Sunday Inspiration and Motivation July 21,2013

Hi All!

Dr. Venus Reese explains a position for many years that a "Good Education is Bad for Business".

  

So what do you think? Did this resonate with you? Leave a comment telling us what you think? 

Michelle


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Treasury Thursday Tropical Breeze

Hi All!

I know everyone is ready for a Tropical Breeze especially those of you in the frosty time zones. Here in the desert of Arizona we have been hit with extremely cold temperatures for us (20 degrees). No, we're not prepared for it.

So I'm happy to bring you this lively collection entitled , "Tropical Breeze" by Nancy Gobee of NancysWorkshop.

Doesn't this make you reminisce for a chair on the beach with the breeze coming in from the ocean. Makes me miss the Bahamas and the breeze coming off the ocean on the beaches in Senegal, in West Africa. What memories does this collection bring to mind for you? Please share in the comments section. As always all pictures are clickable for more info and to purchase. 

 Michelle
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I was featured on the EtsyMom Blog

Hi All!

I was featured on the EtsyMom blog.
I loved the write -up and hope you do too. Click on the image to read the review and leave a comment.

Thanks,

Michelle

Good News: I'm A Branson Centre Mentor

Hi All!

I've been honored to be selected as a mentor for the (Sir Richard) Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship. I'm pleased as punch to have been selected and look forward to having a mentee assigned to me. I was contacted about being a mentor and filled out the application not quite knowing what to expect since my mentee will be in Jamaica. Yes, I have been to Jamaica. I thought about the seminars, speaking engagements, advice and mentoring I have done in the past and decided to go ahead with the process. I plan to play it forward and hope to be as beneficial to my mentee as others have been to me.

The First Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship was founded in 2005 in South Africa. The video below showcases what the Centre in South Africa has been able to accomplish.



 Thinking back to when you first started your business what would your present self advise your start-up self to prepare them for running a business. Kindly leave a comment sharing your pearls of wisdom. If you like this info please share through your social media. 

Thanks, 
Michelle
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Sunday Inspiraton "Who Am I?" 11/11/2012

HI All!

Today's Sunday inspiration is a video I ran across while surfing Youtube.com .The video called to me, so I stopped and watched. The coach in the video hits all the points for entrepreneurs as will as sports players. You can't give up. You just have to keep pressing forward.

What did you get from the video?
I got perseverance; Help those who help you; Giving your business your all;

Thanks , Michelle
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Google For Entrepreneurs

Hi All!

Google's latest new tool is Google For Entrepreneurs. I know! I know! Another "tool" to learn. This one has multiple benefits. http://www.google.com/entrepreneurs/ This is Google's program (website) set up to address the needs of entrepreneur's, a small segment of the population.

Google has taken on the task of helping entrepreneurs when they need the most help, the all important first five years.

Google states on their blog:


Our focus is threefold:

1. Partnerships with strong organizations that serve entrepreneurs in local communities
2. Google-led programs to bring our teams and our tools directly to entrepreneurs
3. Placing relevant Google tools in the hands of start ups as they are getting off the ground and ready to scale

  Google is targeting three areas to provide services.

1.Programs  to meet the needs of different segments of the community. Examples are:
a. Women 2.0  Women 2.0 is a media company providing content, community and events for aspiring and current female technology innovators. Its mission is to increase the number of female founders of technology start-ups with inspiration, information and education. Google's partnership will help Women 2.0 expand their Founder Friday series into four new cities (Detroit, New Orleans, Sao Paulo, and Moscow) and use Google technology to empower and connect these communities. 

 b.  NewME Accelerator is a residential technology start-up accelerator for businesses led by underrepresented groups (African-Americans, Latinos, and Women) in the technology industry. The goal is to catalyze these entrepreneurs by offering them mentor ship and access to Silicon Valley mentors, partners, and investors. The entrepreneurs live and work side-by-side for 12 weeks and work directly with mentors from across Silicon Valley, leading up to a final pitch to investors during Demo Day. To date, the program has received more than 400 applications, 27 have been accepted and 17 businesses have graduated. Google is the proud presenting sponsor of NewME.


2. Events -Women 2.0 Pitch New York program where women from around the world come to pitch their technology  Nov. 13-17, 2012 in New York City.


3. Resources
Google has partnered with organizations around the world like the Branson Center for Entrepreneurship, incubators and funds to provide resources for entrepreneurs to get off the ground and running.


Most of the activities have already taken place, with the exception of the November event in New York.

You can find more info and check back to find out the programs for 2013 here .

Check it out and come back and share your thoughts. Do you think this is a passing fad for Google or will they stay in it for the long haul? Are these programs beneficial to your business? What you like to see Google add to their entrepreneurship programs?

Looking forward to your comments.


Michelle
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Nominated For the Versatile Blogger Award

Hi All!

 I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Blogger BeULuv.

The RULES are as follows:

Thank the Blogger who nominated you 
Share (7) random facts about yourself 

Nominate (15) fellow bloggers that you recently discovered or follow regularly 
Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs 
Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post   

Special thanks to BeULuv who honored me with this award.

Seven (7) Random facts about me. 

1. I'm much older than I look.

2. I'm a chef level cook. Smile

3. I love Science Fiction.   

4. I don't like creepy crawly things.

5. My eyes are green with brown flecks.

6. I'll make all the time in the world for elders.   

7. People always ask if I can sing because of the depth of my voice. I couldn't carry a tune if it was in a bucket.  Smile. 

I nominate the following blogs for this award: 

SistaSense.com
Pay the bills and more
Yarnology 
Magnetic Woman
Emerald Harvest
Cassandra Broomfield Bridal
Needle Artists and Crafters
Waterbury Jewels
Seriously Natural
Seasonal Color Analysis
Savvy Brown 
 Onyx Woman

Check out the blogs I nominated and you might find a new fav.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Michelle  

 
 

Time to Put Africa on Your Business Map

Hi All!


Here's an interesting infographic that I wanted to share with you which gives some of the diversity and  factual info about the continent of Africa.

Are you doing business on the continent? Have you considered doing business on the continent? Would like to, but don't know where to begin?

The continent is the new "Gold Rush".

Consider that 

1. 53 million of the  population is using mobile (cellphones) to access the rest of the world, bypassing energy problems and any other issues that might normally pose a problem on the continent.

2. Many of the economies on the continent will have a higher GDP than the West.

3. Oil is being discovered in many countries.

4. The rate of return in some Africa countries is the highest in the world.

5. China, India and the EU are making major investments on the continent. Just like the American "gold rush" those who get in early have the best chance of succeeding.

Contact me and I'll be happy to assistance you in finding your niche on the continent.  

Thanks,

Michelle

Last Day for $50 Giveaway

Hi All 

Today is the last day for my GIVEAWAY to celebrate my 500th post. You have until midnight today to enter. So be nice and share with your friends and family here http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2012/10/celebrating-my-500th-post-with-giveway.html

These are some of the handmade gifts you can purchase with your gift certificate.

You can use code Blog30 for 30% off  until October 20, 2012 at midnight. So get those entries in and good luck to you all.

Enjoy,

Michelle

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Wordless Wednesday Ghana Fashion Week 2012

Hi All!

DESIGNER Nelly Hagan-Aboagye of Duaba Serwa

Sunday Inspiration Richard St. John 10/14/2012

Hi All!
 
Today's Sunday inspiration will enlighten you and put a smile on your face. This is for all my folks in business who need encouragement to keep moving forward.

I hope you enjoyed this video. I did. I like the way Richard St John dispensed humor throughout the presentation. I love the way he used graphic and quotes. This one of the most effective presentations I watched in a long time. He hit his points and kept you laughing. That laughter which will serve as a trigger when viewing other similar material to bring his presentation to mind. 

Did you receive inspiration from this video? If not why not? 

 Do you do inspiration or motivational  video, graphics or blog posts?

How do you use video, slides and graphics in your business? 

Leave a comment sharing your story. If you have a video or blog post you'd like to share that hits any of the above questions, leave a link in your comments.

Looking forward to reading your comments.

Michelle

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Eye Candy Friday 10/11/2012

Hi All!

Here's a lovely collection of gifts by Jayne of Twiggy and Opal of the Craftori team which includes yours truly. 

Each square has an item in it.  All Links are clickable and will take you to the page for more information.

Don't forget to sign up for my GIVEAWAY (Ends 10/18) here http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2012/10/celebrating-my-500th-post-with-giveway.html

Thanks for looking.


Michelle


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Celebrating my 500th Post with a GIVEWAY

Hi All!

I reached a mile stone that wasn't even on my radar. I started this blog to   chronicle events that were happening in Scottsdale and the world that were of interest to me. My little soapbox to the world. I didn't have a "strategic plan" or one for world domination. Smile. Now on October 4, I posted my 500th post. Amazing.

My very first post was on the premier of Michael Jackson's movie (http://wirequeen.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-attended-michael-jackson-movie.html) on October 20, 2009. My how times have changed.

In three years there has been monumental changes in the online world. Everyone's a social media expert. The rise of Pinterest.com, One million + websites devoted to Black Women's Natural Hair, and on and on.

"The only thing constant is change", can't remember whose quote this is,but it sure is appropriate for these times.

So to celebrate I'm giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to be used solely in my wirequeen.etsy.com shop. You have to use the entire amount in my shop.  No refunds.

Here's Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Thanks for sharing this journey and hopefully you still around for another 500+  .

Michelle


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Sunday Inspiration Louise Hay 10/7/2012

Hi All!

Today's inspiration is by Louise Hay. Ms. Hay was in the forefront of the Self help movement. I was first introduced to her through her book "Heal Your Life Body A-Z, The mental causes to Physical Illness and the Way to Overcome It". She has been a great inspiration to me to not accept the doctor's decree that, "I would be in a wheelchair with my head been on my breast in ten years."  Well this is year twelve (12) and I'm still NOT in a wheelchair. My head is STILL unbowed.






Thank you Ms Hay, Dr.Pavner, Mark Lipinski and Big Mike Tate. They were all on my team and believed that a wheelchair was not my future. I thank them all and may the Universe give them a might blessing for all the folks like me they have helped.

What or who has been your inspiration? Who has shown you that you didn't have to accept the prediction? Whether it was about a skill, a learning experience or a talent.

Please share and leave a comment to help others.

Thanks,

Michelle

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Saturday's Line up 10/6 2012

Hi All!

Today's line up is COPPER EARRINGS!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/58931930/cowrie-shell-copper-coiled-earrings

https://www.etsy.com/listing/72338810/copper-earrings-wire-wrap-earrings

https://www.etsy.com/listing/71251616/wire-wrap-copper-earrings-artisan

https://www.etsy.com/listing/66283506/copper-coiled-dangles-earrings

These earrings are 21 and 18 gage copper in both round and square wire. These were made up as part of a special order a gentle man was buying for his Argentinian girlfriend who adored copper earrings.

He selected two pair which are not here. He stated that my work was under priced. Made my day. Smile All items are for sale on my site, just click on the caption. 

Thanks,

Michelle

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Artist Spotlight HANDMADE SEM

Hi All!

Do your eyes glaze over when folks start talking about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Yes, I do understand. You have to create your product. take pictures, write the descriptions, market them and now they want you to learn a foreign language (SEO). Smile

Well help is here.

Handmade SEM is here to relieve some of that stress for you.Michelle will be only to happy to help ease your burden of creating your branding materials. She is happy to help you with SEO for your EtSY shop/website or blog. 

Take a spin through her shop. Contact her to get more information on how she can lessen your burden of getting that product branded and optimized for the web.

Click the link to check out her shop and contact her for more information. 

Take a look and leave a comment on what your best SEO tips are.

Thanks,

Michelle

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I love Summer Treasury

Hi All

Have you treated yourself this summer? If not, here are some great treasury gifts to add to your summer collection, including my fine silver wire hear pendant.

"I Love Summer" treasury by Margaret of SplendidLittleStars.

So how has your summer been? Are you glad its winding down or do you want to hang on a little while longer? Smile

Love to hear your thoughts.

Michelle

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KLOUT update Score is now 62

Hi All!


I got an update yesterday that my KLOUT.com score had jumped to 62.  They now view me as a Broadcaster having influence over under a thousand people. Sounds good doesn't. Smile but what does this really mean?

Per Klout , "You create content that is spread throughout your network and drives discussions". You are influential in 15 topics.

Now the question is how does this translate into something usable? My spin on this is that when people see you have a higher Klout score they are more inclined to give a listen as to what you are sharing , selling ,etc.

What's your view on Klout as a measure of your clout. Smile

Looking forward to your comments.

Thanks for visiting
Michelle

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We Hit 20,000 today!!!! Thank You

Thank you everyone who has visited and commented on my blog.  Today we hit 20,000 pageviews. Your visits comments and participation is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you all. Please share and lets make the next 20,000 happen even faster. Smile

Michelle

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http://facebook.com/wirequeen

http://twitter.com/wirequeen

Is Nigeria on Your to Do Business List? It Should Be

Let's start with some basic info on Nigeria.


Nigeria ⁱ/naɪˈdʒɪəriə/, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroonin the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims in the North and Christians in the South; a very small minority practice traditional religion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria


Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the most populous country where the people are predominately BLACK. 

I attended several meetings in the last month concerning the nations with economies that are growing. The first briefing dealt with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia,India, China and South Africa).  The second focused on the continent as a whole. (I hate when they do that, because it allows speakers to lump the continent as if its one country instead of fifty countries.) Usually when this is done very little positive information is given out. Yet all of the speakers had to give Nigeria its due. It is a rising economy and is a member of OPEC. Nigeria has become a powerhouse in so many areas (Can you say the next Bollywood). That Screen shot on the left of the animation with the woman facing is from a movie won Nigerian animators the United Nations prize for animation. 

The Nigeria elite and middle class are income generators and spenders. Internet savvy as any one whose received the scam emails can attest to. Smile. In this country you can find some of the most ingenious scam artists in the world and you can find the most honest, get the job done business people you will ever meet and all points in between. The Nigerians were quick to embrace the internet and many use it to do business, shop and keep in touch. 


I used to joke with my Nigeria friends that if I ever visited the North Pole I was certain I would find a Nigerian there. For me their biggest drawback is not getting the word out on the many innovations and opportunities coming out of the country. 


I'm including links for various resources for you to consider in determining what countries you consider doing business in.


For my handcraft audience-Nigerians are everywhere and they are good customers if they like what you are doing, so don't rule them out.

The Africa They never show you.

 Start by checking to find out what individual countries are aspiring to do. Rwanda wants to be an IT Hub. Check to see what regional organizations are focusing on (ECOWAS). Then match your companies strengths to that a regions focus. Once you've determined a region then look for a country within that region to focus on. Now go out and do Business. Smile

 If I can be of assistance contact me. 

Michelle