need a 5G-enabled phone. The first ones will be available in a few months and all will be Android phones, as Apple always waits until the technology is fully cooked before offering it, so don’t expect a 5G iPhone until 2020,” says Benzacar.

Benzacar adds that “Of course, there is a cost involved, as 5G phones will most likely be more expensive than the current ones. But we will be able to continue using our 4G phones, just not at 5G speeds.”

“The shift to 5G sees a lot of hype, but it has a serious purpose, being a necessity if we want to continue using mobile broadband. Data carriers are running out of broadband capacity in many cities. In some metropolitan areas, users are already seeing decreases in speed during the busiest times of day. 5G can solve this challenge, by adding important amounts of band spectrum,” concludes Benzacar.

Anatech Electronics is a privately-held, ISO 9001:2008-certified company founded in 1990, that specializes in the design and manufacture of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave filters. Anatech Electronics’ products are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments, GPS navigation systems and more.

The aerospace and defense industry is one of Anatech Electronics’ primary markets, and it has developed the capabilities, facilities, and quality control procedures required by defense customers.   In addition to manufacturing filters and other MIL-standards products, Anatech Electronics provides a range of services for defense contractors and the government designed to solve extremely complex interference problems within existing systems. With 20 years of experience in designing and manufacturing radio frequency and microwave filters, there are few interference challenges that Anatech Electronics has not faced and satisfactorily solved.

Anatech Electronics specializes in the design and manufacture of radio frequency and microwave filters that are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments and other systems, satellite communications terminals, point-to-point microwave links and many others.

To learn more visit the company’s website at https://www.anatechelectronics.com

Today’s successful realtors are leveraging technology and go online to reach and attract the clients they want to work with. According to statistics, most real estate agents fail within their first two years, with the most common reasons being not having built a strong foundation for referrals and not having a strong lead generation strategy in place.

 “A successful realtor needs to be passionate, have a plan of action and do the right things at the right times,” says Tracy Henning, founder of Porchlyte.com and award-winning realtor.

So what does it take to build a successful real estate business in 2019?

An effective social media strategy

As soon as it is time to move, the first thing home buyers and sellers do is hop on the web, so having in place an effective social media strategy is key to generate leads. Research shows that 44% of home-buyers go online, rather than traditional real estate offices or referrals from family and friends, to look for their new home.

“I think it isn’t just about having a social media presence. Real estate professionals now must offer useful and relevant information in the social media communities where their potential clients might be,” says Henning.

As with any other marketing strategy, the goals for a real estate social media campaign should be mapped over the company’s overall goals.

Facebook ads

With its three billion users worldwide, Facebook has become more and more of a staple in the real estate industry. Long gone are the days of buyers pouring over a newspaper ad, trying to find their dream home or an agent they want to work with.

Henning says that “With the ability to target your audience by city, age, life events and lots of interest, Facebook ads can help you put yourself in front of the exact people you want to work with. It is the most targeted and economical form of advertising today.”

Care about more than just the bottom line

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the community you are part of while meeting new people who could turn into customers, investors or referrals.

Henning says that “Realtors who engage in giving programs reap a wide variety of benefits leading to improved business performance, stronger relationships with their clients and a way to feel good about contributing to society.”

“Becoming a sponsor at one of these events will not only bring name awareness but social awareness as well. This can go a long way, showing that you care about more than just the bottom line,” Henning concludes.

Tracy Henning is an award-winning realtor on a mission to ignite profit-building strategies for new and emerging real estate agents. She has sold billions of dollars in real estate, received countless awards for her achievements, worked with various charities and sat on the Real Estate Board for ten years. Tracy now hosts a monthly TV Real Estate segment and helps real estate agents skyrocket their careers. Find more at  www.porchlyte.com

A 2017 study shows that 69% of married couples think couples counseling is not on the table because of the costs involved or because they think they have problems they can fix themselves.  Many married spouses were left with little to no options when it came to healing their marriage problems without the involvement of a therapist.

Relationship expert Danielle Napolio Cox, the founder of Emotional Wholeness for Women program, shares five steps spouses can take to foster a deeper connection and improve their relationship with their partner.

“Marriage”, says Napolio Cox, “is a complex, evolving entity. As we change over time, it’s only natural that our marriage will change too.”

Assess the stage of your marriage

Viewing their marriage from an outsider’s perspective can be useful for most spouses. “Before you can change the direction of your marriage, you need to get real about what is and what is not working. Take the time to give an honest assessment of how your relationship has evolved. How did you contribute to this slow derailment?  How did your husband?  How is this playing out in your relationship today?  If you continue this way, what does the future look like?”, says Napolio Cox.

Understand the role of emotions in marriage

“What we think, feel and believe impacts every relationship but it has a profound impact on our marriage”, says Napolio Cox.  “We carry with us thoughts and judgments from our past that affect how we experience the present and what we believe about the future of our marriage.  Many of these subconscious beliefs were formed in childhood and resurface during moments of conflict. When we become emotionally triggered, that is when our subconscious beliefs can wreak havoc in our relationship,” Napolio Cox adds.

Get emotional clarity through self-reconnection

Healing marital wounds begins with developing clarity around any subconscious beliefs and judgments.  Napolio Cox asserts that improving a marriage only takes one spouse to connect with their inner self and begin a personal transformation.  “When we show up differently in our marriage, that is when change and connection can occur”, says Napolio Cox.

Reconnect to your partner with compassion

Within a marriage, conflict is unavoidable, and any discussions have the potential of quickly spiraling out of control into full-blown arguments, spouses can shut down and refuse to work towards a compromise. Napolio Cox says that “Conflicts are an opportunity for connection.  When we approach problems and disagreements with compassion and see our spouse through the eyes of love, that is when a  momentum shift can occur.” 

Stop sabotaging behavior

As marital tensions increase so do destructive behaviors that subtly sabotage the relationship. Napolio Cox thinks that “These behaviors become so ingrained in the way in which we conduct ourselves that they often become an unconscious habit.  As with any habit, the key to ending it is with awareness and intention.”

Napolio Cox concludes that “The path to ending loneliness within marriage requires courage and hope.  Bravely facing the fear of rejection and judgment from our spouse opens the door to possibility.  When people reconnect to themselves and choose new beliefs about them and their partner, they invite in the opportunity for true marital transformation.”

Danielle Napolio Cox helps women overcome loneliness and restore the connection with their husband so they can have a marriage & life they love. You can find more at https://daniellenapoliocox.com

One of the top divorce reasons is the gradual disconnection between partners, as both experience personal changes throughout the marriage. Dr. David Hovey, psychotherapist and founder of Greater Hartford Counseling Center , shares five great ways couples can reconnect.

Connection, says Hovey, “is something we should foster every day, by taking a few moments to be fully present for our partner, create small moments of warmth and joy and develop a sense of a shared journey.”

Plan a weekend away

Today there are many activities a couple can enjoy during a weekend getaway.  “You can do a couples retreat weekend at a spa or sign up for a couple’s yoga or meditation class or even do a couple’s therapy workshop. There are all kinds of weekend workshops specifically for couples that help people reconnect with each other when they feel they are drifting apart. The idea is to choose something you both enjoy,” says Dr. Hovey.

Go off the grid and spend time alone together

Dr. Hovey says that “Simple exercises like writing down a few things you like or appreciate about each other and sharing your answers can help a lot. Conversely, you can write down a few things that you have built up resentments about and share your answers. Have a discussion with each other that you both agree is about greater understanding, not judgment or criticism.”

Create moments together

Having a routine to connect, like having coffee together in the morning before the kids are up, is important. Creating this habit where partners focus on checking in with each other will have the effect of both people feeling heard and understood.

Humor is a great way to connect

Laughing is a proven way to release tension and research shows that couples who have a long-term happy marriage think a good sense of humor is important. Dr. Hovey says that “You don’t need to focus on having fresh jokes and make your partner laugh, going to a comedy club or enjoying a funny YouTube video together has the same effect.”

Try something new

A study performed by the Stony Brook University found that couples who spent time jointly doing new and exciting activities were more satisfied with their relationships. Having a couple’s bucket list is a great idea for those who want to balance their children and married life with some fun activities while strengthening the bond with each other.

Dr. Hovey thinks that “Whether you take dance lessons, join a book club or volunteer for a charity, trying a new activity as a couple will help create memories and strengthen that bond. The key is to find common ground and look for hobbies you would enjoy together.”

“Relationships take a lot of work and both partners should be deliberately chasing the spark moments, by constantly looking for opportunities to spend quality time together. And luckily there are many options to choose from, depending upon your location, budget, and preferences,” concludes Dr. Hovey.

Dr. David Hovey is a life coach, inspirational speaker, and psychotherapist based in West Hartford, Connecticut. He helps his clients find their path during challenging transition times and thrive. His philosophy of therapy is deeply grounded in the belief that all people possess a unique inner wisdom that can lead them to healing. You can find more at https://greaterhartfordcounselingcenter.com or book a consultation with Dr. Hovey at (860) 571-4646

The worldwide weight loss market is expected to reach $442.3 billion by 2025. While most weight loss programmes focus on discipline and motivation as the primary success triggers, a smaller part also incorporates a new habit development component addressed at improving the overall lifestyle of the people who want to lose weight and improve their health.

Food psychologist and founder of  Full of Joy  Isabelle Ysebaert shares that “Although there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that if you followed these plans for life, you would achieve your goals, we see so many people struggling. What we see in the real world, beyond all the before and after pictures, is that a lot of people struggle with following these guidelines for life. This begs a simple question: why are we so wired to consistently eat more than what our physical body asks for?”

Ysebaert thinks that this aspect is not the fault of the food industry like some might think. “Are we collectively bound to be addicted to chocolate and chips at the first bite? I dare to say that we’re not. We are much more powerful than the chemical responses junk food triggers in our brains. We are not bound to overeat on junk, just like we are not bound to over-drink alcohol or over-listen to music – all strong dopamine-triggering activities,” says Ysebaert.

More and more people use food for emotional soothing and that can quickly progress to the degree where it interferes with their health and happiness.

“If we don’t eat for physical hunger, we eat for emotional hunger. And if we don’t dig a bit deeper into that emotional hunger, then no diet, workout plan or cauliflower crust pizza will provide a sustainable way to feel good in our bodies. If you don’t tackle the root cause of a specific behavior, it will always come back one way or another”, adds Ysebaert.

A solution seems to be combining mental, behavioral and emotional work to make good intentions turn into a long-term reality. Ysebaert shares that “I see people completely ignoring the emotional side of things. It’s easy to follow a plan; it’s something else to do the nitty-gritty work that is truly going to give you the result. We have such a hard time to tune into our emotions and develop our emotional health.”

Ysebaert concludes that “This is understandable. We experience our whole life through emotions, yet nobody taught us how to deal with them. In fact, our society is emotionally dysfunctional: we get praised for avoiding, dismissing, dis-owning and numbing our emotions. Showing emotion at work is a no-go, showing emotion at the grocery store is a no-go. We learn that emotions are redundant and annoying and stand in our way to success. We become strong at wearing masks, to the detriment of our emotional health. We need to see what the overeating is a symptom of to make room for real sustainable physical health.”

Isabelle Ysebaert is a psychologist and mind and body coach is on a mission to end women’s war with their bodies. As an emotional eating expert and intuitive eating counselor, she works with women on finding their way to feasting on the life they desire instead of on all the cookies. You can find more at www.fullofjoy.co

Anatech Electronics Inc. has been recently awarded a certificate for successful completion of the Quality Management System Audit performed by Raytheon, a unique technology company and a world leader in defense electronics, with a broad range of products, service and capabilities.

Sam Benzacar, President of Anatech Electronics Inc., announced on January 1^st, 2019 that the company successfully completed a quality management system audit by Raytheon, a unique technology company and a global leader in defense electronics, mission systems, command and control, with a broad range of products and service capabilities.

Raytheon is a technology and innovation trailblazer, specializing in defense and cybersecurity solutions. Founded in 1922, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems.  The company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, has more than 64,000 employees worldwide and helps governments and commercial enterprises secure their information and assets.

When asked about the significance of the certification, Benzacar said  “We are honored to have been awarded the Raytheon Certification as a trusted business partner. The results of the quality management system audit conducted certifies that our manufacturing process meets or exceeds the quality requirements of Raytheon and we can serve bigger clients at a higher level of service and scale.“

With a mission to make the world a safer place, Raytheon works with its suppliers to deliver customer solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

“As a trusted supplier, we take this responsibility seriously and look to contribute to Raytheon’s mission to provide the highest quality solutions in a timely manner to its clients,” adds Benzacar.  “We are honored to be on the side of the good guys, helping make the world a safer place. With recent multi-million dollar contracts being awarded to Raytheon by Naval Seal Systems Command in Washington, DC., we are proud to be a part of their go-to supplier network”.

Anatech Electronics is a privately-held, ISO 9001:2008-certified company founded in 1990, that specializes in the design and manufacture of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave filters. Anatech’s products are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments, GPS navigation systems and more.

The aerospace and defense industry is one of Anatech’s primary markets, and it has developed the capabilities, facilities, and quality control procedures required by defense customers.   In addition to manufacturing filters and other MIL-standards products, Anatech provides a range of services for defense contractors and the government designed to solve extremely complex interference problems within existing systems. With 20 years of experience in designing and manufacturing radio frequency and microwave filters, there are few interference challenges that Anatech Electronics has not faced and satisfactorily solved.

Anatech Electronics specializes in the design and manufacture of radio frequency and microwave filters that are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments and other systems, satellite communications terminals, point-to-point microwave links and many others.

To learn more visit the company’s website at https://www.anatechelectronics.com

The new movie Dumplin’ premiered on Netflix on December 7, starring Jennifer Aniston mixes the pain and acute self-awareness of being a teenager with the sweetness and tension that belie many female relationships.

The movie offers a more inclusive vision of beauty and tells the story of Willowdean Dickson, a plus-size teenager who signs up for the Texas pageant that her beauty-queen mother (Jennifer Aniston) won in the ’90s. Initially an act of protest, Willowdean’s entry encourages others, previously dissuaded by the image-consciousness of the institution, to compete as an act of protest against the old institution. 

Audiences have certainly been positively affected. Since it premiered on the streamer last week, the comedy has been the subject of an outpouring of online praise with viewers lauding Dumplin’s body positivity.

 “Dumplin’ shares lessons that everybody can learn from, lessons of self-love and our need for outside validation when we do not accept or love ourselves,” shares psychotherapist Dr. Dori Gatter.

Children mimic their parents

“This movie reminds us, as parents, that we have to be very mindful of our relationship to ourselves, as our children will relate to themselves however we relate to ourselves,” says Dr. Gatter.

Developmental psychologists have always said that children learn by imitating adults and this goes beyond what specific behavior they adopt. Children will model their beliefs and behaviors after their primary care givers beliefs and behaviors. But, more importantly, their self-image comes from how parents see themselves, the world and how they see their children.

“If we have any unconscious judgments toward our children, they will energetically read us and form their thoughts and ideas about who they are based on this,” adds Dr. Gatter.

Self-love is the only real way to feel loved

As many psychology studies attest, self-love and compassion are key for mental health and well-being, keeping depression and anxiety at bay. Maybe one of the strongest messages of Dumplin’ is that loving yourself exactly how you are in this moment is the only way to feel loved.

Dr.Gatter says that “It is hard to receive love from anyone else unless we love ourselves first. This is highlighted in the movie when Bo says to Willa “It doesn’t matter what I think about you, does it?” Meaning that even though Bo thinks Willa is beautiful, if Willa does not think she is beautiful then Bo’s words do not get through and change her views of herself. We can heal any self-loathing feelings we have for ourselves by letting others love us, but we have to love and accept ourselves first.”

Self-discovery

Another wonderful message in this movie comes from the Dolly Parton quote “Figure out who you are and do it on purpose.”

“This is another way of saying that you need to discover who you are at your core and love yourself as you are and then live your life from this place inside of you,” adds Dr. Gatter.

“We can get angry and lash out at others as Willa did in the movie and feel like we don’t want to be in what feels like hurtful dynamics with people quitting on us or judging us. The truth of what we are saying is that we don’t want to quit on ourselves. It begins there, the transformation from quitting on ourselves to instead connecting to that spark, our true essence of whom we really are as Willa had in her connection to her Aunt in the movie. We are often our own worst critic and rarely say loving things to ourselves. Start to build a relationship with the kid inside of you who still needs unconditional love and be the good grown- up they can count on to love them,” Dr. Gatter concludes.

Dr. Dori Gatter is a Psychotherapist and Relationship Expert for over 20 years. She helps couples upgrade their relationships and transform their lives. Dr. Gatter does this through a bespoke process that she created to facilitate healing and growth in relationships. She has been voted in the top 10 Psychotherapists in her state.

Dr. Gatter has also co-authored two books, including a children’s book that teaches children how to relate to their emotions. Her work has been previously featured on NBC Channel, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, Reader’s Digest, Bustle and Shape Magazine.

Find more about Dr. Gatter’s work at www.drdorigatter.com

“Every year people choose a list of health resolutions for the next year. Generally, these are habits they will try to do every day or habits they will try to avoid for as long as they can. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are forgotten in a few weeks”, says Monica Mo, founder and CEO of WellSeek, a media company that wants to dispel the myths in the health and wellness world.

Habits are ingrained and automatic. Changing them requires constant effort and a different mindset until a new habit is formed. The following tips can help:

Values and intentions

It is easy for anyone to state a goal, but it’s important to first get clear on the values and intentions that are behind this goal.

Monica Mo says that “We can’t simply focus on superficial metrics and short-term gains, because values and intentions fuel your ability to sustain habits for the long run. So keep your eyes on the long game, and ask yourself first: what do you truly want out of life?”

“This approach will help with staying better connected with your progress as you experience life, such as feeling more energized throughout the work week so you can enjoy downtime with family,” Mo adds.

Health isn’t about rigid rules

 While the media tends to promote diet and exercise with rigid rules and an all-or-nothing mentality, experts agree that if things go to the extreme, eventually it causes more harm than good, which can lead to more guilt, fear, and shame. A healthy lifestyle is about keeping all things in balance.

Mo shares that “Ultimately, how you stay healthy isn’t about obligation or punishment for your body based on what you ate the week before or the current size you’re at. It’s more about feeling energized and happy from the activities you enjoy.”

Breaks should be taken often

 We’re wired to believe we must always be “doing” in order to be healthy, productive members of society.

“When you don’t get enough rest, the risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases go up, and your mental health and cognitive abilities decline. Find the time to rest, it will allow you to unwind, recharge, and keep life in perspective on a day-to-day basis,” says Mo.

Mo adds that “Self-care doesn’t only happen during the weekends or on vacation, and it doesn’t have to involve bubble baths and long hours at the spa. The truth is, even small activities that you enjoy doing count, such as walking your dog or waking up to a hot shower. Every day is an opportunity to care for your mind and body, so you can keep doing more of the things you love.”

Self compassion

We all know how good it feels when others show us compassion, yet we often find ourselves being our own harshest critics. Emerging research shows that self-compassion and self-kindness can enhance or improve your ability to make health-promoting choices.

“Stop spending energy on negative or punishing thoughts and get more out of life by being your own best cheerleader.  Only then, can you start caring for your mind and body in a way that helps you live happy and healthy,” stated Mo.

Obsessing over the numbers and wins

 It seems that health isn’t a goal, it’s a life-long journey. “There’s nothing wrong with setting high expectations or goals for yourself, but stop to listen and ask yourself: is it sucking the energy and joy out of your life? If your answer is yes, slow it down, unpack the layers, and reconsider what really needs to be done. You are a human being with needs that go beyond checking off your to-do list.  Before you carry on blindly, sometimes you have to allow yourself to just be,” Mo concluded.

Monica Mo, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of WellSeek, a brand and media company on a mission to dispel myths and spread truth in the health and wellness world.  She’s the Curating Editor of the WellSeek Collective and a Council of Directors Member at True Health Initiative, a global coalition of world-renown health experts alongside David L. Katz, Sanjay Gupta, and Deepak Chopra, and has been featured on Thrive Global, ESPN Radio, and BuzzFeed.

Read more at https://wellseek.co/

In the United States, health coaching has emerged as a $6 billion service market, with a strong growth outlook over the next years.

Most of the $2.7 trillion national annual health care budget is dedicated to patients with chronic and mental health conditions. These costs can be reduced with health coach programs for those who need to improve their lifestyle, eliminate any bad habits, encourage better nutrition and exercise, and better manage their chronic conditions.

“According to the statistics, there are an estimated 109,000 U.S. health coaches and health educators combined, with average yearly earnings of $56,370. Their numbers are growing every year”, says Carlene Saelg, founder of PMI Health Coach School

And for good reasons. Today there are 74 million baby boomers (ages currently between 55- 75) in the United States and many of them will hire health coaches to improve their health and wellness and manage their chronic conditions. Also, insurance companies are forcing organizations toward more preventative healthcare for medical conditions such diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

Flexible schedules and the increased demand make health coaching a great career. The positive impact can also be seen by patients, as health coaches can dedicate more time to them than doctors usually can, building a relationship that more easily leads to the needed lifestyle change they need.

The following steps are needed for those who want to start and grow a successful health coaching practice in 2019.

Research the health coach certification providers

“One key problem facing the health coaching industry is that a clear and generally accepted national standard does not exist”, stated Saelg. “Also, there are certifications programs that can be done online, from the comfort of your own home, so any extra expenses are kept to a minimum.”

There are lots of organizations providing a health coach certification, so due diligence is needed.

Decide on a niche

A health coaching practice is a business just like any other. Usually health coaches choose to specialize in a specific area like weight loss coaching, chronic disease management (like diabetes) or lifestyle improvement (adopting a healthier diet, managing stress or getting rid of bad habits).

“The more you niche down and focus on one particular audience you want to help, the more targeted your marketing becomes and the easier it will be to find clients”, says Saelg.

Improve your marketing and sales skills

According to existing surveys, 60% of Americans say they want health coaching, but 80% of them have never had it offered to them.

Saelg says, “A big part of your job will be to market your practice and having sales conversation so that you ensure a steady flow of clients into your new health coaching practice. Make sure you have a good marketing foundation in place.”

Luckily today health coaches are only a few posts away from their ideal audience and big marketing budgets are no longer needed to grow your practice. A carefully targeted ad published on the right social media channel for your business can help you reach thousands of people in only a few days.

“As I witness from the students that enroll in my online health coaching certification program, this is an opportunity that is especially appealing for people over 40 who have faced age discrimination since the recession”, adds Saelg.

Carlene Saelg is the founder of PMI Health Coaching School, an accessible and affordable international certification program. To learn more visit http://powerfullymade.com

For mothers who want to both work and spend time with their kids, starting an online business is a popular option.

A Harris survey found that 57 percent of women either have started their own business or have thought about doing so. The main reasons: to do work they are passionate about, and to have more flexibility.

“The term mompreneur is used to describe a mother who runs a business, usually from home,” says Karen Grill,  founder of Second Act Moms and  business coach who works with mompreneurs who are struggling to balance their business and family.

Mompreneurs usually start an online business based on a skill they already have (like marketing consultancy or project management, for example). Another direction they take is creating and selling a product they wished existed (like making baby food healthier or finding innovative solutions to common challenges such as spending a lot of money on diapers or having kids with skin allergies that don’t tolerate any commercial laundry detergent on the market).

So what does it take to run a successful  business as a mompreneur?

Implementing a personalized time management strategy that fits your lifestyle

Time management is important for any business owner, but even more so for mompreneurs.

“I think many mompreneurs struggle with time management because they’ve always tried the same way to schedule or plan.  There is not, however, a one size fits all approach to time management. Some people love to plan and they plan every minute of every day.  Others detest planning and resist it at all costs. I believe there is a time management spectrum and you have to find where you fit on that spectrum”, says Grill.

Grill adds that “Moms in business need to find a way not only to manage their time for their business, but also for their family and for themselves. There are specific strategies and tools that work best for them.”

Delighting your customers

Referral marketing, also known as word-of-mouth marketing, is one of the oldest and most effective marketing strategies.

By having an excellent product or service and implementing a great customer support service, any small business can turn their customers into brand advocates.  

Preparing a plan

Having a detailed plan in place will make things clear and the implementation part much easier.

Grill says that “You need to be crystal clear on what you will sell, to whom, where will you find your clients and how will you sell your product or service to them. Once you understand this, you can create a plan that includes the needed steps to take in your journey towards reaching your goals.”

Setting up the basics

Today there are free or low-cost solutions for all the tools that a small business needs.

“From the start, you should have a website, even if it is just one landing page,a business email address and a way to send out invoices and collect payments. Also, if you are selling a service, make sure you have a contract or legal agreement that details the type of work you do for the client and all the needed details,” says Grill.

Marketing your business

Implementing a marketing strategy can help small businesses gain new customers and increase repeat business.

“Your potential clients will know about your services or products only if you get out there and tell them about it,” says Grill. ” You must master the skill of marketing yourself. This includes a deep understanding of the needs and wants of your clients but also creating authority content that educates, motivates and encourages people to buy from you, writing sales emails and making sales calls.”

Karen Grill is a coach for mom entrepreneurs who are struggling to balance their business and family and are torn between doing their best work for their clients and feeling guilty they’re not spending quality time with their kids.  She helps them manage their time and structure their business to give them the work-life balance they crave. Find more at https://secondactmoms.com

Not all that long ago, quadcopters were toys with minimal capabilities. Today, they are incredibly sophisticated aircraft with speed up to 100 miles an hour, they can return home autonomously and shoot high definition videos, sometimes even at their top speeds. The largest ones can carry loads up to 100 lb and are designed for specific applications such as search and rescue, mapping, agriculture, film-making, and others.

They have demonstrated their benefits in fighting forest fires, search and rescue missions after natural disasters, and other hazardous situations. This is just the beginning, as consumer drones deliver new capabilities yearly and companies like Google and Amazon are working toward drone-based delivery and even air taxis.

As the role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) continues to grow in all sectors of society, the regulation efforts in relation to drone usage have also increased. All drones, even consumers types, have to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, and there are strict rules about where drones can be used, so they do not operate in commercial airspace or near secure facilities. Operating a drone for commercial purposes adds other requirements including training and insurance while lifting some restrictions on how they can be operated, with authorization.

“Unfortunately, government regulations aren’t keeping up with this rapidly-growing market, which isn’t surprising as people come up with new applications all the time, many of which are beyond what current regulations can accommodate. Consequently, states and municipalities are creating their own rules, some of which contradict the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulations, the result being a complex, confusing set of rules and regulations. This, in turn, has created an increasingly lucrative market for attorneys who study this situation for their commercial clients,” says Sam Benzacar, President of Anatech Electronics a company that focuses on the design and manufacturing of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave filters and related products.

As Benzacar points out, “One aspect of the drone world that doesn’t get much media attention is the potential threat posed by quadcopters and hexacopters, and for that matter any type of remotely-piloted aircraft. There is a long and growing list of incidents, from drone flights near or over Department of Defence facilities (and daily near Pentagon), near-misses with commercial aircraft, and hundreds more of varying types. However, other than in the fields of battle elsewhere, there have yet been any confirmed drone-based terrorist attacks in the United States. Media attention is generally limited to the coverage of specific events.”

Obviously, this has not escaped the attention of the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defence, the Secret Service, and other agencies, and has created an exponentially-growing industry for counter-drone systems. In a recent report from the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, called “Counter-Drone Systems”, researchers compiled a list of 235 products from 155 manufacturers in 33 countries dedicated to this business.

Sam Benzacar says that “Depending on the product, these systems are designed to detect, track, identify and defeat drones. Some are portable and can be used during events, while others have the mission of monitoring facilities as well as airports and logging all drone activity.”

“The most widely used form of interdiction is jamming, which can be used alone or complemented by kinetic methods (i.e., shooting down the drone) or by capturing it in a net. Another approach is to break the wireless communication link between the drone and its controller, inserting another that allows the operator to take control. At that point, they can reroute the drone to their location or send it back to its owner while monitoring the video feed. As every company needs to differentiate its products, there are many variants on these terms. Also, it’s at least nice to know that there are ways to dispatch threats that don’t cost $50 million and are available to responsible people,” concludes Benzacar.

Anatech Electronics, Inc., is a privately-held, ISO 9001:2015-certified company founded in 1990 that specializes in the design and manufacture of radio-frequency (RF) and microwave filters that are used in a broad array of applications, such as:  wireless communication systems, defense electronic systems (electronic warfare, electronic countermeasures, radar, and communications), industrial systems, medical systems, scientific instruments, GPS navigation systems and more.

The aerospace and defense industry is one of Anatech Electronics’s primary markets, and it has developed the capabilities, facilities, and quality control procedures required by defense customers. Anatech also follows standards such  MIL-STD-45208A and MIL-F-18327 which are specific to the products it manufactures. The company has a department dedicated exclusively to servicing government entities and contracts.

To learn more visit the company’s website at https://www.anatechelectronics.com

Will Smith decided to celebrate his 50th birthday in a big way. He bungee jumped from a helicopter just outside of Grand Canyon National Park. The jump was live-streamed on the actor’s YouTube channel, hosted by longtime friend and former co-star  Alfonso Ribeiro. The outrageous stunt was a challenge from Yes Theory, a YouTube channel that makes videos of people doing activities out of their comfort zone and it also raised money for charity.

In the live stream, the actor admitted he was terrified of making the jump. “I’ve had an interesting relationship with fear my whole life. When I was younger, my family and I drove to the Grand Canyon, and I remember having a deeply meaningful experience of how beautiful it was, but I was terrified of walking to the edge. All my family walked up to the edge but I stayed back, too scared to take in the beauty. I’ve made it a point in my life to attack anything that I’m scared of,” said the actor.

Once he was back on the ground, Smith couldn’t stop raving about the experience, telling his family upon seeing them, “Nothing, nothing will ever be scarier than that. It goes from complete, absolute terror to the most magnificent bliss you’ve ever felt in your life.”

Will Smith has been a long advocate of the fact that people should live with purpose and get out of their comfort zone if they want to change their circumstances and the world around them. According to branding marketing strategist Sashka Hanna-Rappl, this is a principle that is applied by all top performers, no matter what their field is.

“I believe in putting purpose first, before profit. If you don’t focus on your purpose you will end up being stuck in your comfort zone and you will never have the chance of going from fear to bliss, like Will Smith did,” says Hanna-Rappl.

“I always ask my clients what they want to be known for, what they want to influence generations with. I don’t believe in settling for whatever life gives us, I believe our ideas need to be big and crazy enough. Traditional marketing focuses on the product or service, but it’s only when you put your life purpose at the center of your entire marketing that the results are like never seen before,” Hanna-Rappl adds.

“Will Smith knows a lot about marketing and branding. But he also puts his life purpose first. This makes him disruptive and helps him truly make an impact. This is what makes people stop scrolling and pay attention. And he knows that authenticity always wins the game, when you’re following your life’s purpose and your vision with commitment and belief. On-purpose leadership is not what tradition says it is, but it challenges all that tradition says. Will Smith lives his purpose of improving lives wherever he goes. This makes all of us stop and question ourselves about what is our purpose and how are we going from fear to bliss,” adds Hanna-Rappl.

Sashka Hanna-Rappl is a leadership accelerator and branding-marketing strategist, edutainer, author and speaker, serving creative visionaries in the lifestyle market, who want to go from no-name to brand leadership without selling their soul but leading with it. She’s been featured on Forbes, Buzzfeed, Natural Born Coaches, Trafeze, Steven Aitchison, various virtual on-and offline summits and more. Born and raised in South Africa she now lives in the Alps in Austria and travels frequently to London (UK) and abroad for business and events.

To learn more about Sashka Hanna-Rappl visit Www.brandsashka.com/souldoutbook

The popular drama television series “This Is Us”, which premiered on NBC in 2016, details the lives and families of two parents, their two biological children and one adopted child.

In anticipation of the upcoming third season of “This is us”, scheduled to premiere on September 25th, Wendy Gossett, a Colorado family temperament specialist, reveals a few parenting tips that we can learn from the show, based on the Myer’s Brigg’s personality of each main character on the show.

The Myer’s Briggs’s personality indicator is a popular system used to determine an individual’s preferences on four dichotomies. The various combinations of these preferences result in four main personality types, which are associated with a unique set of behavioral characteristics and values. These then provide an excellent starting point for both self-development and leadership or team development.

Gossett believes that “Knowing your personality type is very important for self-development and it becomes even much more important once you are a parent. The same applies to knowing the personality of your kids.” The TV show “This is us” features a lot of different combinations of parent and children personalities, resulting in many valuable lessons for us, the viewers.”

Understand your strengths and weaknesses

The ESTP (Extroversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) father Jack Pearson, played by Milo Ventimiglia, is charismatic, spontaneous, and usually has a relaxed approach to life. However, ESTP people are also more prone to addiction because they are impulsive, sensory seekers. Jack and his two biological children, Kate and Kevin, are all free-spirited, sensory seeking, perceiving types.

Gossett says that “When a parent understands their own strengths and weaknesses, as well of those of their children, they can distinguish themselves from each other and forewarn their children about destructive tendencies.”

Use creative ways to deal with conflict

The ENFJ type (Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judging) is represented by Rebecca Pearson, the mother, played by Mandy Moore. She is relational, insightful, a passionate performer.

The ENFJ type usually prefers a more structured lifestyle and open lines of communication.
If they have a free-spirited, introverted child, SP (Sensory Perceiver), as it happens on the show, conflict can be tricky.

Gossett shares that “Passing a two-way journal back and forth would allow an introverted child more time to think and respond to their extroverted mother, in a non-confrontational way.”

Adjust your parenting approach to match your child’s personality

The ESTJ (Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judgment) adopted son Randall Pearson, played by Sterling K. Brown, is a driven, trustworthy, overachiever who actually appreciates parental guidance and advice. This type can seem almost superhuman because of their ability to carry the world on their shoulders. Since they naturally respect authority, they are often envied as the “golden children” who set the bar too high. This can cause sibling rivalry, especially when the siblings are opposite personalities. The Pearson parents can’t parent their two sons in the same way.

Parents who are structured, tend to have an easier time parenting children with similar personalities. It is useful for parents to read about the different personalities of their children, so they know which approach works best.

Don’t make comparisons and know when to hold back advice

The ESFP (Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling and Perceiving) biological son Kevin Pearson, played by Justin Harley, and the ISFP (Introverted Sensing, Feeling and Perceiving) biological daughter Kate Pearson, played by Chrissy Metz, are free-spirited individuals who need to express their deep feelings artistically. Kevin needs to differentiate himself from his seemingly perfect brother, Randall, and Kate needs to differentiate herself from her seemingly perfect mother, Rebecca.

“All children will try to differentiate themselves from each other, as well as from their parents. Parents need to respect their children’s unique personalities, and not make comparisons. They also need to know when to give advice and when to hold back. Unsolicited advice, given at the wrong moment, can cause children to go in the opposite direction.”

One on one time is critical

One on one time between parent and child is a powerful way to make each child feel special. In an adoptive household like the Pearson’s, biological son, Kevin, needs this kind of attention even more. Parent/child connection is the number one way to prevent at-risk behaviors”, concludes Gossett.

To take a free child test and learn more about family temperament tips and testing visit www.PeopleWorksCo.com or call (303) 981-4997.

In 2009 Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore co-founded Thorn, a non-profit that fights child sex exploitation and trafficking. Last year alone, Thorn worked on identifying nearly 6,000 child victims of human sex trafficking.

In 2017, Kutcher gave a speech during a hearing at the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he told the committee about the work he and his organization were doing. “I’ve been on FBI raids where I’ve seen things that no person should ever see,” Kutcher said.

 “Ashton Kutcher is a great example of how anybody can become the change they want to see in the world,” says Ulrika Lorenz, founder of Do Good Now Global, a non-profit with a mission to fight child sex trafficking.

“Although I passionately support many causes, perhaps the cause closest to my heart is that of human trafficking. I first became aware of the issue after hearing about Thailand’s karaoke bars and brothels and the young girls who had been trafficked there against their will”, says Lorenz.

Lorenz added that “My short-term goals include raising awareness about how pornography and prostitution are the causes of human trafficking and sex slavery. By making men, in particular, more aware of how engaging in these practices inadvertently supports the abuse of women and girls, I hope to influence them to stop engaging in these activities.”

To raise awareness about the sex trafficking fight campaign and how we can all contribute to making a change, Lorenz has partnered with The Poodles, a famous Swedish rock band, for a series of concerts along the Western Coast of Sweden this August. All the money raised are used to fund a bed and breakfast in Nepal, run by rescued victims of human trafficking.

“It is important that those girls become self-sufficient, rather than relying on donations and haveing no control over their income. The event we did together with The Poodles helped us a lot on our journey towards meeting this goal. We raised lots of awareness and raised a part of the money needed for the building of the bed-and-breakfast. But the most important thing is that we showed that anybody could do something to support a cause they believe in. Just stop thinking about it and do something instead, anything. Of course that Ashton Kutcher and the Poodles have the notoriety benefit, but we don’t have to be a celebrity to take action, any small action matters,” says Lorenz.

“I want to get Do Good Now’s message into the eyes, ears, and hands of as many people in the world as I can, so my ultimate vision can be realized: a world without human trafficking, prostitution, and sex slavery. I want all women and girls to be able to live in freedom, and enjoy their childhood, so they can become the change they wish to see in the world”, Lorenz concluded.

For more information about Ulrika Lorenz, her work on fighting sex trafficking and how you can help, visit  https://www.dogoodnowglobal.com .

Since its premiere on Netflix in June, the stand-up comedy show Nanette has become wildly critically acclaimed. The Australian’s story has since been covered everywhere from Rolling Stone magazine to The New York Times.

Gadsby confessed that wasn’t the result she had in mind when she wrote it. “I thought I’d probably get 12 shows and get asked to leave,” she explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon recently. “The plan’s backfired. If I quit, I’m an idiot now. If the show had gone as badly as I’d planned, it would have worked, but now I’m left with a choice: I’ll either be an idiot or a hypocrite. I’ll be a hypocrite”, she added.

The day she woke to perform Nanette, she had determined that would be her last ever comedic set as in her words “comedy was killing her.” The traditional brand of comedy where you create high levels of tension in the audience and break it with self-deprecating humor was humiliating her soul.

According to Willow Bradner, who uses her psychic abilities to help entrepreneurs capitalize on their own intuition, “She was no longer willing to be less than authentic for a laugh, her intuition or inner voice and her soul were screaming for transparency and honesty.”

Bradner explains how she sees this recurring theme among the successful entrepreneurs she works with. “Hannah did what every successful entrepreneur does. She listened to herself and moved on behalf of her truth inside. Entrepreneurs are always looking for the secret sauce that differentiates the super successful from the ordinary, its trust. Hannah trusted herself and her inner voice so much she was willing to bet her comedy career on it. That truth propelled her to the top of the heap in comedy causing comics everywhere to ask themselves and each other: What was that? What did Hannah just do? Was that even Stand Up?”.

In November 2017 Hannah tweeted, “I’ll settle this: my show is not stand-up comedy because I got jack of an art form designed by men for men. Female artists often defy genre.”

Bradner believes that “Women have to trust themselves even more than men. I say this because as Hannah so aptly points out, this art form was “made for men, by men.” The same can be said for all business. Successful women do not just defy odds every time one of us makes it to a C-suite, or rock past a high six-figure marker. We defy odds every time we trust the inner voice inside that says, “Dare to be Different, Dare to stand out, Yes you can!”

“Different is scary, different means you might not fit in, different means you may face rejection. But it is different that also creates the exception to all the rules. It is different that breaks glass ceilings and shifts old paradigms. It takes real trust in yourself to be that kind of changemaker”, Bradner concluded.

Willow Bradner is an accidental psychic who uses her psychic abilities to help entrepreneurs break their own glass ceilings by helping them overcome self-doubt and ignite their own intuitive skills.

“Through the process of learning how to use this superpower of intuition I always come back to that spot where I began by asking: Why are we limited? Why are we stuck? And how can I help to reignite the truth, we are limitless?”, Bradner says about her work.

To learn more about Willow Bradner  and her work visit http://www.willowbradner.com

Jennifer Lopez turned 49 on Tuesday and is often quoted saying that she mostly abstains from alcohol as a way to maintain her youthful looks.  Lopez repeatedly said she doesn’t drink, telling InStyle, “I think that ruins your skin. Of course, during celebratory toasts, everybody’s like, ‘You can’t toast with water!’ So I’ll toast with alcohol and just take a sip.”

According to Caitlin Padgett, founder of Redefining Sobriety and Amazon best selling author of “Drink Less, Be More,” you can party for hours and feel great without the drinking part.

Padgett said “By implementing the methods I also talk about in my book, my clients say they have a lot of fun at parties or networking events without feeling that they had deprived themselves or missed out on anything. They feel really glad that they were able to party for five hours and be present, energetic and clear the whole time.”

When asked what is the most common benefit her clients reported, Padgett note, “The thing that I hear the most is that they are glad to be able to have a great time, sleep well, and wake up feeling fresh the next day.”

Padgett explained how she uses the “JLo method” with her clients, “We all know harsh alcohol is on the skin, as it affects the body’s ability to stay hydrated. And a dehydrated skin has more pronounced fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. I believe that not drinking helps Jenniffer Lopez a lot to look younger.  Drinking less will also help you get that deep, restorative sleep, something else JLo credits as helping to keep her young. I’ve shared this method with my clients, successful women who are not alcoholic but do struggle with over-drinking at times and are looking to cut back on alcohol. Along with other accountability strategies, the JLo method is a great strategy for those who can successfully moderate (know that they can have a sip or half a glass and stop there) and who are seeking an alternative to the “all or nothing” approach to sobriety.” 

“Of course, this method is great that for anyone who struggles with alcohol sometimes, in specific moments – not for people with severe alcohol use disorder or what is commonly referred to as alcoholism. It is a great way to stay aligned with your personal goals without feeling rigid or deprived.”, Padgett concluded.

Padgett has created Redefining Sobriety, a platform for women who want to redefine their relationship with alcohol and change their lives. ‘I take an alternative approach to the long-established status quo. Redefining Sobriety is based on empowerment and involves radical self-care and self-love and aliveness.”, Padgett adds.

Caitlin Padgett is a certified coach for women who struggle with alcohol, creator of Redefining Sobriety and Amazon bestselling author of “Drink Less, Be More”. By combining her background in psychology, nutrition, fitness, harm reduction and holistic health she crafted an unconventional approach to helping women find freedom from alcohol, on their own terms. Her work was featured on Forbes, The Huffington Post, Elite Daily and Mind Body Green.

Redefining Sobriety is a movement to support women who want to make a change in their relationship with alcohol in their lives – without adopting a life-long label, needing to swear off alcohol completely or follow a specific program. 

“You can learn to drink alcohol in a healthy, responsible way while putting your own self-care as paramount. I created Redefining Sobriety to help women get to a place where alcohol – and whether they choose to drink or not drink – becomes secondary to living their best life. Not everybody needs or wants the structure of a traditional abstinence-based program. So many people won’t thrive in this – and you can feel when this is not for you. That’s where Redefining Sobriety comes in – to offer a new kind of freedom, choice and autonomy – enabling you to change your life on your terms.”, Padgett adds.

To learn more about Caitlin Padgett and Redefining Sobriety visit http://www.redefiningsobriety.com or https://www.facebook.com/coachcaitlinpadgett/

Forbes will soon release its “America Women’s Billionaire” featuring Kylie Jenner on the cover. “At 21, she’s set to be the youngest-ever self-made billionaire,” the cover reads. “Welcome to the era of extreme fame leverage.” Forbes estimated that Jenner’s fame helped her build a $900 million fortune in only a few years.

The comments on social media immediately took exception to Jenner being called “self-made” since she is a member of the wealthy and famous family. “Her story is not inspiring or motivating for anyone,” one person tweeted. “Kylie Jenner is not “self-made” at all. This is the problem with talking about successful people in America. We act like they did it by themselves when that’s never the case. And, with people like the Kardashians/Jenners, they were always rich,” says another tweet.

A spokeswoman for Forbes told CNN the publication “fully acknowledges that within the term ‘self-made’ there are many who are more self-made than others.”

In fact, for this year’s edition, the staff gave each member of The Forbes 400 (the wealthiest people in he U.S.) a score on a scale from 1 to 10 (where a 1 indicates the fortune was completely inherited, while a 10 is for a Horatio Alger-esque journey). Special attention was paid to their parents and their socio-economic status. The Forbes evaluation criteria was published here.

Fabienne Raphael, online business consultant for people who want to transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, feels no one can claim that their success is the result of their only hard work, without anyone else’s help, resources, guidance, money, strategy or influence.

Raphael said, “The people who criticize Forbes for calling Kylie Jenner a self-made entrepreneur will argue that she had leveraged her celebrity status and the money of her family. However, the lasting issue is that just because someone is born rich and builds a business doesn’t mean that they will necessarily succeed and become billionaires. “

According to Raphael, the issue is with the perception of the word “self-made”.

“To my eyes, no one really is a “self-made” successful business owner. So Kylie Jenner and all the other entrepreneurs, me included, have that in common. Grit. Passion. Ambition. But are we self-made? No. I don’t think so. None of us really is.”

Fabienne Raphael is an online business consultant, speaker and podcaster. She helps experts transition from an unfulfilled corporate career to a thriving online business.
She has been featured in Forbes, Inc. and Huffington Post and have appeared on over 25 podcasts, such as CopyChief Radio and Entrepreneur on Fire.

Visit her website at www.fabienneraphael.com